PRETTY IN PINK

Pink is not my favourite colour at all and I always think of it in terms of being really girly and not really one that you want to find in your interior, other than a little girls room. However, it is making a really large appearance on the colour front at the moment and is being seen increasingly in homewares throughout summer. Especially as it is great colour to contrast with botanical greens.

It allows for a really soft and feminine feel to a colour palette, especially contrasted with a grey neutral palette. It works well against light timber and metal finishes that allow for a really subtle sophisticated look.
Another colour that is directly related to pink but heading more into the orange zone is coral. It is softer than a bright orange but also a little bolder than a soft pink. Ideally coral works well for accents around the home where as I feel the soft pink allows for one to explore colour in a really bold yet safe way. A contradiction I know!

It also works well with a great scandinavian look for a home and I think we will be seeing a lot more of it in the coming months as summer comes to an end.

You can find these images via my Pinterest. 

Make sure to follow me here.

I FOUND, I SOURCED, I CONQUERED!

I did not get a chance to share last weeks Friday Fav on the blog but only on our Facebook page. Did you see? 

I want to share with you a little behind the scenes of the setting that is coming together in one of my clients home. I have been looking and looking for the best occasional chair for probably over 6 months. Truth be told, I actually had the perfect one in mind but one of the constant challenges I face especially when designing with a couple is having both their tastes and expectations met. We had the perfect occasional chair but alas it was not ticking one half of the parties boxes so no matter how I pushed it just was not going to happen. So what does one do? I get stubborn and begin a new search for what is going to be the perfect occasional chair. I will find it! I never give up! Winner never quit and quitters never win, I say! 

So where did I find it? In the Kmart new season catalogue! Hilarious but the more hilarious thing is that my client saw it too and we have the exact same thought. Such a special thing having great clients to work with who understand your thought process and design aesthetic. I search and searched and finally found it with a bit of social media assistance, we locked it in and then completed the look with the last copper pipe floor lamp from Freedom Furniture and a colourful cushion. 

Here is a behind the scenes look! Full reveal will come in the middle of year when I do a proper photo shoot to capture the beauty of the space. 

Featured items: Armchair: Zanui 

Floor lamp: Freedom

Cushion: Urban Road

Knitted Ottoman: Kmart

Styling: JDZ

WHEN PALETTES RETURN

Since getting back from my recent trip, which completely inspired me in all aspects of my work ( Yes you are thinking correctly, there are big changes coming AGAIN to JDZ Designs, including a whole lot more of me... i'll explain closer to reveal date ) I have been in an absolute funk and everything I see reminds me of where I have been and what I was doing. The great thing about this however is that it has really opened my eyes to the emerging pastel palette that is making a come back this spring and summer.

How is it making a come back might you ask? Well, I keep seeing it teamed with lots of metals including the very popular copper. So if you have been seeing these tones around in your favourite homewares shops lately then you are not imagining it. It also makes sense when I was talking about my aqua colour palette merely two weeks ago.

The colours are fresh as well as warm and playful when teamed with copper.

I do have to say you will see some images of my favourite place Santorini as I am still in post holiday funk.

Take a look through my Pinterest for more inspiration, including the images I am sharing today.
These images demonstrate exactly the new season colour trends that are ever emerging and expanding so make sure to keep your eye out.

WELCOME BACK + BEHIND THE SCENES

I am really happy to announce that I will be back to blogging every week, which is something that has been weighing on me for some time now. It is really difficult to balance all aspects of a business when you are flowing with significantly sized projects, which is something that I aim to learn and get better at as we continue to grow and grow.

Having a business is a serious juggling act and even though I do have to say I am organised and a good at multi tasking, there are major flaws in my organisational skills and getting them sorted is something I want to re focus on now that I am winding down before my big trip.

That's right, have you heard? I am heading overseas for a month to travel and learn about all the new trends in August and I cannot wait. Lots of new and exciting experiences will broaden my mind for what is going to be another huge year for JDZ Designs. We are also in the process of re branding, so yes the website and the blog will change and evolve again. That is taking a lot more time then I had anticipated so it won't be ready for our 1st birthday, which yes is in fact tomorrow.


In the meantime to celebrate the beginning of the blog again, which I aim to have three posts per week going up and more, I have added some behind the scenes images of what we have been designing lately. A series of display suites for multi residential projects that will begin development in Hornsby.

Make sure to stay up to date with all things JDZ by signing up to our monthly newsletter by clicking here. 

I designed the kitchens and bathrooms, developed all renders, designed the display suites, picked all the finishes and managed it all to life.

