Find the Right White with Dulux

As an interior stylist and designer one of the most common questions I get asked is how to find the ‘right white’ paint colour. An often daunting decision with so many choices, Dulux make it simple with three of their most popular Whites, divided into three types - Neutral, Warm and Cool. Providing a great starting point for your next project, I recommend sampling each one to see how they work with other elements in your room, such as timber finishes and accent colours. It’s amazing how different white paints can look and feel in relation to the surroundings!

Neutral White: Cardrona

One of Dulux's most neutral whites, Cardrona is also one of the most popular. This is because it is so well balanced. With an underlying subtle warmth, Cardrona works in almost any space. 

Cool White: Ōkārito

If you're looking for a cool white, Ōkārito is an ideal choice. Bright, crisp and uplifting, Ōkārito is perfectly suited to modern, open-plan spaces.

Warm White: Sandfly Point 

Warm and creamy, Sandfly Point is a sophisticated white that injects a soft and cosy ambience to any room of the home.

Visit Dulux to learn more about these three popular whites, and while you're there, take a look around! Newly relaunched, the revamped Dulux website includes some wonderful features including new product pages with quick guides to key information, dedicated landing pages for colours, an easier E-commerce journey for shopping sample pots and colour swatches (with guest option for faster check out), colour swatch downloads available on all colours, and refreshed 'popular' colour landing pages.

AD / This is a Paid Partnership post. I only work with products I love and all opinions are my own. For more information please visit my About Page.

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Workspace Update

Updating my workspace was one of my goals for the start of this year. Without moving away from the calming environment I had created I wanted to make a few changes here and there as it was starting to feel a little stale. Just one day in and I feel a little boost in motivation while being at my desk in fresh surroundings!  

The first change came with the arrival of my MENU TR Bulb Table Lamp by New Zealand-born UK designer Tim Rundle. After featuring the series on TDC last year, the lamp went straight to my wish list. A beautiful combination of a grey marble base and white opal glass diffuser with a dimmable LED bulb, it provides a smooth and even light with no glare - perfect for when I'm working in the evenings.

You may recognise the new Poster from this blog post. Part of a series created by former fashion designer Malene Birger in collaboration with and exclusively for THE POSTER CLUB, I was so inspired by the abstract works and the beautiful styling by Pernille Vest. It was hard to choose from the gorgeous collection but I'm so happy with this NO3 print and I love how it looks against our greige walls, which are painted in Dulux Midhirst Half. 

Once the print was up on the wall I decided to change my desk trestle legs (previously a pale wood) to the black steel ones we had on our old dining table. Not only does the black add a sense of cohesion, I like that the legs are slim-lined providing a more elegant silhouette and greater feeling of space. Unfortunately the desk top has become a little warped over time, but I don't want to get a new desk until I find a motorised or adjustable standing one that I like. I currently use a box to raise my computer (standing is so much kinder on the back) because stylish up-down desks aren't easy to come by here. If you've seen any in NZ, please let me know! 

Way back before I repainted my workspace I used to have some simple IKEA shelves on the wall which were so handy for extra storage and displaying nice things. Excited to finally be replacing them, I decided on the Muuto Folded Shelf which I had been admiring for some time. Featuring  a unique design inspired by folded paper, it's super strong in a metal finish and has two handy little hooks. 

Styling and photography by Michelle Halford for TDC

My sculptural desk pieces are by Danish designer Kristina Dam, from Australia/NZ distributor Floc Studio. 

This post features affiliate links and gifted product. I only work with products I love and all opinions are my own. For more information please visit my About Page.

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Nespresso on Ice

I developed a taste for Nespresso iced coffee during the heatwave in Spain last year so was really excited to learn of a new Nespresso limited-edition iced coffee collection coming our way for summer. Easy to prepare and incredibly refreshing, the Nespresso on Ice has become my go-to on hot afternoons at home.

Featuring two variations inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle, Leggero on Ice is aromatic and delicate, with fruity notes, while Intenso on Ice is intense and rich with developed coffee and roasted notes. Naturally gravitating towards the intense, my favourite way of preparing Intenso on Ice requires very little effort, which I love! Forget the whipped cream, sticky syrups or unnecessary trimmings often associated with traditional iced coffee; Nespresso’s iced coffee is all about simply great coffee, ice and the addition of either cold water or milk. As you know I happily drink my coffees with or without milk depending on my mood, but for today's post I've prepared one with water, in just three easy steps.

