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.

Jul
08

How to perfect your art collection (hint: it’s really easy)

Art is a subjective little sucker. One person’s art isn’t necessarily another person’s art. And that, of course, is the beauty of it. Collecting art for your home is a particularly personal affair.

The art collection journey is encapsulated perfectly within the Unfold Interiors identity. “…a well-designed home, with all its inhabitants, memories and belongings shouldn’t necessarily reveal itself immediately, but rather should gradually unfold and evolve with you”.

A contemporary watercolour by artist Stefan Gevers happily living in Unfold Interior’s home.

Perfecting your art collection is a bit like a really long lunch with all your favourite people. A long lunch takes time, it’s relaxed and incredibly good fun. And you’re hanging with a unique group of folks who truly resonate with you. It’s essentially the same, except it’s the long lunch that keeps on giving.

What is art?

A question that is probably far too big for this page. So, let’s deconstruct it a little. Art is many things and there are many forms of art – literary arts, performing arts, visual arts, which of course includes our mutual love, interior design – the list goes on. But to avoid going down an art rabbit hole, let’s talk about visual art in the home specifically.

Our art at home uses colour, shape, pattern, scale, images and words that visually resonate. It’s applied across multiple mediums – paint, print, clay, paper, glass, textile. Your art choices are personal, and they are true to you. Once you go confidently in the direction of perfecting your art collection, you realise what art really is – a personal journey of appreciating beauty.

Porcelain angel wing sculpture from Jones and Co.

Now, of course, you already have an art collection. You will at least have photographs of your family adorning your space, more than likely a painting or two. Perfecting your art collection is about expanding it to include different visual art you may not have thought of yet. Here are some of my personal favourites.

Paper Art

Paper art is pure perfection for me. The intricacies and craftsmanship are undeniably breathtaking. How artists create paper art is rather mind blowing. I love all forms, period.

Danish artist Peter Callesen crafts visually stunning paper art from a single sheet of paper.

Ceramic Art

Ancient and infinite applications abound. I’m particularly enamoured with the new breed of ceramic plates on the block. And I want them all.

Perfect little ceramic faces by artist Louise Kyriakou

Neon Art

I’ve talked about neon art here. I get semi-crazed when talking about it. It’s fantastically zingtastic! It’s another new dimension in modern visual art expression. It’s a must in my humble opinion.

Neon art supremo, Chris Bracey and his ‘Sex, drugs and Bacon Rolls’

Architecture Photography

I’m a totally paid-up member of the architecture appreciation club. It is creative power on a huge scale. Now, architecture photography is nothing new, but it brings another visual art element to your home and deserves a place.

The iconic Battersea Power Station in London, from the book of the same title, by Annie and Steve Graham

Textile Art

There are so many exciting innovations happening in textile artistry. It’s a perfect heady visual and tactile combo and each piece is as unique as you. A worthy addition.

Next level fibre art from Tammy Kanat.

Perfecting your art collection is less about buying more art for the sake of it, or even spending big. It’s about exploring different mediums and expressions and expanding our love of the ancient human expression that is – art.

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.

Jun
14

Part 1: Living room transformation – Adding soul and personality

Is it bad of me to want a child-free living room? By children I’m talking about the rambunctious sticky-fingered pre-schooler and toddler variety. For ours, their dedicated domain is the family room which connects to the kitchen and dining. It’s compact but fit for purpose until our Phase 2 renovation will see this space opened up completely. They have the requisite TV, toys and crafting cupboard, complete with a large comfortable sofa with child friendly grey washable covers. They love it! And, it’s exclusively theirs! (apart from when the parentals have breakfast news on).  But I still feel a little selfish wanting to have a separate living room all to our adult selves. Time to get over that one methinks…

Our last house had two living spaces when we first moved in, pre-kidlets. One was a large double ended living room with a fireplace. The other was a comfortable more recently added sunroom off the kitchen overlooking the garden. We eventually converted the splendid featureful double living room into two bedrooms when the practicalities of family persuaded us. We then opened up the sunroom to the kitchen, dining and new deck. And so, the 4 of us decamped to this one open plan living space.

