Living With The Future
‘Design must seduce, shape, and perhaps more importantly, evoke an emotional response’ - April Greiman - thinker and artist
Take a look at how our world and the way that we live has changed in the past 10 years – we have seen significant changes in our lifestyles, expectations and general awareness of what is happening around us. It starts to beg the question what do we have to look forward to as we move towards our future. (more…)
Your Design Questions Answered
It’s been a hectic time in the design world lately. Winter has many people making changes at home after being bitten by the seasonal ‘nesting bug’ and the end of the financial year has meant that there have been plenty of great sales around town. Last month saw many of our retailers and designers visit Furnitex in Melbourne. This exhibition is Australia’s largest industry furniture and furnishings trade fair and the exciting part is that over the next few months we will begin to see many newly released products for 2010/2011 filter through into our stores, so get ready for plenty that’s new. (more…)
That Design Guy: 8 Shops For All
Last month I shared my ideas on places to shop if you are decorating your home on a tight budget. Shopping off the beaten track is a great concept if you have the time and if that’s what that your budget dictates. For the majority of people though, we lead busy lives, our time is precious and we do have the freedom to spend a little more money on pieces for our homes. This month, I want to add a little balance to the equation and highlight places to shop that offer fantastic choice without the run around. (more…)
THE ‘B’ WORD
Ask any anyone who likes nice things and you’ll quickly find out that the ‘B’ word is a particularly nasty one. That’s right, sometimes at some point in our lives we have to work to a BUDGET! In the grand scheme of things it really doesn’t matter what your budget is, a great look is about preparation and how you put things together. (more…)
Hitting The Tiles
All too often in modern design the ‘human’ aspect of buildings and interiors becomes overlooked. Spaces can be a wonderful, sensory experience and they really should impart something to anyone who uses them. In this respect, one way to move forward in design is to refer to the past. Ceramic tiles for example have been in use for well over 4000 years and for the longest time in many cultures they have inspired a sense of luxury and awe because they were considered primarily as art. Think of the examples that we see of Middle Eastern architecture – not only do we see the structures, we also see that they are detailed both inside and out with stunning tile decoration. (more…)
“Design Guy”
As an Interior Decorator and Designer, I’m often asked how to put together a look that stands the test of time. It’s a bit like asking how long is that proverbial piece of string because each person and every home is entirely different. This month takes a look beyond the maze of countless design trends to simply cover some millennium appropriate basics. I’ve compiled a list of ten principles to consider when you are creating your own home no matter what your decorating style and regardless of where you are starting from. (more…)
There’s No Place Like Homo: The Death Of The Queer Ghetto
Does the Lavender Belt exist any more? I heard it more recently referred to as ‘The Pink Triangle’, that section of metropolitan Perth bordered by Leederville, East Perth and Bayswater. This is the precinct once regarded as the major residential zone for gay and lesbian people, if not the only one.
When I lived in North Perth for 13 years, most of my gay friends and colleagues lived within this zone. But this was during the 1990’s and the world has changed a lot since then. (more…)
Cultivating The Right Attitude
February was a brilliant month in the garden. At least I think it was. Unless of course you were a plant in my garden. Then, well, you would have appreciated the time I spent learning how to be a better gardener this month… as you withered away from an overly enthusiastic combination of sun and easterly. Being too hot outside I thought I would spend my time usefully learning something at a couple of garden lectures instead. (more…)
Summer Gardening. Or Not.
I’m not one who is really big on the whole dividing the world into a butch/femme dichotomy. I prefer to think of it as people who have a valuable contribution to make in the construction of reticulation systems, and those of us who have an excellent appreciation of those who have a valuable contribution to make in the construction of said systems. Especially when observed from the sunburn-free side of the house windows. Ahhh friends, how much one appreciates thee… (more…)
Gardening Book Reviews
Fabulous Food From Every Small Garden
Mary Horsfall, 2009
CSIRO PUBLISHING
Clearly, if unimaginatively laid out the Fabulous Food From Every Small Garden provides a wealth of information on different techniques and products that can assist the size-challenged-but-keenness-endowed vegie gardener. Some of the techniques are tried and tested, while others, such as aquaponics, are relatively new to Australian backyards. Projects vary in size and complexity, meaning that there’s food for thought for the apartment dwelling amateur as well as those with a bit more land and experience. (more…)
business exposure