KeepCup

Previously I talked about wanting a fabulous Nespresso coffee machine. In the meantime, I will continue to buy my coffee out, which is not such a bad thing. Especially since I discovered the KeepCup. I've been using mine for a while now and never leave home without it! 

Developed in Melbourne, this barista approved, reusable coffee cup is genius. Launched in 2009, it sold 1000 cups in just two hours. Environmentally friendly aside, the phenomenal success that followed has largely been due to the Keep Cup's stylish design. Its creator Abigail Forsyth tells of customers buying the cups, not even knowing what they were for but because they liked the colours! Check out how you can design your own KeepCup here and you will see why. So many colour combinations to choose from! Even if you're not a coffee drinker you'll want to become one!

The KeepCup comes in four sizes and the colour combinations are endless! 

Nespresso

We are about to build a new home (more on that later) and one of the many products I covet is a Nespresso Coffee Machine. Designed and manufactured in Switzerland since 1986, these machines are stunning. 

Timeless, innovative design combined with user-friendly functionality, it is little wonder they've won numerous design awards.

You can visit Nespresso’s first New Zealand boutique, a luxury environment in which to enjoy premium coffee tasting, at 203 Broadway, Newmarket. 

I have seriously fallen in love with this new Nespresso Maestria Machine Range available from May 2012. 

Further afield and shown below, there was 'Taste Code' at the recent Milan Furniture Fair. A multisensory space of Nespresso designed by creative genius and architect, Piero Lissoni, it featured a gallery experience and tasting area. Oh to have been there! 

Rachael Lovelace

I first came across Rachael Lovelace when her Auckland home featured in Your Home & Garden magazine a couple of years back. An interior design student at the time, Rachael was clearly a risk taker when it came to decorating and it paid off. An eclectic mix of designer furniture, bright colour and kid-friendly flooring and walls, the house oozed style.

By the time I saw her gorgeous home feature again in Inside Out magazine I was hooked, and because I'm incredibly nosey and love nothing more than to take a peek into clever people's lives, I did a little digging. What I discovered was intriguing. This mother of two who had previously worked in advertising for 12 years, was now an award-winning interior designer with her own company, Lovelace & Co. 

Take a look at her work below and you will see why she has become such a success. 

Rachael's home

Caviar wallpaper in the master bedroom. How cool is that?

Rachael's own artwork in the playroom

Quirky dining area. Love that pendant light 

Blackboard wall in the kitchen for the kiddies 

Beautiful sheer curtains, an Eames rocker and  David Trubridge Coral Light

Great way to display kids books

Rachael has created some amazing hospitality spaces. She won silver awards at the Best Design Awards for these. 

Ginger Minx bar|Mt Eden 

Mama Loco's bar|Albany

The Glow

I was so excited today to see that theglow.com is now on Pinterest. When I discovered this gorgeous site a couple of months ago, I was captivated and literally read it from start to finish in one go. It's like a book that you can't put down. Totally addictive! Launched in Janurary 2011, The Glow is the joint venture of editor Violet Gaynor and photographer Kelly Stuart, who met while working for Elle.com. Surrounded by amazing women in the fashion industry who balance their careers and motherhood with enviable style, they have captured beautifully a behind the scenes look into these women's lives.

With a focus on gorgeous light and intimacy between mother and child, the images radiate, while the relaxed interviews give you a glimpse into what makes these super stylish mamas tick. Oh - and don't even get me started on the chic New York home decor or the super adorable kids!! Total swoon-fest!!

Here is a taste of what you will find.

Laura Garcia design consultant
& daughter, Georgiana | New York, NY

Christiane Lemieux owner, DwellStudio
& kids | New York, NY

Rebecca Minkoff designer
& son, Luca | New York, NY

Jeanann Williams pr director, True Religion
& daughter, Ruby | Montauk, NY

Jade Berreau artist
& daughter, Secret | Brooklyn, New York

Kate Young stylist
& kids | Brooklyn, New York

Jenne Lombardo founder, The Terminal Presents
& kids | New York, NY

Cynthia Rowley designer
& kids | New York, NY

Collected by LeeAnn Yare

LeeAnne Yare is one VERY clever lady. If she's not styling and writing for some of the top interiors magazines in the world, styling advertising campaigns or designing for TV, she is flying planes as an international pilot for Air New Zealand and being a Mum to her two young boys! How's that for multi-talented? Talk about an over-achiever!!

In her spare time (yeah, right!) she has recently opened her very own concept store called Collected byLeeAnnYare. Sitting alongside Bo Concept, Citta Design, World Beauty and Pencil Boutique, Collected is situated in the BLOC retail space on Normanby Rd, Mt Eden. I was so excited to finally check it out today and it didn't disappoint.

Known for her love of bright colour and pattern, Collected is eye candy for design lovers. Gorgeous Florence Broadhurst wallpaper, iconic Acapulco Chairs, limited edition screen prints combine with wooden scrabble pieces and beautiful candles providing something for everyone. I will definitely be heading back there for gift shopping and for our new home.

Coffee Supreme on The Selby

One of my favourite websites is theselby.com. Started in 2008 by Todd Selby, the NYC-based photographer explores the real-life spaces of creative individuals such as artists, musicians and designers.

The highly influential site has led Todd to publish a book, "The Selby Is in Your Place". Needless to say it's on my Christmas wishlist! 

It's very cool to see New Zealanders pop up on the site. This month features a favourite cafe of mine, Coffee Supreme in Ponsonby, Auckland. Check out the funky interior and exterior below.

Images via theselby.com and www.coffeesupreme.com

Blog Love | Emmas Designblogg

When it comes to interiors I'm a massive fan of Scandinavian design. There are some gorgeous blogs I follow from this region which I will list on my blog soon. A long-time favourite is Emmas Designblogg, 'Scandinavia's oldest and most read design blog'. Emma has such exquisite taste and she offers a constant source of inspiration through some of the world's best photography and styling. I seriously recommend checking it out! 

photo credit: Tina Stephansen

photo credit: Dan Gordan from Sköna Hem

photo credit: Fritz Hansen

photo credit: Anders Lindén

Homes to Inspire | Under Pohutukawa

I was reminded of this amazing house on Pinterest today. Thanks to the digital world we live in and judging by the number of pins, unsurprisingly its appeal is reaching far and wide. 

'Under Pohutukawa' is the holiday home at Piha by Lance and Nicola Herbst of Herbst Architects and recent winner of the Home Magazine Home of the Year 2012. Close to the beach and nestled under and around a dense Pohutukawa grove, this truly is a dream home. Here are a few images. 

Madder & Rouge

I've long been a fan of the gorgeous Madder & Rouge store in Newmarket, Auckland which specialises in French fabrics so I was delighted to see co-owner Erin O'Malley's home feature in the latest issue of Your Home & Garden. Having spent the last 10 years travelling to France to transport French fabrics and homewares back home, Erin has helped change the interior landscape in New Zealand. The photos below show some of the delightful French products on offer, including their signature French Stripe fabric and the classic Tolix French Steel Furniture.  

Gorgeous products on offer at Madder & Rouge.

Madder & Rouge French Stripe and Velvet Cushions.

Our son Marlow's bedroom in our previous home, showing the gorgeous Madder & Rouge hand painted wooden letters.