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Kidsroom Styling | New Loves + Giveaway

May 4, 2014, 6:32 pm
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I really enjoy decorating kids rooms and when I see something I love, I can't resist getting it. I've recently gathered a few new things (shown above) which I've included in today's round-up, along with some exciting finds that are currently on the wishlist. 

Mini Rodini, the gorgeous Scandinavian children's wear brand have released a new Home Collection. With a focus on sustainability and quality, the range of bedding for both baby and kids is 100% organic, and even includes upcycled blankets. In true Mini Rodini style, the illustrations by founder Cassandra Rhodin are beautifully unique and playful, designed to inspire kids' creativity and imagination. 

If the name NAKED LUNGE wasn't enough to get your attention, the products certainly will. Founded by talented UK-based designer Roxanna Webster who I first discovered via Instagram, the range of hand-painted cushions and soft dolls are made from cotton and linen and are as lovable as they are unique. Roxanna even custom-makes the dolls, so you can have your own one-of-a-kind creation. 

With shipping worldwide and a growing list of stockists, I'd been hoping they would make their way to NZ, so was super excited to learn that the range of Little Linen Dolls had arrived at Simon James Concept Store here in Auckland last week. I had to race in and buy one of each! Even better in real life, my boys will love them and they make great gifts!

Do you remember the Danish brand OYOY that I recently featured? Well I have great news! The first shipment has arrived in NZ and is now available from SE3, the new online store that I introduced you to in this post. I'm in love with the blankets and cushions and Hocus Pocus Bags, all of which would add a big dose of Scandi-cool to any kids bedroom. Shop the full range here, and look out for more products arriving soon!




The delightful range of pillow cases from Pop Factory Shop always make me smile. A favourite of mine is La La La Loved, along with new additions Ticket to The Moon and Little Heartbreaker. 

Haley Ashby of Good Regards (the homeware and gift shop in Mt Maunganui she owns with her partner) has recently launched a new business called One Hundred Percent Heart. Specialising in a range of wall stickers, I've been a big fan of these for ages, having used the triangles in my son's room. Haley has just introduced a whole new series of designs that will make your heart sing. Horses, Pineapples, Cacti, Swans, and (much to my son's delight) bats, there are loads to choose from, all available in range of fun colours. 

The images here have been styled by Haley, using gorgeous new bedding from Henry and Co Home, another local favourite of mine!

To celebrate the new collection, Haley is giving away five packs to five lucky readers! Open worldwide, to enter you must like the One Hundred Per Cent Heart Facebook page (make sure you've liked The Design Chaser too), then pop over to the website and choose which wall sticker design and colour you would like to win. Email your choice (and full name) to enter@thedesignchaser.com with One Hundred Per Cent Heart in the subject line. You have until Sunday to enter. The winners will be chosen via random.org and announced on the blog and Facebook page on Monday 12th May. 

One Hundred Per Cent Heart have also very kindly offered readers 10% off all wall stickers during the duration of the competition. Just enter the code designchaser10 at checkout. 
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Sofa Crush

May 5, 2014, 6:12 pm
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I was woken up very early by our youngest son this morning, climbing into bed for cuddles. He likes to snuggle up really close, which means that despite it being a king size, I'm usually pushed to the outer edge of the bed. I'm not sure if it's the tiredness or the thought of sprawling out in comfort (probably both), but this exquisite Pixel Sofa from Sabia Italia caught my eye this morning and now I can't stop thinking about it. 


Incredibly versatile, the ergonomic design by Sergio Bicego is characterised by a series of sofa parts that can be combined freely. The arms and backrests can be detached from the base to create endless new arrangements, while their shape means that although expansive, the overall size of the sofa is small in terms of width and depth. Feather-padded seat cushions provide the ultimate in comfort. 


The beautiful muted colour further enhances its appeal for me. Fully removable covers and the option to mix fabrics from the Saba collection to create a patchwork effect highlight its limitless possibilities. To find out more, pop over here. 
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Interior Styling | Transparent Homewares

May 6, 2014, 6:43 pm
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As I began writing this post featuring glass objects for the home, I realised that it would make sense to include acrylic objects (namely storage containers) which I'm also currently obsessing over. Both being of a transparent nature, I love their minimalist aesthetic. When it comes to vases, tableware, and classic bell jars and domes, glass will always be timeless. As shown below, glass looks beautiful atop marble surfaces, grouped together in a variety of sizes and styles. Touches of greenery are also a must!


Coloured glass is very pretty and has a lovely vintage quality. Two vases by Muuto that come in a range of colours are high on my wishlist.  They are the Silent Vase by Andreas Engesvik and the Elevated Vase by Thomas Benzen.

Images: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Now to the clear storage boxes I mentioned earlier, which can be utilised in so many ways. Perfect for the office, take a look at these stunning images I found over at French By Design. The Swedish home of  Jenny Hjalmarson Boldsen photographed by Hannah Lemholt for Elle Decoration UK, I love what she has done with hers on her desk, alongside the transparent chair and overhanging Diamond Light.


With my kids still so young and boisterous, I purposely keep our glass objects as high out of reach as possible. A much safer option, the transparent box used by Pella Hedeby on her gorgeous new coffee table doubles as magazine storage and a tray for refreshments.


I could definitely do with some acrylic storage for my jewellery and bathroom items. As always, Nina Holst gets it so right... 


I'm still on the hunt for places to source them, but I can tell you that Nomess, the Copenhagen-based brand who specialise in all things acrylic have an amazing collection. I've also found a great selection at Muji but closer to home, there are some lovely acrylic trays and vessels on offer at The Minimalist, and for affordable basics, check out Storage Box. 

