Last night’s room reveal and where to buy what you saw on The Block

May 20, 2013 By 4 Comments

Sunday night room reveals are the best bit about the The Block. No challenges, just renovating, room reveals, judging and results. Hoorah! The long and drawn out scoring process aside, what’s not to like?

Last night’s was a great episode, with Matt and Kim’s Pollock-inspired bedroom described as both “a crime scene” and the most controversial room in the show’s history. Kudos to them for getting such a reaction! I thought their design was wholly inappropriate but admired their bravery and they definitely executed their ideas really well and with enthusiasm. Easy for me to say as an armchair critic…

Darren Palmer and Neale Whitaker loving the timber tiles in Johnno and Trixie's bedroom

Darren Palmer and Neale Whitaker loving the timber tiles in Johnno and Trixie’s bedroom

I think Bec and George were probably the right couple to win, although I loved parts of Trixie and Johnno’s room too, in particular their Bonnie and Neil wall tiles. I can’t believe none of the judges had seen them before; I’ve been loving them for months and wishing I wasn’t renting so I could use them somewhere! I like the twins but I wasn’t a fan of last night’s bedroom. Next week will be interesting with two bathrooms each to complete. I do love a good bathroom reno so looking forward to those! [Read more...]

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14 gifts for mum: an inky table runner for $85

May 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

I have the neon pink version of this and it gets so many comments! Bonnie and Neil’s handprinted table runners are great value in my opinion, starting at $65.

This indigo one is $85 and the pink is $65.

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Deco Glamour collection is very Great Gatbsy

April 17, 2013 By 2 Comments

I’ve always loved all things Art Deco but the imminent release of THAT Great Gatsby movie (have you seen the trailers? It looks magnificent in every way!) has me loving it even more. And no doubt we’ll see a resurgence of all things Art Deco in fashion and homewares very soon.

Grace Garrett Deco Glamour wallpaper blue

The latest Grace Garrett Deco Glamour collection at Emily Zizz is positively swoon-worthy! This is just a small selection from the huge range of patterns and colourways available in wallpaper, fabric, cushions and lampshades, and, eventually, rugs. Geometric shapes and patterns are already being seen everywhere in interiors this year, so the Art Deco look fits very nicely. Maybe it’s time to bring back symmetry? Are you a fan of these patterns?

Grace Garrett fabric Deco Glamour

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Bonnie and Neil move into bed linen, ceramics and rugs in latest collection

April 10, 2013 By 1 Comment

Yes, yes, I love Bonnie and Neil, and so do you, judging by the flurry of comments every time I post a photo on Instagram with my pink B&N tablecloth in shot! So of course I’m delighted they’ve expanded their cheerful range into bed linen, ceramics and rugs. Surely every room in your home could benefit from a little colour when it looks this good?

Bonnie and Neil 1

The designs are immediately recognisable as Bonnie and Neil but they’ve changed up some colours (more orange then pink this year and a lot of indigo blue, which I love too) and patterns to keep it fresh.

Bonnie and Neil 2

The plates take on last year’s popular Water Colour design in black, pink and blue. Throws, bolster cushions and pillowcases have been added in their move into the bedroom. [Read more...]

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This year’s Life Instyle Sydney

February 25, 2013 By 1 Comment

Can you believe this was my first ever visit to Life Instyle? It definitely has a very different, more boutique feel than the other trade fairs and I really enjoyed it. Despite skipping most of Kids Instyle (not my bag) there were still plenty of beautiful wares to look at. Here are a few of my favourites.

Life InstyleMy favourite stand belonged to Mrs Darcy (originally of Ada & Darcy fame). I love Kellie Collis’ colourful designs. There were plenty of new things, like gold chevron cushions (just when you think you’ve seen enough chevron you realise you need some gold chevron in your life!), gorgeous girly robes, hand creams and candles. Her floral textiles are just beautiful.

Mrs Darcy

I also stopped by my favourite Voyager Candles’ stand for a sniff, went nuts over the paper goods at Bespoke Letterpress, admired the new Cool Edie’s paint colours at the Murobond stand and fell in love with everything at Bonnie and Neil (gorgeous new bed linen and ceramics mean even more places to use their gorgeous and colourful designs in your home). [Read more...]

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An interview with Bonnie and Neil

January 25, 2013 By 4 Comments

Bonnie and Neil have achieved a bit of a cult following for their fabulous homewares. THAT fluro pink watercolour table cloth was everywhere (including my table) last year.

I chatted with with one half of the Melbourne duo, Bonnie Ashley. She’s a textile designer whose partner, Neil Downie, is a carpenter. Their two very different skill sets have come together to create a homewares range that features both timber boxes and tea towels and somehow works perfectly!

Neil Downie and Bonnie Neil

Neil Downie and Bonnie Neil

“We’ve worked together (outside our day jobs) for a long time, so looking back, it seems it’s always been obvious to us,” says Bonnie. “It’s just happened naturally. We officially started in February 2010, putting together the range to launch in August that year.”

Bonnie says working with Neil is really fantastic! “It’s great having complementary but different skills – it helps us look at things from different viewpoints. We don’t need to explain things too much to each other, so we work quickly.” [Read more...]

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