December 17, 2013, 2:12 pm
As promised, I have put together a list of the 12 Days of Christmas winners. I was blown away by all the entries! Special thanks to those who left lovely messages in their emails and sorry I couldn't reply personally to all of them. Of course I couldn't have done it without all the wonderful companies who participated, along with their generous contributions. I'm sure you'll agree the prizes were all fabulous and I hope that those who were lucky enough to win, gain lots of enjoyment from them! Kauniste - Sophie Abell, Tracey Currington, Rebecca Barrow
Superette - Tracy Kavanagh
Paper Plane Store - Julia Paraha
The Fairy Light Shop - Fleur Maggs, Angela Smith
MintSix - Saralaya Frost Tessuti - Lorena BarnesTuturu Home - Tonya Drabble, Anna Mantell, Mel love
George & Willy - Savanah Ganly
Jamie Kay - Rose Dowall
Koko Classics - Jaimee Viner
I also want to thank my friend, graphic designer Heather Mason, who created the gorgeous 12 Days of Christmas artwork, and to those companies who provided exclusive reader discounts during the series. Remember that the special offers from Paper Plane Store, LET LIV, Pencil and Hammer and Jamie Kay run right through to the 31st of December.
I have a couple of Pinterest moodboards for you today, both of which include pins of our home. It's been pretty cool to see them popping up around the web, via blogs that have shared the Adore Home feature. The level of excitement is growing in our household, with the kids finishing up school and kindy, and we're off to visit Santa today.
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I'm looking forward to winding down, spending time with the family and recharging the batteries but I'm also really excited about 2014. This moodboard features my favourite colour palette.![]()
I'll be back tomorrow with some Instagram love!
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December 18, 2013, 3:36 pm
I haven't had as much time as I'd like for Instagram over the last few weeks, but hopefully I get the chance to be a bit more snap-happy over the Christmas break! Here are some that I've taken lately.I've picked out three feeds to show you today, all quite different but equally inspiring. The first is Kenziepoo by Rachelle Francey, the American blogger and magazine editor who has an amazing eye for Scandi design. I love her home and style, shown here in these photos. You may remember her daughter Kenzie's gorgeous bedroom from this recent post. Growing up I dreamed of becoming a professional ballet dancer. I studied ballet and other forms of dance for 14 years, and after I left school I trained full time at the National Theatre Ballet School in Melbourne. Even though I ended up on a different path, I'm still passionate about ballet, dance and the arts in general, which you may have picked up from my Pinterest Dance board. I've been a fan of the Ballerina Project for a very long time, and when I joined Instagram, I started following them straight away. ![]()
An ongoing series of photographs created by photographer Dane Shitagi
, the Ballerina Project is "not your typical dance photography, but an etching of a ballerinas heart and emotions."A striking contrast to seeing dancers on the stage, I love these urban backdrops and I'm constantly in awe at the beauty and talent. The Ballerina Project has a current following of over 157K on Instagram. Take a look at their amazing feed here (including lots of videos) and prepare to be wowed!I'm loving the feed of Brie Stanley (@Beebees80) right now. A recent discovery, it is pure eye candy, featuring gorgeous day to day images of her work as a Sydney-based event stylist for Sugar Coated Events along with her three adorable children. A self-confessed 'Instagram girl' Brie has started sharing her love of photography by way of mini cards, which you can purchase here.
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December 19, 2013, 2:53 pm
Yesterday I stumbled across Theresa Arns, a Copenhagen-based architect and furniture designer via the lovely blog Beedlsteil. Seeing one of her furniture pieces, I was struck by the elegant aesthetic and clever design. Clicking over to her website I found more of her beautiful work, and an impressive CV. Prior to graduating from the School of Architecture at The Royal Danish Academy of Arts this year with a Master of Arts in Architecture and Furniture Design, she gained a Degree in Architecture from Dusseldorf and a Degree in Translation - she speaks German (her mother tongue) English and Spanish. During this time she worked for several architectural firms, now designing her own range of furniture.