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Interview with Sarah Van Peteghem | Fantastic Frank Berlin

May 8, 2014, 4:32 pm
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Sarah Van Peteghem is an interior stylist, designer and blogger based in Berlin. She is also the author of the beautiful blog Coco Lapine, which I've been following for some time. Recently Sarah started styling homes for the real estate site Fantastic Frank. Founded in Sweden, the company is known for making every home look stylish and inviting, by enlisting the help of photographers and stylists from the interior design, architecture and fashion industries. 

I'm fascinated with the way the company works, because they take a very different approach to that of the NZ real estate market. While there may be some home staging here, the photos are still taken in a traditional real estate style, using wide angle lenses. The lights are turned on and things like TV's and fridges are in full view! Fantastic Frank on the other hand, create photographs that would not seem out of place in the pages of the best interior design magazines, and that's why you will see them regularly doing the rounds in the blogosphere. I have featured Swedish homes from Fantastic Frank several times here on the blog, and I'm excited to be sharing one from Berlin today, where they have recently opened up a new office. 



Having been working with Fantastic Frank in Berlin, Sarah got in touch to let me know about this latest project. She says that even though Fantastic Frank and other real estate agents like Alvhem and Stadshem have been around for quite a while in Sweden and their approach is known there, it is still quite new for Berlin. I thought I would take the opportunity to ask Sarah some questions and share her latest work with you. 

Can you tell me a bit about your background and how the styling work for Fantastic Frank come about?

I studied Product design and Interaction Design in Belgium and the Netherlands and moved to Berlin to work as a designer for a company that produces hardware and software for music producers. Even though I like that a lot, I felt the need to express myself in another way as well and started my blog to share my passion for interiors. I'm always looking for interior inspiration and often try out different compositions in my own home and post them on Instagram.  The people from Fantastic Frank picked up on that and asked me to do a styling project for them at the beginning of this year. It was a very fun task to do!



How many projects with Fantastic Frank have you done now? 

So far I have done three (1, 2, 3) and there is another one planned for later this week, so I'm working very hard to get everything ready for the shoot.

How would you describe your own personal aesthetic and how does this translate to the homes you style?

I'm always very inspired by Scandinavian interiors and I guess you can also notice that in the homes I style. I don't really think about it though, if there is something I like and I think it fits in the home, I just use it, regardless of which style it has.


What have you learnt along the way?

To take a look beforehand at what are the interesting angles to be shot. The home has to be presented with a relatively small amount of pictures, so it's crucial to know in advance which areas are going to appear in the shots and from which angles.


Tell us a bit more about the collaboration with Llot Llov and the products used. 

Llot Llov is a design company from Berlin with a wide range of very original and fun products. I first came to know them from their Matt lights - a woollen light with a very long cable which can be knotted together to create interesting shapes. When I figured out they were based in Berlin I immediately contacted them to work together. I think their designs and especially their lamps worked great in this tall home. And it was of course very interesting for me to get to know Anja and Jacob behind the brand and pay a visit to their workshop.



You also created some of the prints used in this home. Tell us about those. 

Yes, the prints that you see in the living room and bedroom are geometric compositions that we (me and my boyfriend) composed out of pictures of moving objects. I think they turned out to be quite interesting, so I will soon add them to the range of prints available in my shop.


Where is this home situated?

The home is located in Prenzlauer Berg, which is one of my favourite areas in Berlin. It has a lot of old buildings like this one with high ceilings and nice facades and there are coffee places around every corner. I'm actually looking to move around that area myself, but unfortunately I'm not the only one with that idea.


Huge thanks to Sarah for taking the time to answer these questions for us. I'm sure you'll join me in following both her blog, and future work with Fantastic Frank! 

Have a lovely weekend, especially the Mums who are celebrating Mother's Day on Sunday, and don't forget to enter this week's Worldwide Giveaway! I'm looking forward to announcing the five winners on Monday morning! 
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Through the Lens | J. Ingerstedt

May 11, 2014, 4:05 pm
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You know you've been blogging for a while when you have to go back and check that you're not repeating yourself. Photographer Jonas Ingerstedt had me second-guessing. Not because his work is unforgettable - far from it - but because I've been admiring it for some time and find it hard to believe I haven't yet written about his talents here on the blog.

Based in Stockholm, Jonas is an advertising photographer with 30 years experience working in fashion, beauty and lifestyle photography. His portfolio showcases an impressive collection of work in interiors, which I'm happy to report is his specialty. Working with top interior publications and brands both in Sweden and internationally, Jonas believes that natural light and simple, smart solutions create the image. Clearly a winning formula it may sound straight-forward, but anyone who has tried their hand at interior photography will tell you it is anything but. There is a lot of skill involved, and judging by these photos, Jonas has it by the bucket load.

White and bright softened with pastel touches, Jonas has captured the light beautifully in the images above.

Showing more contrast and depth, the clarity of these images is incredible. I love how the bright greenery pops against the darker colours.

I particularly love the grey home above, which features a lovely mix of concrete and wood. His most recent project, Jonas shot the beautifully minimalist home for Elle Deco Sweden. Check out the full house tour and more of his other work here.  

Before I go, I must announce the 5 winners of the One Hundred Percent Heart Wall Sticker Giveaway. Congratulations to Chloe Steel, Jane Murray, Victoria Barnes, Ruth Morse and Eliza Judd! Each will be receiving a pack of wall stickers of their choice. Thanks to everyone who entered and huge thanks to One Hundred Percent Heart for the prizes. 

