Feb2014

ISSUEONE | FEBRUARY2014

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Who are the Designer Chicks The Designer Chicks are a team of professional women from all Design genres. We design, create and collaborate on projects for you, your home and your business.

the designer chicks...services Architecture Colour Consulting Commercial Design Decluttering Downsizing Events Styling Event Strategy Floral Art Graphic Design Image Consulting Interior Design Lampshades Landscape Design Original Art Photography Project Management Property Styling Public Relations Soft Furnishings Storage Design Tile Design Visual Merchandising Web Design Window Coverings

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editor’s letter

appy New Year!! I cannot believe we are well into 2014,

and we all survived 2013 unscathed!!! The Designer Chicks have

a jam-packed year planned and we are going to devote ourselves to more public events in our goal to be accessible to our valued clients.

The biggest event we have is the upcoming DC CODE, which stands for The Designer Chicks: Creating Opportunities in Design Education.

These events will be held periodically all over Sydney with an emphasis on teaching renovators and home owners about various aspects of design in an entertaining way. The first in the series, 50 Shades of Hogbristle (yes we are funny!!), will tackle the controversial topic of colour. You will find your invitation on page 51 of this magazine.

The Designer Chicks are also expanding (no not our waistlines… well maybe mine!!) We start this year with three new groups: Northern Beaches, Sydney South and Inner West. I’m really excited about the high calibre of members we have and the huge variety of design genres we now cover. So there’s really no design issue we cannot tackle!!

Please enjoy this first edition for 2014 about trends.

Lucia van Gerwen Creative Director of DC info@morethancurtains.com.au

s Lucia has mentioned we have a huge year planned for all our clients

and readers. In this edition on Design Trends, Bettina Deda reports

directly from Heimtextil in Germany about the current and future trends in fabrics, and guest writer Gudy Herder brings us the latest trends from the IMM Cologne furniture show.

We also introduce some of our new members to the team, increasing our ability to provide you with every aspect of design that you can imagine Enjoy and be inspired by our talented designers.

Robyn Hawke Assistant Creative Director of DC robyn@inspiredspaces.com.au

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The Designer Chicks Conquer Better Homes & Gardens LIVE!

Colour Blinds by Peter Meyer offers Australia’s finest range

of interior and exterior blinds & fabrics, many unique,

such as our stunning, colourful XL50 ultra wide pleat.

We source the latest products & fabrics world wide

& manufacture using the highest quality components.

Designers, decorators & architects can chose fom ranges to suit all domestic & commercial applications.

Freecall: 1 800 254 631 for your closest dealer or www.petermeyerblinds.com.au to view our

Simply click on ‘Win’ to ‘Like Us’ on Facebook & go into the draw to win a new Apple iPod Nano

Win!

complete ranges & download our new 72p brochure.

Head Office + Showroom 25 Richmond Rd Homebush NSW Freecall Aust: 1 800 254 631 Web: petermeyerblinds.com.au

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YEA

RW ARR

ANT

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Blinds

by Peter Meyer

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editor’s letter Lucia van Gerwen Robyn Hawke guest contributors Gudy Herder contributors Lucia van Gerwen Robyn Hawke Bettina Deda Elise Harper Jenny Williams Judith Briggs Nadia Pomare Sally Gardner Sally Hart Sharon Newman Ruth Newman Veronica Strachan Veronica Tasnadi Margie Tweedie Fi Thomas Pascale Rajek Helen Lynch & Karyn McRae front cover image: Heimtextil Images cover font: Ristretto Pro - Regular project manager Bettina Deda art direction & production Veronica Tasnadi

2014 Copyright All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without prior permission is strictly forbidden. Every care has been taken when compiling The Designer Chicks Magazine to ensure that all the content is correct at the time of production.The Designer Chicks assume no responsibility for any effects from errors or ormissions.

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ontents 5

editor’s letter Lucia van Gerwen ~ More Than Curtains Robyn Hawke ~ Inspired Spaces

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guest writer

Trend Report: IMM Cologne Gudy Herder ~ www.eclectictrends.com

feature articles 18 Heimtextil 2014: PROGRESS and REVIVE Bettina Deda ~ Bettina Deda colour design

58 Trends and the Home

Sharon Newman ~ SNPhotography

24 A Chair Made Out of Cardboard Fi Thomas ~ Studio Dossier

62 Office Trends for 2014: The Cubicle May

Be Dead, But Hot Desking Can Burn You!

Ruth Newman ~ Architect

29 Mix Trend Wall - Key Colour Trends for 2015 Bettina Deda ~ Bettina Deda colour design 30 Your Blind Date for 2014

Lucia van Gerwen ~ More Than Curtains 32 Window of Opportunity

Veronica Strachan ~ Curtain Connections 34 Top 10 Lighting Trends for 2014

Sally Gardner ~ Feature Pieces 42 2014 Garden Trends Guide

Nadia Pomare ~ Stylish Gardens 44 Trends in Garden Art and Decor

Margie Tweedie ~ Margan Tile Design 48 Be a ‘New Trend’ Rebel!

Jenny Williams ~ Creative Style Interiors

Robyn Hawke ~ Inspired Spaces 55 Pantone Color of the Year 2014:

Radiant Orchid

Bettina Deda ~ Bettina Deda Colour Design

64 Not So Mellow Yellow

Judith Briggs ~ Colour Consultants Australia P/L 66 Do You Want To Own Original Art?

Pascale Rajek ~ Art on Surface 68 A Humanitarian Trend

Elise Harper ~ yELLE Styling 72 A Wardrobe Worthy of Carrie...

Sally Hart ~ Clever Closet Company 74 Shopping Online, Designing Online

a Growing Trend

Helen Lynch & Karyn McRae

~ McRae + Lynch - Interior Design 76 Calendar of Design Events 77 Trade Directory

Book Review

56 Trends in Type

Veronica Tasnadi ~ Veronica Graphic Design

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new

Margie Tweedie Margan Tile Design M 0408 217 121 tweediemg@hotmail.com www.margantiledesign.com.au

Helen Lynch M 0412 585 450 Karyn McRae M 0412 468 217 mcrae + lynch interiors design karyn@mcraeandlynch.com.au helen@mcraeandlynch.com.au www.mcraeandlynch.com.au

Caroline Gallagher Stylish Gardens M 0413 953 200 caroline@stylishgardens.com.au www.stylishgardens.com.au

Pascale Rajek Art on Surface M 0415 724 851 pascale.rajek@gmail.com www.art-on-surface.net

Margie Tweedie is a qualified artist and designer, who has had her own tile art business since 1998. She specialises in hand painting tiles with original and unique or custom-made designs. With Margie’s tiles you can decorate and transform your home and garden and create the space you want.

The M + L team consists of Directors Karyn McRae, Helen Lynch and their team of interior designers. All designers are extremely experienced and have completed tertiary education in both interior design and architectural drafting for interiors. They work in conjunction with developers, builders and architects, and their high level of skills is complimentary to these industries.

In 2008, Caroline decided to formally train in the Landscape Design arena.

All Pascale’s work is an attempt to express herself without a word and in choosing colours and textures to write the essence of the artwork.

Margie’s motto is “creating the finishing touch” and her tiles always make a lovely feature and add interest and style to any home and outdoor living area.

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Caroline won the popular vote for the Easter Show Design competition in 2012. She was very involved in the building of a new playground for her children’s school, which received a Highly Commended award at the Kidsafe 2012 National Playspace Design Award. For the past two years, Caroline has been working at Stylish Gardens as a Landscape Designer.

Over the years Margie’s unique tiles have been sold through galleries, shops, home shows and online and can be found in homes throughout the world.

In 2011, after successfully completing projects in Vanuatu, Far North Queensland and Melbourne without stepping a foot on site, mcrae + lynch launched their online interior design service, IDOL www interiordesignersonline.com.au. Interiors are completed working with our clients via emails, post, telephone or Skype.

Melissa Kuti Oak and Linden M 0426 892 989 melissakuti@oakandlinden.com.au www.oakandlinden.com.au

Merryn Bourne Fish Tank Creative M 0114 743 964 merryn@fishtankcreative.com.au www.fishtankcreative.com.au

Andrea Long M 0419 617 234 andrea@ahintoftint.com.au www.ahintoftint.com.au

Melissa Kuti is the head stylist and owner of Oak & Linden, an innovative design business specialising in events and interiors. She brings an international edge to her projects, having begun her design career in London. Whilst abroad, she soaked up the creative directions in styling that were emerging in Europe.

As a creative piscean, Merryn knew she wanted to be a designer from the start, so she completed her Bachelor of Design at the University of Western Sydney.

Andrea Long started her career in media and advertising. In 2004, she decided to follow her heart into a more creative field and attended the highly reputable International School of Colour and Design (ISCD), achieving a certificate in Colour and Design, and a diploma in Creative Visual Arts specialising in colour consulting. Andrea later obtained a further diploma in Interior Styling, achieving two awards in excellence. She began a large commercial project in Wetherill Park, and then had the good fortune to travel to China for the same company to design an apartment in Kai Ping.

Melissa relocated Oak & Linden to Sydney in 2012 taking her experiences and inspirations with her. Initially specialising in corporate events, Melissa has expanded Oak & Linden into wedding planning and styling as well as interiors and floristry.

Merryn has designed and directed creative for private enterprises as well as large corporate groups, and has always been considered a leader in her niche. Her innovative “little black book” design concepts for Australian Vogue Living magazine, encouraged 18-20% growth in sales as she directed advertising creative at the inspirational lifestyle title.

Originally trained as an Art Historian, she has a unique ability to understand and respect historic spaces, working with them to generate sympathetic yet creative responses.

Her company Fish Tank Creative was launched in 2009. Branding and communications specialists, Fish Tank Creative brings together traditional and new media in print and digital campaigns.

The majority of her work has been for developers on large commercial projects, although her experience and client base has been varied, designing for a kindergarten, townhouses, Dr. surgery, residential and offices.

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Her paintings are personal and a journey from within. The outside world is referenced in her mark making through the filter of her emotions.

The painting can start from a word, a song, a sign… the surface becomes the page of a story to share with the viewer, a discovery beyond the visible, a rendez-vous with another you in another time, an escape in an island of time and inspiration.

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The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched. They must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller

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January is the month where Cologne (Germany) becomes the hot spot of the interior design scene with the IMM furniture show. Besides spotting high-end design, accessories, home textiles and everything you might need for your home from more than 1000 exhibitors. This event also hosts as well top-notch events all over the city.

