Nov
01

Unfold Crush: 12 Instagram destinations for creative inspiration

This is a tough one. There are so many amazing and inspiring Instagram accounts out there. What makes these candidates my faves? They excite all the décor, design and architecture taste buds and suck you into a warm and fuzzy Instagram wormhole.

They’ll tickle your image, line and colour fancies, your travel obsessions and then some. Basically, they’ll inspire you to give up your day job and travel the world taking Instagram worthy photographs. Or at least inspire you to be that little bit more amazing in your daily interactions.

  1. Soho House – sohohouse

Soho House is tagged as “A global private members’ club for those in the film, media and creative industries.” If that doesn’t make you go weak at the knees with excitement, we may not be on the same page. If it does, browse on.

If you want design, food and travel inspiration and well, every other kind of inspiration in between, then Soho House is about to become your favourite.

  1. Douglas + Bec – douglasandbec

This father/daughter duo have all you need. If you’re a glass, brass, wood, velvet and rattan infatuated individual like me, you’ll love these guys. So much gorgeousness in one account, it’s hard to look away. Based in New Zealand and having taken the Australian market by storm, their products and Insta-images are just divine.

  1. Felix Forest – felix_forest

Well known in interior design circles as one hell of an amazing photographer. Chances are if you’ve browsed Vogue Living or Elle UK, you will have eye-balled several of his fabulous photos. I love all of his work, period.

  1. Il Sereno Lago di Como – ilsereno

Italy, Lake Como, heaven on earth if you ask me. One of my favourite places on the planet. Il Sereno is an excruciatingly stylish modern hotel gracing the shore-line. Designed by one of my ultimate design-crushes, Patricia Urquiola, Il Sereno’s Instagram offers up sublime sweeping lake images and utter interior design perfection.

  1. Amber Interiors – amberinteriors

Man, I just love this chick. Not only is she a living embodiment of a badass hardworking interior designer, she’s funny as hell. Her writing style is as super pleasing as the image perfection she posts. Not only does she run a thriving interior design business she built from scratch, she also runs several bricks and mortar stores, plus a design blog. Amazing and inspiring.

  1. Yellow Trace – yellowtrace

These guys “drop…inspiration bombs daily” and don’t they just. A heady blend of interiors, architecture and design. If you’re seeking inspiration in myriad different format, this Insta will assist. An amazing peek inside the heads of some of the world’s most out-of-the-box thinkers.

  1. Remodelista – remodelista

A well-known and consistent purveyor of sublime interior design images. There is not one single image on this account that doesn’t have me jumping up and running off to design and plan something new. Tap into a trad-modern-eclectic treasure-trove of images that will surely make your eye-balls ache (in a completely satisfied, loved-up way of course).

  1. Three Birds Renovations – threebirdsrenovations

The plucky trio from Sydney offer up beautiful, attainable, affordable advice and inspo on their Instagram. Showcasing their growing portfolio of projects, these ladies know a thing or two about completely transforming the ho-hum into the OH-WOW. Click and flick to your hearts content.

  1. Humans of New York – humansofny

For something completely different. If you’re not following this Insta, you’re missing out on some extraordinarily powerful insights into the lives of ordinary people around the world. Accompanying each image is a brief story from a person’s life somewhere in the world. An invaluable lesson in humanity and humility.

10. Architectural Digest – archdigest

Plugged as ‘The International Design Authority’, this account does not disappoint. Posting images from the design wonders of the world, each picture is accompanied by  truly informative and insightful accounts. This is one of my happy places without a doubt.

11. Studio Ashby – studioashby

British interior design is a natural fave of mine, given I’m originally from London. Sophie Ashby’s Instagram shows us how it’s done and then some. Achingly stylish and sublimely superb, this is a must account for colour, pattern and stylish interior inspiration.

12. Commune Design – communedesign

Love me some Californian design. Warm, sculptural, textural, tactile and tasty – I’m a major fan-girl of this sublime LA based design studio. Tune into their Insta for a unique blend of mid-century modernist So-Cal vibes.

Jun
22

Unfold Crush: The Velvet Feels

Oh velvet, how do I love thee? In just about any (upholstered) form actually.

Velvet, we’ve all grown up with it, we know it well through-out it’s many incarnations in our homes (and clothing) over the years. Not only has it been back in interiors for a while (was it ever truly gone?), it’s the perfect accent and purrs pure luxury when added to just about any room in a home.

The ‘Carla’ chair by Amelia Widdel of MELIMELI

The history of velvet is long and noble. Traditionally made of silk and originally created in India. The Egyptians used to export to the Italians who did all sorts of wonderful things with it, and sold it onwards into Europe, Africa and Asia. Its distinctive pile is created in a complex process of weaving then separating two pieces of cloth. Nowadays, velvet is also made of silk and cotton mixes and a variety of manmade materials can be used to create this ancient, sought-after fabric. And boy am I glad it’s stuck around for this long.

