Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Styling... a (sick) addiction!

I recently stumbled across this super cute wooden block calender & I just want to use it with everything!
It just calls to be changed every day & used daily in a new shoot!



Elle x

Chairs, Chairs, Floating Chairs?

I spotted this adorable cafe today in Sydney's eastern suburbs, called "honeycomb". I couldn't even go past the front door! I think it should be compulsory for every cafe, restaurant & shop to have a floating chair out the front! 


Cute right?


Elle x

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Tips to help you properly light your bedroom


I receive a lot of questions about bedroom lighting, so I thought I would answer them all in one go with a post! 

Many ask, "why is having the correct bedroom lighting so important?" The answer; light around the home affects your mental and psychological state. Living in a dark and gloomy environment will dampen your mood.

Whether you retire to a small alcove or grand master suite, you probably use your bedroom for more than simply sleeping. Bedroom lighting ranges from basic to bold; dimmed to dramatic.

Help are some tips to help you properly light your bedroom:
Size MattersBefore buying bedroom lighting, first determine the size of room. Take your room measurements, along with outlet locations and furniture placement to a lighting showroom or speak to an interior designer. It is important to have an even spread of light throughout the space.

Height RightThe scale of the bedroom in relation to the light source is crucial to consider prior to purchasing. If your bedroom ceiling is low, avoid fixtures with longer bodies. It would be wiser to purchase a light with shorter or flush wall - mounted fixtures.

Room to GlowYour bedroom might serve more than one purpose; do you have a sewing machine, a small office, or a reading nook? All these spaces require direct lighting, but a sitting area begs for softer, shaded fixtures, so it is best to have varying light sources.

The Lighter SideAvoid shades on lamps or lights that are too opaque, otherwise your bedroom will be too dark. The fixtures may look nice, but the light will not be as functional. When buying a table lamp, opt for one with a softly diffused shade. Spend a moment to see how you turn it on and off to make sure it is not going to be too difficult to manage when you are in bed. My design aesthetic MUST combine aesthetics with functionality, hence the name "design, form & FUNCTION" ;)

Location, Location, LocationDon't install lights directly over the bed. You will tend to look up at them while you are laying in bed and direct light from overhead is less comfortable than soft light at face level.

Get in the MoodA strong dose of ambience is also important in the bedroom. I suggest installing dimmers on lights to allow you to change the desired effect. Softer or colored light bulbs can also change a room's mood.

Closet ConditionsFew things are more frustrating that dark closets. Closets need good light, but be careful not to put a hot light bulb too near delicate clothes.

If all else fails, make sure you have ample natural light!




Elle x


or email me at elle@luluolive.com.au for design questions or assistance!

via Lighting Association

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Adore Home Magazine April Edition

It is a true honor to be an official contributor to the April Edition of the Adore Home Magazine. You can see my contribution below and read the magazine in its entirety here.







Wednesday, March 20, 2013

a little mexican lovin'

Doesn't everyone love a little Mexican?

I spotted this funky little pop up food joint in Surry Hills yesterday when I was on my way to a meeting - design inspiration is everywhere.

The building is the old Royal Lounge Pub but it has been taken over by a new chef with a love of colourful Mexican food.

I love the colour they have injected into the old pub. It has captured the Mexican theme & is a lovely place to sit outside to enjoy the sunshine.

Go check it out!





Have you seen a funky restaurant or cafe lately? Share it with us!

Elle x 





Monday, March 18, 2013

Sydney Design Stalker #2

The Sydney Design Stalker strikes again!

Have you ever seen a more beautiful home? Granted it is not everyone's taste (and I don't think I could live without having a wall colour) but it is most definitely textured and colourful!

What do you think?





      Hidden windows somewhere under there


                                   Yes, it is a house!


                  Gorgeous little windows



                       The front door

What do you think?

Elle x






Sunday, March 17, 2013

Interiors Photography

Photographs of interior spaces is a difficult talent to master. People tell you never to work with animal or children, I would advise you to pray to the sun before doing a photographic shoot. 

Brent Darby is a talented New Zealand born photographer who is now living in NYC and making his name in the interiors industry. His style is light, airy, full of nature light (see, a true talent, he must do a lot of praying) and always incorporates texture. 

I am drawn to the gentle and simple nature of these images. They don't look over styled, instead, they look rather effortless. 

Do you relate to his images as much as I do?


 









Do you relate to his images as much as I do?


