Folder of Ideas

Luxaflex event at La Croix, Potts Point

2011-12-21T18:22:00.000+11:00

I was the guest of Luxaflex recently at a lovely event at La Croix, Potts Point giving media and bloggers an overview of the extensive Luxaflex range and a preview of the new Luxaflex ipad app. It is always fun to meet people who are passionate about their product and with deep deep knowledge about the textiles and technology we need to to both make the most of the sunshine and block it out when required. Pearls of wisdom that I came away with were that alot of Luxaflex specialist fabric is made here in Australia as we know what we need to withstand our sun, Luxaflex collect and recycle old blinds, recycling the fibres into new fabric, they can now do widths of 6m (!) in some exterior products (great for those gap haters). I love the Evo range of contemporary awnings and the very architectural exteriors louvres shown below. La Croix was a delight also - designed by Iain Halliday in a palette of soft grey tumbled stone, marble and buttery grey leather cushions. A perfect neutral backdrop for the shop's mirrors and decorative items scattered amongst the cafe tables. Thanks again to Luxaflex for inviting me along.

Images: Luxaflex and La Croix

On Air by Penny Farthing Design House

2011-12-12T17:46:00.001+11:00

This is the ideal gift for a busy mother - I would love one myself. Imagine firing up your On Air sign when you are talking on the phone to discourage your offspring from interrupting you. Or for outside a study when you really need to finish something when working from home. Or, of less benefit, for your husband to light up while pretending to be on a conference call but really watching the cricket. Designed by Penny Farthing Design House.

Image: Penny Farthing Design House

Upstairs Downstairs

2011-12-07T18:12:00.001+11:00

Sometimes I suffer from interiors overload because my brain sees colours and fabrics and mouldings on walls - even when I am relaxing and watching TV. I do love period dramas as much for the costumes and sets as the plot line. Tune in to Upstairs Downstairs on the ABC, set in 1936 just before the war, there is lots to inspire.

Images: BBC Television

Bonnie and Nell

2011-11-23T18:16:00.001+11:00

The Design Files Open House project has so many lovely things in the directory I am sure the Open House will be absolutely packed every day.

Image: Bonnie and Nell via TDF

Phillipe I by Casamina

2011-11-18T12:59:00.000+11:00

Special Philippe I tables by Casamina. Lovely combination of turned leg and dipped in paint effect.

Image: Casamina via Habitus

Marble topped table

2011-11-17T17:37:00.001+11:00

I search all the time for marble topped tables. I just never seem to tire of the combination of marble and wood. From memory this house in is LA.

Image: Simon Kenny

Typewriter Cushion Publisher Textiles

2011-10-03T18:21:00.000+11:00

I have my eye on this cushion for a client's study ( possibly ) it has black silk piping and a typography print back all by Publisher Textiles. The words on the back are from a book - possibly entitled How to Live Long, the name of the fabric.

Image: Publisher Textiles

Gula by Ximena Escobar

2011-09-28T19:19:00.003+10:00

Stunning 'Gula' wallpaper/mural designed by for Colombian designer and illustrator Ximena Escobar for Wallpaper Republic. Love that the design gives the impression that there is a picture rail and the detail is amazing. Would love to use this to funk up granny's sitting room.

Images: Wallpaper Republic

Chiavari Chairs

2011-08-11T19:45:00.000+10:00

Very special '50s Chiavari Chairs - already sold sadly at Nicholas & Alistair.

Image: Nicholas & Alistair

Offspring - Nina's wall

2011-07-15T17:49:00.002+10:00

Since the first series of Offspring I have been searching and searching for the source of the pressed metal wall in Nina Proudman's apartment. Finally, this week, others on the same quest have bubbled to the surface of google and I now know, thanks to In the Night Sky that the panel is called Shield and is from Pressed Tin Panels in Bathurst. Thank goodness as it was really starting to bother me.

More from Ochre

2011-07-15T17:30:00.001+10:00

I should have known to look at Ochre's website before posting below. The Arctic Pear also comes as a wall light and Ochre have even more beauty and brilliance to launch at 100% design in London in September.

Images: Ochre, 100% Design

Arctic Pear - the big one

2011-07-12T14:23:00.001+10:00

Technical diffculties in abundance at present but am trying to keep trying to use blogger in IE9 - not easy I can tell you. I have posted the Arctic Pear lamp before, but not its very glamorous big sister.

Image: via Citified

Place setting with a twist

2011-05-06T18:43:00.006+10:00

The strong Aussie dollar makes shipping costs to our remote shores that little bit more realistic so I have been perusing the sites of those US companies that ship here more than usual - Anthropologie being one of them. Love this round rug based on fancy china plates.

Image: Anthropologie

Spillray

2011-04-14T19:14:00.009+10:00

Nothing like Milan to draw me back to the blog. Much to update, am working for Porter's Paints and for clients as an interior designer. No shortage of bookmarks just shortage of bandwidth as ever. Always a fan of a cluster light -but don't they translate well to the wall ?

Images: Axolight

Carnival by Paul Smith

2011-02-01T09:30:00.004+11:00

Love this rug by Paul Smith for the Rug Company. Have always been a fan of his work and I believe this design has picked up a few awards in 2010. It gives quite a different effect in landscape vs portrait.

Images: The Rug Company

Pop by Sheridan

2011-01-18T15:42:00.005+11:00

This is exactly what I have been looking for to update my blue and white bedroom and to get the Kelly Wearstler look for way less. New from Sheridan is an affordable range of mix and match bed linen - this pillow case is $15. You can shop online or at certain stores. The one disappointment is that the flat sheets are all plain - so if anyone from Sheridan happens to read this please extend the range to include patterned flat sheets - especially in orange.

