2014 IN REVIEW || BEHIND THE SCENES

I have had a pretty crappy way to start the new year. 

Sick in bed for three days recovering from some sort of sickness that struck me down.

It is so unfortunate however, there are a lot more other people suffering with much

worse conditions and circumstances daily. The one positive thing... if I was to find one specific one, is that I have had time to reflect, really reflect on the year that was 2014 and how I want 2015 to be.

I guess as well, it can really only get better from here! Here's hoping anyway!
2014 was a pretty good year, full of leaping outside of the comfort zone and completing some rather large projects. The last six months itself have been amazing for the business development, lessons and of course our holiday! 

That was by far, the absolute highlight of the year!

I was asked a couple of times, " why are you going overseas now?" 

"what are you going to do with the business, your clients?" " aren't you afraid of what

will happen with work? " I found these questions very interesting as I was so happy with the decision and it could not have come at a better time personally for me. Would you believe it actually made me a lot busier and by conscience more in demand! 

Hilarious really!

Without further ado here all the BTS pics of the highlights!

Lets all hope 2015 picks up from here on in. 

For me the first of Jan starts tomorrow!

The day we found the pendant light had split glass... worst... ever!

Putting together material palettes 

Moonlight Cinemas - Grease! One of my favourite movies! 

Featured in the "Collective Mag" - Another massive highlight of 2014

Meeting Darren Palmer 

Turning this ex Com bank building into a showroom. Massive Challenge!

Sparkk Cushions ready for the farmhouse. 

Then I chopped all my hair off and my bestie came to visit from the UK 

What construction sites look like early in the morning with horrible lighting!

The styling and transformation!

Transformation in process. 

Help re painting an existing light fitting 

Kitchen install almost complete.

Another awesome highlight! Having a fun day with a great client of mine. 

Holidays in Santorini 

Holidays in Santorini part 2... the day we climbed a volcano and have never been so dehydrated in my life!

Thats me! 

Awesome dining set install in one of our recent jobs! 

Laughing lots with Shelley! 

Albury complete! 

Dining room reveal! 

Entry way reveal! How great is the "Lizard Lounge" 

THIS YEARS SEASON GREETINGS

I have been so very quiet and not attentive to the blog in a long time. Working on the new website and all the new projects rolling in has really taken up a lot of time, but do not fear in 2015 I will be back consistently and this blog will be getting a make over again to suit the new look website.

If you have not checked out the new site yet, make sure you do by clicking here... it has only recently been finished and completed! Have to say I am very proud of it and the direction in which the business is going!


Thank you to all my lovely clients, readers, supporters, cheerleaders and friends who have been so supportive of my work and my business from the get go. This is our second year celebrating a business christmas and I have to say I love it. During our last stay in Albury over the weekend, finishing off one of our longest standing projects, we celebrated the end of the year with a 4 hour canoe ride down the Murry River. It was so peaceful and a great experience... even if we were singing Taylor Swift.

Wishing you all a very safe, peaceful and joyful Christmas and New Year!! 

Look forward to a very creative 

New Year and 2015!

JDZ


Ps: 

We're on holidays from Friday the 19th of December till 12th of January 2015

THE BLOCK IN REVIEW - BATHROOM REVEALS

Did you manage to tune in last night? I was actually a little disappointed to be completely honest. There was so much hype happening during the week that I just couldn't wait to see these amazing bathrooms and terraces... but actually, I was left feeling a little empty, which saddens me for this weeks room reveals. The judges were very harsh this week as well, but I do think despite their hashness they really do give very constructive feedback and really give them great advice and direction, so I am sure the teams will be taking all of it on board.

Every room did have an element of wow factor but it was very clear there wasn't too much consistency in keeping that loft style wow factor happening. In all honesty though, I cannot get over how they get all of it done in a week... that in itself is such a huge achievement so it becomes really difficult to be very critical of their work. My favourites this week for the boys, without a doubt, they did have the best bathroom/ laundry/ terrace combo and Chantelle and Steve, despite how tough their week was, they really pulled together an amazing result ... just not with the bra. Some of their finish touches were genius and I really do feel their terrace had a really great layout.

What did you all think of the rooms last night? Below are the pictures sourced from The Block Website and don't forget everything you see in these images can be sourced through The Block Shop... so get clicking!

Styling is done so well- love the hanging towels below the vanity... what do you think?

Recessed square for your shower needs - TICK
Tile choice - TICK

Exposed brick vs tile and mood lighting 

Vintage artwork on existing brick work! TICK! 

Tile choice and tap ware. 

The good old hexagon! Love the tile choice and combinations together with the timber.
I also like that the toilet roll is hidden.

Tap ware is super cool. 

This just looks like it would be a very very zen space and I really love that. The tile contrasts
very well against the exposed brick work. 

Mirror, vanity and basin are very cool together.

I love that Brad and Dale have added in curtains to their terrace doors. It really adds a real softness against
all the raw materials. Well done boys! 

WHAT IS YOUR INTERIOR RESOLUTION?

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my lovely loyal readers or whoever may stumble across my little blog. It is something that I am very proud of and cannot wait to develop more and more over the next year. Without all of your support and stopping by, it wouldn't be at the level it already is in such a short time!

New Year is that special time of year where we really kind of get a fresh start, start all over again and begin on a new note. It is customary to develop goals or New Year Resolutions for what you want to achieve or set your mind to in the New Year. I want to ask you all though, do you have an Interior New Year Resolution? What do you want to achieve in your space? Do you have big plans for a renovation? Have you just brought a house? I would love to hear what they are! Even if it is just about making it a healthier cleaner environment, or to create sustainable living, they are all great goals!

Here are the top 5 highlights on the blog this past 2013... well, half of 2013 to get you thinking.

