BEACH AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography: Hannah Blackmore  /  Interior: Three Birds Renovation  /  Art: Danielle Cross

It’s the art trend we can’t get enough of – beach aerial photography. Adorning contemporary and coastal style homes, this style of art is truly breathtaking. We’ve rounded up our top 4 contenders in the beach photography market.

1 DANIELLE CROSS

Australian abstract artist Danielle Cross has expanded into photography lately, and we’re loving what we see. Initially we discovered Danielle’s artwork through Three Birds Renovations, who regularly showcase her artwork in their renovation projects. It’s not hard to see why Danielle has become a firm favourite of the Three Birds Renovations team – the beach prints really showcase the depth of colour in water and the patterns they can create. Our favourite piece from the collection is pictured below titled We Are Sole.

Photography: Hannah Blackmore  /  Interior: Three Birds Renovation  /  Art: Danielle Cross

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2 CLAUDIA CHLOE

Chloe Masco, owner of Claudia Chloe, uses photography as a tool to accentuate and simplify the beauty that surrounds her in her travels. It’s no surprise that growing up in Jersey Shore in the US, she is heavily influenced by the playfulness of the beach-goer lifestyle. Chloe’s photographs highlight the beauty of beach umbrellas, swimmers, holiday-makers and sandy shorelines. Chloe is based in the US, so you’ll need to contact her through her Etsy store to find out the cost of international shipping on her beautiful range of prints on canvas and paper. You’ll find an assortment of aerial beach photographic prints of Jersey Shore and Miami. Here are some of our favourites from her Etsy store (click here to shop the range).

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3 AQUABUMPS

Aquabumps were definitely at the forefront of the beach photography trend, in fact, Aquabumps founder and sole photographer Eugene Tan has been capturing beaches since 1999! What initially started out as a website and daily email dedicated to early morning beach life, quickly turned into one of Australia’s leading print stores. There’s more than just aerial shots, however they’re probably some of our faves. From Sydney’s Northern Beaches to vibrant Rio De Janeiro, you’ll find an assortment of stunning beach photography from all across the globe. Click here to shop.

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 4 SALTY WINGS

Salty Wings is headed up by two beach-loving friends Jampal Williamson and Michael Goetze – who use drones to capture Western Australia’s beautiful and often secluded beaches. Brilliant blues meet jade green hues, in Salty Wings’ vivid photographic prints. All prints are made and photographed in Western Australia too. Keeping it local has led this brand new business to gain quite the loyal following on Instagram. If you’re loving what you see here, you’ll need to add them to your feed – @saltywings for daily coastal inspiration. Think we might need to book a trip to WA quick-smart! Click here to shop their range of prints.

OZ DESIGN FURNITURE’S WINTER TRENDS

I have to say, this is OZ Design Furniture’s hottest collection to date – so many beautiful pieces of furniture and homewares that suit the very on-trend look of contemporary/Scandinavian interiors right now. I’ve put together a curated collection of my favourite looks from their latest Winter campaign and I think you’ll agree, there’s lots here to love. In particular, I love the new Amanda dining chairs, and that Ravi dining table and bench seats with copper legs. I think it would look equally good indoors as it would in an outdoor space. I’ve also been impressed with their collection of homewares and photographic art prints.

And from tomorrow, you’ll save 25% off in store and online with their EOFYS 3 day blitz sale. Ends Monday 27th June, so be quick! You can shop the range online by clicking here.

TREND: BLUE, PINK + NATURAL

CUSHION  /  VASE  /  ART  /  TRAY  /  THROW  /  CLUTCH
SOFA  /  CLOCK  /  ARMCHAIR  /  RUG  / JAR  /  TALLBOY

the hunt for the perfect light

I’m currently on the hunt for the perfect light for my living and dining areas. I’m leaning towards something with a mid-century flavour and in particular, something gold (what can I say, I’m a brass-junkie!). The ‘constellation’ style of light is hugely popular at the moment (especially in the US), although they can be a little hard to track down here in Australia. Today I’ve rounded up a few of my favourite pendant lights with serious wow-factor, and that yes, are available right here in Australia. I am obsessed with the striking ‘Aksel’ pendant light in brass from Beacon Lighting (also available in matte black), you can even adjust the arms to create your own unique shape, I love how they’ve configured it in the image above. The six light pendant is $895 (although currently reduced down to $805.50), so it’s a little on the pricey side, but the colour and style makes it a clear winner for me at this stage.

