Tag: design inspiration

Bosjes Chapel – an astonishing building

  • 13 March 2017

Located in South Africa’s Western Cape Bosjes Chapel is nothing short of remarkable.  The stunning organic form hovers delicately and weightlessly above an equally majestic landscape.

The crisp white concrete shell appears to be held up by nothing but glass …. how is this possible!!? The roof line swoops and soars and at points dips to almost touch the surface of the refection pool. A cross shaped window frame represents the traditional crucifix, a golden pulpit positioned in front of the window sets the scene  for contemplation.

A collaboration between UK based Steyn Studio and South Africa’s TV3 Architects. First seen on Contemporist

Feature walls

  • 27 February 2017

I often get asked if people still do feature walls interestingly enough almost every time the question is voiced out loud it’s accompanied with a shame full cringe is if an unwritten rule has been broken and lighting is about to strike.

My reply is always this …….. There aren’t any Interior Design rules, lets face it it’s not a life and death situation! If there were rules and this was one of them and YOU love the idea of a feature wall then lets do it!

At least half of my projects have feature walls or feature rooms, it is a perfect way to add depth, mood, texture and personality.

This recently completed project in Mount Maunganui, is a great example of all of those things.

A harmonious collaboration between myself,  JMAC Architecture and  Ultimate Homes.

Images via Redfish

bathroom design with Brass

  • 24 November 2016

A beautiful simple bathroom worth sharing – mirror cabinest are a must have for any well designed bathroom,  they provide excellent storage for all those tiny bathroom necessities, Lenka Mikova has taken this mirror cabinet to a whole new level of cool by adding Brass.

Careful lighting highlights the Brass, a sparkling contrast to the Matt Black Hexagon tile and simple tap ware. Super thin vanity tops compliment the thin Brass profile.

Via Contemporist, photos by Veronika Raffajova

traditional plain interiors transformed into modern contemporary spaces

  • 22 March 2016

I recently completed a Perfect Combination Project – A blank canvas spec home + existing clients on their second project = boundaries pushed with amazing results!

The newly constructed spec home was beautifully proportioned but super plain – so plain it made you sleepy!! Client brief was to add some personality, warmth and interest so we set to work……..

The Master bedroom was spacious  opening out onto a sunny courtyard but lacked any redeeming features so we added Harlequin wallpaper, Hemptech fabric and Bianca Lorenne Bed linen.

Feature wallpaper was repeated in the Lounge with dramatic effect, an existing David Shaw Chair was revitalized with new Harlequin fabric.

Another stunning Harlequin wallpaper in the entrance added drama

These simple additions change the house to a home.

A space well and truly stamped with the clients personality.

Elegant Country house renovated to its inspirational former glory

  • 20 July 2015

I know my work has been completed on a project when it’s time to put a call out to Amanda – my trusted photographer. It’s exciting and kind of sad in a way too as it can be a long process getting to this point. On a large complex project it’s not unusual for many months to pass working alongside clients getting to know the in’s and out’s of the  family’s life, visualizing each part of the home always with the ultimate vision in mind.

The images below are testament to this very process. I had the privilege to began work on this project 2 years ago – no that’s not a typo it really did take 2 years to ensure we left no stone  unturned.  When we began renovating, the  home was terribly neglected it was shocking to see a magnificent home so ruined by weather, fortunately the beautiful bones where in tact although in serious need of TLC!!

Bridge beams were originally white washed, Jarrah flooring water damaged, structural features were hidden, some rooms had never been completed and that was just the tip of the iceberg!

My brief was to create an elegant but comfortable country home – take a look at the results

The clients had quality furniture that was also worth renovating, couches were re upholstered, family pieces were unearthed from storage and reinvented, notably the elegant arm chair in JD Madagascar Paradise. Bespoke pieces were locally sourced, the Ottoman in Harlequin Purple Snakeskin and Button Backed dining chairs in matching colored pairs.

We altered the layout of the kitchen to become open plan incorporating the bridge beam into the Stone Island bench top.

