When New Zealand owned company Happy Moose reached out to collaborate on their new custom framed collage photo prints it was perfect timing. I jumped at the chance knowing the products were lovingly hand made in New Zealand from a small and clever creative business and something we would love to have on display in our home.

Scouring through all our photos, it struck me how certain places around New Zealand hold special meanings. Living away from both sides of our family, we look forward to our annual visits and the memories we create in some truly beautiful locations across both the North and South Island.

Using the simple layout app to select our photos, I chose ones of Gisborne beach – my home, and of Ranfurly – Jeremy’s home; two places we love to return to. The boys swinging from the old tree is where we held our last Christmas with my Nana before she passed away and is a special place we cherish. The Manawatu windmills, Mt Ruapehu ski trips and trekking through the wide open spaces in Central Otago also feature amongst our faves.

I wanted to create a photo collage dedicated to our boys to display in their rooms alongside their favourite prints and posters.  Dylan and Jimmy are five years apart in age but you wouldn’t know it. These two have such a great relationship, both as brothers and as friends and are always making us laugh with their crazy antics and humour. You can see their crazy, fun filled nature in these photos and it makes me smile just looking at them.

In all the years that have passed since our wedding we have never had any photos professionally printed!  On what was naturally one of our favourite days with all our favourite people, it’s so nice to see our favourite memories finally up on the walls. I love how the collage design shares a snapshot of what the day was like from family photos, to hilarious speeches and joking around between shots.

I also had fun moving each of the custom frames around in our home and created a gallery wall in the hallway, which I’ve always wanted to do. These prints look great alongside the kids art works that run down the hallway, greeting us when we arrive home at the end of the day.

Each of the frames are a gallery grade photo print, mounted on a 4cm thick matte board, finished in either pearl-white or graphite-black custom frame. The whole process was really simple, from creating the photo file through the app, to sending it to Happy Moose and receiving the items so carefully packaged and ready to hang. I’ll definitely be adding more to our home in the future.

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Happy Moose. All opinions are my own and all collaborations are only undertaken if I genuinely love and use the product in my own home. 

The post Custom framed photo prints for your home appeared first on The Home Scene.

This year will be no different.

When it comes to our Christmas table setting, I prefer to keep it simple with a laid back, rustic style, taking inspiration from the garden around me.  I’ve styled this Christmas setting in our own backyard to show you how creating a simple setting can look just as effective. With some of my favourite tablewares, a few hanging decorations in the trees above and this gorgeous foliage centrepiece created by Amelia Addis, it’s easy to recreate and takes away the fuss.

Details:

Foliage: Amelia Addis Florist, Aesthetica Sphere Decoration $11.13 (set of 2 – now on sale) Citta Design, Charm 16 piece Cutlery set in Gold $99.00 Freedom Furniture, Dine Linen Napkins in Light Blue $12.90 each Citta Design, Series side plate $9.95 and Series dinner plate $12.95 and Evolve glasses $5.95 Freedom Furniture. 

You may want to add more glasses, such as wine glasses for the occasion. You don’t need a fancy outdoor table for the day, I’ve used two trestle tables joined together to create that desired depth and space when so many people come around the table to celebrate. The cool hues of the napkin lends itself well to the green foliage, simple white plates and the luxeness of the gold cutlery and finished off with a cutting of asparagus fern from the centrepiece.

Enjoy a few outtakes below of someone who managed to find himself right in shot as per usual – Diesel our 3yr old Chocolate Labrador.

The post Christmas Table Setting appeared first on The Home Scene.

I spent the morning out at one of my local gardens and followed talented florist and friend, Amelia Addis around as she foraged for the right foliage and snapped away while she worked her magic. I love the simple and relaxed style the foliage centrepiece creates.

It’s easy enough to make yourself and for those that wish to recreate the look for their own Christmas table, I’ve included some tips and tricks at the bottom of the post.

Enjoy this visual post and take a look at the complete Christmas Table setting styled in our backyard underneath our evergreen tree. 

What you’ll need:

• Length of rope (doesn’t have to be super thick)
• Cable Ties
• Secateurs
• Firm foliage (we’ve used Eucalyptus gum, Asparagus fern, Conifer and Pine)

When foraging for your foliage, make sure the leaves aren’t too soft, especially if you are making the centrepiece ahead of time and stick to evergreen varieties if you’re unsure if something is mature enough.

