Doggy style

Apologies for my absence, things have been busy and a lack of home internet has not helped my blogging at all…

One of the biggest changes to my life is that we got a puppy! Meet Maybe, she’s a labrador-retriever cross (although we do suspect there’s a bit of something else mixed in there as she is quite small for her breed and age).These pics were from when we first brought her home around three months ago, so she’s at least four times bigger now.

Adapting to life with a dog got me thinking about keeping your home, and pet, looking sharp. There are an abundance of designer collars and leads available these days, but nice dog beds are surprisingly hard to come by. I’ve rounded up a few of my favourites below. (I can’t wait to upgrade the ugly fleece bed we bought out of necessity!) Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Black and Yellow

I love the juxtaposition of the sleek inky black walls with bright pops of yellow, and the old-world Brooklyn Tins wallpaper from Safari Living with the shiny pressed metal bathroom walls at the new GB Espresso cafe in St Kilda. Contrasting elements at their best!

Images: 1, 2

Black-on-black

Whenever I’m tired or in a rush, a black-on-black outfit is my go-to. It takes minimal effort to think about whether I’m going to clash, as well as looking chic and timeless.

Avoid looking dran by combining black garments in different textures and fabrics. This gives enough contrast to the pieces to ensure the outfit remains interesting – mix denim with delicate silk or chiffon, jersey with lace, or cotton with leather.

You can also get around looking like you’ve put minimal effort into your outfit by adding interesting accessories such a hat or statement bag, gorgeous shoes, or loading up on jewellery.

Also think about your silhouette; mix different shapes and scales to keep things looking fresh and fun.

Wrap-front blouse wrap

Wrap-front blouses are everywhere right now and I can see why! They’re a much softer and feminine approach to shirts than a standard button-down, and look great tucked in or out, worn casually with jeans, or paired with a pencil skirt for a more formal look… And the best part? Wearing one is as comfy as wearing your pyjama top for the whole day!

Images: 1 – Warehouse tuck front shirt, 2 – Oasis stripe wrap shirt, 3 – Asos blouse with drop wrap, 4 – Zara japanese wrap top, 5 – Asos blouse with tuxedo collar, 6 – Zara printed silk blouse, 7 – Mimosa silk wrap shirt

Quirky vases

I’m totally smitten with this headless dog vase, ever since spotting it in fashion illustrator Megan Hess’ home, which was featured in the June issue of InStyle magazine. I felt like it was meant to be when I saw the exact same one in a shop that same week!

It got me thinking about vessels which even when empty can stand alone as a decorative piece, rather than being hidden away in a cupboard. The contrast of a quirky, weird vase with the organic beauty of flowers makes you stop and look twice – the vase commands just as much attention as the bouquet it displays!

1. This trio of guns is a great way to bring a hippie-style peace message into your home.

2. My favourite! This puppy looks like a surrealist sculpture when filled with florals.

3. A cat’s head vase by Kiki Smith would be a great shelf partner to the headless dog.

4. Mounted on the wall, this horse head vase designed by Jaime Hayon for Bosa looks like a mounted taxidermy piece, add some flowers and it sprouts a unicorn horn.

5. Harry Allen’s hand vase/candlestick is reminiscent of The Labyrinth.

6. Create a floral hairstyle with this wig vase by Tania da Cruz, or leave it bald for a mannequin-esq decorative piece.

7. An alternative to a love-heart, the Flower Pump by Veneridesign lends new meaning to the term ‘blood vessel’.

8. Go bananas over this Jonathan Adler Banana Bud vase for a tasty way to display some stems.

Timber accents in the home

The addition of timber accents to a room is definitely back in vogue. However, unlike in the 70s and 80s this time around it is being used in a modern, softened-industrial style, especially when used in contrast with materials such as metal, glass, concrete or stone, combined with neutral blacks, whites, and dark greys.

A staple in Scandinavian interiors, the beauty of natural wood is a great way to add an element of warmth to rooms which are traditionally more functional, ie kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries. That being said, it works just as well in living areas or bedrooms of a modern home via shelving or architectural elements.

Whether you’re looking to make an impact with a feature wall or ceiling, or to just add a hint with a benchtop, cupboard door, or shelving unit, timber is a fantastic way to create a completely unique feature. By making sure that you use FSC Certified or reclaimed/recycled wood you will also be doing your part for sustainability, ensuring your home is more eco-chic than ever!