Other worthy contenders include West Elm’s ‘Mobile’ pendant in nickel (pictured above). It’s about half the price of the Aksel light, priced at $449. Whilst it is gorgeous and the perfect shape, I’m leaning more towards something in brass. They did stock it in the US West Elm stores in a brass colour, unfortunately it has sold out over there, and doesn’t look like they’ll be introducing this colour in this style of pendant to Australia. The nickel is still a classic choice, oh the decisions.

Anaesthetic’s ‘Constellation’ pendant (pictured right), is pretty awesome too. Unfortunately it is well and truly outside of my budget coming in at $1683. But if you’ve got the cash to splash, this could be the light for you!

Jardan’s ‘Emry’ pendant light (pictured above and to the left), has long been on my lust-list. I sometimes visit Brisbane’s Jardan store, just to stare at it like a crazed stalker! Its $1387 price tag (for its 5 arm pendant design in brass) is a little out of my price-range, but my gosh it fits the design brief in every way. Mid-century in style, tick! Brass in colour, tick! Perhaps I just need to save up for this absolute shining beauty.

Below I’ve rounded up some of my favourite pendant light styles.

1 DALTON CHANDELIER  /  2 EQUALIZER CHANDELIER  /  3 AERIAL PENDANT LIGHT

1 AKSEL LIGHT /  2 ROWAN GOLD LEAF CHANDELIER  /  3 LANCETTE LIGHT

DESTINATION: ORANA CACTUS WORLD

Orana Cactus World is a labour of love. It’s a magnificent garden and nursery located in the small town of Gilgandra, central NSW, about a six hour drive north-west of Sydney and about 45 minutes out of Dubbo. It is a quiet town with a small population of just 2700.

Words and photography: Jacqui Turk

On arrival the view of Orana Cactus World is spectacular. Tall and sculptural cactus rise high above the fence making their mark on the small town’s skyline. Nestled in-between neighbours, this impressive garden will excite anyone visiting. It’s hard not to stare in awe at all the spiky tentacles, knowing that they have taken years, in some instances decades, to grow.

Lester Meyers, has been here since 1972. His love of cactus lead him to purchase the half acre block to house his then growing cactus collection. A cactus enthusiast from a young age, Lester bought imported seeds from Mexico, seeking out new and interesting varieties. His collection has grown immensely over the years and he still has some of those original plants from imported seeds growing in his garden, over 40 years later.

Most of Lester’s plants are housed in a large greenhouse and all are grown from seed under his watchful eye. Cactus are sensitive to frost and Gilgandra can get frosty in winter. The greenhouse protects the plants from Gilgandra’s extremes. But the heat and lack of humidity are the optimum climate for cactus and succulent growing.

This garden is a must visit for any cactus and succulent fan. It is a long drive but the opportunity to speak to the inspirational Lester Meyers about his beautiful garden and possibly bring a cactus of your own home is definitely worthwhile.

Orana Cactus World is open most weekends or by appointment. Call Lester for address and to make sure it’s open before you make the long drive out!
P: 02 6847 0806.

Most of Lester’s plants are housed in a large greenhouse and all are grown from seed under his watchful eye...

MEET THE 5 NEW 'IT' PLANTS

Move over Fiddle Leaf Fig! There’s a new collection of ‘It’ plants – and that thankfully, are much easier to take care of!

