Best Design Awards | Part Six

Before I started this series I went through all the finalists and jotted down those that really sang to me. As the list grew, and grew, I realised I'd have to spread it out over several weeks. Just as well, because each time I write a new post, the list gets bigger. Admittedly I am easily distracted, however it's more to do with the fact that there are so many great designs, and I keep discovering new finalists each week that I want to include.

Finishing off with some of my favourite graphic and spacial designs, I hope you enjoy the final round up. 

The Church. New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 2012 Retail Campaign (New Zealand's Best Graphic Design - Graphic Design Arts)
I love this design aesthetic. Beautiful photographs are combined with strong, clear branding and typography. 

Material Creative Ltd. Little Nuffield Cafe (New Zealand's Best Spacial Design - Hospitality)
Cute and colourful, this popular little cafe situated in Auckland's Nuffield Street has a quirky geometric theme. I particularly love the hexagonal shape on the shop front and the wooden geometric shelves inside. 

Strategy Design and Advertising. Hunter Valley Identity (New Zealand's Best Graphic Design - Identity Development | Large Scale)
Created by Strategy's Sydney office, this re-brand is sure to attract a younger audience as intended with its vibrant, contemporary design. 

Fearon Hay Architects. Fabric Warehouse (New Zealand's Best Spacial Design - Offices and Workplace Environments)
While the functionality and industrial quality of this 1960's warehouse has been maintained, the new addition has created a stunning, light-filled workspace. A collection of New Zealand contemporary art beautifully enhances the large space.

Alt Group. Alt Group Identity (New Zealand's Best Graphic Design - Self Promotion)
Quirky and fun, what's not to love?

If you still need to grab tickets for the Awards Night this Friday, sales close at 5pm today. I'll be back next week to announce the winners! Who's your pick? 

Through the Lens of | Pernille Kaalund

These stunning interiors have been captured beautifully by Danish photographer Pernille Kaalund whose work has featured in many interior magazines such as Boligmagasinet, Space, BoligLiv, Bo Better and Elle Interior.







Together with stylist and journalist Louise Kamman Riising, Pernille has Heyhome, an interior design, styling and photography company. They use their combined skills to produce interior and housing features for Danish and international design magazines, while also providing residences for advertising and film industries.

There's nothing like a good dose Scandinavian interior eye-candy, and Pernille's portfolio more than satisfies. Monochrome interiors peppered with bright colours, the gorgeous Danish styling is unmistakable.

If you'd like to see more of Pernille's work, head over to Heyhome where you will find an amazing archive of Danish residences ranging from large architectural designed villas to small quirky summerhouses.  A word of warning - you could be there for a while! 

All images via pernillekaalund.dk and www.heyhome.dk

Father Rabbit

Father Rabbit is an online store offering an exquisite range of products for you and your home. The brand and products have a simple, pared-back aesthetic and timeless quality.  

Father Rabbit doesn’t subscribe to some deeply intellectual philosophy, just an appreciation of the simplicity. That things should be done right, or not at all. 

Behind this clever bunny are talented owners Claudia Zinzan and Nick Hutchinson, who founded the business in 2010. Claudia, who also runs her own interior design consultancy, clearly has an eye for beautiful things. The website which has just had a refresh, is a lovely place to visit. Stocked with a carefully selected range of products, the online store allows you to choose by category such as room, colour, occasion and brand, and there's international shipping. For added inspiration check out Father Rabbit's blog where you'll find gorgeous interiors and delicious recipes.






Scrumptious, don't you think? And this is just a taste. Jump over here to see the full range, including a selection of sale items to make way for gorgeous new stock. I'll be joining you! 

All images via fatherrabbit.com

Homes to Inspire | Divine Restoration

Firstly I must thank Inside Out for tweeting this great find. As many of you know, I usually write my Homes to Inspire column on Sunday but when this one came across my radar I knew it couldn't wait until the end of the week!

