Floral Prints to Adore

With Spring less than a month away, our minds have turned to spring-fresh florals. We’re seeing an abundance of floral prints and artworks being released lately – here’s a roundup of our favourites.

Florals are the hottest thing right now, in terms of art prints.

Forget the old nana-like flower tapestries of the 80s – today’s floral prints range from abstract beauties to detailed photography.

Artist Leah Bartholomew whose two new works are pictured above, has taken inspiration from the Sunshine Coast’s native flora. Her paintings have a collage-like feel – I just love the dreamy colours she uses too.

Digital artist Kimmy Hogan (whose work is pictured below and opposite), illustrates each of her print designs on computer – but even though she uses this medium, each shape is hand drawn with the mouse. I love the abstract nature of her designs – yet they’re still so recognisable as flower arrangements.

If photographic prints are more your style – you might like some of these. If I had a dollar for every time I got asked where this artwork (pictured above) was from, I’d be a rich woman. It’s called Garden Roses, and is a photograph by Anna Thomas (available here). It’s actually a rose dipped in liquid nitrogen and then captured shattering with a high speed camera. I love how delicate the petals look in this one – and the soft dusty pink is so pretty.

Other personal favourites include Ruthie by CS Photographic Art (pictured left) and The Perfect Match by Yorkelee Prints (pictured below). Can you tell my favourite colour is pink at the moment! Ha. Below I’ve rounded up 12 more gorgeous floral artworks in a variety of different styles and colours – happy shopping!

Introducing La Lune by Marble Basics

We are totally mesmerized by Marble Basics’ new La Lane collection – transforming everyday household basics into luxurious lust-worthy items.

There’s so much to love about the new pieces from Marble Basics – every piece is an object of beauty. Take for instance, their Buddy vases (priced from $59.95) – a glass globe that spins on an axis crafted in luxe marble. Perfect for small or large posies of flowers. Their new garden products (pictured at top of post), are also decadent – I totally need their Midnight watering can ($54.95) and garden tools ($69.95). And one can never have too many planters right? I might need to add their Nuit black planter ($74) to my shopping cart also.

Products for entertaining also feature, everything from marble coasters, gold swizzle sticks and bottle openers, to simply beautiful table linen. Everything is available now for pre-order and due to arrive in September, oh we can’t wait!
Check out their entire new range by clicking here.

Urban Road’s Rhapsody Collection

Since 2010 Urban Road have been creating original art and supplying beautiful prints to art lovers all over the globe. Their new Spring/Summer range is no exception, with the Rhapsody Collection possibly being one of their best.

Photography + styling Louise Roche, Villa Styling

Urban Road’s latest collection Rhapsody, pays homage to an Australian summer. Exploring the nostalgia of days gone by – the sun shining on freckled cheeks, moments spent in your favorite swimsuit and watching sunsets over salty oceans. There is a definite Australian coastal/boho vibe going on with a number of the pieces in this range, from swaying palm trees to aerial beach photography, to a colourful array of cheeky Australian birdlife. Each one of their artworks would sit well in any contemporary or coastal abode. As with most artworks that Urban Road produce, there’s a classy timelessness to each and equally as important – quite reasonably priced. It can be hard to find quality artworks at a good price – trust me, I own one of their framed prints, and am super impressed with the quality.

Rhapsody officially launches tomorrow - but we have the insider scoop and wanted to share this with you all prior. So swoon away and check out some of our personal favourites form the range. Shop these artworks and more at urbanroad.com.au.

Gourmet Weekend in Tassie

As the cold weather sets in, we can’t help but crave a cosy weekend away in Tasmania. So where to stay and eat? We’ve rounded up a few hot spots around Tassie for the perfect winter getaway.

First up is Piermont (pictured left and above) – a charming boutique accommodation and restaurant located two hours drive north of Hobart. Scattered amongst she-oaks, gum trees and dune grasses on Piermont Beach, the 15 charming cottages perched high on the hill, offer a cosy and unique experience. Each cottage is elegantly appointed with a log fire, spa bath, full kitchen, laundry and beachfront deck.

But it’s likely you won’t need the kitchen facilities, with The Homestead Restaurant located onsite. Their award-winning chef collaborates with neighbouring organic farmers and winemakers to curate a constantly evolving, seasonally inspired menu that celebrates the region’s diverse flavours.

Open all day, the Piermont pantry offers a selection of local and Tasmanian produce to purchase, providing the perfect ingredients for seaside picnics or your own in-room dining.