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Mater | Beautifully Ethical Design

May 12, 2014, 5:47 pm
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I have some beautiful interior eye candy for you today, thanks to the Danish design brand Mater, which I discovered via Unfinished Home. Specialising in furniture and lighting, the company was founded in 2006 by Henrik Marstrand, who had a strong vision to create timeless and beautiful design. One look at the products, and it is easy to see that he has succeeded. Presented to a global audience for the first time at the Paris Maison&Objet in August 2007, Mater went to win Best Debut Design Brand by Wallpaper* Magazine the following year.


The brand is recognised and applauded as a global pioneer in creating sustainable, eco-conscious, socially responsible design. Mater - Latin for mother - centres around working methods that support people, local craft traditions and the environment. "We explore materials and productions methods that are friendly towards “mother earth” without compromising on the design aesthetic. Some products are made entirely by hand using only simple tools".


This exquisite craftsmanship is the work of both established and fresh design talent from around the world. The Bowl Table series above designed by Ayush Kasliwal is definitely a favourite. I love how the texture and curved shape of the table top (made from sustainably harvested mango wood) contrasts with the sharp, pointed steel legs. 


It's hard to choose as I do love everything, but my other top picks would be the Box System due to its multi-functional design, the Sideboard by Søren Rose Studio, and the High Stool range by Space Copenhagen. 

For more information, and to see the full range of products take a look here. 



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Homes to Inspire | Light + Style

May 13, 2014, 4:55 pm
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I knew when I stumbled across this gorgeous home for sale on Swedish real estate site HusmanHagberg (via Husligheter) it looked familiar. That's because I'd seen a glimpse of it a while back on Annaleenas Hem, the inspiring blog of Annaleen Leino whose work I've mentioned previously.  Annaleena is a talented stylist based in Sweden, and this was a home in Stockholm she styled for the Swedish housing developer Blooc. Now for sale, it's great to be able to share these photos with you. 


Light-filled with a cosy feel, the home has a monochrome palette layered with soft nudes and plenty of greenery. I love the glass elements, statement lighting and how about those doors and windows? Amazing!

Beautifully simple with a peaceful vibe, I'd like escape the rain today and snuggle up in this sunny bedroom with a good book! 

See the full house tour here.
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Ferm Living | Now at LET LIV

May 14, 2014, 3:56 pm
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It's the news we've all been waiting for here in New Zealand. Danish interior brand ferm LIVING has finally landed at the Wellington-based online store LET LIV. If you're a lover of Scandinavian design, and you're not yet familiar with ferm LIVING, you're in for a treat. Featured previously on the blog here and here, the company was launched in 2006 by by graphic designer Trine Andersen, and has grown to include a hugely popular range of products for the home. These include textiles, decorative objects, and designs for the kitchen, bathroom and office. Unmistakably Scandinavian with a retro charm and distinctive graphic edge, here's my pick from the LET LIV line-up.

ferm LIVING Clothes Rack in Grey from LET LIV

ferm LIVING Marble Shower Curtain from LET LIV

ferm LIVING Clothes Rack, Marble Cushion and The Round Dorm wall shelf from LET LIV (styling by Nina Holst)

A selection of ferm LIVING products now available from LET LIV

Providing the perfect finishing touches for your home, what's not to love? Shop the full range here. 
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The Lovely

May 15, 2014, 6:07 pm
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The Lovely is a new online gift registry here in NZ, created by Auckland-based creatives Georgina Kivell and Sarah Melrose. The concept, a site that is not simply about giving and receiving, but one that allows you to create a uniquely personal registry, came about when the girls were planning their own weddings late last year. Faced with a lack of choice and impersonal online purchases, they wanted to find a way of putting the excitement back into giving and receiving gifts on special occasions.


Wondering how it works? Well, it's really very easy. The Lovely allows those marking any special event, be it a wedding, baby shower or milestone birthday to create a personalised gift registry using a simple Pinterest-like platform adding gifts from anywhere, anytime. This unique platform means that you are not restricted to a certain ‘type’ of gift from the one retailer. On The Lovely a Simon James pendant can sit beside a BBQ from Mitre 10 or the latest Citta throw, meaning you get exactly what you want on your special day. I'm sure like me, many of you are wishing you'd had this service back when you got married!



Here's a breakdown of the four simple steps:

1.Choose your gifts from anywhere using the Pinterest-like Lovely interface which pulls gift choices to the user’s page in one click. This means a drill from a hardware store can sit next to a piece of custom art from a gallery

2.Send the URL to guests and they can reserve the item they’d like to purchase

3.The reserved gift is then emailed to the buyer and the gift is marked as ‘taken’ and no longer available to other guests*

4.The buyer can then purchase the gift via traditional bricks and mortar stores or alternatively online

*If the buyer decides not to purchase the item, it can be returned to the registry list page via this same confirmation email and becomes available once more


In addition to providing a unique registry platform, the site also features Inspiration and Journal pages that showcase beautiful gift ideas and interesting news updates. The best bit is The Lovely is free to join! 

George and Sarah kindly answered a few questions for us... 

Can you tell us a us a bit about yourselves and what inspires you?

George: My love for ‘lovely’ things and images can be traced back to a lifelong passion for photography, so much so that a few years ago I up and left NZ and headed to Parson's School of Design in New York to study it. While I didn’t quite make Bill Cunningham status, I do have a house full of my own prints and it’s something I want to pick up again in the future.

