Entranceway Makeover

Last year Dael & I worked with a gorgeous young family who had relocated from Auckland to the beautiful Hawke's Bay. They have a fantastic new home with lots of lovely pieces, but Caryn just wanted some help to pull things together, starting with their entranceway.



It's a large, light and bright entrance with hallways on both sides leading to other areas of the home. The wall opposite the front door was the perfect place to create a welcoming vignette, but we felt the console table was a bit small, and more could be done with the space.



Dael & I created a concept board to show Caryn and Jarrod what we had in mind. The "hero" piece was a gorgeous gold chevron wallpaper, which would create an immediate impact when people entered the house. We wanted a larger scale console table than the original one, keeping the lines clean and simple to allow the wallpaper to shine.



We're so thrilled with the outcome, the wallpaper looks amazing. As I said, Caryn has so many gorgeous trinkets, but we helped her edit and style the table, giving her a couple of different options...



We felt the Motel print was hung a little high and looked a bit disconnected from the table, so the first option has the print propped up against the wall with a simple grouping of vases and accessories next to it. The soft green that's repeated in the stool, print and plant keeps your eye moving.



The second option was to keep the Motel print on the wall, but to add some height on the table so the print was more inclusive in the setting. We had some fun with all Caryn's bits and pieces, layering from front to back and with a mix of textures. Some books helped to ground some of the smaller pieces.




The corner next to the front door is the perfect spot for the coat rack. It's great for things you can grab as you head out the door - coat, bag, dog lead etc. A touch of greenery helps to bring the outdoors in, and the mat provides a fun welcome.



If you'd like some Bibby + Brady interior help, Dael & I would love to hear from you. Sometimes you might not need a full room design, but maybe just some styling help, or furniture sourcing. Get in touch and see how we can work together.

Finny & Co | Giveaway

I'm very excited to bring you our first giveaway for the year, especially because I have tried this product and I think it's absolutely brilliant! Finny & Co is a new company that has solved the problem of many a parent... quality fitted bed sheets that stay made!




Fed up with the difficult task of making her son's top bunk bed, mother of three, Suzie began her search for the perfect bunk bed sheets. When she had no luck Suzie decided to make her own, and after many trials she developed a set where the top and bottom sheets were attached by buttons, but could be separated for washing.





When all of her friends saw how fantastic this system was, and how easy it was for the kids to make their own bed, Suzie and her sewing maching had to work overtime to make more and more sheet sets. The demand was there, this is the sign of a great product.



Made from the best 250 thread count 100% white cotton, the set comes with a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and a pillow case. Available in single and king single sizes. See how it works...




I too am a mother of three, and with the twins sharing a bunk bed I can relate to the practicality of bunks, but also the frustration of having to make them. My daughters were thrilled with their Finny & Co sheets, and proudly told me, after making their beds the first morning, that they looked like "mum-made beds!" The bottom sheet securely tucks under the mattress, and the top sheet buttons onto it, so the bed stays neat and tidy and snug.



My eldest daughter is a delightful tween-ager with far better things to do with her time than make her remarkably messy bed. It was a constant source of contention between us. But with Finny & Co sheets on her bed she now has no trouble making her bed each morning, and all is peaceful in our household (most of the time!).



If you think that all sounds wonderful, we are giving you the chance to WIN your very own set of Finny & Co sheets. To enter simply 'like' the Finny & Co Facebook page and email me to let me know you have done so. For an extra entry 'like' the Finny & Co post on my Facebook page. The competition is open to all NZ and Australian readers, and the winner can choose between a single and king single sheet set. Entries close 3pm this Friday 13th February (lucky for one!) and the winner will be contacted by email and announced on the Cush & Nooks Facebook page. Good luck.

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER, KATHRYN McMILLAN.



Adore Magazine | Feb/March 2015

I've just been reading the latest issue of Adore magazine, which is an ode to the end of summer, full of lots gorgeous outdoor inspiration and coastal homes.







I was thrilled to see the home of my friend Lisa Quinn-Schofield featured, who I blogged about back here. If you read my old post you'll see that Lisa and I bonded over our shared passion for interior design, and I have loved watching her grow her brand, Featherhorse, over the years.










Such a beautiful, restful home. Make sure you put some time aside to read the article on Lisa and much more in the latest issue of Adore.