I’ve become obsessed with Australian shelter magazines, design and art. One of my top 5 dream travel destinations is Sydney, I can’t imagine landing there and saying, “Oh what a boring waste of time!”. Everything about it appeals to me, from its modern architecture, gorgeous beaches, laid back vibe (at least that’s how I imagine it), international cuisine, art, nature, the diverse background of its people… What an envied lifestyle.
Photo taken by Little Beary Li of Real Living magazine.With so much great design happening in Australia, I’d love to round up some of my favorites on decor8 so if you have suggestions for me please either comment below or email your tips to: decor8blog AT gmail.com. I already have a few on my list, but I value the opinions of those who have either traveled there or who live in Australia so if you feel like helping me out I welcome it very much! Aussie bloggers Modamuse and Madeit have already come in very handy in my research, great blogs to bookmark…
And when it comes to Australian design magazines, I’m hooked. Australian Vogue Living, Real Living, and Inside Out, they’re so beautiful. I adore the rooms that they feature because they seem to always have this beachy chic vibe, a combination of stylish urban interiors, bohemian meets the sea… Clean, fresh, colorful, lots of organic elements — inspiring! A decor8 reader who is also an editor over at Inside Out magazine sent me an amazing gift pack last year of about 4 of their issues which thrilled me because you can’t find them in the states. So to that editor I say thank you because she gave me a new perspective on design down under.
Photo from Anastasiac on Flickr. Years ago I took a summer job as a model and talent scout for a Boston modeling school. Cheesy job, but I loved being 22 with my own office downtown where I’d meet with aspiring models and attend fun parties. It was so glamorous on the surface anyway. On the wall behind my desk, I did exactly what this girl is doing here. I “wallpapered” it with images from my favorite fashion magazines. Cindy, Niki, Iman, the all had their place on my wall. Funny thing is, I started a trend because soon after, other agents started their own fashion walls. This photo made me laugh because not only is this idea a blast from the past, but I guess I was ahead of the curve 13 years ago! :) But I can’t say I invented the idea because people have been doing this sort of thing forever – especially teenagers in their bedroom with rock and kitten posters. What I love about the grouping above is that the homeowner is following a theme of greens and blues so it’s a cohesive arrangement vs. chaotic. I’d love to finish this by having a clear sheet of plexiglass cut and installed over it so that the edges lie flat and remain dust-free.
Anyway, if you have some Australian designers, artists, or bloggers that you love please let me know so I can include them in my future round up. I’d hate to miss anyone!
February 27th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
i recently started to subscribe to Inside Out since it’s so hard to find it in the states- I’m becoming obsessed with Australia mags too! gotta try to check out Real Living… thanks for showing it!
February 27th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I discoverd this fantastic Aussie magazine some months ago and loooooooove it too. It’s a little weird with them talking about getting ready for summer in November though :)
February 27th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I love the wallpapering idea. When I finally moved out of my parents’ house and into my first apartment I was sad to take down the years worth of magazine pages I had plastered on the wall there. Some of them were hot guys from my teeny bopper days, yes, but so many more were just beautiful fashion and photography in general. “Being a grown up” seemed like such a dumb reason to stop wallpapering your living space with inspiration, so I’m glad if this trend is coming back around in a way that’s acceptable to ‘older’ people!
February 27th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Hi Jon and Benita! Loved the candlesticks you found on your blog today Jon, that stores surprises me sometimes.
Leyre: I agree with you, great point. It always seemed to be reserved for the teenagers to do in their bedrooms or maybe on a corkboard in the office of a creative firm, but to see that it’s OKAY to turn an entire wall into your inspiration source, as a grown up, well it’s just refreshing. I like seeing more and more of the “that’s for kids” mentality lifted when it comes to design and I think it is. I know lots of people in my age group that are starting to find creative ways to display their action figures (a huge trend right now actually), collections from childhood, softies, etc. without the room looking downright silly.
February 27th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Good afternoon dear Holly!
I just had to leave my two-cents as well!
I’ve had the good fortune of vacationing in Australia (Sydney, Hamilton Island, etc) and I was left with nothing but beautiful memories and favorable impressions. The people are warm and inviting, Sydney is abuzz with amazing talent and ingenuity, etc…. after I make it to Paris, I’ll definitely be going to Australia again!
You’ll love it!
xox
Ez
P.S. Can you pack me in your suitcase and take me along?!!
February 27th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Holly:
Your post made me smile…during high school, my closet doors were plastered with fashion mag cut-outs. My mom must have been thrilled to take them all down when I left for college. ;)
Two great aussie bloggers come to mind…
http://anastasiaC.blogspot.com/ and
http://absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com/
February 27th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
s.hoptalk thank you so much for mentioning anastasicc and absolutelybeautifulthings – I forgot that they’re based in Australia.
Ez: You’ve been to Australia!? Wow! I didn’t know that Ez. I’ve been to Paris a few times and I think you’d really love it. But I haven’t visited Paris in 9 years now so I don’t know much about the lifestyle there since I visited last. Only go in late Summer, early Fall, or late Spring. late Fall and winter are gray and if you love nature and green, quite uninspiring in my opinion. I stayed in the same hotel Oscar Wilde wrote in, so I was SO EXCITED to book a room there. It was the best!!