You’ll notice that simple, clean and minimal design feature strongly on the site and most recently I’ve been inspired by the crisp aesthetic of Japanese design following a trip to Tokyo earlier this year. I’ve been busy curating an Inspiration page on The Lovely along these very lines showing some of our favourite local retailer finds. As we finish renovations on our home in Grey Lynn and I look for finishing touches to dress our new spaces, this could prove dangerous as it also serves as my own personal wishlist!

Sarah: As well as having a love for all things design, I have a crazy passion for food. Not so much cooking (though definitely eating!), but mostly around food photography and cookbooks. My latest favourite is Paris Bakery Club. The pages look so beautiful you want to eat them.

And more randomly, my favourite time of the day is early morning when no one is up. I love this time of day so much as it's so quiet, calm and empty. A total contrast to the rest of my day! I also have a gorgeous and hilariously entertaining two and a half year old daughter. A welcomed contrast to the 'design' side of my life.



What are the current top 5 most popular gifts on The Lovely?

1. Printed cushions such as the beautiful Quilted Cushion from Juliette Hogan 
2. Wine glasses, especially the Ciotola stemless wine glasses from Citta Design
3. Cookbooks are making a real comeback, such as My Petite Kitchen from Maree & Co
4. For the boys definitely a Drill! (The De Walt Drill from Mitre 10)   
5. Anything by Fog Linen, such as the Fog Linen blankets from Father Rabbit

What are your personal favourites?

George: Engelbrecht Cushion from Douglas and Bec
Sarah: Tom Dixon Champagne bucket from ECC


A few of my picks above from The Lovely Inspiration page show just a glimpse of what's on offer. There is a thoughtful and diverse range of products from many fantastic local retailers such as Douglas and Bec, Father Rabbit, Let Liv and Endemic World. It's clear that the girls have great taste, and you can certainly see George's love of Japanese design coming through. 

To join The Lovely Registry for free, pop over here. 

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Abode Living | New Winter Arrivals + Giveaway

May 18, 2014, 3:27 pm
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Around this time last year I introduced you to the luxury bed linen manufacturer Abode Living. Having just launched a new website and online store, it was perfect timing for the Melbourne-based, family-owned business to become acquainted with the NZ market. In an interview with the creative director Tom Adair, I uncovered some important facts, namely that Abode sets itself apart by making all of their bedding on site, from the highest quality fabrics imported from Italy. In selling direct to the public, they are able to offer the best products at the most affordable prices. If you missed the interview, pop over here to find out more about the design and manufacturing process which takes place behind their Melbourne Showroom.

Vogul Winter Flannel

Navajo Blanket, Lucia Rib Singlet, Cargo Basket in White & Red and Belle Nightshirt in Silver


Auron Winter Flannel

Elka Wool Scarf, Tyed Tea Towel, Aria Cashmere Throw and Cargo Baskets in Black & Natural

Vogul Winter Flannel

For those who were following, you will remember the post included an amazing giveaway. Well I'm thrilled to announce that Abode Living have not only offered another winter bedding giveaway this year, they've turned it up a notch with an even bigger prize package!



In addition to the full flannel bedding set, the lucky winner will receive a beautiful European down quilt. The prize package includes:

1 x Flannel Quilt cover 
1 x Aspen Flannel Fitted Sheet 
1 x Aspen Flannel Flat Sheet 
2 x Flannel Pillowcases 
1 x Fjord 650 Quilt Light comfort 

Total value: $1255.00AUD

Before you scroll down to enter, let's look at these beautiful products in a bit more detail. Designed in house, the Abode flannel is woven at their European mills and is brushed on both sides to create the ultimate warm cosy feel, making them ideal for cold winter nights. The winner gets to pick their preferred size from a range of six marle sheet colours, and eight different quilt covers. 

Aspen Winter Flannel

Like all of the Abode quilts, the Fjord 650 is made from an Egyptian cotton quilt shell, filled with Hungarian white goose down. The batiste weave gives it a silk-like feel, and it weighs a third less than traditional quilt shells, making it a true example of "warmth without weight" down bedding. Made on-site, and one of five warmth levels available, the Light Comfort quilt is Abode's most popular as it offers enough warmth for winter while still being light enough for summer. The winner gets to choose any size they like. 

Fjord 650 Quilt

To enter, simply click here and complete the Abode Living Catalogue Request. 

The competition will close at midnight, NZ time (UTC+12) on Sunday, 25th May. The winner will be chosen via random.org and announced on Monday, 26th May via the blog and Facebook page.

Please note: The giveaway is open to readers worldwide, but only includes free shipping within NZ and Australia. If the winner resides outside of NZ or Australia, they will be required to pay for shipping.
  
During the duration of the competition, Abode have very kindly offered free shipping to Australian and New Zealand customers. To redeem, simply enter the code ABODETDC at checkout. 

Good luck! 

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Currently Loving

May 20, 2014, 6:17 pm
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I must be making up for missing a post yesterday, because I've decided to combine a few current interior loves with you today! I've always admired the classic Artek Tea Cart by legendary Finish designer Alvar Aalto. Beautifully sleek and timeless, it does however have a price tag to match, and rightly so. A simple and affordable alternative is the IKEA Trendig Occasional Table. Made from birch plywood, it provides the perfect place for storing books and displaying homewares in areas such as the hallway, living room or bedroom. I love the look of the big wheels, and the fact that it can be moved around easily. 

Lovely Trendig styling by Finnish stylist Susanna Vento via her blog Varpunen

Jennifer Hagler of A Merry Mishap has painted her Trendig cart white

When it comes to my love of natural materials in interiors, leather is high on the list. I've been thinking about ways of adding some smaller touches of leather to our home, and I think these leather strap hangers by Mathilda Clahr are perfect. A beautifully minimalist idea for storing office items such as magazines or rolls of paper, the talented stylist Josefin Hååg shows how it's done in this lovely home office, photographed by Elin Strömberg.