There are not many new highlights but rather fabulous ongoing trends, as guest writer Gudy Herder reports. opper is still hot, indoor gardening is a fact, and when it comes to colours we can still observe pastels, black & white, and a richer yellow is coming back too. The newcomer colour would probably be a dark rich green corresponding to a more moody approach.

Metals

But let’s see all the micro trends spotted this time:

Matte or polished, all works fine.

The metal trend becomes indispensable with a very strong focus on copper. But you can also observe having manufactured the same piece in the three finishings.

Brass with a yellow look is still hot, and steel is already a classic design colour.

Metals are used as a coating on entire objects (lamp shades, side tables, etc.) or just as spare parts on chair structures or table tops. http://www.baxter.it http://www.bruehl.com http://www.cassina.com http://www.ligne-roset.com http://www.swedese.se http://www.vitra.com

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Indoor Gardening Exhibitors use plants for decorating purposes or they have designed specified objects such as planters or macramĂŠ hangers. As long as plants are displayed in a proper way, everything is allowed, however hanging plants is the major trend.

Side tables are no longer used for coffee table book displaying but host a little jungle collection of plants.

Interior lush green feeling is the new wording. http://www.arco.nl http://www.gelderlandgroep.com http://www.spectrumdesign.nl http://www.vitra.com

Coloured Timber Coloured timber is an ongoing trend and could be seen on table tops and shelves.

Pigments are used for colouring but the trick is here to still see the texture underneath.

It looks modern, yet natural, and there is a wide colour scheme possible. There might be a wider use by Northern brands whereas Italian labels work mainly with lacquered surfaces. http://www.arco.nl http://www.zeitraum-moebel.de http://www.pilat.nl/nl http://www.hfurniture.co

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Pendants Pendants come minimum in a pair now and do look like an installation or sculpture. They are not considered as a functional lighting object but play a major decorating role in the home now.

They are displayed on different heights when we talk about several sizes and colours. Or they are hanging together on the same height, preferably quite low.

A former industrial approach is shifting now towards all kinds of design, material, colours and finishes. http://www.potoccospa.com http://www.andtradition.com http://www.ligne-roset.com http://www.gubi.dk

Quilted

Side Tables

Armchairs, beds, sofas - quilted in cotton, velvet, linen or any other kind of fabric and leather make the perfect match to the super-stylish trend in the fashion industry.

A minimum of two side tables are now paired together creating an island for playful decorative objects or as a functional surface next to the sofa or bed.

The pioneer of this trend was the famous Chesterfield sofa, all celebrated a few years ago again and when there is huge success, designers make sure to reload and give that same product a new shell, which looks just great in this case.

Pouffes might be used as a seating element or even additional table.

http://www.arco.nl http://www.bebitalia.com http://www.ligne-roset.com

Fabric, metal, wood - you name it, whatever makes you feel comfortable goes well. What one should consider, is displaying different heights so you can overlay them and don’t need too much space. http://www.bebitalia.com http://www.gelderlandgroep.com http://www.ligne-roset.com http://www.minotti.com http://www.porro.com http://www.softline.dk http://www.muuto.com

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Delft Pottery Style Delftware glazed in blue and white and made around Delft (Netherlands) stems from the 16th century but comes back all reloaded. You’ll find broken tiles pictures on digital prints for table tops, wallpaper or in a totally unexpected way on contemporary lamp shades.

If applied on ceramic pieces, you might stumble upon fresh designs such as those seen at Wonderable. http://www.label.nl/ http://www.wonderable.com https://www.rasch-tapeten.de http://www.supergrau.de

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Colour Dark Green Dark grey, a certain grey-ish darker blue and dark green are the three moody colours par excellence on the rise. Dark green has been the new colour I observed at the show. But as it always happens when something just pops up, few brands will come on board right now.

It is important here that the design itself is fresh and contemporary to give the piece an urban look and doesn’t make it look dusty.

Ligne Roset is nailing it with their quilted armchair and bench! http://www.ligne-roset.com http://www.baxter.it http://www.gubi.dk http://www.lago.it/home.html

Stone Table Tops Marble table tops had been spotted for the first time at the Salone in Milan in 2012. They are still trending, and you can find now as an extension a wider proposal of different kinds of stone and colours.

Since they are heavy and probably a bit costly, the design is limited many times to side tables, which I believe is just the perfect eye catcher in a living room or even works very well as a bedside table. There you have a statement piece giving your interior a more sophisticated or eclectic look and feel.

http://www.bebitalia.com http://www.gandiablasco.com http://www.poliform.it

Gudy Herder www.eclectictrends.com

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Trend Show offers a tangible outlook for tomorrow’s world of interior design and decorating as interior stylist Bettina Deda discovered during her trip to Germany earlier this year.

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lmost 67,000 visitors from 133 countries travelled to Frankfurt to visit the leading international trade fair for home and contract textiles, Heimtextil.

2,718 exhibitors from 61 countries, Australia included, showed products for windows, upholstery, floors, walls and sun protection in textiles for the bathroom, bed and table in 19 exhibition halls at Heimtextil in Frankfurt am Main from the 8 to 11 January 2014. Around 200 studios showed their designs under the roof of ‘Design live’, which was once again the world’s biggest platform for textile design.

Another focus in the same hall was the ‘Digital Print’ product group where the exhibition space and the number of exhibitors for the expanding digitalprinting market increased significantly.

This year, London’s Franklin Till studio had assumed overall responsibility for the concept. As part of the trend presentation in August last year, Franklin Till introduced the new Heimtextil Trend Book, a forecast regarding the interior design of tomorrow.

Held approximately four months before the start of the trade fair, the presentation signals the start of the new furnishing season.

Heimtextil Trend Table

Progress! Revive!

Each year the Heimtextil Trend Table, which is made up of six international institutions, provides the first insight into future fields of design. The Heimtextil Trends have been the international figurehead of the trade fair for around 25 years. For the 2014/15 season, a team of six international design studios worked on the most important trend themes.

This year’s trend forecast is structured into two major categories, Progress! and Revive! Each category is subdivided into four themes: Generate Collision! and Engineer Nature! and Exalt Purity! and Rejuvenate Craft!, respectively. These themes explain in detail the exploration of progress and the renewal of textiles in interior design.

One of the traditional highlights of the fair is the Trend Show being a great source of inspiration thanks to numerous interactive elements.

This year’s spectacular presentation by London’s Franklin Till design agency enabled visitors to enter four trend worlds based on the two superordinate trend themes – Progress! and Revive!

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“In summary, the design landscape of the future will be divided into two opposing, innovative powers – one is the desire to look forward and propagate tech-savvy advancements as our opportunity to survive in these times of fast-paced living; the other is the relevance of looking backward and the renewal of past traditions in our quest for authenticity,” explained Mrs Till from FranklinTill in Frankfurt.

The Trend Book The Trend Book Progress! Revive! summarises these trends and offers an indepth view on influential developments in the area of home textiles. Additionally, the Trend Book also includes current avantgarde projects from the interior design, architecture, fashion, lifestyle, design and arts sectors as well as from the sciences and technology. You can order a copy here

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Engineer Nature 20

Science is becoming the driver for design innovation leading to the convergence of science and design. New textile technologies interweave life systems, bio and weaving technology imitated from nature in the fabric. Designers ‘technologise’ nature by planting their own materials and copying the processes in nature.

Colour palette: greens in all their tonal variations

Generate Collision

Looking into a future where science and technology are the driving forces for the interior design industry.

Designers are increasingly experimenting with newly emerging materials and technologies to enable unique personalised products. The combination of hand and computer design make customised products possible in mass production.

Colour palette: highly saturated hues like pink, purple, orange, blue, yellow, green

Looking backwards, honouring the past and re-discovering traditional values through learning from the past.

The goal is to achieve important and authentic experiences.

Exalt Purity As a reaction to mass production the interest in objects that address personality and storytelling has increased even more.

This trend celebrates natural materials and cherishes their imperfections. It is a response to an over-stylised and synthetic world and allows the desire to disconnect, to experience a ‘digital detox’.

Colour palette: soothing neutrals mixed with petrol blue

Rejuvenate Craft This trend celebrates the revival of traditional craft techniques: crochet, fringing, assemblage, hand weaving.

Objects with history and importance are created with the modern use of traditional craftsmanship techniques. The result is an abundance of textures.

Colour palette: rich warm hues, like burnt orange, juxtaposed with the freshness of duck egg blue and purple.

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Premium Suppliers Trend Show Bed & Bathroom Table Textiles Home Collections New Accents Window Coverings Rugs Cushions

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TREND SHOW

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A Chair made out of Cardboard A trend is “a general direction in which something is developing or changing” urniture has a strong history, full of incredible design and diversity.

Future trends may be a rehashing of old designs with a contemporary twist or totally new designs using new technologies. What is clear is the market wants customized, artisan and unique products and we now have incredible technology at our fingertips to create it.

Technological advancements have always had a huge influence on furniture trends; the introduction of the industrial era pioneered new manufacturing techniques that created furniture that is still relevant today, for example, the Bauhaus movement. The current and expanding digital technology has opened up many opportunities for furniture. New and exciting designs are printed onto a variety of substrates including: metals, glass, and perspex, fabric that can be used for upholstery, window furnishings, joinery and tabletops. This allows for individuality and is a stark contrast to the massproduced furniture that has flooded the market in the last decade.

Small space interiors are one of the industry drivers in furniture trends. Due to increased populations and smaller living spaces the present furniture trend commands the need for multifunctional, compact and aesthetically pleasing pieces. A cabinet turns into a desk, banquette seating doubles as storage, chairs can be stacked away in a storage

Denver Chair, digitally printed fabric from Chair Candy

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unit, stools become tables and the old favourite extension dining table, all are on trend.

Pent Credenza: Studio Dossier

the armchair, with new styles and materials applied which enable this furniture item to sit within a modern space or even accompanying traditional furniture. Some of the seating materials on trend are: quilted fabric, metallic leathers, woven cord, polyester fiberglass, timber, layers of cardboard, and metal.

“Tilt “ from Studio Dossier is both a stool and a table.

An additional furniture trend stems from the increased awareness of environmental issues, economic constraints and a love of all things old, which is has created a resurgence in the use of old furniture pieces. Recycling furniture is becoming more and more popular with the likes of Robert & Cortney Novagratz in New York who always include pre - loved furniture into a project as shown below. Australia has had a growth in the number of “Old Ware and Collectors” stores to cater for this trend.

