Decorum » Sydney Events

Happy Wednesday

Jennifer — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:46:10 +0000

Grrr! Just found that this didn’t publish this morning as I told it to!

Just dropping in to wish you a happy Wednesday and a pinch and a punch. February already!

via funnydogsite.com

I’m off to the Australian International Furniture Fair today. I’m looking for some sofas for clients and occasional tables which can always be a bit tricky.

Selection of Sofas and Occasional pieces

Decoration and Design is incorporated into the Trade shows these days and I do find myself spending more time in there looking at all the pretties rather than strolling the aisles looking at beds and wall units.

Beds on dispaly via demotix.com

And then of course, I’m going with my partners in crime and no doubt will bump into others I know, both vendors and viewers. So the social aspect of the day is well worth the outing.

Elegant Dining Room via Pinterest

I’m booked in for the seminar with Martyn Lawrence Bullard and it’s always great to hear designers of note speak about their work and career. I enjoyed listening to the interview the girls from The Skirted Roundtable did with Martyn so I’m super excited about hearing him live.

Mexican Retreat via Pinterest

I have my swag of business cards, paper, pen and camera (mind you, there’s usually loudspeaker announcements warning us that photography is banned) and I’m ready for a great day.

Morrocan Bedroom via Pinterest

Enjoy your day whatever you’re doing.

Jennifer

If you would like assistance choosing furniture for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

MIA

Jennifer — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:19:53 +0000

I’m so sorry I’ve been Missing In Action this past week and a half. The time is just flying bye and I can’t believe I’ve missed so many posts.

It’s such a hectic time for everyone. Apart from finishing off the Christmas shopping, we have a number of December birthdays and I have been helping to celebrate and trying out four new restaurants in Sydney.

The first was The Winery in Crown Street. I’d been there earlier in the year for lunch and although it’s been around for a while thought the family might like to see the quirky decor.

We also went to a new local Italian restaurant. The decor there was very sleek, which in my mind doesn’t really suit the Italian food. I imagine Italian food to be more comfort food and therefore want the decor to be more cosy and homey. The red and black glass mosaics on the stark white walls were out of keeping for me.

I tried Pony Dining at Neutral Bay too. What a great space! And the food and service were excellent. Lots of use of timber on the inside made the decor very warm but it still had an air of sophistication.

Then one last birthday was celebrated at Felix in the city. It’s a little spot of Paris right in the heart of Sydney. Food and service were great and the decor was so very authentic.

I’m still helping clients with Colour Consultations before Christmas as they have painters lined up for early in the New Year and I have been buying bed linen for another client.

But the highlight of the past ten days would have to be my darling daughter being appointed as girl School Captain for 2012. We are all so proud of you sweetheart.

I’m going to now, officially, take a few weeks off to celebrate Christmas and New Year and recharge the batteries after a very busy year. I trust you have an enjoyable holiday season. I thank you for joining me throughout 2011 and look forward to your company again in 2012.

See you soon.

If you would like assistance with colour or decor for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

What’s on

Jennifer — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:04:21 +0000

Friday again! Yikes the time is flying. How’s your Christmas shopping? All done and wrapped?

Click on image for source

If not, you will love this. The wonderful people at Have You Met Miss Jones are having a clearance sale. I’ve been coveting her Christmas decorations this year and will be hoping to get my hands on three (remember, things look better in odd numbers) of the Woodland Deer. Sale starts at 9am today and continues tomorrow too.

Click on image for source

And while you’re in the area, pop in next door to KAS Australia to stock up on new bedlinen and other soft furnishings for all those rellies coming for Christmas.

KAS Bedlinen

There, that’s sorted a few more presents for you. Have a fabulous weekend.

Click on image for source

If you would like assistance creating a harmonious environment in your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Happy Halloween

Jennifer — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:04:24 +0000

When we were in the States last month, we loved seeing all the Halloween decorations in shops and hotels.

