Jasper conran … from fashion to furnishings

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British designer Jasper Conran has more than his share of flair. The son of designer and restaurateur Sir Terence Conran, he last year was appointed chairman of The Conran Shop, the design emporium started by his father in 1973. His aim … to make the stores relevant again and he is already on the move.  This is in addition to his existing empire which includes fashion … couture and department store, luggage, spectacles and homewares.  Oh yes, and he has created costumes for the Royal Ballet and English National Opera.

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Just another string to his bow … his fabric collection for Designers Guild … new interpretations on classic suiting. Flannels and pinstripes in an elegant and restrained colour palette.

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Jasper’s background in fashion clearly influencing this collection in terms of both fabric choice, design and detailing.

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I love the way these fabrics mix and match so easily … very difficult to go wrong here. These suiting shades of charcoal and navy can be punctuated with a delicious olive spot or paisley silk (cushions at top) … which remind me of a beautiful mens cravat.

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It is all about that background in fashion !!!

The new neutral interior … how to create this look

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The new neutral is really just a combination of black and white, grey and timber … think Scandinavian and pared back design.
It is natural, organic and calming.
The perfect backdrop for vibrant colour, should you desire it.
To achieve this look, your first stop should be Ikea for wall hung storage in all shapes and sizes.  This helps create a sense of space and clean lines. 
For ‘modern classic’ timber and painted furniture, visit Thonet.  Bentwood always works and you can customise your colours.
The choice in pendant lighting is endless however Huset will give you an overview of the different styles.  Once you have decided on your look … and budget, you can start shopping.
Koskela is all about thoughtful design … rugs, fabric and homewares, followed by lunch at Kitchen by Mike, under the same roof.
  

Bowral weekends … the new design hub

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Bowral in the Southern Highlands now has its very own ‘design hub’. The once neglected bottom end of town is becoming ever so fashionable. My favourite … rabbit trap timber, has a new, larger home that shows off their gorgeous rustic yet contemporary style to perfection.
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Full of recycled and environmentally friendly pieces, the design aesthetic is very much of the moment but with its own unique stamp. Such an interesting mix of beautifully designed furniture and homewares … and found objects.
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I feel I need to keep an eye on the changing scene at rabbit trap timber but look forward to exploring this end of town further next weekend.  In the meantime … back to Sydney !!!

Felix forest photographs at becker minty

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Another stylish soiree at Becker Minty on Wednesday evening with the opening of the exhibition of Felix Forest Photography.  The opulence of the store a perfect setting for his photographs (a curated collection by Becker Minty) which sparkled amongst elegant homewares, jewels and fashion.
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Felix has photographed interiors around the world for private clients and magazines. This exhibition is showing throughout April at Becker Minty.  Photographs are available in varying sizes and framed or unframed … they are beautiful !!

Marimekko … all the fun and colour of summer

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I have such fond memories of my marimekko curtains and bedspread, back in the day … it was the 70’s of course.  They were fabulous shades of bright green with large orange tulips.  The look extended  to green heart sheets and a gorgeous white peacock bedhead … all put together by my very stylish mother.

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Brisbane was all the richer for Joy de Gruchy and The Craftsman’s Market, a design studio that stocked Marimekko and put Brisbane on the map. I have adored Marimekko in a nostalgic sort of way ever since.

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How exciting to have our own Marimekko in Sydney … looking resplendent in the wonderful store in King Street. The colour is breathtaking and the space full of light !! Bolts of signature marimekko fabric, fashion and homewares.

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I couldn’t help but pass on my source for peacock bedheads to complete the picture … The Family Love Tree.

Bring on summer …

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images: brown dress with dots, ditte isager

Summer is nearly here … but not quite.  We do have to live through the overcast and stormy days of November and December first.  Yes we do get a little taste of sunshine here and there but not for long. Just when we are dying to leap into a bit of outdoor entertaining, pop into that floaty sundress … even a trip to the beach.  The only consolation at the moment is that nobody has the time for any of the above.  The end of the year is fraught with breakup parties, christmas parties and the dreaded christmas shopping.  I guess what I really mean is ‘bring on January’.  

Stylish baroque flowers in bowral, southern highlands

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Oh what a joy to have such a divine little shop in the Southern Highlands. Once renowned for all things stylish and smart the beautiful Highlands has had little to offer in the way of boutique shopping of late.

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The Southern Highlands has seen the likes of Belinda Seper, Peter Chadwick, Jan Weekes and many others, open wonderfully stylish shops … sadly, no longer. This is the sort of boutique shopping that Sydneysiders with weekenders in the Highlands, crave.

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Anyhow, back to Baroque Flowers … it isn’t all about flowers … the shop is full of decorative items such as urns, baskets, glassware and one off antique furniture pieces that compliment the flowers …. and draw you through the door.

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Vanessa is a very clever florist/stylist who creates not only fabulous flowers but beautiful vignettes within this tiny space.  She puts together unusual combinations of flowers and foliage, both strikingly bold and pretty, rustic and classic.  There is always a surprise element.

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Discover hidden treasures at seasonal concepts

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Seasonal Concepts … a treasure trove of antiques and old wares for the home, garden and garage … whether decorative or industrial. You just never know what you will find … no wonder it is so popular as a source for film shoots, fashion shoots, window displays and film productions.

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Buckets and jugs of fresh and exotic flowers are for sale daily, somehow bringing this wonderful old building to life.

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Browse the Seasonal Concepts website for images of fabulously stylish events and weddings put together by this talented team.

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The country trader, sydney … not just furniture

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Recently I was faced with the task/fun of finding gorgeous bits and pieces to turn a recently refurbished country cottage into a ‘home’.  As pleased as I was with the initial result … it still lacked something.

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I had a flash and remembered the Country Trader … normally known for stylish furniture both old and new.  They now have lots and lots of interesting glassware, silver, tortoiseshell, baskets and candles … affordable accessories for the home and table.

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Just as you walk in it resembles a fabulous bazaar.   I was thrilled to find decorative jugs, platters and baskets for the kitchen … in particular, I loved the vintage linen napkins.  For the coffee table and bookshelves I fell upon lovely old sets of books, rustic tins and candlesticks.

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With everything now in place, I must say the cottage is looking much less like a house and more a home … full of character and interest.  It was a lot of fun searching for and eventually finding just the right pieces !!

Pottery barn, west elm and williams-sonoma headed for sydney

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I have had an interesting but exhausting week in Sydney, doing the rounds of my suppliers in search of just the right pieces of furniture, lighting and decorative items to complete a current project.  The excitement of finding the perfect piece followed by the frustration of not finding another.  However, there is nothing quite like the elation and satisfaction of seeing it all come together at the end … when it exceeds your expectation, when you take photos and when you receive the positive feedback from clients.  It is even better when it exceeds their expectation as well.

In amongst all of that, I did hear on the grapevine that the North American giants … Pottery Barn, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma are coming to Australia … and opening under the one roof in Bondi Junction, Sydney.  These retailers offer upmarket quality homewares …. however, sitting below Coco Republic, I imagine.  These companies have not put a foot wrong to date … and are now looking at global expansion.

I do feel for the smaller retail design establishments, particularly in the eastern suburbs, as this will take the town by storm and be a hard act to follow.  Do have a look at the Pottery Barn website as a taste of what is to come …. it is just so extensive!!

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