Seating trends for 2014 emphasize sculptural shapes, the use of nontraditional materials and multiple textures in a piece of furniture. We are now witnessing the increased appreciation for the armchair, with new styles and materials applied which enable this furniture item to sit within a modern space or even accompanying traditional furniture. Some of the seating materials on trend are: quilted fabric, metallic leathers, woven cord, polyester fiberglass, timber, layers of cardboard, and metal.

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CAPAS Armchair constructed from layers of cardboard.

The trend to move further away from minimalism is still alive and strong.

Freestanding furniture has replaced built in joinery especially in the form of home office desks. Beautiful timber desks reminiscent of a bygone era with a modern twist are very much on trend. Customised free standing credenzas to accommodate the myriad of audio visual equipment are functional and can serve as art pieces.

The swing away from minimalism is also demonstrated in the increased use of patterns and texture in all aspects of interiors, fabric included. Seating upholstery is entering a new period of colour, pattern and design.

Our multicultural nation is being showcased in many of the ethnic patterns witnessed in fabrics on furniture manufactured locally and abroad.

This wave of furniture trends is driven by technology, artisan appreciation, and the shift from minimalism, resulting in a consumer demand for multipurpose furniture with a design edge, creating a dynamic relaxed and whimsical space.

Fi Thomas // Partnering in Design www.fithomas.com

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CAPAS Armchair constructed from layers of cardboard.

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Good design begins with honesty, asks tough questions, comes from collaboration and from trusting your intuition.

Freeman Thomas

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Mix Trend Wall – Key Colour Trends for 2015 Global Color Research, London, returned once again to the Surface Design Show in London this February with the hugely popular Mix Trend Wall.

The team of Global Color Research is once more creating “Like”, an exciting wall of inspiration with real samples of materials, colour palettes and images showing future trend concepts. This year the Mix Trend Wall will be based on their trend stories from Mix Trends Spring Summer 2015 Glade and Aura.

Here’s an exclusive preview of our four key colour trends for 2015: Global Color Research

MERGE

Glade is a story inspired by the beginning of spring and new growth; with glimpses of last autumn remaining; here we see a more sultry take on this lasting theme.

from last season, sitting urban greys next to barely-there hues, lending a

Glade

sense of optimism to the story.

Merge is challenging our visions of the natural world with bold colours harmonising in unexpected combinations.

Belong

Aura is spiritual neutrals progressing

Belong references the everyday and ordinary, using comforting shades and natural textures to bring reassurance and stability.

The Trend Wall provides interior designers, architects and specifiers with exclusive insights into Spring/Summer 2015 colour trends.

AURA

IMAGES : : Global Color Research

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Your Blind Date for 2014 Want to reduce your energy bills by up to 40%? Lucia van Gerwen from More Than Curtains will show you the latest products in blind technology that will do just that.

s our Aussie weather seems to

be doing all sorts of erratic things lately:

blistering heat, gale force winds, major electrical storms and unseasonable cold snaps, we are compelled to protect the ambient temperature of our homes whilst reducing energy consumption and our carbon footprint.

Technology is at the forefront of the Window Covering industry as each year sees the introduction of new products specifically designed not only to enhance the aesthetics of our décor, but insulate our homes in a cost effective and eco-friendly manner. Innovations in manufacturing utilising laser and heat technologies, state of the art motorisation, and a huge variety of fabrics, offer the consumer the broadest and most comprehensive range of products in history. One of Sydney’s premium blind suppliers, Blinds by Peter Meyer, are great supporters of The Designer Chicks.

Having said that, they also offer a fabulous range of extremely high quality fashion window coverings for residential and commercial purposes.

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New developments in exterior window coverings significantly reduce the thermal environment inside the home, even more so than internal window coverings, as they stop the elements before they reach the glass! Two of the most recent additions are as follows…

Solare Teknica 1000 * 22 colours up to 320cm wide • Symmetrical

weave that can be railroaded (used sideways) • Suited

for sun and UV protection and airflow • Hold

down straps assist in minimizing bottom rail movement in stronger winds Solare Teknica 2000 * suited for UV and sun protection and airflow • utilizes

high tensile marine grade stainless steel cables: perfect for coastal applications • locking

bolts insert into wall or floor mounted brackets to hold fabric taught and minimise bottom rail movement Also, new products are available for interior use that will also enhance the look of any decor.

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XL50 Pleat The XL50 Pleat, an exclusive product from Blinds by Peter Meyer, is an interesting variation of the honeycomb or pleated shade. Its pleat size, at 50mm, is almost twice the size of its regular counterpart,which gives it a sleek architectural feel and also allows it to be used on larger windows.

The system has a unique constant pleat that eliminates sagging so that the pitch of the fabric remains perfect for the life of the blind. These blinds are excellent at solar and heat transmission without compromising aesthetics. Streamlined and elegant, the XL50 Pleat has a very small stack; can be motorised (up to 5m wide x 4m drop) and can be configured in numerous opening directions.

There are huge fabric options in blockout, sunscreen or translucent; with plenty of plain and printed designs available.

Pearlised and silver backed options reflect heat whilst allowing light to filter through.

Fire Retardant Trivera ranges suit both residential and commercial applications.

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Manhattan The Manhattan Venetian is another trendy and unique product. This blind is a combination of a retro-style 50mm aluminium venetian with an A grade cedar bottom rail and an 85mm flat cedar fascia covering the head box.

Apart from the myriad of colours available in aluminium, the cedar parts can be custom painted, stained or lacquered to match any dĂŠcor. This is a very architectural look, and much easier to keep clean than all timber slats. Cedar

is a beautiful timber, once widely used in building due to its attractiveness, interesting grain and ability to be stained and painted with an even result.

The aluminium slats are available solid or perforated to filter light. The finishing touch of ladder string or decorative wide ladder tape further enhances this versatile product.

So there’s no excuse for complaining about hefty energy bills this year.

The trend is window coverings!

Lucia van Gerwen www.morethancurtains.com.au

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Window of Opportunity Framing your windows with stylish and elegant curtains certainly brings a glamorous look to your home or living space. So where do you start, and what are the latest trends?

he latest catwalk fashion feeds

textiles and home furnishings; and

vice versa, home furnishings feed back into fashion.

So what you saw last season in Paris, London, Milan and New York or on a famous celebrity is now available to add glamour to your home through furnishings and drapery fabrics.

Eco-friendly fabrics are the hottest trends in curtaining for 2014.

The must-have fabrics provide a gentle environmental footprint and include natural fabrics like hemp, linen and cotton.

So too, are large-scale prints of native flowers and leaves; we are seeing a desire to connect back with nature. Stripes: big or small create drama and sophisticated style. There will be a huge resurgence in Australiana prints and also native prints from African and other tribal nations.

Introduce a colour to tell your story‌.

Earthy natural colours are complemented with blues, greens and greys. We are seeing metallics with sheen in dark daring colours or bold reds and orange.

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Iridescent and pearlized finishes to fabrics and wallpapers are also on the way in.

Textiles with hand-drawn elements will have wallpaper to match. Shades of soft creams and whites will create clean fresh lines.

superceded by the inverted box pleat to provide a more tailored look. Similarly, S-Fold curtains are a popular choice as the simple fabric look creates a neat stack of folds especially when flowing from a 3 metre or higher ceiling bulkhead.

The Pantone Colour of 2014, Radiant Orchid, will make an appearance in furnishing fabrics, making a return to feminine and romantic decorating styles

Of course you must consult your professional window treatment specialist who can help you with the multitude of choices to suit your windows.

Boring beige or all white will be relegated to a past life!

Curtains create the mood in your space; be the envy of your friends and give your home the WOW Factor!

Pelmets, padded and straight to formalize the room are a huge trend for 2014 and seal the window frame. Sheers in a variety of colours and textures will dominate the curtain scene. Linings on heavier drapes will be a must as an environmental consideration and to reduce energy consumption.

As technology advances, so will how we operate our curtains. Modern motorized tracks powered by C - Bus or remote control operations will predominate.

Workrooms are creating more sophisticated pleats!! The ever popular triple or double pinch pleat will be

WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

Veronica Strachan www.curtainconnections.com.au

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BEAT LIGHTS BY TOM DIXON

Top 10 Lighting Trends for 2014 LED’s and adjustable lights lead the way in this new era of sleek and graceful lighting.

It is an exciting time for the lighting industry. Designers are pushing boundaries to create pieces that interact with their users and stir up emotion. Lights are moving from purely task oriented to offering layers of interest through line, shape, form and texture and once again we can credit technological advancements for this shift.

During 2014 there will be something for everyone, from the very delicate and discreet, right through to the bold and playful.

Sexy LED’s Gone are the days of LED’s being the new kid on the block, seemingly difficult and unknown. LED’s are more accessible and economical then ever before and through the prevalence of LED lighting pieces available it is clear that Designers have embraced this new technology. Whilst a majority of designs have incorporated LED technology it is the slim and sleek designs that really show it off.

Clustered lighting The popularity of both uniform and un-uniform clustered lighting is gaining momentum as an alternative to chandeliers. To achieve this look, pendants are grouped together creating a clustered effect.

At times it is with the same material but different shapes, sizes and colours. Other times complementary yet different pieces made up of varying materials and shapes are grouped or scattered in a cohesive display.

MUFFIN TREE BY DAN YEFFET

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Thin and Trim We have seen it in both furniture and technology, and now lighting – the thinner the better. Through the incorporation of LED technology in lighting design a new era of delicate and thin designs has been birthed. Wires, cords, metals and timbers have all been pushed to their limits to create slimmer fittings and thinner lines.

SPO360 BY HOUSE DOCTOR

Oak’s the new fav

The new hot metal

Oak is definitely the favourite timber

No longer is aluminium leading the way;

choice for lighting in 2014. Whether it’s

both brass and copper are stealing the

a pendant or a lamp you will see it in a

show. The use of metal is not just confined

natural finish or dipped in pastels or

to the industrial look, it is now being used

primary paint. There is a lovely lightness

for sleek pendants with extruded shapes,

to oak that allows designers to display the

geometric wire chandeliers, quirky table

form of their designs without the colour

lamps and unusual wall lights.

detracting from it.

VOID LIGHT COPPER BY TOM DIXON

TATTI TABLE LAMP BY MAIJA PUOSKARI

TURNER TABLE LAMP

PENCIL LIGHT BY CAROLINE OLSSON

BY DELIGHTFUL UNIQUE LAMPS

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ecently there has been a shift in lighting designs where the once disguised components such as wiring, fittings and bulbs are all becoming predominant design features. Wires are used to create strong lines or add colour, light fittings are being dressed up in attractive materials and bulbs are now distorted into new and unusual shapes drawing all the attention.

