PRINT / BAG / LIGHT / THROW / SIDEBOARD / LEATHER CUSHION / CUSHION
CHAIR / OTTOMAN / WHITE VASE / LEAVES / GREEN VASE / CHEESEBOARD
Looking for the perfect office chair
Domayne’s Elsie office chair
When my partner brought home an ugly black mesh office chair – I rolled my eyes and said “don’t think for a second that monstrosity is staying!” Well about three years on, said office chair is still very much with us, and he’s finally seeing that it’s bringing down the whole vibe of our home (his office nook is in the living room).
So, with permission to replace it, I’ve now found myself on the hunt for the perfect office chair. And do you think it’s been easy? Nup, seems there’s not many companies out there producing stylish looking office chairs. And whilst I’d love for my partner to just use an upholstered dining chair instead of a traditional office chair, he’s insisting it must have wheels. Ugh. So here’s a roundup of my top contenders.
1 UPHOLSTERED
At the top of my list is an upholstered office chair – something soft and comfortable as he also works from home with me, and is at his desk most of the day. This Elsie office chair from Domayne(pictured above) would be perfect in terms of colour (our sofa is also a soft beige) however the fact that it doesn’t have wheels probably means he’ll scrap it off the list. But it is pretty right?!
And to the right – West Elm’s Aluna office chair – another stylish option, which also comes in a teal colour (pictured below).
More upholstered beauties below. Numbers two and three are standouts, simply for their sexy brass legs. Something I rarely see when it comes to office chairs.
2 LEATHER
West Elm’s Slope leather office chair
Whilst a leather office chair is probably not going to be a great fit for the style of my home, it’s definitely a popular option I thought I’d share with you. It can look great in more masculine spaces and with mid-century furniture, like the Slope office chair pictured above from West Elm. They’ve probably got the most amount of decent looking office chairs out of any Australian retail store and I highly recommend you hop on over to their website to take a look (click here).
Muuto’s Fiber chair (pictured opposite) in cognac silk leather and black base is another stunner in the leather category. This beauty is great for those not needing wheels but still wanting a swivel base.
Other worthy contenders (in real and faux leather) are listed below.
3 WHITE & GREY
Styling and photography by Riikka Kantinkoski for Finnish Design Shop
Whilst I’ve dubbed this category ‘white and grey’, it really could have been called Scandinavian. Clean, classic lines and a bright white freshness to each, these office chairs certainly tickle my fancy, and are anything but boring.
Pictured opposite is the Kuskoa Bi desk chair from Cafe Culture + Insitu. Available with fixed swivel base or castor wheels, it’s a stylish, versatile option that would fit seamlessly in a contemporary home office.
The above chair looks to be an Eames chair, and whilst this one pictured is from a store in Finland – replicas like this are a dime a dozen in online replica furniture stores.
Sanctuary Studio's 'Neon Drive'
Sanctuary Studio is the brainchild of mother/daughter duo Anne Cook and Simone Rennard. Today we check out their bright Neon Drive collection – perfect for summer.
Photography Maree Homer/ Styling Sarah Ellison
Sanctuary Studio describe their collection as Palm Springs meets Bondi with a 90s pop twist. Pastel hues, neon accents and pop references are splashed across beach towels, luxe weekender bags, scented candles, oversized outdoor cushions and sarongs to create the ultimate travel capsule for a long and lazy summer in the sun.
“Like everyone, we love to travel and the idea of creating a resort capsule inspired by our travels, was a natural fit for us,” says Anne.
Love the range? Click here to buy their products.
AGHA SYDNEY GIFT FAIR
Eadie Lifestyle
The Australian Gift & Homewares Association’s industry led trade exhibition is once again on in Sydney this February. We’ve got a sneak peek look at some of the exhibitor’s exciting products.
Eadie Lifestyle
At the 40th anniversary of the AGHA, they are paying for your all day parking at Sydney Olympic Park (terms and conditions apply). They’ve also made it easy for interstate visitors, offering a complimentary airport shuttle service to the event. If you’re a retailer you’ll know the importance of attending trade events like this to keep on top of all of the latest homewares and gift trends. With hundreds of exhibitors and over 50 brand new ones – you’re bound to find something unique for your store. Suppliers like Eadie Lifestyle, Indus Design, L&M Home, Rayell, and Robert Gordon (just to name a few) will be there with brand new exciting collections - pictured is a little taste of what you’ll find at the show.