Bathrooms were elegantly restyled to fit seamlessly with the essence of the grand country home.

A combination of wonderful clients with open minds, a team of brilliant local tradesmen made the project an absolute pleasure ….. A good job well done I think!

Harlequin Amazilia

  • 17 March 2015

Amazilia is the stunning newly released collection from Harlequin very aptly named as it is indeed  Amazing!

Described as  “Featuring extravagant tropical motifs in exotic colourways, delicately depicting hummingbirds, botanically-drawn butterflies, feathers and glossy over sized leaves”  it is a typical Harlequin explosion of colour.

Only with the use of Digital print  technology  can fabrics show such intricate realistic details and vibrant colours. It’s nigh on impossible for me to pick a favorite –  I’m a bird girl so many of the designs delight me, BUT if I had to narrow it down…..

The Spray Dyed Velvet is incredible, the intensity and shade of colour changes across the width of the fabric subtly drifting from one colour to another, the warmer of the 8 available colourways are seemingly on fire.

I can’t resist anything to do with birds – I have an every growing collection of nests and feathers in my office so the Limosa wallpaper is a given for me.  Available  in 5 colour ways I love the water colour effect of the image and the multitude of colour you can pull out as coordinating shades. The proportion of space verses pattern is well balanced and restful.

Kieran Kinsella Stools

  • 12 March 2015

Oh boy this is a treat Kieran Kinsella’s work encompasses all things I admire in design – simple elegant forms that enhance natural materials

When I look at these wooden stools I immediately think of the illustrations on Maurice Sendak’s book ‘Where The Wild Things Are” these little babies are ready to march across the room! They all ooze personality, look at wedge detail…..aah no way I could choose just one

Discovered on Design Blog Bliss

Elegant Kitchen

  • 12 January 2015

It’s the tiny details that make this elegant kitchen by Decus Interiors work so well – details applied to ordinary items that every modern kitchen has.

To me the stand out detail is the Scullery, a ‘must have’ in most modern homes the scullery is a space that is typically shut away behind doors – strictly utilitarian, the simple addition of beautiful glazed doors, timber drawer fronts, full height tiling has been transformed utilitarian into spectacular.

Flagstone floor tiles, panelled cabinetry, industrial element of the Stainless Steel all elegantly cloaked in a soft neutral colour palette.

Timeless!

Decus Interiors, Design Studio based in NSW Australia.

Bathroom texture

  • 12 November 2014

Stop searching I’ve found it!  This has to be THE perfect bathroom, – actually if you follow my blog you will know that I have made this claim before – sorry!

So often I see bathrooms that have be overlooked in the ‘looks’department and treated as purely functional I do get excited when I come across a bathroom of beauty.

Beatrix Rowe Interior Design of Melbourne have left no stone unturned here

There are soooo many things I admire in this room, the window is obviously exquisite and the clever placement of the full width mirror expands the detail. A great example of a monochrome room of texture – matte  timber, polished marble, the tiny mosaic floor tiles verses the over-sized proportion of the light fitting.

Simply lovely

Black and marble kitchen

  • 14 October 2014

More often than not projects that catch my eye are Australian, our architectural style has  a definite affinity with that of Australian homes, it makes sense our climates and lifestyles are alike, its easy to see to see the similarities  – touches of timber, an emphasis on relaxed outdoor living.  This gorgeous home by Richard Cole Architecture could sit very comfortably on this side of the ditch!

I love  the choice of products in the Middle Harbour House kitchen, Black and White is an absolutely timeless combination.

Simple black cabinetry, note the black handles, white ‘marble’ bench tops, mirror splash back, great attention to detail see’s the chopping board and oil bottles integrated into the bench top…brillaint

The simple  colour pallet of the kitchen extends into the living area seamlessly with the full height cabinetry creating a solid backdrop to the room. Again we see touches of timber, add natural fiber fabrics, full height drapes, subtle lighting and massive doors opening the entire width of the room. What more could you ask for?….nothing I think!