Fantabulous design

A modern-day fairy tale

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:48:00 +0000

Once upon a time there was a little girl who lived in a big city. She was a pretty normal girl and did all the normal stuff that other girls did, and eventually, like all little girls, she grew up and became a young woman, who found herself a husband and settled down.
As it turns out, she and her husband lived happily ever after, and spend most of their free time at home with each other, especially on Valentine’s Day.

With the season of love fast approaching, you can write your own fairy tale and set the scene to celebrate with your loved one.
This year, I won't be home for Valentine's, I will be in Singapore on business and my hubby will be home alone...
So I decided to create an inexpensive Valentine's Day display board to remind him of our special memories.
Here are some creative ideas to love-up your home.

A big empty picture frame is the focal point of the display. The background is a message that I had printed out to the same size as the frame (800mm. x 1130mm.) for only $4.50 at our local print shop. You can use any message your heart desires.

I punched out the hearts from old colour samples and stuck them on wooden clothes pegs, which I hung from a narrow ribbon strung across the frame. Then I clipped photos from each year of our marriage into the pegs. This is a simple idea that is very easy to do, yet offers a very personal feel and brings back all memories that we share.

Photo credits:

Vince viscose shirt
£375 - harveynichols.com

Miss Selfridge short mini skirt
£22 - missselfridge.com

Miu Miu glitter platform heels
$476 - bluefly.com

Friis Company flower jewelry
€23 - shopfriiscompany.com

Lipsy Perfume
£18 - bankfashion.co.uk

pretty faces & beautiful make-up / kissable lips
pinterest.com

OCC Cruising Nail Lacquer Review, Photos, Swatches
temptalia.com

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A prescription for beginning

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:27:00 +0000

Throughout the years, one of the most common questions I get is...

"Do you have any advice for someone who wants to be a designer?"

People in the design business often get into it because we love it. But it takes a while to find your style, no matter how talented you are. This is a truism that applies not only to design but to any other achievement in life — you won’t realize your potential unless you grind through the failures.
So if you are working on New Year’s resolutions, the most important thing is doing the work. Set deadlines, so that every week you finish one thing. It’ll take a while to find your groove; you’ve just got to fight your way through.

Top 10 tips for beginners
1. Go to a design school
2. Get design training
3. Keep sketch books
4. Be self-motivated
5. Assist a professional
6. Acquire a good sense of colour, texture and design. Learn to select the ones that create a harmonious and balanced look.
7. Have a sense of humor
8. Read design magazines
9. There is no secret to success; it’s just hard work and observation.
10. Believe in your dream

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Style Canvas: Decorative concrete driveways

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +0000

Question:
I have partially renovated a low set house, painted it white inside and out and am not sure how to paint the driveway or what colour would suit it (currently an ugly faded light terracotta). I need a colour that will be darker than white to hide dirt and marks, but not dark enough to look like dismal. The driveway is about 40m long and the entrance pillars are white. There are also steel posts around the veranda that would need to be painted, the fascia boards and under the veranda.

Styling advice
Of all the different types of decorative driveway finishes, such as acid stains, etching, overlays and stamped concrete, coloured concrete is one of the most hardwearing and requires very little maintenance. It should need resealing every two years at most. You should, however, remove stains as soon as possible. Use a pressure-wash to clean the driveway periodically to remove dirt or grime.

Here are some ideas to add interest to your concrete driveway.

(Image credit: Concrete colour systems,
Colours: CCS Black 21 and CCS Lemon crème)

Contrasting colours
A mix of colours: light concrete separated by bands of darker concrete as an alternative to traditional joint lines or a grooved finish.

(Image credit: Concrete colour systems,
Colours: CCS Pewter and CCS Paperbark)

Subtle, naturally coloured ripple pattern for a beach house using two different base colours for the driveway.

Top Layers
Cement driveways can have pebbles added to the top layer of cement. This leaves the pebbles exposed. Usually the pebbles are coloured to give a dimensional effect. Another approach is to saw-cut patterns into the top layer of cement.

Stamped concrete driveways
Less expensive than traditional pavers and natural stone, stamping can give concrete the look of cobblestones, canyon stone, brick, tile, slate or flagstones.

If the cost of doing the whole driveway is out of reach, borders are a less expensive alternative. Just adding a 6” border will make your driveway look more elegant. You can also add depth by using a contrasting colour in the border.

Image credit: www.concretenetwork.com

If it’s too expensive to redo your entire driveway in decorative concrete, then just add a stamped concrete apron for the first several feet of the driveway. With an apron, the entrance to your home will be more inviting, and you won’t risk having it look overdone.

