Author Archives: topbird

1. Wee Find: Such Great Heights New Collection

   June 2, 2015 7:56 pm Leave a Comment

   

   The stars have aligned for Australian brand Such Great Heights, with a truly beautiful new collaborative capsule collection of home decor, womenswear, girlswear and accessories.

   From their new home in New York City, partners Ryan and Jo have developed a new textiles print range in collaboration with a wealth of international and local talent, including Melbourne-based artists, Gemma Patford Legge and Laura Blythman; Belgium-based illustrator Mathilde Van Gheluwe, and Brooklyn based illustrator Rawaan Alkhatib.

   The results are beautiful and inspired, made for design-conscious parents who have an appreciation for print, colour and pattern in both homewares and fashion.

   We love their new campaign lookbook, shot in New York City.

   

   

   The mummy-and-daughter range of fashion is really lovely, and we adore the vintage-inspired toddler romper design complete with Peter Pan collar. The gorgeous contemporary prints bring the design bang up to date, available in Laura Blythman’s abstract ‘Carnevale’ print; Gemma Patford Legge’s celestial ‘Cosmos’ print; and Rawaan Alkhatib’s ‘Wildflowers’ print. There is also a matching dress design for girls aged two to nine; and a fabulous throw-on shift dress for women.

   

   

   The ‘A’-frame ‘Wonder Tents’ are another highlight, crafted in the USA from blonde American Maple hardwood. It comes with an extra base plate set to convert it into a Clothes Rack. Genius!

   We love the innovative thinking behind this versatile design, and the upholstery-weight canopy works as an epic artwork in itself, showcasing the original illustration. Gemma Patford Legge’s Cosmos print looks spectacular worked in this way, as she originally hand-painted a two-metre square canvas to create the work.

   

   

   

   We also love Mathilde Van Gheluwe’s expressive Happy/Sad cushion, which allows children to explore emotions while providing a dash of personality in their room. Ryan and Jo stumbled across Mathilde’s work after she won first prize at the Fumetto International Comix Festival in Switzerland.

   

   Here’s our round-up of our favourite pieces from the new collection. Just hover over the images below to see product details and click through to buy.

   [ngg_images gallery_ids=”19” display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails” template=caption]

   We can’t wait to see what Such Great Heights does next. We’ll be watching!

   The limited-edition collection is available to pre-order now. See individual listings for delivery estimates (between 2-4 weeks).

   All photography courtesy of Such Great Heights.

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2. 10 clever ways to use plants in bathrooms

   June 1, 2015 7:00 am Leave a Comment

   

   Plants (usually) love bathrooms, as the high humidity provides the perfect environment for moisture-loving plants like devil’s ivy, English ivy, arrowhead vice, hollyfern and baby’s tears. Just steer clear of plants which require drier conditions, like cactuses.

   Sometimes it just takes one leafy plant to add colour, texture and a sense of lushness to a room full of plain white tiles. Look for nooks and crannies that would make ideal habitats for small plants. Scout out spots behind taps and on top of toilets. Short on bench space? Look up and hang greenery from the ceiling.

   Here, we’ve rounded up 10 beautiful bathrooms with clever use of gorgeous greenery. Get ready to be inspired… and get your green thumb on.

   1. (Above) Position a collection of indoor plants in assorted pots and planters along the bottom of the ‘dry’ side of a frameless shower screen for a seamless ‘indoor jungle’ look in the bathroom. We also love the contrast between the organic, natural greenery of the plants against the graphic tiles. Photo via Hearth.

   

   2. Staghorns love the moisture-rich environment of bathrooms, and they look great in groups of three on the wall. Note that the organic greenery against white circle bases provides a visual counterpoint to the vertical and horizontal lines in this bathroom. Photo via Dkor Interiors.

   

   3. An exposed brick wall, clawfoot bath and pots of greenery (including a magnificent monstera) combine to create an eclectic urban jungle. Photo by Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

   

   4. This bathroom is all about texture. A vertical wall of succulents combine with ferns and a twisted vine to contrast against the concrete bathtub. Photo by Jen Siska for Flora Grubb Gardens via Inside Out.