Images: Pop by Sheridan, Kelly Wearstler for Schumacher

Georgian splendour

2011-01-15T11:21:00.003+11:00

I don't do a huge amount of real estate stalking but sometimes it can be very rewarding. Everyone will know that my homeland is really struggling economically. One outcome of this is that some pretty special properties are coming on to the market (not always for happy reasons) but at least we get to have a peek inside. I read the Irish Times online and this is where I found this great Georgian house. My parents lived around the corner from this house in a flat in a similar Georgian building when they were first married. They had to move out when I was born as children weren't allowed ! I love the way the owners of this property have allowed the architecture to sing and their impressive looking art collection to do the rest. The funky kitchen and orange table work well for me too. Lots more details here while the link lasts.

Images: via here

All good things will be yours . . .

2011-01-10T17:17:00.004+11:00

Its been a long time between drinks here at Folder of Ideas but I am back now from my hols, finished my studies, no more homework so much more to time to read blogs and write posts.

A long way back there was a picture of this room on Desire to Inspire in the pets on furniture section but you could only see part of the board. I emailed Linda Roberts, the owner of the dog and the image to ask her for the full wording and its provenance. She had seen it written up her brother's sailboat and did not know here it came from but sent me back this lovely image of her home.

Good old google confirmed that this is indeed an old Swedish proverb. Wise words I thought for the new year - especially the eat less and talk less sections for yours truly. Happy new year to all and looking forward to another inspiring year. Sheila xx

Images: Linda Roberts, Mooch

Perle

2010-12-15T07:00:00.001+11:00

Love this Perle pendant from habitat. It has that Alice in Wonderland feel when you look at it - is the room upside down or am I standing on the ceiling ?

Image: habitat

Great Outdoors

2010-12-14T12:49:00.003+11:00

I recently ordered a few samples of these fabrics from the big range at Fab Outdoor Fabrics. Unlike their interior cousins these fabrics do have a serviceable feel but the patterns and colours are great.

Images: Fab Outdoor Fabrics

Alpha Bravo Charlie Delta

2010-12-04T08:24:00.003+11:00

This is a scheme I designed for the son of a friend of mine, he is just six but the brief was to choose furnishings that he would grow in to rather than outgrow. The print is a perfect artwork for a boys room - it has both the NATO and nautical flag alphabets and is very reasonably priced from my long time favourite Keep Calm Gallery in London (who will mail prints to Australia)

Click to enlarge

Images: Keep Calm Gallery, La Maison, Sheridan

Sixhands Passionflower

2010-12-03T07:21:00.005+11:00

I have now finished my interior design studies and am thoroughly enjoying having no projects and deadlines. A downside is that I am missing the ideas 15 other design fans brought to class each week. The credit for this fabric find goes to my friend Jo. This is passionflower by Sydney based studio Sixhands. I love the Sixhands website - it is Versace-esque with intense colours and patterns making you want to buy it all !!

Penny for your thoughts . .

2010-11-19T16:26:00.005+11:00

Old chairs and shades of blue - two of my favourite things. These refurbished chairs are available through Penny Farthing Design House. You can read their story here. Love this little gem of a chair and the styling below.

Images: Penny Farthing Design House

Northern lights

2010-11-01T15:37:00.003+11:00

My most recent assignment was a living dining room in a small terrace - we could choose the style so I decided to go nordic and choose things that are either designed in Scandinavia or (in my view) reflect the style and quality of the region's designs. My main inspiration was the stunning Coco Pendant from Coco Flip, fabrics are from Funkis and the accessories are from Ferm Living. The chairs are from the Family chairs designed by Lina Nordqvist.

Images: Funkis, Coco Flip, Ferm Living

Tres Tintas Nimbus

2010-10-12T13:29:00.002+11:00

I spent a serene half hour looking at fabrics in Funkis store Miljo in Bondi this morning and flicked through the latest book of wallpapers from Tres Tintas - stunning patterns and colours. Nimbus has loads of movement and is really elegant in the petrol blue colourway.

Image: Tres Tintas

Colours of The High Line

2010-10-08T12:51:00.003+11:00

These shots are from The High Line in NYC the relatively new urban park constructed on a disused railway. The colours used in this glass installation in this old rail building are so subtly varied and effective and hard to photograph ! You can get an idea of the size from the little man in the second photo.

Images: Folder of Ideas

Bright lights

2010-10-07T19:38:00.004+11:00

I have been travelling since I was here last. My husband and I were in Washington DC and New York for a while in September and had such a blast and (for me) inspiring time. So the massive gaps in the posting schedule are mostly due the fact that the only part of the globe I have not traversed in an aircraft in the last two months is the ( relatively if you live in Australia ) short hop from NYC to Dublin. Many firsts - saw the Hollywood sign from the sky as I took off from LA for the first time, visited Anthropologie, first heard of Restoration Hardware ( where had I been ? ) and had the best stay at the Bowery Hotel in NYC. Some serious firsts too - visiting the Holocaust Museum in DC which was incredibly powerful and the person to person tour of Ground Zero which was unforgettable also. Happy to be home and hoping to get blogging.

Image: Raven & Lamb

Fancy footwork

2010-09-06T15:31:00.004+10:00

Love a bit of detail or a point of difference in an interior. I have zoomed in on the object of my interest here - the little leg and detailing on the big kitchen bench. The little turned foot on this island bench lets it touch the floor lightly which offsets its massive proportion in the room. Like the wooden floor and the lights also.

