Home Build | Kitchen Update

Looking back at my Home Build Kitchen Inspiration Post, I'm happy to see that my vision for our new kitchen has been realised, give or take a few things! We've definitely achieved the open-plan space we were after, complete with a large island and as much storage space as we could squeeze in. One of the key things was making the island bigger than what was in the plans originally, and I'm thrilled with that decision. Great for entertaining, it's also made meal and snack times with the kids much easier. In fact, I love nothing more then having them up at the island munching away (often with their friends or our neighbour's kids) as I'm busy working in the kitchen, chatting away to them.

The boys in their usual spots having afternoon tea 

I love the Silestone benchtops which we decided to carry through to the backbench and splashback. Incredibly hard-wearing and easy to keep clean, the Lagoon design from their Nebula Series has a beautiful marble look, while the 20mm width and waterfall design has contributed to the timeless, elegant feel I was after. We're also thrilled with the cabinetry, which we took as high as the plans would allow, matching the colour to the walls in Resene Black White. The soft close cupboards and drawers were definitely worth the investment.


The flooring is an Engineered Timber in White Ash by DFD. All Appliances are by Fisher & Paykel  

Gorgeous Falcon Enamelware and a Cotton & Flax Teatowel from LET LIV

With the dining table being adjacent to the island, I decided from the start that I only wanted statement pendant lighting over one or the other, and because I had my heart set on the Lee Bloom Crystal Lights, the island seemed most fitting. As it turns out, as beautiful as they are, they do not provide the necessary task lighting for working in the kitchen, so that idea was aborted. Instead, I chose to focus on the dining table with the Muuto Unfold Pendants, and I couldn't be happier. We also sourced some Eric Therner Diamond Lights for the living area, which are a cheaper alternative to the Lee Broom, but will give the space the pretty, delicate touch that I want.



More goodness from LET LIV with the ACME & CO cups and saucers. Still on the kitchen wishlist, and what I really need right now is that Nespresso machine! The Fog Linen Tray and Cloud chopping board are from Father Rabbit.

As far as functionality goes, the extra deep sinks are a favourite feature as they keep dirty dishes out of sight when entertaining, and while I'm taking photos for that matter! The extendable tap which is something I've always wanted makes washing up super easy, and the built in rubbish and recycling bins are also fabulous!

For a while there I really struggled to find barstools that I liked, that were also affordable. To contrast with the metal dining chairs I wanted wooden stools that could take a few knocks from the kids, as I knew they'd be getting up and down from them all the time. Not long before the big move, Mocka announced news of a new product, the Hudson Stool. I was thrilled. As one of my trusty go-to local furniture and homewares company for both kids and adult spaces, this stool is a replica of one of my all-time favourite designs by Alvar Aalto. 

Stylish but without the price tag, they are perfect for our home and lifestyle right now. Arriving flat-packed they were easy to assemble, and the kids love them. Placing adhesive felt to the bottoms of the legs has made them really smooth along the floor and I've had loads of positive comments already.


We love our Hudson Stools from Mocka

Here are some of my Instagram kitchen pics to finish off (follow me @thedesignchaser), including one of a surprise hamper that arrived from our building company Property Partners today! Great timing for the weekend, which I'm so looking forward to after a huge week. Have a good one and I'll see you back here on Monday.  

Images via my Instagram

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Studio Number 19

It's no secret that I spend a lot of time on Pinterest (possibly too much) but it's not always the pinning that chews up minutes. I just can't resist clicking through from pins that take my fancy, and that often leads to great discoveries and more internet browsing. Inevitably there will be more pinning, but sometimes after I've shared it with you on the blog first. 

Today's case in point is Studio No 19, founded by interior and commercial stylist Mia Widlake. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mia is happiest when she's designing or making things, and in addition to her interior work, produces a range of clay, cloth and soon to be launched lighting products. 

It was two separate pins from Pinterest that put me on the path to discovering Studio Number 19, and I'm so glad I did. The first that caught my attention was a collaboration with Ginger and Fig, a new eatery based in Brooklyn, Pretoria. 