HOW TO GET STYLE WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG

Knowing how to bring a typical room or space in your home to life is something many of us struggle with. How does one bring style and life to a room that is neutral or lacking in colour? It is such a loaded question and I am sharing a story and room reveal with you today that it is going to show you first hand how easy and inexpensive it can be. It is going to inspire you to no end and demonstrate how having a little courage and fun with colour in a pre existing space is the answer.

As you all already know, I am one of the experts on The Design Tribe forum, where anyone can post up questions or topics to do with anything lifestyle or interiors. I love it because it is such a great resource for design addicts and lovers of interiors, as well as many who are seeking a little bit of extra assistance or quick expert opinion if they are renovating. Kellie posted up a pictures of her existing living room ( which you can see below ) and asked for assistance with colour, as she was unsure of what colours would help bring her existing living room to life. She also wanted to know about adding in an open book case and how to style it. I immediately jumped on Pinterest and grabbed a few colour inspirational pictures and gave her as much direction and advice I could. Immediately I pin pointed that filling in the area near the TV was a good idea with the open book case, but I also felt that using existing blue cushions would be a starting point for colour. This neutral palette and beachy blue gave me the impression of a relaxed space, which meant my main advice was to play off it but to contrast it with another bolder colour. A warmer colour like an orange always works well when you have light timber tones and not to mention works fantastically against shades of blue. I had extreme faith that Kellie could take the advice given and make the changes she was wanting to make.

A couple of busy weeks later, I hadn't had a chance to head to The Design Tribe forum for a couple of days, so when I did, I was surprised by these fantastic after shots from Kellie's post. I was extremely happy with the result, not to mention how she and her husband took on board the advice and translated it into their space.

You all know I am super passionate about being an Interior Designer and helping my clients, so for me this was again confirmation that assisting people to make their spaces come to life, even in the simplest of forms is so rewarding. This is also why I am sharing and revealing the before and after pictures ( including their dining room ) with you all. It is a perfect example of how simple principals can be applied to an existing space to create a completely different look and finishes style.

Kellie and her husband utilised simple pieces like artwork, cushions, throws, pineapples ( we all love a good pineapple homewares piece ) birds, candles, books, vases to style the space. What is even more fantastic is that they shopped at really accessible stores that have great products at great prices that won't break the bank.

Products that have been brought and used to style this living and dining room have been sourced from, Big W, Loot Homewares, Kmart, Bunnings, Ebay, Local Opshops, Target, Reject Shop, Groovy Homes, Impodino Gift Shop, Society6, Ikea and Masters... just to name a few. 

Just goes to show a price tag and fancy furniture stores are not always the answer and are not always the answer to style. 

 If you would love us to give you advice and assist you on your latest project why not send us an email at info@jdzdesigns.com.au and find out how one of our e-styling packages can guide you to achieve the same. 

Sign up to my Newsletter to get lots of inspiration for free into your inbox! Click here! 

I want to thank Kellie for giving me the ability to share these photos with you all as a great example on how it easy it is with little details and colour to create a new look. I would also like to say that I am so proud and happy of the result that they have created and think their newly styled living and dining room looks great.

 Make sure you check out The Design Tribe later this week too, as we are guest posting about. 

Before 

After

FEATURE FRIDAY : MORE COUCHELO

A couple of weeks back I shared a few behind the scenes pictures of the shoot we did with Couchelo.
Today I want to share more, and the blog post that Couchelo have recently posted to give all our views an idea of the all the different and unique furniture pieces you can find to arrange in your home.

Take a look below:

BTS : COUCHELO & INTERIORS ADDICT

Had a very busy and creative weekend, it started on Friday night with the second Sydney 7 vignettes event at BoConcept with Darren Palmer as well as a fun photo shoot with team Couchelo. Here are some behind the scenes pictures of what I have been up to as well as a sneak peek at the Couchelo first product shoot. The shoot included lots of goodies from different suppliers around Sydney, new and vintage pieces as well as some very cool retro ones. Stay tuned for the final shots, we were very happy with the results. Make sure to stay up to date with what is happening with Couchelo by clicking here.

The lovely Jacqui Turk - She is a great photographer. You can find out more about her here. 

Styling my only little vignette for Couchelo on Saturday

My BoConcept Vingette on Friday night

Preview of the Couchelo shoot 

Jen and Darren in action

FEATURE FRIDAY: BE INSPIRED, BE YOU!

Thank god it is Friday and Feature Friday to top it off! I want you to ask yourself this question? Are you constantly wondering how to make yourself and everything in your life stylish? Are you wanting to try and define your style or get inspired to bring your fashion style and translate it into your home? I know 20 questions right? But the thing is we are constantly seeking ways to define our style but also find ways to make our lives look super stylish at the same time. I think that you should not only book mark this resource but also subscribe to an online magazine that will inspire you to be you, in every aspect of your life. We often need to take action to create a great and stylish life in all areas and this is exactly the magazine that will give you the motivation to do so. To top it off, it is extremely user friendly, accessible and interactive for everyone. It is called Stylem, a new fashion and lifestyle online magazine that is targeted at inspiring you to be yourself and achieve style in every aspect of your life. 