   

   5. Recesses and niches in the wall aren’t just for shampoo and conditioner. Combine products with a trailing plant to add softness, colour and texture to your bathroom. Photo by Brooke Holm; styling by Marsha Golemac; via Clare Cousins Architects.

   

   6. (Above, left) Want that ‘wow factor’ in your bathroom? Just add a lush vertical garden, pots of mother-in-law tongues and an impressive recessed rainwater shower to create your own urban jungle. Photo via Trending NL

   7. (Above, top right) Free up bench space and position trailing plants on windowsills, where they’ll lap up all the natural light. Balance with a pot of mothers-in-law tongues on the ground. Photo via Design Sponge.

   8. (Above, bottom right) Rescue an all-white bathroom from all-round blandness with a small potted succulent. Photo by Kate Beveridge/Instagram.

   

   9. In this bathroom, a monstera has been positioned directly behind the mirror to effectively double the leafy view. Via Elle Decoration Sweden. Photography by Johan Sellén.

   

   10. An upside-down hanging planter works beautifully to soften the lines in this bathroom and creates a mini jungle effect. Via Inside Out/Desire to Inspire.

   Want more ideas on how to decorate your home with indoor plants? This is an edited extract from our FREE 84 page e-mag, Decorating with Plants. Find out how to make your home more beautiful with indoor plants, along with our favourite DIY projects for plants, inspirational interiors, clever ideas and practical tips.

   Want your copy of Decorating with Plants NOW? Just join up to We Are Scout’s weekly newsletter and your 84-page FREE magazine will be delivered straight to your inbox. Simply enter your email address below and click Sign Up.

   Tell us: have you got any plants in your bathroom right now? We’d love to hear what has worked (or not!) for you.
   

3. Fashion Find: Tsumori Chisato Blouse for Anthropologie

   May 31, 2015 11:39 pm Leave a Comment

   

   I adore this blouse by Tsumori Chisato for Anthropologie. The feminine scalloped neckline and floaty sleeves. The eyelet cotton fabric. The blousey effect pulled-over effect. Actually, I’m loving the guts out of the whole outfit, with the softly-gathered straight midi skirt and tan strappy heels.

   

   

   

   But as much as I adore the blouse, there’s no way my non-existent budget will stretch to $668. Still, a nice white blouse with interesting details has emerged as the new white T-shirt this season. So I’ve rounded up three other lovely white blousey options, which are a little friendlier on three budget…

   

   Vasanti Peasant Top by Vanessa Virginia, $98, from Anthropologie.

   

   Top with gathered edges, £59, from COS.

   

   Helen easy blouse, £68, from Whistles.

   Tell us: which one is your favourite? Or have you found another great blouse somewhere else?

   All photography courtesy of the respective brands.

4. Tutorials: 5 Unexpectably Awesome Pineapple Craft Ideas

   May 30, 2015 9:34 pm Leave a Comment

   

   Just when we thought we’d seen the last pineapple-themed novelty item, along comes five new amazingly-awesome craft tutorials that have us yearning for the prickly fruit all over again.

   We’ve just had a BIG pineapple-themed summer here in Australia, but with summer 2015 merely hours away for our northern hemisphere readers, it looks like pineapples are not going away any time soon. So this post is dedicated to all of our lovely readers north of the equator. May your summer be sweet and your pineapple-themed craft extra-juicy. Enjoy these pineapple craft ideas!

   1. DIY Pineapple Favour Bags

   

   The genius of this tutorial, by The House that Lars Built, is that it’s made from a plain brown paper bag. Perfect for bagging up treats and cake for all your summer parties.

   2. DIY Pineapple Espadrilles

   

   Have you checked out Fran’s awesome blog Fall for DIY? Head over there and learn how to use transfer paper to iron images on to espadrilles. Easy, and they look amazing.

   3. DIY Pineapple Party Cup

   

   So ridiculously easy we’re kicking ourselves for not thinking of it first! But Rebecca from Simple as That did – and her super-easy tutorial for pineapple paper cups is perfect for a tropical or Tiki-themed party this summer.