Another way to spruce up your driveway is with plants. Well-designed landscaping can highlight or minimize a driveway, depending on the effect you desire.

Image credit: www.amslandscapedesign.com

Soften a long driveway with cobblestone edging that follows the treeline.

Tools & Tips:
The Concrete Visualiser is a helpful online tool that helps you select a pattern and colour for your driveway.

Styling advice for exterior colours:
I always advise clients to have the gutters the same colour as the fascia and the house because gutters aren't the nicest of things to see. Picking them out in a different colour draws attention to them whereas using the same colour helps them to blend in.
Most of the time I recommend using a single colour for the exterior but sometimes certain colours can look good together. Of course, it costs more to use two separate colours but sometimes it’s worth the expense.

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It’s Epiphany

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:09:00 +0000

Put your Christmas tree to good use.

It’s Epiphany, January 6th. The holiday hustle-bustle is over and it’s time to take down the Christmas tree.
Epiphany marks the official end of the Christmas season. It’s exactly 12 days after the three wise men are said to have visited the infant Jesus in the manger.

For me, taking down the holiday decorations is always a little bittersweet, but our eco-friendly tree can be left up all year as a decorative backdrop for other celebrations.

As the season of love approaches, I’m starting to collect hearts, photos, and ideas to decorate the tree for Valentine’s Day.

Image credit: www.etsy.com

Do you have any creative ideas for putting your tree to good use after Christmas?

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Why limit yourself to a Christmas tree?

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:30:00 +0000

I’ve been a busy bee getting ready for the Christmas holidays, making an ever-growing to-do list in my light-filled home office.
My Christmas decorations are not the traditional sort, but they’re quirky and fun, nonetheless. Here’s my eco-friendly take on Christmas decor.

Some humble branches from the garden decorated with seasonal ornaments, spring garlands and twinkle lights.

The handmade spring garlands are made from ribbon, scraps of fabric and silk flowers; they’re easy to make and perfect for Christmas in tropical Queensland. If you want to have fun with spring garlands, here are the instructions from Sania Pell.
So join in the fun and share with us your beautiful creations!!

I hope your holiday is filled with joy.

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Gold & Silver Interior Elements

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:00:00 +0000

Guest post by Joanna

Hello, my name is Joanna and I'm a writer for Design Shuffle, an online portfolio site which provides a forum where interior designers can share their work. Be sure to visit DesignShuffle.com to see some of the loveliest rooms on the web. I'm happy to be sharing with you today on Fantabulous Design blog with a collection of festive gold and silver interior designs.

With Christmas fast approaching, our thoughts turn to the classic combination of gold and silver. This collection of rooms, styled from traditional to modern, carry our theme in a variation of ways. Some are quite glamorous while others are a bit more subdued. We hope you enjoy the images and find lots of inspiration!

In this very French room, gold and silver take center stage. This is a lovely setting. Wouldn't you just love to see the rest of this space?

A contemporary room has its own subtle version of gold and silver. The brushed nickel walls, rich parquet flooring and mirrored accent pieces work together to create an elegant space.

The rich silver velvet covers two classically curved sofas in this formal space. Herringbone flooring and ornate molding add to the room stately feel.

An intimate seating arrangement gives this sumptuous space a cozy feel even though the furnishings are quite formal. The designer's use of gold and silver is calculated yet relaxed perfect for a den design.

There is nothing subtle about this brightly-hued space. A large gold and silver sunburst mirror and bright silver poufs bold style statements.

A transitional living room boasts silver and gold in almost every element from its silver silk covered sofa to a mix of stylish tables. This room is so cheery and inviting we could picture ourselves visiting there with friends over a glass of eggnog or mug of hot chocolate.

This room is naturally-finished modern trestle table along with similar toned carpet provides a golden palette from which an explosion of silver erupts. It is filled with dining room design ideas! What a fun holiday setting! Does it inspire you?

To get you in the Christmas spirit, here's a glimpse of a brilliantly decorated gold and silver tree set within a very traditional setting. Happy holidays!

[ Images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 ]

Gold and silver make a terrific color palette! Find more color combo inspirations at Design Shuffle and check out our brand new interior design guide!

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Create your own font

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:40:00 +0000

I am so excited! At last I have my very own font. What a great idea for personalizing your work.
YourFonts.com is an online font generator that allows you to turn your own handwriting into a font within a couple of minutes.
I’ve tried it and was really surprised by how easy it was. It really works! And don’t worry if your handwriting looks like a drunken spider has crawled across the page, you can do it as many times as you like.

