Saturday, November 10, 2012

Subscribe NOW!

Good news everyone, you can now have the posts delivered straight to your email! 
All you have to do is click into the 'subscribe' box on the right & add your email address.

Don't forget you can follow all the blog posts & many more posts throughout the day at the Design, Form, Function Facebook page. (Simply click here)


Elle x

Friday, November 9, 2012

Weekend Mood Board

A little cozy, relaxed & fun filled!

Happy 60th birthday to the best dad in the world! x
Happy Saturday!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Bathroom + Chandelier

I have long admired chandeliers, but always from a far. Sadly, there is no room for one in my bedroom, nor the hallway, entrance or kitchen (yes, I've considered it). So how about in the bathroom?

Let's take a step back for a moment. I had a look in the internet to see what the definition of a chandelier is; "A chandelier is a branched, decorative ceiling-mounted light fixture.Chandeliers are often ornate, using dozens of lamps and complex arrays of glass or crystal prisms to illuminate a room with refracted light.

I truly believe, any bathroom can manage to incorporate a chandelier.

What do you think? Would you ever put a chandelier in your bathroom or is the idea more dreamy than reality (like the object) ?

I always like to inject an ounce of whimsy and unexpectedness into decor and styling. My passion for re-purposing vintage items stems from this obsession. An even easier way to add whimsy is to mix-and-match the purpose of furnishings designed for other rooms. For example, put a vintage baker’s cabinet as the armoire in your bedroom, and two side coffee tables in the guest bathroom to hold towels and toiletries.

An easy way to inject some whimsy into your bathroom is by using non-traditional powder room furnishings. For example, a vintage fireplace mantle is perfect for framing your bathtub and creating an instant shelf (genius!). I also ADORE having chandeliers in the bathroom…it makes soaking in a clawfoot tub all the more grand. I can’t wait to find they perfect home so I can move in and install a clawfoot tub and a chandelier in the bathroom. *Sigh*


Captured by Danish photographer Morten Holtum. I love the freestanding tub, the irregular stone floor, and the moody clay walls, but what I find most seductive is the chandelier.
"Oversized, but airy. Detailed, but not ostentatious. It exudes a quiet glamour that makes itself known without undermining the other elements of the room. And it doesn't require an electrician to install. All that's missing is a rustic stool for my towel, a kilim for my feet, and a view of the olive groves. When I find it — or an acceptable alternative — you can bet it will have a place in my dream bathroom. (Though perhaps with a bit more headroom!)" (via apartment therapy)

Below are images I selected to demonstrate that there is a chandelier to suit any bathroom space & theme?
























Sunday, November 4, 2012

Monday Inspiration: Abigail Ahern


Good morning Monday!
I thought it would be nice to kick off the working week with a little design inspiration, with the intention that it will allow you to enjoy your day just a little bit more.

Please allow me to introduce to you Abigail Ahern, interior design extraordinaire.

Below are two articles that were written about the designer a few years apart. They display her home as she once designed it and the more recent version with grey walls in almost every room!
(You know that makes me excited!)

Enjoy the read, or the view, or both if you are super keen and please don't hesitate to leave your comments at the bottom of the article or head over to the Facebook page where we have had a little make over! 
There is even a competition about to start!



This is the London home of interior stylist Abigail Ahern. I love the interior which is a blend of modern design and antiques, crafts, flea discovery and design classics.


The house is located in trendy East London. Not so long ago this was a poor, impoverished area. But in a short period of time, East London transformed into a trendy, hip neighborhood. It really has become the place to stay, and there have appeared many good restaurants and cool shops in the area.


One of these shops is Abegail’s own shop Atelier Abigail Ahern, where she sells everything from fun interior accessories to antique furniture.



(images by Hotze Eisma/via Interiormagasinet)


bathroomabigail.jpg


Today I’m loving … Abigail Ahern’s bathroom with the huge Neo Baroque Chandelier.

Article Two: New apartment



i still can’t get over how natural abigail ahern looks in her ahhhh-mazing home. doesn’t she just look like she belongs in the photo above? this british stylist and interior designer (and soon to be author) seriously knows what she’s doing and how to bring her own personal style to her projects. i’m loving her ability to mix eclectic elements while having fun, but not going overboard – very modern, but still so liveable. if what you see here isn’t enough to fill your fancy, click here for more, full-sized images, and of course there’s more great style at atelier abigail ahren. [thanks so much for sharing this incredible home of yours, abigail!] p.s. clickhere for all the beautiful sneak peeks. -anne

[Me walking thru my space with a fire burning. All fireplaces in the house work and in the winter there is always a fire on. . . The house was built in 1860, built over four floors and in a pretty derelict state when I bought it. I had just relocated from the States where I had worked as an interior designer for a young architectural practice in Birmingham, Michigan for 3 years, and they pretty much inspired the structure of how the house looked. They built some pretty amazing spaces (glass houses) over looking the great lakes - and I very much wanted to replicate the indoor/outdoor feel. So we took the exterior wall out and put in glass over 2 floors, hence a very modern/traditional vibe which very much reflects the furniture and accessories.]

