Built-In Bench Seats

I'm very late getting a post up today because I've been a bit distracted. I can't quite believe it, but aside from the deck, the build part of our house is complete. There's still a bit to do as far as the installation of kitchen and bathrooms go, but the end is definitely in sight. In fact the completion date has been set for the 5th of July, which is only a week away! The landscaping won't be finished, but I think it would take a lot more than that to keep us from moving in. I can't tell you how ready we are to finally get in the door. Well, not ready as far as packing goes - far from it - but ready to take possession, that's for sure!

Which brings me back to today's post. The original plans included a built-in window bench seat adjacent to the dining area, but along the way, probably due to the changes to the kitchen, we found that there wasn't enough space. I do however still have my heart set on it. Especially after seeing how pretty it is when the sun comes through the windows and I imagine myself sitting there with a book and a cuppa, or chatting to visitors. Anyway, hope is not lost on the bench seat yet, and I'm looking into getting a dining table custom made that is quite long, but narrower than a standard table. That way it might all fit in, and it's an easy thing to add on later, so I'm told!

Above shows a photo I took at our new home today, next to the first image. I really think it calls for a bench seat, don't you?

I also wrote a post on reading nooks a while ago that you might like, but first here are some more built-in bench seats that I love. This concrete one really appeals.

They don't have to be right next to a window to work. This fireplace and built in nook is super cosy. The exposed bricks contrast beautifully with the white walls.  

This next one is rather lovely with its built-in seat and shelving. 

Another good reason to put in a built-in bench seat later is that it will give me an excuse to buy more cushions, throws and furs! 

Speaking of which, I've got a great giveaway lined up for Monday, something that I would LOVE to win myself, so make sure you pop back then. Have a wonderful weekend! 

Images: 1-2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

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Muuto in Copenhagen

I don't usually fill a post with images I've copied straight from another blog, however I've made an exception today because I simply cannot pass up the chance to share these with you. Unable to attend the Muuto product presentation in Copenhagen recently, Holly Becker, author of Decor8 sent along one of her contributors, Emilie Gupta, a food writer. With my love for Muuto bordering on obsession, the thought of being given that kind of opportunity makes me giddy! 

Looking through Emilie's photos from her visit has left me awestruck. Located In the heart of Copenhagen, the Muuto showroom and office space is on the top floor of a beautiful building and showcases more Muuto products than I've ever seen in my life!

While drooling over these images, I also learnt some interesting facts about the Scandinavian/Nordic design company. The team of 35 who work in this building are led by Peter Bonnén and Kristian Byrge who founded Muuto in 2006. While Kristian has a background in strategic management and Pete worked in economics, their passion for architecture and design was the catalyst for creating the furniture brand. 

A key to their success is their collaboration with other Scandinavian designers, and knowing how to use the skills of each Scandinavian country to choose the best products for their collections. The result is a wonderful and varied range of furniture, lighting and other pieces for the home. While each designer offers new colours, shapes and objects, wood is the main material that they use in their designs and manufacturing. 

Knowing that Muuto comes from the Finnish word Muutos meaning new perspective, it makes sense that their inspiration is to be the "new" in Scandinavian design. Emilie's report also told of the company's mantra that excellent working conditions result in successful collaborations. Judging by these images, and their incredible products, that mantra is obviously working very well for them! 

Pop over here to see the full report. 

Source: Decor8 | Photo credit: Emilie Gupta 

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Wardrobes | Ideas & Inspiration

Once a luxury, it seems to be standard practice these days for a master bedroom to include an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, and from the start we knew we wanted both in our new home. As with all the bathrooms, the ensuite had my attention from the start, and we made decisions regarding colours and tiles etc very early on. Addressing the walk-in wardrobe on the other hand came up very late in the game, and as such we've kept things simple in terms of layout and design. Using local company Boston Wardrobes, we ended up choosing a basic setup of shelves and rails, and figure we can add to this down the track as necessary. 

Like many women, I love fashion and have 'Carrie' moments where I dream of having a fabulously huge dressing room with rows and rows of shoes and bags and racks of beautiful clothes. Those of you who watched Sex & the City will know what I mean. But in actual fact, the image above really appeals. I love the minimalist orderly style, and the fact that it is both spacious yet cosy. I'd be quite happy to escape there with a book! Although our little walk-in will be modest in comparison, that's okay, because what I ultimately want is a functional space free from clutter, where everything has its place. With that in mind, I thought I'd do a bit of research and think about how I might like my dream wardrobe to look.

Firstly I turned to the fabulous US-based company, California Closets, who have been in operation for over thirty years, and are experts in the field of custom designed and installed storage. If they are in your neck of the woods, then I would definitely recommend calling on them. If not, the site itself offers loads of tips, advice and inspiration. Below is an example of the fantastic work they do. Experts in closet design, find out more here. 

California Closets can help you with any area of your home that requires great storage facilities, including the office, entryway and even the pantry. They also create the ultimate entertainment center, and with today's challenge of organising our DVD players, gaming consoles, cable/satellite boxes, DVRs, flat-panel TVs and the miles of cables that connect them all, I think most of us could do with some assistance!

Of course I also want the kids wardrobes in our new home to be well organised and clutter free. I love this gorgeous nursery wardrobe... 

And here are another couple of stylish walk-ins....

I love the feminine touches here...

Images: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

To finish off, I've put together ten ideas for creating a lovely walk-in wardrobe. In particular, I'm coveting numbers 01 & 10 from the Douglas and Bec for Kate Sylvester range. I've already got some Muuto The Dots in oak for the entrance way, but the pretty rose colour (06) has just been released, and with so many colours to choose from, I'm not sure I'm done at just one set! I definitely need some nice coat hangers (04 & 05), the bird lamp (03) is simply divine, and the rest is all about stylish storage, which of course is a must!