Inspiration board with my font !!!

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Natural disaster precautions

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:45:00 +0000

With natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and cyclones devastation cities around the globe, what precautions should you take?

Has this happened in your part of the world?

Feb 2, 2011: Cyclone Yasi was the largest and most powerful cyclone to hit Queensland in living memory. The storm was downgraded from a category five to a category four as it made landfall but it was still the strongest tropical storm to ever hit Australia. The cyclone was so large it would almost cover the United States.

We are so grateful that our house and studio haven’t gone with the wind. It simply blew my mind to see this force of nature wreak such havoc. Our hearts go out to those less fortunate.

In a natural disaster, preparation is everything. We hope the following tips will be useful for everyone.

Some tips to consider before it happens!
- Back up important data somewhere other than an external hard drive. For real peace of mind, subscribe to an online data backup service, which lets you access your data from anywhere. SkyDrive gives you 25 GB of free online storage.

- Keep passports and other important documents in a safe deposit box.

- Scan all your important documents, including photos and receipts and store the scans on an online data backup service.

- For insurance purposes, take up-to-date photos of your property inside and out. Shoot each room and make sure you include before & after shots of renovations. Store these online at a free online photo service like Flickr or Picasa

- Photograph all valuable items, including jewellery, and create a list of hyperlinks to the product sites if the items are available online. Evernote will help you keep it all safe.

- Keep the plans of your property (including all measurements, structural and interior details) in digital files such as PDFs or CADs and store them online. If you don’t have plans, you can create your own with floorplanner (it’s free for personal use and don’t need to install software or plug-ins.)

- Spend the extra to properly insure your property.

Have you been affected by the natural disaster? What precautions did you take? Send us your comments:

Photo credits:
Australia-Cyclone / news.com.au/cyclone-yasi / abc.net.au/news/photos

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Style Canvas: create your own video

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 01:39:00 +0000

Mic runs a workshop called The Art Getaway from a lovely studio space filled with portraits, drawings and sketches.
She recently made a video to promote the workshop and asked me for tips on how she could improve it to create a more welcoming atmosphere.

Watch video here

Here’s what I came up with:
The red curtain! It’s a really strong colour and the first thing I noticed: ‘Look at me, I’m the red curtain.’ It’s got to go. Use a more neutral colour or create a background that shows off your unique style by displaying some of your own artworks.

The white strip in the corner of the room creates a distracting feature behind her head and divides the frame into sections. This takes the viewer’s attention away from the subject.

When you’re setting up a shot, it’s helpful to have someone take photos of you where you intend to be in the shot. Try a few positions and see if you can spot anything in the photo that’s too dominant or distracting. Make sure there’s nothing growing out of your head or your ears.

The picture in the background doesn't look welcoming or friendly. If you are going to use a photograph, make it one that doesn’t dominate the frame.

The white square in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen is distracting and needs to be dealt with.

The fun parts
Some of the most fun parts of my job are photographing and styling. In many ways, it’s like telling a story. Here are some styling tips to create your own inspirational video.

Tip #1: Before the shoot, take a look at the place to check things are right. Remember, everything can be brought in: flowers, pictures, lighting … whatever you need.

Tip #2: Good styling should be invisible. The set shouldn’t look styled at all; it should look natural and authentic. Ads aren’t just selling products; they’re selling a lifestyle. So an ad for a beach bag will show the bag and the beach but also a beautiful woman sipping orange juice and reading a magazine.

In Mic’s case, I’d suggest a studio setting with coffee or tea on a table, along with some flowers to project a natural and welcoming look.

Create a background that shows off your unique style by displaying some of your own artworks.

Tip #3: Remember that nothing in the frame apart from the presenter should face the camera directly or the setting will look too manufactured. Move everything slightly so it’s not facing the camera head-on.

This might seem like a lot of extra work. But it’s your attention to detail that will set your finished product apart.

Do you have any tips to share with us?

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Photo credits:
everythingfab.com / ffffound.com / decoratualma.tumblr.com / samanthapynn.com

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Designing your dream home

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:24:00 +0000

After designing interiors for more than 15 years, I want to discuss what is involved in gathering inspiration and ideas for your dream home. I’ll focus on three main areas: finding inspiration, designing and building.

Finding inspiration:
1. Inspiration can be found everywhere – in sights, sounds and even scents. For example:
Flower arrangements are a great source of ideas for me. When I look at them I see colour schemes.
Here’s a tool to help you get a personalized colour palette .