   4. DIY Pineapple Tropical Party with Palm Frond Balloons

   

   Oh My Pineapples! We love Kelly from Studio DIY’s gorgeous tropical-themed party table, complete with pineapples, palm fronds, and decoupaged balloons. You heard right. Decoupaged balloons. Head over to Balloon Time for Kelly’s full step-by-step tutorial.

   5. DIY Pineapple Night Light Jar

   

   In this easy tutorial on A Beautiful Mess, Elsie Larson takes you through the steps on how to make your own pineapple night light. Sweet!

   After more craft tutorials and DIYs? Click here for ideas.

   All photography courtesy of individual blogs.

5. Wee Find: FriendsWithYou Rainbow City & New Prints

   10:11 am Leave a Comment

   

   Fine art collaborative duo, Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III, otherwise known as FriendsWithYou, have just launched their legendary, joyful, interactive installation “Rainbow City” at Central Embassy in Bangkok. If you’re stopping over any time soon, it will be up until June 25.

   

   Rainbow City, as seen yesterday in Bangkok. Photo by via yok64/Instagram.

   

   “Rainbow City” at Central Embassy in Bangkok. Photo by nikiarnback/Instagram.

   Rainbow City was originally commissioned by Luminato Festival of the Arts in Toronto, then shown at Art Basel Miami Beach, and later at the High Line Park in NYC.

   Inspired by Holi, “a festival effectuated by Hindu followers throwing brightly colored water and powder at each other”, they say that Rainbow City “presents a vibrant collection of mutable, air-filled sculptures that encourages visitors to be active and explore, subsequently inventing their own ritual”.

   

   

   

   

   Rainbow City at NYC’s High Line in 2011. Photography courtesy of FriendsWithYou.

   Earlier this year, FriendsWithYou presented their incredible Light Cave at Dallas Contemporary for Dallas Arts Week. This is FriendsWithYou’s largest stand-alone interactive sculpture to date, and was originally installed at The Plaza at The Standard, High Line in September 2014.

   

   

   

   I’ve been a a fan of FriendsWithYou for a few years now, drawn to their playful approach to fine art, obsession with rainbows, kawaii figures and geometric shapes.

   I’ve collected their Wish Come True wobble toys when they were released back in 2008, which have since found a home on the shelves in my four-year-old’s bedroom. He loves them just as much as I do, and reminds me of the the shared enjoyment we get from another post-pop installation artist, Yayoi Kusama.

   FriendsWithYou have just released as series of limited-edition silk-screened prints, Mr. TTT. Each colour comes in an edition of 25, and each print is $200. They are offering a discount of $100 if you purchase the full set of four prints.

   

   Mr. TTT limited edition silk-screened prints by FriendsWithYou.

   Tell me: are you a fan of FriendsWithYou? Have you seen any of their installations around the world, or collected any of their art or ‘art toys’?
   
   All photography (excluding Instagram pics) are courtesy of FriendsWithYou.

6. 5 New Design and Homewares Collections You Need to Know About

   May 29, 2015 1:03 pm 2 Comments

   

   In the design world, new design and homewares collections are sometimes launched months before the products actually arrive in store or online. Here, we’ve rounded up our favourite new collections that are available right now – or coming very soon – and picked our best buys. It’s surprising how just one or two new pieces can give your home a whole new look, and welcome in a new season.

   1. New Winter Bed Linen at Castle

   

   

   

   What: New winter bedlinen collection, including charcoal flower print bed linen combined with classic cottons, new linens and a lush mohair throw blanket.
   Why we love it: Rachel Castle’s colour combos are immediately cheering, and the new winter prints are the perfect way to give your bedroom a winter makeover.
   Best buys: Can’t afford a new duvet cover? Make a bold new statement by adding two of Castle’s new charcoal flower pillowcases, $49 each, to your current bedlinen. The charcoal print works with many different colours and styles. We also love Castle’s velvet penny round cushions. Check out this new version in peach, for $49.And if you’re looking for some affordable art, check out Castle’s limited edition prints and artworks. Most of the new works have already sold, but check out the limited edition Patchwork 1 tea-towel, for $69. It’s designed to be framed and hung on the wall.
   Available: Online this week.

