WALLPAPER / ART PRINT / LIGHT / THROW / BOOKSHELF / QUILT COVER
CHAIR / BED HEAD / POT / SQUARE CUSHION / RECTANGLE CUSHION
KIMMY HOGAN’S NEW ART
Kimmy Hogan's love of peach, pink and cream tones and rambling floral shapes continue with this new collection of artworks. Here’s a look at her three new art prints.
Photography Cricket Studios / Styling Kimmy Hogan
Kimmy has continued with a soft palette but introduced some deep greens and terracotta tones to add contrast. The addition of textural layers and speckled paper gives the artwork soul. She has opted for a horizontal format for two of the artworks - a popular choice as a hero piece above a bed or sideboard.
The new range is available to buy through Greenhouse Interiors and each print can come as a print on art paper or on canvas. Framing is not included, however if you purchase through Kimmy Hogan’s website that can be arranged for an additional cost.
A Dulux Bedroom Makeover
Artwork by Tracey Mock, Norsu
With life busier and more complex than ever, design trends for autumn 2020 will reflect our desire to simplify and slow down. Calming, nature-inspired tones will dominate, with a focus on simplicity and authenticity.
Styling Bree Leech / Photography Lisa Cohen
AFTER
BEFORE
The Grounded palette – one of four trend palettes identified in the 2020 Dulux Colour Forecast ‘Essence’ – combines gentle, earthy neutrals and warm whites with accents of soft coral and lavender to create a cosy, laid-back feel. And as the weather cools, it’s the perfect palette to add warmth and character to our homes.
“The Grounded palette is one that homeowners will love – it’s easy to work with and has a relaxed yet sophisticated feel,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux Colour and Communications Manager.
BEFORE
AFTER
To show you just how quickly and effectively colour can reinvigorate your home, stylist Bree Leech transformed a bland, all-white kid’s bedroom using the Dulux Grounded palette. “Colour is the greatest tool you can use in your home – with very
little effort or expense, you can completely change the look and feel of a space,” says Leech. “All you need is a few spare hours, a paintbrush and a couple of cans of paint – then it’s like stepping into a whole new room.
Colours used for this room makeover include Dulux Wash&Wear in ‘Pancake Mix’, ‘Natural White’ and ‘Hint of Lavender’. Dreamy right?
AFTER
Retro Print Revival
Retro Print Revival has just celebrated its 10th birthday. Ever evolving, their new collection experiments with new ceramics and textiles. We chat to Creative Director Tamara Watts about her love of mid-century design and the key to her businesses’ longevity.
Photography Mike Baker
Tamara Watts, Creative Director
1. When did your love of mid-century design begin and what draws you to this style?
I’ve always had a love for bygone eras. It started out with music, then fashion, then into design and decor. Mid-century design is minimal, clean lines, delicious timbers, drool-worthy finishes, and a focus on bringing the outdoors in. What’s not to love about the combination of all those things!
2. What has been the key to Retro Print Revival’s longevity?
I’ve always stuck to my beliefs and have never gone to offshore manufacturing, no matter how tempting it was at times to get things made cheaper.
Everything is made as locally as possible to reduce our carbon footprint and to keep money circulating around the community. I’ve found the best people in the biz who meticulously hand-craft each component of my products, and the quality of the materials and work is something that offshore manufacturing can’t compete with.
3. Tell us a little about the new pieces in the collection.
The new collection has expanded my experimentations with ceramics, which has proven hugely popular over the last couple of years. The new Athena line builds on the Electra before it, but with more of an earthy look speckled glazes and raw terra-cotta clay. The bronzed mirrored Raven Planters are delving a bit more into the early 80’s, and the Stevi Vases are classic mid century style. I’ve also introduced new linen colours, hessians, and velvet lampshades into the range.
Trend: Palm Springs
LAMP / SPUTNIK / ART PRINT / WALLPAPER / PLANTER / BUFFET
ARMCHAIR / COFFEE TABLE / CACTUS DECOR / CUSHION
MID-CENTURY INSPIRED HOMES
Australians’ love of mid-century architecture is clearly evident. We’ve
lined up three stunning homes that capture the Palm Springs essence.
