The Home of Stylist Anna Church

I've got another fabulous home to show you today. It belongs to the lovely New Zealand stylist, Anna Church, and is situated on the beautiful Waiheke Island, off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand.

It has a definite Kiwi/Pacific flavour, with warm, sandy tones throughout, and pops of sea blue. Straw hats, wooden oars, and tropical cushions add to the theme. It's completely in keeping with the beautiful, relaxed vibe you get on Waiheke.

Like all good stylists, Anna has the ability to find everyday objects and group them together to make stunning compositions. You can achieve a look like this on a budget - Anna customised the dresser below, and combined it with shells, flowers, and roadside finds. The artwork is one of my favourites by Nikki Apse, inspired by a fish and chips menu.

I love the modern, bright yellow cord light paired with the rustic cane light shade in the bedroom. The artwork above the bed is by talented Waiheke artist, Emma Wright.

The sculptural wire chairs came all the way from the Camden markets in London. And now they sit on the little bedroom deck overlooking the most breathtaking ocean view.

via Fancy Windows via Homelife

Photography by Kevin Emirali.

Paulina Arcklin - Picture This

I recently blogged about an apartment that had been furnished and styled by the VT Wonen team for their digital Magalogue. The photos I featured were taken by a Finnish photographer, Paulina Arcklin. While researching Paulina for that feature, I knew I had to show you more of her work - it's so gorgeous, and she has put together a unique concept for her business.

Based in Amsterdam, Paulina has spent the last seven years working as a freelance interior writer, stylist and photographer for international interior magazines. Now she has taken all of her talents and experience and formed a business called Picture This. She can provide a full service package for companies wanting to market their products. From conception to planning, photo styling and photography - she can do it all and save you the hassle of having to hire three different people.

These days with more and more people shopping and buying online, you need to showcase your products in the best possible light. Beautiful styling, and photography will definitely help to sell your products, and Paulina is the one to help you. Although she is based in Amsterdam, she can travel anywhere. Below are just a few examples of her work - some she has just photographed; others she has planned, styled and photographed. You can see many more examples on her website.

Lisa Quinn-Schofield - Featherhorse

One of the things I love about blogging is the amazing network of like-minded friends I have made from all over the world. One such person, Lisa Quinn-Schofield, is like a kindred spirit. We found each other via Facebook and Pinterest, and it became very apparent how similar our tastes are. Lisa has a Facebook page under her business name of Featherhorse, where she shares her love of interiors, art and design.

After swapping emails we realised just how similar our lives were - passionate about interior design, mothers of young daughters, married to surfer boys, lovers of Scandi meets boho meets retro vintage!... So I was thrilled when Lisa agreed to let me do a feature on her gorgeous home, and ask her a few questions.

Lisa and her husband Trent have lived in their Western Australia home for three years now. They share it with their two beautiful daughters, Sana age 5, Arlie age 1, and also Hudson their gorgeous weimarana dog. After renovating two other homes, they fell in love with the location of their current home, which is a five minute drive to the beach, perfect for Trent, who is a keen surfer. 

With Trent's background in horticulture (and now real estate) and Lisa's in design, they have used their talents to turn their house into a stunning family haven. Lisa is a talented artist and is currently working on a body of art work. She balances this with motherhood, and working part time at Coco Republic assisting with styling and decorating.

The lounge: Lisa painted the yellow X on a plain cushion and made another with leftover Florence Broadhurst's Stampede fabric; the others are from Ikea and Spotlight. The yellow side table is from Freedom, and the rug a great find from Spotlight. The Osborne & Little wallpaper beyond echoes the golden tones.

Lounge details: A Phillipe Stark ghost chair contrasts nicely with a sculptural coat rack from Empire. Lisa's creativity, and touches of yellow, can be found in her woven sticks and dream catcher.

Dining and kitchen: Lisa's love of Scandinavian design is evident here in the clean lines, and black & white colour scheme. The warm, golden hues in the replica tolix chairs and accessories, keep the continuity flowing from the living room.

Dining reverse: The curves in the round mirror, the chairs, the painting, and the cowhide, counterbalance the hard lines found in the other furniture.

Dining details: Treasures and momentos add personality.

Dining corners: A beautiful mix of textures. The chair covered in Florence Broadhurst's Stampede fabric sits below one of Lisa's paintings.

Bedroom: Lisa & Trent's bedroom has a sophisticated beachy feel - a perfect blend of the two of them. A neutral base is layered with pattern and texture to create a beautiful oasis. The artwork above the bed is by Lisa.

Bedroom: Layers of subtle texture and pattern.

Arlie's room: Again you can see the Scandinavian influence - the art on the wall is by Lisa, and she made the owls too. Also a touch of girly beach culture in the VW - a tea towel stretched over a canvas.

Art: A stunning ink work by Lisa. She likes the lines created by using a stick, and it doesn't suck up the ink like a pen or brush would.

Art: A dream catcher and God's eye (woven sticks) by Lisa.

Where do you get your interior inspiration?

So many places... fashion, nature, vintage, modern. I'm totally inspired by interior designer and stylist, Sibella Court. I love the way she mixes curiosities and found treasures in her interiors - it's unpredictable and unique, and also very personal. I also love the simplicity of Scandinavian design, the muted palette and their love of nature. And I really enjoy the styling of Jason Grant - it's clever, cheeky and fun.

What's your advice to others when it comes to decorating their home?

Get inspired and get real; be true to yourself - don't be afraid to break the rules when decorating your own space. It should be a reflection of you and what you love to be surrounded by. I buy neutral, classic furniture pieces and then go nuts with the accessories. I'm not precious with the decorative pieces - ornaments, throws, cushions, art, even paint and wallpaper - I move them around, change them, re-paint, re-cover. I'm always experimenting, my home is ever evolving. Also, upcycle - use found objects and give them new life. Some of my favourite pieces are things we've found on the side of the road.

This is one talented, stylish gal! Make sure you 'like' her on Facebook to see all her upcoming artwork, and be inspired daily be her interiors images. Check her out on Pinterest too. All photos above are by Lanie Sims Photography.