Image: Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles via Greige

Man Cave

2010-09-05T08:36:00.002+10:00

In the spirit of Father's Day (today in Australia) I have trawled my image library for something suitably male and this wine cellar is the best I have. I have explained before I think that much of Sydney is built on sandstone so in older areas houses have beautiful foundations. In most cases under the house is pretty dark and damp and you need to watch out for dangerous spiders so this wine cellar is fairly exceptional. Love the clever lighting around the floor and the wine bottle pendant. If I had this in my house I would put a big glass door on the cellar so that you could see in and enjoy the sandstone all the time.

Image: via Desire to Inspire

Zenith

2010-09-03T14:49:00.003+10:00

I was at a fun session last night on styling living and dining rooms at Freedom. One of our teachers is an interior designer for Freedom and has a lot of experience in merchandising. Although I was listening in class my eyes were wandering and spotted this little desk lamp which has very pleasing proportions and is reasonably priced at $99. There is also a standard lamp in a similar design.

Image: Freedom

Etoile

2010-08-25T20:01:00.002+10:00

In the thick of my interior design course I spent an hour in the Mokum showroom - truly beautiful fabrics. Many are designed upstairs and the design development drawings and paintings are framed underneath the work tables which is a gorgeous idea. This is a gem of a fabric. I am working on a bedroom assignment channeling art deco and the dusky pink colourway of Etoile by Mokum was exactly what I was looking for.

Images: Mokum

Pretty pendants

2010-07-29T15:31:00.002+10:00

These Egyptian pendants are available from Tokens of Living - purveyors of a beautifully curated collection of high end European furniture, antiques and lighting. Their shop in Sydney's northern beaches area is always a joy to visit. Clusters of light fittings - especially spherical ones - are so much more generous and opulent looking than one lonley little sphere I find. The Tokens website says these lights are now much reduced in price - must call to see how much.

Image: Tokens of Living

Back to my desk

2010-07-28T11:18:00.002+10:00

I started back to school yesterday - first day of my Interior Styling course and the last six months of my two year project to get myself some qualifications in interior design. Seems like we have a great group in the class and lots of young talent so I am excited to see the designs everyone will come up with through the course.

I thought this was an interesting take on the home office / library. I love the shining black floor and the detail in the library glazing. Our study at home is still in 'keep the door closed to hide the mess' mode - a bit of transparency might be just the thing to get me organised !

Image: Douglas Friedman

The one large cushion idea

2010-07-24T09:29:00.002+10:00

This New York apartment was the subject of an interesting post on Little Green Notebook about how much a decorator should be paid. I think the designer did a good job - you can see the before and after shots here. I'm clipping it in to Folder of Ideas because I really like the one big cushion idea. Especially in small spaces and if you have a compact elegant piece of furniture like that little cream sofa less is definitely more. Here is an earlier version of the one big cushion idea in a bedroom.

Image: via LGN

Not such a parfait day

2010-07-23T16:21:00.003+10:00

I smashed one of my large Le Parfait storage jars today - I have had it for years and stored coffee in it which ended up all over me. My tights are now infused with espresso. Tiled floors are so unforgiving. Keeping perspective, it was only a jar, but real Le Parfait jars are quite hard to come by in Sydney. I thought this pantry was inspiring. It is in the home of Emerson of US based emersonmade - a lovely cheery shop for fashion, flowers and homewares.

Image: Emersonmade

Benito

2010-07-22T13:44:00.004+10:00

Clothes don't always maketh the man in my opinion but when it comes to chairs fabric choices count for a lot. This is the Benito chair from Temperature Design who custom upholster many of their products - but why would you want to change this ?

Image: Temperature Design

Perpetual Motion

2010-07-21T19:51:00.004+10:00

So I am now back home in Sydney and have just about stopped nodding off in corners - must be my advancing years - have not been quite so jet lagged in some time. I am so lucky to be able to call two countries home and I had a truly fantastic few weeks in Ireland.

I have a massive volume of material to get on the blog and the usual time limitations but here goes. This sculpture 'Perpetual Motion' is by one of my favourite public artists in Ireland - Rachel Joynt. As you know when you are visiting family one is in perpetual motion and I sped past this milestone on the motorway west of Dublin many times during my trip.

It also got me thinking about black, white and yellow - a colour scheme that has been around for a while with Mimosa yellow being last year's colour of the year. This fetching apartment was featured in The Gloss - an Irish newspaper magazine. Love the fact that the accent colour comes from the National Geographic magazine and the original shelving for the china collection.

Images: Rachel Joynt, The Gloss

Colour in Dublin

2010-06-25T02:55:00.005+10:00

So we are over the jet lag and enjoying some great weather in Dublin and this is where I go for my morning run ( or run - walk - look at the view - run - walk, would be a more truthful representation ). I have walked this pier many many times and it has been fully refurbished since my last visit. I have now finished my colour design diploma but the obsession with colour schemes remains. The bandstand has been painted in a gorgeous cream and blue colour scheme which I had to try to replicate and record. I'm sure all the other runners and walkers were wondering what I was doing - I am going to take my Resene colour matching app with me tomorrow to see what the iphone comes up with.

Images: Around Ireland, Farrow & Ball Castle Grey, Dulux Lunar Falls

I'm off

2010-06-16T17:20:00.004+10:00

I really love my own bed and am going to miss it a lot - especially tomorrow night when I am somewhere in the sky between Sydney and Abu Dhabi. I will be posting from Ireland - I'm looking forward to the trip enormously. One of my current fave songs by Angus and Julia Stone is appropriately named 'Big Jet Plane' and I thought you might enjoy it too.

