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?

Don't forget to join our competition on Facebook! Click here to join!

Elle x

It's competition time!

It's competition time!

Design & styling is my own work!

Share this image & make sure you like the "Design, Form, Function" Facebook Page (CLICK HERE!) to be in the running to win an online interiors layout, furniture selection & design for one room of your home! 

The winner all be drawn next week! Elle x

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

Follow me at www.facebook.com/designformfunction 

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

via Lighting Association

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 

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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

Don't forget to jump over to the Facebook Page, click HERE!

Adore Home Magazine Feature

Did you see us on the Adore Home Magazine Blog this morning?

Make sure you jump over to our Facebook Page for constant design inspirations & to keep up to date with our design projects!   

 

http://www.adoremagazine.com/blog/2013/3/4/blog-lovin-with-ellen.html

My Week in Photos: 1

My week in photos is a little behind the scenes introduction to the my design focused life.

Elle x

Jump over to the Facebook page for more design lovin'

Exposed this & exposed that

A standout & highly sort after feature of mine is exposed wooden beams. They express the definition of functional necessity in the most expressive form. How does something so crucial to a build, so heavy and obtrusive still manage to present true elegance in a space?

Architecture in today's world is appreciated more than ever, exposed aggregate, off-form concrete, exposed internal brick walls and of course, exposed structural beams. I find it refreshing and exciting to be able to not only understand the building and construction process, but to be able to see it, both in the progressive stage and the end stage. Adding beauty and architectural interest to any space, try not to shy away from the foundations or support that assists in establishing the place you call home.

Here are 3 great examples of the beauty of the exposed wooden beam;

3.bp.blogspot.com

elv-s.blogspot.fi

ffffound.com

Elle x

Find us on Facebook at Design, Form, Function - just click here!

A nordic jewel

A white interior filled home with birch wood and simple designer furniture that help make it a jewel of Nordic inspiration.

Via Mi Casa Planete Decor

A little turtle inspiration

Recently I have been exploring different means of inspiration, it is everywhere you look & I enjoy the thought that people find inspiration in very different places to one another. 

After our recent trip to Fiji, I explored finding interior design inspiration in marine creatures. I have always loved turtles I find them relaxed and deeply inquisitive, but by no means do I support harming them in any way. (In fact, please don't, just enjoy looking at them or find imitations).

Where do you find your inspiration from?

Elle x

  

An image from our trip

             

All images via @pinterest

10 perfect bedside tables

I got a little over-excited and ended up with more than 10...

We all know how exciting it is to find a new home for an item that has been in the corner of the room for as long as you can remember. I have been thinking recently of all the different objects I can use as my bedside table (currently its a pile of Belle magazines!)

The bedside table solutions below show you when it comes to the bedroom storage, no rules apply. Be it an old chair or chest of drawers, classic or retro furniture, a bedside table can be a focal point to your bedroom, or rather contribute to an ongoing theme. It is a great way to add a little bit of colour and express your personality and sense of style.

Here are a few images to get you thinking of how you can make your bedside table more exciting..

My choice is a tree stump in all its natural glory!

Grand Drum in Yellow from Matt Blatt

Wooden Nesting Table by Citta Design

Teca 4 Hole Stool by Globe West

Boracay Hourglass Stool by Globe West

Art School Bedside Table in Natural by Freedom

Do you have any other fun ideas of items that could be used as a bedside table?

Enjoy, Elle x

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-bedside-tables-that-arent-r-138033

http://www.homelife.com.au/shopping/galleries/10+of+the+best+bedside+tables+,20689?pos=6#top

Old French Barn Converted into Family Home

As soon as I see the words "Barn" and "converted" in the same sentence, I get excited, and this one is particularly spectacular! 

This is the work of French Interior Designer Josephine Gintzburger. Gintzburger took an old barn of 4,300Sqm in Bourgogne, France and converted it into this beautiful and cozy family home. The mix of texture such as concrete and wood, vintage antique with contemporary, the thick wooden beams and the mix of old and new brings a special character to the place that makes feels like home!

You can also find us on Facebook for regular updates throughout the day on all things design!

Loving the long concrete kitchen counter.

See more of Josephine work at www.josephineinteriordesign.com

http://trendland.com/old-french-barn-converted-into-family-home/