Sunday, March 30, 2014

Visting Christchurch

Timber storage

Last week I flew to Christchurch to visit a timber furniture manufacturer. I am working on an interior job where we are getting several pieces of custom made furniture - so along with the project manager, we visited Davies Furniture to finalise details and check out their facility. It was great!
We had lunch at C1 Espresso where they deliver sliders to your table via a pneumatic tube at 100km/hr. We ordered a meal especially to see this in action - very clever indeed.

This is what a timber manufacture factory looks like.

Templates

Chairs waiting for the next stage

Timber planks being laminated together

C1 Espresso for lunch - see the pneumatic tubes above.

The striking ceiling in Koru lounge, Christchurch.
Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Puku Ottoman


I have just ordered two of these Puku ottomans for a client - aren't they cute? I like that they are named after an affectionate Maori term for a chubby belly.
Designed by Kate Stokes for Coco Flip, I know these will go down well for a shared girl's bedroom that they are destined for. Made in Melbourne with fabrics from Denmark, Puku are available from Corporate Culture in New Zealand.

 







Photos by Hayden Cattach via Coco Flip.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

The Windsor Annex Store


The 2014 Australian Interior Design Awards have been shortlisted and I have been browsing through all the great entries.
Here is one from the Retail Design section that I like most - this is The Windsor Annex, a menswear concept store that was designed by Melbourne design firm, Hecker Guthrie. A stylish man cave of sorts, the store is beautifully executed with pegboard panels for display, leather detailing for the fixtures, tent-like canvas changing rooms and sturdy furniture. I also like the domestic details, the fireplace and indoors plants, which bring about a homely feel to the store. The Windsor Annex is a breath of fresh air and while it isn't aimed for female customers like myself, I would love to visit.




 



 
Photographs by Armelle Habib via Australian Interior Design Awards.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Elegant Home from Melbourne


Here is another stylish and beautifully furnished home from Melbourne that tick all my boxes. Featured in this week's Est magazine, this home was designed by Robson Rak Architects, a design firm run by husband and wife team, Kathryn Robson and Chris Rak. The timeless aesthetic, the subtle colours, refined detailing, understated and luxurious furnishings, and the materials make this home feel harmonious and elegant.












Photographs by Sharyn Cairns via Est magazine.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Stylish Melbourne Home


Vogue Living posted this stylish Melbourne home yesterday and it is an interior that I have admired before. Designed by Hecker Guthrie, this interior that has been shortlisted for design awards - I like the materials used throughout and you can tell that the furnishings have been carefully considered. See more of the home here.
Enjoy and have a great weekend.








Photographs by Armelle Habib via Vogue Living.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Screen Backdrop for Wedding


The one thing I love about my job is the variety of briefs that I receive. Last year a client approached me to do the layout for their wedding reception!
The reception was at a vintage style hall and we did the overall planning of the whole space. One of the details I suggested was a feature backdrop - this would create a focal point of the whole space. I suggested that this where the speakers would stand when they do their speeches, where the band would play in front of and generally set the tone of the wedding. The theme of the wedding was vintage with an art deco feel so we found this perfect wallpaper for the screen. It is called Imperial Pheasant and it was designed by Catherine Martin for Mokum. The black background with metallic gold pheasants looked striking and made great impact up close and from afar. My client sent me the above photo of the one of the screens - they had two side by side to make one larger one. I think it looks great!