1 SNAKE PLANT

Photography: Hannah Blackmore   /  Styling: Tarina Lyell

Sansevieria Trifasciata, also called Snake Plant, Viper’s Bowstring Hemp, Mother-In-Law’s Tongue or Saint George’s Sword, adds just the right amount of spikiness and height to a space. It can grow up to 90cm in height, but we think it also looks wonderful on a smaller, less mature scale (like below). This good looker is also a multi-tasker, removing nasty toxins in the air! You’ve got to love that. Just don’t over water it. We think that’s a pretty easy task – got to love a low-maintenance plant.

This image and top image courtesy of The Balcony Garden  /  Photography: Hannah Blackmore

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2 DEVIL'S IVY

Photo: Annette O'Brien  /  Styling: Alana Langan for Ivy Muse

Epipremnum Aureum, commonly known as Golden Pothos, or Devil’s Ivy (among many other names), is almost impossible to kill, making it an ideal choice for any self-confessed black-thumb! This evergreen vine requires very little maintenance – it doesn’t need much light or too much water. Dimly lit rooms – Devil’s Ivy is your go-to plant! Its attractive heart-shaped leaves and lush long draping tendrils make this plant an incredibly popular choice. We think it works well in almost any situation – potted (like the Ivy Muse Calypso pot pictured opposite), sitting on a shelf, in a plant stand, on a console table – heck, anywhere that needs a green facelift!

Its attractive heart-shaped leaves and lush long draping tendrils make this plant an incredibly popular choice.

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3 Monstera deliciosa

Artwork: Lamai Anne/  Photography: The Design Villa

Lovers of lush tropical style, we’ve found the plant for you! Monstera Deliciosa is the perfect plant partner for warmer climates, growing best between 20–30°C. Not only does it look great potted, if you’re growing one outside in your garden, the leaves look fantastic cut and placed in a tall, thin vase. With many people now opting to decorate their interiors with foliage instead of flowers (for both economic and aesthetic reasons), the Monstera leaf adds coastal flavour to any room, and makes quite the statement. Or layer the leaves to create a unique table runner as pictured below.

Image above and right courtesy of Emily Henderson blog.
Creative Direction & photography: Andrea Posadas
Styling: Amanda Holstein

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4 ORCHID

Photography: Hannah Blackmore

Photography: Jacqui Turk  /  Interior: Steve Cordony
Image courtesy of: Interiors Addict blog

Ok, ok so orchids have been around for donkey years, and have always been popular among interior designers. That hasn’t stopped us from loving this elegant flowering plant, and that’s why it has been included in our top 5 list. An orchid can create serious sophistication in a home, and looks great potted en masse (as pictured right).

The orchid represents better value for money than your typical bouquet of flowers with the blossoms lasting a few months. They can take up to a year to re-bloom.

With so many varieties out there, you’ll never tire of this flowering beauty. The most common variety is the Phalaenopsis (pictured) and enjoys windowsill light and consistent moisture (water approximately every 7-10 days).

The orchid represents better value for money than your typical bouquet of flowers with the blossoms lasting a few months.

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5 Rhipsalis

Photo: Annette O'Brien  /  Styling:  Alana Langan for Ivy Muse

Photography: Annette O'Brien  /  Styling: Alana Langan

Rhipsalis Baccifera, also known as Mistletoe cactus, is a tropical succulent native to rainforests in warm regions. Surprisingly, growing Rhipsalis requires shade to partial shade, making it perfect for using indoors. Like most cactus though it doesn’t like too much water, so be sure to not over water and keep the soil well-drained. We love Rhipsalis for its draping qualities, its pencil-thin stems make it perfect for a hanging pot (like the Ivy Muse ‘Saturn’ hanger pictured above) or simply place on a shelf to create dimension and add sculptural life to your interior (like opposite).

We love Rhipsalis for its draping qualities, its pencil-thin stems make it perfect for a hanging pot...

