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I adore the beautiful peachy pink tones of Amber Armitage’s The Family ceramics collection (our feature image) and not to mention the stunning styling to boot.  Almost too good to eat from, Amber’s ceramics would sit pretty out for all to see.

Cloud Nine Creatives new Aztec collection features this cushion that I can see sitting well in my cozy grey armchair in my reading nook.

Simple in design with timber features (gets me everytime), this Beam Shelf from Resident GP Homewares will add a pop of zesty yellow to any wall. Display your favourite treasures and admire.

 By STAK Ceramics the phone vase is more than just a phone holder. The ingenuity of this idea to create a functional place to store your phone but add beauty to it with a place for fresh cut or dried flowers.

Melbourne artist (and owner of Hello Polly), Sarah Kelk‘s colour and abstract paintings feature in a double page spread for Frankie Magazine with a free pull out poster for your own wall. I’ll be framing mine this weekend pride of place in our entryway.

Happy Friday – Kelly

The post Friday Faves: A pop of colour appeared first on The Home Scene.

I recently came across BMD Is your friend through instagram and immediately reached out to look at securing their talents in our next home (2016 – you seem so far away). Talking with BMD, I knew I had to feature their talents on THS blog and find a little more about in them in the process.

+ What inspires you?

Boring walls are prevalent in New Zealand – inside and outside, these are causing long term creative barriers & hindering innovation in our country.

Thankfully, and you will thank us, we’re here to help. We create unique and stimulating public and private environments to give life to the fine walls of our country and others, to inspire our fellow citizens.

Death to boredom, we say. BMD is our name and creative spaces is our game. 

Shelter-by-Matt-Q

Interior for Run the Red, Photo by Blake Dunlop

I Love Ugly office, Photo by HighSnobity

+What are your highlights from this creative journey you’ve both been on?

You create the world you want to be a part of. You have the ability to change spaces, minds and peoples lives through creative use of public and private space.

+ What do you love most about being a creative?

Waking up and doing what we want everyday. Life’s short, why would you do anything else?

Private commission, Photo by Blake Dunlop

Milkcrate commission, Photo by Blake Dunlop

Commissioned Exterior, Wellington, Photo by Blake Dunlop

+ In your own words – how would you describe what you do?

We noticed that there were a three different groups of people using walls – advertisers, vandals and fine artists. We’re a healthy combination of the three. We use wall space to get a message across using the tools of vandals and the finesse of a fine artist.

Interior for Google Sydney, photo by Blake Dunlop

Private commission, Photo by Blake Dunlop

+ Who forms BMD is your friend?

BMD is a two part duo who met in intermediate school, in detention. We think different about spaces, design, art and business.
We produce value by handcrafting visual narratives directly onto walls.

Matter of fact, we’ve created some of the largest scale public artworks in New Zealand, but we’re not here to brag. Some time ago, a light went on and we realised every wall has two sides – an inside and an outside – so our canvas size effectively doubled overnight, and we had to roll up our sleeves to keep up with those pesky boring walls.

Profile, photo by Bianca Brons

Profile, Photo by Charlotte Curd

Cover image:Interior for Accent, Photo by Matt Queree

Follow BMD on Instagram to enjoy their creativity and find them online at bmdisyourfriend.com – get in touch with the guys if you’re wanting to to transform your boring walls.

– Kelly 

The post BMD Is your friend appeared first on The Home Scene.

I love beautiful notebooks to do so in and am forever finding additional bits of paper loosely in my handbag. I do sometimes feel a tad guilty with what to do with my notebooks once they’re used up.

Trawling through social media recently I came across something new, the Paper Saver notebook. I was intrigued and ordering my own found it to be an ingenious idea and simply adore mine.  The concept, to retain a beautiful notebook in its faux leather bound finish, but provide a solution for all that printed paper that otherwise would end up in the trash.

Jon, a Melbourne based architect and the brains behind Paper Saver, wanted to change the way we think about making the world a greener place. Rather than producing and selling an eco friendly notebook that is made out of 100% recycled paper, he took a new approach by asking how else can paper that is destined to be recycled or go directly to waste be used?

Reusing printed paper, the Paper Saver has a simple elegant and classic design. 

Both the external cover and inner lining are made from faux leather rather than stock paper. Simply collect and stack printed paper, then fold and slide into the Paper Saver. 

Here’s  a cute video showing you just how clever the PS is.

– Kelly

The post Paper Saver: the eco-friendly notebook with style appeared first on The Home Scene.