Image: Dwell Studio via the Stamford Wife

Florence's apartment in Paris

2010-06-15T17:50:00.008+10:00

This months Inside Out features the Paris home of designer Florence Baudoux, beautifully photographed by Richard Powers. My favourite room is the bathroom - old beaded cabinetry combined with modern fittings. In my quest for this picture I came across a French article about the same apartment with more great photographs by Jean-Marc Palisse but no joy on a decent shot of the bathroom - hence the scan below. It is hard to see but the drawers have tiny spherical carvings that are repeated in the modern black and white painting on the wall and I think it was a clever move to paint the large old fashioned radiator in a dark shade also. The whole apartment is very inspiring - well worth buying a copy of Inside Out or flicking through the CoteMaison gallery.

Click to enlarge

Images: Jean-Marc Palisse, Richard Powers via CoteMaison and Inside Out

Northern exposure

2010-06-12T08:29:00.003+10:00

Three more sleeps are we are off to the northern hemisphere. Ask any Sydneysider who has lived in Europe what they miss ( apart from friends and family ) and they usually say the choice of shops, especially high street chains like Zara. I believe Zara and GAP are soon to start opening here in Australia, not sure if that will include Zara Home. LK Bennett here I come !!

Image: Zara Home

Alhambra

2010-06-06T13:45:00.003+10:00

Warwick Fabrics have a new range called Adachi and I think this floral - Alhambra is going to be a big hit. The range is on panels in the window at the moment but the Warwick website does not yet have photos of all colourways. I didn't look at the stripe while I was there but it looks like a very versatile option to me. Back to Alhambra - if you are into Anna Spiro's style or the look of Manuel Canovas or Schumacher botanicals Alhambra is a very worthy contender.

Images: Warwick Fabrics

Morning dew

2010-06-03T19:48:00.005+10:00

Jamie Durie has launched a new set of interior rug designs - following on from his outdoor rug collection. I really like this one - Dew Web available from The Rug Collection, so subtle and gentle. While it is pretty annoying when you walk into a big spiders web that has formed overnight in your front garden, they do look stunning on a dewy sunny morning. There are a few really lively rugs in the collection that also caught my eye but I felt they would over shadow Dew Web and the cracking view on location so I will have to feature them at a later date.

Images: The Rug Collection

Arizona

2010-05-26T07:46:00.004+10:00

Always an easy target for a splash of hot pink I am immediately drawn to this wallpaper - Arizona by Suzy Hoodless. The whole Hothouse collection has fabulous patterns and colours.

While the one above is my favourite, these colours are also very elegant - I'm thinking The Great Gatsby and art deco.

Images: Suzy Hoodless

Distrito

2010-05-24T07:30:00.000+10:00

This the bar of the Distrito Capital hotel in Mexico City. The hotel is mostly black, white and grey with splashes of yellow - including Acqua di Parma products in the bathrooms - well worth a browse around the hotel website. The stools are my main interest here - designed by Danish design company Mater Design they have won a number of awards already and are hailed as a new classic. Mater Design products are available in Australia via Corporate Culture.

Palm Beach Black

2010-05-23T13:24:00.002+10:00

It is hard to convey a surface finish - especially wood finishes via this medium. I am now only weeks away from completing my diploma in Colour Design so my main interiors reading has been fandecks of paint chips and little pieces of Colorbond metal - not such great blog fodder. Anyway good old Porters have come to my rescue with a product I love - Palm Beach Black - a water based wood stain that you can use inside and out on any wood and - an inspiring image to match to break the blogging drought.

Image: Porters Paints

Dining room inspiration

2010-05-06T08:11:00.004+10:00

My house has a dining room with a corner fireplace like this one as many older houses do in Australia. It is still the natural original wood and I would consider painting it - but I feel that is quite a big decision though as it would never be the same again if I did. I also like the panelling idea. Food for thought and indecision !

Image: Katie Ridder via Desire to Inspire

Battersea book ends

2010-05-04T07:48:00.004+10:00

Off to bookclub again this evening - the first Tuesday of the month rolls around fast and brings me to posts relating to books. I check in at Paul Smith's online store regularly as I have a small obsession with his signature stripes. The London landmark bookends made me smile. My first flat in London was in Battersea beside the park and I passed the power station daily for many years. I quite fancy a flick through Paul's book too.

Images: Paul Smith

Chameleon

2010-04-30T09:30:00.007+10:00

Power points and light switches are mostly pretty unexciting until HPM Legrand come along and present you with 15 different coloured cover plates to click on and change to your hearts content. I received a sample in 5 O'Clock Olive from the Earths colour set which is very tactile and restful. The full Linea colour range is below.

Although you probably wouldn't pick it from the swatches below Gun Metal looks great with the stainless steel appliances in my kitchen - stainless is darker than you think.

Images: HPM Legrand, Emma Mitchell

How about orange ? ... and blue ?

2010-04-27T18:18:00.005+10:00

One of the things I found at Designex was that size wasn't everything. There were a number of smaller stands that were crammed with great products - one of those was Ferm Living. This wallpaper - Ferris - is inspired by the ferris wheel at the Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen which is a very tasteful fun fair / park in in the centre of the city. I spent a great summer in Copenhagen as a student and love Danish design. I am loving these colours for kids rooms - a refreshing departure from the red/blue or pink purple combos. The second is by Porters from the range designed by Bholu. Mavis Monkey Ma and Pa also comes in a very sophisticated natural colour way. The penguins at the bottom are by Isak. This UK based design company also has Scandinavian origins and they ship worldwide. Incidentally the title of this post is inspired by the highly entertaining blog how about orange.

