Marquee Lights

You may remember this post from the other day, and how much I loved the heart light in the outdoor patio.


Well, I tracked down the company that made this light - Scott Coppersmith Designs - and the great news is that they custom design these lights for their customers, and and you can even hire them - how great would a heart light look at your wedding venue?!






Incandescent bulbs are mounted on reclaimed wood and framed with automotive grade aluminium. They can hang indoors or out, and you can even request LED lighting. Now if only they were a bit closer to me - they're based in Ventura, California. If anyone knows anyone in NZ that can make these lights, please let me know. x


A Raft of Reading

I recommend you put the kettle on, kick off your shoes, sit back and get ready for some fantastic reading! I have three online magazines with new issues out, and all are full of great Christmas inspiration...

 1) UK's Heart Home magazine has a fabulous new winter issue with lots of Christmas decorating and gift ideas, as well as their usual brilliant lifestyle features. I had to show you the gorgeous home of interior design enthusiast, Kimberly Hughes - totally my kind of space, with colour, pattern and loads of attitude.








2) Funkytime is always a feast for your eyes with their delicious photography and graphics. If you're a crafty, diy sort, you'll love all the amazing Christmas and holiday projects.



3) Last but not least, I spent way too much time drooling over the first issue of To & From magazine. It's editors are fellow bloggers, Katie Anderson, and Meg Biram. Together with 50 of the industry's top style and design bloggers, they have brought us some of the most incredible gift suggestions, for anyone and everyone. Make sure you check it out. Quite frankly, I'd like one of everything!



Naomi Stein Lives Here

It's about time I took you on another amazing home tour. OK, so we did one a couple of days ago, but before that, my last one was in October, and it is my favourite kind of post. I love everything about this home, which belongs to Naomi Stein - I love her bold use of colour and pattern, I love the stories about her pieces, and I love her mix of modern and vintage.


Naomi owns a boutique construction firm, Design Manifest, with her Dad. During the day she designs other people's homes. So to be able to design her own home completely for herself, no boyfriend or flatmate to consider, meant she could push the boundaries and get really adventurous. And although her 'modern bohemian glamour' style looks expensive, Naomi actually pulled it all together on a modest budget - you go girl!
Naomi's love of David Hicks' La Fiorentina fabric meant that this entry bench was one of her few splurges. The art belonged to her nana, and she sewed the cushions herself using scraps of ikat fabric.

Naomi painted her office wall a gorgeous Yves Klein blue, which brilliantly sets off her Parson's desk.
This was a second-hand find that she painted hot pink. The side cabinets are Ikea's famous Rast drawers which have been cleverly overlaid to create a Palm Springs look.

The dining room table and chairs are more second-hand scores. The French-country wannabe chairs (Naomis' words) were originally cream. A lick of high-gloss black paint and some chevron fabric has transformed them. They look fantastic with the Suzani tablecloth.

Naomi won this vintage bar cart at an auction for $150! She commissioned the painting by Nicole of
Sketch 42 as a moving in present to herself, so she could always remember her new beginning.

This is my least favourite room, but I wanted to include it because I love what Naomi has brought to it. Being a rental property she couldn't change the cabinets, but adding the tribal rug and ornate art has
softened the room and made it more in keeping with her style.

The Nina Campbell wallpaper is Naomi's most prized possession. Treat yourself by buying one roll
of your favourite (expensive) wallpaper and use it in a little nook like this. The mirror was spray
painted teal especially for this wall, and the auction-won chairs ($30 for the pair) were recovered
in zebra fabric gifted to Naomi.

The living area has a Pottery Barn rug picked up for half price on eBay. Naomi would love to replace it one day with a real Beni Ouarain Moroccan rug - it's always good to have something to strive for!

Naomi likes to change her cushions out seasonally. To make it a cost-effective activity she shops
discount fabric outlets and sews the covers herself.

A plain Ikea Expedit bookshelf has been 'glammed' up with a plate mirror on the back.
The art is a framed Victor Vasarely scarf once belonging to her grandmother, and a photo of
her beloved dog. And can you believe she picked up the Eames lounger off the side of the curb?!!!
It's a reproduction Eames, but still a great find.

The mini Singer belonged to Naomi's great-grandmother, and the David bust was from a thrift store.
It's great to have pieces on show that are sentimental and tell a story.

The cheapest room was the bedroom. Naomi's sister scored the headboard from an Urban Outfitters
sample sale. The bedspread was a gift from her Mum. The pillows are from Naomi's friend Caitlin Wilson. And she won the Marilyn artwork in a Cozamia giveaway!