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Dining Chairs | Inspiration & Wishlist

I've talked before about my love of chairs and how much I would love a set of Wishbone Chairs for the dining table. Of course I would have to save up and buy one at a time, and it would probably take me forever, but it would be worth it! Designed by Hans Wegner in 1949, the rounded shape of the chair is really beautiful. In fact most of my favourite dining chairs have a similar elegance and aesthetic. In addition to the design classics that have well and truly stood the test of time, there are some newer designs that I currently love, from Danish brands such as Hay, Muuto and &Tradition. Combining form and function, these chairs not only look incredible, they will go the distance when it comes to comfort at seated dinner parties!

Scrolling through my Pinterest I had many stunning images of the chairs mentioned above, especially Wishbone and Thonet chairs. Here are a few, but if you need further inspiration check out my Dining board.

Images: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

To finish off, I've compiled my current picks.

Links below images

1 Hans Wegner 'U' Chair

2 In Between SK1 Chair from &Tradition

3 Thonet Bentwood Chairs

4 Hay About A Chair ACC22 Chair

5 Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair

6 Valerie Chair by Giapato & Coombes for Miniforms

7 Purist Chair by Elisa Honkanen

8 Thomas Bentzen Cover Chair for Muuto

9 Elephant Chair by Neuland. Paster & Geldmacher for Kristalia

Interior Styling | Vintage Benchseats

When it comes to dining areas both indoors and out, I like the idea of mixing a benchseat in with the chairs. I know they can be impractical, if say you're in the middle of a dinner party and someone sitting smack bang in the middle needs to get up to use the restroom! But hey, they do look great, and for that reason alone they are worth considering.

I started out with the intention of sharing all kinds of benchseats but when I began to pick out the ones I'm coveting right now from my Pinterest boards they all ended up being of the vintage variety. I just love the look of rustic wood, especially in contrast to clean, white interiors. Often seen in Scandi-style spaces this versatile piece of furniture works well in different areas of the home. I'll show you how...

At the dining table a benchseat fits in nicely with an eclectic mix of chairs and stools and also adds warmth to an all-white canvas.

Placed in the entryway a benchseat comes in handy as a place to pop your things and somewhere to sit when putting on your shoes! In hallways and living areas in general, benchseats make a nice alternative to the occasional chair. Add a simple cushion or luxurious sheepskin for texture.

The one below with trestle legs works well as a low level table in a corner of the living room. An easy DIY option perhaps?

This next example is one of my favourites. Strictly more of a console table than a benchseat due the height of the legs, I love how it fits behind the sofa on the edge of the gorgeous rug. Simple styling with a plant and a few objects placed on top completes the look.

Easily transferable from dining table to lounge, benchseats provide extra seating when necessary.

The bedroom lends itself perfectly to a benchseat, especially when placed at the foot of the bed.

Lastly, why not place a benchseat in the bathroom? Shown here next to a fabulous freestanding bath, it provides the perfect home for soaps, candles and a towel.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

I've tracked down a couple of vintage benchseats from local online retailers:

www.vintageonline.co.nz
www.cintesi.co.nz

I would also recommend checking out two of the best vintage stores around, Mr Bigglesworthy and Flotsam & Jetsam. If they don't have a benchseat you are after, they may be able to source one for you.

You'll also find plenty of options on the online auction sites ebay and trademe.

The best thing about sourcing vintage and second-hand finds is that you can often pick yourself up a bargain!

Kitchens | Ideas to Love

The kitchen is undoubtedly one of the most important areas of the home. Even if you're like me and your culinary skills are fairly limited, it's still a place you spend a lot of time, preparing and possibly eating meals, making what seems like endless kids lunches and more often than not, congregating with visitors and family. So today I thought I'd put together some kitchen eye-candy for you and a few ideas and tips on the side. Enjoy!

White

White walls and cabinetry together with pale wood flooring provide a fresh, modern canvas for the kitchen. The splashback is a great place to add colour and texture. I love the subway tile and stainless steel options used in the kitchens above.

Black

As much as I love white kitchens, I think black can look amazing and can create a real focal point in the home. The first kitchen above is so slick. Everything is kept out of sight, to best show off the clean and sophisticated lines. I also love the second kitchen with its chunky worktops, concrete and wood.

Bar Stools

Kitchen islands are great in that they encourage interaction between both sides; whoever is working in the kitchen and guests or family members. They also provide a place for informal dining and for the kids to do their homework, so choosing the right bar stools is important. Height, comfort and aesthetics all come in to play, depending on what your preferences are.

The kitchens above are all very different, but equally stunning. I love the use of wood in the first kitchen and the simple stools are a perfect fit. The second kitchen, which I spotted a while back in Living etc, has a great design. The colourful mix of Tolix chairs and stools work beautifully in this family home. I'm also a big fan of concrete to which the white stools provide a really nice contrast in the last kitchen.