Robert Gordon
Rayell
L&M Home
Located under the ambience of The Dome, expect to see the industry’s best at Design Life Sydney, the premium sourcing destination for first-class buyers. Coming to Sydney for the first time, The Launch Pad welcomes over 30 emerging entrepreneurs showcasing new and innovative product. Taking place 18-21 February, 2017 - this trade-only event is one to pencil into your diaries. Register for this event at sydneygift.com.au
My Mini Kitchen Makeover
With a small budget, I recently set about giving my kitchen a mini makeover. Here’s what I did....
When I purchased my apartment off the plan, it was a little disappointing when I found out that I couldn’t make a lot of design changes. There were however, a couple of things that I could do – adding these pendant lights at the build stage, along with closing in the space above the top cabinets to make it look more streamlined. As you can see in the before image to the right, there wasn’t a huge amount I changed. And in hindsight, I have to say it’s not that bad, at least it’s very white. It just didn’t speak to my personality though. It all felt a bit blah.
So here’s what I changed:
- New barstools for more contrast
- New gooseneck tap
- Bigger fridge to fill that space
- New tiled splashback with more visual impact
- New toaster and kettle
- New brass door handles to tie in with the pendants
- Remove oyster light and replace with 2 downlights
The Morphy Richards range of toasters and kettles are super stylish. I love that their new Scandi Aspect design has a timber-look trim giving it a fresh modern look. Another favourite addition are my new Lewis Dolan brushed brass pulls and handles from US online store My Knobs. I had to use a secondary shipping company (shipito) to be able to get them here to Australia, but it’s worth it, as brass hardware in Australia is hard to come by (and not to mention super expensive in comparison to these).
I really love my new plastic mat in the kitchen from Habitat Home Collection. The icy blue colour is nice and fresh and adds just the right amount of colour to the monochromatic space. It’s also really durable, and because it’s made of plastic, it grips quite well to the tiles so you don’t need to worry about it slipping around.
When it came to budget – the tiles were actually the cheapest thing in the space, coming in at $61 for 2 cartons from Bunnings. The labour was about $250. I’m lucky to know a tiler who did a great rate for me – and as he just tiled over the top of the existing tiles it cut time down. Another budget friendly addition was the black tap from Meir. What a difference it makes replacing the existing ho-hum mixer that was previously there. I love that it’s a matte finish - it dries quickly and never looks streaky (like it can with a chrome one).
Overall, I’m really happy with how the makeover turned out. It’s now a space I enjoy using.
Get the look with these finds:
FRIDGE / TOASTER / KETTLE / HAND CREAM / HAND WASH
BAR STOOL / MAT / DOOR HANDLE / PENDANT LIGHT / TAP
Trend: Stormy Evening
Big City Views Balcony
It’s not often the striking Melbourne cityscape is upstaged, but this inner-city balcony may just trump the view it overlooks.
Photography Annette O’Brien / Styling Jess Frazer / Words Jacqui Greig
Quality pieces of furniture, such as the GlobeWest ‘Reef’ three-seater sofa, Luum ‘Simply’ daybed and Luum ‘Simply’ coffee table pictured, were chosen for their contemporary appeal.
Home to Scott Feltham and Nicola Sims, and their two children, this balcony is considered an outdoor alternative to a lounge room. “The balcony is always the most popular spot to wind down at the end of the night,” says Nicola. A subtle reflection of current urban design, the space uses bluestone, raw timber and steel as key elements, with a modern and relaxed feel.
Nicola loves to be surrounded by warm colour and bold, simple shapes, evident in her online homewares business – Luum.
“I’ve used colours that complement the soft pastel tones in our succulents, and balance well with tones of green. Cushions from my own range make the balcony inviting. The tables and daybed are from my ‘Simply’ range – bringing warmth through colour, natural timber and their simple form. I tend to find it easier to relax when surrounded by things that aren’t overcomplicated.”