An elegant example of this is the Swarm light by Jangir Maddadi Design Bureau.

The designer explains, “The respect for woodcraft in the Swarm Lamp hearkens back to a simpler, pre-industrial time when the creative process was just as important as the end product�.

SWARM LAMP BY JANGIR MADDADI DESIGN BUREAU CBO415 BY HOUSE DOCTOR

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User controlled A common thread seen through many of the new designs is the ability to adjust and control a light like never before. Components twist, turn, pull and slide so a user can adjust not only the position of the light, but the intensity.

This level of control gives a whole new meaning to task lighting, and what is really exciting is designers have maintained interesting

sculptural

forms

in

their

designs. Through unique technology such

TOTO LAMP BY VERONIKA WILDGURBER

as thin wiring and LED’s, aesthetics are

ASCENT BY DANIEL RYBAKKEN

no longer compromised.

ASTERISK LIGHT BY TAEWOO KIM

Marble Marble is no longer just for bathrooms!

The most unique use of marble is in lighting as you get to appreciate both the sculptural form as well as the texture as it is illuminated.

APOLLO LIGHT BY DAN YEFFET PRECARIA BY BRIAN SIRONI

WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

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Unique materiality The trend of re-using, upcyling and craftsmanship

has

lead

to

a

new

playfulness with unique materials Porcelain, glass, baskets, ribbon and PET are all popular choices for this emerging trend.

The lighting designs are far from tacky and recycled. The materials are stretched, broken, wrapped and woven to create new textures and forms.

PET LAMPS BY ALVARO CATALAN DE OCON

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Pendant Lighting After seeing ceilings full of downlights for the past decade decorative pendant lighting is making a return. These are less bright coloured pendants and much more solid black, with the occasional pastel.

Crystal chandeliers have also made a come back, but in a more understated and minimalistic way.

BEAT LIGHTS BY TOM DIXON

WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

Sally Gardner www.featurepieces.com.au

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Inspiration the seed Design but the flower Michael Langham

HOARFROST BY IDA OVERBY

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Protecting your interests in 2014 >

he origins of Champion Legal can be traced back to our establishment 120 years ago. In that

time, we’ve witnessed an enormous amount of change and think we are in a good position

to make a call on future trends. Here are a few trends for you and your family to consider in 2014: Your Family Office

Rightsizing your business

Strata living

Does your family have issues that are delicate and difficult to discuss?

In challenging economic times where our Prime Minister has called for us to “live within our means” many businesses are feeling the pinch. Customers are renegotiating contracts or cutting services in favour of frugality. Others faced with retrenchment have opened their own small

Apparently the majority of Australians are destined to live in apartments, both young and not so young.

A trend we’ve identified for 2014 is “normal’’ families utilising our firm as their “Family Office”.

Once the domain of the wealthy and famous, a family office provides access to a trusted advisor who understands your situation and that of your family and can work with other professionals for your benefit.

We advise our clients on issues before they become “issues”.

Sticky situations we’ve assisted our clients with include: • Baby boomer kids having a difficult conversation

with their parents about their living arrangements, end of life care and estate issues; • Assisting a person in their third long term relationship

businesses. They may be feeling the strain of customer demands, balancing their cash flow as they grow, and the need for assistance and advice.

If you are contemplating moving into an apartment, or are already there, spend a bit of time studying the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting and the Financial Records. Ask the Strata Manager for more information if you are not clear on an issue.

Rightsizing is about optimising your workforce and business processes in an efficient and proactive manner.

It is a dynamic approach for a dynamic market.

How we’ve helped a number of corporate and SMEs ‘right size’ their business operations and workforce: • Succession planning for a ‘Mum and Dad’ SME

through to a successful sale to their key employees in conjunction with their accountant and a government grant;

• A parent who helped their child’s friend by referring

• Preparation of confidentiality agreements

• Hosting a family meeting to assist the whole family

in understanding the ramifications of a sibling’s long term addictions and how they can all work together to protect their assets and consider the wellbeing of their sibling in the face of addiction.

Unless you involve yourself on the Executive Committee very few people will understand what it costs to run your building. Much trust is placed in the Strata Manager.

Enter the ‘right size’ approach.

to protect a significant inheritance from their previous partners; work – only to be left with a significant contractual bill due to the friends error;

Strata living presents challenges – close proximity can create clashes with neighbours; pets may be an issue, and of course some people lead “neat, clean and tidy” lives, others are not so particular.

Ask the Strata Manager to see the Building Budget.

Questions to consider include - How are they managing your valuable sinking fund? Are they obtaining the best deal possible for electricity in your communal areas?

Are they paying for repairs that should be claimed under warranty?

Understanding how your Strata is managed will help you preserve your investment as you would if you owned a home.

for contract workers for a small business owner;

How we’ve helped our clients with Strata issues:

• Reviewing employee contracts and advising

about the risks and process involved in making employees redundant;

• reviewed strata documents and contracts;

• Hosting workshops for small businesses in the

• researched and advised on the viability of a purchase

areas of strategic planning and risk management;

where there had been no strata established;

• Debt recovery process and assistance

• translated complex legal documents into

for a cash strapped business.

plain easy to understand advice.

is a dynamic, modern legal practice with offices in Sydney CBD and Parramatta.

We are reliable, cost conscious, easy to work with and to do business with.

Private Legal Services

Business Legal Services

• Property/

sales/ purchases/ leases

• Property/

• Litigation

– All Courts and

• Workplace

sales/ purchases/ leases

Tribunals/ compensations/claims

• Dispute

• Family

• Insolvency

Law

• Deceased • Estate

Estates & Estate Disputes

Planning & Wills

solutions

Resolution & Commercial Litigation and restructuring

• Commercial • Business

Law

Ownership Agreements

• Intellectual • Debt

Property

Recovery

• Succession

Government • Litigation • Advice

Planning

Call us, instruct us so that your interests are protected.

T 02 9635 8266 www.champion.com.au Send us a your questions or concerns: connect@champion.com.au VGD5237 7.14

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2014 Garden Trends Guide Nadia Pomare, of Stylish Gardens looks at the myriad of trendy options for a modern garden. f lush green means tropical, then

than beef, more calcium than milk, ten

• Myoporum species

this is in; large, glossy, green or

times more vitamin C than spinach. It is a

• Euphorbia Lipstick (perfect as a table

coloured foliage is still the go for 2014,

spectacular looking plant and is very easy

decoration in a sheltered position)

but with a modern twist. Open, circular

to grow. It’s a no-brainer that everyone will

• Trachelospermum Tricolour

spaces, minimal flowers and definitely

be adding this one to their garden beds.

• Citrus lime Sublime (a dwarf citrus

Blueberries bursting with antioxidants

tree perfect for pots)

helps boost brain power, fight Alzheimer’s,

• Breathe Easy range of indoor

reduces bad cholesterol, makes you look

& patio plants

younger and helps fight diabetes; another

• Dieffenbachia species

no-brainer.

• Zamioculcas Zamiifolia (a favourite

minimal maintenance are all on the agenda.

Also creeping into the picture is the remake of ‘cottage’ or ‘vintage’ gardens, but in an organized fashion. One might call it a formalized cottage garden, or

Composting

evergreen informal hedging plants which

Driven

obsession

• Blechnum Silver Lady

flower, mass planting, and a splash of

for good health and good nutrition,

• Decorative succulents

colour here or there to provide seasonal

consumers are taking edibles to the next

• ‘ready to go’ advanced herbs

change and interest.

level. Composting is on the rise. Small

and vegetables

compost bins, big enough to service a

• Cordyline Electric Star

few veggie pots or a tiny plot is the way to

• Rhoeo Razzamataz

Edible Gardens Herbs such as Italian parsley, rosemary, coriander & basil are popular and will continue to be so. Vegetables for 2014

by

an

increased

go. Education is sought by the consumer to achieve the ultimate goal…

Decoration Outdoor night lighting and water features

will be the ones that always look neat,

Healthy soil which produces healthy

are a must for 2014. There is quite a

such as lettuces and spinach. With an

plants/food for healthy people!

demand

for

increased interest in healthy eating, this

Plants

tabletop

running

year is going to be big for the ‘superfoods’ such as kale and blueberries.

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‘statement’ plant)

“Modern Cottage”. This comprises of

So what plants are trendy this year?

• Bambino Bougainville (a dwarf,

vertical

water

water,

features,

garden

art,

decorative planters and decorative candle holders. Also, chandeliers are huge at the moment.

Kale is good for your eyes, skin & bones.

shrubby bougainvillea) Sunpatiens

It lowers cholesterol and reduces the

(a sun loving version of the

Screens to hide bins, clothes lines and

risk of heart disease. It has more iron

impatiens we grew up with)

fences will be in for a little while longer.

WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

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Decorating patios with plants is still popular. Decorative, stunning pots are in high demand. Indoor vegetation is back in too, particularly in handmade pots.

Gone are the days where every room of the house possessed a lush plant. Now a quirky collection in one interesting, amazing container will finish off the home decor perfectly.

Space There is still a growing emphasis on outdoor spaces as an extension of our homes. Outdoor kitchens extending from the indoor kitchen by simply opening the bifold doors allows terrific flow and extra seating by making use of the indoors and the outdoors simultaneously.

Roof top gardens, to take advantage of views and sunshine, are a great idea. Vertical gardens, though high in maintenance, are proving popular in saving space in small gardens.

• productive gardens • interesting plants • roof gardens • outdoor night lighting • bright coloured upholstery • fence & utilities screening • low maintenance gardens

All th ese exciting trends for 2014 gardens…. just can’t wait to see th em flourish.

Nadia Pomare www.stylishgardens.com.au

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Trends in Garden Art and Decor Our colonial ancestors’ homes were built with beautiful wrap-around verandahs to soak up the beauty and serenity of the great outdoors. But what are the trends these days in outdoor living?

ertainly one trend is to create a

wonderful living and entertaining

area for friends and family to share, or a peaceful, tranquil retreat for some solitude from our busy lifestyle; an idyllic spot to recoup and enjoy leisure time.

Creating an outdoor room is a perfect way to maximize the potential of your home, an asset that will add value not only financially but also to your lifestyle.

There are a myriad of wonderful products currently on the market including outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens, fire pits, quality outdoor furniture and accessories, shade cloth and awnings, pavers, pergolas etc.