Velvet gone wild at The Fig House in LA

I grew up in a typical 1980’s English house. Floral wallpaper with matching boarders (thanks Laura Ashley), a smattering of cork wall tiles (a crime against interior-loving-humanity) and rather a lot of velvet. Looking back now, my Mum had a quite a thing for my favourite weave which is ultimately where my love of it came from. Our sofa was covered in the softest Persian velvet, replete with gold velvet cushions and the same material was carried over into sumptuous full-length curtains through-out the house. Too much? Never.

Curvaceous and tactile. A stand out chair in Arent & Pyke’s Curatorial House

For me velvet should be as colourful as your design sensibilities will allow. It’s a way of adding an extra dimension of texture, complexity and magnificent colour in any interior. Probably with the exception of my bathrooms and laundry (although, never say never), there are an array of velvet furnishings in my home. It goes beautifully with linens and thicker weave fabrics. And it balances other complex patterned textiles perfectly.

Gorgeous velvet headboard by Studio Ashby

Looking into my Interior Crystal Ball for inspiration (also known as Pinterest), I can see a lot of velvet in my future. Notably the reupholstering of several current pieces of furniture and the introduction of a few new furnishings, including new joinery seating.

Sumptuous velvet banquet seating At Duddells in Hong Kong by StudioIlse

If you’re looking for inspiration that will almost certainly give you the ‘Velvet Feels’ look to the application of velvet in commercial design. I have a hankering for a vivacious yellow velvet banquet seat in my dining-area-to-be à la the Ilse Crawford designed Duddells in Hong Kong. My heart is also set on introducing varying shades of greens so beautifully rendered in Joseph Dirand’s Monsieur Bleu in Paris. All super-swoonful don’t you agree?

The elegant Parisian Monsieur Bleu by Joseph Dirand

The ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ of incorporating velvet into your home are simple – do use it liberally and don’t be afraid to enjoy it in every colour.

So, the moral of my velvet obsession is that the basic DNA of your interiors should always include some form of velvet. Timeless luxury, versatile hues, perpetual lust-worthiness in one wonder-weave.

Mar
24

Unfold Crush: Why you need Neon Art

Smooth tubes of fluorescence. Curved quotes and wicked shapes. The transforming effects and varieties of neon art are boundless. Most of us are used to seeing neon signs in commercial spaces, but more and more they’re popping up within our homes.

Do you need a neon light? Oh yes, right now.

When I’m pulling together an interior scheme, I love to add a little something unexpected. In my décor playbook there’s nothing better than the impact of a well brought together room, and then the double whammy of finding something super special and slightly unpredictable like the sculpture and zinging form of neon.

Tracey Emin says it perfectly in the home of designer Angela Missoni

But what to choose?

You may be a shape person, something curved, squiggled or cubed that represents a feeling more than anything. You could be a word-lover, a single expression or a more radical motto or adage.

To humour or not to humour, another neon-love question to ponder. The interior décor consuming public have in recent times gone a bit crazy for a framed quote – you know, that (slightly naff) gold leaf “Carp Diem”. Well, neon is the new gold leaf framed quote.

Except it’s brighter, way cooler and here to stay.

Got a hankering for a feminine shape or a risqué quote or word? Say it in neon above a bed for the wickedest ambience. A longer poem along a hallway, an impact that will have visitors ‘ooing and ahhing’. A cheeky thought or neon icon in your powder room would certainly kick off some conversations. Your child’s name in their playroom?

Do. It.

Basically, neon is its own person. It can hold its own conversation at a party. Do its own laundry, you know, it can take care of itself in whatever setting you want it to.

What am I? Personally, I like a bit of a laugh with my neon. I like to play with humour in curvy cursive, to leave a thought or saying suspended in a space. Watch this space for my own neon-creation soon to be lit in Unfold Interior’s home.

My kind of neon. Love this image sourced from www.worleygig.com. Photo by ‘Gail’. ‘Photographed on the west side of Fifth Avenue, NYC, between 17th and 19th streets.’

Does it need installing?

Depending on what tickles your neon fancy, if you’ve got a wall crying out for some style and substance, you can place a neon-light on it. If it’s got a power outlet close, it needs a neon light – fitted properly as opposed to hung. Or (with the help of an electrician of course) you can hardwire that bad-boy in practically anywhere you want.

Where do I get my neon love?

There are as many neon creators out there as there are varieties of neon lights.
Check out some fun pre-made neon shapes and words at Neon Poodle. They also do custom signs in about a 5-week turnaround.
Blur Studios offer a huge range and can custom that random quote or shape that you have in your mind.
Someone like Neolite Neon has been creating and servicing neon signage for years and can create, manufacture and install custom creations.

Release your inner neon art, you won’t regret it.