The clever Sarah Van Peteghem at Coco Lapine has used the Mathilda Clahr leather strap hangers in her latest styling project for Fantastic Frank Berlin, and the results speak for themselves!


Lastly, I want to share a great design collaboration with you. The beautiful online store BODIE and FOU has recently teamed up with Iconic Danish brand Vipp to produce this Limited Edition BODIE and FOU Vipp15 bin and a Debut black and white Print Collection. The exclusive pieces are currently being presented at the Bodie and Fou pop up store, located inside the Vipp flagship store in Copenhagen until May 24th but are also available online at Bodie and Fou. Here are a few of my picks from the gorgeous 'favourite city' and 'feel-good' style prints. 

Images via | Photography by Francois Kong | Styling by Karine Kong

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Shelter 7 | Ethereal

May 21, 2014, 4:35 pm
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I was very excited to receive news in my inbox yesterday of Shelter 7, a gorgeous new lifestyle store in Australia. Launched late last year, it is the brainchild of husband and wife team Theunis and Rebecca Meyer. As owners of the popular children's store La De Da Kids, they often received requests for adult versions of their existing homewares. In response they set about creating a 'grown up' concept, and Shelter 7 was born.

The couple are dedicated to finding, sourcing and making products that are ethically made, well designed, unique, and beautiful.  With both an online store and showroom in Victoria, they offer a carefully sourced collection of curiosities for the shelter we live and exist in. Now, several months on they have just released their first exclusive range called Ethereal.



One look at the beautiful products and I knew I had to spread the love, and fast! Constructed mainly from cotton yarn, the hand crafted range is exquisite. It includes cotton bed throws, lamp shades, cushions, storage baskets, floor mats and a knitted ottoman. I'll take one of each please! 


Rebecca and Theunis are very proud of the ethical way in which their products are manufactured. A combination of machine knitted and hand made items, the pieces are made by women in China and India, in the comfort of their own homes, enabling them to work around childcare and the needs of their families. That love shows through in the collection, a mix of classic investment pieces that stand the test of time, and ever-changing trends that emerge.  


Rebecca says this is just the beginning for the Shelter 7 brand, so to keep up to date with new arrivals, pop over here and sign up to their newsletter. You can also follow along on Facebook and Instagram. 

Beautiful imagery courtesy of Shelter 7 styled by Stephanie Somebody and photographed by Tara Pearce 

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Weekend

May 23, 2014, 4:37 pm
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I don't usually post on the weekend, but I thought a little moodboard inspiration was in order today to make up for my absence yesterday. 

1| 2| 3 | 4 | 5

Time to slow down after a busy week, I apologise for my posting being a little erratic. I do however have lots to share with you in the coming weeks. I attended the incredible Kinfolk dinner at Indie Home Collective and am waiting on some images from the night to show you. Our home is featured in the latest issue of Homestyle magazine, which goes on sale Monday, and I'll be a guest instagrammer for them for a few days next week. My new blog banner/logo will be finalised and I'm working on some exciting interviews. 

Last but not least, make sure you've entered this week's amazing bedding giveaway from Abode Living. Valued at over $1200.00 AUD, there is also free shipping for Australian and New Zealand customers up until the close of the competition on Sunday at midnight (NZ time). Pop over here and follow the instructions. Good luck!
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Urban Couture | New Showroom + Interview

May 25, 2014, 4:53 pm
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Since its launch in September, 2013, the Australian online interior boutique Urban Couture has gone from strength to strength. Offering a unique interactive one-stop shopping experience, owners Katriarna Rodgers and her partner Thomas Towhidi have just opened the doors to a fabulous new showroom and office space. Passionate about interiors and design, the couple describe their style as minimal with strong Scandinavian and European influences. Having admired the growing range of products on offer at Urban Couture, I was excited to hear of their grand plans to convert a warehouse in central Sydney. With the showroom now completed, I'm thrilled to be the first to share these photos with you today, as well as my interview with Katriarna.



Have you always lived in Sydney? What do you love about the city?

I was born in Sydney and we now live in the heart of Sydney so we are very much fast paced city-lovers always on the go. We love many different aspects of Sydney, the main one being the multiculturalism, which enriches the culture as it constantly brings in new traditions and ideas whether it be in food or design. These often influence the design industry, evident by the vast range of furniture and homeware stores operating in Sydney.

I see you have a background in design, along with experience in the European furniture industry. Can you tell us a bit more about this, and what led to you and Tom setting up Urban Couture?

Yes, I gained extensive furniture and residential design knowledge working as a design consultant for a large European designer furniture company for many years. We helped thousands of customers all around Australia find the perfect design and furniture solutions for their homes. Tom and I have always been so passionate about design and furniture. Often we find ourselves constantly browsing furniture stores when we travel and even on the weekends.

With a background in Accounting and Law, Tom concentrates on the logistics, legal and accounting side of things. This helps in balancing the business roles within the partnership and we make a great team. I feel very blessed to do what I love with the one I love everyday!


How has the company evolved in terms of structure... how many staff do you employ and what are their roles?

Urban Couture launched in September 2013 as an online store. Initially, it was just Thomas and I, however we have recently employed a talented design assistant, a warehouse manager, craftsman and are working with an industrial design graduate from University of Technology Sydney on exciting new furniture and homeware designs.

In this digital age, e-decorating services are becoming increasingly popular. How does your service differ to others?

