Showing posts with label styling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label styling. Show all posts

Monday, August 3, 2015

Thoughts on decorating the top of an armoire

So you have an armoire and you are eying that space between the top of it and the ceiling.  Do you or don't you put anything on top of it?   You might want to consider the following:

How much space do you have to work with?
If you have less than 24 inches  I suggest forgetting about adding something above it. Here's why:

armoire

This is a lovely  armoire, but the flowers are squished in, and they would be so much 
prettier in a different spot. The arrangement looks awkward.  The scale of the flowers and pan are perfect if only the armoire were a little shorter. If you choose to put something smaller in scale on top it would be difficult to see and you would have to stand back quite a bit to see it. 

BUT sometimes you can make it work.  There's always an exception to every  rule.

armoire

Even though these baskets touch the ceiling in places, their colour, scale and random/exciting arrangement  make them appear as if they are an extension of the armoire. The armoire is also at the end of a hall and will always be viewed from a distance allowing  you to see what's on top of it.


armoire
source

And you can usually get away with one large low object with a tall armoire

especially when the object is the same colour as the armoire. 


Do you want your eye to go to the top of the armoire?
If your armoire is a centre of interest in your space you may want to add other elements to enhance that position and make it even more commanding.   You might also want to add something if you have other tall elements in the space or you want to create some height variations among the various verticals in the space.

If you have enough space and you want to draw attention to the armoire here are some tips to consider:

Think in odd numbers. 

armoire


If the armoire has glass doors, consider using the same type of objects stored within it on the top.

armoire

This arrangement of bottles and bedding is a natural addition to what is already stored inside the armoire.  The light colours make the whole unit look very cohesive.


armoire

  In this child's room the top of the armoire seems to be the perfect place to store these large toys.  Because they are the same colour as the room and the armoire, they don't seem too big.  That leads me to the next tip:



If you don't want to draw too much attention to the objects, but you want to fill in the space consider using objects that are the same or similar colour of the armoire or the wall or use clear glass. 


armoire


armoire


armoire


If you are going to add a piece of art that high make sure it is a bold image that it can be read from a distance and lean it against the wall , if you are considering using a photograph the same guidelines apply.
armoire


armoire



Think about groupings of the same object in different sizes. e.g., vases, glass bottles, boxes, baskets, birdcages, wire sculptures, spheres,  ginger jars, etc.
If you scroll back through the photos in this post you will see this tip used in a number of ways.

How about you?  Do you have any thoughts on decorating the top of an armoire? 

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Table Manners


Just some gorgeous eye candy for a miserable Monday - feast your eyes on this tableware series, 'Table Manners' which was featured in Elle Decoration NL earlier this year. Styled and photographed by Mirella Sahetapy who is from the Netherlands - I am inspired by her use of colour, arrangement and textures.



Photographs via Mirella Sahetapy.

Inspiration profile - Talia O'Connor and Ella Murdoch

Lately I have been regularly hearing about new home wares stores popping up all over New Zealand, which is positive to hear, especially after the tough economic climate from the last few years.

This week's profile opened one recently in Dunedin after having an online store since March. Enjoy and have a great weekend all!
Ella Murdoch and Talia O'Connor

Styling by MintSix
Name: Talia O'Connor & Ella Murdoch

What do you do: We co-own our home wares & lifestyle business, MintSix. We also do interior styling both locally and online. Our business has been online since March and we have we have just opened our first store in Dunedin.

Where do you live: We live in Dunedin, New Zealand.

What are you working on: Lately, we've mostly been working on getting our new store up and running, as well as continuing with our online business and working with clients on interior projects.
MintSix store, Dunedin


Colour:Such a hard one, we love colour! Talia: Chartreuse. Ella: Mint & at the moment anything Fuchsia

Plant/Flowers:T: Currently loving our fiddle leaf fig trees Ficus Lyrata) & I'm very partial to a big beautiful bunch of peonies. E: Lilies

Food: T: Vietnamese E: Dumplings

Smell: T: The smell of summer or my Stella MCartney perfume I can't live without!  E: Jasmine

Style:  Fashion:   T: Can't beat H&M & Topshop for affordable items and I love anything from Gorman & Mr Zimi. E: Zara, I miss Zara! (Zara was about 100 metres from our apartment in Beijing). We are both also big fans of Isabel Marant and Alexander Wang although unfortunately don't have a huge amount of their pieces in our wardrobe... one day hopefully!

Home: We like an eclectic mix of stylish and functional home wares, quite often with a bit of a twist. At the moment we love brands such as HK Living, Pony Rider, Kip & Co & Brita Sweden. We're also still huge fans of the original items we started importing, our Bamileke Juju Hats and Moroccan Pouffes. These can all be found at MintSix!



Who/what inspires me: Talia: I try and grab at least ten minutes (more like half and hour if I'm honest!) a day on Pinterest & Instagram and try and squeeze in some blog reading once a week. I'm also always inspired when I'm in Melbourne where I lived for eight years, I'm completely obsessed with the place!

I work best:During the day when my children are at school and kindy but also often find myself on the computer again in the evening.

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: There's nothing quite like a sneak peek into someone else's home. The Design Files showcases some amazing Australian homes weekly on their blog and it's one of the few emails that gets opened immediately when it arrives into my inbox. Being a hoarder, I also never throw away magazines, so I often dip back into old issues of my favourites if I'm lacking inspiration for a particular project.

The best advice I have been given is: To do what you love, work hard and trust your instincts.