2. Jot down your ideas wherever you are. This way you’re sure not to forget them overnight.

more ideas via freshlocations.com

3. Creat your own mood board with all your ideas. Use clippings from magazines, photos, memories from places you like and your favourite colours.

4. Great design doesn’t have to be big. Small can be interesting too. {here}

5. Talk to an architect as soon as you can to help you translate your dream into reality and your ideas into a viable construction project. They can also study the proposed site, help secure planning and zoning approvals, help you work out financing and offer a variety of other pre-design services.

6. Discuss with an interior designer how to best utilize your interior space and get the look that suits your lifestyle.

Building

7. One last thing: find a builder who can build your dream home to your specifications, not his.

I’ve left a lot of details out, each of them stressful in its own way. For example: regulatory requirements, selecting materials, scheduling and financing, dealing with traders, keeping your eye on every detail, tracking progress, panicking, checking everything, letting it go, knowing when to stop, sourcing, styling, solving problems, and patience … the list continues. The level of stress will vary with each project.

But it will all be worth it when you step over the threshold of your dream home.

I've been keeping my eye out for a loft in the city and continue to be fascinated with loft living for my very own dream home. I want one like {this}

What is your dream home?

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Colors palette generator

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 23:27:00 +0000

Do you ever feel like you’re running out of colours?

A while ago, I blogged about “Colourlovers”, a site that offers colour inspirations and shares palettes among thousands of colour lovers in its online community.
And I found the Colors Palette Generator – a brilliant tool that allows you to upload images to generate a color palette based on the image's primary colors.
Choose your favorite image, upload or enter the image’s URL, and then press "GET PALETTE". In the blink of an eye, you will get a personalized colour palette.

Below are some of my pictures that I played around with:

Sydney trip

From my front yard

At the art gallery

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How to say "No"

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:50:00 +0000

What you have to do when running your own business.

work hard poster

Another important task is getting paid.

Have you ever had clients who don't have enough money?
Or clients who play you off against another designer, or worse, against someone who once took a summer design class.

How about these inflatable boxing gloves to fight with clients :)

Money means you get to eat. But it doesn’t mean that you have to grab at any paying project. This only damages your reputation and that of the design business as a whole.

So what to say when your client's budget is too low?

Instead of fighting or slashing your prices, try this:

“Sorry, you haven’t allocated enough resources
to this project.”

If they insist on their budget, explain that good design costs money. It’s not rocket science. Batter up!
Have you had to say No? If so, please share them.

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Style Canvas: Feeling Blue

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 22:08:00 +0000

This is a question from a teenage girl looking for an advice on brightening and modernising her room.

Question:
I need to decorate my bedroom, which has very light blue walls. I’m looking to add some color with decorative pillows, blinds or curtains, and some other accessories.
How would you incorporate them into the room?
As much detail as possible would be great as decorating isn't my strong point. I just mainly want colors that will look beautiful.

Styling advice
Designers draw inspiration from everything and this month, my inspiration comes from this fashion shot, particularly the playful way the light blue interacts with the coral and yellow. These three colours would be perfect for a teenager’s bedroom.

So, I couldn't resist putting together a mood board to illustrate the look. To enliven the white base and light blue tone, incorporate a mix of furniture styles, warm hues, colourful accessories and textiles to create a whimsically romantic boudoir that is both funky and welcoming.

Blue is famously easy to live with. Add a splash of white for a combination that won’t date. You only have to change the accent colour to create a different look for any time of year.

Feeling blue is not too bad, is it? Share your blue ideas with us and brighten everybody’s day.

PS: If you know anyone who needs some free styling advice, feel free to share the love.

Photo credits:
Fashion / MOR candle - Blood orange / Current in orange throw & pillow / Thai silk pillow swirl blue / Arthur bookends / Lorrie orange & yellow vases / Fizz clock / Aqua blue mason jar / Picture ledge / Turquoise & blue vase / inspiration decals / blue room / Le vie pillow / ikea pendent lamp / red daisy pillow & pink orange floral pillow/ blue eames rocker chair / blue glass table lamp / Shelves blue /

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Australia post

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:23:00 +0000

In Australia you can create your own personalised stamps to celebrate special occasions such as engagements, the birth of a baby, or to send as greetings to friends and loved ones. This is an ambient campaign by Australia Post to promote personalised stamps where posters with a small mirror are placed on bus stops. People standing in front of the envelope can see their image as a personalized stamp. A simple and interesting idea.

