Black+White Styling

Black and white styling is always on trend and is a great palette for those a little nervous about getting started with home decorating.  I could look at images of black and white interiors all day long!  I love the sense of calm that a monochrome interior evokes.  Various textures and patterns and even accents of timber give a black and white theme a warm and inviting feel.  Layering throws, accent cushions in varying patterns and bold graphic artworks are simple ways to decorate with black and white to create a super stylish space.

I love the styling in this image!!  White walls and white painted floors, accents of black and timber and how about those shoes!
27946a61f4b3859a8daf8148541492e9

Vertical shelving is a great way to add interest to a small space.  I love the simple black and white styling of this gorgeous cross blanket, Eames chair and wall calendar. 00566d2b1aa1ff4699c9d25512e13f7c

Create interest to a black and white theme with texture and pattern in throws and accessories. 80c91af88e3a9dd69fdd5a8200240727

Washi tape is a great and super inexpensive way to create wall art using your favourite pics.  I have just ordered a stack of photo prints and can’t wait to re-create this look at home.
32c8e0a6f56e26973fcb72836b6fed99

Black and white also looks fabulous in kitchen spaces. 30a3d4b85241b4073f973ddae38cbc44

A collection of prints stacked on top of wall shelves looks great and can be changed around to create a fresh new look with ease. 3b27ec2fdecf40df13490c58d8b6023f

These lights are amazing!  What a fabulous way to decorate a corner space! 1c0514119c3660d157a3427b8721216e

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

These are a few of my must-have black and white items
B+W Homewares

| cross blanket | big spot quilt cover | stripe rug | abc wall clock |
| storage sack | houndstooth cushion | flip-lid bin |

The Bailey’s Outdoor Patio

OutdoorPatio

A recent design board created for the Bailey family.  The clients brief was to create a beach-inspired theme for their outdoor patio.

I chose Adirondack chairs with a selection of cushions for seating; a large basket to store the cushions whilst they are not in use; lanterns and a wicker hanging light to create night-time ambience; and a hanging planter and pot-stand for herbs.

I loved creating this scheme.  Hope you like it!!

DS xo

Get the Look : Home Office

How glamorous is this home office space!

Re-create this gorgeous look with a pastel geometric rug, teamed with a classic Eames office chair, marble base Arco lamp, Moroccan ottoman and add a vintage Vogue poster for instant glam.  Très chic!!

GetTheLook_HomeOffice

for details on where to purchase, click here:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Blissful Bathrooms

I’m normally a shower kind-of-girl, one who’s in and out in five minutes flat before my 3 boys realise I’ve disappeared and start howling that they can’t find a matching pair or socks, or that some other worldly disaster has occurred and requires my urgent attention.  I have it down to a very fine art of shampooing, conditioning, shaving, cleansing and rinsing that does the job but certainly leaves no time for relaxing and pampering.

Last night I was reminded of just how blissful the art of taking a bath actually is.  It was only brought about by necessity as I had a wee operation yesterday to remove a skin cancer on my shoulder thanks to a little too much baking in the sun as a teeny bopper on the Gold Coast.  So, unable to shower, husbo filled the tub for me and in I plonked to total relaxation!!  From now on I shall (I repeat I SHALL) take time out to unwind and enjoy a bath as a weekly ritual.

Bathrooms are a great space to create an area dedicated to relaxation, pampering and taking time out to unwind.  Here’s a little bathroom inspiration…

StyleFiles_TimberBench
Create a day spa feel with natural elements like stone and wood.
TheStyleFiles
A beautiful carved timber mirror makes a stunning feature.
Style-files_BlueFloor
A hit of colour with floor tiles creates a wow factor.
Remodelista_ClawFoot
Simple yet stunning white subway wall tiles contrast beautifully
with dark floors and a black claw-foot bath tub.
Pinterest_Mirrors
A collection of shaped mirrors creates a stunning feature.
Ideasmag_co_za
StyleFiles
Exposed brick walls look great in bathrooms.
CarrDesignGroup
Sleek, modern, minimalist.
DesignChaser1 MyDesignChic
Dwell_Com-outdoorshower

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

Miami Catwalk Cool, The QT Hotel

Design, fashion, art, food, wine and music – the QT Hotel on the Gold Coast has it all.  Formerly the Gold Coast International Hotel, the newly refurbished Surfers Paradise landmark is now a vibrant entertainment and accommodation destination with a quirky fun mix of glamour and style.

The creative genius behind the transformation, Nic Graham describes the vibe as “Nostalgic surfer chic meets Miami catwalk cool”.

The SpaQ is sublime!  I’m lucky enough to live on the Gold Coast and have experienced the sheer bliss of a treatment here with a bunch of girlfriends.  The relaxation lounge is decorated in pops of bright colour combined with beautiful natural elements.

The Stingray lounge bar has a relaxed California Baja vibe of pop art meets industrial chic, and has 50 in-house tequilas to choose from!

