GOOP

I never knew Gwyneth Paltrow had her own blog called Goop. I discovered it late last night scrolling through facebook and reading Abigail Ahern's posts.

Last week I posted about Vingette's and what they are about, now here is the perfect post with instructions from Abigail herself on how to make the perfect one yourself. The vingette doesnt need to just be for a great photo but used to create unique displays and arrangements in your home.

Let your personality shine through with all your favourite things clustered on a self or an array of artworks and photographs.

Check out Gwyneth Paltrow's story and her blog with fabulous health and lifestyle tips here.

JDZ IS IN THE HOUSE

Here is a little something personal about me... I participate in boot camp three times a week and my trainer, who is awesome by the way, always says "JDZ in the house!" ( I am pretty sure Roar Energy will appreciate this plug right now )  Without making my identity sound so "gangsta" I really love entering into a home and gaining a sense of who someone is, what they like and their personality. What I do not like is the connotation that because I am a designer, I am going to charge through your home and completely shatter a client's confidence and budget by telling them everything is completely wrong and the only way to fix it is by spending the doe. Well, that is not my style and I feel that is not the right approach for 1. Getting your client on side and 2. Creating a beautiful interior. Do not get me wrong, if it is a blank canvas and it is part of the brief, by all means, but if it isnt, restraint and tact is the way to go.

A home is something so personal to someone else and treating it with care, respect and TLC is really the success to creating a dream interior for your client. That is what I believe anyway and if I, JDZ step into your house, I wont be telling you "GET RID OF EVERYTHING" ill be saying ( if it applies ) " Those kitchen cupboard doors are great but they could do with a refreshing... maybe some fresh paint and new handles is the key?"

That's right, never underestimate the power of hardware. I am working on a residential renovation project at the moment and when it is finished I will share some BTS and end results. 

Below is an example of how fittings and fixtures can really accentuate a simple design. 

Interiors by Lloyd Ralph Designs. Source of image from House & Home  March 2011
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald. Gold Flute, William Ashley China.