Holiday Catalogue from Design Within Reach

 

Spotted on Marcus Hay - this cool holiday catalogue for American design store, Design Within Reach. Hay was involved in the styling of this catalogue (read about it here) - I love the modern and fresh approach to the festive season, as well as seeing the design classics throughout.
Like this amazing 50's house? Read about the Goddard Mandolene House here.
Photographs by Jim Bastardo via DWR.

Christmas Tree Decorating

Here's a fun job I did yesterday...
I got an email on Friday afternoon from a branding company asking me if I could decorate a Christmas tree for their government client - and if so, quickly. Once I saw the photo of the sad looking tree, I had to say yes. I visited the office that day - saw the aqua and blue colours behind the reception desk therefore had the jumping off point for the decorations. Shopped in the weekend and on Monday afternoon, I decorated the tree. This is how it went...

The tree - before.

Moved the tree onto the carpet (closer to the waiting area) and the branches got some loving treatment.

Add fairy lights (x 3 sets of 200) and covered the stand with turquoise tulle.

And covered the tree in decorations - all 296 of them and pop the star on top.

Mission accomplished.

Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

Christchurch Rumbles Again.

Christchurch was dealt another blow yesterday - several serious aftershocks shuddered through the city, causing more damage and undoing the hard work that Cantabrians have been doing over the last six months. The psychological damage would be enough to defeat most people and at a time when they should be relaxing with family and friends.

My family and I all have lovely homes and to know that Christchurch are dealing with uncertainty, damage, breakages and liquidifcation - it is at once humbling and heartbreaking.

I have overseas colleagues and friends expressing their concern and dismay at the latest event.

Christchurch - our heartfelt thoughts are with you and I hope in this difficult time, some calmness and brights stars come through for you.

Photograph for Birdsintrees via April and May.

Merry Christmas All

It is Friday and only two days away from Christmas. It has been a lovely week - relatives arriving in town, friends are getting engaged (congrats Sarah and Richard!), the sun has been shining and everyone is starting to relax while looking forward to the up-coming holiday break.
It is great to conclude a year, which has been difficult for so many, and to look forward to a fresh start next year. I only hope that you are all with loved ones on Christmas day and to take the chance to cherish the good things in life. Merry Christmas all.
Photograph bia Liebig Partie.

A Stylish and Simple Finnish Christmas

Spotted on Nordic Design - this stylish Finnish home simply decorated for Christmas in black and white with hints of gold and copper. Lovely.
Photographs via Lily.

Christmas Windows Around the World - Part Three

The windows at Printemps, Paris - a stylish collaboration with Karl Lagerfield and Chanel.

Set on a glamorous California runway - check out the hostess' go-go boots.

Ballerinas on a Moscow stage.

Mini Lagerfields in a snowy Paris.

Taking photos of the famous Chanel camellias

Futuristic Chanel hovercrafts and cityscape.

Aren't the windows at Printemps great? They are modern and stylish, which is no surprise as the Parisian department store collaborated with world famous fashion designer, Karl Lagerfield and the even more famous fashion brand, Chanel. Each window scene is based at fashionable locations around the world and all have the stylish and classy touches of Chanel throughout.
I love seeing all these Christmas windows. Which ones are your favourite?
Photographs via Vanity Fair.

Christmas Windows Around the World - Part Two

'Gaga's Workshop' windows at Barneys New York

Gaga's Boudoir made entirely of wig hair.

Even the thigh-highs are made of hair!

Lady Gaga at the opening of 'Gaga's Workshop' at Barneys, New York. Read more about it here.

Barneys New York collaborated with pop star, Lady Gaga to create a Gaga themed Santa's Workshop. The windows demonstrate the whacky Gaga style so well and the pop up store inside, filled with Gaga inspired products, takes up a whole floor.
Photographs by Justin Bishop via Vanity Fair.

The 'White Christmas' themed windows at Selfridges, London.

A more simple and traditional theme of 'White Christmas' at Selfridges, London. Watch this time lapse video which shows the whole process of creating the windows from start to finish here.
Photographs by Luke White via Vanity Fair.

Christmas Windows Around the World - Part One

Christmas windows from Bergdorf Goodman, New York.

This winter snow scene is made from beading, fringing and tassels. Check out the ram with crocheted horns.

'The Brass Menagerie' - apparently this glows at night.

'Teacher's Pet' - all made from paper, including the zebra. Amazing!

One for the boys.

Snow birds in elegant evening gowns.

There are some impressive window displays happening all over the world. Christmas is a time where window dressing really steps up a notch and these ones from Bergdorf Goodman, New York are no exception. Based around the theme 'Carnival of the Animals', some of these windows have been wrought entirely in different materials, like paper, brass, tassels, fringe and beading. Just amazing work.
Photographs by Justin Bishop via Vanity Fair.

Christmas at Toast UK

While I am in no shape and form thinking about Christmas (it's called 'in denial'), it is hard to avoid all the lovely Christmas catalogues - the winter themed Christmas visuals from UK brand, Toast are especially charming.

Photographs via Toast.

Merry Christmas!



A great and appropriate Christmas card from Kate Spade.

 Merry Christmas everyone! Have a relaxing and rewarding holiday with family and friends.

Huggable Christmas Tree



Photo by Lucy Feagins.

Here's a rather lovely and huggable Christmas tree that you can happily take to bed with you... although it may be a bit hot to do that right now. From the Sydney home of designer and retailer, Virgine Batterson and her family, The Design Files has profiled the pretty Christmas decorating that Batterson has done. See and read more here.
Photograph via Design Files. 

T'was the Week Before Christmas...



Summer time Christmas table from Country Road.

One more week until Christmas Day. Mum and I sat down and sorted out the Christmas menu and table setting yesterday. We're ready to go... Photograph via Country Road.

Christmas Wreaths



Magnolia bud wreath.



Magnolia wreath.



Paper book wreath.



Artichoke wreath.



Silver leaf Magnolia wreath.

Of all the Christmas decorations that appear at this time of the year, wreaths are the ones I have always loved. I especially like them if they are not so 'Christmas'-orientated, like the stunning ones above from Papier D'Amour in Australia - which means they can be around for any time of the year. Photographs via Papier D'Amour.