Our last family living room. Open plan and cleverly concealing a multitude of Lego.

Since having a family though we started to need that separate living space again. Not necessarily a room to use in the day. Gosh no! Too busy daytime adulting for any lounging and relaxation! But it was the option of having it. There’s nothing better than when the kids are asleep and I can retreat to a room with no kiddie related paraphernalia. Just me, Unfold Hubby and some Shiraz and Netflix. Bliss.

The second living space in our previous house. Very grown up and not a toy in sight.

As luck would have it, the new house has the lusted after separate living room. It also boasts the most amount of period features anywhere in our new house (which alas is not as much as the last one) with tall ceilings and a partly curved Art Deco inspired wall. More on that later. But, just like the rest of the house, it’s a feast of magnolia white and is massively lacking in any soul or personality. So now it’s time to transform this much sought-after room. Our requirements are:

  • Ultimate chilled out comfort
  • Individual style from the rest of the house
  • A grown-up space for watching TV and movies
  • A place for my husband’s growing record collection

Next in the series, bringing ideas and plans together in Part 2 of the living room transformation.

Jun
07

Updating a house that hasn’t been touched in years

When we were house hunting we saw a variety of ‘do’er uppers’. We also saw some pristine properties. Our house fell in-between a full scale ‘renovators delight’ and a place that looked amazing but had someone else’s tastes all over it. Quite honestly, we get the reno-fidgets anyway. The only cure, of course, is having somewhere we can put our own touch on.

What has struck me, 8 months into life in our new house, is that magnolia paint does indeed magically hide the fact that a house has not been touched in a very, very long time. The bathrooms are also a good 40 years old. Luckily, they were tiled in more becoming shades of 1970’s yellow and brown, if that’s at all possible. The kitchen, while roughly 2 decades younger, is showing real signs of wear and tear.

I talked here about the high-level renovation phases, and now it’s time to drill down into Phase 1. With a preliminary renovation fund, I’ve come up with some initial plans to drag the house in all its dated glory into the second decade of the 21st century. Here are the first steps I’ll be taking:

Whiten up the whites and inject some colour

There’s a lot to be said for painting an entire house off-white when selling it. It makes it immediately liveable and it’s like giving a blank canvas to the lucky new dwellers. That being said, it’s about as interesting as watching said paint dry.

Sharp, cool whites do it for me in my main living spaces. And, maybe it’s my English heritage (all that cloud cover), but I can’t be without some dark moody walls somewhere in the house. For me our master bedroom and the separate living room lend themselves to colour just marvellously.

I’m looking at you, moody blue. Image from the book Nordic Colour by Antonia Af Petersens.

Have I told you lately how much I hate my current lighting?

The current ceiling lights may well have been fashionable at some stage in the past, but they are definitely decidedly daggy now. Henceforth they need replacing, immediately.

The current ‘stunners’. Say no more.

My lighting goals include glass, brass and rattan finishes, with blacks, whites and metallics as a neutral counterpoint to more vibrant colours on walls and furnishings.

But, as is sometimes the case with an older house, there’s a caveat before proceeding – namely the electric board for the house needs urgently updating before we (or rather a qualified electrician) can install said lovely lighting. Joy.

The potential line-up. From left to right: The Atollo 239 table lamp by Vico Magistretti; The Kute 305 pendant by Atmosphere D’ailleurs; Jasper Morrison’s Glo-Ball for Flos; The wicker hanging lamp by HK Living; The Michael Anastassiades IC Lights Suspension 2 for Flos

Pattern play

The quickest, easiest way to update a tired ‘ole space. Grab yourself some amazing fabric, take your upholsterer by the hand and….ok, less of the line dancing and more of the personality injection that adding pattern will instantly create. If anyone is looking for me, I’ll be perusing some Christopher Farr, Penny Morrison and Kvadrat fabric while being thoroughly inspired by Kit Kemp and her perfect pattern clashes. I’m coming for you bedrooms and living rooms.

Colour, pattern, texture all the way.