Inspiration can come from many places and as a blogger I’m inspired by all the things around me. During my down time, not surprisingly, I love to immerse myself in a great book and scour my favourite blogs. Those that I love bring a different perspective, style aesthetic and voice to the mix.

These are just a few of my favourite interior style books and bloggers who I each love for different reasons. I definitely recommend them, and I’ll be sharing more of my favourites with you on the blog soon.

BOOKS

+ Holiday at Home
Jason Grant

Images courtesy of Mr Jason Grant

Following the success of his first book, A place called Home, Interior stylist, blogger and author Jason Grant released his second book, Holiday at Home. The book is all about bringing that vacation vibe home with you.

His favourite memories are of times spent getting away. “Travelling is source of inspiration and opens your mind and exposes you to new things. Why not bring that action vibe home with you and infuse some of that feeling into your living spaces? Even the smallest and simplest things can transform your home”

I love how Holiday at Home is a visual story with gorgeous imagery photographed by Lauren Bamford taking you on the journey of inspiration.

mrjasongrant.com

+ Rooms to Love
LeeAnn Yare and Larnie Nicolson

Image (R) courtesy of Switch PR

From welcome entrances, living rooms, to kids rooms – this book has inspiration, tips and tricks for every nook and space in your home. From pared back minimalism to bold injections of colour and personality, Rooms to Love will cater to any readers style to find a space that delights.

Interior stylist and writer LeeAnn Yare and photographer  Larnie Nicolson showcases the personalities of each of the homeowners who have welcomed the authors into their homes. Following the success of the pairs first book New Zealand Interior Style, I can sit absorbed in the beauty of each room for hours.

collected.co.nz and larnienicolson.com

BLOGGERS

+ Styled Canvas
Mel Chesneau

Images courtesy of Styled Canvas

Writer, stylist, blogger and style columnist for NZ House and Garden Magazine, Mel started her blog back in 2012 as a creative outlet. Originally under the name Armoire Pegs and Casserole, the blog evolved and Mel restyled it earlier this year to Styled Canvas.

From interior design to creative workspaces, travel and food, Mel’s eye for clean lines and classic design is nothing short of stunning.

Aside from the gorgeous imagery, I love Mel’s philosophy on creating your own space, stating “To me, having a space that you feel happy to come home to and that you’re proud of is great for the soul. This doesn’t mean that you have to go out and spend a fortune decorating it. It’s about gradually building your collection of things that you love and that will stand the test of time representing who you are and your life’s story”.

Mel runs a monthly Styled Canvas challenge that you can get involved in, simply search the hashtag #styledcanvaschallenge

styledcanvas.com

+ As Eliza Slept
Dawn

Images courtesy of As Eliza Slept

Like any social media follower, I love to scour through Instagram for likeminded interior lovers. That was how I came across the clever and lovely Dawn from ‘As Eliza Slept’.

Through social media, Dawn takes you on her visual journey of all the lovely things she creates, finds and simply loves to share with all her AES followers. Sharing her own style throughout her home, Dawn creates beautiful spaces for her family, and in particular her love of kids interior styling for her two children Eliza and Ollie is also featured.

aselizaslept

+ My Beloved Style
Aimee Young

Images courtesy of My Beloved Style

From instagram mover and shaker to turning her love of beautiful shots into a blog, Aimee is a true lover of colour. I love Aimee’s approach to styling and creating a home, which she states “Is something all of your own, it does not have to be on trend or fit into a particular box or theme, it just has to be yours and include the things you love, be that the latest fashion trends, a selection of many items collected over time or a mixture of both. Let it be your own Beloved Style”.

Aimee runs a beautiful hashtag challenge where you can tag your own images and each Sunday Aimee shares her four favourites. To get involved, search hashtag #mybelovedhomestyle

mybelovedstyle.com

I hope you find inspiration in new places and enjoy a lovely weekend feeling inspired to create and style.

– Kelly

The post Friday Faves: Books and Bloggers appeared first on The Home Scene.

An English girl now living on a NZ dairy farm, who in her words ‘sees 482 cows a day’. Whether it’s her commercial photography prints or her images captured during her day, Georgina’s photography is beautiful, inspiring and a favourite of mine. 

+ What inspires you?

My surrounds and social media are the biggest contributors to inspiring me. I find the first things I do when I wake up is open the curtains and check my Instagram – so this really gets me in the right mind set for the day. Seeing other people’s creativity online is a really great way to get my mind working and thinking of new ideas and the next project.