Measuring approximately 4x6 metres, the space has been maximised with streamlined furniture and plants in pots as opposed to garden beds, while the kitchen and dining areas – adjacent to the balcony – have bi-fold doors that open to conjoin the indoor open-plan living space with the terrace.
The laser-cut metal screen is the hero – inspired by a need for privacy; balanced by the desire not to block too much of the Melbourne skyline. The simple geometry of the design complements the bold foliage scattered throughout the balcony, which, with the numerous potted plants inside, ensure a garden-like feel despite living in a dense urban landscape.
“We have numerous potted plants inside and out to extend a garden-like feel in our dense urban landscape,” explains Nicola. Luum ‘Cup’ pots and Capra Designs ‘Crescent’ plant stand pictured.
PLANT STAND / POT / CUSHION / RUG / OUTDOOR SOFA / COFFEE TABLE
Love this space? Looking for more outdoor inspiration? You'll find this and more in our new Planted Magazine and the Endless Summer edition of Adore Home. Out in newsagents now.
Wanderlust: Bask & Stow, Byron Bay
There’s a little piece of paradise hidden in the back streets of Byron Bay called Bask & Stow. If you’re looking for boutique accommodation in the area, this is a must-stay.
Photography: Kara Hynes / Words: Loni Parker
When it comes to accommodation, I can be very picky as I’ve stayed at a number of beautiful boutique hotels in Australia and the US. So you can trust me when I say Bask & Stow really is an inspiring place to stay. I loved all of the design details both inside and out. White breeze block throughout gives a definite Palm Springs vibe – it’s safe to say my head was bubbling with design ideas for my future dream home.
There are four suites to choose from – sun, sea, sand and salt, each with its own unique coastal-inspired style. We stayed in the sea suite pictured above and right. Whilst the rooms aren’t huge, they did feel spacious thanks to the high ceilings and white walls and furniture. Plus you have your own private balcony – some with hanging cane chairs and outdoor table and bench seat.
The bathroom was pretty big, complete with bathtub and rain shower. I loved the luxurious details in the suite, like the marble floor tiles in the bathroom, leather door handles on the wardrobe and Slim Aarons print on the wall. There’s even a small kitchenette, but with so many great cafes and restaurants in Byron, you’ll want to eat out. On our trip we ate breakfast at Byron Fresh, grabbed some fish and chips from the kiosk at Beach for a casual lunch, and dined at the laid-back Byron Bay Brewery (try the sticky lamb ribs - they’re insanely good). It’s also worth noting Bask & Stow is a short walk from Top Shop, famous for its milkshakes, smoothies and casual bites.
Other features on-site include the shared plunge pool – a great spot to cool off in the afternoon.
Location-wise it is situated half-way between Tallows Beach and Byron Bay’s city centre, making it a great spot to enjoy the best of both worlds. There are great walkways along the beach – I’d highly recommend it on your stay. We walked up to the infamous lighthouse from Bask & Stow, which took us about an hour overall (there and back). It’s near impossible to get a car park up there in the summer, so walking is your best bet (plus great for walking off those lunches and dinners out!).
Overall I really enjoyed my stay, it’s the ideal spot for couples seeking a quiet weekend away in a tropical, relaxed setting. Click here to check out their website and to book your own escape.
Lusting over Slim Aarons prints
Renowned for photographing the rich and famous throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s, Slim Aarons imagery captured a bygone era of glamour, serenity and innocence. I’ve longed to own one of Slim Aarons prints for a number of years now - here’s a look at some of my favourites.
Coco Republic stock a small but quality selection of Slim Aarons prints – both framed and on canvas in a number of sizes. The good news is that they’re currently on sale, making it a great time to invest in one of his classic prints.
Having photographed the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Joan Collins, Mick Jagger, Grace Kelly, (the list goes on and on), he was invited to all of the celebrities’ parties as one of them. He was an insider who they trusted and consequently captured his subjects in their natural surrounds - no stylists, no lighting equipment, just Slim and his camera.
“Attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places,” was his mantra.