If you’ve got plans to visit Mona (Museum of Old and New Art) in Hobart, you may want to stay in one of their eight super flash, luxury dens located on the River Derwent. Each of the Mona Pavilions, are named after an influential Australian artist or architect, and feature artworks from the Mona collection. But if you’re more interested in the food, Mona offers six different eating options – from bars to casual cafes, right through to posh restaurants.

For a memorable trip, take Mona’s camouflaged catamaran which sails regularly between Brooke St Pier and Mona. Or upgrade your ticket ($55) to enjoy complimentary drinks and canapés in their exclusive lounge, bar, and private deck. Upon arrival you can even take a free tour of the Moorilla winery (first in, best dressed).

Located on Lake St Clair, Pumphouse Point is an adults only boutique hotel with two buildings to choose from - Pumphouse (located on the lake via jetty) and Shorehouse (located on the mainland by the lake’s edge). A number of rooms span over three levels in Pumphouse, with relaxing lounge areas, and an alluring help-yourself bar. Foodies will love that each room has a larder filled with tempting food and beverages for you to purchase during your stay. Plus, if you’re hankering for freshly baked bread, just call reception, place your order and the bread will arrive in 20 minutes. Yum!

National Parks surround the area with over 100km of impressive walks, ranging from leisurely strolls to overnight bush walks, so be sure to pack your walking shoes.

Hobart’s newest luxury hotel MACq01, is located on the Macquarie Wharf. It also happens to be the first storytelling hotel - with each of its 114 suites, dedicated to the true story of a Tasmanian, their tale written on the door of their suite. Its both charming and contemporary all in one go.

MACq01’s superb location makes it the perfect spot to start your Tasmania adventure – and just five minutes from the city’s famous Salamanca Market and numerous eateries – you’re sure to be in a foodie’s paradise. For fine dining, head to The Old Wharf Restaurant – the hotel’s posh eatery, or order a drink at The Story Bar – the very plush and alluring onsite bar with sweeping views over the waterfront.

No doubt you’ll spend some time in Hobart if you’re planning a Tasmania escape – here are four eateries you might want to try out, not just for the delicious food, but for the stunning interiors too.

Born in Brunswick is all about locally sourced, sustainable and seasonal produce. This brunch hot spot has a tantalising menu - and an equally heavenly Scandi-licious interior.

Sweet tooths should check out Queens Pastry – serving up fine pastries and oh-so-naughty donuts. And the minty fresh subway tiles inside will also make you feel all sugary-sweet inside.

Frank restaurant’s South American cuisine and plethora of cocktails will satisfy the tastebuds as will the delightfully colourful interior design.

Brooke Street Larder is the downstairs cafe at the end of the famed Brooke Street Pier. The wrap around foreshore vista views are hard to beat, making it the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon snack.

Well I think I might book a weekend escape to Tassie – this blog post has definitely got me feeling hungry for the Apple Isle! Big thanks to my new freelance content and product sourcing queen – Tassie-based Kate Moss for helping me out with these selections. There’s just so much to discover in our southern-most state!

Choosing the right white

Three Birds Renovations used Dulux Vivid White in their office space pictured

Three Birds Renovations used Dulux Vivid White in their office space pictured

Choosing the right white for your walls can often be daunting. With so many varieties on offer it can get a little confusing. Dulux have sought the expert opinions of these super-stylists for their favourite shades of white.

Photography Amelia Stanwix

VIVID WHITE

This ultra-pure white is perfect for creating a clean, contemporary look. Dulux Vivid White will brighten any space and give it a luxe modern vibe. Three Birds Renovations love it because it is fresh, crisp and pure, using it in their beautiful office space shown here. For them, white isn’t a safe choice - they choose it because they simply think it is beautiful.

Where to use
A versatile white that works on walls, trims, architraves and ceilings. Use it confidently inside and outside your home and in areas with low light.

Works well with
• All timber floors
• Tiles and carpets
• All kinds of trims

NATURAL WHITE

The lightest of warm whites is also Dulux’s most popular. Loved by home renovators and interior designers alike, Dulux Natural White will brighten any space. It never fails to impress. Property stylists Sara and Amy Chamberlain of The Real Estate Stylists, also love it and recommend it for traditional, Federation style homes that are so abundant in Melbourne. When selling your home, they think Natural White is an obvious choice for the walls.

Where to use
With a neutral undertone, Natural White can be used in both lighter and darker spaces, inside or out. For timeless appeal, use Dulux Vivid White on the trims.

