Grown Up Glamour by Nate Berkus

I'm working on an online Design Kit for a client over in the US at the moment and she is very inspired by Nate Berkus. I love his style and realised I've probably never featured it so here are a few favourites for you.
 
Nate's style is always glamorous, mostly neutral and a mix of furniture styles, although I feel his rooms usually end up on the classic end of contemporary.

 

 
 So tell me, are you a fan of Mr Berkus' work?



 
 

Going dotty...

Recently, polka dots have been invading my consciousness more and more. It's such a classic print but I feel like I've been noticing dots (especially oversized ones) everywhere in both interiors and fashion.
  

Blogger Blaire Eadie

 
 

Better Homes & Gardens

 

Via FashionablyFabulous

 

Rachael Reider, via South Shore Decorating

 
 

Carma

 I'm seriously considering adding a few dotty pillows to my own house. Is this a pattern you would use?

Oh, and by the way, if you want to incorporate some green or some polkadots (insert shameless plug here!), you'll love my Dotty Emerald Pillow!

Moodboard Monday: Coming Soon!

If you've been following along for a while you would have seen me link up with Sarah from pewter+sage to participate in Moodboard Monday. This time, Sarah and I are co-hosting the party, which means you can link up from my little old blog here as well!

 

 

The idea is that other bloggers (anyone can join in - don't be shy!) choose one piece to be inspired by and design a room around it. It's very fun to see how everyone creates such different spaces that all feature the same object.

 

Since everyone in Aus is so excited about the opening of Pottery Barn and West Elm, I thought it was only fair we showed you what you can do with some of their gorgeous pieces. The furniture of choice? Coffee tables!

 

1. Origami Coffee Table from West Elm

 

 

 

 

West Elm describes this piece... Into the fold. Inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding, the Origami Coffee Table artfully supports a natural bone-tile top with a lightweight base. Its small footprint makes it ideal in the angle of a sectional or as a side table next to a deep sofa.

 

2. Parsons Metal Table from West Elm

 

 

 

Described...Classic conversation starter. Part of our popular Parsons Collection, the Wrapped Metal Coffee Table's square legs are the same thickness as its top. This stylish table sits well with sofas of all sizes.

3. Shanti Coffee Table from Pottery Barn

 

 

Pottery Barn says...A testament to the woodworker’s art, this table has turned legs and an intricately hand-carved apron. Metal strapping accents each corner, and the top has a deep distressing that lends a sense of history to the design.

4. Ludlow Trunk Table by Pottery Barn

 

 

 

Described...Artfully finished to replicate the look of weathered canvas and detailed with brass nailheads that secure the edge braces and corner guards, this piece resembles vintage trunks that have been repurposed to serve as occasional tables. Wood-lined compartments allow stow space for blankets, games and more.

 

 

If you haven't seen a Moodboard Monday before, here's the general idea (just because dot points seem like more fun)...

 

1. This is a fun way to share all of the creativity out there and showcase how we can all start from one inspiration point and end up with a variety of ideas.
2. To participate, you need to create a complete mood board for any room using one of the four coffee tables shown here.
3. On Mood Board Monday party day (Monday, June 10th in this case), come back here to link up to the party. You will need to include your sources in your post and give a brief description of the room and how you used the inspiration pieces.

 

I can't wait to see what you come up with so get designing and have those moodboards ready by June 10th!

 

 

 



My Top 10 from West Elm

If you haven't been to see the new West Elm and Pottery Barn stores yet, don't worry, you're not alone! While I have yet to go to the stores in person I have been stalking their new online stores to spot some gorgeous new pieces for clients. These are pieces I have always admired from afar, and am now so excited to see on Aussie shores!

This armchair isn't hugely exciting but it looks super comfortable, is reasonably priced, and comes in a bunch of colours. I think it would be a great staple for a variety of styles and you can easily change the look by playing with your pillows.

Find it here.

Now, Officeworks has a really nice replica of the Parson's desk, but I love West Elm's finishes which include being wrapped in metal or grasscloth. This streamlined desk is perfect for a laptop spot in the dining room or lounge when you don't have the space for a full office.

Find it here.

 

Day beds are wonderful, flexible pieces of furniture. I love them for a kid's room where you want to centre the bed on the wall, or as an extra sofa that can be easily converted to a single bed. The fun geometric pattern on this option would work beautifully with lots of styles, but I just keep picturing it in Palm Springs/Greg Natale inspired room filled with bold, fun patterns.

