Interior Styling | Natural Love

I'm all for a neutral palette, but having lived in older homes that had previously been given the beige wall and carpet treatment, I couldn't wait for a fresh change to white walls and grey carpet. We couldn't be happier with the Resene Black White paint, however the carpet was a bit more challenging. Like the bathroom tiles (more on those later) I chose the carpet early on, and when it came time to order it in, it was no longer available. After choosing an alternative one, which was very similar, the shipment was delayed, giving me no choice but to choose again. Ahh... the joys of building. 

The third and final choice caused me a few headaches, because although grey, it had a bit of taupe in it, which being similar to beige, was what I wanted to avoid. Luckily, it all turned out for the best. The downstairs area which is carpeted is darker than upstairs, with lower ceilings, so the lighter colour we ended up with is the better option and looks fantastic. Phew!

What I've also noticed is it works well with my natural bedding and ensuite towels, which means I don't have to rush out and replace them just yet. And when I do, they can be kept as a back up! Which brings me to today's post, about interiors that have a predominantly natural colour scheme. Done right, a bit of beige, taupe or whatever you'd like to call it works beautifully mixed with whites, off-whites and greys. Add some rustic textural elements like wood and rattan, throw in a bit of industrial style and you have a winning combination.

An Instagram pic of our bedroom showing the white, grey and natural bedding 

These gorgeous windows let in loads of natural light. The exposed bricks and industrial wall lamp work well with the neutral palette, and I love the log coffee table and long floor cushion. 

The height of this space, together with white painted bricks provide a great backdrop for layering in texture. The oversized elements like the mirrors and pot plant give it its wow factor. 

This living room has a serene feel. Calm and simple, I love the rustic table and black and white photograph.   

This wall colour provides a subtle contrast to the white ceiling. I want those stools!

  

There's nothing like a chunky throw to add warmth and texture. 

Natural cushions in blush and off-white make this teepee an inviting, cosy hideout. 

There are so many gorgeous natural elements in the home above including the Armadillo rug, furniture, sheepskin, billowy curtains and even an outdoor hammock!

White-washed floors and beige bedlinen never looked so good.

Lastly, I just had to include this incredible architecturally designed home. The huge natural floor cushions are perfect dotted around the expansive living area. 

Images: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7-8 | 9 |10

Wardrobes | Ideas & Inspiration

Once a luxury, it seems to be standard practice these days for a master bedroom to include an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, and from the start we knew we wanted both in our new home. As with all the bathrooms, the ensuite had my attention from the start, and we made decisions regarding colours and tiles etc very early on. Addressing the walk-in wardrobe on the other hand came up very late in the game, and as such we've kept things simple in terms of layout and design. Using local company Boston Wardrobes, we ended up choosing a basic setup of shelves and rails, and figure we can add to this down the track as necessary. 

Like many women, I love fashion and have 'Carrie' moments where I dream of having a fabulously huge dressing room with rows and rows of shoes and bags and racks of beautiful clothes. Those of you who watched Sex & the City will know what I mean. But in actual fact, the image above really appeals. I love the minimalist orderly style, and the fact that it is both spacious yet cosy. I'd be quite happy to escape there with a book! Although our little walk-in will be modest in comparison, that's okay, because what I ultimately want is a functional space free from clutter, where everything has its place. With that in mind, I thought I'd do a bit of research and think about how I might like my dream wardrobe to look.

Firstly I turned to the fabulous US-based company, California Closets, who have been in operation for over thirty years, and are experts in the field of custom designed and installed storage. If they are in your neck of the woods, then I would definitely recommend calling on them. If not, the site itself offers loads of tips, advice and inspiration. Below is an example of the fantastic work they do. Experts in closet design, find out more here. 

California Closets can help you with any area of your home that requires great storage facilities, including the office, entryway and even the pantry. They also create the ultimate entertainment center, and with today's challenge of organising our DVD players, gaming consoles, cable/satellite boxes, DVRs, flat-panel TVs and the miles of cables that connect them all, I think most of us could do with some assistance!

Of course I also want the kids wardrobes in our new home to be well organised and clutter free. I love this gorgeous nursery wardrobe... 

And here are another couple of stylish walk-ins....

I love the feminine touches here...

