Cushion Queen

Confession: I am a cushion queen!

It's an occupational hazard and a strange phenomenon to most men who just don't 'get it'.

Cushions are one of the cheapest, easiest & effective ways to change an interior look. I love their versatility. A pop of colour in a cushion is literally like a face lift for your room.

So when the latest catalogue from Kas cushions arrived on my desk, I went into a tail spin.

Their latest summer edition is divine - let's take a peek.

I love the Kelly green, so fresh & vibrant and the pineapple design is terrific.

Such a cool laid back 'Byron Bay' feel to this shot.

Classic neutrals on a cool verandah.

I love this shot, its got such a cool surfer kind of feel, a real young coastal vibe.

I wonder how many of you lovely coastal girls out there love cushions as much as I do?

Drop me a line and let me know your cushion antics!

Happy Island Styling.

Exquisite Ocean Botanicals

This months edition of Australian Vogue Living has the most enchanting article on 'ocean flowers' or seaweed as most of us better know these mysterious ocean botanical.

I just have to share this with you, because it's too good to hide.The article is stunningly styled and art directed, a work of art in itself, so thank you Vogue Living for creating and bringing this to us.

I know you'll all be as delighted and inspired by this ethereal article based on the romanticised Victorian love and fascination of the humble sea flower as I am.

(all images courtesy of Vogue Living)

Happy Island Styling

Flip Flop Friday - Find the Magic

Have a magical weekend everyone.

Happy Island Styling.

Flip Flop Friday - Caribbean Weekend

I love this kitchen. The high contrast of dark timber set against a back drop of white airiness gives such a tropical island feel.

The kitchen style is smart but relaxed. I believe it's owned by a Dutch family and I'm really getting into Dutch design must be the European in me.

Can just imagine serving up some beautiful Caribbean style food

with a cool crisp G&T.

Have a gorgeous relaxed weekend everyone.

(image courtesy of Home Beautiful)

 

Happy Island Styling.

 

Exclusive Showcase - Island Collections

In an exclusive to Oceania Island Living, we are so pleased to be able to showcase some amazingly gorgeous talented Australian coastal designers and retailers over the next few weeks for you all to discover.

Today I'm introducing you to Island Collections. A fantastic coastal inspired online store that has the most beautiful homewares at amazingly affordable prices.

I caught up with the two founding members, the lovely Faith & Evanthe. We had a natter on how it all started, what inspires them and what their future plans are for Island Collections.

Give me 5 words that best describes you both?
Colourful, spontaneous, honest, hardworking and loyal.

How did you end up on this career path?

Both of our careers have taken very different paths to lead us to our current situation. Evanthe is a Special needs teacher and I (Faith) worked in Finance prior to having children. Evanthe and I have been friends for a long time and always shared the same passion for interior design and shopping! We finally decided that the time was right and we took the plunge to form Island Collections.

What’s your proudest achievement?

Opening our online store.  Such a lot of effort and planning went into the concept and design of the website, it was great to see our vision come to life after all of our hard work. 

Tell me what your best decision has been?
Definitely going into partnership together. We both bring such different assets to the business, Evanthe is our ‘Creative Director’ and Faith brings her ‘Business Head’ to Island Collections.  By having a partner  it’s great to have a sounding board to bounce ideas off and really keep you focused and motivated.

Who inspires you both?

Lots of things, family, other bloggers.

What are you both passionate about?

Decorating, family and travel.

What's the best lesson you’ve both learnt?

When it comes to decorating, if you truly love something, be brave and trust your instinct,  you will always find the perfect place for it at home.

Let us into a secret - what's your dream for Island Collections?
We have visions of opening our own store one day- we already have it planned, dark wooden floors, crisp white walls filled with stock in shades of turquoise, silver, white and blue....we could go on!

Well thanks Faith & Evanthe, it's so nice to meet the people behind these coastal enterprises.

Here's our tropical island pick of some more of their gorgeous homewares, they also have Hampton's, Nautical & Beach Cottage inspired homewares - so please explore www.islandcollections.com.au today.

Happy Island Styling.

(images courtesy of Island Collections)

Great Design Renaissance Dawn

I have always been intrigued by the Art Deco style.

