New Zealand Interior Style

I am an avid online shopper, and one of the things I love most about it is hearing the courier pull up outside our house with a delivery. Sometimes if I'm waiting on a couple of things I'm not sure what the parcel will contain, which adds to the excitement, and that's what happened to me yesterday morning.

School holidays means our mornings are not quite as crazy, so I was enjoying a sneaky few minutes lie in when the courier arrived. Inside this package was the fabulous new book 'New Zealand Interior Style' by LeeAnn Yare, photographs by Larnie Nicolson. Ooh, what a treat - a few more minutes to glimpse the gorgeous pages within before kids and work beckoned.

The book is divine, and everything I was hoping it would be. LeeAnn and Larnie have worked together on countless beautiful homes for interior magazines, and they've chosen 24 to feature in their book. Each one is different, but the common thread is homes packed full of personality to reflects their owner's. I've selected a few of my favourites to share with you.

The home of Monde Norden & Michael Glazer is bold & beautiful, reflecting their many overseas trips, and times spent in Michael's homeland, America.

Talented couple, Nick & Jenny Clegg - directors & designers of fashion label Federation, and co-owners of funky kidswear label Minti - were never going to have anything but an amazingly cool home!

I fell in love with interior designer, Wanda Harland's home several years ago. It was one of the first homes I blogged about and still remains a firm favourite.

I have tons of admiration for interior designer and fashion writer, Anya Brighouse. Her home exudes fun, and oozes personality!

Scott & Sharlene Woolston make the perfect pair. Scott is an incredibly talented furniture maker, and Sharlene works her colourful magic around their family home to compliment and enhance Scott's work.

Of course, there is so much more... including the inspirational homes of Amanda Holland, Alex Fulton, and LeeAnn's own. If you haven't already secured a copy make sure you do, I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do.

Introducing Chalk Paint™ decorative paint

With my frequent travels throughout the cyber world, I have recently become aware of a unique and fascinating product called Chalk Paint™ decorative paint. This amazing paint was developed by paint legend, Annie Sloan, over 20 years ago. Not chalkboard paint or paint with chalk added to it, Chalk Paint™ was named for it's velvety matt, almost chalky finish.

One of the things that really appeals to me about this paint is that it's extremely user-friendly and rarely requires any preparation such as sanding or priming. You can use it indoors and outdoors, and on just about any surface - wood, metal, matte plastic, terracotta... You can use it on furniture, walls, ceiling and floors, and it contains no lead and has no odour - sounds fantastic!

The great news for all of us down-under is that it has just been launched in New Zealand so we'll all be able to experience the brilliance! I was thrilled to receive a copy of Annie's latest book 'Colour Recipes for Painted Furniture and More' this week. Packed with 40 step-by-step projects, this book shows you how to update tired furniture and transform your home.

Working with her own range of paints, Annie teaches us how to work with colour and undertake projects in lots of different styles, from French to Swedish, Boho Chic to Modern Contemporary.

Annie has chosen her palette of colours carefully, inspired by 18th and 20th century décor and design. They range from soft, pale hues to bright, vivid tones. My favourites are the blue and green tones, in particular 'Florence' - found in neoclassical Italian and French interiors, this sophisticated colour springs from copper green minerals and malachite.

These delightful kitchen chairs are one of the projects outlined in the book. Annie wanted to introduce some colour to help brighten up the dark kitchen, and shows us exactly how she achieved the look.

My absolute favourite project is this gorgeous painted and gilded bed. By painting the bed Antibes Green then gilding the central laurel leaves, Annie has created a divine centrepiece for the room.

Close behind the bed is this spectacular copper leaf bath. Copper leaf is layered over my favourite Florence paint, which is similar to the colour of verdigris - perfect!

As well as the paint you can purchase everything else you might need to create these works of art - loose leaf copper, brass & aluminium; soft wax to achieve a subtle sheen as well as protection and durability; the most delicious looking, pure bristle paint brushes; and more. The leaf is due to to be launched in Australia soon, so I'm sure it will be available in new Zealand soon too.

Make sure you visit one of our local stockists and try Chalk Paint™ for yourself. And if you do, please send me photos, I'd love to see how you've used it.

Random Goodness

Welcome to the start of a new week. It's also the start of the school holidays for my three young whipper snappers, so I will be working hard at balancing work and 'mum time' -
let the games begin!

Today I'm bringing you a random collection of gorgeous products. The one thing they have in common is that they are all things I adore.

I love my trio of Lindi Kingi bead bracelets in rose gold, silver, and gold, they look fantastic with my Michael Kors rose gold watch. And I can't tell you much I adore my Kathryn Wilson Rosie Boots, the cobalt and gold is stunning. I often sling the chain over the back, so that from the front they look like a simple black ankle boot - business in the front, party at the back! I get loads of compliments on them.

This Adrian Pearsall sofa from Mr Bigglesworthy is drool-worthy! I am totally in lust with it's delectable shape and soft, aqua velvet upholstery. Sadly, I don't think it will be coming to live with me in the near future. We're not in need of a sofa, and there are a few things that we do need, like a new bathroom.

These adorable crochet rugs have just arrived at Tea Pea. They're so sweet as a floor rug, but I think they'd also be great thrown on the end of a bed.

Speaking of throws, this handwoven grey stripe throw from Izzy and Jean is a beauty, and comes in several colour ways.

Lastly, I have ordered my copy of Megan Morton's latest book, I Heart My Room, and can't wait for it to arrive. It's a book about children's rooms and features the most amazing bedrooms, as well as input from the kids themselves.

I hope I have helped to get your week off to a good start. If you're a Kiwi parent, enjoy the roller coaster that is 'the school holidays' :)