The choice is extensive so you can spend as much or as little as you like to create the environment you want within your budget and spatial constraints. Once you have your outdoor space sorted with furniture and the, necessities the big question is – how to decorate it to create the finishing touches?

Gone are the days of a few director’s chairs with a garden gnome and small concrete ornaments to adorn your garden.

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Now the choice is amazing, but it can also be daunting to know where to start.

If you have already decorated inside your home It only makes sense to turn your outdoor living area into an extension of your interior living space.

Redecorate with art and accessories by choosing colours and patterns you have already used and love, for example, florals, patterns, stripes or bold colours and layer it through with tablecloths, cushions, artworks, pots and plant colours.

Tie in colour schemes with other accessories such as ceramic lanterns, bowls or repainting old existing furniture or an old wall.

Introducing art as a feature can make a great talking point for your special area. There are a multitude of art forms available to help you create that special look. A tired old wall or fence could be made into a feature by painting it a colour to tie in with your internal colour scheme or equally a bold colour to stand out from the other walls nearby.

Add some beautiful artworks: perhaps a WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

weatherproof outdoor canvas, some tile art, or a feature panel, metal art or mosaics.

Screening can be an art form in itself.

If privacy is an issue in your backyard adding a screen can solve two problems - privacy and decorating. Laser cut metal screening offers privacy along with beautiful decorative designs for that special feature. Designing your own screening with timber can also be effective and you can dress it up by painting, staining, laying timbers diagonally or with a curved or uneven edging. Some artwork would also enhance the finished look.

Garden sculptures, statues and urns all make for a stunning feature that will add style and beauty to your outdoor area.

Pots of all shapes, sizes, styles and colours, ceramic or terracotta, or the more interesting recycled containers such as an old enamel kettle or old wheelbarrow, add whimsy and charm to your special space.

An old art form (but a good one) is topiary, for those with plenty of patience and a good pair of secateurs. Water features and fountains also add a beautiful dimension to your garden and it is very relaxing and soothing to listen to running water. Again there are many choices to suit all budgets.

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Much of the fun in creating a beautiful space is adding something that you have created yourself, a unique piece that means something to you. If you are not a creative person but love art and artifacts in the garden then recycling could be for you. For example an old mirror you didn’t want to throw out can be reused in the garden. Repaint the frame to match your decor and place on the fence or wall. It will not only add another dimension to your garden but will also make a small space look bigger. Some old metal containers and watering cans make a quirky collection of planters. An old louvre door or shutter can be painted and used as a screen, maybe with some artwork on it. A visit to a second hand shop or junk yard can stir the imagination for many interesting additions to your garden and outdoor area and make for a great talking point.

Creating the space you want is personal.

Whether you want to entertain family and friends frequently or just have a quiet hideaway for downtime, with all the products available on the market now it is easy to turn your balcony, courtyard or backyard into a comfortable outdoor retreat to relax and enjoy.

Margie Tweedie www.margantiledesign.com.au

WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

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Be a ‘New Trend’ Rebel!

While doing some research for this quarter’s issue on new trends for 2014, Jenny Williams and Robyn Hawke had a major ‘revelation’! Right now is the ideal time to rebel against following this year’s ‘latest and greatest’.

Why? Because never has there been such an enormous array

What’s out there? Here’s a list of design styles and their

of design styles available in stores as there is now. So if you’d

related furniture and accessories that are in your local furniture

love to create a room or your whole home in a style that truly

and decorating stores now.

reflects you, you can easily find a colour scheme, furniture and decorative accessories that are perfect for you.

as represented by clean

lines, matt timber finishes as well as painted gloss finishes, metal, glass, leather. Still very popular are modular sofas, coloured dining chairs and moulded plastic seats.

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WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

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with the return of light to mid stained timber furniture that is routed or recessed to create a pattern on doors and drawers, rolled arm sofas without a skirt but with limited piping and pleating.

including the Hamptons style with satin

painted timber as well as mid to dark stained timber, decorative skirtings and architraves, Shaker profile on built-in cabinetry, and elegant feather and foam sofas and chairs.

both modern and classic, with a broader range of metallic

finishes on occasional furniture, light fittings, mosaic tiles, etc. You’ll still see all the ‘silvers’ as well as aged gold and copper. Chandeliers are still popular with a little or a lot of ‘bling’.

49

either as original pieces or replicas

of the ‘Danish’ style with an updated matt finish on cabinetry, and more brightly coloured upholstery fabrics than on the originals.

but with a definite urban inclination – think NYC loft apartment

with aged leather sofas and chairs, recycled and repurposed cabinetry.

Take elements from a few different design styles and create your own style,

pulled together with a unifying colour scheme or using a treasured item as the creative impetus.

Great for those who have collected various items over the years or have travelled and/or lived abroad and returned with unique items.

With so many fabulous options out there, go forth and create your own style!

Antique and reproduction Chinese cabinets as buffets, African drums as side and coffee tables, a Louis chair or two upholstered in a classic damask fabric or in a big, bold and quirky fabric. All can be used as feature pieces.

Jenny Williams www.creativestyle.com.au

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Robyn Hawke www.inspiredspaces.com.au

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IMAGE :: Heimtextil

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We have all seen the makeover shows create the “wow” factor in a home in a few minutes.

Now let the DC CODE show how you can do it in reality.

The Designer Chicks proudly present: The DC CODE: Creating Opportunities in Design Education

Don’t miss out on this first spectacular event: “50 Shades of Hogbristle.”,

where you will learn everything there is to know (but were afraid to ask) about Colour.

TOPICS INCLUDE demonstrations on how lighting affects the perceived colour the psychology of colour how to create a colour scheme BRING YOUR SMART PHONES, tablets or laptops as

apps available to assist you with making the correct choice

GUEST SPEAKER

we will be tweeting, Instagramming and checking in with Face Book throughout the day.

DOOR PRIZES GALORE, including a prize for the most colourful outfit, as judged by our Image Consultant.

THIS EVENT IS IN PARTNERSHIP with She Business and sponsored by Smith and Sons Builders, Home Hub Castle Hill.

Meet the Designer Chicks: We will all be there!

The fabulous James Treble, Interior Designer from Channel 10 The Living Room WHEN // Wednesday 5 March 2014 TIME // 10am - 2pm. Registration at 9:30am.

VENUE // Riverside Theatre at Parramatta COST // $149 early bird rates of $99 until 31 January 2014 Light refreshments will be provided

Tosecure secure your your tickets enter To enter this this link linkinto intoyour yourbrowser: browser:

* Dulux Colour * Dulux Colour

http://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-dc-code-50-shades-of-hogbristle-tickets-9607475217 http://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-dc-code-50-shades-of-hogbristle-tickets-9607475217

WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

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Pantone Color of the Year 2014: Radiant Orchid When I first saw an image of the Pantone Colour of the Year 2014 in December last year I thought, wow – love this one!

fter the cool Emerald Green in

2013 Pantone went back to

the warm side of the colour wheel for their choice for 2014. Radiant Orchid is a “captivating, magical, enigmatic purple” as they describe it in their announcement.

Leatrice Eisemann, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, adds: “While the 2013 colour of the year, Pantone 175641 Emerald, served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the colour wheel to intrigue the eye and spark imagination.

An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality.” Sounds great, doesn’t it? If you want to learn more about the psychology of Radiant Orchid, why it appeals to people and how it was chosen, watch this video.

for a fresh and dazzling combination.

It will also empower any neutrals including grey, beige or taupe. Check out my

PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald (2013)

The Pantone Color of the Year in Review

PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise (2010)

Since 2000 Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced designers and decisionmakers in multiple industries including fashion, interior and industrial design, product packaging and graphic design.

Here are the winners of the past 13 years:

PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris (2008)

PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango (2012) PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle (2011) PANTONE 14-0848 Mimosa (2009) PANTONE 19-1557 Chili Pepper (2007) PANTONE 13-1106 Sand Dollar (2006) PANTONE 15-5217 Blue Turquoise (2005) PANTONE 17-1456 Tigerlily (2004) PANTONE 14-4811 Aqua Sky (2003) PANTONE 19-1664 True Red (2002) PANTONE 17-2031 Fuchsia Rose (2001) PANTONE 15-4020 Cerulean (2000) Bettina Deda www.bdcolourdesign.net.au

Radiant Orchid is a real eye-catcher in your interior. Incorporate it as accent colour in cushions, art, fabrics or flowers.

This vibrant hue works well with its complimentaries on the colour wheel: olive greens and darker tones of hunter greens.

Pair it with turquoise, teal or light yellows

WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

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Trends in Type Trends come and go as far as client brand identity is concerned; longevity is the key. Fonts are a Graphic Designer’s tool to visual communication. ach and every client is individual, so in turn is the typeface that is chosen for that particular business.

From logotype design, print collateral, environmental graphics to websites, by selecting the appropriate typeface for the business or project, creative work makes them stand out from their competitors.

Designers have a multitude of typefaces to choose from and liberty to adapt and change letterforms, modifying them with great skill. For centuries designers have used type for communication, expressive, educational and entertainment purposes.

Contemporary designers continue those traditions via a different approach – technology and aesthetics. Form may follow function. Type can become an image.

When it comes to selecting a typeface, a designer must consider many factors, but one tool continues to be helpful: a specification sheet; an example of every letter, symbol and number in a typeface

56

shown in different sizes and context.

These specification sheets are also known as ‘specimen sheets’. In today’s digital world, type specimens exist mostly on the Web, where you can test drive the typeface from a design aspect as well as how the typeface can be viewed on screen. For other purposes designers can purchase or download pdf files for printing, testing and comparing the specimens on paper.

Chosen type reflects the taste, personality and attitude of the designer. Most designers keep a list of favourite typefaces throughout their library. Some personal favourites are Display: full range depends on project Serf: Adobe Garamond Pro, Bodoni, Baskerville, Minion San Serf: Helvetica Neue, Frutigur, Franklin Gothic, Din, Trade Gothic, Myriad, Meta Pro, Impact, Univers Slab-Serf: Clarendon, Aachen, ITC Lubalin Graph, Egyptiemme F Script: Bickam Script, Buttermilk, Ministry Script.

In these pages are some examples of design work, illustrating type as a primary means of design, an end unto itself: type as image, type as word, type as the ultimate communication, form and function rolled into one.