FEATURE FRIDAY- ALISE & LYSANDRA
FUNKY FURNITURE
SYDNEY INDESIGN SNEAK PEEK 
STUDIO SPACE PT 2
BARRY DUBOIS INTERVIEW

And one more for Good Luck

BREEDS OF MEN


Share with my what your New Year Interior Resolution is! I am sure I can help!

FEATURE FRIDAY: GET READY FOR SUMMER WITH KAS

With such beautiful weather and summer just around the corner there has been a lot of talk through my blog and others about getting your home ready for the hot weather. Spring cleaning, de cluttering and brining the summer vibe right through your home are topics which are really hot right now. KAS a leading Australian contemporary and youthful homewares brand has hit this brief right on the head with their new summer campaign. Tropics, Island Escapes, Pineapples, cocktails, travels... it is all the rage this spring summer 2013/2014, which KAS captures without a doubt in their very vibrant new collection. It makes me want to jump on plane en route to somewhere tropical, when looking at the images because clearly it evokes the real need to be hiding away on a beach in the sun! Thankfully it is the long weekend down here in Sydney and we are expecting beautiful weather.

What I really love about this KAS collection is the vibrant colour combinations as well as mix matching of different patterns on the one cushion or bedding range. That is very clever and usually we do not see that type of attention to detail on a retail level,  but more so when the designer has the control over upholstery and knows that mixing two different prints or colours on the one surface will work beautifully. I also like that along with the vibrant range they have interpreted the ever so popular grey and made it a little more fancy and earthy to match the summer theme. Which I think is a great idea, as it gives you the ability to differentiate between casual vs more fancy homewares/accessories. We are also seeing geometric again, which I love but an introduction to the ever so popular water colour prints this season, which are a nice contrast and softer in colour and pattern.

Take a look and be inspired by the beautiful colour combinations and patterns. Images have been sourced from the KAS Summer Catalogue and can be found here. For more information on KAS or to buy any of their beautiful products make sure to visit the website by clicking here.

I'd also like to say, their styling team and design team have done an absolutely amazing job creating these beautiful images. They are very very well done!

Enjoy the long weekend! We hope this inspires you.

JDZ x

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE

Living a good and happy life is all we want to achieve and I believe this is not just achieved through material things but can be complemented by beautiful homewares and accessories that assist in creating your 'perfect' lifestyle. Have any of you ever been to Greece? I am dying to go and it is on my list of places I must visit, along with all of Europe again. Europeans seem to know how to live the life and are always striving for fun, happiness and a life that is good. This brings me to my new online homewares discovery of CITTA Designs, a New Zealand based design house that specialises in textile & homewares design.

Their 2013/2014 summer range is based on the inspirational life and culture of Greece. The designs are to captivate the culture and good feelings that are associated and cultivated around summer, lying in the sun and living in the present moment. A philosophy I believe so strongly in, so you can only imagine my love for this collection, 'Greece Under The Sun.' It is a really tough thing sometimes to translate emotions that we associate with a certain belief or inspiration and them communicate them successfully through your designs so they are able to connect with your clients. When it is achieved and achieved well, it makes for great design. This is what I felt immediately when I started sorting through the CITTA Designs catalogue, I immediately got it! It communicated to me the love of colour, Mediterranean, life and summer. The designs have meaning as well as purpose, which I really love. The colours are exciting and beautiful too, blues, oranges, yellow, white, reds all connecting us back to those days in the sun and the sense of living the good life.

To find out more make sure to head over to their online store and website by clicking here. Take some time to watch their video too, it really explains what they are about and how they go about giving you the opportunity to live the good life through their designs.

Check out some images from their 2013/2014 Greece, Under The Sun collection.

All images sourced from their website. 


Happy Wednesday,

JDZ x

FURNITURE ON A BUDGET

Have you had your own 2014 Ikea catalogue delivered to your door step yet? Well, if you have you would know how amazing it is and loving all the new products that they have on offer for some great prices. One of my other clients at the moment is a first home buyer and we are working together to achieve her own amazing first home in Sydney. The brief is Indiana Jones, which is a very cool brief to be working to and obviously it is not in the context of the movies but more in the context of what Indiana Jones represents. When I think Indiana Jones, I think quirky, I think browns, earth tones, greys, neutrals and maybe a little hint of cool patterns.

What I love about the new Ikea catalogue and Ikea in general is that it makes some great products really accessible to everyone and it is great for the first home owner who is looking to furnish their new pad with a very limited budget. Ikea is pretty much a one stop shop and because it has such a variety you can really find a huge mixture of different products that will allow you to create a really effortless cool looking interior. The new catalogue and products for 2014 to me are better than ever. They have introduced some great new pendant lights which are very trendy and affordable as well as their living products and new kitchen designs. The furniture is not only affordable but functional for those who do not have the biggest of spaces. Even though my clients space for her living area is not large, the loft style apartment has a great orientation and allows for the use of a good sized drop side dining table from Ikea that she can extend when she has more than a couple of guests. Once the project is under wraps I will release the mood board and more of the inspiration behind the new home. In the mean time here are my favourite pages from the new Ikea Catalogue as well as my top ten places to find bargains for your budget.

I'd love my studio to look like this! 

Very cool patterned tiles. 

Loving this monochrome kitchen look. 

How great is this bathroom tile and design combination? I am loving it! 

My favourite new product from Ikea!! How great is it and look at the price! 

Loving this look and the feel of the chandelier. 

Here is my top ten go to guide on places that have cool furniture and homewares on a budget. They are in no particular order :

1. Ikea
2. Oz Design
3. Freedom
4. Matt Blatt
5. West Elm
6. The Home
7. Glicks Furniture
8. Temple & Webster 
9. Click on Furniture
10. Zanui


Hope you are all having a great Tuesday,

JDZ x