To make the centrepiece, lay out all your foliage and cut into shorter lengths. Take two or three small amounts of different types of foliage and attach them on to the rope, securing with a cable tie.

From there, select a few different pieces of foliage to create a more natural look and lay it on top of the previous section tying it off with a cable tie. Repeat this process all the way down the rope until you reach the end where you need to turn the direction of the foliage around for the last few sections.

Be consistent by using all of the foliage you have all the way through the centrepiece and mix up the varieties for texture and colour.

The centrepiece will keep for a few days on the table. Spritz with water every day with a spray bottle. Alternatively you can keep it for up to 5 days by wrapping the centrepiece up, (as per below) soak it in water, place it in a bag and store it in a cold, dark place.

The post Foliage Centrepiece appeared first on The Home Scene.

Although Jimmy’s room had been made over, our older son Dylan had been a work in progress while I was still searching for a few key pieces to finish the look of the space. His bed had always looked unfinished and I wanted to find a bedhead that suited his room.

While searching through our local Red Cross, I stumbled across an old timber bedhead with a recessed shelf. The bedhead was the perfect size, and didn’t have any structural damage to it. It was simply in need of a good sanding to remove the yellow tinged varnish and smooth out some of the rough finishes to the timber.

Better yet it was only $5 and if Dylan didn’t like the finished product, we could return it to Red Cross or sell it. Plus a fun weekend project to get stuck in to with the boys and a good excuse to get out the power tools and paint.

Initially the yellow stain was throwing it off for me and I wasn’t 100% sure if it was going to work. After sanding, priming and painting in Dulux Okarito White, the finished product was better than expected.  A cheap project for a total spend of $15 and a great functional piece of furniture that Dylan can style himself.

The post DIY Recessed bedhead appeared first on The Home Scene.

Her works feature as a firm favourite in our own home, and following her move to New Zealand from the UK, her talents are increasingly becoming known across New Zealand and Australia.

Georgina has become a dear friend since I was introduced to her work, so it is a pleasure to announce the relaunch of Print by George exclusively with THS readers.  The relaunch features new works and products (including Christmas cards and wall dots) and an all new website.

I recently chatted with Georgina to find out what inspires her, why the relaunch and what lies ahead for Print by George.

+ Describe the process of creating and launching this new site?

I created my original website myself. It was very much a DIY project to get things up and running as soon as I could, but a year down the line, I felt it needed a facelift by someone with a graphic design eye! Everything needed to work and have an identity and I wanted the labelling, packaging and website to be cohesive.
I did some research and received recommendations for graphic designers and soon met with Auckland based Natasha Mead. Her work seemed to have a particular theme running through it and I just fell in love with it. I knew she would be able to help me achieve what I wanted Print By George to look like.

+ What do you love about the site?

I adore how the whole site has come together, but in particular, the way the products are easy to access on the home page. It makes the browsing and shopping experience simple for even the most computer illiterate person. All the prints and cards are accessible under the one page without having to chop and change with menus.

+ What was the design brief?

It needed to keep buying and browsing easy, yet display the prints in a beautiful way. I hate nothing more than trying to purchase something over the web and it’s one busy, complicated process. I wanted the experience to feel enjoyable, clean and obvious to anyone using the website and wanting to purchase a print or to simply get in contact with me.

+ What inspires you?

My direct surroundings, whether it be social media, the farm, travel, the landscape or light. My camera is attached to my hip these days living out on a farm and in New Zealand! It is so beautiful everywhere I turn that it’s hard not to be inspired on a minute to minute basis!

+ What do you love most about your job?

The freedom of being your own boss! Having said that, it’s a double edged sword – you don’t just stop doing what you love and if something goes wrong, you only have yourself to blame! I often work through the weekends and Mondays are now becoming a thing of past for me, but I love what I do. I love being able to step away from my desk to shoot and have a change of scenery, but if its a wet day, then it’s nice to have the option to stay inside and catch up on emails and admin. Living in New Zealand now with my family and home being back in the UK, the best part is that my work can travel home to England with me and I have no restriction needing to be at the ‘office’.

+ What grand plans do you have in store for Print by George?

