Homes to Inspire | South Yarra House

I felt like a hit of colour today and this home has done the trick! Located in the Melbourne suburb of South Yarra, this stately Victorian house has undergone a complete restoration, carried out by Melbourne Architects Nick Travers and Justin Northrop, founders of the Melbourne firm Techne. The family living here are avid art collectors who also own some fabulous pieces of brightly coloured furniture. Nick and Justin's decision to go with a black and white palette, in order to showcase the art and furniture has worked brilliantly. 



I love that the classical features of the home have been retained, including the ceiling fretwork and fireplace which has a beautiful marble surround. I'm not usually a fan of chandeliers, but they work really well here in keeping with the Victorian theme. Seen throughout the home, the bright colours add a modern touch. Punchy citrus colour is also seen in the artwork by Abbey McCulloch resting on the mantel, and pair of gorgeous vases.  

The stained glass entry way immediately caught my eye, as did the dark floors.



The living room's large windows let in plenty of light, while more zesty colour continues here with an incredible orange modular sofa. I also love the contrasting zebra rug. 

Notice how the floorboards upstairs been whitewashed, in direct contrast to the dark flooring downstairs, showing that you can successfully have both in one home! The gallery-like walls allows the residents to easily move their art around when the mood takes them. This eye-catching piece is by Australian artist Darren Wardle. 

The image above is my favourite. I love the black and white art and green door leading to the kid's room. Inside, the polka dot wall and vintage yellow bed frames create a fun and playful atmosphere. 

From this exterior shot you can see how skillfully the architects have preserved the stunning lacework balcony. The monochrome colour scheme is repeated outside, complete with a splash of colour. Love the yellow chairs! 

Here are the standout features that get my heart racing...



Source: knstrct.com | Photo credit: Graeme Boyle

Outdoor Living Inspiration

I think the outdoor living areas will be the last to get some love and attention when we move into our new build, due to lack of time and funds, but I have however started taking notes. I wasn't blessed with green fingers but I do love gardens and greenery, and when it comes to outdoor living I've stumbled across some amazing inspiration around the web lately. 

Despite the fact that Winter is looming, we've had some gorgeous sunny weather in Auckland these last few days which is great being that it's the School holidays. I thought I'd get in quick with this post, before the chill really sets in and we start spending much less time outdoors. Mind you, judging by the fireplaces, lush sofas and cosy textures shown in these images, lounging outside in Winter never looked so good.
   

These outdoor rooms show how interior styling can be carried through to the exterior of your home. Comfy sofas lavished with gorgeous throw cushions and sheepskins are teamed up with stools, ottomans, low level tables and of course lots of lush plants.  

As with interiors, I can't get enough of built-in furniture right now. The home above shows how great design can make the most of the space you have, providing seamless indoor/outdoor flow. 

I have a real thing for yellow outdoor furniture. Paired with black, white and grey furniture and textiles, here are some gorgeous examples...

01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 |  07 | 08  

To finish off, here are some outdoor pot plants that have caught my eye recently. Firstly with a unique vertical garden installation offering a range of herbs...

I love white pots in varying shapes and sizes grouped together, especially with lush succulents and bright pink blooms...

Concrete planters are also a fave...

01 | 02 | 03 | 04

I have lots more outdoor finds to show you including alfresco dining inspiration, but that will have to wait for another day because the sun is popping out again and the kids are calling! Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Through the Lens of | Jeroen van der Spek

I'm not sure about you, but as much as I love short weeks, this one has thrown me a bit off schedule! Perhaps I'm juggling a few too many things right now but either way I still wanted to get a post up, so luckily I had one up my sleeve that I started a while back but hadn't finished. I was so inspired by the work of photographer Joroen van der Spek and the incredible interior spaces that he shoots, I ended up using a couple in my moodboards and the post went by the wayside. Take a look for yourself, and I'm sure you'll agree it had to be revived! Amazingly talented, Jeroen has captured the beautiful and varied interior elements here to perfection. 

Pale wood, grey and a touch of black? Yes please...

Dreamy white spaces with muted, chalky hues...

Pops of bright colour provide contrast and personality. Loving the turquoise...

Dark and edgy with layers of texture including wood, wool and leather...

