Through the Lens | Pernille Kaalund

These stunning interiors have been captured beautifully by Danish photographer Pernille Kaalund whose work has featured in many interior magazines such as Boligmagasinet, Space, BoligLiv, Bo Better and Elle Interior.







Together with stylist and journalist Louise Kamman Riising, Pernille has Heyhome, an interior design, styling and photography company. They use their combined skills to produce interior and housing features for Danish and international design magazines, while also providing residences for advertising and film industries.

There's nothing like a good dose Scandinavian interior eye-candy, and Pernille's portfolio more than satisfies. Monochrome interiors peppered with bright colours, the gorgeous Danish styling is unmistakable.

If you'd like to see more of Pernille's work, head over to Heyhome where you will find an amazing archive of Danish residences ranging from large architectural designed villas to small quirky summerhouses.  A word of warning - you could be there for a while! 

All images via pernillekaalund.dk and www.heyhome.dk

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Father Rabbit

Father Rabbit is an online store offering an exquisite range of products for you and your home. The brand and products have a simple, pared-back aesthetic and timeless quality.  

Father Rabbit doesn’t subscribe to some deeply intellectual philosophy, just an appreciation of the simplicity. That things should be done right, or not at all. 

Behind this clever bunny are talented owners Claudia Zinzan and Nick Hutchinson, who founded the business in 2010. Claudia, who also runs her own interior design consultancy, clearly has an eye for beautiful things. The website which has just had a refresh, is a lovely place to visit. Stocked with a carefully selected range of products, the online store allows you to choose by category such as room, colour, occasion and brand, and there's international shipping. For added inspiration check out Father Rabbit's blog where you'll find gorgeous interiors and delicious recipes.






Scrumptious, don't you think? And this is just a taste. Jump over here to see the full range, including a selection of sale items to make way for gorgeous new stock. I'll be joining you! 

All images via fatherrabbit.com

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Homes to Inspire | Divine Restoration

Firstly I must thank Inside Out for tweeting this great find. As many of you know, I usually write my Homes to Inspire column on Sunday but when this one came across my radar I knew it couldn't wait until the end of the week!

Featured on designboom.com, this project, '46 Water Street' by Vancouver-based architect Omer Arbel is an impressive one. A heritage building in the Gastown district of Vancouver, it has had a full seismic upgrade and restoration. A new courtyard placed in the middle of the loft has created a light-filled airy space, while the original framework provides quite a dramatic contrast. As much as I love both the fresh, modern extension and the beautiful, character brickwork, it's the mix of these two styles, old and new, that I find so instantly appealing.

An incredible restoration of the main entrance makes a striking first impression.  

Opposites attract. A view from the new kitchen through to the original framework in the living area and stunning staircase entrance. I love the colourful pendant lights hanging above the kitchen island.  

The living area looks so inviting. Beautifully furnished, the sofa is perfect for the large space, and the rich blue colour looks amazing against the brickwork, don't you think? Cowhide rugs and wool chair overlays add warmth and texture. 

The blue theme continues in the luxurious bathroom. I'm loving shimmery mosaic tiles right now.  

This is one of those homes I'd love to step inside to fully appreciate all that it offers. Actually I'd quite happily move on in! Do you like it? I'd love to know what you think. 

All images via designboom.com | Photo credit: Martin Tessler

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Pinterest | Picks & Peeks

What I love about Pinterest is that it opens your eyes up to new things. Take me for example. I love interiors and design, but since I've been on Pinterest I've been able to expand on that, and find inspiration in other areas like graphic design and photography. Whenever I grab a dose of Pinterest I find something that takes my breath away, and what can be better than that? 

Curating these moodboards is an extension of pinning, and I love the process of choosing images around a theme, across different categories. Of course there are no rules, but it usually starts with a colour or an image and from there I generally choose from a selection of pins: interiors, flowers, graphic design, fashion and accessories, quotes and  photography.

Here are my latest moodboards. 

This moodboard was inspired by my recent birthday! 

This one started with a colour theme and words to live by: love what you do, do what you love. 

A motivating moodboard for a Monday morning! 

There was such a great response to this interview with Lindi Kingi, and my neon moodboard on Facebook, that I decided to team up with Lindi and run a little giveaway! 

If you're on Facebook and haven't yet checked out The Design Chaser page, pop over and click on 'like' to receive daily blog updates as well as additional design news and inspiration. 

To enter the competition you must live in NZ (sorry to my overseas readers - I promise I will do something for you soon). Pop over here to choose your favourite neon moodboard and go in the draw to win one of two Lindi Kingi Design Neon Swarovski Pearl and Sliver Bracelets! 

Make sure you've 'liked' both The Design Chaser and Lindi Kingi Design Facebook pages to be eligible! 

If you're not on Facebook, there will be another give away coming up very soon for those of you who follow the blog, so stay tuned! 

Neon yellow and grey is such a great combo!

Neon pink is currently in the lead! Which is your favourite? 

All mood board images via my Pinterest Boards.

Today's pinning princess is Deborah Moir, who I discovered fairly recently. You may know her from Instagram, where she has a huge following due to a constant stream of lovely photos, featuring her gorgeous home in Scotland. Luckily for us Pinterest addicts, Deborah is also now a pinner, and a very good one at that!