February 27th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
I was so thrilled to read your article about Australia.
My Mother and I are both Australian Artists/Designers and we are trying hard to promote the wonderful talent in this country.
My website: http://tabithaemma.com
My Mums website: http://mulberry-muse.com
Other Australian artists we love:
-www.pepperminte.deviantart.com (also on etsy at http://pepperminte.etsy.com)
-http://magicjelly.com.au/
-http://www.birdyandme.com.au
-http://www.catherinecampbell.net/
-http://www.mycharliegirl.com/
-http://paperlion.etsy.com
thank you :)
February 27th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I just e-mailed my dad who is on vacation in Sydney and asked him to bring me home all three design magazines, so thanks for the tip!
February 27th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
And then there’s the aussie fabric mafia of course ;)
http://www.auntycookie.com/
http://hollabee.blogspot.com/
http://kristendorandesign.blogspot.com/
http://ofpaperandthread.blogspot.com/
http://kirinote.blogspot.com/
:)
February 27th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
LOVE all your posts lately, so much color. REALLY like THIS pic of the girl placing mags as a background wallpaper…i had that idea for my office but it feels so cluttered with all the stuff already on my inspiration board over my desk. Speaking of, I was in the 2nd issue of Erin’s E-zine…. : ) she did such a cute job, loved it!
Jen Ramos
’100% Recycled DESIGNER Cards’
http://www.madebygirl.com
February 27th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Hi there,
Lara is right…we’ve got our own fabric clan here :) and I’m so lucky to be a part of it.
don’t forget Melbourne on your list…ok we don’t have the beaches but Melbourne has a fantastic art, craft, cafe and relaxed culture. Heaps of great designers are from melbourne, with shops such as Wilkins & Kent, Meet Me at Mikes, Douglas & Hope, Zuster…and way more of course. We also have one of the most fantastic furniture exhibitions twice a year..furnitex.
The picture you are after is in the March is issue of Real Living, and I think I’ve got it at home (I’ll have a look tonight)…If you shoot me an email I can send it to you.
Goodluck with your Aussie issue and if you ever decide to come down under…drop us a line
February 27th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
I completely agree! I recently found ‘Inside Out’ at Borders and now I realize that I didn’t know what I have been missing! Its like the homes and designs featured in this magazine have more Heart and are more relate-able than any other shelter magazine I’ve read. I really hope Borders keeps this one stocked! I’m also going to try and check out the other mags that you have mentioned.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Hi there!
I’m an Aussie who’s just started reading your blog. I live on the Gold Coast and work in Brisbane and Melbourne. I used to be a Real Living reader but now I buy Home Beautiful.
I’m an artist but I’m getting so addicted to all of these great design blogs! I’m getting my own blog up now: http://www.lexy.typepad.com but it won’t actually be up for about a week. I’m keen to get on etsy too. But you can see my stuff for the moment on redbubble:
http://www.redbubble.com/lexy – just in case you wanted a peek!
I’m off to go through your archives now – so much to see!
February 28th, 2008 at 12:25 am
reading your post and the above comments, so I thought that I would add us too, to your Australian links. You featured my photography http://www.nataliejeffcott.com recently, found via flickr… we have a new shop in Melbourne. http://www.arthurscircus.com and our blog http://www.arthurscircus.blogspot.com
Cheerio…
February 28th, 2008 at 12:34 am
You should have gone to college with me in the early ’90s. I used to do fashion collages on my dorm room door. I’d change them seasonally, arrange them artfully and thematically. Christmas ’91 was a red hot blast.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Hollabee – I completely agree with you! Melbourne has so much to offer, and I actually thinks it wins over Sydney in terms of what it can offer for design and such. Mind you, it could be that it just appeals more to my particular tastes.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Ah the grass is always greener.. Mine is full of sand! I’m Canadian, but have been living in Sydney 7 years now, and I’m lusting after all the beautiful mags and shopping that’s available to all you North Americans!
I’m actually getting ready to move back to Canada, and although I haven’t been into the whole ‘beach’ aesthetic while here (it feels like overkill as I live AT the beach) now that I’m returning I’m grabbing every shell, coral and piece of driftwood I can get my hands on to take a bit of it back with me!
I really like this blog http://desiretoinspire.blogspot.com/ written by (fittingly…) an Australian and a Canadian.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:49 am
I’ve really enjoyed the recently-launched MixTape zine out of Australia…. the byline is “Making Time For The Small Things” and they publish articles about craft, eco/green living, and pop culture!
February 28th, 2008 at 2:48 am
I’m Australian and have been reading Real Living since it started in September ’05. I have all the issues and they are such an inspiration. Whenever I need a bit of a pick me up I go back to certain issues and flick through. It’s an amazing mag.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:55 am
Yay, more aussie content on decor8!! As an interiors addicted Sydneysider this thrills me!!! Having lived in Melbourne too, I would definitely say that whilst Sydney has a lovely beachy, airy aesthetic to it, Melbourne is definitely the capital of Design.
