Sweet Home of Mine

Interior design is constantly evolving.  Our homes mean different things to us now more than ever.  Entertaining is no longer confined to the dining room, with the lady of the house slaving away all Betty Draper style in the kitchen.  Our homes now say so much about who we are, rather than just being designated formal and informal living spaces.  Our homes are not just places where we live; they're where we work, entertain, create and recharge.  They are a place of refuge and a showcase for our identities.  Interior design isn't just that 'matchy match' look of the fifties, rather it's now an intelligent artform, creating homes that are both beautiful and functional.  This idea is something that is constantly changing, influenced by the seasons, fashion, and, of course, the whims of the lady of the house!  Coming into summer, now is a great time to revamp your home and rid yourself of that winter slump.  You don't need to knock down walls and max out your credit card - there are lots of small things you can do to bring a touch of summer to your home.

Soft furnishings are a great place to start.  Seek out art-inspired and handcrafted furnishings and fabrics that allow your inner style to shine.  Think classic with a twist of colour, adding interest and renewing your home.  Marimekko is a Finnish design company mainly recognisable by their original prints and pops of colour.  They have been around since 1951, making significant contributions to the rise of a new fashion in interior design throughout the 1960s and 70s.  Their designs range from bedding and cushions, curtains and towels, to clothes and other home decor.  These pieces are classics born from culture, people, fashion and art, embracing so many options that you can change the colours in your home with the changes of the seasons, or even your mood.

Pottery Barn has a gorgeous range of rugs that can bring a burst of life to tired old floors. Bring a modern classic twist to your home with a rug that adds interest and elegance.  You'll be surprised how much of a difference a new rug can make to a room. 

Think about your window furnishings in relation to how you use a room.  Natural light is a tool that you should consider when making over a space in your home.  Maybe you want more natural light streaming into your early morning living areas, or perhaps need to be able to block bright light out of your baby's bedroom.  Freedom and Ikea both have affordable options to redress your windows in a smart way that flows with the feel of the room.

I always say this: it's the little things that really bring a home together, rather than big, expensive and ornate decor.  Interior design should be fun, and reflect you, not trends and fads.  Coco Chanel once said that it was not her houses that she loved, but the life she lived in them.   Aim for your home to be a place where you are happy to be; an oasis of your making.

 

Until next time,

Joanna



Anzac Biscuits

Traditionally made on or around Anzac Day, these biscuits are a big favourite in this part of the world. Although it's not April, I woke up the other morning and, a notorious comfort baker, decided to make some Anzac biscuits. They're so easy to make, and I was really happy with the results.  First of all, preheat your oven to about 160, and line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Sift one cup of plain flour into a large mixing bowl, adding one cup of rolled oats, one cup of desiccated coconut and three quarters of a cup of soft brown sugar.

Roll the mixture into small balls and line up on the baking tray about 5cm apart. Press down gently with a fork to flatten slightly. Bake for about ten minutes, or until golden on top. Try not to overcook them as you want them to be soft and chewy inside, rather than crunchy all the way through.

Once out of the oven, let the biscuits cool before you run a knife underneath them and remove from the tray. I like to pile mine up and put a ribbon around them to give as gifts - they will be happily received by your loved ones!

Enjoy,

Joanna

In Full Bloom

Yesterday, Melbourne was cold and pouring with rain.  I rugged up warm and braved the weather to meet a lovely friend of mine for breakfast.  As I walked into the cafe, I saw he was already there, with a beautiful bunch of pink and white tulips waiting for me.  Inside the wrapping paper, he had slipped his RSVP to our wedding.  It was such a lovely touch, and made my day.

Flowers are one of my favourite things.  They come with so many meanings, and can change the feel of a home completely.  My mum will always have fresh flowers in their house; little sprigs of lavender on the bedside tables in the guest room, roses in the kitchen.  Flowers can tie decorating themes together, or add colour to the most neutral of rooms - and best of all, they lift even the heaviest of hearts.

 

Flowers give you a fun way to get creative with your interior decorating, particularly if you're on a small budget.  I save any empty little bottles I come across, and put a few stems in each as a makeshift vase.  You can have one on its own, or line them up along a windowsill or mantlepiece as I have done.

For parties, baby or bridal showers, an easy project is to hollow out eggs and rinse them, putting them in an egg cup and stuffing the top with little flowers.  You can even spray the egg shell as the same colour as your flowers to tie in a colour theme.

Fresh flowers can tie in with a room's floral theme, creating a contemporary country feel.  I love the splashes of light and dark purple in the above room - a lot of the theme coming together is due to the fresh flowers.

Think outside the square with what you put your flowers in.  The container itself can also become part of the theme of the room.

Ikea have a good, inexpensive range of little white pails and pots.  It can be a nice change from a glass vase to display your flowers in one of these. 

If the maintenance of fresh flowers doesn't appeal to you, there are some very realistic looking faux flowers available that are guaranteed to leave your admiring guests none the wiser.  The happiest place on earth, Pottery Barn, is the home of my favourites.

As a child, I always admired my mother's faux hydrangeas in the bathroom. I was ecstatic to pick some up in LA recently for my own home.

 

If you have a green thumb, you can always pick fresh flowers from your own garden to put inside.

My favourite part of planning our wedding (aside from choosing my gorgeous Vera Wang dress!) was picking the flowers.  It was a difficult task as we're having a winter wedding and not a lot of my favourites will be in season.  I've learnt a lot about winter flowers as I have been guided through the process by our clever florist, and am now in love with what I have chosen.  But you'll have to wait a month or so to see pictures of them!

As always, thank you for reading,

Joanna

Adorned on the 4th of July

Never mind the fact that she went to jail for insider trading, Martha Stewart is my idol.  Her brand was mostly unaffected by her time inside, and continues to thrive as an exceptional example of American interior design and DIY 'good things.'  She is distinguishable by hues of Hyannisport holiday homes, as well as a touch of upper class conservatism.  This is something that is replicated in homes all over the country.

Taking the sting out of house arrest: Martha Stewart's home in Maine

In celebration of today, the 4th of July, I'm looking at my most favourite style of interior design.  Think Jackie Kennedy holidaying in the Massachusetts, Balboa Island on Memorial Day, clean lines and clever accessorising - even Rachel and Monica's apartment on Friends.  The style is easily identifiable, and mostly very accessible - thanks to the amazing American shopping (South Coast Plaza, I love you.)

All American: The Kennedys holidaying in Hyannisport

Obviously a chain store, but none the less loved by the masses, is Crate and Barrel. Americans are high consumers, and this in turn keeps the prices down and makes homewares very accessible. Crate and Barrel are clever about moving with fashion, but also manage to retain a classy feel. Their range of furniture, home decor, outdoor living as well as accessories, is enormous and reasonably priced. The stores are set out immaculately - not only just selling you the wares to make your house a home, but also showing you how to set it up the best way.

For Americans, interior design is not just kitting out your home as well as you can. It's about lifestyle, making your home smart and user-friendly, as well as aesthetically pleasing. Another store which I think does this extremely well is Pottery Barn. Storage and organisation are not run of the mill - they too can compliment your home.  Decoration is simple, smart and beautiful.

Spice jars

Storage over the back of the pantry door

Something as simple as a hose reel can tie your decorating scheme together

American culture is intertwined with celebrating, and their homes reflect this.  I adore the way they go over the top decorating for the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, or Halloween.  Both Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn take online orders and ship internationally, so now it's even easier for us on the other side of the world to have access to the United State's fantastic example of interior design and decorating.  The key is to keep it clean and simple, injecting a few classy and creative twists. 

Happy Independence Day,

Joanna 

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