+ What do you love most about being a creative?

Being in charge of my own business and being the boss. If I wake up one day and feel uninspired, or I want to spend the afternoon on the farm, then I can. There isn’t someone breathing down your neck to get the task done. Of course there are always deadlines, but you set them. It’s good to have some pressure.

+ How did you get into photography?

I wasn’t a very academic child, art didn’t come easily for me either, but the camera was something I had grown up with and just adored, so it only made sense to give it a go professionally. Only in the last few years, after a stint in a London PR office and leaving my camera in the cupboard, did I realize how much I missed it.
Somehow there had to be an option in my life to make photography my job, so I set up my own business (which is currently being branded, re-designed and will launch later this year). I knew I was moving to a farm in the middle of nowhere in NZ, so I had to find something that would keep me busy and would allow me to work from home.

+ What are your favourite things to shoot?

I adore to shoot the beach and ocean for my personal, fine art side of photography and interiors & lifestyle for the commercial work.

+ You’re from the UK, what brought you to New Zealand?

I met my boyfriend back in England working on a farm near my parent’s house during his OE. Being that he is a kiwi, I instantly knew that I would have to be the one in the relationship to uproot and move to NZ to be with him. He is based on his family dairy farm on the West Coast and the location and scenery is stunning, so I wouldn’t say it was hard to learn to deal with.  London is never going anywhere and as my family always says, ‘you are only ever 24 hours away’ should I want to go home.

+ What are your highlights from this creative journey you’ve been on? 

Recently I won a competition with a UK based swimwear brand Orlebar Brown. The prize was to have my very own pair of swimming trunks designed with my photograph on them. I’m very excited to see the finished product.

Overall there have been too many mini highlights to name them all, but overall it is always great to see other people enjoying your work and hearing kind words.

With a new, updated website, design and prints coming soon, Georgina is someone you want to be following.

– Kelly

The post Friday Faves: Print by George appeared first on The Home Scene.

To call Unna a creative genius would be an understatement. Her philosophy on life and cooking, along with her beautiful recipes and photography will inspire and delight. 

We talked with Unna for today’s Friday Faves to get an insight into her creative process,  her kitchen renovation that features in her cookbook (we love an interiors story in any feature) and of course we share with you a couple of Unna’s recipes – a little sweet and a little savoury. 

What inspires you?
My hunger inspires me! Haha. I cook what I feel like eating, it’s kinda that simple. Whatever I get a craving for is what I make.  Of course the seasons inspire me too.  I love seasonal foods like asparagus, berries, cherries, heirloom tomatoes.  I enjoy cooking from cookbooks and I’m a big fan of food magazines.

In terms of food styling, I am mostly visually inspired by Instragram and Pinterest, you get such a random mix of good imagery from all around the world with those two platforms. My favourite bloggers are Local Milk and Herriott Grace for styling and photography.

Kinfolk Flat lay
Photography: Tim and Nadine Kelly | Styled by: The Forest Cantina

What are your highlights from this creative journey you’ve been on?

Two of my biggest highlights would be….

1. FINALL Y (at 35yrs old) figuring out what im doing with my life! I am so thankful that I have found a way of turning what I love into now earning money. That’s a blessing!

And 2. That I am able to balance what I love doing around my family life.  I’m still a mum – I still do all the cooking, cleaning, school pick-ups/drop offs, grocery shopping – all that stuff that keeps our household running.  I love being a wife and a mum.  It’s important to me to keep a balance.  When I was writing the book I would do something like bake a batch of biscuits at night time when the kids were in bed, and photograph them the next day when my toddler was having his nap. Im good at making the best of a situation and organising my time well.

Benjamin and Elise Photography (and cover image)

What was the process of renovating the kitchen for your book?

Well we still rent our house so we had to come up with cost effective ways of sprucing up the kitchen without spending a fortune. We have lived in this house for 4 ½ years now, so I was dying to make the space a little more ‘mine’. My husband is a self-employed builder, and the kinda guy that fixes and makes anything – so labour, often the most expensive part of a reno, was free.

We spent the big money on things that we could take with us and replace when we go (like the light fitting – the most expensive part of the reno and the homemade trolley/island)

The trolley was a recycled workbench my husband made.  He custom made a top for it, blow torched it to give it distinctive ‘marks’ in the wood to make it look worn and not look so ‘new’.  He then stained it and added castor wheels.  The only things that we can’t take in the end are the floating shelves and tiles. But the tiles were only $1 each and my husband lay them for free – tiling costs an arm and a leg if someone else does it.  And now I know why, it’s laborious and time consuming. But Aaron did amazing job (I think I’ll keep him round) I’m so happy how the tiles make the space…with those iconic ‘kiwi’ kitchen wooden cupboards, it now looks a little more modern with the subway tiles. For the floating shelves – the wood was pulled and recycled from a job site (free) so we just paid for the stain and the rods to hold it in the wall.