Cap li

x heig

Mean

Baseli

Descen Veronica Tasnadi www.vgdesign.com.au

SOURCE :: Typography Referenced – A comprehensive Visual Guide to the Language, History and Practice of Typography SOURCE :: Logo design Love – A guide to creating iconic Brand Identities – David Airey IMAGE CREDIT : : FAB chair Brown Leather-Photography :: Alexander Lagergren

Ascent

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Brass Down Under - Identity - Branding Package Typeface :: Logotype - Braggadcio based on Futura Black Typeface :: Gills Sans Typeface :: Adobe Garamond Pro

Detection Services - inScan - Environmental Graphics - Signage Van Typeface :: QTypeExt-Book

‘Now is the Time’ - Lightbox Poster Typeface :: Headline – Dirty Ego Typeface :: Subheadline – Univers Ultra Condensed

Premium Gourmet Foods - Packaging - Labels Typeface :: BBQ Rubs Asian Style Ginger,

Chinese 5 Spice, Garlic Teriyaki - Veneer Typeface :: Vanilla Sugar - VAGRounded Typeface :: Seafood Soup - Erika Ormig Typeface :: Seafood Cocktail Sauce - Mister Sirloin BTN Well

Blue Salt Fish Grill - Identity - Restaurant - USA Los Angeles Typeface :: Mister Sirloin BTN Well

Type Cross bar

Counter

Ear

Shoulder

Bowl

t line

ine

ght

n line

ine

Veronica Graphic Design – Portfolio of Work

nt line

Stern

Descender

Juncture WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

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Trends and the Home A Discovery of the Inner Self

Contrasting Taste Having worked at photographing homes for a number of years, Sharon Newman of SNPhotography

has seen all types

of homes, ranging from small suburban residential modern

properties

houses,

to

offices

enormous, and

large

acreage horse studs. There are varying ideas of style and beauty amongst the most avid of renovators. Trends are not only dictated by the powers-that-be, but individual taste plays a significant role in the end result and overall appearance of a home. We have the contrast of the meticulous attachment to the past with beautiful Heritage listed homes against

the

stark

modernity

and

minimalism of more recent architecture designed residences.

58 IMAGE CREDIT : : FAB chair Brown Leather-Photography :: Alexander Lagergren

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| FEBRUARY2014 As a Whole Trending colours, styles and dÊcor seem to be a reflection of society’s tastes.

When we make choices that correspond to the current flow of trending options, there is a sense of belonging, of being part of something bigger than we are; as well as conforming to what is deemed acceptable. There is the impression that we have it right somehow; that this works and will be accepted and loved by whoever views and participates in this creation. This adds to our personal view of fulfillment.

Finding Ourselves This article is more about images: images that we create of our homes, which are really reflections of our inner selves. Ranging from bright colours, unique prints and textures, minimalistic clean lines to the ornate, our individual tastes display that who we really are can be found in our choices.

Taking away Trends are a great visual and physical

PHOTOGRAPHY :: SNPHOTOGRAPHY CURTAINS :: MORE THAN CURTAINS

thermometer, which represents a social gauge of taste and lifestyle. Are we living with the environment in a more considerate participation? Are we styling our homes, offices and living spaces in a more artistic creative way, which expresses our love for light, form, texture and colour? These images represent a variety of current trends in average Australian homes, offices and living areas. There are some that have been assisted by interior designers and others that are the everyday Australian dream maker. What we as individuals take away from them, is as unique an experience as is to those that created them.

Sharon Newman www.snphotography.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHY :: SNPHOTOGRAPHY INTERIOR DESIGN :: INSPIRED SPACES

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Creativity is the greatest rebellion in existence.

OSHO

IMAGE :: Heimtextil

60 IMAGE CREDIT : : FAB chair Brown Leather-Photography :: Alexander Lagergren

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| FEBRUARY2014 UV Direct to board printing

Looking for a unique way to display your artwork & photographic collections?

Vision Graphics offer a variety of solutions to enhance that empty wall or table space in your home or office. Below are just a few.

For more info visit our website or visit our showroom at 2B Northcote Street, St Leonards

Our flatbed printer can print onto a variety of surfaces. including: ⊙ Metals ⊙ Acrylic ⊙ Foamboards plus much more

Acrylic Photo Products Vision Graphics offers a wide range of acrylic finishing options including: ⊙ Acrylic Float Frames Our standard acrylic face-mount product. Diamond polished clear acrylic.

When hung it is spaced or "Floats" 12mm off the wall.

Available in 3, 6, or 10mm thickness.

⊙ Acrylic Photo Blocks Self-standing face-mounted prints onto diamond polished clear arylic.

Available in 20, or 30mm thickness.

⊙ Acrylic Gatapanel In this product, the 3mm acrylic is backed with a 10mm Gataboard and finished with a black or white melamine edging. This product is a lightweight & comes ready to hang.

Emmanuel Angelicas Exhibition

Giclee Fine art-printing & framing services VG offer a range of archival fine art paper & canvas prints that can then be stretched and/or framed beautifully with a matt to suit your interior design colours and theme. We can work from your files, original artworks & restore your old family photos to pristine condition.

This year get the most from your Tax Return!

19 Karloon Road, West Pennant Hills, NSW 2125 Postal: 12/2 Carmen Drive, Carlingford, NSW 2118 Phone: 02 9873 4139 • Fax: 02 9872 6170 Email: janice@sydneytaxationservices.com.au

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Office Trends for 2014: The cubicle may be dead, but hot desking can burn you!!

Furniture does not make an office – people do – and there are key ways an office environment can engage and motivate your people. Ruth Newman, Architect, lists the key trends in office space for 2014: 1) Collaboration and accessibility

3) Designing for Gen Y

4) Your office as a theatre set

Having a corner office is no longer the pinnacle of achievement; in fact it is out of touch and isolating. The same goes for cubicles. How you choose to design your workspace reflects what you say about your business – it’s an extension of your brand – but it also contributes to how your team works. Opting for an open-plan, more accessible office style lends itself to collaboration and ‘open minds’. It also reminds your clients that people are the driving force in your operation.

By 2020 most Baby Boomers will have retired while Generation Y will dominate employment, comprising 42 per cent of the workforce. Multi-tasking and multichannelling will force organisations to search for better ways to communicate and engage with them.

Great office design offers flexibility, sustainability, collaboration and gives all those who interact with it a freedom to get the job done, in the way it needs to be done, right at that particular moment.

2) Flexibility and sustainability Flexibility, especially for small and medium size businesses, is important when it comes to office space. How can you grow? Do you need to invite in contractors? The key to good flexibility lies in its sustainability. Complete openness needs to be balanced with the flexibility to choose space for more intimate one-toone meetings.

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An example where this has been less than successful has been hot-desking. Yes, it creates the illusion of flexibility (I can plug into any desk and access the server) but the sustainability of the design fails when there are not enough hot-desks to go round; groups having to get in the office at 6am in order to get enough hot-desks together to work on a team project.

Gen Y workers place value on authenticity and will be attracted to work environments that value people rather than furniture.

Gen Yers will average more than 4 careers and 17 employers in their lifetime.

Given the amount of money it takes to recruit new employees (and the pain your business faces when facing high employee turnover), spending the time to design your office to reflect your values, attract the right team and retain them pays dividends.

When this happens it undermines your workplace culture – instead of achieving collaboration it merely exacerbates a culture of unfriendly competition (think of towels at dawn on hotel sun lounges).

With Gen Y in your workplace, expect a trend towards activity based working, which allows movement between types of spaces depending on the work being done at that particular moment.

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In today’s world of multi-generation workforces, all with their own differing relationship with the organization (full time, casual hires, part-time etc.) and the increasing pressure on our transport infrastructures, there will be an increasing investment in having people work virtually.

As a result, there will be a trend towards a workplace that can be configured to what you need and how you work, moment by moment. Much like a theatre set, imagine an office space that can be pushed and pulled around. Less impersonal than hot-desking, personalised pods can pop up, roll around, and be stored based on your needs.

Think of how more welcoming it is to your remote worker, who comes into the office once a fortnight, to wheel out their pod, complete with their personal pop-up pinboard of photographs and inspirational quotes. It gives them a sense of place, a sense of belonging within your working community. Much better than turning up to no available hot desks - which sends the message that the value you place on their contribution is so low, you don’t even have room for them.

Ruth Newman www.ruthnewman.com.au

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Not So Mellow Yellow Judith Briggs, of Colour Consultants Australia, gives us the low-down on yellow and how we can use it to make our homes more welcoming.

ot everyone is friends with yellow.

It is one of those colours that

people either really like or dislike. If you are the latter, please read on, you may find you view it a little differently once you get to know it a little better.

There are a lot of yellow foods, like pineapples, bananas, custard and cheese, so it also has delicious associations

That’s why yellow serves well as a warning colour. Combine yellow with black, and it immediately warns us of potential danger.

Yellow’s flip side is its association with fear, cowardice, illness (jaundice), corruption and betrayal.

Using Yellow in Interiors

Yellow’s Guises Yellow can be cool as acid yellow, but more often is a pretty warm colour, ranging from palest lemon to the ubiquitous cream, banana, luscious custard, daffodil and golden yellows. Then there are the more muted shades of sand, ochre, buff, mustard, chartreuse and turmeric. Metallic gold and the light and golden timber colours are also considered to be in the yellow category.

Our Memories and Associations Probably the most common association we have of yellow is the sun or sunshine.

It also represents optimism and prosperity; no wonder it lifts our spirits! To many people, yellow also represents hope, practical common sense and creativity. Its radiance brings happiness and confidence.

Yellow encourages extroversion, promoting emotional strength and friendliness. It is also associated with personal power.

Physiological Responses Yellow is often referred to as the colour of the emotions. Yellow makes people feel happy and energetic because it stimulates the nervous system and the imagination.

We feel inspired and uplifted and ready to be creative.

However, too much yellow can induce fear, anxiety and even depression.

Yellow is an illuminating colour, with warmth and high reflection. It advances towards us.

64 IMAGE CREDIT : : FAB chair Brown Leather-Photography :: Alexander Lagergren

Paler, more buttery shades are easier to live with. Use brighter, more intense yellows as accent colours. Bright yellow accessories will add a surprise pop of colour and a light-hearted feel to any room. A sunny, yellow entry foyer creates a warm, friendly welcome to any home. Yellow is also a great colour for the kitchen in any of its guises, as well as for anywhere a little sunshine is needed like eating areas and family rooms.

Too much yellow can cause emotional upsets or irrational behavior. This makes yellow an undesirable bedfellow. Yellow bedrooms can cause irritation and disruptive sleep. If your baby is upset and can’t sleep in a lemon or yellow nursery, you may want to repaint the room. Pinks, pastel blues, lilacs, soft turquoise, aqua and pale greens are safer choices.