She also recently finished work on an interior design project for Bitte Kai Rand, redesigning their flagship fashion store in Copenhagen. The end result includes stunning furniture design, an incredible store concept and the most divine French parquet flooring. Consisting of separate wooden pieces, they are stained in four different grey tones, fading from dark to light to dark again. Beautifully Scandinavian in style, I also love the white stained oak furniture with coated steel legs, changing rooms make of folded black steel sheets and brass bulb fittings. ![]()
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I've picked out a few of Theresa's furniture designs to share with you, starting with The Turning Table. More than just a coffee table, it features a storage container, perfect for storing things like books or magazines. The copper rods on the legs give a nice contrast to the oiled birch plywood. ![]()
Like all of Theresa's designs, The Elephant Chair combines form with functionality. It has a beautiful rounded shape and soft colour thanks to the bent birch plywood, and for a unique twist, double layered legs.
The Private Desk is what initially caught my eye and for good reason. This may just be the perfect desk. Made of white oiled ash wood and grey powder coated steel, it has a working area in the centre, complete with a drawer for the computer, a lid with an integrated mirror and storage containers for beauty (or office) products as well as a metal tray with three boxes on the side. Whether you use it as a work desk or dressing table, there is a place for everything!For more information and images, take a look here.
This will be my last post for a little while, as I take some time off to spend with the family and to celebrate the festive season. Thanks again for all of your support during the year. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas filled with fun, love and laughter, and I look forward to seeing you in 2014!! x
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I just wanted to pop by quickly with a moodboard and wish you all a Happy New Year! I hope that you've been enjoying the festive season, and that you are as excited as I am about the year ahead. I have a great feeling about 2014...
Images via Pinterest
I'll be back to posting regularly on the blog as best I can from next week. If I miss a day here and there during the month of January please forgive me. Like many of you, I'll be doing the school holiday shuffle and attempting to sneak off to the beach as much as possible with the kids, while the sun shines!
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January 5, 2014, 11:11 am
I discovered this stunning Melbourne home over the break, via Vogue Living Australia. The serene cover shot of the kitchen had me itching to take a look at the full story. Beautifully renovated by architect Steven Whiting and his creative-director wife, Carole, for their own family, I did a bit of research and found these online images via Whiting Architects to share with you. ![]()
Architecturally altered to include a light drenched open plan extension with a barn-like aesthetic, I think the monochrome finishes, blonde wood and a simple pared down style give the home a definite Scandinavian feel. The kitchen demonstrates two clever space-enhancing design elements; the addition of an internal window (top image) and the sliding of the work bench and 'messy end of the kitchen' beneath the stairs. The home features a fabulous collection of design pieces from Carole's store Y10store.com, such as the Muuto tables and display boxes. ![]()
Hand knitted by Carol, I love the chunky wool throw in the living room and the seat cover above. The mezzanine study below has been cleverly slotted into a corridor passage.
Layers of grey in the master bedroom thanks to beautiful bedlinen by Bedouin SOCIETE, give the room a cosy feel. There is more Muuto goodness here with the simple pendant lights and the wall hooks in the bathroom below. The sliding door fits in perfectly with the barn aesthetic, set off by bold black accents including the door track, tapware, paint-dipped stool and striking floor tiles.
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See more images here, or pick up a copy of the latest Vogue Living Australia. An inspiring issue, you'll also find a special feature devoted to 'Great Danes' with profiles of leading lights in Denmark's design scene.![]()
Image via my Instagram
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January 6, 2014, 11:39 am
We made a concerted effort not to overspend at Christmas, but the kids still ended up with bucket loads of new toys! Dean and I treated ourselves to a Nespresso machine, and it has put a smile on my face everyday since. The outdoor furniture was put on hold, but as fate would have it, we've since been offered a set of second-hand outdoor chairs for a steal. Perfect for summer, I know they will look right at home on our deck, and I'm already envisaging them with cosy sheepskins in winter (see below). Now we just need to find a table!