TREND: LEAFY BOTANIC

GREEN CUSHION  /  SIDE PLATE SET  /  PRINT  /  STOOL  /  CANDLE  /  BLACK POT
COASTERS  /  HAND WASH  /  TOWEL  /  PLANT STAND + POT  /  PINK LEAF CUSHION

Plant Stand Obsession

If there’s an interiors trend that dominated 2016, it would have to be the comeback of the plant stand. Turning plants into sculptural statement pieces, plant stands are now a decorating must-have.

CAPRA DESIGNS

Photography: Eve Wilson

Partners in both business and life, Bianca Lambert and Thomas Wilson started Capra Designs in late 2015, two months after the birth of their baby boy, Banjo. Their latest Melbourne-made Aurora collection is their second range, and it’s gorgeous.

“We are makers at heart and therefore we create things that we would love in our own home,” explains Bianca. “Tom and I have a very similar design aesthetic, we appreciate a clean, modern, industrial look which shows in the wire component of our range. Sometimes our designs start on paper and other times we take an idea direct to the studio for creation.”

A standout in the collection, the Crescent stand towers over most plant stands at a whopping 159cm. A real show-stopper, it has proven to be a favourite amongst renters says Bianca; “The Crescent Stand is a renter’s dream, allowing them to bring height to their decorating without putting holes in the walls, it’s often used by renters as a feature rather than artworks.”

Plant choice is also an important consideration when it comes to styling plant stands. “I recommend looking for something which drapes but also has some height for example a Spider Plant, Boston Fern or Devil’s Ivy,” says Bianca.

When asked what Bianca’s favourite plant is, she can’t just stop at listing one. “There are so many indoor plants I adore and my favourites change on a weekly basis as new varieties come into season. I can’t go past Hoyas and Rhipsalis which are widely available at the moment and drape perfectly in hanging pots. I’m also becoming a little obsessed with Air Plants since they have become more accessible (despite how long they take to grow) and sit so pretty in our Minimo pot,” explains Bianca.

“Trilogy (pictured above to the right side), was one of our products that went straight into development. Originally developed as a stand alone piece, it was obvious with its simplicity and versatility that part of its beauty would be in the shapes it creates when joining two together. The Diamond and Trilogy hangers were designed for both inside and out. They look great outside either clustered in a corner and strung at different levels or hung in a line to help divide two spaces,” explains Bianca.

“Minimo (pictured above to the left side), on the other hand works beautifully sitting alone or grouped with other treasures in a vignette. Be creative with how you choose to use the vessel you may want it to hold an Air Plant, a potted plant or even use to hold nuts or lollies,” says Bianca.

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IVY MUSE

Photography: Annette O'Brien  /  Styling: Alana Langan

Without a doubt, Ivy Muse led the plant stand revival, opening in 2014. The botanical wares studio specialise in a variety of contemporary plant stand designs, all made and designed in Melbourne. Their latest collection Homebody, comprises of seven new designs including a plant hanger, three plant stands, a plant shelf plus hand-made ceramic tabletops and ceramic pots (all pictured above). Long time friends Jacqui Vidal and Alana Langan (pictured below) are the masterminds behind Ivy Muse and both agree there is nothing chicer or cheaper than adding life and style to a home than healthy plant life. What Ivy Muse specialise in, is making sure your greenery is displayed in style.

According to Alana, plant stands really do what their name suggests by giving plants height but their magic lies in their ability to transform – from humble plant to decorative statement! “Plant stands suit a variety of spaces within the home – their use is mostly guided by the plants they support and how you would like to use them. If you need to brighten a dull corner, a plant stand with a hardy plant like a Sanseveiria or Cast Iron plant will do the trick well. For a brighter spot, you could choose a long trailing Devil’s Ivy or team your stand with a large lightweight pot and a Spath Sensation for maximum effect.”

“Plant stands suit a variety of spaces within the home – their use is mostly guided by the plants they support and how you would like to use them.”

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HUNT FURNITURE

Another worthy contender in the plant stand space, is the TOM planter designed by Max Hunt and Tom Crosby for Hunt Furniture.

