T.D.C: August 2012

Pinterest | Picks & Peeks

8.30.2012

I've been mulling over Pinterest post ideas for quite some time now. As one of my top 'go-to' places for inspiration, I've decided to start a regular Pinterest blog column. I love discovering amazing pinners and boards, so this will be a great way of sharing some with you! I'll also be looking at Pinterest themes, trends and my favourites from the week.

Today I'm kicking off with some moodboards I've recently curated, using images from my Pinterest boards. If you follow The Design Chaser on Facebook you'll have seen these already, but today I've put in some colour palettes, for added inspiration.

All images via my Pinterest Boards. If you like these, pop over and follow along!

Today I've chosen to spotlight Maia McDonald and share some of her pins with you. She was one of the first pinners I followed and I'm a complete devotee. A talented graphic designer and self-confessed visual junky, she curates gorgeous, stylish boards. I recommend you also check out her fabulous blog Conundrum and the lovely work she does for online magazine Rue.

01 Pin | 02 Pin | 03 Pin | 04 Pin | 05 Pin | 06 Pin

Are you on Pinterest? I'd love to see your boards! Do you have any favourite pinners? Let me know your Pinterest link and pinners you love in the comment section below. Don't be shy - I'd love to hear from you!

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Through the Lens | Kristofer Johnsson

8.29.2012

I first came across the work of Swedish photographer KristoferJohnsson via the Stockholm real estate agency Fantastic Frank. Pushing the boundaries of traditional residential real estate agencies, this young company is known for their ability to 'transform ho-hum apartments into temples of modern design.' The gorgeous home above is a shining example, don't you think? The way they produce such amazing decor and impeccable photography is by hiring photographers and stylists, from high-gloss industries, including advertising, fashion and architecture. That of course is where Kristofer comes in. As one of the photographers they use, he captures these striking spaces with beautiful clarity. I can't get enough of them!

Above images via fantasticfrank.se

Here are some more photographs from Kristofer's impressive portfolio.

To see more of Kristofer's work, take a look here.

Above images via kristoferjohnsson.com

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Father's Day Gift Ideas

8.28.2012

Father's day is this Sunday in New Zealand so I thought I'd make up a list of gifts for those who need ideas or inspiration. I'm taking the kids out today to choose something for their Dad. I wonder if he'll be lucky enough to get something this stylish?

All links below.

1. Tivoli Audio Model Three AM/FM Clock Radio
2. Bottle Grinder for Menu, by Norm Design
3. WORLDman Knit Ties
4. BOSS Bottled Night edt 100ml by BOSS Black
5. Bill Amberg Laptop Case
6. Michael Kors Men's Black and Silver Chronograph Watch
7. Nespresso Pixie C60 Electric Titan Coffee Machine
8. TMA-1 Studio Headphones from AIAIAI
9. Bassike Black Dot Tee from Superette
10. Adidas SLVR Fashion Mid Strap
11. Dita Matador Sunglasses

Anything take your fancy?

I'll be back tomorrow with some photographer magic. See you then!

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Best Design Awards | Part One

8.27.2012

I'm really excited to be starting a new series today as a lead up to the annual Best Design Awards, an initiative of The Designers Institute which showcases New Zealand's best graphic, interactive, product and spacial design.

Established in the mid seventies, to celebrate the best of graphic design in New Zealand, the awards have evolved over the years, to include a range of categories and awards.

Entries judged Best in each category are awarded the Gold Pin, whilst the very best project in each discipline will be awarded the supreme, Purple Pin for work that raises the bar of New Zealand design. The highest accolade given by the Designers Institute - the John Britten Black Pin - will be awarded to the individual for their leadership, vision and achievement both here and internationally. The Designer’s Institute of New Zealand Black Pin for Outstanding Achievement will be awarded to a member of the Institute who has made a lasting and valuable contribution to the design profession and design culture in New Zealand.

Every Monday over the next six weeks I'll share finalists that I personally love from each category and then I'll finish up with the results - the Awards Evening is on the 5th of October at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland.

I've been blown away looking through all the finalists. We're a small country, but we deliver big when it comes to great, innovative design.

Tim Webber Design. Y Stool (New Zealand's Best Product Design | Furniture)

A quirky, fun stool with contrasting powder coated steel and American ash wood.

