The Apartment: Style

Showing posts with label Style. Show all posts

Sunday, 1 March 2015

In the nook

Go on, have a giggle - the word nook is a funny one. Devotees of Sex and the City will define it as that sacred little space between Aidan's neck and shoulder that Carrie nestled into at night (before she broke his poor, innocent heart, but that's a story for another day). Here at The Apartment, we classify a nook as a cosy niche or hideaway, a space to crawl into and while away the afternoon with the Sunday papers or a good book. And with the onset of autumn, we're calling it: a nook's as essential to your home as a pair of pony hair loafers is to your wardrobe. Here's how to create one in three easy steps.

Image via thefrisky.com

1. Stake your turf

First things first, a nook is all about me time. It's a space to retreat to for some time-out from your boyfriend/girlfriend/housemate and her weird affinity for watching Embarrassing Bodies, and by definition, it should be small and snug. Search your apartment for potential spots - an enclave by a window, an unused pocket under the stairs or a corner of your balcony or deck.

Image via expensivelife.tumblr.com

Image via christinasadventures.com

Image via uncovet.hardpin.com

Image via lolitasaysso.blogspot.co.uk

2. Layer (un)like a pro

You know those street-style stars who make an art form out of layering their look? Well luckily, you don't have to, because the nook is one spot where you can throw away the rule book and layer textiles with fearless abandon. Floor cushions, chunky knitted throws and piles of plush pillows are what turn a bare alcove into a warm and beckoning hideaway.

Image via buzzfeed.com

Image via retreatbyrandomhouse.ca

Image via flickr.com

3. Indulge your inner six year old

Remember when you used to build cubbyhouses as a child? Channel that kid. In fact, if there's one space in your home where you can embrace a bit of whimsy - it's the nook. Anything goes, from a hanging chair to a hammock or - if you're feeling really adventurous - a teepee (check out the range at My Little Teepee). Then string some fairy lights and bring in some fresh blooms or a house plant to make it homely. Crawl in and you may never want to come out - don't say we didn't warn you.

Image via etsy.com

Image via emmas.blogg.se

Image via harmonyanddesign.com

Image via style-files.com

Image via sfgirlbybay.com

{SHOP THE STYLE}

'Wild Floral' floor cushion, Pony Rider.

'Talalla' jute rug, Sage + Clare.

'Grande Punte' knitted blanket, Ohhio on Etsy.

Saturday, 7 February 2015

AW15 runway report

Glimmering rose gold. Delicate white lace. Gold-plated pleats. It may have been dominated by man-style suiting and monochrome, but the David Jones AW15 fashion launch, which the Apartment was lucky enough to attend, was sprinkled with just the right amount of sparkle. The Zimmermann and Carla Zampatti collections won it for us: subdued neutrals meet show-stopping shine.

Image via David Jones.

Matte white and tailored neutrals offset the high-beam glamour of gold for a sophisticated take on the all-out metallics of seasons past. Of-course, this blog is designed to make sure your homes are every bit as fashion-forward as your wardrobes, so while the completely covetable designs above aren't available in stores just yet, you can shop the style for your apartment now. Scroll for some of our favourite metallics-meet-muted-neutral pairings below...

{SHOP THE STYLE}

'Love' foil print, $20, Miss Poppy.

Metallic leather coasters, $44, Leif.

'Elodie' vintage Moroccan wedding blanket, $990, Table Tonic.

'Belinda' metallic yarn cushion, $59.95, Country Road.

'Apex' gold foil cushion, $54.95, Domayne.

Textured mercury glass vases, from $39, West Elm.

Sunday, 1 February 2015

In bloom: hydrangeas

Every so often, we pen an ode to a flower that's in season and ripe for the picking (or more likely, buying) and filling your apartment with. If ever there was a bloom that perfectly captured the essence of summer, the hydrangea would be it. We love how Sydney is awash in pastels at this time of year - from the violet plumage of jacarandas to the sky blues, candy pinks, mauves, mints and even crimson colours of hydrangeas.

With their cloud-like form and sculptural stems, hydrangeas are beautiful grouped en masse or styled as single stems in bud vases. If you change the water, they really last weeks - it may be hard to believe, but we still have only ever-so-slightly faded blooms left from early January. Feast your eyes on the petal perfection below...

Image via oldnavy.gap.com

Our favourite Saturday markets find (along with a cronut and coffee, please).

Image via treasuresandtravelsblog.com

Purple-toned hydrangeas divided amongst recycled glasses for a stunning windowsill display.

Image via thistlewoodfarms.com

Milk glass vessels are the ideal complement to lollipop pink blossoms.

Image via stephaniesterjovski.com.

Diptyque candle? tick. Fashion tomes? tick. White hydrangeas? Tick, tick, tick.

Image via Town & Country Style.

It's hydrangeas aplenty at Estee Lauder heiress Aerin Lauder's sigh-inducing Hamptons home (above).

Image via Fenton & Fenton.

{SHOP THE STYLE}

Bask in the beauty of hydrangeas no matter what the season with these inspired homewares, from hydrangea-printed cushions as styled in the gloriously colourful boudoir above (also available in upholstered vintage mannequins) to limited edition art prints.