In conjunction with theeDecorating service on our site, we also provide the option for the client to be more actively involved in the process through our Couture Board platform that allows the client to create their own mood boards with the products from our website. Clients can then save their mood boards to their own computer or even share them via social media platforms like Pinterest and Facebook to get feedback from other people or to simply inspire others.

Some people may ask “why do you offer this service for free? Is this not selling yourself short?” My answer is absolutely not! It is very important to us that every customer of Urban Couture receives a one on one design consultation, basically making interior design accessible to people all around Australia on any budget. We want to provide a unique experience, making the process of furnishing your home as enjoyable as possible rather than a daunting chore.



How would you describe your own personal style/design aesthetic? How does this influence the range of furniture and homewares you offer?

My design aesthetic could be described as minimal with a strong Scandinavian and European influence. I love clean lines and deceptively simple colour combinations. Clutter of any kind hurts my eyes! This influences the range of furniture and homewares we offer as we look for natural materials like wood and marble which help to create a timeless and elegant design.

Furniture by Muuto, available from Urban Couture

By Lassen Kubus Bowls available at Urban Couture

You already have an impressive range of products from both local and international brands including Scandinavian design companies Muuto and By Lassen. What are your favourite pieces right now? What are the most popular?

Our favourite pieces right now are our Global Range, which consist of coffee and dining tables manufactured in reclaimed elm with environmentally friendly and sustainable practises. Our By Lassen Kubus Bowls are also a personal favourite, as their versatility allows you to use the bowl for a number of different purposes, i.e flowers, keys, fruit and plants. Our most popular winter pieces are our Joe Linen Sofa and Armchairs. Whilst in the summer, our stunning outdoor range from Harbour Outdoor is definitely the best seller.

Harbour Outdoor Furniture from Urban Couture

What inspires you in your work… international design, people, the web etc?

The main source of inspiration for us comes from travelling the world and attending various international design fairs, especially the Milan, Stockholm and New York Furniture Fairs. These fairs allow us to spot upcoming trends and give us an opportunity to adapt these to the Australian market. We also draw a great amount of inspiration from Scandinavian Designers like Mogens Lassen, David Geckeler, Thomas Bentzen, and Anderssen & Voll.

You've just opened a new showroom. A big step, was this in the plans from the start?

As we firstly opened as an online store, a showroom was not a part of the initial plan, as we were aiming to keep our prices low by reducing the overheads associated with the traditional bricks and mortar model. However as we have grown, we have had an increasing demand from customers for our sofas and outdoor furniture sets. Consequently, we have found customers are often interested in coming in and seeing the items physically (to sit on it and get a feel for the comfort) before committing to such a purchase.

Additionally, we have also found that a physical presence is essential as we aim to create a space for clients to come in and feel comfortable (without the intimidating atmosphere that you may find in some other showrooms). Our showroom also provides a place for clients to come in for a one on one design consultation, whilst enjoying a glass of wine (or a cup of tea/coffee), a process that in our opinion always helps you to relax and decide what it is that you really need!


Tell us about the project… the original building, the design, your vision and how you brought it to life.

Our showroom is a converted warehouse in the heart of Sydney that used to be an old wool factory circa 1850’s. It is now full of creative spaces, design offices and online store headquarters. We started out with basically a garage with dirty chipboard floors, corrugated iron walls and beams painted in different shades of off-white. We decided to keep it really simple and strip everything back to the stunning raw form of the old building revealing the exposed beams and brick walls. Making the most of the high ceilings, large windows and original features we essentially created a blank canvas by putting up crisp white walls and painting the floor white. Using the exposed beams to frame our styled settings we have created many different rooms aimed to inspire others. In addition we have create an outdoor oasis along with a new innovative vertical garden system by Greenwall Australia and bar for clients to relax and talk through their design with our stylists. There is also a custom built photo studio for us to collaborate with other like minded creatives on various projects.

Avid animal lovers, Urban Couture founders Katriarna Rodgers and Tom Towhide with their beloved dog Waldo 

If you're in Sydney you can visit the warehouse showroom by appointment, otherwise you will find all you need online or by contacting the team. Fellow animal lovers will be happy to learn that 1% of all profits from Urban Couture are donated to the RSPCA to assist in their mission to prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection.

Huge thanks to Katriarna for sharing her story, and images with us today. To stay in the loop, follow Urban Couture on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. 

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Fine Lines

May 26, 2014, 6:26 pm
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Regardless of the object, whether it's furniture, artwork or jewellery, I love simple design and clean lines. I find that when there are very fine details at play, it adds further interest and a lovely delicate quality. What better way to demonstrate than with a moodboard?

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In design, fine lines go hand in hand with quality materials and craftsmanship. Minimal style often extends to the packaging, while black, white, pale wood and glass will always be timeless. The overall vibe of 'less is more', or in this case 'less not more' rings true, and it's a mantra I try to live by in all areas of my life. I've picked out some recent finds that fit the theme perfectly. 


1. Bai Lu Chair by Neri & Hu
2. Dyflin Candles by Indigo & Cloth
3. Oneline Clothes Rack by Klemens Schillinger
4. DIY Plaster Bowl by mylifebox
5. La Mamba Mirrors for Omlette-ed
6. Visi Coat Hooks by Studio Macura

More Less image via

Before I go, I'm delighted to announce the winner of the Abode Living Giveaway. Congratulations to the lovely Genevieve Stone!! What a lucky lady!! Massive thanks to everyone who entered and to Abode for their amazingly generous prize. 
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Homestyle Magazine | Home Feature + Subscription Giveaway

May 27, 2014, 2:18 pm
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When the latest issue of Homestyle magazine arrived in the post last week I couldn't wait to dive in for a read. Always full of wonderful interior inspiration and fresh ideas, this issue is a particularly special one because it features our home!  