Over the next year, I am in the process of planning to launch a limited edition run of framed prints, exclusively for New Zealand customers. I have only just started thinking about it, so won’t be for a little while longer yet, but definitely something I want to offer. I am also hoping to work with more international retailers and get some exclusive prints in stores.

+ Is there anything you haven’t shot yet that you would love to?

There are a thousand places I could list off that I would love to shoot. I love to travel and see different cultures and countries, so I am forever writing a list of the next stop I want to take on my journey. I just need to get over my fear of flying first…

+ Do you have a favourite print?

Trying to cater to all tastes means I have a love/hate relationship with them somedays. I have spent a lot of time trying to work out what I want to sell on the website, but overall I of course love the prints. Some more than others, but a personal favourite for me would be the water ones called “Wake 1′ & ‘Wake 2’. I have one framed up at home and I have always said I want to live by water; now I have my wish…it has a similar calming effect!

+ Career highlights? 

You can never tire of seeing and hearing the joy that your work brings to people and it is particularly touching when people buy my prints for a gift to their loved ones.
I have always enjoyed emails popping through from customers with a photo of my work printed and framed, up on their walls. It makes you feel like your hard work and long hours/weeks/months is paying off.

Moroccan print as seen styled by Petite Vintage Interiors for a clients Beach house.

Follow Georgina’s work and head over to admire her gorgeous new site and prints:

Website: printbygeorge.com | Instagram: @printbygeorge | Facebook: Print By George

The post Print by George appeared first on The Home Scene.

I recently stumbled across the brand Clever Poppy (through that wonderful thing called Instagram) who specialises in creative DIY projects and ready made kits.

I know there are a number of you out there loving the marble trend and would love to try this in your own home so I contacted Julie, the talented creative behind the brand, to try it myself.

Julie created Clever Poppy to allow individuals to create something beautiful for their home, without the hassle of sorting out supplies, instructions and creative planning.

The DIY Marble Bottles kit is a new product just launched. The kit arrives with all the materials you need to complete the project and was incredibly simple to do. Without giving away her secret to the getting this soft marbled look, here’s a wee glimpse at my bottles I created and the finished product, styled in our home.

I love the marble effect on the finished product and that you can play around with the dipping process to create your variations on the effect – however simple or strong you like it to appear.

-Kelly.

The post DIY Marble Bottles appeared first on The Home Scene.

Styling your entryway doesn’t need to be fussy or over complicated. Think stylish and functional with a pared back and tidy approach. Showcase a few of your favourite things and provide a landing space for those items such as your keys and wallet you want to keep out of sight but readily accessible.

Our Piccadilly Console from Freedom Furniture table takes pride of place in our own entryway.  The narrow depth of the console is perfect for our small space and the natural oak fits in with our overall style and allows me to change up the homewares as often as I like.

You don’t have to be an interior designer or stylist to make your entryway appealing, all you need is a few key homewares that you love, and a great print or two to hang on the wall or as I’ve done, place it on the table – then arrange the placement until you’re happy.

Play with texture and don’t be concerned with everything matching. If anything, avoiding matching for a more natural look. Add some large foliage such as these Monsteria leaves below, or hanging berry branches as seen above.

Art prints don’t always have to be hung on the wall. Casually but lovingly display them pride of place on your table and decorate around them. This allows you to change them up as much as you like. I have a number of Print by George‘s prints in our home and love walking in our front door and being greeted by her talented work.

Incorporate a few of your favourite books as well rather than leave them to collect dust on your bookcase. Stack a few of your favourites or choose those with colour on the spine for a bit of detail.

You don’t have to stop there.

Place a mirror above your entryway table, a rug or runner and add a basket to the side for shoes, scarves and hats. A potted plant in a simple plant stand or change up your art and homewares and you have an inexpensive way to refresh your entrance way.

What are your favourite homewares you like to display in your entryway?

The post Style your entryway appeared first on The Home Scene.

As an extension to the current range, Kate has released three new premium prints and true to her philosophy that everyone deserves to have a stylish interior, these prints are simply stunning. I spoke with Kate on what inspired this new range and had the opportunity to style these prints in my own home.

+ What inspired this new range?