Yellows with high intensity are brighter, unlike other colours which tend to darken in their more intense tones. This makes yellow ideal for small and cramped spaces

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as it opens them up and draws people in.

So yellow is great for a hallway and front doors as well.

Yellow in the Colour Palette Yellow goes superbly with greys, black and white. Naturally, it’s a perfect match with its complementary colour of purple.

Combined with orange and red, yellow is part of a trusted trio, as it is with blue and green. Add red and blue with yellow for a bold classic Scandinavian palette.

More offbeat combinations include yellow with bright pink and lime green with teal or aqua and purple (in the form of plum or lilac). The autumn colours of mustard or turmeric with olive green and rust or brown is another classic combination. Add a black accent for more drama or substitute rust or brown with a red purple for elegance.

Blue with yellow is a traditional combination, reminding us of the sun and sky; a somewhat overused duo in Queensland motels.

Yellow Trends Yellow has been part of our colour palette as a strong hue since the 90’s.

For the two decades prior to that, it was in a more disguised form as timber tones and cream. Bright yellows, including neon yellow remains in the colour palette, but is also emerging in its earthier and richer tones, with ochre yellows and turmeric coming into their own. Yellow is becoming warmer towards orange. Gold finishes are also having a huge resurgence, replacing the cooler metal finishes we have seen for several decades.

What Yellow Says About You If you like yellow, you are probably warm and friendly. With an active imagination, you are creative and have original ideas.

With a dislike for routines, you thrive on trying out new things and taking up new challenges. You are curious and a possibly a perfectionist. You make a reliable friend.

If you dislike yellow you are practical and have a somewhat skeptical attitude to something new. You like to stick with tried and true methods, so that results are predictable and achievable.

Decorating with yellow can be tricky, so if you need help finding the right hues to incorporate into your home, don’t forget to get expert help.

Judith Briggs www.colourconsultants.com.au

“How wonderful yellow is.

It stands for the sun.”

Vincent Van Gogh

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INTERVIEW

Do you want to own original art?

We interview one of our newest Designer Chicks, Pascale Rajek from Art on Surface to learn more about the latest in the world of art.

1. What surfaces have you used

to use the master’s techniques as well

6. What are the benefits of

to create your artwork?

as programs (Illustrator or Photoshop) to

purchasing artwork for the

Art on Surface as a name for my business

create their art.

home/office?

is a reflection of my personality and

Colours, mediums and surfaces are now

Apart from being an emotional purchase

showcases that all surfaces are the right surfaces.

Currently, I have been using the following surfaces: canvas, paper, clay board,

widely available and reproduction of

art is also seen as an investment.

artwork is true to the original.

Purchasing artwork adds a personal touch

4 Are there any historical trends

to your home or office and creates a

mediums that are being

bespoke environment for the client.

re-employed to produce

7. What do you see as the future

artworks today?

of original art and how will you

2 What trends do you see

Yes and it will always be this way. We learn

be expressing this?

happening in 2014 as far as art

from the past and apply it into our body

Original art will always be on “trend”

and art surfaces are concerned?

of work.

as a response to individuality and

As an abstract and mixed media artist,

5. Is original art more accessible

differentially. Commissioned artwork

wood, textiles; but I am always looking for more to create on…

my artwork is constantly changing as new ranges of colours (and pigments) and mediums become widely available and affordable. Technology, as well as the desire to create archival artwork are opening a new doorway to creativity.

to the average person than it once was? Why? As mediums develop with changing

allows me to create within a direction as well as applying my own mark making.

technology, various types of artwork produced can include inexpensive items, making some forms of art more accessible

3 How has technology

to everyone. However, some art will always

impacted on art?

remain the domain of the collectors and

Technology has changed drastically over

the wealthy, and therefore will retain an

the past few years and art has evolved into

elitist stature.

a new vision. Artists are now able

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is widely accessible and popular which

WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU IMAGE CREDIT : : FAB chair Brown Leather-Photography :: Alexander Lagergren

Pascale Rajek www.art-on-surface.net

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A Humanitarian Trend For decades the fashion industry has been obsessed with the idea that clothing produced in China, Thailand or India is generally inferior quality to locally made garments. While that debate is still ignited the world over, there is a new trend of an ethical nature in the spotlight of the fashion world. t’s been covered by almost every media outlet: the inhumane working conditions of factories and production facilities in Bangladesh; namely for the fashion industry. Garments have been produced in Bangladesh for a considerable period of time at extremely low costs, but only in recent times have we seen the devastating work environments provided for the workers. Many fashion labels have signed petitions promising not to utilize unfair production facilities in Bangladesh, but one woman has taken it even further in her journey to change the world.

in disadvantaged countries do not need pity because they are helpless; they need our support of their ability and potential.

Most of the women we work with are not in a position of poverty because they are lazy or unmotivated, they are leading these lives simply because that was the life they were born or forced into.”

Australian-born Amanda Ryan was a volunteer for the JAAGO Foundation, helping to run a school for underprivileged children in a poverty-stricken area of Bangladesh.

In lieu of donations, Amanda began a sewing centre to create jobs for some of the school’s mothers to generate a sustainable income keeping the school financially selfsufficient. From here, Bachhara was born.

“We employ half the women we train and the other half are taught business skills so they can start their own tailor business in their area of the slum. We pay 3 times the legal wage and have working hours that are in line with school hours, this way our women can be the mothers to their children that they wish to be.”

“Bachhara empowers women in developing nations with the tools to live a life with more opportunity, freedom and growth. Women

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Amanda has forged amazing relationships with the women she employs, as well as their families, and aims to provide a consistently ethical and hospitable working environment for them providing sustainable wages and clean, functional facilities.

The Bachhara collection features exquisitely crafted pieces made from floaty silk blends.

Their specialty is kaftans, with most of the tops, dresses and pants in keeping with WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

IMAGE CREDIT : : FAB chair Brown Leather-Photography :: Alexander Lagergren

the same timelessly Bohemian glamour.

Amanda describes her signature style as vibrant, exotic, unashamedly feminine, and beautiful. Bachhara also don’t believe in labeling women, and so aim for the majority of pieces to be one-size-fits-all, accommodating anywhere up to a size 28.

Bachhara is leading the Australian fashion industry by helping to change the shape of the ethical footprint fashion leaves on the world, which is the largest of any industry.

This movement is creating a humanitarian trend, which is helping to change the reality of women, who were once undervalued by society and themselves. As far as trends go, this one certainly paves the way for a better world future.

You can check out Bachhara’s amazing designs: www.bachhara.com

Elise Harper www.yELLEStyling.com

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A Wardrobe worthy of Carrie…

Every woman dreams of the massive walk-in-robe with space for everything.

Size and shoe storage make all the difference.

s an integral component of the modern

home, built-in wardrobes need to be

a functional yet sympathetic response to the architectural style of the home whilst satisfying the storage requirements of the resident.

Aesthetic trends in built-in wardrobes therefore, follow current architectural and interior design trends. The shift to minimalist styling of wardrobe exteriors reflects the present architectural orientation. Streamlined flush doors that “disappear” as opposed to detailed panelled doors as the feature, are the flavour of the day.

Concurrently, there is a growing emphasis on walk-in wardrobes that serve to fulfil all of the functional characteristics of a wardrobe, without visually cluttering the bedroom.

Beautifully constructed panelled doors of course are still de rigeur in stately period homes. Although tasteful modernisation is achievable with a sympathetic eye in these buildings, one is never out of line to reflect the home’s signature style, be it Art Deco, Californian Bungalow, or Victorian with traditionally constructed panelled (hinged) doors.

Interior wardrobe trends respond to technological advancements in materials, hardware and accessories as well as shifts

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in behaviour. For example, ABS edging is a

Size

major improvement on the old edge banded

In the 1980’s the average built in wardrobe

strip applied to melamine giving a more

was 2400 mm long. The average now is at

durable finish that doesn’t chip.

least 300 0mm but with the shift to walk-in

The variety of colours and finishes in board

wardrobes that would really equate to 4000

products has led to a resurgence of the

5000 mm on average. It is not uncommon

timber imitations in all areas of domestic

for people to do home extensions purely

joinery. The fake timber that was an

to provide for a walk in closet the size of

embarrassing relic of the 1970’s is now

a bedroom giving them 10000 mm of lineal

urban chic. These finishes are used both

wall to work with. Island benches in walk-in

externally and internally and offer an

wardrobes are popular.

alternative to white melamine with a lower

Shoes!

price than polyurethane for those seeking a more customised appearance.

It is no secret that women love their shoes and this has revolutionised the way we

Hardware upgrades such as soft close

design wardrobes. Shoes are best stored on

drawers, push to open drawers and LED

shelves where they are physically and

lighting

either

visually accessible – what’s the point of

in the hanging rods or within the shelving,

having them if you can’t find them? It seems

are where the higher end of the market

that there is some sort of psychological high

is moving.

that shoe lovers get from just being able to

Accessories such as integrated laundry

linger over their shoe options in their purpose

hampers, pull down hanging rods and

built shoe closets.

make-up stations are in demand, as well as

So

custom made jewellery drawers and belt

proportions and integrated accessories we

and tie racks.

are up to the minute in 2014 as long as we

Overall however, there are two major

cater for the SHOES!

within

the

wardrobes,

trends in wardrobes that are inescapably attributable to behavioural shifts.

WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

with

simplicity

of

lines,

generous

Sally Hart www.cleverclosetcompany.com.au

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Shopping Online - Designing On Line - A Growing Trend Karyn McRae and Helen Lynch, two of our newest Designer Chicks, show us how we can obtain high end design concepts online… he trend in online shopping has become increasingly popular with the advent of faster and more accessible services to the internet, making it readily available not only to major cities but also to remote areas worldwide. Most households today own or have access to a computer and/or a smart phone, making it virtually impossible to ignore. As with most ‘trends’ it is only a matter of time before it affects us in some way, shape or form, particularly one that has an impact on a global level. Whether we like it or not, the increasing trend in online shopping and social media has become a way of life in society as we know it today.

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fast growing trend toward using the internet as a tool to complete design projects with an increasing number of clients initiating a more ‘online approach’ to fulfil their design needs.

all designers, we are creative people.

We are very much ‘hands on’ with our projects and interactive with our clients.