Well suited to the artisanal eatery's homemade, organic style food, the crisp white interior has lots of greenery and an industrial edge. I love the feature lighting, square wall tiles and herringbone flooring.

The bathroom wall display features plates from the Studio Number 19 Plates Collection. 

The other pin that grabbed me led to some incredible interior styling work by Studio Number 19, for Anatomy Design, a design studio in Johannesburg selling a beautiful collection of furniture and homewares. The stunning rugs are by Paco. 

For more examples of their work, the full range of products and blog, take a look at the Studio Number 19 website.

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Gift Ideas for Dad

Sunday is Father's Day in NZ and Australia, so I thought I'd put together some last-minute gift ideas. There are also a few things here I wouldn't mind buying for myself! 

links below images 

01 Triumph & Disaster Stash Box from Tessuti
02 DL & Co Black Skull Candle from Macy Home
03 Telegram Lamp from Father Rabbit
04 Saturdays Bowery New York Sweatshirt from Area 51
05 Rhodia Notebook from Paper Plane Store
06 Savon Liquide Patchouli Soap from Macy Home
07 Tivoli Radio Silenz Headphones from Paper Plane Store
08 Missoni Jazz Clay Towels from Tessuti
09 Wilde Leather & Canvas Satchel from Citta Design
10 Stoked Cookbook by Al Brown from Father Rabbit

I hope that's given you some inspiration for Dad, and perhaps an excuse to treat yourself while you're at it! I've been working on several things to share with you lately, including some exciting interviews. They should be coming up on the blog this week or next, so keep checking in! See you back here tomorrow. 

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Monday Mix Up | Currently Loving

As my obsession with candleholders continues - see Interior Styling | Candleholders - I seem to be noticing the stunning Kubus By Lassen range everywhere. That's often the way isn't it? You have something on your mind and then it keeps jumping out at you!

Images: 1 | 2 | 3

I was thrilled to discover that Sydney-based online store Inadesignerhome are now selling the range thanks to their partnership with Fred International, an importer of Scandinavian Furniture and Lighting. The great thing about IDH, who I first featured in this post, is that they ship to NZ. Hooray! To see the range, including the Kubus Bowls which are also amazing, take a look here.

I've been casually looking around for a new wooden chopping board lately, but haven't found the right one one yet. Well at least one that fits into my budget. The Tom Dixon Eclectic Chop range of boards from Simon James are stunning, but I'll have to save my pennies first! I also love the look of rustic French-style boards.

Images: 1 | 2

I got a gorgeous Cloud Chopping Board from Father Rabbit, and I'm now wanting a new hard-wearing board (or two) for everyday use. I'll keep searching locally, but in the meantime I've been swooning over these.

Designed by Sarah Sherman Samuel of Smitten Studio fame, these range of boards are part of her gorgeous new brand A Sunny Afternoon Co. Hand crafted by herself or her father, and designed for cutting, serving and display, the Walnut Arrow Boards look amazing with white and marble.

Unique with a modern edge, I love the shape of these boards, especially The Board with Handles Range. 

  

I'd also love a few of the Hexagon Walnut Serving Boards. 

Too pretty to keep in the kitchen, these next cutting boards are hand made exclusively for More & Co. by North By East Building Co. Carved from beautiful woods and shaped into a clean, minimal design they stand up to chopping but are also designed to be used when sharing snacks and drinks with friends. 

Before I go, I'm delighted to announce the winner of the Izzy and Jean Co. Giveaway. Congratulations Julia Macfarlane, and thanks to everyone who entered and of course Izzy and Jean Co. for their generosity. 

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Home Build Update + Moodboard

Finishing off the week with a Home Build update, here are a few pics from my Instagram.



It felt so good to finally put up the Muuto The Dots coat hooks along the entrance hallway. Purchased from IDH well before the move, these hooks are a Scandinavian design classic that I had been coveting well before then. As you can see, they've already been put to good use. While they make a striking wall feature on their own, I love that they are so practical. Placed right next to the entrance from our internal garage, the location is perfect.

