Blog

  1. A different kind of Christmas tree

    I’ve got a very talented friend who is very clever at making things (I hope you are reading this Ali...).  She once created a Christmas tree out of pieces of wood that could be hung from the ceiling (her first baby was crawling at the time and, with first time mother nerves, she was terrified that a normal tree would topple onto her).  Let’s just say that we were thoroughly impressed!

    For most of us, the tree is the centre of all things Christmas-y in our home but sometimes a traditional tree just isn’t what you want.  Lack of space, no time/unable to lug back a tree or maybe you just want to get creative and make your own (or have a crawling baby...).  We thought we’d share some of the fun ideas that we’ve spotted - stylish and playful (plus no messy needles!), they show a different take on a favourite tradition.

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  2. Hello Summer

    Although summer hasn’t officially started yet, judging by the temperatures over the past week I think we can safely say that summer has arrived.  Although (unlike Nicky) I’m not a huge fan of the heat (unless of course I’m lazing by the pool with a cocktail and a seriously good read) I can’t help but get excited about the upcoming summer break.

    Today at HQ we thought we’d indulge in a bit of summer love and share our coveted finds for the season.  Bright, beachy, fresh and fun, they all shout “summer” to us and can’t help but put you in a holiday mood.  Some possible ideas for Christmas gifts too – yup, only four and a bit weeks away…please tell me how that happened??!!

    We

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  3. Learning to sew...

    First up - my apologies to any non-Sydneysiders, this post is not only Sydney focussed, even worse it's Eastern beaches of Sydney focussed. Totally localised and for that I do apologise. There is, however, reason to keep reading for everyone - the gorgeous images my spark an idea and get you to seek somewhere similar and local to you....

    We're a little off the usual path for our Blog post this week but with good reason. Sometimes we just come across things that just have to be shared - recipes, holiday houses, cafes, products. Well today, it's a fabulous boutique sewing business here in Sydney's Bronte. This is BY NO MEANS a sponsored post - just a little gem of loveliness that you need in your life!

    Welcome, my friends, to The Bronte Sewing Room.

    This fabulous business is the genius of Colette, an incredible

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  4. Not your usual bedside table...

    Don’t you just love those “think outside the box” kind of ideas when it comes to interiors and your home?  We do.  It’s great to escape the obvious sometimes which is why (being lovers of anything bedroomy…) we always enjoy spotting unconventional ideas for bedside tables.

    What is a bedside table anyway?  It’s really just a place to put things that you may want during the night or when you get up (lamp, book, phone)…oh, and of course you want it to look great too.  It doesn’t have to be a table though - chairs, stools, crates, baskets, drums, ladders or even a pile of books will do.  Besides, upcycling and repurposing is a great way to pack some personality into your space.  Here’s a few ideas that are sure to inspire you!

    We love the ladder idea...a space saver, practical and looks amazing -

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  5. Inspired by Concrete

    Polish it, mould it, paint it or leave it raw and exposed, concrete has definitely made a transition from simple utilitarian building material to a sort after (and dare I say swoon-worthy) medium for interiors. 

    Concrete looks especially good with bricks, glass and metal (for an edgy industrial look) but it can hold a real warmness too when paired with organic materials like wood and leather. With its neutral grey tones and fabulous texture (plus the fact it can be molded into pretty much any shape!) it’s not surprising that we are seeing a real movement in concrete home accessories (think sinks, tables, pendant lights, planters and vases).  It’s become so much more than a building material….here’s some concrete inspiration on a Tuesday morning: 

    I just love this space.  Exposed brick, Hans Wegner chairs and that beautiful polished concrete floor...sigh...

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  6. Oversized Lights

    Lighting has hit the big time….BIG in an Alice in Wonderland kind of way - super-sized pendants, jumbo floor and table lamps as well as big exposed light bulbs. Oversized and bold they challenge our sense of scale and throw any sort of rule on proportionality out the window!

    I do love this play on proportions though – a bit whimsical, a bit fun and maybe even a bit bonkers (in a good way).  It’s not just about lighting a space, these bold beauties create visual excitement and a touch of the unexpected - a great choice if you are looking for an over the top style statement.  Mmmmm, I’m starting to think that big is indeed better….take a peek at these!

    No twee Victoriana here, despite it’s traditional design, the sheer size of the floor lamp gives the room a modern edge -

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  7. Dream Kitchen

    So what’s your dream kitchen?  We are in the process of renovating ours so there’s been plenty of “kitchen talk” and bookmarking images for inspiration and ideas.  I spend pretty much (what feels like...) most of my life in the kitchen so I’ve got to get it right - right?

    I’m not really sure what my “dream kitchen” is actually…I seem to change my mind quite frequently!  I do love vintage with an industrial edge although sometimes I look at images of Scandi “all white” kitchens or kitchens that are rustic with concrete flooring and I think mmmm maybe this is “the one”… see my dilemma?  With all this kitchen banter going on at HQ we’ve decided to put together our own list – all dreamy, all gorgeous (and all will probably send your heart beating with envy)!

    Oh those floors…this is the Paris apartment of architect Joseph

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  8. Calm Space

    Looking around my house, let’s just say “bombsite” springs to mind.  It’s the end of school holidays (ahhh now you understand…) and while I love having my little one’s home together (I really do!), it’s been pretty busy, hectic and full-on.  Alas, no sign of a domestic goddess in this household. 

    My home is probably best described as “cheery” domestic chaos where school bags, toys, scooters and all things children-related seem to rule.  I do dream of what it would be like to live in a neat and clutter free home though (oh the joy of having things stay where you actually put them…).  After a busy holiday period, I had to share these pics – they’ve helped me “step” into a lovely calm space to start my working week.  Enjoy!

    This white on white interior makes for a nice dreamy escape –  

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  9. Fabulous Floral

    Oh I do love a floral and to me there’s no better way to get that spring feeling into your home than a gorgeous floral print.  Florals have been around for ages (forever really..) but what’s got me excited in a "jump up and down" kind of way is the fresh modern take on this iconic print.

    Less nanna-like garden variety type, but bolder, flirty even with a much younger vibe.  Oversized florals that pack a punch in saturated blues and pinks to painterly patterns in watercolour as well as stylized vintage and botanical prints.  Wallpaper, rugs, soft furnishings, chairs (and bedheads of course!), mix and layer them with geometrics, ikats, stripes and spots – the “rules” are gone - these new florals look great in any space.  And best of all? You won't need a green thumb for these gorgeous blooms...

    Oversized pendant lights teamed with an oversized print - now these really do pack a punch!  Pendant

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  10. Bed Linen We Love

    There is something utterly divine and totally indulgent about sleeping on beautiful bed linen - and boy is there some gorgeous linen out this season!  From dreamy organic cotton to lovely pure linen, we are really spoilt for choice – inky blues, soft pastels, quirky vintage as well as patterns that are just, well...fun (wait until you see the pics below!). 

    Fresh designs and all completely swoon-worthy (all home grown too - clever lot we are) we've picked out some of our favs that are definitely worth a look.  A word of warning though, these gorgeous bed linens will make it very hard to get out of bed….

    I Love Linen creator Lauren Roe has just released her own linen range - The Bedroom Society.  The

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