I also like to treat myself to something every year, but I was so busy in the lead up, this went by the wayside. Afterwards I finally had time to do some online browsing, and put together my wishlist. Here are few things I'm coveting right now.Links below images- The Angle Floor Lamp by Douglas and Bec would be perfect for our main living area.
- I'm in love with these Candleholders by Catherine Lovatt for Serax along with everything else in her collection!
- The round shape of the Fog Linen Brass Scarf Hanger is cool and practical.
- I would use these vintage style Kitchen Scissors by Hay every day.
- Ceramic Bowls by Catherine Lovatt for Serax - see above!
- My String Shelf is calling out for the Pyramid Vase by Serax.
- I'd like this Notebook by Hay for my to-do lists and it would look lovely in my office.
- I'm looking for some new posters to frame, and this 2014 Calendar Poster by Playtype is awesome.
- These Organic Icelandic Sheepskins look so cosy, I want one in each colour!
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January 8, 2014, 12:34 pm
I'm happy to report that Danish brand House Doctor have released their new online catalogue Everyday, for 2014. Offering page after page of beautiful furniture and homewares, this is something we've all come to expect from the company that was founded in 1999 by three clever siblings, Rickie Jug Jensen, Gitte Jug Capel, and Klaus Juhl Pedersen. Now with a team of more than 35 dedicated 'house doctors' responsible for identifying trends and designing new interior products, their latest collection is well worth checking out.![]()
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"A season of Nordic Inspiration" the 2014 Spring/Summer collection includes hand-crafted tactile ceramics, graphically shaped furniture, sculptural lamps and modern art. A harmonious blend of pale hues, light wood, metallic touches and organic curves set the tone for the beautiful styling.
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Here are a few of my favourite pieces...
House Doctor has a growing network of distributors throughout most of Europe, here in NZ as well as other countries. See the entire catalogue here.
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During the holidays I had time to potter about home and make a few changes here and there, and make some to-do lists. I'm looking forward to taking more photos of our home this year for the blog, especially as it continues to evolve. I've been thinking about art for the bedroom - we have a window above the bed, but the opposite wall is still free to decorate. I'm keen to source some black and white photography, but I'm in no rush.
Judging by my Bedroom Pinterest board, I'm predominantly drawn to white bedrooms (no surprises there) that are relaxed and uncluttered. The walls are often quite bare, give or take an artwork or poster here or there. All Scandinavian in style, they have a calm and peaceful feel. Here are some ideas for creating a white, yet warm and cosy sanctuary.![]()
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A great place to start is with the bedding, to add texture and a lovely tactile feel to the room. While all-white bedding gives a pure and serene look, I'd layer on colour by way of throws and cushions. The bedside area is also really important in terms of functionality, but also as a way of adding interest. Take a look at my Bedside Table and Beside Lamp posts for ideas. In terms of pared pack simplicity, the magazine stack and fairy lights above are spot on.![]()
I love white with dusky pinks and greys, and nothing beats a fur or wool throw for warmth. A Reindeer Hide is high on my wishlist for winter!
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Make the bedroom your own personal haven by adding what you truly love, sentimental items and quirky knick-knacks. A bit of greenery is also a winner! Images: 1| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
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January 12, 2014, 11:33 am
For Keeps is a lovely new online store, founded by Catie Wilkinson. Living in the New Zealand city of Hamilton, Catie has a background in marketing and communications, which has led to us crossing paths several times before. It was such a nice surprise to learn that Catie had set up a new store, as this has in fact been a dream of hers for a very long time. Inspired by her travels (both around the world and online) and passionate about finding cool things for her home and friends, For Keeps provides the perfect place for Catie to share her finds with others.
Offering a gorgeous collection of homeware, stationery, gifts, art and art prints, these have been sourced from some of Catie's super creative and talented friends, as well as some amazing suppliers from around the world.
With beautiful textures and bright graphics, the colourful range of cushions and tea towels immediately caught my eye.
In the stationery section you'll find a great range of cute cards like these.