Featured on designboom.com, this project, '46 Water Street' by Vancouver-based architect Omer Arbel is an impressive one. A heritage building in the Gastown district of Vancouver, it has had a full seismic upgrade and restoration. A new courtyard placed in the middle of the loft has created a light-filled airy space, while the original framework provides quite a dramatic contrast. As much as I love both the fresh, modern extension and the beautiful, character brickwork, it's the mix of these two styles, old and new, that I find so instantly appealing.

An incredible restoration of the main entrance makes a striking first impression.  

Opposites attract. A view from the new kitchen through to the original framework in the living area and stunning staircase entrance. I love the colourful pendant lights hanging above the kitchen island.  

The living area looks so inviting. Beautifully furnished, the sofa is perfect for the large space, and the rich blue colour looks amazing against the brickwork, don't you think? Cowhide rugs and wool chair overlays add warmth and texture. 

The blue theme continues in the luxurious bathroom. I'm loving shimmery mosaic tiles right now.  

This is one of those homes I'd love to step inside to fully appreciate all that it offers. Actually I'd quite happily move on in! Do you like it? I'd love to know what you think. 

All images via designboom.com | Photo credit: Martin Tessler

Pinterest | Picks & Peeks

What I love about Pinterest is that it opens your eyes up to new things. Take me for example. I love interiors and design, but since I've been on Pinterest I've been able to expand on that, and find inspiration in other areas like graphic design and photography. Whenever I grab a dose of Pinterest I find something that takes my breath away, and what can be better than that? 

Curating these moodboards is an extension of pinning, and I love the process of choosing images around a theme, across different categories. Of course there are no rules, but it usually starts with a colour or an image and from there I generally choose from a selection of pins: interiors, flowers, graphic design, fashion and accessories, quotes and  photography.

Here are my latest moodboards. 

This moodboard was inspired by my recent birthday! 

This one started with a colour theme and words to live by: love what you do, do what you love. 

A motivating moodboard for a Monday morning! 

There was such a great response to this interview with Lindi Kingi, and my neon moodboard on Facebook, that I decided to team up with Lindi and run a little giveaway! 

If you're on Facebook and haven't yet checked out The Design Chaser page, pop over and click on 'like' to receive daily blog updates as well as additional design news and inspiration. 

To enter the competition you must live in NZ (sorry to my overseas readers - I promise I will do something for you soon). Pop over here to choose your favourite neon moodboard and go in the draw to win one of two Lindi Kingi Design Neon Swarovski Pearl and Sliver Bracelets! 

Make sure you've 'liked' both The Design Chaser and Lindi Kingi Design Facebook pages to be eligible! 

If you're not on Facebook, there will be another give away coming up very soon for those of you who follow the blog, so stay tuned! 

Neon yellow and grey is such a great combo!

Neon pink is currently in the lead! Which is your favourite? 

All mood board images via my Pinterest Boards.

Today's pinning princess is Deborah Moir, who I discovered fairly recently. You may know her from Instagram, where she has a huge following due to a constant stream of lovely photos, featuring her gorgeous home in Scotland. Luckily for us Pinterest addicts, Deborah is also now a pinner, and a very good one at that!

Here a couple of pins from Deborah's interior boards.


pin / board

pin / board 

Judging by her personal style and collection of boards on Pinterest, you'd be forgiven for thinking Deborah was Scandinavian. She has completely mastered the art of achieving this aesthetic in her own home, which I find so inspiring. I can't get enough of the neutral palette, white painted floors and impeccable styling. The fact that she can maintain this incredible look with two young boys is even more astounding. I am in awe!

These pins are photos of Deborah's home. 

pin / board

pin / board 


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pin | board

I was delighted to hear that Deborah has a blog in the works. Due to launch soon, I'm sure it will be an instant hit! In the meantime, you can check out her Guest Posts on one of my favourite blogs A Merry Mishap.