The editor and creator behind Stylem is Emma Wood who was Vogue Australia's fashion editor, which means she definitely knows what she is talking about. Stylem is a dream come true for Emma and it gives her the ability to share and educate everyone around the world how easy it is to create a style in all areas of your life. 

So, what are you all waiting for? Get onto the website by clicking right HERE and not only get your fashion tips but also get heaps of interior inspiration... which I love by the way. Below are some snapshots I have taken from the website that demonstrate the stylish nature of the mag. 

Stylem are also running a very cool promo at the moment that I am sure many of you will want to take part in. It is really simple, all you have to do is click HERE to find out all the awesome details, subscribe, invite a friend and you are in the running to win a $250 seed heritage voucher. 

All images have been sourced from the Stylem website. 

WARRIOR WEDNESDAYS / DO AFFIRMATIONS WORK?

I was having a chat with one of my closest girlfriends recently and she was telling me how her positive thinking of something that she really wanted actually came true. Everyday she was thinking positively and affirming her thoughts through her actions of saying positive affirmations regarding the topic everyday. She was saying... it was like a miracle. Yes ok, cheesy whatever, but skeptics really need to realise that this concept and thought processes you have really do effect your life and outcomes. It is all about your perspective which then allows you to respond to situations and or your life in a better manner. We were saying, wow if we applied this type of thinking to EVERYTHING in our lives, how amazing would it be? Now this is different to posting on Facebook three times a day positive images and instagraming them over and over again, because sharing them on social media consistently isn't exactly what we are talking about and that is not how it is going to remind you to change your life. It is something that must be applied in every aspect of your day and it has to be something that you honestly believe it as belief her is the key.

I really feel, affirmations are something that is personal to everyone and something that should be adopted through a belief system, so then my question to you is, how to incorporate it into your personal life rather than your personal social media. ( Now that doesn't mean you can't share anything, because I do, but I only share things that I really do believe myself, believe in and try to practice ) This brings me to the popularity trend of turning simple affirmations into artworks, which allow you to have daily reminders in your home in an artistic and stylish way. This allows you to personally pick things and words that really mean something to you and by brining them into your space allows you to remind yourself personally of what inspires you.

Here are some great resources for some really simple affirmation artworks or symbols that can add style to your inspiration and your beliefs for your home.

Artworks and Wall Flags can be found on Blacklist Store Website

and The Minimalist Store. 

INTERIORS ON A BUDGET

You have seen me mention Adore home magazine and blog before, but this month I wanted to share with you this Feb/Mar issue. It is all about helping you achieve Interior looks and style on a budget, which I know many are after. It has some really great inspiration... links to great homewares sites and overall some fellow colleagues amazing work and style picks in there.


Here is the link you need to get reading- It is full of colour and inspiring for your monday afternoon tea!

Image sourced directly from the Adore Home Magazine Website. 

WARRIOR WEDNESDAYS: GET YOUR GOOP ON

I have written about Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop before, but I had a feeling last week that is was perfect for today's explorations. It is a serious go to guide for everything, from design to style to food to wellness... and wellness is something that we are very passionate about here at JDZ. It is one of my main goals to combine the two together and always inhabit spaces that really make you feel good. As a designer we have total control on how a space makes you feel and we can control and inform on how to inhabit and experience that space too. It's all very complex beneath the surface... believe me, but that is what makes our job as designers a lot of fun!


Goop is a guide/ website that presents you with the positives in life, so naturally you can see exactly why I really like it and think you all should get into it too. Goop has a weekly journal that is released to it's subscribers that embodies a lot more information and resources that is shown on the website.
Recently on the "see" part of the blog they had featured the steps in creating a beautiful and inspiring guest apartment. I really liked how they simply explained the process and showed the development of the initial stages of developing the concept to final stage of bringing it to life. Making a space function as well as feel good is a challenge and what I really like about this design process is that Goop demonstrates how some attention to detail and planning can really make some serious positive changes to an environment. These changes will not only change the space but how the space is perceived, used and inhabited. There is no doubt, the guest who stays in the newly styled apartment won't love it, feel comfortable and have a positive experience.

Here are some of the images from the Goop site. You can see all the design details by clicking right HERE. 

Before Photos

The Plan

The Concept and draft development

The mood board

The Final result- before the final result is produced you of course have to source all of the furniture.
You can see all of the design details by going to the direct link.

All images sourced directly from the Goop Journal blog and

can be found by clicking HERE.