Pendant Lights

Pendant lights work well over kitchen islands because they illuminate work areas and provide a focal point. I really love both the lights and low level at which they are hung in the first kitchen. The grey kitchen is also a favourite, with its simple yet effective lights.

Colour

You know me, any excuse for yellow or pink! Both these kitchens are fun. I especially like the details in the second, with the open shelving and pretty crockery.

If you've found these kitchens inspiring let me know as I have plenty more favourites to share!

All images: source

London Calling

With the Olympic Games in full swing, London is the place to be right now. It's one of my favourite cities but for us Kiwi folk it's a long way to travel. Luckily there's lots of design inspiration around the web right now to keep us on the pulse! These images have caught my eye recently.

01. One of the images from a slide show by photographer Edmund Sumner showcasing architecture created for the London games. Spotted here in Dezeen Magazine.

02. Boat Magazine (which by the way has nothing to do with boats) is a bi-annual publication that bases itself in a different city for each issue. A move to London to produce the latest issue has resulted in over 100 pages about the capital. Published by Boat Studio, a design agency, the photography and illustrations are top-notch.

03. The phenomenal success of British Fashion Designer Stella McCartney is due to her design talents, rather than her famous parents. Since graduating from Central Saint Martins she worked for top fashion label Chloe, before launching her own fashion line in 2001. She now has 16 stores and her collections are distributed in more than 50 countries worldwide. Her partnership with sports giant Adidas has seen her design The British Team Kit for London 2012.

04. Founded by Sir Terence Conran, one of the most influential British designers of our time, The Conran Shop has become one of the leading lifestyle retailers in the world. The stores make up part of the Conran Group, a brand that encompasses all areas of design including, architecture, interior, product and graphic design. The Conran Shop is currently celebrating the Olympics with its Fly the Flag Range of red, white and blue products. This Classic Toy Racing Car is one of them!

05. The London Underground Map was designed by Harry Beck in 1931 when the Tube grew so large it became impossible to map the lines and stations geographically. The map is now considered a design classic; in 2006 it was voted one of three favourite British designs of the last century.

06. This Anarchy in the UK T-shirt, by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, 1977-8, worn and altered by Johnny Rotten can be seen at the British Design 1948–2012 exhibition currently showing at the V&A Museum in London (see more on this at number 09 below).

07. British design studio Barber Osgerby designed the stunning London 2012 Olympic Torch, for which they won the Design of the Year 2012. Chosen from 89 entries, the award designed by Swarovski was presented at an awards ceremony held at the Design Museum in London earlier this year.

08. A design by British graphic designer, typographer, art director and brand strategist Neville Brody who was included in the line up of 'Best of British Design' in a recent article by UK publication the Guardian. Well known as director of cult magazine The Face during the '80's, he started his own design practice, Research Studios in 1994. Based in London, studios have since been opened in Paris, Berlin, Barcelona with representation in New York and Tokyo.

09. British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age is currently showing at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London until August 12th. The last time London hosted the Olympics was in 1948 and the exhibition looks at how London has changed by way of buildings, objects, images and ideas produced by designers and artists born, trained or based in Britain. This Festival of Britain poster was designed by Abram Games, 1951.

10. Manufactured by Hille, the Hillestack chair was designed in 1950 by Robin Day. One of Britain's most influential furniture designers of the 20th Century, he introduced contemporary furniture to post-war Britain.

Reading Nooks

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As another busy week flies by I find myself wishing for more hours in the day. Not just to get through my to-do lists but also to sneak in some relaxation time. I've treated myself to a couple of favourite magazines and a new book this week so I'd love nothing more than some reading time over the weekend.....

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Do you have a special corner of your home where you can curl up with a good book and your favourite drink? It's Winter here so I'm craving an open fire, cosy blanket and soft cushions to stay toasty warm. Whether your choice of furniture is a sofa, rocking chair and ottoman, luxurious daybed, comfy vintage chair, bean bag or swing chair there are plenty of ways to make this corner of your home a stylish one.

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Love Your Work

I've been lusting over images of beautiful workspaces even more than usual lately. It seems that every home my husband and I have lived in, the office becomes his 'man cave' of sorts and I end up working at the dining table or the sofa, often with the children climbing all over me! This last week has been particularly challenging with all the rain we've had and the kids being cooped up inside.

If you've been following my blog, you'll have noticed my love of white when it comes to interiors. I never seem to tire of it and when it comes to workspaces, I find that rather than being sterile or cold, a white background creates a calming, almost zen-like ambiance. With my craving of some peace and quiet while I work, this certainly appeals! Extra warmth can be added through wooden furniture, colour pops and creative mood boards made up of photographs and tear sheets. I'm loving the pendant lights and variations of the anglepoise lamp design, and I also have a soft spot for Scandi-style trestle tables. When it comes to chairs, a design classic such as Tolix, or Eames will do just fine!

If you are on Pinterest, check out my workspaces board for plenty more inspiration.