Hardhat Design. Coffee Supreme | re-brand (New Zealand's Best Graphic Design | Identity Development - small scale)

I love the new range of coffee cups and their Auckland cafe is a favourite of mine. They've even featured on The Selby, which I wrote about here.

Xsite Architects Ltd. Cliff top house (New Zealand's Best Spacial Design | Residential)

This stunning home is truly deserving of an award, don't you think?

Inhouse. HOME (New Zealand's Best Graphic Design | Editorial and Books)
I might be biased, having previously worked for the publisher of this magazine, ACP Media, but I think HOME is one of the best.

Dorrington Architects & Associates and Vaneer Ltd. Kathryn Wilson Shoebox (New Zealand's Best Spacial Design | Retail Environments)
I just had to include this one. Taking the form of a perfectly scaled shoe box, Kathryn Wilson’s delightful little pop-up boutique echoes the simple, crisp lines of the designer’s signature footwear packaging. Her own shoe design sketches grace the floor while the fresh white space and minimalist shelving provide the perfect backdrop for those gorgeous shoes!

So that's it for week one. What do you think? If you like what you've seen so far, make sure you check back next Monday for round two!

All images via bestawards.co.nz

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Homes to Inspire | Vibrant Parisian Loft

8.26.2012

This dynamic apartment immediately caught my eye while I was looking on the Marie Claire Maison website today. Located in Paris, It is the home of architect Anne Geistdoerfer and her family. Anne has injected loads of creativity and style into the light, open spaces. Designer furniture, pops of bright colour and fun, quirky objects are seen throughout the home.

The dining area is situated on the mezzanine floor. A white lacquered table has both a bench seat and gorgeous Norman Cherner chairs. The black and white photo on the wall above is by Derek Hudson.

I love the fuchsia pops in the all white kitchen.

Brightly coloured stools look amazing against the black and white floral sofa. Playful art and cushions give this breakfast area a whimsical feel.

This fuchsia resin sink (custom made by Kudeta) looks amazing against the white of the room. Fun kitchenware and Savon De Marseille liquid soaps complete the look.

A sweet girls room, full of treasures. I love the Ikea lamp which has been painted pink. The printed linen curtain looks striking and also provides a way of hiding storage shelves.

While the rest of the house is vibrant, the master bedroom has a pared-back, softer feel. Muted colours in taupe and purple look lovely against the wood of the side table and ceiling beams. I love the wall-mounted lamps.

Very much a girl's room, pretty floral bedding and cushions adorn the canopy bed.

There's a lot of pink in this gorgeous home, but the article says that Anne's husband had his say when it came to the 'everyday environment'. Hhmm.... I wonder what he thinks of the sink? I sure do love it - what about you? To read the entire feature, pop over here.

I'm excited to be starting a new series on the blog tomorrow. You can expect to see the very best of NZ design, so make sure you pop back! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

All images via marieclairemaison.com

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Society6

8.24.2012

Even though I've been repinning the work of Society6 artists onto Pinterest for some time, I didn't actually realise who Society6 was until I met Hilary Upton, the New Zealand artist and photographer who I interviewed recently. If you missed that post, take a look here. An amazing site for artists and art-buyers alike, Hilary is one of thousands of artists worldwide whose work is hosted by Society6 and is available as art prints, canvases, stationery cards, iPhone cases, iPhone, iPod, laptop and iPad skins!

Recognise these gorgeous photographs of Hilary's? Here they have been produced as an iPhone case (left) and Laptop/iPad skins (right). To see her entire range of products on Society6 pop over here.

Society6 was started in 2009 by three friends Justin Cooper, Lucas Tirigall, and Justin Wills, to create as many opportunities as possible for artists around the world. Their membership is now up to tens of thousands of artists from over 80 countries worldwide. In a nutshell, Society6 enables these artists to make their artwork immediately available for sale as a variety of products – without giving up control of their rights. They firmly believe that the artistic process is just as important as the end result and that artwork should be made accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world.

When you buy a product from Society6, it is produced using only the highest quality materials and is shipped to you on behalf of the artist.

If you haven't yet discovered this online gem, you need to get on it. I have a new favourite artist every week! For this post, I've picked out a few of my current favourite prints to share with you. By the way, this art is incredibly affordable - prints start from as little as US$15 and at the moment there is free worldwide shipping until Sunday.