Labeled dining room but really isn’t its another space to sit and work as we generally eat downstairs on the lower ground floor. The ostrich table I love it makes me smile and we sell in the store, the table I sprayed glossy black and the chairs again from antique shops/flea markets.

Basement living room

Front living room – my painting (isn’t a painting at all it’s an old sign which I flipped over and its back a beautiful textural rust looks like a painting. The concrete chair is one of the first things I ever brought for the house – we had no money, no furniture and I brought this chair from one of my favourite stores called Mint in London -its all we had to sit on for a year.

Book wall – one of our biggest sellers is the book case wallpaper and its here on this chair that I catch up on emails in the evening or flick through magazines. I can see the kitchen and the rest of the lower ground floor from this vantage point and often sit with a glass of wine in the evening while things cook away. The chair is covered in pink mohair from George Smith and again heaps of texture from the floor cushion to the cushions on the chair.

Bathroom – being a huge fan of candlelight – the chandelier gets lit a lot. In the winter I light the fire and have the longest bath.

I am pretty crazy on texture which adds interest- so the woolen throw comes from Nicole Farhi in London, all the other textiles from my store. Vintage finds include the lamp and the rusty old chair (which my husband died at when I brought home). I love it, it peels and sheds rust all the time!

Basement – this in my dog Molly snoozing on her favorite chair. The pink coffee table is something I was trying out from the store. Pieces continually evolve.



Thursday, November 1, 2012

Styling Tips

1. Be confident mixing up textures: Glossy, matt, mirror and timber add more interest and balance to your scheme.

2. Natural, organic finishes provide the bones for a classic interior, whilst the seasonal brights add a changeable layer. (Especially if you change your mind as often as I do!)

3. New neutrals- Turn everyday into out of the ordinary by using a strong new neutral wall colour. Warm greys are always interesting backdrop. (And by now you all know how much I love my greys!)

4. Don't be afraid of mixing iconic design pieces from different eras to express your unique sense of style. For example; wooden floors, Persian rugs and modern glass tables.

5. Investing in a beautiful piece of art can change the mood of a room and provide a great source of colour inspiration for the rest of your scheme. Art and cushions is where I generally employ colour, it's bold, changeable and refreshing.

x E

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

News: Coco Republic

How about a little news on behalf of Coco Republic?

Who are they?
Coco Republic has established itself in the market place as a 'leading furniture and design brand'. Coco Republic’s extensive range of chic, discreetly-elegant furniture (for both indoor/outdoor) and stylish homewares are complemented by the brand’s exclusive distribution of top-tier international brands: Lauren Ralph Lauren, Andrew Martin, Kelly Hoppen and Oly San Francisco.

Formerly trading as Town & Country Living, Coco Republic has over 35 years experience in the furniture and design industry.

The Coco Republic Design School cements the symbiotic relationship between education and practical experience within a dynamic design environment. A collaboration between Coco Republic and the influential, nationally-recognised Design Centre Enmore, imbues students with a creative education in interior decoration, through the development of premium courses and teaching excellence.

Coco has also just announced they will be offering online interior design courses from 2013!

.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................






Coco Republic introduces a selection of exciting, versatile side tables to add personality to any space. Perfect as a bedside table or living area accessory, try the Twisted Side Tables,Nugget Side Table, Critter Side Table or Twelve Faces Side Table to start.

For more, visit Coco Republic's New Arrivals.


.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Sneak Peak from The Newtown Hotel
31st October 2012

Coco Republic Interior Design unleashes “The Animal” at the Iconic Newtown Hotel

One of Newtown’s most iconic pubs, the 130 year old Newtown Hotel, will swing open its doors again on Wednesday 31 October following a major nine month facelift by the The Keystone Group.


Above the newly refreshed ground floor pub and beer garden, taking over the entire second level, is The Animal a rock-inspired eatery that features an eccentric interior design scheme created in collaboration with Coco Republic Interior Designer. 








Coco Republic is excited to announce the launch of Timothy Oulton's daring and authentic collection at the Coco Republic Design Centre November 15th.

Visit the Coco Republic Design Centre in Alexandria from November 15th to experience the brand new Timothy Oulton Gallery.





.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Healthy & Delicious

With the following Design, Form, Function is gather I thought it might be a little refreshing to share something that is (almost) as good for you as design is, and do a favour for a wonderful friend (and neighbour)!

Here is a link to an article written by a health coach on Rachel Gorney. Rachel has started making healthy and nutritious snacks which are delivered straight to your door!

http://jessicasepel.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/inspirational-person-of-weekrachel.html?spref=fb&m=1

Oh and just by the way... I've tried them and they are delicious!

Don't forget you can find us on Facebook at Design, Form, Function. Feel free to drop us a line or message us on Facebook. Always happy to chat!