While seeing our newly completed build in print for the first time has been quite surreal, it's also a big honour to be included in the pages of such a great magazine, especially amongst so many beautiful homes. We were very lucky to have the talented photographer Larnie Nicolson, who is well known for her extensive interior work and hugely popular book, New Zealand Interior Style (with a second due to be published later this year). Along with the lovely Homestyle editor Alice Lines writing the story, I couldn't have asked for a better team to showcase what we've achieved with our new house so far.   

Here are a few photos from the shoot, including a couple that didn't make it to print! 

Photo credit: Larnie Nicolson for Homestyle

The latest issue is on sale now, so make sure you grab yourself a copy if you haven't already. To get the bi-monthly magazine delivered to your home (before it hits the shops) pop over here and subscribe. For daily inspo, I highly recommend following Homestyle on all of their social media channels. You can access these via the Homestyle website and sign up to receive the e-mail newsletter at the same time. 

Speaking of social media, Alice has very kindly asked me to be a guest instagrammer for the rest of the week, so make sure you are following them on Instagram to see what I'm posting! 

Last but not least, I have a subscription to give away! 

Open to both NZ and Australian residents, one lucky reader will receive a 12 month subscription to Homestyle (six issues). All you need to do to enter is email me at enter@thedesignchaser.com with HOMESTYLE in the subject line, and let me know your full name. The competition will close on Monday 2nd June at midnight, NZ time (UTC +12). The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on both the blog and Facebook page on Tuesday morning. 

Good luck! 

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Homes to Inspire | Cosy in Sweden

May 28, 2014, 7:23 pm
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I've said it many times before, but it really does pay to check in on Swedish real estate site Alvhem Mäkleri regularly. I recommend that like me, you grab a hot cuppa and settle in for a good dose of Scandi interior inspo! Especially on chilly days like we're experiencing in this part of the world right now. I can however make it even easier for you because I've picked out a couple of the current standouts. Both of these homes feature gorgeous styling, but they also have a cosy vibe that really appeals right now. 

The fireplace in this first home immediately called out to me!


I'm also loving the addition of some colour and texture on the interior walls of this home. A pale grey wall behind the dining table, a soft muted green one in the office and then a lovely touch of marble in the reading corner! I also love the Paris print and pale wood accents featured throughout. See more of this delightful home here. 


This next home has already been snapped up... just in case you were in the market to buy... in Sweden! If you were, this would be a little bit perfect, don't you think? Beautiful features include herringbone flooring and high ceilings with original architectural details. 


There are those lovely grey walls again, paired with delicious, crinkly linen bedding. The well-styled picture wall around the dining table helps draw the eye in to create a focal point in the open-plan space.


Of course I can't resist a well-styled wall to wall String Shelving system. The addition of a desk enables it to be used as an office space in the large bedroom, while the light grey wall adds a soft contrast to the white shelf and skirting. See the full house tour here. 
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Musings + Moodboards

June 1, 2014, 2:06 pm
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I hope you're having a great start to the month of June. We've kicked ours off with a long weekend here in NZ for Queen's birthday so I can't complain. I've been working on a couple of styling projects so it's nice to have an extra day to catch my breath!

As the chill sets in I'm finding inspiration from warm layers and cosy textures, for both the home and wardrobe. Whether you're enjoying a day off or heading to work, ease into the day with these lovely images, and for further inspiration follow the links below.

1|2|3|4|  5 |6|7|8 

The 'June' image is from a 2014 Calendar designed by Jasmine Dowling, whose typography work I love. A free, printable download, I've printed it off for my boys' desk area which I've been working on over the weekend. My eldest son Roman loves crossing off the days! I'm looking forward to sharing some photos of their cute space with you on the blog soon.

Today is the last day to enter the Homestyle Magazine subscription giveaway, so if you haven't already, make sure you pop over here and enter. I'll be announcing the winner on the blog tomorrow! 

Lastly, there's one more fab giveaway you don't want to miss. While I've been guesting on Homestyle's Instagram, they've been running a comp to win my gorgeous Playtype G Poster from Pop Motif. Also open to both NZ and Australian residents, see how to enter here. Huge thanks to the team at Homestyle for having me - I've had a blast! 
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Office Update | Atelier Lumira

June 2, 2014, 4:29 pm
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My office is continually evolving and I really like how it's looking right now, so I thought I'd share a few photos with you. I try to keep things as uncluttered as possible, but I love being surrounded by my favourite palette of black and white, softened with grey and subtle pastel touches. Notepads at the ready, I like to update my moodboard regularly with favourite tear sheets and postcards, while my shelves are a bit like my String Shelf in the living room. I can't help but rearrange them constantly!  


I also have a weakness for beautiful fragrant candles, especially during winter. Currently filling my space with a soft glow and incredibly alluring scent, is the Tuscan Fig Candle from Atelier Lumira, a range of luxury candles hailing from Sydney. Founder Almira Armstrong is a successful entrepreneur whose previous ventures led her to live and work in London, Los Angles and New York, allowing her to indulge in her passion for travel. Following the birth of her first child in 2012, Almira emerged with a renewed creative energy and the strong urge to design and produce tangible, luxurious products of the highest quality that she would want to use herself. 