The rest of the kitchen was already there, it then came down to styling it to make it our own – which is what makes any room special, putting your own personality in to it. I had the help of friend Alice Lines (Editor at Homestyle Magazine) who came and styled the kitchen for the cookbook. She has an amazing eye and it was so great having her on the shoot that day.

I think people like to know where I work, and people also like to know that you don’t have to be a home owner or have a lot of money to have a beautiful home.  The entire book was made on a very tight budget (we funded the entire content of it) but because my husband and I are both creative people, we are able to make things with our hands, and make them look good without costing a lot of money.

I’ve never let money hold me back from creating.  I think people appreciate things more when they know that there are real, just kinda normal people behind them (as opposed to a huge production team, huge budgets, studio kitchens etc).

Photography: The Forest Cantina

What do you love most about being a creative?

For me it’s a form of expression, it is a big part of who I am – I don’t know what it would be like to not be creative. I would be a different version of me if I wasn’t creative, and that’s kinda hard to imagine.

Photography: Tim and Nadine Kelly

You live in what sounds like an idyllic location, what are your favourite things about your home?

My husband and two boys, Jah (13) and Leo (almost 3) love our home. My favourite thing is that from every window in the house you can only see trees, no neighbours (just one neighbour up the back of us but they are very hidden in the bush) It’s very private and quite. We have space for our bees and chickens, gardens too of course. The ONLY let down about the yard, is that it is very terraced and not fenced (apart from trees) so it’s not the most ideal location for a toddler. I can’t just open the back door and let him go – there are big drop offs etc, so its not the safest backyard. But for now – we are happy here.

The best time of year here is spring. When 8 large old kowhai trees around the house are bright yellow and they are filled with gangs of Tui getting ‘high’ on the kowhai nectar. They make such a ruckus and tease the more docile Kereru – it’s always fun to watch from our lounge window those mischief Tui. My hand written logo for The Forest Cantina (Designed by Joan Tarrgo) has kowhai flower in it for this reason. It’s home, it’s a memory I’ll always have of this house no matter where we will live in the future.

Benjamin and Elise Photography (and cover image)

Try Unna’s sweet and savoury recipes to delight your tastebuds 

| Chocolate Eclairs |

Recipe

Photography: The Forest Cantina

| Seared Beef Crostini |

Recipe

Photography: The Forest Cantina

If you’re like me and have fallen in love with Unna’s gorgeous images and recipes, get your hands on one of her cookbooks by pre-ordering your copy of My Garden Kitchen If you do so before the end of July, you’ll also be in the chance to win the ultimate book package worth over $400.

Happy Friday  – Kelly 

The post Friday Faves: The Forest Cantina appeared first on The Home Scene.

Now while my outdoor garden flourishes, something changes when it comes to my indoor plants. I’ve admitted to this fact and have since incorporated a few succulents in the house, otherwise known as survivors! Hello, perfect for me. Apparently their tough skin makes them unappetizing to most pests and predators, and because their stems, leaves and roots hold so much water, they are able to survive long dry spells.

My clever friend Aimee, from My Beloved Style recently wrote a post, ‘My top 5 easy care house plants’ that was perfectly targeted for someone like me. 

I’ve been out sourcing some of these plants Aimee has suggested and sourced the perfect way to display them in my home. It helps that homewares have cottoned on to creating new and interesting ways to house and display succulents in your home and today I share a few of my favourite ones with you.

I found an interesting succulent from my local Mitre 10 store, called ‘Donkey Tail’ that is perfect for my hexagon wall planter from For Keeps. Mix them up with big and small, white or coloured to create an indoor haven and wall of art.

The Hex Spora has long been a favourite of mine and the lovely Sarah of  XO Home is your go to for these ceramic cups with a maple stand available as either a single or a set of three. 

Like your indoor plants to make a statement on more of a grand scale, then you will love these handmade industrial pot plant stands from local creative, Freestand NZ. Functional and gorgeously designed, they come in two height sizes and black and white.
Unfortunately this cuu-ute Frenchie is not part of the deal.

