Larger Than Life

If anything, my taste in interior design is simple and classic, bordering on conservative.  I have trouble with anything that's unusual or a little bit 'out there.'  I love sleek lines and muted tones, and as I've said before, in terms of interior design, there's a lot to be said by keeping it simple.  However, a lot of big 'features' in rooms have been catching my eye in design magazines lately, and it's got me thinking.  I was discussing renovations with a workmate the other day, and she was telling me about the converted dairy she lives in.  Her bedroom is mainly white, however she has an enormous black chandelier in the centre of the room.  Whether I like it or not, people are getting more adventurous with statement pieces - and often with great results.

A feature chair in a neutral room serves as a bold point of interest

 

In an otherwise pure white kitchen, the bold move of continuing the sleek floorboards to the splashback pays off without being over the top.  Note how the earthy wood colour is even tied in through the lampshades.

 

A beautiful chandelier serves as the centrepiece of the sparse room above.

As you can see above, art can become a statement in an otherwise neutral room.

Exposed internal brick walls add a rustic and unfinished industrial feel

 

I often think feature walls are for the daring and stupid.  They can turn out either heavy looking and overly obvious, or the nail is hit directly on the head and they look elegant and clever.

 

The wallpaper in the above room is a bold feature in itself.  Notice that the rest of the room has been left quite simple as not to overwhelm the eye.

If you want something less committal, a picture feature wall can look equally amazing.

Simply integrating a few touches of one bright colour adds an interesting detail also...

 

 

Even if you want to keep it simple and classic, interior design doesn't need to be safe or boring.  What I'm learning is to be brave and clever with what I choose when putting rooms together.  Points of interest and pops of colour, when done right, can only add to how a room feels.  It says something about you, and adds personality.  And that's what makes it home!

Thanks for reading,

Joanna

Home Sweet Home

In our early twenties, the move away from our parents' home is a little bit like embarking on a long trip.  You leave with a bag or two, commune with others in the same situation, and build your own temporary home until it's time to move on again.  You return to mum and dad's when you're in need of clean, crisp sheets to sleep on, washing done and a Sunday roast (as well as a little cuddle when it all gets a bit tough).  I remember leaving home and spending all my money on a beautiful bed and expensive mattress, but that meant I had to sit on the floor every day to put my makeup on, as I ran out of funds for a dressing table.  My roommate had some questionable looking couches with sheets over them, which we consumed our microwave meals on while watching TV.  Our overgrown backyard had a resident rat that would brazenly venture too close to the back door for my liking, until he (or she) was one day swiftly consumed by a kookaburra.

Independence.  And not much furniture.

  

When my husband-to-be and myself moved in together, we rented a little apartment by Bondi Beach, and took great pride in our new abode.  We bought a vacumn cleaner.  Some Ikea furniture.  A chopping board and a toilet brush.  Two years later we bought our own home in Melbourne, and somewhere in the transition, I found I had changed.  An overgrown backyard bothered me.  I bought myself a microfibre duster.  We hung pictures in each room.  'Good God,' we said to each other, 'when did we become grown ups?'

When we were 25, it was grown up to own a dinner set.  Now we're thirty, we need a nice dinner set.  We built a home together, but now that we are almost married, it's time for an upgrade.  This was at the forefront of my mind as we set up our bridal registry at David Jones last week.  What key items should we choose, and what do we really need in our home?

A good dinnerset is a must.  Donna Hay has brought out a beautiful line with Royal Doulton, which was at the top of my list.  The chipped Maxwell Williams dinnerset served us well, but it's time to move on.  These contemporary pieces are classic with a slightly modern edge, and part of a functional line of kitchen items available through Donna Hay's Corner Store in Sydney's Woollahra, or at David Jones.

 

Gordon Ramsay does a great line of bakeware which is also available at David Jones.  When making a casserole or lasagne, these come in really handy.  They're also dishwasher safe, which is a bonus in our household.

 

 

Wedgewood wine glasses are crafted from fine crystal, and are beautiful when toasting a special occasion. 

For everyday use, Country Road have a good selection of wine glasses, as do Riedel.  Riedel is especially cheap at Target in the States.

 

You'll use quality pots and pans for years to come, so good ones are always a great investment.  I've talked about DeLonghi's retro-inspired line of kitchen appliances before - they're a great stylish yet functional addition to any kitchen.

Another fundamental appliance for any kitchen is a serious coffee maker.  George Clooney says 'Nespresso', while my beloved says 'Rancilio.'  Up to you.

 

I can't go past Sheridan for quality towels and linen, which come in countless colours and styles. 

 

As I've said before, I really believe that it's the little things that make your house a home. Here are a few of my favourite small things:

Donna Hay's beautiful tea towels

Ecoya Candles

Sid Dickens Memory Blocks - they're heavy, so you'll need a nail to hang them

 

I adore lamps - they can make or break a room.  I would love this one from Moooi

Stay warm,

Joanna

Vanilla Blueberry Friands

Forgive my absense - winter is upon us and my motivation levels always sink when it's cold!  However, nothing says 'cosy' to me than a little bit of home baking.  One of my favourite little treats that I want to share with you are friands.  Friands probably originated from the 'financier' - which is a little French cake - and I love anything French!  Almond meal is one of the main friand ingredients, making these friands a light, moist teacake.  Recently I came across custom-made friand tins in the supermarket and decided to make some.  The tins are similiar to muffin tins, however are made to give your baking the eye-catching friand shape.

Grease your tin with some melted butter, and preheat the oven to about 180 degrees.  Make sure the tray is in the middle of the oven so that the friands don't burn on top when cooking.  Melt 100 grams of butter and set it aside to cool.

Carefully separate 5 eggs and whisk the egg whites in a big bowl until they're foamy.  Sift into the bowl 1 cup of icing sugar, 1/4 cup plain flour, and 150 grams of almond meal, also adding the melted butter.  Mix in a few teaspoons of vanilla essence and stir until just combined.  Distribute the mixture evenly into the friand tins.

You can choose fresh or frozen berries - either work well.  Add about 5 berries to the top of each friand, or you can push them a little deeper if you want the berries in the middle of the friand rather than just on top.  You can also sprinkle the tops with a some shaved almonds if you choose.

Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden and they spring back when lightly pressed.  Remove from the oven and allow to stand for five minutes. 

Run a knife around the outside of each friand before turning them out of the tin.  Serve warm dusted lightly with icing sugar.

 

The friands can be stored in an airtight container or even frozen.  You can serve them at room temperature, or even heat them a little in the microwave, adding some fresh berries on the side for an extra touch. 

Happy baking!

Joanna