As is often the way, the seed was planted many years prior. “One of my earliest memories as a little girl was playing with my mum’s bottles of perfume at every opportunity and as a teen I taught myself how to make candles at home. It was only natural I would chose Lumira to be a passion fully explored.”  


With an exquisite range of fragrances on offer, these candles are both luxurious and affordable. I always look for beautiful packaging when choosing candles and this full sized ebony glass jar has a bold, distinctive design. Hand poured with creamy soy wax, the compact travel tins are also idea for small spaces and a must-have for your handbag or luggage. While I may not have a tropical holiday planned any time soon, the Tahitian Coconut Travel Candle will certainly help transport me there. I love the smell of leather so I also couldn't resist trying the newly released No.352 Leather & Cedar. A collaboration between Lumira and The Stables complex in Surrey Hills, the sent is elegant with a sexy masculine edge. My husband (who doesn't usually take much interest in candles) also loves it!    

The Lumira collection is available online and within a handpicked selection of retailers across Australia and Internationally. I am also very happy to report that they have just made it to NZ! You will find the range at the popular Auckland design store Askew. 


Lastly, I got a new plant for my new Dove Grey Paper Storage Sack from The Foxes Den. Made in Italy, the 100% recycled washable paper bags have loads of uses and are also available in white. 

In case you're wondering, yes my Stendig Calendar from LET LIV is still on the month of May! Each month alternates white to black, and in my last office post it was black, so I thought you might like to see the difference! 

Before I go change it, I must announce the winner of the Homestyle Giveaway. Congratulations Sophie Ryan, you have won a 12 month subscription! Thanks to everyone who entered and of course to Homestyle Magazine! 

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Fitzsimons | Launch + Interview

June 3, 2014, 5:35 pm
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When I received an email regarding a new New Zealand-based design and manufacturing company, Fitzsimons I couldn't help but sit up and take notice. Founded by Scott Fitzsimons, the company's commitment to producing original and beautiful furniture is clearly evident in their inaugural product, a beautifully crafted chair known as Éan. A result of two years of design and development, Éan is elegantly simple yet sophisticated, a union of clean lines and beautiful materials.

"We are absolutely uncompromising in our pursuit of quality. We are devoted to making products that are environmentally and socially responsible. We love what we do and we aspire to instil that passion into every product we create." The company and designs they produce are built upon a philosophy of simplicity, timelessness and permanence. While it may still be early days, Fitzsimons has a lot more design pieces in the works, in the areas of both furniture and lighting. Not unlike the Éan chair, they promise to be authentic, functional and enduring to last for generations to come.

To help tell the story of Fitzsimons so far, Scott has very kindly answered some questions for us.


Can you tell us a bit about your background - your studies, furniture manufacturing experience, travel etc?

I've always been facinated by architecture and design. I studied Industrial Design at Victoria University of Wellington, and then from there I’ve tried my hand at a number of things from designing exhibitions for gallaries to designing sports protection equipment, to luxury showers and tapware. I've had work exhibited in London, Milan and Stockholm and have been lucky enough to travel, and to live and work abroad.

What led you to the launch of your own design and manufacturing company?

It’s always been something that I’ve wanted to do, but I wanted to further my experience first before launching a company, which is perhaps why it took me so many years. Through that industry experience I have been fortunate enough to work alongside a number of incredibly talented people, working across a number of different design disciplines. I consider myself very lucky to have that experience behind me, which has enabled me to launch Fitzsimons.

You’ve just released your first product, Éan. What was the inspiration behind this product?

The inspiration behind Éan came from the idea of a wing wrapping around the users body, allowing the user the freedom to move and sit in various positions, without ever compromising on comfort. That inspiration also led to the name Éan, meaning bird in Irish.



Two years in the making, there has clearly been a lot of passion, energy and focus around getting this product right. Can you tell us about the process during that time? Would I be right in guessing you're a bit of a perfectionist?

Absolutely. I spend a huge amount of time obsessing over the details, even the ones that remain unseen. It’s a constant process of reducing and refining the design in pursuit of simplicity. The length of the design and development process for any product like this can vary greatly. Each design can throw up its own set of challenges and some take longer to work through than others. The two years for the development of Éan started with an initial concept sketch, and then evolved through countless iterations throughout a process of building card models, ergonomic testing, building rough functional prototypes, strength and duralbility testing, tool production, manufacture, photography, etc…. 


Where can you see Éan fitting in terms of residential homes, offices etc?

I think Éan can fit into either a domestic or commercial environment. It works equally well around a dining table in a residential home, as it does in a restaurant or around a board room table.

What inspires you - other designers, travel, the web etc?

For me inspiration comes from everywhere and anywhere.

What can we expect to see from Fitzsimons in both the coming months and further down the track?

Over the coming months I hope to build the profile of the brand and establish a retail network throughout New Zealand and abroad. In the future, I would like to work towards releasing a new product/range every year in order to grow the collection. Im also very keen on the idea of collaborations, and working on some projects with other designers/artists throughout New Zealand.



What are you working on right now?

Right now I am working on a new range of seating, a number of tables and various lighting pieces too. Watch this space.

What advice would you give to those looking to branch out on their own in this industry?

I would say that you have to live and breathe design, and never ever stop.


Éan is available in a diverse range of colours and finishes. The seat and backrest, produced from subtly contoured form-pressed veneer, is finished in either oak, walnut, beech, black stained ash and white lacquered ash. The 4-leg steel base which is CNC bent, and then finished by hand, is available in a black powder coated or polished stainless steel finish. For more information, refer to the Fitzsimons website.

Huge thanks to Scott for taking the time to answer these questions for us today. 

Photo credit: Matthew Wood
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