Our boys love having their own plants and this Cloud Wall Art from For Keeps is perfect for a kids interiors for a bit of fun.

All of this is not to say I’ve given up on other plants, not at all but succulents are just more likely to survive on a long term basis with me. And in my defence it’s not always me, Diesel our chocolate labrador aka destroyer, has had a hand in taking out a few new plants.

Here’s to a lovely weekend

– Kelly

The post Friday Faves: Weekend Plant Projects appeared first on The Home Scene.

Featuring art prints, homewares and even clothing for your little ones, the very talented designer behind the label – Bianca, is introducing blankets to her gorgeous range. Designed in New Zealand with a Scandinavian influence, the 100% Organic Cotton blankets are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified.

“A truly versatile blanket designed to work in any part of your home, whether it be a cot blanket in the baby’s nursery or throw in the bedroom or lounge.  Whatever the existing colour scheme this blanket is designed to compliment it with a fully reversible black and white colour way”

Priced at $110 NZD and available for Pre-order for mid-late July, these beautifully designed blankets will work in any home… including mine.

If you haven’t already come across Bianca’s talents, follow her on Facebook and Instagram through @littlepopstudios

– Kelly xx

The post Snuggle up this Winter appeared first on The Home Scene.

For this weeks Friday Faves, I thought what better than a round up of my favourite foodies, sharing breakfast recipes that can be enjoyed this Sunday.  Just subtly leave a print out of one of these delicious recipes below for your family to casually find – or if your more of the upfront kind, hit them up and let them know this is what you’d love.

Hope you enjoy and to all the beautiful mothers out there, enjoy a relaxing day this Sunday
xxx Kelly

Chocolate Pancakes – Eat Well NZ

Is there anything better than hot pancakes – add chocolate to the equation and the answer is yes. I love this recipe from Nicola of Eat Well NZ and by adding spelt flour and almond flour, Nicola has made them a healthier option for you, so technically that means you can eat more, right?

Nicola has served hers with boysenberries, banana and Greek yoghurt.
For the full recipe visit: Eat Well NZ

Kumara hash with Baked eggs – Mind the Crumbs

A breakfast truly made with love,  Hannah of Mind the Crumbs originally made this Kumara hash with baked eggs for Valentines Day in lieu of gifts. Nothing beats the chiller mornings than a hot cooked breakfast, and this one is sure to hit the spot.

Putting her own spin on the traditional recipe, Hannah used chorizo and added some capiscum and tomato.
For the full recipe visit: Mind the Crumbs

Berry and Almond Chia Pudding – Raw till Four

If you’re not a fan of a hot cooked breakfast or if breakfast just isn’t your thing, try this delicious Berry and Almond Chia Pudding by the lovely Sunniva of Raw till Four.  Its easy for the kids to whip together and can even be made up the night before.

For the full recipe visit: Raw till Four (bottom recipe of four)

Can’t be with your mum and not a mum yourself – spoil yourself this Sunday anyway and make one of these delicious breakfasts and head back to bed.

xxx Kelly

The post Made with love appeared first on The Home Scene.

I’m often asked where I’ve found this and that in our home or who are my favourite people to follow on social media. What better way to share the love than by creating ‘Friday Faves’ and who knows, you may discover new beautiful things and people that become your faves.

This Friday I’m kicking it all off with an Instagram account called ‘People Walking Past Walls’ (@peoplewalkingpastwalls  #peoplewalkingpastwalls).

As a lover of architecture and good design this account, founded by Amanda, is the perfect to kick off Friday Faves. People walking past walls is a series of stunning images from people all around the world who have captured a moment in their day utilising creative and interesting designs in their surroundings to create art.

I know a number of friends and in particular, blogging friends who love spotting an artistic wall or a beautifully designed building to snap a shot in front of so, for those lovelies, here are some of my favourite #peoplewalkingpastwalls images.

Enjoy and Happy Friday!

@abrilliantdummy for #peoplewalkingpastwalls

@wubai32 for #peoplewalkingpastwalls

@jesso for #peoplewalkingpastwalls

@murrminks for #peoplewalkingpastwalls

@pascalkrumm for #peoplewalkingpastwalls

@sw.sh for #peoplewalkingpastwalls

@khrystynaky for #peoplewalkingpastwalls

@cimkedi for #peoplewalkingpastwalls

Know a great wall that should be featured? Tag your photos with #peoplewalkingpastwalls and who knows you could be featured.

Happy Friday – Kelly 

The post Friday Faves appeared first on The Home Scene.