I heart swings

 



 1, 2, 5 - 7. Unknown sources. 3. Temple and Webster. 4. Pop & Scott wooden swing set in white.

 

I was browsing the Temple and Webster blog, when I realised something... I love swings. Not only do they provide an interesting focal point in a space, they remind us of whimsical and carefree times. So I decided to trawl through my Dream House folder and post the various images I could find that I had of this fabulously childish (yet not tacky) item. Unfortunately, I did not save the source information for many of these images.

 

Amount I need to save:

$350 if I want a swing from Pop & Scott

Landscape Photos

Photo taken by Miss Maxi Felixa

Previously I featured some images by Steve Back, which are gorgeous. So I searched through my own photos, which may be nice to print and frame one day. I stumbled across the photo displayed above, which I took back in January. This image was taken through the window of a tiny airplane that was carting my family from the main coast over to Lady Elliot Island. It was a beautiful flight, and I even spotted a few manta rays near close to shore as we were coming in to land. I think art gives your interiors a lot of character, so consider displaying something that is sentimental as well as visually striking.

Amount I need to save:
Approx. $200 to print and frame

Indoor Plants

Having lived in Berlin for many years when I was young, there were three unspoken interior design features that I picked up on in every home I visited: timber floors, white walls, and indoor plants. The indoor plants phase is definitely in at the moment, and it's no surprise to me - nothing livens up a room more than something actually living.

For more inspirations, check out: http://designtribe.com.au/indoor-plant-ideas/ (the source of the image above).

To read about the many benefits of indoor plants (including health benefits), read: http://www.ambiusindoorplants.com.au/office-plants/benefits/index.html.

Amount I need to save:

Approx. $30

Emily Ziz Style Studio



Watercolour Stripe Green (wallpaper), Emily Ziz Style Studio

 

You may not realise it, but you are probably already familiar with some of the wonders that are available from Emily Ziz Style Studio. Many of the wallpaper prints are often featured in magazines, and the hand painted timber wall tiles were made famous when Trixie and Johnno used them on The Block Sky High. Now I must admit, I'm not a huge fan of wallpaper. Particularly when they are prints of timber, bricks or concrete (not because I don't like the look, but because I think the use of these materials is as much about the texture as the visual aesthetics). I usually prefer plain white walls, so that the furniture and/or decorative pieces are highlighted as the key features of the room. However, it's difficult not to love prints such as the one displayed above.

Don't think that their products are only limited to wall coverings, they also sell fabrics, pillows, rugs etc. View the huge range at: http://www.emilyziz.com/

 

Amount I need to save:

$POA

2014 Salone Internazionale del Mobile

 



Les Arcs, Unopiù




Swing Me, Dedon

Most of us would need to change careers if we were prepared to overhaul our living spaces regularly in order to follow fashion, as I certainly couldn't afford to do so. Instead, I like to keep my eye on new concepts that come through as a point of interest. I'll adopt the latest designs or colour schemes if they fit into my existing style. I think my point of view on this matter has transferred over from the clothing industry, which regularly design pretty items (and in all honesty, some not so pretty items) that are coveted that simply don't suit my body shape. So I stick to picking items that fit me - not the rest of the world.

The latest fashion report comes from the 2014 Salone Internazionale del Mobile (Milan International Furniture Fair). I thought the range displayed in the June edition of Australian Home Beautiful were very interesting - buy a copy and check them all out (for example the pastel coloured stools that resemble lolly wrappers - surely this must intrigue you). The showcased images above were two of my favourites - both are outdoor pieces. I would love to purchase them, although having spent over ten years living in a subtropical climate (which is so humid in summer that your towels, once wet, will remain damp until the end of the wet season unless you have invested in a dryer) I am weary of spending too much money on outdoor furniture as it never lasts for long (unless mould is to you liking?).

Why I love the Les Arcs armchair: initially the 'rope' feature caught my eye. As did the use of grey paired with the teak base. In all honesty, the name was what sold it at the end of the day. A couple of years ago I went skiing with my partner and some friends on Les Arcs - so I suppose it carries some sentimental value to me. For some reason,  Unopiù's webpage does not work, so I copied the image from http://www.cotemaison.fr/chaine-d/deco-design/unopiu-decouvrez-la-nouvelle-collection-les-arcs_18370.html. Details regarding this chair are available on the site, but you may need to brush up on your French first.

Why I love the Swing Me suspended armchair: I initially fell in love with Dedon's nestrest some time ago (remember the image of that guy reading in that woven pod, suspended above a lake?), and now they have added the Swing Me and Swing Rest (a beautiful rotating daybed) to their product range. Their furniture is always pictured in beautiful exotic settings, and having grown up surrounded by gingers, mango trees and palms I naturally must have it. For more information, visit http://www.stylepark.com/en/dedon/swingme.     

Amount I need to save:

$?

  

Steve Back Art

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently discovered Steve Back's photos, and fell for them instantly.

 

The pictured images are all aerial shots taken of Hutt Lagoon, in Western Australia. The vivid colours are stunning, and I love that they look like abstract paintings. I think they would look amazing as a triptych in simple white frames, in a minimalist room - they need to be the star of cause!

There are many more to pick from, at: http://www.stevebackart.com/gallery/10-0-Hutt_Lagoon.html

Amount I need to save:
$2,750 per image (framed)

Popov Clock

Popov Clock in birch

This is an old one, but a goodie! I love the simplicity of its design, and its modern interpretation of the outdated cuckoo clock. I suppose it appeals to me as it reminds me of my German heritage - not that we ever had cuckoo clocks in the house.

Unfortunately, I don't think it's available for sale anymore. My searches on ebay also proved to be in vain. I hope it will make a come back one day.

Amount I need to save:
$0

Zita Elze Flowers

Zita Elze Flowers

I must admit to another passion of mine. Flowers. It may seem so typically girly; however, I have an absolute love for them. Even as a poor stingy university student, I always enjoyed purchasing a bunch of freshly cut blooms (such as snapdragons) from the local market, to give my home an instant 'face-lift'. As a result, I do often search the Internet for inspiring floral designs.

The image above is a photo I found, starring of one of Zita Elze's creative pieces. I fell for the delicate little buds, and the simple nature of the image. I would love to one day print and frame this image. To view more of her work, visit: http://www.zitaelze.com/home.

One day I dream of dabbling in floristry, but for now I'm content just to admire everyone else's gorgeous floral arrangements.

Amount I need to save:
Approx. $1000 for flights to London.
Approx. $8000 for a Spring 4-week course at Zita Elze Flowers.

Ben-Tovim Up-Down Lights

 

Ben-Tovim Up-Down Lights

Pictured above is one of my favourite pieces so far this year. Ben-Tovim has designed a range of impressive industrial lights, and the Up-Down copper light caught my eye straight away when I stumbled across it a few months ago. It has been on the top of my wish list ever since, so it's only suitable that it is featured in my first ever blog post!

"Up-Down Light is a contemporary twist on the classic industrial age height adjustable pendant light. The stainless steel shade comes in either an acid etched black or electroplated copper, with a natural pine detail. The counter weights are either natural Obsidian volcanic glass or shaped river stone." To view more, visit http://b-td.com/#Up-Down-Light.

I have a belief, which my mother passed on to me, that a balanced room features timber, rock, metal and glass. This piece would work beautifully in a space to bring in some of these elements.

Amount I need to save: at least $850.