1 SUNCATCHER
This young family’s home in Casuarina, NSW was designed by Create Architecture to capture the sun on a site that is prominantly oriented east-west.
Photography Andy Macpherson Studio / Design and architecture Create Architecture / Builder Sanctuary 28
2 NEW LEASE ON LIFE
In desperate need of some love and care, this mid-century home in Melbourne’s leafy east has a new lease of life thanks to a collaboration between the clients and Mim Design.
Interior design Mim Design Project / Client Project Friday / Architect Ben Robertson / Photography Sharyn Cairns
3 CALIFORNIA MEETS MEDITERRANEAN
Multiple trips to Palm Springs and a deep affinity for the mid century architecture era led to a detailed brief and a highly creative collaboration between the client and InForm’s design team. This stunning home in Balwyn North, VIC will instantly transport you to California.
Photography Derek Swalwell / Styling Bek Sheppard
My Guest Bedroom Renovation Reveal
My guest bedroom is finished and also happens to be the least expensive room in the house to renovate (thank goodness)! I reveal all of my product selections and renovation budget in this post.
Photography Mark Zeidler
BEFORE: the daggy nana lace curtains, mouldy blind, old carpet and freestanding wardrobe had to go!
Firstly, let’s talk about what was here before. Cream walls, nana lace curtains teamed with a festering mouldy brown blind and a freestanding wardrobe built by Wazza in 2005 (that’s literally who made it according to the sticker inside the wardrobe haha). The wardrobe wasn’t too bad on the inside but the mirrored sliding doors were really cloudy and when you looked into it, it gave that hazy, slightly fuzzy filter you see on The Bold & The Beautiful. Actually it was probably a little worse than that. It had to go – we chose to have a built-in wardrobe for this space instead – it was worth every cent putting it in. Looks much better! The carpet was old and in need of replacing and the walls and ceiling were desperately crying out for a new coat of paint.
The room is by no means big measuring 3.2 x 3.2m – however it’s the perfect size for a double-size bed. A queen would have felt too cramped, and single too small – but a double bed gives the illusion that it’s a queen size and that the room is decent in size. Until you’ve looked for a double size bed you’ll quickly figure out there’s not a lot to choose from. Luckily I found this gorgeous ‘Georgia’ bed from Life Interiors. It’s upholstered in the same grey fabric as the bed in the master bedroom which helps to tie these two bedrooms together. It’s a lovely sturdy bed with a timber slat base.
The mattress is from Ecosa – they delivered it in record time and it comes rolled up in a box with wheels – making it super easy to wheel it all the way into the room. The white sheets, pillowcases and quilt cover are also from Ecosa. They’re made bamboo and are the silkiest and smoothest sheets I’ve ever touched. I’m seriously considering buying the same set for my master bedroom. At the end of the bed is a textured throw from White Grove House. I love the white-on-white look!
Mirror by Sarah Ellison available from Life Interiors
The easiest design decision I made for this room was the carpet. I knew straight away that it needed to be the same carpet as in the master bedroom. I chose the Stoney River in Shale colour from Carpet Court. The number one reason was colour. It shows a bit darker in these images but it’s more of a mid-light grey colour with white flecks through it. It almost looks like a wool blend (without the price tag) and is made from nylon which is super durable in terms of resisting stains and keeping clean. It’s nice and soft underfoot and a carpet I’d use again in a future home.
Painting the walls in Dulux Vivid White was also a no-brainer for me. We’ve used it throughout the entire house so far, so why stop now?! I wanted this room to have a sense of calm about it and it truly makes me happy when stepping inside. I used to think this room was dark and dingy – not anymore, it’s actually got the most amazing light and that’s thanks to the crisp white walls.