Links below images

01 Folding Brass Stool 1.0 by Douglas and Bec for Kate Sylvester

02 Plastic Weave Storage Baskets from Citta Design

03 Areti Aloutte Wall Lamp from Nest

04 Cardboard Hanger set of 4 in black and white from Ferm Living

05 Couture Hanger Pack of 5 in white from Freedom Furniture

06 Muuto The Dots in Rose from In A Designer Home

07 Paterson Large Fabric Drawer from Freedom Furniture

08 Storage Sack by Varpunen from The Minimalist

09 Two-Tone Felt Storage Set from Citta Design

10 All Oak Mirror by Douglas and Bec for Kate Sylvester

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Interior Trends | Two-Toned Walls

Driven by my love of minimal Scandinavian style we've gone for all-white walls in our new house, but that's not to say that I don't like seeing walls with colour. In fact right now I'm really loving walls painted pale pink or grey. 

When I came across this home via Design*Sponge recently, it was the two-toned walls that immediately grabbed my attention. Designed by JHID, whose work I greatly admire (I've featured another one of their homes here) lead designer Chelsie Lee used a modern combination of white and grey, but as you'll see below, it's the way the paint has been applied that creates visual impact. 

Notice above how the grey paint lines up with the headboard and is taken up and over the ceiling, continuing down the opposite wall (see below). By adding depth and  contrasting with the white paint, this cleverly accentuates the window area. When I first saw the image below my eyes were drawn to the beautiful curtains and light coming through the window. The grey wall adds another layer visual interest, highlighted by the gorgeous cut glass and hanging terrariums. Beautifully elegant furniture, a colourful rug, bench seat and cushions add the finishing touches, making this bedroom an absolute winner!   

The white and grey colour blocks continue in the living room above and also in the light-filled stairwell below. Bold yet still soft, I love how the grey looks against the fresh white paint and blonde wood in this light-filled area. Such a simple yet clever idea, I predict that after seeing this home, people will be rushing to grab their paint brushes in order to replicate the look. I may even do the same if I ever tire of our white walls!

This next image was the inspiration for this moodboard I created last year, and it has stuck in my mind ever since. Designed by Incorporated, a multi-disciplinary architectural studio in New York, I love the way the wall has been painted a charcoal colour, creating bold lines and a striking contrast against the the white painted stair. 

The super talented RiikKa of Weekday Carnival designed this geometric wall, and with the help of her husband painted it in pastel hues. The result is breathtaking!

Whereas painting one feature wall was once a popular trend, nowadays we're seeing more of a sectional approach to applying paint colour. The living room below is a great example. While the pink adds a lovely soft touch, the doors, fretwork-detailed ceiling and windows have been left white, allowing the classic, character features of the room to shine through. 

Paint colour can also help define areas of the home, especially in open-plan and compact spaces. This gorgeous turquoise wall, along with the bookshelf, accentuates the small dining area. 

A fun idea especially for a kidsroom, as demonstrated with the green paint in this Inspiring Home Post last week, is to paint a door in a contrasting colour.

The kidsroom above has a cute checkered door and a section of chalkboard paint on one wall, while the playroom wall below has been personalised with pastel blue and grey paint.   

Images: 1-4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9-10 | 11

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Monday Mix Up | Sidekicks, Stores & More

First up today I have the pleasure of introducing you to the new counter height Sidekick stool by NZ designer Timothy John. Joining the low stool and side table, the taller version is a welcome addition to the Sidekick collection which was recently named as a finalist in the Home NZ Design Awards for 2013. Celebrating NZ's best new furniture and lighting, you can see the full list of finalists and winner in the latest Home magazine. A fabulous edition packed with amazing architecture and inspiring designers, it more than lives up to its title of "The Design Issue", so f you haven't already, make sure you grab yourself a copy.

I'm sure I speak for many when I say I'm completely smitten with the Sidekicks, especially since getting up close and personal to photograph them for this post. As with the low stool and table, the new counter height Sidekick is robust yet light to move around with a solid ash hardwood seat that comes in a clear or black stain. The base which is availabe in black, white, blue and yellow, has three foot rest heights to suit all. For stockists and inquiries pop over here. 

There's more exciting news for Timothy John in that he and his wife Krista, an interior designer are currently setting up a retail outlet and design studio Paper Plane in their hometown of Mount Maunganui. Featuring his own work and that of other designers and artists, I'm in the process of lining up a post and interview for when it launches, so stay tuned! The online store is already up and running and for news and updates on the store, pop over and 'like' the Paper Plane Facebook page.



Some of the gorgeous products available at paperplanestore.com 

Speaking of online stores and creative couples, Jennifer Hagler of A Merry Mishap along with her husband, have just launched Kollektstore.com, an impeccably tasteful edit of items from Scandinavia. Utilising Jennifer's incredible eye and stunning design aesthetic, the couple want to "bridge the gap between Scandinavian companies and American customers". Judging by what's on offer, I'd say that those in the US just got a whole lot luckier.

Beautiful styling shots and a few of my favourite pieces from Kollekt Store

More on Jennifer. US store Need Supply was so inspired by her minimal home styling and photography (aren't we all?) they asked her to style and photograph pieces from their new home goods collection in her own space. That seriously sounds like my dream job! As expected, the results are stunning. 

For more, check out the Need Supply lookbook, and their interview with Jennifer here. 

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