Agency: M&C Saatchi, Melbourne
Creative Director: Steve Crawford
Creative: Murray Bransgrove/Doogie Chapman/Steve Crawford

via: http://adoholik.com

Tupperware party

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:00:00 +0000

Tupperware fantabulous!
A necklace made from coloured Tupperware lids which were cut up, fused together then strung with sterling silver.

Many hours spent searching for vintage plastic knitting needles can unearth amazing finds, including faux tortoiseshell. All blue knitting needles make up this necklace.

Liana Kabel, a full time artist at the Museum of Brisbane's Workspace, is the daughter of a Tupperware Lady mother and a jeweller father. What a fantabulous combination!

photo via: http://lianakabel.com

. . .

The perfect gift: Magazine House

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 21:00:00 +0000

This adorable house comes in three colours (black, white and red), cute and practical. They make the perfect housewarming gift!

MAGAZIN

Not finished with your reading? Just lay the open magazine on the roof of the house, and you can easily pick it up again to carry on reading, without loosing the page. Meanwhile your other favorite magazines can be stored 'inside the house'.

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Quote of the day: The woman

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 01:30:00 +0000

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Style Canvas: Decorate with dark green

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:08:00 +0000

Question: Is it possible to create a glamorous living area with a dark green carpet? The brief is you can do anything you want to the room except replace the carpet. So any colour, any furniture ... it’s wide open.

When I first saw a photo of the carpet, it reminded me of summertime: the restful, inviting hue of an old forest, one that says, “Come on in and put your feet up.” It’s a sense of natural peace and tranquillity, a summer-day ambience that I hope to bring to life in this room.

Inspiration

Styling advice:
Blending dark green with oak and beech creates a relaxed mood that offers an inviting background for neutral colours offset by black and white accessories. A vase (or two) filled with colourful blooms infuses the room with a sense of enthusiasm the way only nature can. Oversized scatter cushions invite relaxation, while gold accessories, such as these lamps or small candle holders, add dramatic elements.

What do you think? Do you like this solution?

Photo credits:
Pinterest / Flower via frolic-blog.com

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The art of the dressing room

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:00:00 +0000

Designing boutiques is one of the most fun jobs for a designer and dressing-room décor is one of its highlights. One dingy fitting room can seriously impact sales. But create a flattering space with good lighting and a full-length mirror and sales will soar. One great idea is to mimic the style of a luxurious walk-in wardrobe so customers feel as if they are trying on clothes in their own home. Here are some stunning dressing rooms with secret tips to inspire you...

Couture waiting area
Style, luxury, and practicality are watchwords at Chanel Haute Couture, who thoughtfully include comfortable sofas and magazines outside their dressing rooms for the benefit of those who accompany the shopper.

Partner up
Most people like to go shopping with friends or family. A dressing room that can accommodate two or more can give the shopping experience a party atmosphere.

Perfect harmony
It’s a good idea to provide a selection of matching accessories in the dressing area, such as belts, scarves, and jewellery. Even a mood board or a larger-than-life marketing poster can help shoppers to better visualize the possibilities of the clothes.

Photo credits:
oysterism / glamarellajunk / parisapartment / gardenerandmarks / backyardbill

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Stripe Mania!

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 01:20:00 +0000

Just having fun with #Stripe Mania party.
So, would you like to join the Stripe Mania!?

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Autumn racing season

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Sun, 29 May 2011 21:08:00 +0000

Girls just love to dress up and social events are a great excuse. A highlight of the Australian style calendar is the autumn horseracing season and the much anticipated ‘fashions on the field’ events, when flair takes first place from flash.
Elegant headpieces, cute boater hats, and oversized floral decorations are just some of the fashion accents we can expect to see trackside this year.
Last weekend, local fashionistas took to the field for the first time in this season’s style stakes and really wowed the judges with their form.
If you’re thinking of taking part, here are a few tips to get you on track as we step into the glamour of the racing season and gallop toward the big day in November.

At this time of the year, keeping warm is just as important as looking great, ‘cause you can’t look good if you’re blue with cold. TV’s ‘Mad Men’ has been a huge inspiration this season with its animal print wardrobe, but make sure you choose a subtle print and pair it with neutral colours to keep that classic look.
Although it’s still warm(ish) during the day, nights can be chilly, so to keep your home cosy, faux-fur cushions, animal-print throws and this grassy-look shag rug are great winter warmers, especially topped off with some pretty lace and fabric flowers for a romantic vibe.

