It's All About Balance

Sorry, for not posting yesterday. I've got some exciting things happening in the wings, and it was a particularly busy day (will share more info when I can).

Anyway, today I wanted to talk a bit about balance. I really like using asymmetry in interior styling. There's definitely a time and place for symmetry, but it can often look very formal, and I'm a casual kinda gal! The following examples all use furniture and objects in an asymmetrical way, but each is beautifully balanced. For example, in the first image, the large painting and cushion on the left are balanced out by the three smaller art pieces and the off-set coffee table.

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Things I Love

I was very excited this morning when the courier delivered my copy of Megan Morton's new book 'Things I Love'. Megan is an amazingly talented Australian interior stylist who lives and breathes everything to do with the home. Her work has been featured on the covers of international glossies, Elle Decoration UK and Vanity Fair. And her local (Australian) clients include Vogue Living, In Style and Inside Out magazines.

As much as I would love to curl up and devour this book right now, there is work to be done. But I have quickly flipped through it, and all my expectations have been exceeded. It's a gorgeous book full of beautiful glossy pictures, inspiration and advice, and even a whole section of pull-outs. I highly recommend anyone who is passionate about homes and interiors to add this book to your collection. I can't wait to sit down with it tonight.

The first section is a selection of character-filled homes to inspire us

Next is a collection of quirky objects that Megan loves, and she encourages you to pull some of these pages out to frame on your pin board, send as a postcard or use as a gift tag

There's a whole section on the people that Megan loves, and let me tell you... they're a talented bunch

The back of the book is chocka full of advice and insider's secrets. Everything from how to create an instant centrepiece to how to make a bed with hospital corners!

November Giveaway

Tomorrow is November, and as a special pre-Christmas giveaway, any purchases made in our Cush & Nooks online store from now until the end of November 2012 will go into the draw to WIN a single Kantha quilt of your choice.

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These gorgeous lightweight cotton quilts, worth $150 - $180, are all made in India by piecing together saris and stitching all over by hand with tiny, delicate 'kantha' stitches.
The single size (150cm x 225cm) is perfect as a bedspread on a single bed, or as a throw on a larger bed or sofa. I've also used mine as a table cloth before, which looks amazing.

The winner will be notified by email, and announced on the Cush & Nooks Facebook and Twitter pages at 5pm (New Zealand time) on Friday November 30th.