Pottery Barn, New York

Disneyland

Jewellers in San Francisco

Halloween Pet Costume Section at Target, San Francisco

Electrical Store, San Francisco

For the past few years, we’ve put decorations outside our home on 31st October to let the neighbourhood kids know we’re ready for trick or treating.

This year I decided to make some Halloween Cup Cakes using the Sanding Sugar and Halloween Stencils I bought at Williams-Sonoma Home in New York. There’s obviously an art to using them but I’m sure they’ll taste OK.

Halloween Cup Cakes

And for the first time, I noticed decorations in one of the shops at the local Westfield Shopping Centre.

Halloween Decorations in Sydney

What are you doing for Halloween?

If you would like assistance with your decor, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Grand Designs

Jennifer — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:51:29 +0000

Grand Designs Live came to Sydney over the weekend.

I have long been an avid fan of the TV show Grand Designs, and have marvelled at the amazing creations Kevin McCloud finds on his travels in the UK and further abroad. I have also marvelled at the sheer tenacity of the home owners who tackle the building process with naivety and determination. And naturally I marvel at the end result and how, most times, it all works out and they all live happily ever after.

The Gap House via www.dailymail.co.uk

So I was intrigued as to how the TV show would translate to a Live event. I had no idea what to expect.

Grand Design Live Official Opening via Facebook

It turned out to be more like every other home related show I have been to, for both trade and the general public, however the difference was the appearance of Kevin McCloud. And doesn’t he have a following? About 200 – 300 people packed the area of the Grand Stage with seating quickly snaffled up by the early birds. The doors only opened at 10am and Kevin was due on stage at 11am, but by 10.35am it was standing room only.

Kevin McCloud - photographer Mark Fairhurst. Image via www.dailymail.co.uk

Kevin is naturally passionate about homes and building and his 40 minute talk centred around the fact that all homes, in fact all things, we love have three main attributes. They have firmness, commodity and delight. Like the Fiat Spider, Kevins’ favourite car. It is solidly built, very comfortable and has the WOW factor.

Fiat Spider via Wikipedia

And of course the interesting point, and one that I have so often mentioned here and in my work, is what one person finds comfortable or attractive, may not have the same effect on the next person. He spoke about the famed Eames chair and how for years he had coveted an original. However, when he finally did sit in one, it was not comfortable for him as he is fairly tall and therefore it lost all it’s appeal. The one perfect piece that is perfect for and to everyone, does not exist.

The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman

However in our homes, we should fill them with things we love because of their meaning. The things we touch every day, like the humble light switch, should be top quality and beautiful to touch. Kevin’s parting piece of advice was that the story in things is what makes the design.

What piece or pieces do you have in your home that tells a story?

If you would like assistance with colour or design for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Weekend Wrap Up

Jennifer — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:09:14 +0000

Looks like another busy weekend in Sydney coming up.

Firstly there is the launch of the Boutique Markets. These markets originated in Brisbane and are gradually taking over all the capital cities. The offerings look great.

Markets in Sydney

Then in conjunction with the Boutique Markets is Mathildas Market aimed especially at babies and kids. Both of these markets are being held at The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.

And if you’re looking for some new bedlinen to set you up for spring, you must head to the KAS Australia Warehouse sale.

Winchester from KAS Australia

So what are you up to this weekend? Whatever it is, I hope you have a good one.

Saturday in Design 2011

Jennifer — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 19:58:03 +0000

Well after a wet and miserable Friday, the sun came out shining on Saturday for Saturday in Design 2011.

We started our day at Reece who always serve a fabulous breakfast. Orange juice, Bircher muesli and Brushetta with smoked salmon. All while checking out the new range of toilets and basins.

via Reece website

Next door to Reece at Surry Hills is Poliform. They have my dream wardrobes as well as other furniture items. Their Miele display kitchen was getting a workout and we were able to give our stamp of approval to the egg and prosciutto rolls that had just come out of the oven. Mmm mmm!

A short courtesy bus ride delivered us to Great Dane at Redfern. The showroom was full as guest designer Benjamin Hubert was about to explain his design process.