Sources:

Valentino leather jacket, $2,050
3 1 Phillip Lim sheer skirt, $450
Forzieri wooden jewelry, $315
Debut red hair accessory, 30 GBP
Giraffe at Home Throw Blanket, $132
Pearce Sofa - everydaysuede™ | Pottery Barn, $369
Kosta Boda 'Contrast' Crystal Vase, $100
Adrienne Landau Mongolian Lamb Fur 26" Pillow, $650
Adesso Lighting, Director Floor Lamp, $247
Heal's | Copper Pendant by Tom Dixon > Pendants > Pendants &..., 320 GBP
Linea Adrienne felt flower cushion, 30 GBP
IKEA | Rugs | Large & medium rugs | HAMPEN, $50
ELLE SHOP Banner Barrett, 17,850 JPY

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Feather your nest

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Sun, 22 May 2011 20:00:00 +0000

It’s finally starting to cool down here so my thoughts have turned to staying warm and cosy. My inspiration this week comes from one of the most used accessories from my wardrobe – feather hairpieces.

Feathers are floating in my fantasy room this autumn with feather motifs on furniture, sewn onto accoutrements or wherever you like – there are no hard or fast rules here – just fly and be free.
Feathers are a great way to add texture, shape, volume, warmth and a touch of luxury to your autumn style.

Photo credits: 1, 2 , 3 : via pinterest & 4 : via apartmenttherapy

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Styling job: Quick tips for visual merchandising

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Sun, 15 May 2011 20:00:00 +0000

I have just finished creating the new window displays for the jewellery shop. It’s so much fun because the owner has such beautiful things to begin with!

And I was given the freedom to select the pieces and create a harmonious display to catch the attention of passers-by. But visual merchandising does more than simply attract attention. Getting shoppers through the door is one thing; inspiring them to stay (and buy) is what commercial design is all about.

Quick tips for visual merchandising

- Updating a window display doesn’t have to mean a major renovation; simply re-arranging things once in a while injects new life and energy into the shop. And is likely to boost sales!

- Be open to different ways of doing things – like turning merchandise upside down or placing it in an unexpected location. It’s amazing how the most subtle change can have that ‘wow’ effect!

- Colour co-ordination
Effective colour co-ordination can be a real challenge when you’re combining a range of tones and hues from hundreds of different items. Most important are balance and proportion. One colour should dominate about 60 percent, the second about 30 percent, and finally, 10 percent of accent colour, sometimes in one bold stroke! But remember, even the smallest splash can snare the attention, so never underestimate the power of colour.

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From me to Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Sun, 08 May 2011 05:37:00 +0000

I have nothing but fond memories of my childhood, surrounded by my parents, siblings and my extended family. Now I live far away from them, I understand even more the value of close family ties and the joy that can bring.

My siblings and I grew up without designer labels and high-tech gadgets. Instead, we had boundaries, discipline and positive role models. I don’t claim our lives were perfect, but we all still love each other and that’s what matters.

Each year I make a card for my mother. I don’t buy one at a store; I want to make something personal so I always include photos of us doing things together. I could make a list of everything I love about her but it would be too long. I want to buy her gifts but they would not be enough to say thank you to the woman who has done more for me than anyone else in the world.
Happy Mother’s Day!

resources:

Catherine Malandrino flower top, Elizabeth and James slouchy pants, High heel shoes, MICHAEL KORS leather clutch, Paloma's sugar stacks earrings, Melissa Odabash wide brim hat, Wet Seal metal shield sunglass, Birds on a Wire Photo Display, Scented cream hand tied bouquet

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Royal wedding theme

noreply@blogger.com (Suki@Fantabulous Design) — Mon, 02 May 2011 01:31:00 +0000

With the enormous enthusiasm for the Royal Wedding, it seems like lots of people have recently rediscovered a soft spot for fairy tales. It’s enchanting!
Along with the wedding, there seems to be a trend towards all things British at the moment.

via pinterest.com

All of this is to say that we can probably expect to see a sudden rise in popularity of the classic English look with some modern twists. I thought I’d share some British-inspired design to mark the occasion.
Forget the palace; you can spruce up your place so you will feel like a princess. I still have fond memories of living in an old flat in London. It’s all about being comfortable with your taste and combining styles to reflect your personality.

Photo credits: armchairs / Dining & Bathroom / English tea / flowers & Bathroom Accessories / Union Jack cushion

photo credit: Hallway

photo credit: janconstantine

An eclectic mix of treasures
photo credits: designspongeonline / housetohome

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