This versatile indoor planter box also doubles as a side table. How clever! Depending on your preference, you can select the wire frame in classic black, or polished copper. The hand made box comes in natural American Oak or Japan Black finish.

Based in South Australia, Hunt Furniture’s aim is to produce well designed, simple, elegant, and accessible furniture.

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OUR FAVE PLANT STANDS

1 MINIMO PLANT STAND & POT  /  2 ROUND MODERN PLANTER /  3TABLE PLANT STAND

1  MID-CENTURY PLANTER /  2 ROCKET PLANTER /  3 CYLINDER MODERN PLANTER

1 HAIR PIN POT STAND  /  2 FOUNDATION PLANT STAND  /  3 CRESCENT PLANT STAND

SHOP: Terrace Outdoor Living

When stylist and designer Paul Joseph Hopper teamed up with his friend and mumpreneur, Bianca Moore it was a case of ‘bloomin’ marvellous’, their vision transforming urban places into green spaces with Terrace Outdoor Living.

Photography: Jacqui Turk  /  Words: Pip Miller

In what started as an online store, Terrace Outdoor Living has since expanded with the opening of a retail haven in Sydney’s leafy Queen Street, Woollahra. So what is it that business partners Paul and Bianca bring to the table? Experience and a whole lot of creativity it seems. Paul’s background in horticulture and as a stylist saw him featured in iconic home interior magazines both in Australia and overseas while Bianca’s keen eye for current trends, love of design and manufacturing stemmed from a career running her own fashion label. According to Bianca they both carry the creative gene and come from families of keen green thumbs.

“We met in the UK in the hip seaside town of Brighton back in the early ‘90s. Paul had a groovy café bar near the seafront and I basically walked in one day looking for a job. Paul moved to Australia in 2001 and worked as senior stylist at House & Garden magazine. I helped him make some outdoor cushions for a photo shoot and the idea was sort of born from there.”

As a team, it is their combined talents that has enabled them to value-add their service delivery to include a wide variety of styling assistance and solutions, from helping clients make the most of their garden to made-to-measure upholstery.

“We find people come to us as a source of not only inspiration and style ideas but also for our curated range of indoor and outdoor plants, pots, glamorous yet practical gardening tools and furniture with upholstery services,” said Paul.

As a business concept what Terrace Outdoor Living does in effect says Paul, is help people create their own little oasis or mini-escape. “It is important to have a place in which you can reconnect with nature or even just to relax and contemplate.”

“It is very important to revamp or renovate your outdoor space as you would your kitchen or bathroom. It will improve your lifestyle and add to your property’s value.”

Paul says you don’t necessarily even need to have your own outdoors area to enjoy that feeling. With indoor plants making a huge comeback he said all you need to do is designate an area, a corner even – add some greenery, an easy chair or big floor cushion and you are done.

Bianca says for those lucky enough to have both indoor and outdoor areas to play with, they should command equal focus. “It is very important to revamp or renovate your outdoor space as you would your kitchen or bathroom. It will improve your lifestyle and add to your property’s value.”

Terrace Outdoor Living is located at 47 Queen St, Woollahra, Sydney. Open Mon to Sat 10am–5pm and Sun 11am-4pm. Click here to shop their range online.

POT  /  MISTER  /  GARDENING FORK  /  CHAIR  /  CUSHION  /  HANGING PLANTER

New Devour Edition in Newsagents Today!

Our Devour edition is in newsagents today, right across Australia! I’m super happy with how this issue turned out, that front cover too, is so damn cute. I thought it appropriate that I get the cover photographed with some donuts acting as delicious props. These ones from Brisbane’s Nodo Donuts, are absolutely delish. They’re not only gluten free, they’re baked (not fried) so they’re much better for you than your standard donut. I have taste-tested a few of their flavours and they are so yum - my personal faves are the Pumpkin Maple and Raspberry Coconut. They taste like a moist cake more so than a traditional donut, but are absolutely scrumptious. If you’re in Brisbane, be sure to try them out, trust me you won’t be disappointed.