Images: Ferm Living, Porters Paints, Isak

The Outdoor Room

2010-04-23T07:19:00.005+10:00

I attended the Designex trade show in Sydney yesterday. There was quite a big section on outdoor rooms which I wasn't really expecting but it was great to see some products I have blogged about but had not seen in real life like Joost Bakker's vertical gardens and Kif and Katast's fabulous Gingko screen. The Kif & Katast stand was one of my favourites of the day and I loved the new Gingko bench pictured below. There is a poor quality iphone photo that gives a bit of an idea of how you could light this bench to make a real feature of it at night.

The Kif & Katast stand also featured these garden bags called Bacsacs which can be used eiether as a permanent garden for herbs for example or simply for transporting plants.

Images: Kif&Katast, Bacsac

School tour

2010-04-20T07:13:00.004+10:00

I went on a class excursion to Porters Paints in Waterloo yesterday which was very interesting and enjoyable. I could happily poke around in the little room of wallpapers and super swatches in all Porters colours for a few hours. I saw samples of the range designed by Julie Paterson of cloth for the first time - very calm and serene colours. Looking for Water below was my favourite.

Image: Porters Paints

Sultans of swing

2010-04-16T13:57:00.002+10:00

Just picked the latest Vogue Living out of the mailbox and saw this lovely fabric in a feature on Tigger Hall. From LA based designer to the stars Martyn Lawrence-Bullard this is Sultan's Suzani in Sage and Blue. His signature fabric style is the development of traditional designs using luxury fabrics and comtemporary colour schemes.

Images: Martyn Lawarence Bullard

Agatha and friends

2010-04-12T07:38:00.003+10:00

I'm travelling to Europe in June which is exciting as I have not been for over two years and am looking forward to checking out my old favourites from my years in London and Dublin. These little side tables are Tigarah and Agatha from The Conran Shop which is now open in Dublin as well. Very tempting. I keep telling myself that my shopping will have to be limited to soft light furnishings. Anyone planning a move to Sydney let me know and I would be most interested in subletting a spot in your container !!

Images: Conran

Waterflower

2010-04-10T14:07:00.000+10:00

This is Orla Kiely's waterflower fabric design for her fashion range, not on a handbag or home accessory yet but we can hope and look out for it. I don't know hwich I like better the blue or the pink.

Images: Orla Kiely

Missing out

2010-04-09T13:58:00.003+10:00

I have missed having the time to blog - no proper excuse really, I just seem to be over committed at the moment. Even more though I have missed out on reading blogs and all the inspiration out there. So I finally got the chance to click through a few new spots yesterday and am reinspired by images like the one below from Greige. I will find the time.

Image: Skona Hem via Greige

Cape Cod style

2010-03-23T17:55:00.004+11:00

Well if snowboarders are wearing plaid - it must be in. I was very taken by the US snowboarding team's uniform at Vancouver and wouldnt mind one of those parkas myself. Anyway back to interiors this fabric below was Diane Bergeron's pick in a recent fabric trend article in House and Garden and I love it. This is the Cape Cod Madras Patchwork cotton and will be available from DB home for $61/m. Apparently it was used on bunk beds in the Obama holiday home on Martha's vineyard if you flick through Diane's highly entertaining blog. I'm keeping it in mind for when my boys say 'enough with the red and blue gingham Mum'.

Images: Burton, Diane Bergeron

Something green

2010-03-17T14:11:00.002+11:00

I've been saving this one - for St. Patrick's day of course ! How cool is this green hide bench - I love it. Perfect for a contemporary Irish bar. I spotted it on Tracie Ellis's design blog which is well worth a visit. Happy Paddy's day !

Image: via here

Hemingway

2010-03-08T07:00:00.002+11:00

I'm not madly into retro wallpapers but I do think that some retro styles are very elegant and especially like the look of these Hemingway wallpapers in close up. The first one is called Ringo and the second Hula Hoop, both available from Wallpaper Shop.

Images: Hemingway

Books of art

2010-03-02T07:00:00.000+11:00

My book club meets on the first Tuesday of each month and from time to time I post something about books on the first Tuesday also. Most of you will know uber-blog Desire to Inspire and the two authors Kim and Jo. These fabulous multi-media artworks are by Jo - the Brisbane based half of the duo. Jo shops around for vintage penguin books, keeps the collectables and makes artworks with those that are in poor repair. It is no surprise that her exhibition sold out completely.

Image: Desire to Inspire

Scribble

2010-03-01T14:05:00.000+11:00

Headsprung in the UK have some great innovative products with Scribble being one. I think a series would look great - especially in the offices of a business that works with typography or pens even. Also a good way of adding curves and movement to a boxy corridor or hallway.

Images: Headsprung

Clubber

2010-02-25T07:47:00.004+11:00

This is another of my favourite finds from the recent Furniture fair in Sydney. This is the Clubber sofa and armchair designed by Per Weiss for Innovation. I sat on both and they were very comfortable - often sofas that look good aren't quite right in the comfort stakes. Ideal for apartment living the sofa converts into a sofa bed and if you buy an armchair without the arms, you can fold it flat to make a chaise. And they are very competitively priced to boot !