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For Keeps also have a fabulous collection of art prints, and are very kindly giving away two Scandi-style prints by the Norwegian brand Darling Clementine.
To enter to win either the Pear Print or the Lemon Print, firstly pop over to For Keeps and pick two of your favourite products. Email me at enter@thedesignchaser
.com with either PEAR or LEMON in the subject line (the one you'd like to win) and tell me the names of your two favourite products. Please also let me know your full name.
You have until Sunday, the 19th of January (12pm NZ time) to enter. The two winners will be chosen via random.org, and contacted via email on Monday 20th January and announced on the blog
. Please note, this competition is open to New Zealand and Australian residents only. There are also some exciting new product lines on their way so make sure you like the For Keeps Facebook page to stay in the loop!
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January 13, 2014, 4:05 pm
I finally got around to making a few finishing touches to my eldest son's room, and taking some photos to share with you. Looking back at my TDC Style Map that I did for his room last year, the end result is a pretty close match, give or take a few pieces here and there, where we've mixed the old with the new.
I'm hoping Roman's first bed has few years left in it yet. Designed to fit with a trundler bed, I'm sure we'll need to get that one day for sleepovers, but right now I love having the three storage boxes underneath for toys. The simple monochrome duvet cover from Thread Design is perfect for layering on a mix of fun and graphic cushions.
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The Gran and triangle cushions are from Jamie Kay, and the Home Sweet Home cushion is a gorgeous new addition, designed by HENRY AND CO, my latest online discovery. Offering a range of textile products for the home, HENRY AND CO was recently launched by Vanessa Quin, a talented lady who previously spent 12 years travelling the globe, riding the world mountain bike circuit! Having since hung up her bike to start a family, Vanessa now produces a range of hand screen printed textiles from her Tauranga studio. Fresh, bright and bold, I'm in love with the black and white graphics. Desperately in need of some new pillowcases for the kids, Vanessa came to the rescue with these cool designs.
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If it's colour you're after, then HENRY AND CO has it sorted! In addition to cushions and pillowcases, there are tea towels, garlands, and a soon to be released range of art prints, which I've already had the pleasure of viewing. Look out for those on the blog soon!
The Cube Storage Unit from Mocka was a great find. Friends always comment on how good it looks, and of course it's fantastic for storage. Roman is book-crazy so we display his current faves from a huge pile stored in his built-in wardrobe. The Black Felt Ball Garland from Jamie Kay is possibly the most versatile little accessory I've ever owned! Most recently used to decorate the Christmas tree, I hooked it up on either side of the window sill.
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January 14, 2014, 3:27 pm
If there was one accent colour that did it for me in 2013, it was pale peach. One look at my home and many of my moodboards from last year and you'll see peachy blush and nude accents popping up everywhere, alongside my favourite monochrome palette. Soft and pretty, peach is an easy colour to work with, and I love mixing it with textural elements like marble and metallics. Judging by its popularity last year, it strikes a chord with many people and I think we'll see more of it in 2014. Soft teal is another colour I love, so I was excited to see that Nina Holst of Stylizimo has just embraced this gorgeous shade in her office.![]()
Together with Nina's pared-back, elegant styling this blue green colour is a winner. Announced as the Colour of the Year 2014 by Fargerike, Norway's largest paint company, a similar shade can also be seen in the latest Ferm Living Catalogue.
In fact it looks like blue could be the the one to watch, with this pale, powdery blue and aptly named 'Breath of Fresh Air' being announced as the Benjamin Moore Colour of the Year for 2104, as seen over on Bright Bazaar.
Still soft and calming, but with a lot more depth, I'm also loving these murky, muted shades.
Similar to blush and nude tones, but more pinky in colour, I've been flirting with the idea of introducing some more rose-toned accents into our home. These dusky colours looks beautiful with black, white and all shades of grey.
