Displaying posts from February, 2015

Inner city Sydney living often means no real garden as such. Townhouses, apartments, terrace houses and no greenery in sight. Love this balcony garden by Adam Robinson Design. An extra room outdoors with style and ideas that can translate to courtyards and even smaller spaces.

A modern take on a coastal decor by Melbourne interior design firm Austin Design Associates. Clean lined with crisp whites, pale woods, limed floors and a fabulous beachside blue kitchen (as well as very Australians dream, the outdoor BBQ kitchen). Stylish family living in Blairgowrie on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

I am not usually a fan of white walls but in this case, when the home is filled with earthy colours and textures brought in with vintage furnishings complete with peeling paint, it works. Really really well. I love this location house available via Shoot Factory.

It’s been awhile but the emails haven’t stopped coming. It’s time to round up the crew. The Design Crew. Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don’t know what to do? You’re not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you …. that’s you lot… the readers! Hop to it. I know you have just the right solution. This week’s email is from Natalie.

Here are 3 (not very good) photos of my kitchen, which is basically black and white. Dark grey floor tiles, white cupboards, white walls & ceiling, laminate dark wood-effect work tops, dark charcoal splash back.

We used to have Moroccan red walls but found it too dark, although we liked the contrast with the white cupboards. We are in the UK  so I thought a bright colour would have been good, then we painted it white. The rest of my house has white walls but we want a colour in the kitchen that contrasts with the white cupboards, without being too dark. The walls are mostly only visible above the cupboards so there aren’t any large flat areas. I’m having a dilemma choosing between ivory/buttermilk and a classic green-grey/mud colour. I prefer the latter but am worried it might be dull and depressing in the winter, hence this request for help!

I spotted this bathroom above while scouring Pinterest one day looking for brass inspiration for my kitchen. It is what solidified my decision to go with brass hardware and faucet. Shanti and Courtney of Brooklyn-based Indigo + Ochre are responsible for this beautiful bathroom and the other spaces below. Brass seems to be a favourite of theirs too, as well as incorporating ethnic finds in their designs. The combination results in timeless spaces filled with character and soul.