Images: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

To finish off, I've put together ten ideas for creating a lovely walk-in wardrobe. In particular, I'm coveting numbers 01 & 10 from the Douglas and Bec for Kate Sylvester range. I've already got some Muuto The Dots in oak for the entrance way, but the pretty rose colour (06) has just been released, and with so many colours to choose from, I'm not sure I'm done at just one set! I definitely need some nice coat hangers (04 & 05), the bird lamp (03) is simply divine, and the rest is all about stylish storage, which of course is a must!

Links below images

01 Folding Brass Stool 1.0 by Douglas and Bec for Kate Sylvester

02 Plastic Weave Storage Baskets from Citta Design

03 Areti Aloutte Wall Lamp from Nest

04 Cardboard Hanger set of 4 in black and white from Ferm Living

05 Couture Hanger Pack of 5 in white from Freedom Furniture

06 Muuto The Dots in Rose from In A Designer Home

07 Paterson Large Fabric Drawer from Freedom Furniture

08 Storage Sack by Varpunen from The Minimalist

09 Two-Tone Felt Storage Set from Citta Design

10 All Oak Mirror by Douglas and Bec for Kate Sylvester

Interior Trends | Two-Toned Walls

Driven by my love of minimal Scandinavian style we've gone for all-white walls in our new house, but that's not to say that I don't like seeing walls with colour. In fact right now I'm really loving walls painted pale pink or grey. 

When I came across this home via Design*Sponge recently, it was the two-toned walls that immediately grabbed my attention. Designed by JHID, whose work I greatly admire (I've featured another one of their homes here) lead designer Chelsie Lee used a modern combination of white and grey, but as you'll see below, it's the way the paint has been applied that creates visual impact. 

Notice above how the grey paint lines up with the headboard and is taken up and over the ceiling, continuing down the opposite wall (see below). By adding depth and  contrasting with the white paint, this cleverly accentuates the window area. When I first saw the image below my eyes were drawn to the beautiful curtains and light coming through the window. The grey wall adds another layer visual interest, highlighted by the gorgeous cut glass and hanging terrariums. Beautifully elegant furniture, a colourful rug, bench seat and cushions add the finishing touches, making this bedroom an absolute winner!   

The white and grey colour blocks continue in the living room above and also in the light-filled stairwell below. Bold yet still soft, I love how the grey looks against the fresh white paint and blonde wood in this light-filled area. Such a simple yet clever idea, I predict that after seeing this home, people will be rushing to grab their paint brushes in order to replicate the look. I may even do the same if I ever tire of our white walls!

This next image was the inspiration for this moodboard I created last year, and it has stuck in my mind ever since. Designed by Incorporated, a multi-disciplinary architectural studio in New York, I love the way the wall has been painted a charcoal colour, creating bold lines and a striking contrast against the the white painted stair. 

The super talented RiikKa of Weekday Carnival designed this geometric wall, and with the help of her husband painted it in pastel hues. The result is breathtaking!

Whereas painting one feature wall was once a popular trend, nowadays we're seeing more of a sectional approach to applying paint colour. The living room below is a great example. While the pink adds a lovely soft touch, the doors, fretwork-detailed ceiling and windows have been left white, allowing the classic, character features of the room to shine through. 

Paint colour can also help define areas of the home, especially in open-plan and compact spaces. This gorgeous turquoise wall, along with the bookshelf, accentuates the small dining area. 

A fun idea especially for a kidsroom, as demonstrated with the green paint in this Inspiring Home Post last week, is to paint a door in a contrasting colour.

The kidsroom above has a cute checkered door and a section of chalkboard paint on one wall, while the playroom wall below has been personalised with pastel blue and grey paint.   

Images: 1-4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9-10 | 11

Abode Living | Interview & Giveaway!

As Australia's leading manufacturer of luxury bed linen, Abode Living may already be familiar to you. If not, you will soon get to know the brand and products very well, thanks to today's interview with creative director Tom Adair. To celebrate the launch of their new website Tom has put together an incredibly generous giveaway. Not only is it the biggest giveaway I've had on the blog to date, it comes with a special offer for readers, while the competition is running. How amazing is that? To find out more, keep reading....

