Light and reflection: Drawing inspiration from the runway

"She glides into view, as if cutting through water, sleek, shimmering, statuesque" - Bec & Bridge, Chromolux 2013

Bec & Bridge's Chromolux runway show caught my attention tonight after a friend shared these photographs. The collection draws inspiration from the sea with a fishscale print that recurs through the designs and the incorporation of soft colours and fluid lines.

Fashion aside, it is the transfer of the collection's concept to the execution of the runway show that blew me away.

Quercus & Co: The Caravan Collection

Apologies if you arrived here looking for pictures of caravans but I do have something lovely... if you are 'into' wallpaper that is.

I recently came across Quercus & Co, a Sydney based printing company launched fairly recently in May 2012 by Adam Jones who taught colour and design at the University of Technology Sydney. The designs are hand painted in watercolour and then printed onto heavyweight matt wallpaper capturing the washy detail and the bleeding edges of the paint.

Emily Green Artwork

// Spearmint Watercolour Clouds by Emily Green

You may have already come across the colourful handmade clay necklaces designed by Melbourne-based designer Emily Green, but did you know she also creates watercolour paintings? I stumbled across her work recently and since then I have been hooked on her colourful world.

// Left: Musk Pink, Pacific Blue and Lemon Watercolour Clouds  // Right: Cobolt, Magenta & Lime Watercolour Clouds by Emily Green

// Left: Ink Blue Watercolour Clouds by Emily Green
// Right: Peacock and Candy Pink Watercolour Clouds by Emily Green
Prints of her artwork are available online here.

Palm Springs Street Tour

A few months have passed since we travelled to Palm Springs but it is still on my mind and influencing some projects I am working on at the moment. So today I am bringing you a walking tour of the streets of Palm Springs. The following houses are in the Las Palmas area which is in the region of the Kaufmann House that I sadly couldn't visit because it wasn't open to the public at the time (but there's always next time??).

Looking through the photographs I took of these houses brings back great memories for me and if you enjoy mid-century design you might like to see them too. Continue on for more mid-century goodness...

// This house is one of my favourites having recently been renovated back its former glory by the owners. Hoorah!

// The square bricks work beautifully with the pattern of the breeze block and square cut-outs. It's all in the details!

And how great are the large street numbers?

//  The 'Swiss Miss' (above), is the nickname given to these A-frame houses. The design was not originally embraced in Palm Springs because of its futuristic / tiki style appearance

// No tour of Palm Springs is complete without visiting the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway

Palm Springs feels as though you have walked back into time. It is highly concentrated with low-line 50s and 60s buildings that contrast with the tall desert mountains. It makes for magnificent views and there were design enthusiasts from around the world who visited for Modernism Week.

Sadly some of the homes (not shown here) have been renovated to remove the architectural detail that gives the buildings their character but there are many that have been preserved and it is these that make Palm Springs so special I think.

Some people have asked me what I thought of Modernism Week and so I thought I would put together a few tips if you are thinking of visiting:

• Reserve your tickets early because the best tours are sold out super fast!
• Some people who visited the Sinatra house came dressed in 50's style so if that's your thing then that's the place. You'll need to check if it is open when you visit.
• Palm Springs is small. We hired a car from Las Vegas and drove there. I would suggest hiring a car to explore the town.
• Las Palmas is where a lot of the celebrity homes are and there are informative walking tours that you can take (but book in advance). Most of the photos in this post are taken from the walking tour.
• If you are traveling with kids, check the Modernism Week website for whether there are kid-friendly events because some of them aren't (ahem, Martini party!)
• We stayed for 3 days and didn't get a chance to see it all so if you can stay longer I would suggest it. The Villagefest markets are on Thursday nights featuring arts, crafts and entertainment. Streets are closed off for the event so be sure to get a parking spot early.
• Visit Trina Turk. Trust me.
• The antique stores are to die for. I wanted to take every chair home and if I could, I might have!

Anna Carey

Anna Carey // Sea Mist 2012, digital print Anna Carey // Star Dust 2012, digital print

One day I hope to fill all of the walls in my home - top to bottom - with artwork, predominately Australian art. Our collection is coming along nicely with the living room almost completely full of our favourite pieces and we are keeping an eye out for more.

So it was nice to come across the work of Gold Coast artist Anna Carey who was recently featured on The Design Files. Anna's work are photographic images of the tiny architectural paper models that she makes. The models are pieced together based on her recollection of buildings that are familiar to the Gold Coast landscape.

New workshops at The School + Interview with Megan Morton

It has been fun seeing The School, run by interior stylist Megan Morton, take off over the last year. I attended the very first workshop and since then The School's program has expanded greatly. Do you follow Megan on instagram? No doubt you have seen all the fun things she is up to.

The School's program includes workshops for kids between the ages of 6-15 years of age. There will be 4-day and 2-day workshops held in Sydney over the July holidays with spaces limited to 12 kids per class. Each day, kids will work with different teachers with various classes exploring printmaking, sewing, paper crafts, photography and also a 'fiesta day' (if only Robbie was just a little older I think he would really enjoy it!).

I asked Megan a few questions about The School and if you live in New York, there is some good news for you! Continue reading to find out more...

Lime

Top: I've owned for a while // Skirt: ASOS // Belt: Wheels & Dollbaby // Shoes (below): ASOS

These photos were taken last weekend on the way out to lunch. There is an industrial area a few minutes drive from where I live. Side by side concrete buildings in not very exciting colours and then BAM. Colour.

The Aparttment

A new fashion + furniture concept store has opened in Sydney on George Street, near ivy and I popped in last night for their launch event. I had previously peeked inside from the window (it was closed at the time) and was looking forward to seeing more of The Aparttment.

I spotted furniture from Max Sparrow, a Cadrys rug, artwork, fern plants, other home accessories and a fashion collection that featured studs, leather and black + white.

Out with the pink

I'm trying to 'de-pink' the house. Not that anyone living here has a problem with it but I have realised lately how much of the colour has been sneaking in.

Family gatherings

Top: ASOS // Pants: Gorman // Shoes: ASOS

I took these photos before heading to work yesterday. The sun at the front of the house in the morning is blindingly bright, I could barely open my eyes.

Williams-Sonoma, West Elm and Pottery Barn opens in Sydney

Today I headed into town to see the new Williams-Sonoma, West Elm and Pottery Barn Sydney stores before the grand opening tomorrow. Want to see what to expect in store?