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Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
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January 15, 2014, 1:20 pm
Copenhagen-based artist Nynne Rosenvinge has just released her first ever series of Limited Edition Illustrations, and I'm in love!![]()
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Following on from my post on Nynne's work last year, you can see that she has a beautifully distinctive style, mixing geometric shapes and a simple colour palette. What really hits home for me is the unique way in which Nynne combines a minimalist aesthetic with such interesting detail. I love the inky texture and small hints of subtle colour.
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Each illustration is produced in a series of 500, and is signed and numbered. You can buy from Etsy, with worldwide shipping. The hard part is deciding which one!
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January 16, 2014, 11:31 am
It's hard to believe we're halfway through January already. Things are really starting to amp up with the blog, styling and writing work, and as much as I've enjoyed the holidays and spending time with the kids, I'm itching to get back into the swing of things. Adding to the challenges this week of juggling work and school holidays, I've had some serious computer issues, which is why today's post is shorter than I had planned! The good news is I've decided it's finally time to invest in a new iMac, so I'll be back in business again soon!
Here's some beautiful moodboard inspiration for your Friday.Images via my PinterestDon't forget to enter this week's gorgeous giveaway, if you haven't already. Have a lovely weekend and I'll see you back here on Monday.
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January 19, 2014, 12:58 pm
For the first time ever, Ay Illuminate, the unique lighting brand from the Netherlands is available here in NZ. Exclusive to Indie Home Collective, the beautiful Auckland store owned by stylist Claudia Kozub and partner Neel Giri, the products fit in perfectly with the store's Scandi-boho aesthetic and organic style.
Working in cooperation with artisans in Asia and Africa, the Ay Illuminate designers are inspired by nature and cultures from all around the world. If the stunning light above looks familiar, you would've no doubt seen it around the web, particularly in gorgeous Scandinavian-style interiors. Made from bamboo and hand woven cotton, its exquisite, organically shaped design is hard to forget. Beautifully textural, the next two lights are made from recycled jersey.
Impeccably styled by Claudia, these Ay Illuminate lights can be viewed in store at Indie Home Collective, located at 51 Nuffield St, Newmarket. For updates, follow along on Facebook and look out for the launch of their website later this year.
Photo credit: Eva Kozub
A quick announcement before I go. Congratulations to the winners of the For Keeps giveaway. The lucky ladies are Candace Joiner, who has won the Pear Print and Tiana Howe, who has won the Lemon Print! Thanks to everyone who entered and to For Keeps for their generosity.
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January 20, 2014, 1:25 pm
An important piece of furniture, it's worth doing your research when it comes to shelving, to find a solution that works best for you, and how you like to live. I'd recommend thinking about what it is you'd like to display, such as books or decorative pieces. Do you like to have some things on show, hide stuff away, or a bit of both? I love the look and flexibility of boxed storage, so the Stacked Shelving system by JDS Architects for Muuto is a favourite. Made from painted MDF there are different sized modules for you to configure as you please, whether placed in the living room, bedroom, or even the hallway. ![]()
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I also think this shelving idea by Nina Holst of Stylizimo is brilliant. Cleverly customised from simple Ikea shelves cut to the right size, it fits in perfectly behind the sofa. The lovely display of books, candles and other stylish pieces beautifully compliments the picture wall above.
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January 21, 2014, 4:05 pm
Being a lover of marble in all its forms, I get excited when I see it used in interiors. I particularly love white marble paired with white walls and cabinetry, in kitchens and bathrooms. We went with this combination in our home, and I really love how the marble adds interest, warmth and texture. Another look that really appeals right now, is marble with contrasting black accents. The kitchen below is a perfect example with its marble bench top/splash back and black tap ware and wall lamps.While black marble wouldn't be my first choice for my own interiors, it can certainly look amazing, and really add drama to your home. I would be happy to settle for just a touch of black marble, by way of accessories. The Faux Marble Posters and Post Cards by Playtype are perfect. They also work when mixed in with white marble, as beautifully demonstrated by Weekday Carnival and My Dubio below.