Oversized vintage letters in green look amazing against the black...

It would be unfair not to show you a couple of Jeroen's stunning outdoor photos, so here you go...

I hope that's left you with some good Friday vibes and inspiration. It's easy to see why Jeroen's work makes such great moodboard matter! Check out more of the magic here. Have a fun, creative weekend and I'll see you Monday. 

All images via stillstars.com

Homes to Inspire | Portugal Holiday Home

With Summer on its way here in NZ, and the holiday season fast approaching I've been drawn to inspiring holiday homes recently. Situated in Palmela, Portugal this beautiful cottage is the country home of interior designer Monica Penaguião. White washed walls and polished concrete floors provide a calm, neutral canvas to which colour and rustic elements have been added. 

There is an abundance of space and light, as seen in the gorgeous lounge area above. It looks so inviting, with its thick mattresses and comfy cushions covered in Turkish fabrics. An antique Kilim rug and Tolix chairs and stools add vibrant colour to the space.  

A wooden pergola provides a shaded area for relaxing poolside. Loungers picked up in India and Missoni towels complete the picture.

The dining room shows an eclectic mix of design classics and auction finds. Wishbone chairs from Hans Wegner and little stools from the area of Alentejo compliment the lovely lacquered wooden table. A vivid green lamp by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders for Capellini sits on top of a rustic metal dresser. 

The rustic theme continues in the kitchen with an old wood oven, stone sink and industrial iron table with marble shelves.

I can imagine Monica and her guests spend many hours dining al fresco beneath the tree. The outdoor dining table is set with glassware by Kenzo, while the chairs made from recycled wood, are by Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek.

The living area features a storage unit by Fornasetti, and industrial touches like the metal cabinet and lamp by Jieldé. The photograph is a work by Alexandre Orion.

The bright painting seen in the above images is by Brazilian artist Isabelle Tuchand. I love how the colours pop against the white. 

The colourful cushions seen here in the bedroom were purchased in Turkey. The beautiful vase is another work by Brazilian artist Isabelle Tuchand. 

The pool area, complete with Missoni Towels looks so enticing. Sympathetic to its beautiful countryside surroundings, the use of natural materials continues outdoors. Concrete and wood allow the bright green of the vegetation to take centre stage. A group of logs create sculptural interest. 

Old wooden doors maintain the charm of the home.

Source: The Style Files via nuevo estilo

All images via www.nuevo-estilo.es

Coast New Zealand

I've been wanting to write about Coast New Zealand for a while, and having had our first glimpse of Summer recently, I figure now's a good time! Established in 2004 by Nicola and Alex Webster, Coast New Zealand is a collection of contemporary outdoor furniture and accessories, all hand-made in New Zealand, from the very best marine-grade materials.

Born out of a desire to sit on something comfortable while watching the America's Cup on a boat, Alex developed the Marine Bean, a luxurious yet durable beanbag. As stylish as it is practical, it doesn't get more comfortable than this. Trust me, I've sat on a few! While still popular on yachts, the Marine Bean provides the perfect place to relax ashore, whether its your patio, deck, poor area, lawn or even at the beach. Tough enough to stay outdoors all year round, this beanbag will compliment even the most stylish interior, and is light enough to throw between the two!

The latest addition to the Marine Bean range is the Isla Collection. I first spotted this in Home NZ last year when Alex was a finalist in the 2011 Design Awards for the Isla Chair and Ottoman. Combining all the comfort of the Marine Bean with the structure and flexibility of modular furniture, this is the creme de la creme of beanbags!

With all the same design goodness as the Marine Bean Collection, the Beach Basics range provides a more affordable option. Perfect for the bach or the lawn, I'd love some for the kids' rooms or mooching in front of the telly! 

Coast also produce an extensive range of Bags, all hand-made in New Zealand from marine-grade fabric. One of my favourites is the Weekender, which is beautifully designed with a timeless quality. True to Coast's signature style, all of the bags are hard-wearing and made to last a lifetime. 

To see the full range of Coast New Zealand products, information on stockists and international shipping take a look at their website. If you're in Auckland you can visit their Britomart showroom.

Roll on Summer! 

All images via www.coastnewzealand.com
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