Elle x



















Tuesday, March 5, 2013

A can of GOLD spray paint

Is there an item in your home or something you found that you just HAD TO HAVE? Then you get home and try to make it fit with the rest of your space and realise it is never going to work. We are all culprits of this! 

Here is my very easy 1, 2, 3 - that will have you running to your local store for a can of spray paint.


I picked up this watering can from IKEA while I was sourcing for a client last week and absolutely had to have it- my life depended on it (or so it seemed at that moment). It costs my $2.99, I had big plans for it. I new my desk could do with some uplifting and I thought this can would look super cut with flowers in them.

The only problem - the feature colour in my room is gold (at the moment). Yes, this changes more often than the weather in Sydney.



I keep a can of gold spray paint at home for rainy days - it always seems to come in handy and feed you that little bit of creativity that you are so hungry for. You can pick up a can from your local Bunnings for less than $15.00 

Ok, it's time for a make over!

 

My Boyfriend, let's call him Jack - because he is my "Jack of all trades" once gave me the best advice when handling spray paint, he said, "Do it on the grass". Thank you life saver! It's quick, there is no preparation, no need for newspaper that is going to move in the wind and end up sticking to what you are painting and within a week you cannot even see where you spray painted - mother nature takes care of that!

Here is my finished product! I will show you a photo next time of it sitting on my desk with fresh blooms inside!


What are you planning on attacking with a can of spray paint?


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Oh, and if you’re feeling really inspired, leave me a comment below. Or jump over to the Facebook Page for other objects you can attack with a gold can of spray paint.

Elle x





Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Freedom Styling

Here is a little styling incorporating items from the new Freedom Collection! This theme compliments the family home I am working on at the moment. 

I find the overall feel to be warm, friendly and inviting. What do you think?  I think it needs an accent colour? Maybe a brighter rug! What would you add?


Elle x


Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Freedom New Season Launch




Out today,  Monday 25 February ... Freedom's latest range. All will be on their website by the morning.  You all know how much I love chairs so I will definitely be checking this new collection out online, and in-store.

Remember when purchasing an item for your home, as fantastic as the fabric may look online, it is not a  good idea to make a purchase without seeing, touching and feeling the fabric.



Another sneaky peek at Freedom's latest collection in store from today. Jump on the website tomorrow to see the goodies from the new collection.

Here are some images from the shoot collection that was taken last week down at Custom's House in Sydney.







Is it too early to start shopping? ;)


Megan Morton styled last season's catalogue, I wonder who will style this one and what the focus will be. Stay tuned...

Via the lovely ladies at www.desiretoinspire.com

Elle x


Chevron

chevron (also spelled cheveron, especially in older documents) is an inverted V-shaped pattern. The chevron occurs in early art including designs on pottery and rock carvings.


Elle x



Saturday, February 23, 2013

Feather

Maybe there was something in the air, or maybe it was my visit to the design fair yesterday, but something is making my creative mind go crazy! I had a very busy day today at my desk with a paint brush in hand and watercolours everywhere. 

All my artworks are painted with good quality paints and on the best quality paper to ensure the colour of the artwork won't fade. 

When you purchase my artwork you receive three things;

1. The artwork
2. A frame of your choice
3. Images of your artwork being made - Why? I provide this added extra as I find half the beauty lines in the transformation from the plain white paper to the artwork you hold so dear.

They come in 2 different sizes, A5 (sized frame) and A3 (sized frame). You can chose between 2 different frames; white, black and a lighten wooden colour.

The A5 artworks are $35.00 and the A3 artworks at $75.00

or email me at elle@luluolive.com.au


A5 Feathered Artwork in black frame




A5 Feathered Artwork





A3 Feathered Artwork


Thursday, February 21, 2013

Headshot Laughs

Let me tell you something little... Having your headshot taken (despite how exciting the purpose of it may be) the experience is less than exciting.
 I am much more comfortable behind the camera than infront of it.

It's worth a laugh...


Elle x


Does your chair have personality?

Have you ever thought about what personality your chair represents?


I'm a little alternate.

I'm a traditional, a classic.



I'm a eclectic.



I'm a quite posh.



I'm highly strung.

I'm a perfectionist.



I'm a traditionalist, with a twist. 



I'm bold.



I'm simply tasty.



I'm open for snuggles.



I'm a reminder of your grandpa.



I'm a dock martin kinda gal.



I'm a free spirit.


I'm a fresh.


And when you put us all together, we tell a story.

So, which one are you?

Elle x


All chairs are sourced from Matt Blatt.