Robyn Holt on her own home, creating stylish interiors and The Renovators

If you only know Robyn Holt as a judge on The Renovators last year, or as former editor of Vogue Living for more than a decade, you don’t know the half of it. Robyn’s achievements in the publishing, fashion, beauty and interiors industries are nothing short of remarkable. She is also a really lovely lady who can’t get enough of fresh flowers or sharing her knowledge with anyone who’s interested or passionate about something she knows about. She’s headed up fashion label Collette Dinnigan and the Yves Saint Laurent beauty brand and looked after magazines like Vogue, GQ and Monocle all over the world. Suffice to say if I were to list all the impressive things she’s done I’d be here all day. [Read more...]

I really want a resin elk head or similar like this!

This is nothing to do with interiors but you stylish types need to know about this sale!

Behind the doors of a designer’s home

Following yesterday’s interview with award-winning interior designer Thomas Hamel, today he’s giving us a sneak peek behind the scenes of his own home. And how’s that for a bed? Amazing! You can see why it’s his favourite thing in the apartment! “It’s a perfect cocoon to protect me from the world,” he says.

I personally love how his home is full of texture and beautiful standout pieces and is incredibly warm and inviting despite being a very neutral palette.

I asked Thomas to share a few favourites with us:

Homewares shops/brands? I am quite partial to Residence-Australia, a vast emporium of home furnishings, lighting, textiles, carpets etc that I have helped to create.

Australian interior designers? I am friends with most of the known names in Australia, Michael Love, Stuart Rattle, Greg Natale, Nick Tobias, Marco Meneguzzi, Cameron Kimber, Margie Bromilow, Adelaide Bragg, Christian Lyons, Meryl Hare, Briony Fitzgerald, Richard Archer, David Hicks. We have a wonderful design community who all complement each other very well.

Recent job? We are just completing a true fantasy; a Scandinavian inspired reclaimed timber house with a full grass roof in country New South Wales, to be used as an artist’s studio. Talk about pushing the boundaries!

“A great reputation is only as good as your last job,” says interior designer Hamel

Award-winning interior designer Thomas Hamel was born in the States but has called Australia home for years, giving him a truly international viewpoint. He recently added another string to his bow as a furniture designer. He told Interiors Addict all about it.


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Georgie Armstrong, textile designer

Georgie Armstrong is a textile designer making lovely things in an ethical way here in Australia and I like to support a small creative business.

How cool is this bunting in her Ledger fabric design? You really could incorporate it into a lot of schemes and, unlike most bunting, it isn’t uber girly, so you can probably get it past the man in your life too. You can also buy cushion covers in this design or just buy the fabric and do whatever you like with it!

Her latest creation in the Plume teatowel ($22) and I was lucky enough to be sent one this week. The problem is, it’s so pretty I don’t want to dirty it up so it’s still sitting clean and folded in the kitchen drawer!

Georgie hand screen prints everything in the old school way and is committed to ethical trade and being environmentally conscious. Check out all Georgie’s wares, which include baby slings and bibs, bags and more at www.georgiearmstrong.com

Home & Giving trade fair favourites

Despite my best intentions I only made it along to one of the three trade fairs in Sydney this week and it was Home & Giving. I think stylists, decorators, retailers and buyers across the country are probably breathing a collective sigh of relief and pouring themselves a large glass of wine this evening. It’s been full on!

I really enjoyed Home & Giving. My favourite stand belonged to Have You Met Miss Jones. I had a great chat with owner Jennifer Jones, who seemed to be run off her feet taking orders all day. And it’s no surprise as her new stock is gorgeous. I’ve long been a fan of her bone china ornaments but now I’m eyeing off some colourful clay pottery, especially the orgami range of vases.

My favourite new discovery was Picket Fence Imports (their website doesn’t do their stock justice), where I drooled over vintage glass (like the 1920s jars below), baskets full of industrial bobbins and piles of old crates (including Coca Cola crates), most of which is imported from the US. TO DIE FOR. A stylist’s dream PLUS no minimum order!

I loved these giant glass bottles at Villa Maison.

And I was really surprised by how nice these battery operated flameless candles from Enjoy Lighting were. They even smell! Seriously, they’re good. Check them out. And this is a great little business success story too. They’re exporting them all over the world.

Which fairs did you go to and how were they? I heard nothing but good things about Life InStyle.

This black and white rug from Ikea is a steal at $299. So much so I just bought one!

This black and white rug from Ikea is a steal at $299. So much so I just bought one!

Lots going on in this room but I like it. Love a bold black and white rug

Lots going on in this room but I like it. Love a bold black and white rug

Love or hate this room? Please comment!

Love or hate this room? Please comment!