Great Dane

Tait Outdoor is right next door to Great Dane. I love their outdoor range. I’m not sure if it was coming out of a cold wet winter that made me think everything was so colourful or whether it was more colourful than past releases.

Colourful umbrellas

The street outside these showrooms was set up like a market with stalls providing an array of food options.

Market stalls

We then ventured further south to a specially leased warehouse that housed a number of displays. I love it when I find a new supplier or one I hadn’t used for a while. Giati Designs were showcasing their range of outdoor fabrics. 100% solution-dyed acrylics are guaranteed sunfast, durable, scrubbable, stain and mildew resistant. I hadn’t seen them before.

Range of outdoor fabrics

Also in the same venue was Bloom with their wonderful lit planter pots. These make spectacular talking pieces on a deck or in a courtyard with their warm glow in various colours. And they’ve recently released cubes in various sizes which make great outdoor seats.

Bloom Pots and other shapes

And next to Bloom was Wallcandy with a great range of wallpapers. I loved the shoe wallpaper.

Wallcandy Wallpapers

We left Waterloo and headed to Chippendale to Insitu. They have a great range of chairs for all occasions. Insitu had a lovely lunch set out so naturally we had to oblige. We enjoyed the atmosphere of the showroom for a while as we ate and planned our next port of call.

Lunch at Insitu

Hub Furniture was the place to be by the looks of the crowds in the showroom. A selection of rugs, lamps, sofas and chairs were on display as well as some funky homewares.

Favourite light fitting from Hub Furniture

Our last stop of the day was at Alexandria where we looked at Cosh Living, Ke-zu, Splash and Space before we headed home foot-sore and weary.

It was a great day, as usual, and fabulous to be able to see so many design precincts and showrooms all on the one day. Thanks to the organisers for arranging such a wonderful day.

Design Your Own

Jennifer — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 19:58:29 +0000

I’ve said it before, I’m a bit partial to rugs. With so many people opting for floorboards these days rugs are a great way to warm up a room, add some colour and fun and define an area.

Armadillo Pebble Floor Rug

So I was very pleased to visit the Armadillo&Co showroom yesterday and view their brand new rug range called Designer Collection.

Designer Collection by Armadillo&Co

Armadillo&Co combine aesthetics with ethics. Every rug embraces Fair Trade practices, is crafted from sustainable natural fibres and all purchases benefit local schools in the villages of the weavers in India.

Armadillo Artisans

With a great range of standard rugs available for homeowners, Armadillo&Co decided it was time to launch a collection specifically for the Interior Design industury. That way we get to choose a pattern and colour that will enhance the interiors of the homes we are decorating.

Every colour of the rainbow

With seven patterns and twenty three colours to select from, there’s no problem in creating the perfect rug for your home.

Some of the seven patterns

The rugs are soft underfoot so ideal for sitting on in the family room or to add some colour to the kids’ bedrooms. They are hardwearing and crafted from 100% New Zealand wool.

Masai Pattern in Crimson and White

Apart from this exciting new collection, I also couldn’t take my eyes off the Papyrus weave rug that was on the showroom floor. The movement of colour in the rug was gorgeous.

Papyrus Rug

If you would like assistance choosing the perfect rug for your family home, contact us to arrange an in-person or online consultation. Inside Out Colour and Design can supply all the Armadillo&Co range of rugs.

Counting Down

Jennifer — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:26:10 +0000

Remember a couple of years ago I did a series of posts on Saturday in Design? Here, here and here.

Click on image for source

Well it’s on in Sydney again this year and the countdown has begun. I have registered and crossed out the day in the diary. Can’t wait. It’s always so much fun checking out all the showrooms and products and characters you meet on the way.

Click on image for source

And I’m also on the countdown for holidays. I’m heading to Brisbane this weekend to visit friends and family and celebrate my daughter’s birthday.

Click on image for source

Have a great weekend, a fabulous week and I’ll see you all the week after next.

Click on image for source

If you would like assistance with colour and design for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Now this looks like fun

Jennifer — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:29:34 +0000

If French Provincial or Industrial decor is you style, then you should take a look at this.

Check out the details here.