Using the Nespresso on Ice Limited Edition ice cube tray to create ice cubes, I put three straight into my glass - the Nespresso Pure Recipe Glasses are perfect - and then add 40ml of Leggero on Ice coffee, followed by 90ml of cold water. A quick stir and that's it!

Getting back into work these last few weeks, I've developed an afternoon ritual of moving from my hot little office to the dining table with laptop in tow. Here I can open all the doors and windows and and cool down with a delicious Nespresso on Ice.

Even better, I'll take one out to the deck and catch up on some reading in the sun. 

Styling and photography by Michelle Halford for TDC

For a milk alternative, simply swap the cold water for 90ml of cold milk froth, which can be made with the Nespresso Aeroccino3. Or for those of you who are intense coffee lovers, try extracting two coffees in 25ml instead of one in 40ml. 

Discover more at Nespresso and remember to always recycle your capsules by taking them to your nearest Nespresso Boutique or participating collection points. 

This is a sponsored post. I only work with products I love and all opinions are my own. For more information please visit my About Page.

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Small but Perfectly Formed in Stockholm

Fully renovated, this delightful 18th century apartment in Stockholm has been impeccably styled by Josefin Hååg for Fantastic Frank. The small, multi-tasking room below incorporates so many lovely elements, including some of my favourite lamps, yet none are competing for attention. Beautifully balanced, it features a warm neutral palette, gorgeous workspace furniture and wonderful picture wall. The built in shelving is ideal for the compact room, while the deep windows and high ceilings increase the sense of space. 

Clean lines and pared-back styling carries through to the kitchen and dining space with warm wood, marble and a touch of brass. 

 Styling by Josefine Hååg for Fantastic Frank 

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Note Design Studio | 20X Sørensen Leather

Ever since Stockholm Design Week I've been seeing glimpses of this exciting project. In collaboration with Danish brand Sørensen Leather, Note Design Studio have selected 20 different leathers across a beautiful range of natural hues. Inspired by elements of the landscape such as stone, sand and stormy seas, the resulting colour box enhances the unique and natural characteristics of the leather such as the uneven texture, warmth, softness and durability.

Working with different Scandinavian manufacturers, the leathers have been applied to a range of beautiful products including cushions, coffee tables, watches and seating. Here are some my favourite furniture pieces along with corresponding leather colours:

• Bollo Lounge Chair by Andreas Engesvik for Fogia - Spectrum Ginger
• Mega 2-Seater Sofa by Chris Martin for Massproductions - Savanne Grey
• Pulse Daybed by NOIDOI for Skagerak - Spectrum Mustard 
• Feather swivel chair by Jens Fager for Edsbyn - Royal Nubuck Ecru
• Menu No-No Tables by Norm + Note - Spectrum Royal

The new collection is showcased inside the recently renovated Stockholm office of Note Design Studio.

Photography by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen

I can't get enough of caramel and honey hues right now, and to me these colours go hand in hand with leather. A dream space, the textural element of the leather is further complimented by the addition of warm wood and curtains in similar hues. Find out more about the collaboration here.

Imagery via the Note Design Studio website and Facebook page

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The New instax SHARE

As a fan of the Fujifilm instax cameras  - the boys have a cute Mini 8 and I have the classic Mini 90 -  I jumped at the chance of testing out the new instax SHARE. A very clever wee piece of technology, it allows you to print directly from your smart phone. Great for instantly sharing memories, it has given me the chance to do something I've wanted to do for ages - print off some of my favourite photos as Polaroids! I simply went through my camera roll and picked out some recent favourites, many of which were actually taken on my Nikon camera. You can also print images that you've uploaded to Instagram and Facebook and you can make copies with the Reprint button. 

It's super easy to use. You simply download the free instax SHARE App, sync your smartphone Wi-Fi with the instax printer, select an image and print! The app also offers filters to choose from and lots of fun templates, which you can read about here. 

Styling and photography by Michelle Halford for TDC

I'm so happy with my first round I can't wait to load up some more film and print more! If you're in NZ, find out where to buy here, otherwise visit Fujifilm Global. 

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