Images: Innovation

Repeating (myself)

2010-02-24T13:32:00.004+11:00

I am really hoping not to drop the ball completely on my blog this year. I started my diploma in Colour Design three weeks ago and since then have delivered a paltry total of four posts - none of them with very much text - hmm not looking good. And my pile of inspiring things to post about is growing by the day. So please excuse the sporadic nature of things at present.

I nabbed this kitchen shot from Desire to Inspire as I love a little repetition in an interior. Sets of three windows and lights and the cupboard drawers almost line up as well.

Image: Stuart McIntyre via Desire to Inspire

Pocket litter

2010-02-17T08:06:00.002+11:00

I heard this term 'pocket litter' for the first time yesterday and how true it is in our house. In addition to keys, phones and sunnies I find little piles of change, cufflinks, collar stiffeners, headphones this list goes on. I think the only strategy is to embrace the pocket litter and buy it a beautiful tray like this one from By nord.

Images: By nord

Pappelina rugs

2010-02-15T16:28:00.002+11:00

Outdoor rugs are all the rage. These rugs are made from recycled plastic and can be used inside and out. The beauty of them is that they can be hosed down and the smaller ones can even go on the washing machine making them ideal for high traffic areas and as a sand trap. This is just a snippet of the styles and colours from Pappelina, available from Nordic Fusion here in Australia.

Images: Nordic Fusion

Happy Valentine's day

2010-02-14T07:56:00.000+11:00

Image: via Black Eiffel

Step One

2010-02-11T07:59:00.003+11:00

We are at the concept stage of planning to extend our home - we live in a bungalow, a very common house style here in Sydney. As the houses are old and the ceilings are high attention to detail is the key I think to getting stairs in that look good and fit with the older part of the house. So I am getting into photos now of panelling, balustrades, handrails and whatever you call the post at the end of the stairs . . .

Image: Tine K

Back to school

2010-02-09T08:00:00.000+11:00

I am back to school today starting my diploma in Colour Design so I imagine this will be the first of many colour decks I will be perusing in the coming months. Some companies are so creative. Perch in NYC make gorgeous ceramic bird feeders, pendant lights and planters and these are their colour chips which they sell for $5. Even if you didn't want to buy anything else I think the colour chips would be nice to own in themselves.

Image: Perch

I could do that . . .

2010-02-08T08:00:00.002+11:00

Recently I actually made something with a sewing machine - not a big thing for most people but a first for me and I was very proud of myself. A friend kindly trusted me with her machine and with some practice runs and a lot of referring to the troubleshooting section of the handbook I made a blind for my kitchen door.

So, now I have new category in my folder of ideas - the 'I could do that' category, all of which so far are rectangular because of current level of sewing skills. I think I might be able to manage a cool cushion like this one - and so much more practical than pile of different sized pillows.

Image: Lucy Berridge via Desire to Inspire

Striking stripes

2010-02-07T11:56:00.006+11:00

These provide food for thought I think. The mix between matt and texture in the bathroom and living room is very effective. The living room below belongs to Tina di Lorenzo of Di Lorenzo Tiles and I like her style here a lot. In the accompanying interview she reveals that the striped wall was achieved using Dulux Fauna in satin and gloss ! Time-consuming she says but great style I think without breaking the bank.

Images: Living etc, House & Garden, Lonny

Not for the faint hearted - this geometric pattern is also painted on to the wall. There is an interesting article on Nina Freudenbeger in the last issue of Lonny here - she has painted her shop walls and parts of the floor in a fabulous zig zag. I also identify with many of her quotes:

"Make sure your home reflects your own style and comfort level; your space should not be designed only to be 'photo ready'. The chair you sit in to drink your morning coffee and read the paper should be just as comfortable as it is attractive. Make no compromises. "

My problem is the 'make no compromises' bit can make progress pretty slow on the home project front.

Tip for Valentine's Day

2010-02-04T11:38:00.002+11:00

We don't normally go for what I call 'Hallmark' holidays in a big way in our house but I have wanted to post of about Rachel Castle's prints for some time and thought I'd would get these limited edition prints posted now while there are still shopping days left between now and Feb 14th. I am planning on leaving this post in plain view on the screen of the family computer - you never know - the penny may drop with him indoors !!

Most Australian readers will be familiar with Rachel Castle who is now Sydney based I believe. Her range of bed linen is fresh and interesting and her constantly evolving range of limited edition prints is well worth checking out and she ships worldwide.

Images: Rachel Castle

All the fun of the fair

2010-02-03T17:04:00.002+11:00

I went to the Decoration and Design trade fair today and this is one of my personal picks of the day. This stool from d-Bodhi also comes in a bar stool and is just gorgeous in real life. The top is reclaimed teak - you can read d-Bodhi's old wood story here - and the contrast to the Tolix-esque metal base works beautifully. I had a perch on the bar stool for a few minutes between stands and found it very comfortable indeed.

Image: d-Bodhi

Country Road baskets

2010-01-31T08:07:00.004+11:00

Ducked in to Country Road yesterday to look at new stock. I love when the sales are over and the Christmas stuff is finally removed from the shops. CR homewares has lots of attractive black and smoked black glass homewares in store. These are Vara baskets and they are very nice indeed. Although lovely as a purely decorative item I was trying to think of storage applications. The smaller one could be used in a powder room to store little guest towels - maybe one would need two - one for clean and one for used.

Image: CR

Chain letter

2010-01-29T12:44:00.003+11:00

There seem to be no sign of a wane in popularity of geometric patterns in fabrics, wallpapers and rugs. This is a classy design at a very good price from Kelani. 'Chains' designed by Vicky Payne for For Your Home is $35 per m.