We are all about unique, creative, affordable prints, we have those, lots of them, but our new premium range is about expanding our product offering. This new range comes from wanting to print on higher quality paper stock for some time and my desire to go a little “darker”, designing prints specifically for designers and style enthusiasts.

+ Describe your style aesthetic in three words

Minimalist. Artistic. Refined.

+ What do you love most about what you do?

I love creating and being inspired. I get a real buzz out of designing something people love and it makes my day seeing our designs in customers homes and seeing how happy they are.

+ What might we see in the future from Yorkelee
Lots of collaborations, innovation and creative, progressive designs.

+ How did you got into this business?

I studied graphic design at university for 4 years back in 1999, before moving straight into the advertising industry working for a few different agencies before starting at ZOO Advertising. I worked in various roles at ZOO including Studio Manager and Operations Manager, whilst studying media buying and a diploma of business.

After going on maternity leave from ZOO to have my first child, I feel in love with the relaxed lifestyle of being at home and seeing my little one grow up. I soon wanted more though, after getting bored very easily and always have to be doing something! I started styling our home, it quickly became an obsession and when I couldn’t find the style of prints I wanted at an affordable price, I decided to design my own. It went from zero to a hundred in a matter of months and during this time I realised this was my passion, something I loved and something I wanted to do full time.

Details:

Website: Yorkelee Prints | Instagram: @yorkelee_prints

Yorkelee’s premium prints are available in medium A3 size 297mm x 420mm – $45 AU, large  500mm x700mm – $65 AU, and custom sizes upon request.

The post Yorkelee Prints appeared first on The Home Scene.

A little styling inspiration for your own home, here are three ways I’ve styled the white Tempo Stool in our home.

Styled alongside the popular Jimmy Stand, I’ve displayed minimalistic vessels on one of my favourite flat ceramic trays and added seasonal cherry blossoms. The Jimmy stand is regularly styled with my new books and use it to store extra cushions and blankets for those times you like to lay on the floor and read in the sunlight.

In our oldest son, Dylan’s room, he loves a simplistic style with minimal clutter to provide space for him and his friends to hang out. He loves using furniture in different ways and liked the idea of having a stool as his bedside table. Often bedside tables can get cluttered with ‘stuff’ and using a stool in its place allows you to hold the essentials.

For Dylan, thats a few books he’s currently reading and of course a place to hang his headphones, with his love to chill out and listen to his favourite tunes on his bed in the sun.

The most obvious space for these beautiful stools to showcase their design and functionality is in the kitchen. The modern design integrates itself seamlessly, here adding a warm, wooden element to the kitchen.

How would you style the tempo stool in your home?

– Kelly

The post Tempo Stools styled three ways appeared first on The Home Scene.

Recent announcements around the show include Shelley Ferguson, Managing Editor of Your Home and Garden  replacing Shannon Ryan as challenge host, working alongside host Mark Richardson.

Season four will see contestants restore and renovate Villas for the aptly named ‘Villa Wars’.  will see fans of the show take on former contestants – the ‘favourites’ and turn old dilapidated Villas into restored homes of beauty in the suburb of Sandringham.

What I want to know is, will New Zealand follow suit of Australia’s model and bring back some of our ‘Faves’ from seasons past? And… if so – who would you want to see return?

If you’re anything like me, you’ll have your own favourites, whether for their personalities or their design and style aesthetic, or perhaps both.

Liken to a horse race, I tune in from the start and during episode one I like to pick who I think will take out the title.  All three seasons I’ve picked the winner from the start!

Of all three seasons contestants who would you love to see return as ‘Faves’ if TV3 were to bring them back?  Let me know who your favourite to return would be in the comments below.

Season Three: The most recent season, featuring Alex and Corban (2014 winners), Jo and Damo, Quinn and Ben, and Maree and James was set in Pt Chevalier, Auckland.

Season Two: Alice and Caleb (2013 winners), Pete and Andy, Loz and Tom, and Alisa and Koan took on four do-ups (two bungalows, one villa, and a 1940s brick veneer and tile) in Takapuna.

Season One: Libby and Ben (2012 winners), Rachel and Tyson, Sarah and Richard, and Ginny and Rhys took on four run down houses in Takapuna. 

– Kelly

*Image source: TV3

The post The Block NZ: Will the Faves return? appeared first on The Home Scene.