Increasingly popular in interiors, the marble trend has spread to fashion and accessories. Robert Rodriguez Spring 2014
1 Soulland Playtype Faux Black Marble Sweatshirt2 Nike Roshe Run Marble3 Case Scenario White Marble iPhone 5 Cover4 Playtype Faux Marble Notepads
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January 22, 2014, 3:11 pm
Pinterest is my go-to for inspiration for the blog, and this has been a good Pinterest week! I came across many gorgeous new images, leading to new discoveries, and my mind has been racing with ideas.
The first pin came from Ollie & Sebs Haus, and quite frankly it blew me away. Incredible styling for the Danish design house &Tradtion, the high ceilings, beautiful large arched windows, herringbone floors and greenery provide the perfect backdrop to showcase their stunning range of furniture. Daniella Witte, whose amazing styling talents I often speak of, has had her home shot for an upcoming issue of Swedish magazine Famina. Giving us a sneak peek of her kitchen, Daniella shows how she has achieved a wonderful mix simple Scandinavian minimalism and warmth. Previously black, Daniella has re-painted it white, which works beautifully with the mix of concrete, stainless steel and glossy subway tiles.
This next pin led me to the blog of amazing photographer Line Klein, which I follow religiously, and is part of photo series featuring the stunning home of stylist Nathalie Schewer. Shot by Line for Elle Decoration DK, and styled by Millle Colin Flaherty, I couldn't help but pin every image!
Finishing off with a moodboard today, I think this quote is a wonderful one to remember. The images are all about moody greys and raw concrete, softened with fresh neutrals and feminine touches. Images via my Pinterest
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January 23, 2014, 3:55 pm
I've been on Instagram for about six months now, but I still feel new to the game sometimes. It's definitely becoming very addictive though, and looking back over my feed from the holidays, there were lots of photos to choose from. Sifting through fun photos of the kids antics, bush walks and visits to the pools, I've picked out some recent Instagram moments from around home. One thing I'm doing more of, is searching out those whose work I love, whether they are stylists, photographers, fashion designers, bloggers or other creative types. Therese Sennerholt is a Stockholm-based freelance art director, known for her incredible interior styling and graphic range of prints. As expected, her feed is amazing.
Following your favourite fashion brands on Instagram is not only a great way of keeping up with new collections, it gives you a glimpse behind the scenes. I'm loving the feed of talented French Fashion Designer Isabel Marant.
I hope you all have a lovely weekend. If you're also celebrating Anniversary day on Monday, enjoy the extra day's rest. Here's hoping for lots of sunshine! See you back here on Tuesday.
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January 27, 2014, 12:29 pm
I'm very excited to be kicking off a three part blog series today called Love Your Walls, as part of a campaign for 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips. To demonstrate how easy and effective they are to use, I will be styling three different walls in my home and taking photos to share with you.
I've started with our main living area, as I've been wanting to update the picture wall for some time. While I don't mind a bit of DIY, I prefer to leave anything that involves a drill or hammer to my husband, and for that reason, the 3M Command strips are ideal. No tools required, so I can take charge! I also know that this won't be the last time I change things around, and that like this update, I'll be combining different sized frames, some of which are fairly heavy. As such, the strips are the perfect solution. In addition to providing the best, damage-free hanging, they hold strongly. In fact, the large strips can hold up to 7kg.![]()
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Deciding on an all-white theme for the frames this time around, I first needed to swap out black for white, and add in a few new ones. The original picture wall was hung with traditional picture hooks, so I removed these, and replaced them with the 3M Commandstrips, ensuring there were no bulky attachments on the back of the frames. Once the strips are applied, the frame needs to sit flush against the wall. Not only are the strips easy to use, and strong enough to hold even my heaviest frames, I love that the pictures now all sit flat. What's more, I know that the next time I feel like a change, they can be removed cleanly, without causing damage to our walls.
Check out this 10 second video featuring Australian Interior designer and TV personality Tara Dennis, showing how she uses 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips to design her picture wall, and for a full list of stockists, pop over here. This is a sponsored post. For more information on sponsored posts, please take a look at my About Page.
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January 28, 2014, 4:07 pm
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