   2. Mark Tuckey X Cotton On

   
   
   

   What: Australian designer Mark Tuckey‘s bespoke homewares collection for Cotton On.
   Why we love it: Mark Tuckey style at Cotton On prices, of course! Also, we’re so pleased to see a brand like Cotton On collaborate with Australian designers. More, please!
   Best buys: Chunky knit throws, linen sheets and a rather handsome bean bag.
   Available: Online from Friday 3 July and in select Cotton On stores from Wednesday 8 July.

   3. Kip and Co X Nomi

   

   What: New collaboration between Kip & Co and NOMI Furniture.
   Why we love it: Two amazing Aussie designers collaborating!
   Best buys: NOMI’s mid-century-inspired PALA chair upholstered in Kip & Co print fabrics. Only a limited number will be produced through selected retailers.
   Available: from June at the following retailers:

   Life Interiors Showroom
   Alexandria Industrial Estate
   Unit A3 35-39 Bourke Rd
   Sydney

   Willows Home Traders
   89 Darby St Cooks Hill 2300
   Newcastle East

   4. Dinosaur Designs Flower Collection

   
   
   

   What: The latest collection from Dinosaur Designs.
   Why we love it: The new Flower collection is sculptural, feminine, and unique; design, homewares and jewellery for keeps. Basically, everything we adore about this iconic Sydney brand.
   Best buys: Where do we start? How about the large resin Orchid Bangle in peach for $105; or a Little Bud ring in sterling silver for $80? We also love the Flower Platter in Warm Swirl for $150. Incredibly striking!
   Available: Online and in store now.

   5. Pois Ceramic Collection at Citta Design

   

   What: The new monochrome ceramics in the ‘Pois’ design from New Zealand design company Citta.
   Why we love it: It’s painterly, pointillist and perfectly on-trend with its monochrome design. The black and white design is surprisingly versatile, and can be mixed and matched with your existing dinnerware. An instant upgrade without splashing out on a whole new set!
   Best buys: The Pois serving plate for $54.90.
   Available: Online now.

   Tell us: do you have your eye on a particular new product right now? How will you make it work in your home?

   All photography courtesy of the individual designers and brands.

7. Home tour: A light-filled Sydney Terrace Renovation

   May 28, 2015 9:23 pm Leave a Comment

   

   We may need to reconsider the name of our blog. ‘We Are Sick’ would be fairly relevant right now. Poor Lisa has pneumonia, and I’m not much chop either. So thank you Inside Out magazine, who have come to our rescue with some super-lovely bonus pics from their new June 2015 issue, on sale today.

   These pics are from a feature about a gorgeous Sydney terrace renovation, and details the transformation of a typical Victorian terrace in Newtown into a beautiful, light-filled family home.

   The home owners, Matthew Wakelin and his wife Erin, decided to project-manage the renovation themselves. They reconfigured the house’s layout, which took around five months. With a total spend of more than $400k, Mathew says that they “saved money by taking on the project ourselves. We did everything because we weren’t realistic about price at the start. Everyone tells you to double your initial budget – it’s true!”

   

   

   

   You can read more about this renovation over on Inside Out and get the full story in the new June 2015 issue, on sale now.

8. Arro Home’s New Patchwork Jungle Collection

   May 27, 2015 10:02 pm 2 Comments

   

   I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Australian design is enjoying a mini revolution right now. New indie homewares brands pop up every month, and the bed linen sector, in particular, has enjoyed extraordinary growth in the last few years. We love seeing independent Australian design brands picked up by international press, bloggers and buyers – and rightly so, too.

   Leading this extraordinary explosion of creativity is Melbourne-based designer Beci Orpin, the creative brain behind numerous brands, labels and books over the past decade. Her homewares brand, Arro Home, has just released its third collection, called Patchwork Jungle.

   

   

   Embracing the zeitgeist’s ’70s love affair with indoor plants (which Beci has championed in all of her creative ventures over the years), the new collection features loads of plant imagery and a punchy colour palette of fresh greens mixed with rich blues, neutrals and pastels.