A backlash to the Great Depression of the 1930's. It's engineered style of straight lined geometry, high contrasted colours and flamboyant luxe materials puts it into a category of an uber style classic.

What I find fascinating at present during all the GFC's, the worldwide recessions that nobody wants to admit and the shifting power bases, is the underlying trend for stylish sustainability that's just as beautiful as the Art Deco years - but much more level headed.

I'm predicting a Renaissance of sorts whereby our design focus will again be highlighted by stylishly beautiful objects but this time with an eco-conscience twist, that uniquely makes them more attainable - thanks in part to the shift in mindset of up-cycling, re-cycling and cool crafting.

So today, I'm going back to the source with Giorgio Armani. He too loves Art Deco and has been inspired to design his own collection in homage to this great style.

Beautiful and striking cabinet.

Orange is the perfect pick me up colour.



Hollywood luxury, whereby craftsmanship

stood out and was valued above mass reproduction.

I love textiles. These are so beautiful, opulent

in texture yet restrained in colour.

This is the new take on Art Deco design that is

really starting to emerge. Shapes that are largely square

but have been softened by the rounding of edges.

It's a perfect balance of yin & yang.

More eco inspired art deco shapes.

Minimalism is a refinement, a purism that pairs

back excess and yet retains all beauty.

Gorgeous.

(all images courtesy of Giorgio Armani)

Happy Island Styling.

Gorgeous Tropical Artworks

How fantastic is this collection? I just had to share with you all.

I love the simplicity and natural artifacts displayed on this 'gallery' style tropical feature wall.

Each item is beautiful by itself, but together the collection is breathtaking. Fresh, breezy and relaxed I love the whites, greens and ebony mix - perfect.

Best of all this collection is really simple to do and even to make some of these items. So why not have a go at making your own tropical inspired collection of artworks.

For more drama, how about a smokey brown/grey painted backdrop, then these gorgeous pieces would really pop.

Happy Island Styling.

Around the Coconut Table This Week...

Eye spy with my island eye...

A modern tropical bed set from Pillow Talk (Australia). Isabella by Habitat has a fresh graphical take on the tropical palm tree.

This would look stunning mixed with fresh green cushions and some rattan furniture.

Happy Island Styling.

Tropical Outdoor Wellness Centres

I've been designing bathrooms with my colleague for 2 new display homes in Brisbane over the past week.

It's amazing how quickly and how much bathroom design has changed. We went from the utility room to the home spa and now bathroom philosophy has evolved into the wellness centre.

No longer is this practical area of the home just for cleaning or self indulging, it's now somewhere you should place great value on taking care of your health.

That translates into a space you need to look after yourself in, with all the latest and greatest fixtures and fittings possible. Whether that's a spa or steam bath, a chromotheraphy shower or a bathroom that opens out to nature but still has all the mod cons necessary for 21st century grooming and personal care.

I know it's marketing, but it's a lovely concept. Taking a once rather dull space into a highly desired inspirational escape - well it could almost be as good as a holiday.

So, lets indulge a little and escape to some of these amazing outdoor wellness centres.

A cool ceiling drencher, these are becoming

quite popular with recessed ceiling ones emerging on the market.

Such a tranquil place. really love the oak timber against the fresh

white and that beautiful blue sea - heaven.

This has to be the coolest bath. To see the fish below

whilst you bathe - this is what I call relaxation and fun.

Simple Mediterranean inspired outdoor shower, proving

it doesn't have to flash to be cool.

image Stuart Membery

Simple seaside inspired outdoor shower, great

for showering off from the beach.

I'm cheating here, it's not quite an outdoor bathroom,

but the integration and materials blend so well to

combine the bathroom with the outdoor space - it might as well be

an outdoor bathroom.

image Kelly Wearstler

This is the outdoor bathroom at Goldeneye in Jamaica,

tropical lush surroundings make this space a private

oasis - perfect for a Bond girl.

A modern yet simplistic approach.

Very zen, Japanese inspired bathing.

A beautiful image, back to basics bathing.

So romantic with the netting, bath time

should be like this everyday!

rest of images Pinterest

Happy island styling.