how to diagnose and cure HPA (homewares purchase anxiety)

Homewares purchase anxiety hits without warning. You’re wandering through the store with a burning desire to get something new for your space. Out of nowhere, you spot the ‘marked down’ sign.  A state of ecstasy begins within. Then, you see the cushion from the latest issue of Real Living. Hold the phones; isn’t that the print from last nights episode of Selling Houses Australia? And WTF – is that clock seriously only $19.95!? As you start to get overwhelmed with too many glorious options, you spot the eager sales assistant approaching. And moments later, they’re bagging up $200 worth of homewares you’re not sure you needed.

review: 100 ways to happy chic your life

If my mother told me tomorrow that I was adopted, I think I’d book a redeye flight to New York to declare myself Jonathan Adler‘s brother. We seem to share the same adoration of colour, a love of quirk, a fondness of humour and a partiality to a scatter cushion or seven. It’s in his latest release – 100 Ways to Happy Chic Your Life – he cements himself as my ultimate go-to guy for out-of-the-box home decor inspiration. So, we may not be brothers, but we are at the very least cut from the same cross-stitch!

a squiz at the september issue of inside out

My obsession with clocks was taken to new heights when issue 106 of Inside Out Magazine hit my mailbox this week (you really need to get a subscription!). The styling from Jessica Hanson and photography by Amanda Prior in the shot above is a clear standout from the September issue. The hard part? Choosing which clock is my fave! And on a side note, how cool is that wall pattern?

my new distressed coasters from stone inspired

I’ve been through my fair share of coasters over the years. Not only because some of them fall apart, but because it’s hard to hone in on a style that feels timeless as well as working from a practical perspective (a cork coaster is a one way ticket to Absorption City). I was a bit overcome when I got my hands on these bad boys from Stone Inspired, then – with a personalised gift inside just for me!

what goes into styling a photo shoot?

I’d always known that styling a photo shoot wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t until I hit Temple & Webster HQ a few weeks back and saw the team in action that I realised just how laborious it can be. I sat down with T&W’s Head of Styling, Jessica Bellef, to get the scoop on what she and Senior Stylist Adam Powell deal with daily when they’re putting together their glorious homewares shoots.

showcase your everyday items and mementos

I’ve never really understood homes that are styled within an inch of their lives and manage to say nothing about the people who live there. At TLC HQ, it’s all about personalisation, comfort and reflecting who I am and what’s happening in my life. In saying that, though, I do like things to have their place (and certain objects are not for the curious claws of the satanic sisters that are better know as my two cats). Enter this glorious find from Papaya!

review: abigail ahern’s decorating with style

Alert the presses, Creatives; I have been converted! Once a lover of all things light and bright in interiors (you know, sunshine and lollipops, a place where it’s always spring), this release from style maven Abigail Ahern has given me a wondrous appreciate of interiors with mood. The pictures within this release are somewhat dark, very alluring and quite unlike anything I’ve  laid eyes upon in an interiors book (and you know I have many).

a chat with iscd rug winner tina murray-walker

From left: Yosi Tal from Designer Rugs, Tina Murray-Walker, iscd General Manager Lucy Sutherland and Inside Out Editor Claire Bradley.

One of the most exciting things about my design course at the International School of Colour and Design is knowing that I get to design a rug toward the end of the year. The winning design from the course, would you believe, actually gets their rug produced by Designer Rugs! I sat down with the recent winner from the Cert IV course, Wahroonga mum Tina Murray-Walker, to discuss the design process, her time in the course and what doors have opened for her since winning.

officeworks’ new martha stewart collection

As a student at the International School of Colour and Design, it goes without saying that I’m at Officeworks as often as I am the coffee shop. What many of you might not realise, though, is that the store is more than just a place to pick up stationery supplies or print and copy documents. This new Martha Stewart range is the perfect example of how Officeworks is also your go-to destination for decorative storage. I’ve put my stylists skills to work on the new collection and here are the results!

become a part of the life creative’s real rooms

The very reason I started this blog was to connect like-minded creatives and showcase amazing spaces – not just the high end ones you see in the magazines (because let’s face it; nobody lives in the magazines). With this in mind, I present a glorious new initiative that you can get involved in, that’ll show the world the breathtaking nooks and crannies of your home in all their styled glory. I call it ‘Real Rooms’ – and here’s how you can get involved!