The Home Journal

On The Home-Journal this week in my Interior Tips and Trends column I have shared a few of my favourite finds when it comes to shelving. They are smart, fun, big and small and all available in Australia.

The Home Journal

Take a minute to head across to The Home-Journal sometime this week because it has a whole new look. And have a read of my article on CAPAS Furniture, a collection of furniture made from predominantly cardboard and paper.

Art-filled Chelsea Apartment

Allan Schwartzman, 54 is an art collector. Even before owning a space to that could display his art, Schwartzman amassed exactly the right pieces that he'd need one day in his dreamed-of New York apartment. He explains "before I started buying art I thought I'd collect it. I knew someday I would move, and just hoped it fit whatever place I moved to."

When Schwartzman found his luxury Chelsea high-rise 11th Avenue Residence designed by Jean Nouvel, he started over with all that he had in storage - modern Brazilian furniture and his collection of art. What was originally a three bedroom apartment was converted into what he calls "a deconstructed one-bedroom."

The windows within the apartment which are of various size and are strategically positioned offer a panoramic view of the Hudson River and cityscapes to the North and East. These windows dictate how the furniture and objects were placed.

Despite the density, the apartment is not the obstacle course that it first appears. Thanks to Schwartzman's installation skills, the eye can easily take in the whole or focus on one object without another intruding.

All photos by Jason Schmidt and found here.

Affordable Sofas

This Christmas and birthday, seeing as though I celebrate them within two weeks of each other, Jorge and I are buying our first sofa. We have been living with a red suede two-seater which my parents found on the side of the road for the first two years of our married life and now it's time for it to go. Thank the Lord! Ideally I'd love a Jardan or Tuckey sofa; handmade, Australian made, beautiful... but far to pricey! So for our first sofa I've narrowed down the options to these beauties... 

Let me know what you think of them, or if you know any others I may like! And no rush... we plan on getting a bargain in the boxing day/week sales!

Vue 'Hugo' from Myer

'Hawkes' from OzDesign

'Jericho' from ClickOn Furntiure

'Citti' from Plush

The Home-Journal

This week on The Home-Journal I share my top 10 go-to shops for furniture and homewares in Sydney. I hope it helps! Read it here.

Alexandra Raben

At only twenty-four years old, Danish designer Alexandra Raben has begun creating furniture and lighting to froth over. Her Intricate range of lighting underlines the need to make space for the fine, unique objects that require patience and fascinating craftsmanship. Inspiration was found in feathers, transparency and contrasts which led to the design of a steel framed pendant light with coiled wire and thread hand-woven through, forming a thin surface of patterns. From afar the range reminds me of stained glass windows which display similar characteristics of effecting light and shadows.

Converted Hat Factory in Brussels

This beautiful loft in the centre of Brussels, Belgium has a history as an old industrial building which was home to a hat factory. Transformed by owners Fatti & Pierre, the loft is styled through the combination of Fatti's feminine touch and Pierre's amateur architecture. The home results in a beautiful airy home with vintage and modern pieces. 

Photos from here

The Home-Journal

This week on the Home-Journal I've written about the cutest and coolest cat house around. If you've ever struggled with finding something for your cat to play with in the house that doesn't take away from the rest of your decorating, then here's your solution!

Weylandts

South African Furniture and Lifestyle retailer Weylandts is coming to Australia. The family run store started in 1964 in Nambia and has for the past 25 years been under the care of Chris Weylandt. Known internationally for its curation of a mix of products sources from around the world that features raw materials, modern designs and sustainable techniques. 

CEO Chris Weylandt says of the new Melbourne store, due to open November 15,  'I have always known that Australia and South Africa share a similar appreciation for the home and good living, and in particular, Melbourne with its culture centred on design and the arts. I knew that it was the perfect location for the first Australian Weylandts store.' The Melbourne store will feature furniture, homewares, fashion and food. So keen to do a trip down and check it out!!

Philipp Mainzer

German born Philipp Mainzer is both an architect and product designer. By flicking through the collection of images of his furniture design it is evident that Mainzer is somewhat of a master. The material selection and construction and form of each product is balanced, smooth and well designed. I wouldn't mind taking home a few of his pieces, especially that wooden wall unit! 

Nendo 'Splinter'

Tokyo and Milan based design company Nendo designed this 'Splinter' collection for Conde House, a manufacturer based in Japan's famous Asahikawa wooden furniture region. Each piece of wood is splintered as though peel parts away. By approaching the wood gently and going with the grain the wood retains its original pliancy. Here are images of the mirrors within the collection which display simplicity at its best. The rest of the collection includes a chair, coatrack, clothes hanger and side table.

Chris Hardy

I discovered the work of Chris Hardy in the latest issue (September/October) of (inside) magazine. Canberra based furniture and lighting designer, Hardy is well equipped with a Bachelor of Industrial Design, Diploma of Interior Design and is currently completing a PhD. His work is influenced by key elements of modernism, sustainability and user experience together with a materials-led approach to produce Australian designs with a unique user focus.

Rogan Square Chair

Recently found on Pinterest,  the Rogan Square Chair has actually been around forever... like so far back as 2006... but this is the first I have seen of it. NYC based fashion designer Rogan Gregory created the chair along with some lighting designs. The combination of materials: vegetable tanned leather and raw steel, creates this mid-century style of chair in a very modern and sleek form. I don't think it's available now, however to stumble upon an original would be quite the score.