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Mad for metallics

Metallics in fashion have been a strong trend lately, and are a great way to incorporate a flash of shine and sparkle into your existing wardrobe. They look great when paired with neutral pieces, but can also work well alongside patterned garments – as long as they aren’t busy or colourful.

Shiny attire is regularly worn on more formal or celebratory occasions, however it’s also a great way to mix up your every day outfits; a silver pencil skirt, tailored gold pants or a bronze blazer work well with office pieces such as silk tops, shirts and blazers. If that’s not your style, there are great metallic jeans, fun skirts, and shimmery jumpers available to add some glitz to your weekend wear!

{Gold} 1 – Mink Pink gold beanie, 2 – Oasis faux-leather pleated mini-skirt, 3 – Goldie metallic blazer, 4 – Nu and Nan blinkers loafers, 5 – Stylestalker gold finger sequin tee, 6 – Vero Moda maxi skirt, 7 – Ganni leather biker jacket, 8 – One Teaspoon iggy gold jeans, 9 – La Fee Verte shorts

{Silver} 10 – Beloved lexi pleated midi skirt, 11 – Muubaa leather biker jacket, 12 – Boom skirt, 13 – Country Road tee, 14 – Country Road metallic pencil skirt, 15 – Sophi Odling petite ruben bag, 16 – Stylestalker light speed blazer, 17 – Asos skinny crop pants, 18 – Verali honey heels, 19 – Country Road silver jeans

{Bronze} 20 – Asos draped skirt, 21 – Vila bronze blazer, 22 – August Street amelia dress, 23 – J Brand metallic bronze skinny jeans, 24 – RDM by Rue du Mail copper top, 25 – Zatchels bronze saddlebag, 26 – Rhyme Los Angeles Olivia pullover, 27 – Skin taj mahal metallics heel, 28 – Mink Pink razzle dazzle dress

Renovation Inspiration: Ensuite bathroom

I don’t think I’ve mentioned this here, but we are currently in the middle of renovating our single-fronted Edwardian weatherboard house. The past couple of months have involved a lot of demolition and rebuilding, but the walls are nearly completely up now and it’s finally starting to look like somewhere you could live again!

We have been looking at colours and tiles for our new ensuite, and so I wanted to share some of the images which I’m using as my inspiration. I love the drama of dark walls contrasting with the white enamel of the bathroom fittings. Dark grey or black walls create a calm space, and when paired with glossy white and chrome fixtures, thick white towels, and a carrara marble topped vanity I am hoping that the room will exude hotel-quality luxury.

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Malachite Accents

With Emerald Green named as Pantone’s 2013 colour of the year, it’s no surprise that there has been a sudden surge in the incorporation of malachite pattern across the design sphere.

The copper-ore mineral has been used in decoration for over 10,500 years, originally in the Middle-East and Egypt. Across many cultures it had a strong female-association, and also believed to hold many protective powers. It was also very popular amongst the Russian tsars during the nineteenth century, when it became synonymous with wealth and opulence – an association which has carried over to today’s 21st century interpretation.

Whether it’s the real-deal or a faux painted or screen-printed version, accents of malachite are a great way to interpret the emerald green trend in your home. I personally love the idea of a stone being printed on soft furnishings, such as cushions or upholstered furniture. The swirls of green induce a sense of tranquility, great to incorporate into a living area or study. Amp up the luxe factor by combining it with glints of golden brass, hints of velvet, reflective surfaces such as marble or glass, and classic furniture designs.

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Try a DIY with the Aestate’s faux-malachite tutorial here, or add some of the following pieces to your room:

1 – Emerald green malachite pillow via Etsy 2 – Malachite rubbish bin 3 – P. Fornasetti porcelain tray via 1stdibs 4 – Malachite and brass side table 5 – Five piece malachite desk set via 1stdibs 6 – Faux malachite chest 7 – Tony Duquette chair 8 – Tony Duquette malachite cushions 9 – Malachite coasters via Zazzle 10 – Tony Duquette rug 11 – Malachite fabric via Spoonflower

Tartan blazers

90’s style is having its resurgence in fashion right now – distressed denim, floral prints, and of course plaids are popping up all over the place.

Embracing the plaid trend doesn’t mean you need to go full grunge though, the timelessness of tartan worn in a classic blazer is a great way to incorporate this look into your wardrobe while still looking classy and put together.

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

The black watch colours are some of the most versatile, looking great with a button up shirt or a plain tee. Wear the look with jeans for a casual look, or contrast it with a bright skirt for a more dressy style. Because tartan is such a timeless pattern, it mixes well with small prints such as leopard, smaller checks, stripes and florals.