Izzy and Jean Co. | Giveaway!

Recently I introduced you to the new NZ online store Izzy and Jean Co. The write up included an interview with the founder Claire Ongley, who kindly shared her background and story of how the store came about. I also gave you a taste of some of the gorgeous products on offer, many of which are handcrafted and sourced from around the world. If you missed that post, take a look here. 

I remember at the time thinking how great it was that the range also included gift ideas for guys as they can be tricky to buy for. With Father's Day fast approaching here in NZ, Izzy and Jean Co. have come to the rescue with some beautifully curated gift boxes for Dad.

You can choose from two boxes (one has two items, the other has three) and you can select which items you'd like to include, from a list of five fab products.

The boxes range in price from $25 through to $180 so there's something to suit every budget. Pop over here to see the full collection, and make sure you get your order in by Monday 26th August to deliver in time for Father's Day! 

Now for the second part of this post, the giveaway! Thanks to Izzy and Jean Co, one lucky reader will win a beautiful Fouta Towel and Klars Classic Soap of their choice. 

To enter, simply click click here and sign up to receive the Izzy and Jean Co. newsletters and tell me you've done so in the comments below, along with your full name. You must also like the Izzy and Jean Co. Facebook page and The Design Chaser Facebook page. For extra entries share to Facebook and Twitter, let me know you've done so in the comments and I will count you twice. The winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on Monday, 26th August via The Design Chaser blog and Facebook page. 

Note: The competition is open to New Zealand Residents only. Once announced, the winner must contact me within three days, otherwise a new winner will be chosen. 

Good Luck!  

Ferm Living | New MORE Collection

Bordering on obsession my love for Ferm Living, the Danish homewares brand, is no secret. Any excuse to browse their gorgeous (and recently revamped) site, I will almost always feature Ferm Living in my product collages. Ever since I heard news of a collaboration with talented graphic designer Kristina Krogh earlier this year, I've been hanging out to see the magic. Announced just yesterday, the latest collection MORE has now been launched, and I've been drooling over the catalogue ever since!

I have to say that it pains me a little to share this with you, knowing that Ferm Living is not easily available in NZ. I've looked at different avenues for shipping it over, even contacting Firm Living Australia last year to see if I could become an NZ agent. Unfortunately they are unable to sell wholesale to NZ (nor do they ship here via their retail channel) but there are some online stores further afield who do, including the Ferm Living webshop. 

I featured Kristina Krogh here, and have one of her prints proudly displayed on my living room picture wall. Her work is a great fit for Ferm Living, combining geometric patterns and textural elements of wood, cork, ply and marble.

The Wall Wonder Clocks and Lamps are another amazing addition. Made from smoked oak veneer, laminate and brass, with different colours to choose from, these designs are truly unique.

Ferm Living has a distinctive look that combines traditional Scandinavian design with retro charm. Graphic detailing plays a huge part in every collection, and that's what gets me every time. I especially love the textiles including tea towels, throws, cushions and bedding. If I could, every bed in our new home would be decked out in these latest designs.

I'm loving the new marble textile collection...

There's always so much on offer at Ferm Living when it comes to the kitchen. Just look at those tea towels!

Open shelves never looked so good...

Too lovely not to share, here's a few more to finish off...

All images via the catalogue which you can see here. For store locations or to shop online visit the Ferm Living Website.

Tine K Home | Autumn Winter 2013

Located in Odense, Denmark, Tine K Home was founded in 1999 by Tine Kjeldsen and her husband Jacob Fossum. Passionate about beautiful objects, Tine says design is her life, and she draws inspiration from the smallest every day actions at home, as well as food, shapes, colours, flowers and trips abroad. The products which include everything from ceramics and textiles to furniture and clothing are mostly handmade and therefore unique. Distinctively Scandinavian, they combine natural colours, texture and plenty of charm.

Although Tine K Home is not yet available in NZ, it did make its way to Australia recently, so there is hope! In the meantime, I'm happy to draw inspiration from the beautiful interior styling and photography that is seen with each new catalogue. I just came across news of the Autumn Winter 2013 edition thanks to Hallingstad blog, and I'm sure you'll agree, it is simply breathtaking.  

Tine says she uses contrasts between light and dark to create style and atmosphere. As well as her own designs and those sourced in Denmark, the collection includes unique finds from places such as Vietnam, Morocco and India. Dark colours often come from old objects, furniture and carpets from the East.  

With the exception of a couple of gorgeous dusky pink backdrops, the styling consists of a purely monochrome palette. Layered with wooden furniture, metallic accessories and woven baskets, there is a pared-back vibe, yet many small details to soak up. 

Light and airy, the images evoke a sense of calm. In fact with so much 'noise' going on around the web at all times, I've found browsing through these images to be really cathartic.

All images via T K Home

Interior Styling | Candleholders

Candles create the perfect decorative element for any vignette. In addition to scented candles, I really love displaying both candlesticks and tealights, especially when they're placed in beautiful candleholders. Whether you're styling your coffee table, dining table, sideboard or bookshelves choosing the right ones for your space will add impact and when lit, will create a cosy atmosphere, especially in winter. 

I recently purchased these beautiful natural Candleholders from LET LIV, which I've placed on the dining table alongside a couple of plants. All I need now is some candles! 

Here are some more examples of stylish candleholders, all beautifully styled. 

I love the Kubis range of candleholders from Copenhagen designers by Lassen. Available in different shapes and sizes they come in black, white and copper.