   

   

   It’s a more sophisticated look for Arro, which has just added a covetable curtain set to its homewares line-up of bed linen, cushions, kitchenware and textiles, accessories and rugs. Time to give your windows a makeover, methinks, while I make a dash for the ‘Patchwork Jungle’ cushion, which would look right at home on my living room sofa.

   

   

   The new Jungle Patchwork collection is now available online at Arro Home. Local and international shipping is available.

   Photography by Sean Fennesey and styling by Jess Lillico, courtesy of Arro Home.

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9. Shopping Guide: Teeny tiny stud earrings

   May 26, 2015 9:47 pm 2 Comments

   

   We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping for earrings, with a wide range of gorgeous shapes, styles and materials that are perfectly on trend right now. I’m relatively new to the earrings market, having had virgin ears for the first 40 years of my life. So ever since I got my ears pierced last year, I’ve been immersing myself in this brand new world of accessorising. And my, I’ve had fun!

   

   Dot earrings, $48, from Petite Grand.

   One trend that has emerged over the past year are teeny tiny stud earrings. I’m talking about anything that’s smaller than 1cm in length and width (and closer to 5mm in width). Some are so miniature, the designer advises that you take them “on and off while leaning over a flat surface. Or, just never take it off!” While some of the more minimalist styles recall high-school-approved plain studs (a nod to normcore, perhaps?), other miniature studs are anything but simple.

   

   Clockwise from left: Tiny Diamond Shape Studs, £5, from & Other Stories; Wendy Nichol 14-karat white gold diamond earrings, $435.66 from Net-a-Porter; Diamond Mini Triangle Studs by Charlie and Marcelle, $298 from Anthropologie.

   Mix and match your miniature studs and adorn your ears in a constellation of tiny gems (for those with multiple piercings), or go for a dainty solo statement with a singular precious gem. Here’s my round-up of the best teeny tiny studs, starting at just £5.

   

   [ngg_images gallery_ids=”18” display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails” template=caption]

   Tell me: have you embraced the teeny-tiny stud trend? Solo or multiples? Gold, white-gold, rose-gold, copper or silver? Geo or oraganic shapes? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

   Next week, I’ll be rounding up the best statement earrings.

   Top image: Geo Color Stud Earring Set, $20, from Urban Outfitters. Photography courtesy of individual designers and brands.

   Disclosure

10. Fashion Find: WHIT Two for Anthropologie

    May 25, 2015 6:24 pm Leave a Comment

    

    My last holiday feels way too long ago. It was, in fact, 15 months ago when we went to Hawaii for my 40th birthday. What I’d give to be back there right now! As some as you know, I adore ’60s Tiki culture, and sadly there’s not a lot of original Tiki stuff to be found in Waikiki. But I made up for it by hitting up some vintage Hawaiian shops, where I picked up a couple of original ’60s Tiki frocks and muu-muus. So I’m loving WHIT designer Whitney Pozgay’s latest WHIT Two capsule collection for Anthropologie, which was inspired by “old photos of people taking trips to Hawaii in the ’60s Tiki movement.” Can we say ‘Aloha’?

    

    Waikiki Midi Dress by WHIT Two, $168, from Anthropologie.

    

    

    Petalprint Cross-Back Dress by WHIT Two, $178, from Anthropologie.

    I’m particularly enamoured by the bright and bold mid-century-inspired Tiki prints which feature in Pozgay’s latest collection, which is designed specifically for Anthropologie’s range of ‘petite’ sizes. There are quite a few maxi-dresses in the collection, which are notoriously tricky for short girls to wear, however Pozgay’s demonstrated that she knows a thing or two about how to cut a flattering shape, while balancing print and proportion.

    

    

    Helenium Maxi Dress by WHIT Two, $248, from Anthropologie.

    

    Mareta Maxi Dress by WHIT Two, $248, from Anthropologie.

    WHIT Two is available online and instore at Anthropologie, with dress prices starting at US$158. Check Anthropologie’s ‘petite sizing’ chart (at the bottom of each product page) for dimensions and measurements.
    

