If you're not yet following the blog Bodie and Fou, I'm sure you'll want to after you've read this. Firstly, I recommend you check out the Bodie and Fou online boutique, where it all began. Created by sisters Elodie (Bodie) and Karine (Fou), it's a haven for design lovers, mixing European design and chic French style. Providing loads of creative ideas and inspiration you will find an extensive collection of carefully selected products for the home, including lighting and furniture, wallpaper and blinds, kitchen appliances, bed linen, babywear and more.
The store was launched in 2005 and the blog followed almost a year later. Starting out as a great place to let readers know what was going on with the shop, Karine says that 'eventually the blog became more of a creative space to share things, people and places that inspire me.' Lucky for us, Karine does just that, and everything reflects her exquisite taste and enviable French flair.
You can read about Karine's DIY projects and the decorating of her family home in London, as well as conversations with her gorgeous daughter Mila, who is seven. I love how family-oriented Karine is. As well as running the business with sister Elodie, she also works on styling projects with her photographer brother François Kong.
Photos from Karine's London Home....
European styling at its best, with a monochrome palette and warm brown leather. I love the photo wall.
A gorgeous DIY kitchen transformation. The black cabinets look fabulous paired with the stainless steel workbench.
Cluster Light by Kathleen Hills, from Bodie and Fou.
An old pallet turned into a coffee table. Of course I'm lusting over this cowhide rug.
Karine says 'I love blogging, I love sharing and I love the interaction with people, so being able to connect with so many people around the world is simply fantastic.' Her passion and energy is contagious and this has resulted in a fast growing blog which has been voted Top 20 Best Interiors blogs by VOGUE magazine, The Telegraph in the UK, Bolig magazine in Norway and Remodelista.
Not long after I'd fallen in love with Bodie and Fou, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that there was a New Zealand connection. Karine's husband Steve was born in New Zealand and they regularly holiday here in Waihi, where Steve spent his childhood.
The New Zealand Typemap print, duvet cover, linen scarf and Urbanears Plattan headphones are all available from Bodie and Fou. Beautiful styling by Karine and photography by her brother François.
Karine and her family also have a holiday home in France which has featured in several top interior publications including Grand Designs and Home Beautiful Australia. Having undergone a big renovation, the result is a 'Southern-Hemisphere style beach house' which Steve describes as 'a little slice of New-Zealand in a far-flung corner of France'. Here are a few pics.
If you do check out the online store, and I highly recommend you do, you might want to have your credit card ready because not only do they ship worldwide, they have a fabulous sale on right now!
All images: bodieandfou.com and pinterest.com/bodieandfou