My office is now home to another iconic Scandi design piece, the Flip Clock from LET LIV and also the fabulous Tom Dixon Etch Candleholder from ECC. With my love of monochrome and metallic accents, I've gone with gold touches in the living area so I decided to go with copper in my workspace. I'm loving my comfy new cushion which has a gorgeous pink and grey cover, also from LET LIV. You can see a sneak peak of the downstairs living area and we've placed a round mirror in the upstairs bathroom.

The Uashmama Gold Bag from Collected on the String is a new addition. Currently housing a little plant, I had intended it to go on the kitchen bench, so it will no doubt get moved over there in due course. In fact, I'm planning a kitchen update on the blog next week so stay tuned for that!  

Are you on Instagram? If so, you can follow along (@thedesignchaser) here. 

Before I go, I'll get in early and leave you with a moodboard for tomorrow. Have a wonderful weekend, and don't forget to enter this week's giveaway, which closes at midnight Sunday.

Images via my Pinterest.

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Father Rabbit's Guest House

Just as I was about to dash out the door yesterday morning I noticed a surprise package on my doorstep. The last thing I expected to see inside was the ingredients for a G & T, but there it was... a mini bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin, a bottle of tonic water and a lemon! There was also a little packet of jellybeans and a card that read "what on earth is going on at Father Rabbit's house?" What, indeed?!

As it turns out, this delightful package marks a very exciting visitor to the Father Rabbit Guest House. Hello My Tropical Princess Bird Friend has brought with her a whole new product offering, built around her love of colour. A vignette specialist (borrowing traits from her distant cousin the magpie) Bird Friend brings together objects of contrasting hue and complimentary design like no other!



Knowing how much Father Rabbit creator and interior designer Claudia Zinzan loves white on white and uncluttered interiors (a girl after my own heart), I was interested to learn that she actually has a long history with colour, having worked at Aalto Colour as their colour consultant. Providing her with a huge insight into the intricacies of colour and palettes and their application on a larger scale, this colour memory has stayed with her and even helps with Father Rabbit putting together the neutral colour palette that he requires. 

The new products are brighter and bolder and will fit in a white palette as bursts of colour, but they'll also give an existing colourful interior the pops and bursts it needs. In continuing with their tradition of working with local talent, Claudia and her partner Nick Hutchison have commissioned close friend and artist Karley Feaver in bringing Hello My Tropical Princess Bird Friend to life. I can't wait to see the original artwork which can be found hanging in Father Rabbit's Guest House over Bird Friend's bed!   

In a kaleidoscope world of colour and fun, these gorgeous homewares and accessories are guaranteed to make your heart sing. Included in the range are classic Bensimon sneakers, the Feliz Home textile range, Pony Rider cushions and the LA stationery brand Sugar Paper. Here's a taste of what's on offer.


  
Shop online here or visit Father Rabbit's Guest House in person at 14 Cockburn St, Grey Lynn, Auckland.  

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Calabaz

When it comes to interiors (and exteriors for that matter), lighting is up there with my favourite features. I have a Lighting board on Pinterest so that I can keep a record of everything that takes my fancy, and while there are many design classics that I love and pin again and again, it's always great to discover new lighting designs that bring something different to the table. 

That's exactly what happened recently when I received an email from designer Cecilia Zabala. Based in Älmhult, Sweden, she and her husband Mikael have a lighting brand called Calabaz, creating lamps that have been inspired by simple Scandinavian aesthetics. Designed to last a long time, the products have been made using 'cradle to cradle methodology' meaning that once worn, they are easy to separate and recycle. 

The Calabaz MIMO is a unique design for the home, pool or garden. Like perfect white stones found on the beach, polished by the waves after hundreds of years, the MIMO is truly beautiful. Wireless and rechargable, it even floats on water. Unlike other light sources, it does not heat up, making it perfect for use in children's rooms.

The growing range also includes floor and table lamps, pendants, work lamps, outdoor lamps, shades and accessories. Each product offers a twist on traditional design, while still being elegant and timeless. It's still only early days for this company, but with so much to offer already, I do believe Calabaz is one to watch. It was very hard to narrow it down, but here are some other standout designs. 

To find out more and see the full range, take a look here.

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