11. Wee Find: It’s a Party collection at Lark

    May 23, 2015 4:44 pm Leave a Comment

    

    Time to par-tay! What’s that, you say? No parties planned? No glittering soirees jotted down on your social calendar? No elaborate Elsa hairstyles to recreate for your four-year-old Frozen princess this weekend? Ahhh… too bad (just quietly – *high five* – now, put up your feet, have a cuppa and let it goooo). But you might need to re-think your plans once you’ve seen the delightful new “It’s a Party” collection by American partyware brand Sweet Lulu.

    

    

    

    Legendary Australian online (and real bricks and mortar) store Lark has just picked up Sweet Lulu‘s newest collection of paper plates, party hats and co-ordinating pretties.

    We love this nostalgic-tinged collection and sweet-shop appeal, with stand-out pieces including the felt confetti (one of those things you really don’t need but absolutely have to have); retro-style party horns and pinwheel plates. And look… there’s not a snowflake in sight.

    

    

    It’s a Party collection by Sweet Lulu is available at Lark, with prices starting at $8.95.

    All photography courtesy of Sweet Lulu and Lark.

12. Wee Find: Karen Walker X Liberty Sunglasses

    May 21, 2015 7:00 am 4 Comments

    

    I almost don’t know what’s better. The Liberty-print paper crown, or the new collaboration between Karen Walker and Liberty.

    In a rare meeting of Antipodean style with an iconic London brand, Liberty’s classic floral prints enrobe three Karen Walker sunglasses designs: Pink Liberty Print Number One; Multicolour Liberty Print Super Duper Strength; and Blue Liberty Print Harvest.

    

    Even better? It’s just in time for the Chelsea Flower Show, so if you happen to be in London right now, you can cast your discerning floral-framed peepers over the gardens, while accessorised appropriately in theme.

    I always miss London at this time of the year, and I was lucky to visit the Chelsea Flower Shower back in 2006. You can read all about my visit here.

    I miss boarding the Tube at the end of the day, laden with armfuls of flowers (the spoils of the 4pm sell-off); I miss the Chelsea Pensioners in their shiny brass-buttoned uniforms; I miss seeing the Aussie gardens ablaze with medals (always chuffed); and I miss running into Alan Titchmarsh and showing him my diascias (‘My, they’re big!’).

    My tip? If you’re going on the last day of the Show, try to reserve your favourite flowers in the Great Pavilion early in the day, so all you need to do is waltz by and pick them up when the Chelsea Pensioner rings the bell at 4pm. (Good luck getting them home on the Tube: mind where you stick your diascias.)

    Read all about my Week of Chelsea Flower Show here, and head to Liberty to see the full Karen Walker X Liberty Sunglasses collection. Prices start at £195. International shipping is available.
    

13. Tutorials: 7 clever DIY projects for plants

    May 20, 2015 7:00 am Leave a Comment

    

    If you’re currently filling your home with as many fiddleleaf figs, ferns and mother-in-law’s-tongues as it can handle, we: a) salute you; b) award you with the covetable Plants patch; and c) think you might like to have a go at some fun DIY projects to show them off.

    We’ve rounded up some of our favourite DIY projects for plants – for both beginners and experienced crafters alike. Learn how to make a woven hanging planter; make over a basket planter with paint and pom-poms; or get crafty with marble contact paper – with seriously amazing results. Let’s go!

    

    Make pom-pom baskets by Beci Orpin, via We Are Scout.

    

    Make woven hanging baskets by Fall for DIY.

    

    How to mount a staghorn fern via The Fresh Exchange.

    

    How to make a mini hanging macrame garden, via We Are Scout.

    

    How to DIY marble planters via Fall for DIY.

    

    How to make a plant pot from a drink bottle, via BRU DIY.

    

    Make rope coil planters via We Are Scout (also seen in top photo).

    Want more tutorials? This is an edited extract from our FREE 84 page e-mag, Decorating with Plants. Find out how to make your home more beautiful with indoor plants, along with more of our favourite DIY projects for plants, inspirational interiors, clever ideas and practical tips.

    Want your copy of Decorating with Plants NOW? Just join up to We Are Scout’s weekly newsletter and your 84-page FREE magazine will be delivered straight to your inbox. Simply enter your email address below and click Sign Up.

    Top: Photography, craft and styling by Lisa Tilse for We Are Scout.