Images: Kelani

Glass garage doors

2010-01-27T13:42:00.008+11:00

It's the end of the summer holidays here and my kids go back to school tomorrow, but we still have a few more days in holiday mode as we enter the last rounds of the Australian Open. The tennis this year has been very exciting so all eyes are on Melbourne and with many night games, many a late night watching.

And so to Melbourne. I have posted about the light in this bedroom before but wanted to return to this Melbourne home as I wanted to record the 'up and over' garage door style window which opens the bedroom wall to a private roof terrace complete with built in stove no less. I came across this great post here on glass garage doors by Melbourne based Camilla Molders at designalogue. These are brave designs with walls that move - but pretty unbeatable if you want the outside-inside feel.

Images: House & Garden

Happy Australia Day

2010-01-26T04:59:00.000+11:00

Off to the beach and then barbecue lunch with friends to celebrate the national holiday. Love these built-ins - the wood panelling is so much more interesting than a big wall of matt white cupboards.

Image: James Merrell

Calvin Klein

2010-01-24T07:44:00.002+11:00

CK home furniture is coming to Sydney. As you would expect simple lines and luxe finishes like this upholstered gold leaf sleigh bed which sounds horrible but looks pretty good I think.

Image: Calvin Klein

Hot in the city

2010-01-23T15:26:00.004+11:00

Phew. It is hot in the city today - 41 degrees and windy. These days are really like wet days when you have kids because you can't leave them outside for any length of time. This image from Fast design screams heat to me. The chair is called the Forest Karmstol I'm assuming because of its clever tree design.

Images: Urban Living

Royal Seat

2010-01-22T13:38:00.005+11:00

We just had a visit here in Australia from Prince William. Despite the ongoing debate about Australia becoming a republic he was very well received and appears to have his mother's touch when he meets and greets. Anyway it reminded me that I wanted to post about the Prince Charles chair by Modernica.

I saw the chairs first at Spence & Lyda during a design event here in Sydney and thought the armchairs looked really good providing seating at the main desk. The chair is not actually named for Charles Windsor but for Charles Eames and comes with or without arms and in a variety of colours.

Images: Modernica, Folder of Ideas

Light storage

2010-01-21T08:02:00.004+11:00

I have posted about Vitsoe in the past here and love to find applications of this iconic storage system that I haven't come across before. This home is in California and the owner's goal was to have a home with storage and light. Such a great idea I am thinking that this could also be a way of screening a not so great view eg a side fence or something but still letting the light in.

Images: Home Beautiful

Daphine by Lumina

2010-01-18T07:54:00.003+11:00

Like most design bloggers magazines are a key source of inspiration for me. When something catches my eye and is not referenced in the accompanying article I often drop the designer, architect or magazine a quick email to follow up on my find - with mixed results I might add as not everyone responds.
Thanks to architect and designer Vincent van Duysen's office I did get to the bottom of finding out where the light in this picture came from. The image is from a spread in Vogue Living featuring Vincent's apartment and these lights are dotted around the apartment. Being in grave need of task lighting at home and hoping to find elegant solutions I emailed his office and they kindly replied. The Daphine floor light by Lumina was designed in 1972 by Tommaso Cimini. It comes in black and silver, in a desk version and with a dimmer if required. I need to go to ecc lighting and furniture to see it for real.

Images: Vogue Living, Lumina

Out to sea

2010-01-15T08:04:00.004+11:00

Maps are a great addition to kids bedrooms and play rooms especially when they get to the questioning stage of where's this and why etc and for talking about the news, good or bad in the world. These wallpapers are by Ralph Lauren. I'd love to do a child's room based on one of these as the colours are a bit different - a departure from pink and light blue.

Images: Out to Sea, Expedition by Ralph Lauren

Spanish Style

2010-01-14T15:46:00.003+11:00

This dining room is in a house in Andalusia in Spain designed by Thomas Urquijo and was photographed by Tim Clinch for the book Spanish style. I do love a round table and the drama of the light fitting. Even though I really like the room I feel it is missing a splash of colour - but I suppose that could come from people and the food - especially in Spain.

Image: Tim Clinch

Turquoise - Pantone colour of the year

2010-01-12T13:25:00.005+11:00

Farewell Mimosa yellow and hello Turquoise. Pantone announced the 2010 colour of the year before Christmas. See link for all the background. Sydney is right on trend as on a good day like today the sea looks like this.

Images: Sculpture by the Sea, Pantone

Time to table scape

2010-01-11T07:38:00.003+11:00

I always feel after Christmas is a great time to take a step back and look at your side tables and mantlepieces and re-evaluate what is there. Mine are covered in cards and lights and garlands at Christmas so once Jan 6 rolls round the house looks very bare when I have taken them all down. So I've been going through some cupboards, pulling out some prints that haven't been displayed for a while and earmarked others for framing. Then off to get a few flowers and I'll be back on track.

Images: Tom Scheerer via Glimpse of Style, Phoebe Howard via ABT, Notebook

Samantha Robinson

2010-01-08T13:23:00.003+11:00

My favourite find on my trip away was Samantha Robinsons porcelain bowls and vases which I saw in a lovely homewares shop in Huskisson. These photos really do her work no justice at all - they are so delicate in real life and the colours are beautiful. I'm still reluctant to display such treasures while co-habiting with two small boys but soon they'll be older and I'll be able to invest. Her website is beautifully designed also - well worth checking out.