My latest discovery is:All the great Kiwi designers & creatives that I'm discovering now that I'm home.

Mood boards by Talia - Black

Mood board - yellow and caramel
Books that I get inspiration from: A range of interiors books. I especially love Todd Selby's books & more recently Megan Morton's, Things I love.

Magazines that inspire me: Living Etc, Inside Out & Real Living are favourites

Blogs that I enjoy:The Design Files, The Design Chaser, Dos Family, Lovenordic Design Blog, Ascot Friday, Bluebird Vintage, Studio Home, Stylizimo, Desire to Inspire, Emmas Design Blog, Cush &Nooks, Elsass, Sincerely Jules, 79 Ideas, Caroline's Mode, Planete Deco, Fashion me Now, After DRK, The Fashion Guitar, My Scandinavian Home, Milo& Mitzy, Table Tonic...I'll stop now but could go on and on!

My favourite room at home is:  Probably my living room as that's where we all hang out together. We get the fire cranked up in the winter & it's gets nice and cosy, which is essential here down South!

My office has:Been used as the MintSix headquarters during the last few months. Now that we have moved into our new shop it's looking very empty apart from my beloved mid-century desk and iMac.

What am I looking forward to:I'm looking forward to watching our business grow and diversifying our range. I also can't wait to explore more of New Zealand with my family. My husband is British and my kids were born in Australia so they haven't seen much of our beautiful country.

MintSix styling work.


Photographs are used with permission from MintSix.


Monday, October 13, 2014

Mothers Day Brunch DIY Styling

Mothers Day Brunch DIY Styling


mothers day brunch berry sponge cake Mothers Day Brunch DIY Styling hand made stuff

What sort of crazy layer cake is that?! I enjoy this Mothers Day Brunch set up. It’s a stunning set up and any mother would be proud to discover this delightful set up in her garden! What a beautiful concept for a treat ^_^


mothers day outdoor spring brunch table Mothers Day Brunch DIY Styling hand made stuff

I am so impressed with these beautiful pastries and these pretty tiny dip gold bottles! The handmade lemonade looks rather unique as well. I’d love to know the recipe for the lemonade and the punch. I could have my own little spring party!


mothers day crate of berries Mothers Day Brunch DIY Styling hand made stuff

These floral plates are gorgeous against that wooden table and I am obsessed with ceramic berry baskets, I got one from Anthropologie a few years ago and it’s really taupe in colour but I genuinely wanted a cream version and a beautiful aqua coloured version. Those berries appear completely delicious!


mothers day spring brunch Mothers Day Brunch DIY Styling hand made stuff

What a gorgeous tiny table setting! It’s so pretty and feminine. The dark wood matches the wild flowers beautifully dont you consider?



mothers day chair floral decoration Mothers Day Brunch DIY Styling hand made stuff

Utilizing greenery and wildflowers as decor on the back of chairs is a very fairly small touch! The colour scheme is just quite and perfect for mothering sunday.


mothers day brunch cake and honey Mothers Day Brunch DIY Styling hand made stuff

I truly do love these plates. What are these beautiful tiny baked goods?! The honey drizzle wand is so cute.


mothers day berry punch Mothers Day Brunch DIY Styling hand made stuff

ooh! Raspberry lemonade?!


mothers day flower arrangement Mothers Day Brunch DIY Styling hand made stuff

I completely Enjoy flower arrangements, I am a small obsessed with them and I want I had access to so several beautiful flowers.


diy dip painted milk bottles Mothers Day Brunch DIY Styling hand made stuff

What are those beautiful little pastry pies with the sprinkels?! I’ve by no means seen these ahead of! And what are those issues on the straws?! Little milk bottles with dipped gold paint are just a lovely little DIY touch for this Mothers Day brunch.


I initially saw this fabulous post on the Style Me Fairly Living weblog, what a discover!


Style & styling: SMP LIving | Photography: KT Merry | Location: casa Larson | Flowers: Foret Style http://foret-design.com/ | Table, Chairs, & Linens: New England Nation Rentals | Plates: Anthropologie | Glasses: Anthropologie | Flatware: Antiquaria | Cake plate: target | Cake stands: Abby’s personal | Quiche dish: Crate & Barrel | Juice pitcher: Crate & Barrel | Water pitcher: Crate & Barrel


The post Mothers Day Brunch DIY Styling


Saturday, September 6, 2014

Oh Joie: New Jewels

Issue 5 of Joie magazine is out today, featuring our Into The Wild fashion essay with photography by Amanda Thorson and styling by myself and Hannah Veikkanen. Check it out over here and see if you can spot some original T&J clothing in there!
So to coincide with the issue, and to celebrate the beginning of Spring, I have just added loads of darling new jewels to my Tango & James Etsy store. With new delicious colours, and a few favourites, there's something to add a spot of colour and sass to your new seasons wardrobe, and maybe even make a start on your Christmas gift shopping...

 

Most items are one-off originals, so make sure you don't miss out! Drop in for a looksee today.

xxx

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Styling a camping shoot: Behind the scenes

Styling a camping shoot: Behind the scenes



On Saturday I had the fabulous opportunity to again work with photographer Amanda Thorson for a Joie magazine spread, this time we had a gorgeous time at Uriarra styling a camping scene with models Lauren and Hannah for the Fall issue...


We were grateful to have not stayed overnight, I do believe it got a little chilly, though we did take the time to toast some marshmallows over a fire. Nom nom.

Lovely! Stay tuned for the finished shots after the magazine goes live... I can't wait!