Furniture Faves

One of our favourite suppliers has recently introduced some new products to their collections and we're in love with it all! Linen slip cover sofas and rattan furniture that takes me back to my childhood.

Blush pink is so beautiful and very current in fashion as well as interiors, and this velvet sofa is simply divine teamed with the brass sleigh-legged coffee table. The handsome leather armchair adds a touch of masculinity to the scene.

These blue velvet dining chairs are one of my absolute favourites, and look amazing with the small brass and marble dining table. The brass and glass shelving sits prettily in the background (I think we need a couple of these in our showroom).

Brass clad coffee and side tables make a statement, and I also have my eye on the cool bar cart pictured to the side.

A single chair with a cool side table can turn an empty corner into a stylish nook. Why not choose pieces with maximum personality like this duo. 'Choose less, but choose well' is my motto.

Another fave is this stunning console. I love it's simple, clean form with the beautiful detailing on the front of the cupboards.

This armchair is an old faithful of ours, you can't go past it for comfort, and it looks fab too. Match it with the gorgeous brushed gold (or copper) and marble nesting tables - love it.

A great sofa for curling up and resting your cuppa on the arm. The armchair in felt and leather is unique and super cool too.

We love the linen slip cover sofas that come in 2, 3, and 4 seater sizes and in white, blue or grey. It's fantastic to see that we can now add a chaise for truely stylish lounging.

All of these furniture items can be ordered through us here at Bibby + Brady, so if anything has caught your eye and you'd like more information, get in touch with us, we'd love to help.

Industry Ink | Giveaway

Industry Ink is the creative design brand of Dunedin based artist and designer, Rachel Sutton, and we're very excited to introduce you all to her work and offer you the chance to WIN A BEAUTIFUL A3 PRINT.

With a background in graphic design, fine art and product development, Rachel founded Industry Ink in 2014 with the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to fill their spaces with art. Industry Ink offers something for those art lovers who enjoy quality artwork at a more affordable price. She began by selling her prints to design stores throughout New Zealand, and in July this year, she launched her new website and online shop.

Rachel specialises in portrait art and currently has a love of dark inky monochromes. Her current ranges comprise of graphic fine art prints and photographic art prints. Her graphic fine art prints are all created freehand on her computer, and she uses her own photography for her photographic prints. All prints are limited editions, signed and numbered, and are printed on 100% cotton rag fine art paper using archival inks. Rachel believes in quality over quantity. "Keeping the collections small and signing each one adds to the quality of each piece," she says.

Rachel has a love of black and white photography, particularly portraits. "I'm inspired by textures and shadows, and am drawn to eyes and how they capture and evoke emotion", Rachel says. Her love of Scandinavian interiors and minimal colour palettes is evident in her work. Old dark room techniques, like playing with different exposures and solarisation, has also influenced her creations, hence the use of monochrome and inky imperfections in tone. "With a background in graphic design and fine art I try to merge the two disciplines by replicating fine art techniques, like textures and markings, with computer graphic brushes", Rachel explains.

Rachel plans on introducing a range of hand drawn fine art prints to her website in the near future, and expanding her photographic range. She would also love to collaborate with like-minded artists and stock other products to compliment her art prints.

The latest Industry Ink collection is Queens - beautiful portraits featuring native New Zealand birds. We have an A3 print of my favourite, "Tui" to giveaway this week.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER - Kathryn Downey. Enjoy your beautiful print, Kathryn.

The block is over | Girls vs Boys

The Block NZ is a wrap for another season. There was much excitement in our household last night as we watched the live auction. Before I get to that though, let's have a quick look at the very last room reveal for the season. Just when the teams thought they had finished renovating, Mark announced one last challenge - House 5. The house was divided up and spaces were allocated to the teams. As the winners, Sam and Emmett had the enviable task of choosing the auction order.

Sam and Emmett - Bedroom + Ensuite: 1st place - 18.5 points (9.5 points from Fiona and 9 points from Paul)

The judges obviously loved the boy's master bedroom and ensuite. It was certainly a far cry from their very first bedroom in week 1. There was a subtle sophistication with a slight masculine edge.

Niki and Tiff - Kitchen, Dining + Guest Bedroom: 2nd place - 16.5 points (8.5 points from Fiona and 8 points from Paul)

I really liked seeing the girls present a different style to their Block house. The kitchen and dining had a modern retro feel. I love the black subways laid vertically, and the chairs were cool, albeit the table a bit too small for the space.

The guest bedroom was beautiful and very feminine. Those pendant lights are gorgeous, and the colour palette is simple and pretty, inspired by the artwork.

Dyls and Dylz - Main Bathroom, Garage + Laundry: 3rd place - 15.5 points (7.5 points from Fiona and 8 points from Paul)

I don't understand why D+D decided to copy N+T's tribal style in this bathroom. It was similar to the girls' style but not as good (in my opinion).

Their garage and laundry was similar to their own Block house, so it was good, but a bit lazy from a design aspect, I thought. This house was a chance to embrace a different look.

Emma and Courtney - Living Room, Entrance + Stairs: last place - 15 points (7 points from Fiona and 8 points from Paul)

I loved seeing some colour in the girls' living room. The blue of the sofa is gorgeous and works really well with the tan leather chair.

I recognise that console table in the entrance from E+C's Block house, so, once again, it was a shame they didn't try something new. The fact that the teams managed to complete this house in one week though is pretty incredible.

Choosing to have their Block house auctioned last, well and truly paid off for Sam and Emmett. Their profit of $380,000 over the reserve price (the largest profit in The Block NZ history) crowned them the winners of The Block Girls vs Boys. As the winners they received an extra $100,000 bringing their total to $480,000 - amazing!

image from The Block NZ Facebook page

Emma and Courtney came second with an impressive $300,000 over reserve to split between themselves. Dyls and Dylz gained $151,000 over reserve, and also walked away with a brand new Honda HR-V Sport for being voted The People's Choice. Although last, Niki and Tiff still won $150,000 from the sale of their house, so a hugely successful way to finish this season. Catch up on all The Block news and many more photos on the TV3 website, where they're already looking for 2017 Block applicants - will it be you?