I love the quirky fun sense of style throughout the resort. qt-gold-coast-spa-q-01 qt-gold-coast-spa-q-04 qt-gold-coast-spa-q-10 qt-gold-coast-spa-q-26 qt-gold-coast-spa-q-27 qt-gold-coast-spa-q-09 qt-gold-coast-fixx-02 qt-gold-coast-bazaar-17 qt-gold-coast-bazaar-12 qt-gold-coast-fixx-05 qt-gold-coast-fixx-08 qt-gold-coast-lawn-13 qt-gold-coast-stingray-07 qt-gold-coast-king-ocean-view-room-01 qt-gold-coast-king-suite-04 qt-gold-coast-king-suite-03 qt-gold-coast-qtique-09 qt-gold-coast-lobby-19 qt-gold-coast-lobby-13 qt-gold-coast-pool-06 Credits: Images via QT Hotel  Architecture by Nic Graham & Associates

 

Pearl Valley Residence

I stumbled across a snapshot of this impressive home whilst scanning through Pinterest last night and just had to see more of it and boy am I sure glad I did!  Designed by Antoni Associates, this amazing residence in the exclusive Cape Town golfing estate of Pearl Valley has so many stand-out features.  I’m just a little (ok a LOT) envious of the indoor pool and bar area, and I think I could quite happily gaze out the window towards the 18th hole of a golf course – I know my other half sure could!

7-PearlValley334_1_Ext_002_Bar_002_al_ANTONI ASSOCIATES 8-PearlValley334_1_Int_004_FamilyRoom_001_al_ANTONI ASSOCIATES 11-PearlValley334_2_Int_102_MainEn-Suite_001_al_ANTONI ASSOCIATES 10-PearlValley334_2_Int_101_Landing_001_al_ANTONI ASSOCIATES 9-PearlValley334_2_Int_003_Kitchen_001_al_ANTONI ASSOCIATES 6-PearlValley334_1_Ext_002_Bar_001_al_ANTONI ASSOCIATES 5-PearlValley334_1_Int_002_Dining_004_al_ANTONI ASSOCIATES 4-luxury-residence-interior-lighting-decor 3-luxury-residence-interior-decor 2-pearl-valley-luxury-residence 1-luxury-residence-interior-living-room The cluster of tables and hanging wooden pendants make this a pretty fabulous sitting area.

Pacific Road House

This home among the gum trees (or Angophoras) was an original sandstone weekender, which has been transformed by TKD Architects to maximise the spectacular views along Palm Beach and Barrenjoey in New South Wales.

A new pavilion was created, connected to the existing cottage via a covered walkway through the trees.  At night the pavilion looks like a lantern viewed through the trees.

The home is clad in sandstone and western red cedar, which over time will weather to resemble the grey of the tree trunks. TKDA-Pacific-Road-07-650x464 TKDA-Pacific-Road-11-650x433 TKDA-Pacific-Road-08-650x908 TKDA-Pacific-Road-03-650x464 TKDA-Pacific-Road-06-650x464 TKDA-Pacific-Road-04-650x464 TKDA-Pacific-Road-09-650x464 TKDA-Pacific-Road-10-650x868 TKDA-Pacific-Road-05-650x464 TKDA-Pacific-Road-01-650x464 TKDA-Pacific-Road-02-650x464 I love how this home has been designed with careful consideration of it’s surroundings.

[credits: designhunter.net | TKD Architects | Michael Nicholson Photography ]

Scandinavian Inspired Interiors

I’ve always been a whole lot in love with Scandinavian Style Interiors.  Milky white palettes with subtle hints of pastel colour, accents of black, layers of texture, natural stone and wood elements all create a real sense of relaxed luxury. ScandiStyle_moodboard 1d23f83ef4a7d9d52a5027741b2bc9ac 6e8a1682f57f69e571603d37bfc68d5a 0c189d2aa9f5f87f4b3737cb7e7fced3 32f3dd12220add0bf228a1a9c00d6043 ec482367eb3656fc2c58f93ea113ee13 39acc88729304b572c44e37b41f1bd4f 090eadd8db966bcc665b9c5173f0fcf6 8485a3a5e0f2d7c1be76ea9c77cd2a4b 392412cd047a0753ecdf9e25defdaad2 62936428bc12bb950e78de8a4f59b799 ac5ba96d8c675d37fe27140b3940ca01 fc2d67c5940c0787d958bcc9f8cf693c dfa3823ad6f948fcad919846114958f3

Spotlight on The Minimalist

Monday is mag day for me. It’s the one day of the week when I treat myself to time-out with a stack of interiors magazines and loads of coffee. It was one such Monday whilst flipping pages and sipping coffee, that I came across the super cool home of Leah and Darius Taylor in Surry Hills, Sydney. I got to reading and discovered this dynamic duo run an online store called The Minimalist.

The Minimalist is all about handmade things, especially limited editions in black and white and pops of colour with a focus on unique and unusual materials and quality craftsmanship.TheMinimalistYou can view more details of the above products here: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 |

Interior Inspiration – Nina’s Apartment

Dark timber floorboards; pressed metal feature walls; high-end marble accents; and a killer-view of Melbourne, sounds mighty appealing right!  These are just some of the stand-out features of the lofty warehouse apartment that was home to Nina from Offspring for the first few seasons.  If you’re a fan of the show you’ll love having a sneak peek inside, and even if you haven’t managed to catch an episode you’ll no doubt appreciate the features of this residence in the Melbourne suburb of Brunswick which sold in June 2012 for $1,012,000.

imageDining, living and kitchen.

Herringbone flooring and marble work surfaces in the stunning home office.

Galley style kitchen with dark-stained timber flooring, white joinery and dark benchtops.

Master bedroom with more of that beautiful pressed metal.

Balcony looking out over magical Melbourne.

A classic, timeless bathroom with crisp white subway wall tiles and composite marble floor tiles.

Floor Plan.