Located in Melbourne, Abode Living is a family business started by Tom's Uncle Robert Adair in 1991, after leaving his first venture Adairs. Born out of a desire to make designer bed linen that was affordable, Robert realised his dream, with a philosophy that still rings true today. In fact, Abode Living has become synonymous with affordable quality, producing all of their own bed linen in Australia using the very best fabric, down and feather products sourced from Europe. In addition to bed linen, there are many other products on offer including towels, loungewear, table linen and even bespoke bedroom furniture.  

Gorgeous flannel products from the Abode Living Autumn Range.

Tom Adair, creative director of Abode Living. 

As a talented artist (going by the name Juan Mcarb) Tom has created commissioned pieces for clients here in NZ and Australia. His home, a very cool Melbourne pad showcasing many of his artworks, is featured in the current issue of Inside Out magazine. Even though I haven't met Tom in person, his creative energy and passion for Abode Living comes through in his emails, and I can't help but be inspired. It's little wonder his Uncle snapped him up! With such a great reputation, working with award-winning interior designers like Hecker Guthrie, I wanted to find out what sets Abode Living apart.... 

Firstly can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to be working for Abode Living?

I've always been a hands on creative, ever since I can remember. My formative years from about 12 onwards were spent in the garage building bunk beds, skate ramps or furniture. I also had a strong fascination with drawing and art which led me to start a clothing label in my final year of high school.

Knowing nothing about the clothing business I decided to study fashion at RMIT in Melbourne and acquire the skills I needed to take my business to the next level. At RMIT I actually launched a second clothing label with friends I met in the course – Restinpeace. The four years that followed with this business were my apprenticeship to textiles and textile product design. We were eventually forced to close the label, and that's when my uncle, Robert Adair approached me to work for him at Abode.

I was initially employed to design the clothing and sleepwear, but I wasn't really satisfied with that and I ended up working my way into the position of creative director. My fashion knowledge from Restinpeace gave me a different perspective than what traditional bed linen companies maybe familiar with, so I believe that has really helped me develop products that are different in the market place.

Perfect for Winter, the Abode flannel bedlinen is a best seller. 

Inspired by vintage mattress coverings, the striped Union Ticking range is a timeless classic, seen alongside a glimpse of one of Tom's artworks, Live Full - 2010.   

What is special about the bed linen that you produce - how does it differ to other brands?

This is the hardest thing for us to educate our target audience about – It's our price and quality. We sell direct to our customers which removes any unnecessary extra mark-up.

We actually manufacture right behind our showroom in Melbourne and our fabric is imported direct from Italy on rolls. The fabric is woven in the best mills of Italy (the same mills as Frette) so we know the it's the highest quality cloth available. Because we sell direct to our customers we only make the margin we need, whereas if we sold it to a retail outlet, they would again double the price to make their margin. This guarantees that we sell the best quality for the best price available. It's really hard to explain to customers that they are getting better quality for an affordable price. Some people just don't believe they are getting 'the best' unless they spend thousands of dollars.

One of the products I am most excited about is GIZA 45 – it’s literally 'the' best cotton sheet you can buy anywhere in the world. It has to be experienced to be believed. It is rare hand harvested cotton from the Nile Delta, that only yields a limited amount each year. We are the only Australian bed linen company selling it and it has become one of our most popular products.We also pride ourselves that we offer the largest selection of European white goose pillows and quilts in Australia, which are made from the finest imported European materials.

We make amazing quilts, as good as you will find anywhere in the world, and they are all made to order and shipped within 24 hours from our Melbourne warehouse. Due to the fact the we make them here, we have the ability to offer refills, adjustments and rejuvenation services for our quilts and pillows.

Hand filled to individual preference, the seriously impressive quilt range caters to everyone.

The waffle textured Meko in white, paired with beautiful Scandinavian styling. 

You have your own manufacturing facility behind the retail showroom. Can you tell us a bit more about this side of the business, your custom made services and work with interior designers etc?

Behind our showroom is a 2,000sqm building that houses our warehousing and manufacturing facility. It is one of the special things that sets us apart from other bed linen companies. It gives us real flexibility to make custom orders like extra deep sheets, European bed linen sizes or odd shaped products for customers that can't find them anywhere else. This unique service has started generating a lot of interest from interior designers, including Hecker Guthrie, Thomas Hamel and Hare + Klein. With our premium Italian fabrics and ability to customise products we offer a service that fills a niche in the market for high-end luxury clients (or the poor person who bought an extra deep mattress without realising they couldn't find sheets to fit!)