A range of Slim Aarons prints available through Coco Republic
Simone Duckworth's home featuring Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc available from Kristy Lee Interiors, styled by Claudia Stephenson, photographed by Hannah Blackmore featured in Adore Home Magazine
Simone Duckworth's home featuring Hotel Sports available from Surface View, styled by Claudia Stephenson, photographed by Hannah Blackmore featured in Adore Home Magazine
My Top 5 Favourite Hotel Pools
Hayman Island's new Aquazure Pool
More often than not, I judge a resort not just on its rooms and service, but on the quality of the pool. I’ve been lucky enough to stay at a number of beautiful hotels in my time, and thought it would be fun to round-up my top five favourite hotel pools. Let the countdown begin...
5 THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL, LA
Sometimes size isn’t everything. The palm tree lined pool at The Beverly Hills Hotel, renowned for its old Hollywood glamour, pushes this one into a respectable number five position on my list of all-time favourites. But it’s not just the tropical wallpaper walls of the private cabanas that had me salivating, it’s the underwater music that really wowed me. I’ve never come across this before and it just makes it an ultra special experience – something I’ll never forget.
4 ELEMENTS OF BYRON, BYRON BAY
Byron Bay’s newest five star resort, Elements of Byron, is a popular destination for both local and international travellers – and it’s not hard to see why. The lagoon pool is big enough – you won’t have a problem finding the perfect nook to swim or lounge. Poolside bures and settees, hanging lounges (in the adults only area), a heated spa, and paddling pools for the kids make it a very well thought out space suiting everyone’s needs. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, or a thirst, you’ll have no trouble catching the eye of attentive wait staff at the full service, poolside Barefoot Kiosk.
3 THE SAGUARO, PALM SPRINGS
Sure it’s not the biggest, but it certainly is the most colourful, and with a to-die-for view of Palm Springs’ mountains, this brings The Saguaro Hotel’s lively pool in at the number three spot.
I’ve been lucky enough to stay here twice, on my first stay it was super easy to find a sun lounger (we stayed on a weekday), plus there were plenty of laid-back tunes to help you switch into holiday-mode. Second time around there was a DJ playing some awesome tunes (see my short video opposite), and it was jam-packed with holiday-makers – oh and not a spare chair in sight! I loved it though, it’s a very trendy place and even though the rooms aren’t the best, the pool’s atmosphere more than makes up for it.
Palm Springs’ warm temperatures all year round and very few rainy days, make it an ideal paradise and holiday destination. Surprisingly summer is the cheapest time to book accommodation (as it’s insanely hot), so keep that in mind if you don’t mind the desert heat. I actually like it - it’s a dry heat - much better than the sticky humidity going on here in Brisbane at the moment.
Palm Springs’ warm temperatures all year round and very few rainy days, make it an ideal paradise and holiday destination.
2 CROWN METROPOL, PERTH
When it comes to size, Perth’s Crown Metropol is pretty darn big. Featuring one whopping swimming pool, plus three other smaller size pools (including a fun kids’ pool complete with water slides), it’s lined with tropical gardens, crisp white sun loungers and luxe cabanas (which you can hire). I definitely recommend hiring a cabana, it means you’re not looking for a chair (especially in the peak periods) and you can just relax out there all day.
The poolside kiosk is not far away, however with an abundance of wait staff circling the area, you can order food and drinks without ever having to leave your prime poolside position. My kind of bliss.
Without a doubt this is Perth’s best hotel pool, and with rooms priced from $298, it represents excellent value for money compared with other luxury accommodation.
1 HAYMAN
Sitting in the number one position, is Hayman. Without a doubt their gigantic pool is mesmerizing. When I stayed it was prior to their renovation and the new additional Aquazure Pool (pictured above, opposite and directly below). For this reason alone, I’d love to go back – I’ll just need to sell my left kidney in order to foot the bill, in the meantime I’ll just have to make do with staring at these images. Featuring a spectacular infinity-edge pool with breathtaking views of the Coral Sea, there is also luxurious private cabanas and stylish day beds dotted along its perimeter, oh and did I mention the poolside bar. Of course though their original Hayman pool is just as divine and is the size of seven Olympic pools, guaranteeing plenty of space for everyone. Did you know it’s the largest pool in the southern hemisphere? When it comes to pools, bigger is always better – especially when you’re sharing with lots of other hotel guests.
Of course though this is just my favourites from the places I’ve visited. I can’t wait to hopefully discover more fabulous resort pools this year. May 2017 be the year for lots of travel.