DIY XMAS CRAFT

I have spent a lot of time talking over and over again about how to create some really cool table settings and styling your events this Christmas. Yesterday I cam across this pretty cool DIY project, that allows you to create some interesting little features for your Christmas table setting! A beautiful table setting really does set the mood for your event and because it is such a special time of year, why not put in the extra effort to make the memories look as good as they feel when you spend time with your loved ones and friends.

Take a look at making your own little decorations for the centre of your table by clicking right HERE - it is easy and cost effective!

Happy DIY- ing!

OLIVER'S TWISTY TALES

One of the most fun bedrooms to decorate or design is a kids bedroom and I really think it is because you get to really use your childish imagination and make it into a space that you wished for as a kid. It is a really magical space for them, as it is not just their own space but can be used to assist in brining out their creativity and learn to love their toys, and objects. Thinking about how to connect to their creativity and sensibilities can really be shown through funky accessories that can really accentuate their knowledge, learning capacities and want to be in their bedrooms.

I am fortunate enough to be teaming up with a really great kids online store called Oliver's Twisty Tales. I am so excited about this collaboration because we get to think like little kids and create some really cute designs for their interiors. We are starting off with a small collection on textile designs, which will be available soon as scatter cushions. Oliver's Twisty Tales has so many great little pieces for a little boy or girl, especially if you are looking for something different or vintage inspired. 

Here is a preview of the textile designs we are developed together and I have created and we would love your feedback. So please comment below and let us know which designs out of the two categories you like best. 

Make sure to head over to their website to have a look around and find out more about Oliver's Twisty Tales, especially as it is coming up to Christmas. They are perfect if you are looking for a cute little gift! 

JDZ x 

JONATHAN ADLER & HIS ACCESSORIES

Have you ever heard of the online furniture and accessories store that is Jonathan Adler? Well if you have, you will know what a great resource it is and if you have not, well then, you have stumbled across something great that every homewares and interior lover should know about. 

Jonathan Adler himself is just that a lover of amazing design and just like a lot of us, is not snobby about where he finds his lovely pieces. He is a big believer in finding the beauty in everything even if it is something that most of us would overlook. He loves particular eras and retro pieces that can add instant interest to your home or space. The online store is a great website to add to your list of resources for amazing decor and accessories. Shipped directly from the US, you can get some really unique pieces that you cannot find her in Australia. He has a whole range of products that range from classic beautiful furniture pieces to really eclectic fun and interesting accessories. At the moment his site is marketing hair-inspiration, with retro pop art style images on your cushions of many famous faces and their hair. A great way to add some funk to your lounge if you ask me. 

Not only is it a great resource for decor but for gifts as well. If you are like me, you love giving really beautiful and meaningful gifts that are often useful. I love finding unique things that no one else has or knows about and being able to provide someone with a special gift, wether it be for a birthday or a house warming. Jonathan Adler has a great gift registry and gift guide for you all to be able to give the perfect gift to someone special. One of my favourite pieces ( which you can see below ) are the personalised items, such as cushions and coasters. The cushions can be purchased in your own initial and can add a real personal touch to a bedroom or lounge. I think that would make a very cool gift to any interior lover! 

Here are a few picks I love directly from his website. 

The Jonathan Adler website also features his own inspiration videos which you can find here, and they give you a great insight into how he loves to design and finds the beauty in anything that is ugly. 

Hope you are all having a great Wednesday! 

JDZ x

A BIG DESIGN WEEK & NEW ACCESSORIES

What a big week it is going to be! There is so much happening at JDZ HQ as well as the much anticipated Sydney Indesign starting officially on Thursday. I really cannot wait as there is going to be so many new discoveries and industry events to attend, which of course I will be blogging about. As it is such a crazy Indesign week,  I wont be blogging everyday ( only for this week ) as I am going to be out and about learning and finding new things to introduce to you all. That does not mean you should not be checking in here as I will be posting many Behind The Scenes pictures this week to record the events and the journey, after all, this blog is about finding out behind the life of a designer and all that inspirers them in day to day life. 

Have you all had a chance to grab a copy of Real Living magazine yet? It is a pretty good read this month and I have to say, I was right! So many hexagon inspired bits and pieces, even a colourful hexagon clock was featured ( see below ) It is all about the flower power trend that has hit and looking forward to spring! Well, I cannot wait till spring because it is always a special time for me... and those who know me well, know why! Do you all have a favorite magazine you love to read? 

In today's post you will also see many BTS pictures from the end of last week and I am so excited to say that the bathroom renovation I had the pleasure of working on is coming to a close, which means, the clients finally get to use their beautiful new bathrooms they LOVE and all the electrical work should be done soon. I also spent some time with another lovely client picking some paint colours for a new and improved bedroom, which I am very much looking forward to seeing the results on. We took a bit of a risk and went for a very very bold dark grey teamed back with off white to contrast. I will keep you posted with more BTS pictures this week. It is lots of fun to work on quick turn around projects sometimes that are really easy and fast in process. It also helps when your clients are very appreciative of your opinion and put their trust in you and believe that you are there to help them as much as possible and not the opposite.

Things you should look out for this week which I think is great for finding new accessories is the launch of the new IKEA catalogue and reveal of their new kitchen display with great new ideas and Kmart's "Time to Change Your View" campaign. Kmart has really been doing well with their marketing this year and has been promoting their lowest prices, which are ridiculously good. Like I have mentioned before I am in no way a furniture snob and believe you can find anything, anywhere, even if it is $2. I wanted to share this image today that is on the inside front cover of Real Living this month because I was really taken a back by the styling and the concept of changing your view towards accessories. It gives anyone the ability to have choices in picking very funky and cute accessories for very little prices, this means you can mix up your dining experience or home accessories for very little if you get bored or just feel like a .... change. 

It also relates to this accessibility to decorating and design that is becoming ever so trendy now so that everyone can have the ability to attempt to do it themselves.

The point is, you should never dismiss something just because of its name or where it comes from. If it helps complete your look, it helps complete your look... really simple as that.  

Hope you are all having a great start to the week! Looking forward to keeping you posted on my design journey this week. 

Happy Tuesday and thanks for stopping by, 

JDZ x