Stoney River carpet in Shale colour from Carpet Court
Blinds and sheer curtains from Blinds Online
I didn’t get to put sheers in the master bedroom – so I’ve made up for it in this room. We installed S-fold sheers in Tahiti Voile Snow from Blinds Online and instantly the room feels bigger, lighter and taller – all thanks to mounting the track to the ceiling and having the sheers run the whole length of the wall. That, my friends, is the secret to making your room look taller, even when it’s just a standard ceiling height. I teamed the curtains with a simple blockout blind (in Serenity White). It’s a winning combo – and all up actually comes in at about the same price if you were to do plantation shutters for anyone interested in the cost comparison. We did the installation ourselves and pretty proud of the end result.
Another hot tip: running VJ panels along the main wall in the room will also help to draw the eyes up thanks to the vertical lines. We installed Easycraft EasyVJ panels from Bunnings here – something we’ve done throughout the home. They’re affordable and easy to install.
If you’re furnishing a smaller room – might I make the suggestion of using kids’ room furniture. Here, we’ve used bedside tables from Adairs’ kids range. They’re by no means small in terms of height. They’re just more petite in width and depth – it meant I could fit two in this room instead of just one. Plus there’s certainly nothing ‘kiddie-ish’ about them.
The guest bedroom also doubles as my office (temporarily until I renovate the next room in the house into a home office). I opted to get custom joinery for this space – the desk, metal leg and shelves were made by JMK Joinery. The reason I went with custom was so that it fit the space perfectly (it’s hard finding small desks) and so that I could have the shelves matching with the Tasmanian Oak shelves in the laundry. I’m all about consistency so this room now ties in with the other rooms. Plus I know when we go to sell the property in the future, if this was a kid’s bedroom a cute little study nook is always going to come in handy for homework and arts and crafts!
I’ve included this room’s budget below. This is just for the bones of the space – and doesn’t include furniture or decor.
Top 9 Bar Stools
I’ve got a design plan for my kitchen but one of the trickiest decisions – the bar stool! Here are my top nine contenders. Links below:
1 COCO / 2 CANNA / 3 STRAPPING / 4 SAHARA / 5 LANDO
6 BOBBY / 7 ABOUT A STOOL / 8 LIVI / 9 JULIAN
KITCHEN INSPIRATION
DESIGN: FIGR ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN / PHOTOGRAPHY: TOM BLACHFORD / STYLING: RUTH WELSBY
Whilst a kitchen reno is still a little way off for me – it seems to be the only thing I can think about. I’ve rounded up my inspo plus design mock-up for my dream kitchen.
BUILD: URBANE BUILD / INTERIOR DESIGN: BIG HOUSE LITTLE HOUSE
To go with the overall colour palette in my own home – I’ve decided I want to continue that through to the kitchen – white, Tasmanian Oak and a splash of gold is what I’m thinking.
I’ve been trawling through Pinterest looking for ideas and these designs have me totally inspired. I’ve always been drawn to an all-white kitchen but I think they can look a bit sterile, so to warm things up a hit of timber is in order. I’ve been obsessed with Porta’s Contour range ever since it was released. The Riverine profile would look particularly good on the front of the island – just like they’ve done in the kitchen above designed by Big House Little House.
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN: INFORM / PHOTOGRAPHY: DEREK SWALWELL / STYLING: BEK SHEPPARD
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN: INFORM / PHOTOGRAPHY: DEREK SWALWELL / STYLING: BEK SHEPPARD
INTERIOR DESIGN: CEDAR + SUEDE
DESIGN JAMES GARVAN ARCHITECTURE / INTERIORS IN COLLABORATION WITH LISA TACKENBERG / PHOTOGRAPHY KATHERINE LU
INTERIOR DESIGN: STUDIO MCGEE
A waterfall bench made of marble would be a dream come true – how gorgeous is this one above designed by Studio McGee. Totally obsessed. Hopefully I can achieve something similar in my own kitchen.
I’ve included my design mock-up for the kitchen although there could be some tweaks made to the design. At the moment my dream kitchen includes an integrated fridge – but they’re pricey, so we will have to see. Time to start saving…
Trend: Summer Breeze
BLANKET / ART PRINT / PENDANT LIGHT / TASSEL CUSHION / FAN
ROUND CUSHION / ARMCHAIR / STOOL / RUG / KIDS LOUNGER