Additionally we have worked with small boutique hotels, resorts and bed and breakfasts to supply them with our sheets and towels.

The Abode Living showroom (top) and manufacturing facility (bottom) in Camberwell, Melbourne.  

Different climates and personal sleeping temperatures are important factors when it comes to purchasing bed linen, as are pillow preferences. How does your product range cater to everyone?

You're right, there are so many factors that need to be considered when purchasing bed linen, quilt and pillows. Everyone is different and requires a considered solution.

We have 3 key areas of our business that we have set up in a way that can be tailored to suit each client.

1. Pillows – With over 7 different fillings, each pillow is available in 3 density levels - gentle, medium or firm (in all sizes -Standard, King or Europe) made from Hungarian white goose down and German made shells. If your pillow is too full or flat, just bring back your pillow and we can adjust it to suit your preference. This is something no other pillow company can offer. For interstate of overseas customers they can just send their pillow back via mail for an adjustment.

2. Quilts/Duvets – five warmth levels, made to order in Melbourne and shipped in 24 hours. We offer the largest range of white goose quilts in Australia from 550 to 800 fill power. This allows us to sell the right warmth quilt depending on a customer's sleeping temperature or climate. We even offer a quilt we've coined the "marriage saver" – a different warmth level on each side. If you buy a quilt from Abode, and you find that it's too cold, we are happy to add more down to make it warmer.

3. Sheets – everyone is different, some prefer cotton (percale or sateen), linen or our winter favourite, flannel sheets. We have many different ranges to suit all customers from the budget conscious to the lavishly extravagant. The only constant is that our quality is the best and nothing we sell is sub-standard.

When it comes to quality fabrics and attention to detail, Abode Living more than delivers.

The Andes Flannel quilt cover & pillow cases paired with the Citi vintage washed linen. 

What are your most popular products/best sellers?

In winter:
Flannel sheets and quilt covers have developed a very loyal following. It is definitely one of best winter products. Cashmere 800FP quilts (super king size) – the warmest but lightest quilt in Australia.

In Summer:
Fjord 650 Quilt (light comfort warmth level – summer weight). Dublino (Italian Linen has become very popular in Australia over the past 24 months). Giza 45 (the best sheet in the world has become one of our best-selling sheets).

The Aspen flannel sheets come in a range of six new marle colours.

The gorgeous range of Autumn flannel quilt covers. Which one would you choose?

The new rust coloured Edmonton flannel quilt cover is definitely one of my faves. 

Can you tell us a bit about the current Autumn range, including new products? Any personal favourites?

The Autumn range has a bunch of really exciting new products; Aspen Flannel Sheets in 6 marle colours, 5 flannel quilt covers, cushions and sleepwear.

My personal favourites in the bed linen are the Navy marle Aspen flannel sheets, Cypress Flannel quilt cover and the new charcoal Meko waffle quilt cover.

We have also recently employed a very talented loungewear designer who has designed our new sleepwear including pyjamas and nightshirts in stonewashed silk (Drea) and our Italian Egyptian cotton (Sia). With fashion as my background these are probably some of my personal favourites, as they fill a gap in the market for affordable, classic luxury sleepwear.

New Cushions - I have been working on sourcing some new and exciting cushions from France. I’m really loving the Liberty and Hudson recycled cotton cushions, made from fabric that was originally from papoose carriers and ceremonial skirts that have been hand dyed in indigo before being made. Also, not to be missed are the new Nordic cushions. These things are AMAZING! Double sided and dual coloured Tibetan wool cushions - words cannot describe how soft they feel!

More Flannel goodness with Tom's faves, the Aspen navy bed linen (left) and Cypress quilt cover (right). 

There's that irresistible combo of grey with a pop of yellow! I love the depth and texture of the charcoal Meko range. 

Hmm... stonewashed silk or Egyptian cotton? Sleepwear doesn't get better than this!

I'm completely sold on these lush Nordic cushions.

What can we expect to see in the upcoming Winter range?