Recently we noticed an increase in the number of clients relying on the internet for communication and interaction and by

We can literally organise our lives online, from clothes shopping and grocery deliveries, to holiday bookings; there are online services that take care of all your Christmas shopping, wrap it and deliver it anywhere in the world. You can even obtain a university degree online. We are at a point of transition as a society, very little is left unaffected by the ‘Online Shopping Trend’ and the design Industry is certainly no exception!

opting to communicate via the ‘net’ it has

The Evolution Of How We Do Business

provided the design industry with the tools

The act of being in business has and is continually changing; these changes have been brought about by the ‘online world’. Being interior designers and like

to creatively interact and communicate with

significantly reduced time spent in ‘face to face’ meetings as well as time travelling to and from site visits. In fact ‘designing online’ is simply adapting and modifying methods of communication and presentation with clients to fit in with the current online trends and consumer demands.

The improved internet speed, along with associated social networking sites, has

clients on a level that is now comparable with

‘face

to

face’

contact,

without

compromising the end result. There is a

As the social media trend continues to grow and evolve, more people are comfortable with forming relationships online, both on a personal and professional level. Through the various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, You Tube, blogs etc, we are now able to develop a rapport between client and designer without the need for face to face contact. This means the client can now confidently benefit from the advice and guidance from qualified professional designers of their choosing.

They do not have the inconvenience of leaving their home or having to break away from their busy workday to schedule face to face meetings.

The other major factor contributing to going online for design is that people living in remote areas no longer have to compromise on style because of their geographic limitations. They now have the option to purchase professional services and products (related to their project) directly online from anywhere in the world.

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Communication is one of the key factors to the success of any design project; it is heightened when ‘designing online’.

The discussion of relevant information between client and designer is all possible through the exchange of photos, videos, scans and emails.

Face-to-Face Business v The Internet

Some may argue that online shopping through the internet diminishes personal human interaction that is so much a part of the service-based industries such as design. While meeting clients face-to-face may once have been the ideal, it does not necessarily mean that the quality of the service provided is compromised; it is simply an alternative means of the same process through a different medium. While there is an ever increasing trend toward design online, it is certainly not for everyone.

The process involved in fulfilling the design needs of our clients is a contributing factor to the success of the design itself. Therefore as designers we have a responsibility to our clients to offer the best service possible whether online or not.

Helen Lynch and Karyn McRae www.mcraeandlynch.com.au www.interiordesignersonline.com.au

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CALENDAR oF DESIGN EVENTS For all design aficionados and passionate home decorators we put together an event calendar with a selection of worldwide design events throughout the year.

JANUARY Heimtextil 14 – 17 JANUARY 2015 WHAT :: Leading international trade fair for contract and residential textiles spread over 20 exhibition halls.

WHERE :: Frankfurt, Germany WEB :: www.heimtextil.de Domotex 11 – 14 JANUARY 2014 WHAT :: Leading international trade fair for floor coverings WHERE :: Hannover, Germany WEB :: www.domotex.de imm Cologne 13 – 19 JANUARY 2014 WHAT :: International Furniture Fair WHERE :: Cologne, Germany WEB :: www.imm-cologne.de Formex 5 – 18 January 2014 WHAT :: Trade Fair for Nordic Interior Design WHERE :: Stockholm, Sweden WEB :: www.formex.se Maison & Objet 24 - 28 JANUARY 2015 WHAT :: International Trade Fair for Interior Design and Decorating WHERE :: Paris, France WEB :: www.maison-objet.com Formland UP/GRADED 30 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY 2014 WHAT :: Trade fair divided in design communities with a focus on inspiration, trade, networking and experiences WHERE :: Herning, Denmark WEB :: www.formland.com

FEBRUARY Stockholm Furniture Fair + Northern Light Fair 4 – 8 FEBRUARY 2014 WHAT :: Sweden’s largest furniture fair + trade show for lighting design WHERE :: Stockholm, Sweden WEB :: www.stockholmfurniturefair.se Australian International Furniture Fair + Decoration + Design 5 - 7 FEBRUARY 2014 WHAT :: Trade Show for Interior Design and Decorating WHERE :: Sydney, Australia WEB :: www.aiff.net.au

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Ambiente 7 – 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WHAT :: Germany’s largest consumer goods trade fair, showing a global range of products for dining, giving and living.

WHERE :: Frankfurt, Germany WEB :: www.ambiente.messefrankfurt.com Habitat 11 – 14 February 2014 WHAT :: International event for interior designers, decorators and architects WHERE :: Valencia, Spain WEB :: www.feriahabitatvalencia.com

MARCH Wohnen & Interieur 8 – 16 MARCH 2014 WHAT :: Austria’s largest show for interior and garden design, showing furniture, decor and home entertainment.

WHERE :: Vienna, Austria WEB :: www.wohnen-interieur.at Design Bloggers Conference 2 – 4 MARCH 2014 WHAT :: The event of the year for interior design bloggers WHERE :: Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia, USA WEB :: www.design-bloggers-conference.com

APRIL Salone Internazionale de Mobile 8 – 13 APRIL 2014 WHAT ::Global benchmark for the home furnishing sector with more than 20 exhibition halls WHERE :: Milan, Italy WEB :: www.cosmit.it

MAY ICFF International Contemporary Furniture Fair 17 – 20 MAY 2014 WHAT :: International furniture fair WHERE :: New York, USA WEB :: http://www.biztradeshows.com/ contemporary-furniture-fair/ DMY International Design Festival Berlin 28 MAY – 1 JUNE 2014 WHAT :: International platform for architecture, interior and product design WHERE :: Berlin, Germany WEB :: www.dmy-berlin.de DesignEx 28 – 30 MAY 2014 WHAT :: Australian design and architecture event WHERE :: Sydney, Australia WEB :: www.designex.info

JUNE Mostra Internazionale di Architettura 7 JUNE – 23 NOVEMBER 2014 WHAT :: Leading international architecture show organised from the Venice Biennale.

WHERE :: Venice, Italy WEB :: www.labiennale.org

SEPTEMBER Helsinki Design Week 4 – 14 SEPTEMBER 2014 WHAT :: Meeting point of the Finnish design scene with a focus on furniture design, fashion and architecture.

WEB :: www.helsinkidesignweek.com London Design Festival 13 – 21 SEPTEMBER 2014 WHAT :: Annual design event to promote London as a worldwide design capital and a gateway to the international creative community.

WHERE :: London, UK WEB :: www.londondesignfestival.com 100% Design 17 – 20 SEPTEMBER 2014 WHAT :: UK’s leading event for interior design, innovative furniture, lighting, and textiles WHERE :: London, UK WEB :: www.100percentdesign.co.uk Vienna Design Week 26 SEPTEMBER – 5 OCTOBER 2014 WHAT :: In cooperation with international designers Viennese museums and companies show different approaches to design.

WHERE :: Vienna, Austria WEB :: www.viennadesignweek.at

OCTOBER Biennale Interieur 17 – 26 OCTOBER 2014 WHAT :: Bi-annual interior design event WHERE :: Kortrijk, Belgium WEB :: www.interieur.be Orgatec 21 – 25 OCTOBER 2014 WHAT :: Trade show for the work environment and innovations for flexible work forms WHERE :: Cologne, Germany WEB :: www.orgatec.com

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DESIGNER CHICKS

NORTHERN BEACHES

HILLS

Feature Pieces www.featurepieces.com.au

0411 441 969

Ron Hanckel dural@smith-sons.com.au

0424 615 503

Warwick Wright: 0450 608 805 warwick.wright@smith-sons.com.au

More Than Curtains 0412 225 437 www.morethancurtains.com.au

SMITH & SONS

Inspired Spaces

www.inspiredspaces.com.au

0401 068 670

BD Colour Design www.bdcolourdesign.net.au

Uplift Interiors www.upliftinteriors.com.au

0403 612 735

Margan Tile Design 0408 217 121 www.margantiledesign.com.au

Yelle Styling www.yellestyling.com

0413 040 472

Ruth Newman Architect www.ruthnewman.com.au

Creative Style Interiors www.creativestyle.com.au

0416 190 792

Mcrae + Lynch Interior Design 0412 585 450 www.mcraeandlynch.com.au 0412 468 217

SYDNEY SOUTH 0438 884 634

0418 442 209

Dan Cochran: 0426 442 633 dan.cochran@smith-sons.com.au Peter Beeman: 0407 663 844 peter.beeman@smith-sons.com.au Omar Fatile: 0404 009 680 lanecove@smith-sons.com.au Justin Burrows: deewhy@smith-sons.com.au

0402 113 442

Colour Consultants Australia P/L 0403 800 888 www.colourconsultants.com.au

INNER WEST

Belgrin Communications www.belgrin.com.au

0410 033 124

Studio Dossier www.studiodossier.com.au

0421 320 393

Tony Lucien: 0414 423 418 maroubra@smith-sons.com.au

Stylish Gardens www.stylishgardens.com.au

0417 279 790

Art on Surface www.art-on-surface.net

0415 724 851

0408 600 773

Clever Closet Company 0408 475 792 www.wardrobedesignsydney.com.au

Benjamin Falconer: wyong@smith-sons.com.au

Fish Tank Creative www.fishtankcreative.com.au

0414 743 964

02 4365 0777

SN Photography www.snphotography.com.au

0424 166 430

Stylish Gardens www.stylishgardens.com.au

0413 953 200

Douglas Miller: gosford@smith-sons.com.au

Ajunjo www.ajunjo.com.au

0411 326 653

Oak and Linden www.oakandlinden.com.au

0426 892 989

A Hint of Tint www.ahintoftint.com.au

0419 617 234

Curtain Connections 0411 419 128 www.curtainconnections.com.au Veronica Graphic Design www.vgdesign.com.au

0414 954 437

BOOK

REVIEW

I am excited to announce that one of my Designer Chicks, Bettina Deda, has written a book Downsize

with Style, which hits the shelves this month!

As Bettina describes it: ‘Downsizing is often associated with negative feelings and emotions. I encourage you to see it differently, to live with an attitude of gratitude, to embrace the change and be open to opportunities that come with it. Now, it is time to start a new chapter of your life! Step out of your comfort zone and be ready to experience new and exciting things.’ This beautifully illustrated guide addresses the biggest challenges empty nesters face: defining their new lifestyle, de-cluttering, prioritising what to keep and storage optimisation in a smaller space. It is a practical guide along an easy-to-follow 5-step process to successfully manage your downsizing project. I highly recommend this book as a must-have manual for anyone considering moving house.

Congratulations Bettina!

www.downsizewithstyle.com www.bdcolourdesign.net.au/downsizing

WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

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DESIGNER CHICKS

WWW.THEDESIGNERCHICKS.COM.AU

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