Images: Samantha Robinson

Back from the beach

2010-01-08T13:06:00.003+11:00

Yes back from the holidays. This is the side of the fantastic beach house we rented with our friends. As my girlfriend and I are both interior design students we were delighted with the house and all its good ideas like the row of hooks along the wall (the (hot) outdoor shower is behind the greenery on the left) and the wooden gate is actually some very snazzy metal that looks like wood but is a bit more sea-air proof. Lots more great pics to share as we go through the year. As I know in Ireland everyone is freezing I'll try not to post too much beach until the cold snap passes!

Image: AL

Holiday

2009-12-17T19:00:00.003+11:00

This is where I am off to tomorrow morning for Christmas. Can't wait. Thank you to all who have visited here this year. I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and every good wish for 2010. I'll be back, refreshed and ready for another year at Folder of Ideas in January.

Filling stockings

2009-12-15T07:46:00.002+11:00

Today is my last child free day until the end of January (aaghh!) so I am racing around trying to get organised for Christmas before I have my two small boys in permanent tow.

Image: not known

Ribbons

2009-12-14T17:42:00.003+11:00

Love this 'ribbons' cushion by Ponyrider. The fabric design is so clever. I'm thinking, why don't people buy beautiful homewares for people as gifts more often - especially something like this which would go with most decors and many rooms. I for one would be delighted if someone turned up with a lovely cushion as a gift.

Image: Ponyrider

Christmas books

2009-12-11T07:45:00.005+11:00

Books have always been a big part of Christmas in my house - as children we were always given books and we still, as adults, exchange a lot of books as gifts. I have a lovely collection of Christmas books my boys have been given over the years which I put away each year with the decorations.

If I had one of these wall mounted book racks I could create a little Christmas library and then after Christmas put out all the new books to make sure they get well read. I think these are a lovely feature in a small child's room as so any children's books are works of art in themselves. These are from Pottery Barn in the US. I have not seen similar for sale in Australia but they would not be too hard to replicate.

Images: Pottery Barn, via Little Green Notebook

A gift for a hallway

2009-12-09T07:47:00.003+11:00

These aren't terribly exciting photos but - as you will probably know most of Georg Jensen's products are beautiful to look at and hold and these instruments are no different so you just need to imagine the real thing. I have been toying with the idea of trying to find an antique barometer for my hallway but I am into old and new together (my house is 100 years old) and think I have now settled on a triptych of a thermometer, hygrometer and barometer by Georg Jensen for the hallway's Christmas list.

Images: Georg Jensen

Cardboard Safari

2009-12-05T09:35:00.003+11:00

Aren't these pretty ? And all the more so when you find out that they are made from 100% recycled cardboard - should offset the mountain of toy packaging, wrapping paper and fuel we all consume in the Christmas gift extravaganza to a degree. And there is more . . . you can paint the cardboard pieces before assembling the wreath to suit your scheme. Cardboard Safari make a range of funky cardboard animals and wall decorations as well as this seasonal range.

Images: Cardboard Safari

Rachel E Foster

2009-12-05T09:25:00.003+11:00

I love getting emails from the Keep Calm Gallery in London as there is always something new I like. I missed out on Rachel E Foster's first Kissing Checklist which I think would make a gorgeous gift for a loved one or a newly engaged couple. The good news is that she has brought out a second list in a limited run of 20, when I looked this morning there were only 9 left so get in quick and start kissing.

Galerie Monmartre

2009-12-04T18:29:00.001+11:00

Regular readers of The Design Files will be familiar with Melbourne's Galerie Monmartre as there is usually some lovely vintage poster winking at you in the sidebar of Lucy's blog. This is my pick from their current selection. I met my husband in Zurich and we spent three years working there and walked past the big Bally shop on Bahnhofstrasse many many times.

Image: Galerie Monmartre

Designer stockings

2009-12-04T10:17:00.002+11:00

OK, enough about sore throats and runny noses, time for some Christmas cheer and gift ideas here at Folder of Ideas. These very fancy Christmas stockings - many in Kelly Wearstler fabrics - are by Plum Cushion a lovely etsy shop you can find here.

Image: Plum Cushion

Rest cure

2009-11-30T17:02:00.004+11:00

Poor show on the posting rate in November - this will bring me to a measly 13. It has been a busy term. I've just finished the first year of my interior styling course and in true end of year form have come down with strep throat. I had no idea strep throat was this painful, I'm waiting for the antibiotics to do their stuff and in the meantime addicted to Nurofen Plus.

I think I need to curl up somewhere like this for a few days to recuperate. Once I reemerge the plan is to include a few gift ideas this December in addition to normal posts.

via Weekend Host

Funky Munkii

2009-11-24T11:48:00.003+11:00

This landed in my inbox a few days ago. I love things that have a twist. This is the Vintage bookcase designed by Singaporean designer Jaren Goh and it is available through Munkii. Have a look at the 'about' tab on the Munkii site - sounds like Vintage has been a labour of love.

Images: Munkii

Biedermeier bedroom

2009-11-23T07:46:00.000+11:00

This bedroom is from the portfolio of long time favourite of mine Nathan Egan. The antique Biedermeier furniture takes pride of place and the plain white linen and neutral walls allow the furniture to star in the room. There is an interesting little piece on the Biedermeier era in design and architecture on good old Wikipedia. For those in the mood for a little history lesson read more here.

Image: Nathan Egan

Blue haven

2009-11-22T07:36:00.000+11:00

I'm cracking through the bedrooms I've collected in the folder of ideas - I always find it hard to go past crisp blue and white bed linen. I don't know where this linen is from but it has a distinct Tord Boontje flavour . . .

Image: via Design Shimmer