The gorgeous home above belongs to blogger and stylist Nina Holst of Stylizimo. She also found the brass candleholders below from a second-hand shop. Polished up and paired with black candles, don't they look fabulous? 

Wooden candleholders provide a great way to add natural touches to the home...

Designed by Shane Schneck for Hay, the Lup Candleholder is stunning. Id' also love one of these ombre candles....

A swoon worthy candle-fest to finish, here's the copper Lup alongside a scented candle, white candleholders and the Tom Dixon Etch Candleholder...

Images: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11

Inspired by the images above, I did a bit of searching around the web for online finds. Here are my 12 picks. 

01 Alfie Candlesticks from Country Road Home

02 Muuto Gloria Candlestick Holder from IDH

03 Ellen Candlestick from LET LIV

04 Iron Candleholder from The Wooden Horse

05 Candleholder String from Ferm Living

06 Bobbel High Candleholder from OYOY 

07 Etch Candleholder by Tom Dixon  from ECC

08 Cube Candleholders from Ferm Living

09 Kubis 8 from By Lassen 

10 Lup Candleholder by Hay from Finnish Design Shop

11 Lumi Candelabra from Country Road Home

12 Aryd Candleholder from Ikea

Workspace Storage | Ideas & Inspiration

I've been spending a bit of time fussing over my workspace the last couple of days, moving things around, changing the moodboard and adding bits and pieces here and there. Because it was designed essentially as a fourth bedroom, to be used as a guest room and office, it has a built-in wardrobe which provides great shelving and storage. I am however still toying with the idea of adding in some open shelves, to provide a handy place to keep things at arm's reach. 

Practicalities aside, I just really love the look of some of the shelving options I've seen around lately. My desk is plenty long enough to display knick knacks and place smaller storage items like baskets and trays, but shelving would provide even more space and an excuse to get a few more things from my wishlist! 

Often seen in Scandi blog circles, Ikea wall brackets and shelves are an economical option and look gorgeous.

 I especially love the black brackets with contrasting white shelves...

A great DIY idea, I'd quite like to make one of these plywood shelf systems to place in the corner of my office. Check out how to make one here.  

Easily achieved with a coat or two of paint, this black shelf looks amazing...

A String System would be fabulous for the office. Desks, shelves, cabinets... the options are endless! 

I would however quite happily settle for a String Pocket... 

The image below has two great options. The picture ledge provides a place to display pictures and smaller items. For more info, take a look at my post on picture shelves. The metal filing cabinets provide great storage along with a touch of vintage industrial style. Local retail and online store Koko Classics stock an incredible range.

  

Being that I'm a hoarder of magazines, I love finding new ways to display them in the workspace, and around the home for that matter. Using a Norrgavel Hook and black string, the DIY creation below is really eyecatching, especially with the calendar placed at the end.  

These wall-mounted metal hangers provide a simple yet striking way to display your favourite covers.  

For more ideas check out my Magazine - Ideas for the Home Post and for loads more office inspiration, take a look at my Workspace Pinterest board. 

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

Endemic World | Current Picks

If you've been following the blog for a while, you'll know all about Endemic World, the Auckland-based online art store. I've featured them several times, and for good reason. As specialists in art prints, they offer a carefully curated collection of work by artists, illustrators, typographers and graphic designers from NZ and around the world. Suffice to say, I was pretty excited when they asked to interview me for the Fave Blogger series, which went up on their blog last week. You can check it out here. 

Available to purchase online and from their store in Ponsonby, Auckland, the range is being continually updated and since my last post, there's been many new artists and prints that have caught my eye. With a broad selection of styles and wide price range, there's something to suit all tastes and budgets. Here are my current picks. 

Inaluxe is a constant fave. I'm loving the new Weather Pattern print (left) while Composition 1 (right) has been on the wishlist for a long time. 

These new Llama prints by Alice Berry are so fun and quirky. I especially love Llama Del Ray (left) and Kissing Llama (right). 

My two picks from well loved Birdinabunnysuit are the Deer Bird Print and Dog With Mask. 

The limited edition fine art prints by artist Margaret Petchell are breathtaking. Part of a 2013 exhibition 'The Commoners" featuring 15 paintings of posing birds, I especially love Claris (left) and  Cyril (right).  

When it comes to black and white typography, local designers Mash get it right every time. Right now I'd happily take either the W or H prints. Although both would be better! 

Yulia Vysotskaya is a Russian-born Kiwi designer and illustrator living in Auckland. Here are a couple of examples of her super talented work, with the Bear Print and Lungs Print . 

Part of his "Beautiful Memories" Exhibition of photographs released at Clic Gallery New York, these photographic prints are by London based photographer Antony Nobilo. Featuring his own collection of over 200 vintage cameras, it's hard to choose, but I love the the Polaroid (left) and Boots (right).

Now settled in Christchurch, Marcus Marritt has lived and exhibited in London and Sydney. Inspired by film, fiction and pop icons, two standout works for me are the Inland Scenic Route 74 (left) and Drive Print (right).   

When it comes to Endemic World there is so much variety. Whether you are buying for yourself, decorating your kids rooms or on the hunt for Dad (Father's Day is fast approaching here in NZ) you'll always find something special. What's more, if you subsribe to the Endemic World newsletter right now, you could win yourself an artist proof screen print by Holly Roach! Pop over to their home page to sign up.

Lastly, I'm very excited to announce the winners of the Pencil and Hammer Giveaway. Congratulations to Alex Holmes and Dawn Bannister who have each won an A3 Print of their choice! Thanks to everyone who entered and big thanks to Pencil and Hammer for their generosity.