Here a couple of pins from Deborah's interior boards.


pin / board

pin / board 

Judging by her personal style and collection of boards on Pinterest, you'd be forgiven for thinking Deborah was Scandinavian. She has completely mastered the art of achieving this aesthetic in her own home, which I find so inspiring. I can't get enough of the neutral palette, white painted floors and impeccable styling. The fact that she can maintain this incredible look with two young boys is even more astounding. I am in awe!

These pins are photos of Deborah's home. 

pin / board

pin / board 


pin | board


pin | board

I was delighted to hear that Deborah has a blog in the works. Due to launch soon, I'm sure it will be an instant hit! In the meantime, you can check out her Guest Posts on one of my favourite blogs A Merry Mishap.

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Dick Frizzell | The Painter

Don't you just love getting presents? It was my birthday a couple of weeks ago and I was lucky enough to get a new camera from my boys. I absolutely love books, so I was thrilled to get two from them and another from my sister - all gorgeous additions to the coffee table!

On the weekend I had a rare opportunity to sit outside in the sun and read one of them, Dick Frizzell - The Painter, with foreword by Hamish Keith. One of my favourite New Zealand artists, this book has been on my wishlist for some time, so I thought I'd use my new camera to take some pics and share it with you.   

First published by Random House New Zealand in 2009, this updated edition was published in 2012 with the addition of Dick's new work. The book, by one of New Zealand's best known and loved contemporary artists, is primarily an autobiography in art, telling the story of Dick's life and work through a series of images, reproductions, sketches and words. Not only is he an amazing artist, he writes really well, and even better with humour, making it a book that is definitely hard to put down.

If you're not familiar with his work, but love popular culture, this book is definitely for you. Likewise, if you are interested in art in general, in particular artistic practise, then this is a great read. When Dick completed his art studies he earned a living working for ad agencies, animation companies and producing book illustrations, before finding his way to becoming the artist that he is today.

These early works by Dick Frizzell (produced in 1977) were inspired by a humble tin of mackerel. 

A move from Auckland to the Hawke's Bay (on the East Coast of the North Island) was the catalyst in Dick producing the 'Signs' artwork. It amazes me how he has turned such a simple idea into such a compelling series of art. I especially love the one on the left 'Two Signs', 2007.

The move also brought about a collaboration with Sandi Reefman, providing designs for her range of cushions and tea towels, under the brand Esther Diamond. The cushions have become iconic in NZ. I have some at home, mostly with Dick's designs, including the hugely popular 'Tiki' design shown above. Other collaborations include working with Sandi's partner and fellow Hawke's Bay artist Martin Poppelwell, on a range of ceramics, and with local winemaker Rod McDonald, to produce Frizzell Wines. 

I love this collection of photos showing the stunning home Dick shares with wife Jude, his studio and the beautiful area of Hawke's Bay. 

Mickey To Tiki,1997 would have to be one of Dick's most well recognised prints. I have it and so do several people I know! Its popularity did not put me off buying it - I absolutely love it. Such a clever, creative work and one that appeals to everyone - my kids also love it - and it looks great in any room of the home.

Another popular print on the left: Big Kiss, 2007. Limited Edition Silk-screen Print. 

A great example of Dick's Kiwiana work, this series features the smiling Four Square Man - a famous logo for the Four Square stores that have been in New Zealand for over 80 years.

I love this colourful set of limited edition silk-screen prints for Sambuca Galliano, commissioned 1996.

These a just a few pages from the book - there is so much more inside. I know that every time I pick it up, I'll discover something new about Dick Frizzell, and like his art, I'll get enjoyment from it for many years to come. 

 All images: Michelle Halford for The Design Chaser 

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Best Design Awards | Part Five

This week's finalists are a dynamic mix featuring smart designs, eye-catching graphics and plenty of colour. I hope you love them as much as I do!



Designworks. The Elephant Wrestler (New Zealand's Best Graphic Design - Identity Development | Small Scale)
Located in Takapuna, this gastro pub and bistro is a stand out with its catchy name and slick branding.

David Moreland Design and World. Neon Wood ( New Zealand's Best Product Design - Furniture) 

I've been a fan of David's work for a while, so it's great to see him back in the running this year after winning a bronze for his Knight Light range in the 2010 Best Awards. Neon Wood which you may have spotted at World, is made out of solid American white oak with interchangeable perspex shelves. The clever, versatile design allows the large unit to be converted into either a sideboard or a shelf. 

Cheshire Architects. Mexico: Restaurant and Tequila (New Zealand's Best Spacial Design - Hospitality) 

Bustling with energy, this vibrant space will have you drinking sangria and eating tacos like you're really in Mexico.

Media Works TV. No Place I'd Rather Be (New Zealand's Best Graphic Design - Identity Development | Small Scale)

Sometimes there really is no place I'd rather be. Awesome graphics for TV3, especially for the award winning series The Secret Lives Of Dancers.

Studio Glascoigne Ltd. Glassons Queen Street (New Zealand's Best Spacial Design - Retail Environments)
Fun and colourful with tonnes of originality, every inch of this store is brimming with eye-candy. 

Pop back next week for my last pick of finalists, before The Awards Ceremony. I certainly don't envy the judges - what a massive job! To find out more about how it all works, take a look at New Zealand's Best Judges, and The Judging Process.

All images via bestawards.co.nz

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