'Hydrangeas' cushions (above and below), from $112, Edit.

Limited edition 'The Grid, The Trellis' hand-pulled screen prints (above and below), $100 each, Print Club Boston.

Sunday, 25 January 2015

Party girl: Elleni Pearce of Lenzo

Grab your esky, unfurl your flag and show off your Southern Cross tattoo - tomorrow's Australia Day. Just kidding, we're planning a barbecue with a slightly more sophisticated edge. To get some tips, we caught up with Elleni Pearce, founder and director of event hire and trade company LENZO, and hostess with the mostess (responsible for the stunning summer soiree below).

'Summer Splash' photography by Stefani Driscoll Photography.

Elleni's passion for parties started young - as a child, she would watch a video tape of her 3rd birthday celebration on repeat. Not surprisingly, she grew into an avid entertainer with an ever-expanding collection of bunting and balloons. "I used to get a little carried away with all the details, spending time and money on props and partyware that were only used once. After a celebration, I'd be left with a heap of on-trend products that were still in perfectly good condition," she says. It was when she started lending pieces to friends and family that she saw the potential to turn just that - loaning lovely, little-used party products - into a business, and LENZO was born.

Elleni started working on the LENZO business plan while on
maternity leave with her first daughter - and hasn't looked back.

The concept of LENZO is simple yet genius. Individuals and events companies can log onto the website and list their items for hire or sale. Then, anyone can jump online and browse through the inventory of styling stock. Searching for some cake stands or antique glassware for a special occasion? In need of a set of supersized letters spelling out LOVE, which you'd rather not buy, but happily hire? Sorted. Alternatively, do you have a collection of vintage chairs from your wedding or engagement party that you're looking to offload? Upload them on LENZO for the next person to enjoy (and help reduce your carbon footprint by reusing and recycling).

As well as the trading aspect, the LENZO website features gorgeous styled photoshoots to inspire your next shindig, with many of the featured products available to hire/buy straight from the site. Also check out Elleni's positively dreamy Instagram feed, a stream of sparkle-laden, party-perfect images - think pastel-hued donuts, magnificent flower-topped cakes and beautifully put together tablescapes.

'Summer Splash' photography by Stefani Driscoll Photography.

Sweetbakes cake. Via @partywithlenzo

By @grettarose, via @partywithlenzo

By @s.wallis_ , via @partywithlenzo

Image by @ayofemi_, @danielkimphoto, via @partywithlenzo

When it comes to entertaining, Elleni cites a few essentials. "A personalised welcome drink always sets the tone of an event," she says. "For example, at my 30th we did a 'Dirty Thirty' Pimm's cocktail, and for a recent baby shower we created a Baby Bellini." She also recommends employing bar and wait staff - even if they're your teenage cousins - and leaving room in the budget for beautiful blooms. "I have a flower obsession so it's probably not everyone's essential, but it's definitely mine." And ours too, Elleni.

So how does a party professional celebrate Australia Day? "I'll be at a friend's pool party," she says. "I'm looking forward to a casual barbecue, delicious salads and a G&T in the sun. Our giant pink flamingo Fran will also be attending!" Better leave them to it - happy long weekend!

For more info (and to hire fabulous party stuff), check out LENZO here.

MY DREAM PARTY {elleni pearce}

outfit: Backless Dion Lee number

drink: French on tap

location: home

colour scheme: A multi-coloured pastel palette

flowers: Fluffy dahlias

guestlist: Martha Stewart, plus my nearest and dearest

soundtrack: A balance of old and new. Beyonce at the top of the playlist

dessert: Toffee apples!!!

Introducing Fran the flamingo

Sunday, 11 January 2015

Cocktail hour

Although the festive season may be winding down, in our humble opinion, now is when the real party starts. With the merry mayhem of Christmas and New Year's behind us, the next few months speak of relaxed summer days, Pimm's in the sun, balmy nights and jugs of sangria. As such, we've deemed a new style essential: the bar cart. A home bar not only makes light work of entertaining, but is guaranteed to give your place a dose of old Hollywood glamour. And as the saying goes, "champagne is always the answer" - so you may as well serve it in style.

Image via gingersnapjordan.blogspot.com.au

Petite and portable, a bar cart is the kind of piece that does its best work in a small apartment - if space is tight, tuck it into a corner during the day, and wheel it out when guests drop by. There's currently an overwhelming trend for antique-style, metallic designs - these gleaming gold and burnished brass finishes can be easily achieved with a lick of paint (check out the metallic ranges from Dulux and Porter's Paints).

Image via sfgirlbybay.com

Image via camillestyles.com

Image via simplyseductive.blogspot.com

Usually we're students of Coco Chanel's 'always remove one accessory' philosophy, but when talking bar carts, we have to admit that more is more. Fill it up with spirits, liqueurs, glasses and carafes to create a thirst-inducing display - and fabulous party. Important note: unless you're trying to re-create Don Draper's bachelor pad, flowers are a must.

Image via theeverygirl.com

Image via burlapandlace.com

A bar cart is also the consummate multi-tasker. Use one as a bedside table, media console or simply as a spot to store your ever-expanding collection of coffee table books.