Find it here.

This fun little modern table would be perfect for an apartment (and is really reasonably priced as well). I can also picture it as a great addition to a breakfast nook in the kitchen, or a spot for afternoon tea in the family room.

Find it here.

It can be hard to find a reasonably priced upholstered chair but I really love this one for it's flexibility. It could work with any design style from quite traditional to very contemporary depending on what you paired it with.

Find it here.

A stunning alternative to the Ikea Stockholm rug if you're looking for something graphic and bold. Love the diamond pattern here.

Find it here.

I am known for having a rather large stash of vintage lamp bases in my store room, but I would gladly splurge on a pretty turned base beauty like this (the floor lamp like this is stunning too!).

Find it here.

Not just for serving drinks, pretty trays are the perfect way to corral clutter on a desk, coffee table or console. I just can't decide whether I love the metallic or brights better.

Find them here.

Every design-obsessed Aussie I know has been in love with the lacquered boxes from the US, and hasn't been able to get their hands on. Here's your chance!

Find it here.

So I spent a long time drooling over gold cutlery in Italy at Zara Home but eventually decided even I couldn't carry a full cutlery set around on my back for four weeks. I think these will be on my Christmas wish list though!

Find them here. 

Well they are my favourite pieces from West Elm at the moment. Have you spotted anything you want to add to your wish list?

My life in Instagram...

I know I haven't been blogging often recently because I have been so busy with new client projects. I have some fun things planned to share with you, but in the meantime thought I would share a little bit of what is happening in my world...

I was interviewed for the local paper, Townsville Bulletin last week, and featured on the cover page of their Savvy lift out. You can see the article itself here: http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2013/04/25/380026_savvy.html

Plans for my house are progressing slowly but surely. Here is a recent rendering I drew to start planning colours.

Last night I spent the evening hanging all the art we've collected on overseas holidays in a gallery wall. I'm planning to cover the entire wall, floor to ceiling, but ran out of frames!

 
I went to the North Queensland Arts Awards a few weeks ago to support my talented Mum who was nominated.  There were lots of wonderful performances by local groups.

 
My latest display home project (and now office!) is now open. Here is a peek at the master bedroom for you.

 

I was at work very early the other morning to open the house for local company, Jepson Media, to film a commercial in the display home. This beautiful blue sky made the early rise worthwhile! I'll share the ad when it's published so you can have a peek at the house!

 



 

Best of Etsy: Beautiful prints by Maze and Vale

I may paint my won art on occasion but that hasn't stopped me browsing all the incredible art on Etsy! The other day, looking for a pretty print for a client, I stumbled up on Maze & Vale. Her work is lovely, and better yet she's based in Australia, and I had to share!
 
Leslie does gorgeous print work featuring feathers, clouds and other pretty motifs, and turns them into everything from lovely fabric...

Fabric Collection Maze & Vale

 ...to cool leather clutches...

The pieces that really caught my eye though, was her dropcloth prints. These gorgeous pieces of art are actually the dropcloths used to cover her screen printing table. They are organic, colourful and completely fascinating and I desperately want one or three for my place!

Dropcloth Print by Maze & Vale

Dropcloth Print by Maze & Vale



Dropcloth print by Maze & Vale

 



When I emailed Leslie to tell her I was going to share her store on the blog, she very kindly offered all my wonderful readers an incredible discount of 20% on anything from Maze & Vale by using the code below, so jump on over quickly and snap something up!

 

Discount Code:

DESIGNETHOS

 





 

Fashionable Feature: Working in winter!

Townsville's 'winter' is finally approaching and I can't wait to pull out my warm winter clothes. For those that don't live in Townsville, the idea of winter here is a bit of a joke, but it's cold enough for me!

I've finally found my perfect black blazer (from Forcast if anyone is looking), along with a gorgeous black tweed jacket I bought in Europe last year, so I'm looking forward to creating some pretty winter outfits.

Still searching for some perfect black cropped pants though...

I really need to work on my scarf tying I think! Wool scarves are far too warm for Townsville but I could definitely try a pretty silk one.

 

Just some random fashion inspiration! If you like I save everything to my fashion Pinterest board.