Works well with
• Warm timber flooring
• Most tiles except those with cool grey undertones.

The Real Estate Stylists think Dulux Natural White is an obvious choice

The Real Estate Stylists think Dulux Natural White is an obvious choice

ANTIQUE WHITE

Julia Green recommends Dulux Antique White

Julia Green recommends Dulux Antique White

Classic and inviting, Dulux Antique White U.S.A. is a perennial favourite. Its beautiful warmth allows artworks and colour details to sing. A versatile white that suits any space, indoors or out.

Stylist Julia Green says she loves it because it works in homes with all sorts of material colour palettes – from woods to marbles – a great all rounder that is warm, inviting and versatile.

Where to use
Bring space and warmth to smaller rooms with low lighting or create a timeless, elegant look in an older style home.

Works well with
• Warm timber flooring
• Most tiles and carpets, except cooler greys.

Top Towel Ladders

A sleek towel ladder is probably one of the hottest trends in bathrooms right now. They add dimension and height to a space and are great for pokey spots. Here’s a roundup of our favourite styles.

SPLURGE-WORTHY

Let’s kick it off with some high-end ladders shall we. If money is no object, and quality and good looks take priority, you’ll want to invest in Menu’s slick towel ladder (pictured above). Available in black or white, and with a neat little leather strap at the top, it’s one scandi-liscious design – perfect for contemporary, monochromatic bathrooms.

Needing something with a mirror? This ingenious Cuba mirror ladder rack from Beeline Design pictured below left, is another great option for the bathroom – or even front entry – use it as a coat rack or to display magazines. They also have a more affordably priced option without the mirror if that’s more your thing.

Sly’s Onyx ladder is another favourite of mine – combining black powdercoated steel and Tasmanian Oak – it’s a very minimalist/contemporary style and one that will suit a lot of homes – especially since black is so hot in bathrooms right now.

More great options below.

MID-RANGE

The next selection of ladders are all mid range in price. First up, is Amigos De Hoy’s Floyd ladder, pictured above. And whilst it’s not pictured in a bathroom setting here, it could definitely be used in one, or any room really. Use it for hand towels, or even magazines like shown. I love the rope on this one – would work well in boho style homes.

Miss Glass Home’s clothes airer #1 pictured below, has a very Scandi aesthetic – it can be used as a clothes dryer or a towel rack. And at just under $200 it’s reasonably priced for a beautiful quality piece.

BARGAIN BUYS

If your budget is a little tight – you need not fear. We have rounded up a selection of towel ladders all under $100.

First off the ranks is this little bamboo number (pictured above) from Kmart. At just 25 bucks it’s certainly not going to break the bank. It has a weight limit of just 3kg though, which suggests to me that it may not be all that sturdy – hey you get what you pay for. If your towels are lightweight and you don’t want to spend much – this is a great option.

If you or the hubby are handy with the tools, you may even want to whip up your own like Sarah Sherman Samuel has done in the one pictured opposite. I love the classic shape of it – plus the possibilities are endless with colour choice – leave it plain or give it a lick of paint for an instantly different look. You’ll find the tutorial for this one on her blog (click here).

Storage ideas for the fashionista

With limited space available in her condo, savvy Canadian fashion blogger Stephanie Sterjovski incorporated her office into her closet – creating a stylish ‘cloffice’.

Photography Anna Argiropoulos  /  Interior design + styling Jacquelyn Clark  /  Words Jacqui Greig

“It made sense to combine the two, as my clothes are a huge part of my job,” Stephanie says. “So, it would keep me inspired, as long as it was presented in an organised way.”
Her PAX wardrobe from IKEA was a key element, with Stephanie carefully selecting each component to suit her exact needs – capitalising on every inch of space through a clever mix of open and closed storage.

A hidden closet with mirrored sliding doors, and a floor-length mirror on an opposite wall open up the space, as does the Lucite desk, while extra shelves at the bottom of the wardrobe store office supplies.
“Everything else can be displayed and styled in a cute way that makes the space feel very boutique-like, which I love!” says Stephanie.

With the assistance of interior designer Jacquelyn Clark of Lark & Linen, the ‘cloffice’ is fresh and uncluttered: “They key to creating a clean look is to keep the overall palette neutral,” explains Jacquelyn. “Steph’s closet then brings an added hit of colour – the space can completely transform depending on her current wardrobe, and season.”

This is an edited extract from the Small Homes edition of Adore, out in newsagents now Australia-wide.
Click here for more stockists or click here to buy online.

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