At Abode we are little different to other companies in the fact that we try not to be too 'fashion' focused and don't release products seasonally. We try to bring in classic colours and fabrics for items that will last longer than one season. 80% of our range never changes – sheets, pillows, quilts etc. The quilt covers are probably the most noticeably different product from season to season.

In January we went on a sourcing trip to Germany, France and London and the new products are just starting to arrive.There will be lots on new linen quilt covers - textured, patterned and striped. Some current covers like Maize are re-coloured. Felted Alpaca blankets and cushions from Denmark and acid washed jersey quilt covers. Jersey Sheets will be making a comeback in new colours. Cashmere throws from Italy, cotton blankets, throws and cushions.

Exquisite white sateen stripes with the Allure quilt cover (left) and cosy throws (right) in mohair, merino and cotton. 

What inspires you in your work - international design, websites, travel etc?

The finer things in life. I really get inspired by quality workmanship and I want to be able to make these accessible to everyone while still being as affordable. I am influenced by fashion trends, and try to translate the classics into our range, whether it be colours, textures, fabrics or details. One of my design philosophies is "You should dress your bed how you would dress yourself". The classics just never go out of style.

From a business point of view, I definitely keep abreast of overseas website trends, as I think the UK and US markets are really leading the way in online shopping. With Australia being so vast, there is a huge online market to cater for and I think generally online shopping in Australia is letting down our consumers.

For travel I love Mexico, LA, New York, Paris and I draw subtle influences from their look and cultures. My interior aesthetic is a mix of neutral Scandi base colours with a pop of urban/industrial highlights thrown in. For products I take inspiration from everything around me, wherever I go. I try to see past what’s actually in front of me and try to interpret it in a different way. I also look to tattoo designs, typography, Pinterest and music for inspiration and new ideas.

Stunning neutrals with the Maize quilt cover.

Abode Living also offers a beautiful bathroom range including towels, bathrobes, accessories and skincare. 

Your artwork must be a great creative outlet. How does it compare to your work with Abode Living? Are you working on anything special right now?

It's great when I have time for it. I have a very dark and dry (macarbre) sense of humour, so my artwork is the perfect outlet for that. I once made a traditional bedspread with skulls on it, suffice to say it didn't make it into the Abode range…

When I was studying I was heavily influenced by the graffiti scene in Melbourne. There was turning point in my life where I decided to create artwork that could be kept or even sold rather than apply it to walls. I wanted to bring this street/urban element into interior spaces. I guess that’s where my artistic inspiration comes from. When combined with Abode I found that I have a really strong and rounded appreciation for creating interior spaces and aesthetics. My artwork allows me to do and express my thoughts without worrying whether or not they'll sell. I only make art because I love making it. I like creating pieces that make people squirm and give a reaction. It's the shock-value, or the smile when someone is looking at one of my pieces - that's where my satisfaction comes from.

I have a few commissions I'm working on and after that I will be working towards my first solo exhibition. It's a daunting thought as to how I'll find time, but it's something I've always wanted to do.

Tom's artworks definitely make me smile. See more of his incredible work at Juan Mcarb.

Now for the amazing GIVEAWAY! The prize package includes ALL of this:

1 Flannel Quilt Cover
2 Flannel Pillowcases
1 Fitted Sheet
1 Flat Sheet

The winner gets to choose any colour and size they like. 

To enter, pop over to Abode Living and request a catalogue. You must select the source as 'Design Chaser'. If you're already on the mailing list, leave your name in the comments so that we can confirm this and place you in the draw.  

NOTE: The giveaway is open to readers worldwide, but only includes free shipping within NZ and Australia. If the winner resides outside of NZ or Australia, they must pay for shipping. 

The competition will close at midnight, NZ time (UTC+12) on Monday, 17th June. The winner will be chosen via random.org and announced on Tuesday, 18th June via the blog and Facebook page. 

So easy!! And it gets better....

Readers will also receive an ADDITIONAL 10% off the entire site valid for one week from today. All orders over $200 to NZ & Australia will be eligible for free shipping. Enter the code DESIGNCHASER at checkout.

PHEW!! I told you it was big one! HUGE thanks to Tom for his brilliant interview and for this standout giveaway. Good luck everyone!

UPDATE: Competition/reader offer now closed and the winner has been announced. Congratulations to Christine Stockum!