Living in Australia is great BUT- one EXTREMELY frustrating thing i find is the lack of online shops shipping to Australia!! It is HUGELY distressing to see a beautiful item and get all the way to purchasing it only to be informed- “sorry we do not ship to Australia”. Grrrr. Maybe you could use your immense influence to aid in our cause?
February 28th, 2008 at 5:48 am
Dear Holly,
I’m Australian but living in HK.
Pop over to my blog and have a look – you’re more than welcome to use anything for there I’m sure you’ll enjoy my recent post on Harem.
Email me if you’d like more tips :-)
allthingsbrightand beautifulblog@yahoo.com
February 28th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Check out http://www.littleglowinglights.blogspot.com
Catherine is a blogger from Hobart and has a lovely blog.
Yes, definitely keep Melbourne in mind too. You would love it there.
And don’t forget that New Zealand has great design too!
Oh, I love Home Beautiful magazine too. We don’t get Real Living magazine in NZ! How silly.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:03 am
i was born in Sydney, raised in Melbourne. And although Sydney has so much to offer visually, I honestly believe that Melbourne is Australia’s version of a European city. The food, culture, art, design, the autumn, the shopping are so good.
You have mentioned all my favourite magazines. And i have to say how refreshing it is to hear someone from the Northern hemisphere raving about our Aussie mags. it really is lovely.
lara mentioned a few great links;
here are some more
http://www.mokumtextiles.com/
http://www.onesmallroom.com.au.
above sell sprout design fabrics
ceramics:
http://www.mudaustralia.com/profile.asp
http://www.bisonhome.com/
others that spring to mind are
http://www.bernabeifreeman.com.au/about.html
http://www.polli.com.au/
http://www.elkaccessories.com.au/
these just come to mind, plenty more I am sure.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:28 am
hi decor 8,
I regularly read your blog, and when I saw the Australian entry I recognised the photo,
from memory I think it is Clare Wayman a stylist who does a lot of work with Real Living.
She regularly borrows things from my shop douglas & hope,
I am new to the blogging thing, and have just started one for my shops in melbourne its
douglasandhope.blogspot.com
regards
cathy
February 28th, 2008 at 11:49 am
So glad to hear Real Living has made some impact around the world. It’s so much fun to work on, but the problem is getting TOO many ideas and not enough time/money/energy to do them all. For those who don’t get it in their area, I’ve posted a few more pretty pics from the latest issue on my blog. There is also a little sampler on the website. And Holly – your issues are on their way. Looking forward to your feature on Oz.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Agree, agree! Melbourne is definitely the design capital in Australia. There are some other wonderful Aussie magazines featuring designers and artists like Frankie (www.frankie.com.au) and Wooden Toy (www.woodentoyquarterly.com)
And there seems to be a number of very talented softie designers and makers in Australia too like:
Udder (http://www.udder.typepad.com/)
One Red Robin (http://www.oneredrobin.com)
Two Little Banshees
(http://neverenoughhours.blogspot.com/)
Hop Skip Jump
(http://hopskipjump.typepad.com/hop_skip_jump/)
My personal favourite Aussie designer is Beci Orpin (www.beciorpin.com).
Really excited to see your Aussie round-up – love your blog!
Sue.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Hi there,
I’m from Melbourne and want to give a plug to our home girl Ramona Barry. Ramona makes the sweetest, hand printed, bespoke cards, magnets and keyrings. Check them out at http://wordspictures.squarespace.com/
and if that’s not enough, also check out her blog that serves up a daily dose of how to lead a handmadelife. Great way to keep in touch with latest shows and crafty ideas. http://handmadelife.blogspot.com/ Love your blog.Cheers, jackie
February 28th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Another aussie here :)
I have to say that one of my fave australian artist is Brett Whiteley. He has beautiful landscape paintings and drawings.
February 28th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Hi all – great to read your comments about the pic of the girl covering her wall in magazine images. That girl is me!!! I’m Clair Wayman and work as the Melbourne Style Editor for Real Living magazine. The photographer, Dan Magree took the shoot, without me knowing, while I was putting the finishing touches to the wall. I’ve just started a blog called http://www.stylingwithfriends.blogspot.com so I can keep everyone updated on what I’ve seen on my styling travels around Melbourne. This pic was part of a feature called Small Space Treatments in the current issue of RL but I’ve already included some pics on my blog. I’ve just discovered http://www.designspongeonline.com. Natalie Walton, the deputy editor at Real Living magazine is going to be guest editor next week and she’s interviewing me, so check it out on 4th March – (the day I’ll be featuring). I love the article on Australian magazines in decor8 – it’s great to hear peoples ideas and comments from around the globe.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:20 am
I recently moved to Sydney from Brooklyn and have been so inspired by some Aussie design. InsideOut mag has been a great resource for me in decorating and furnishing my new home. I also love Zuster furniture, based in Melbourne. The “shop local” feature on Etsy is great for finding Aussie and New Zealand shops/designers. The shipping charges from the US (for shops that ship here) are not so high, but the toll it takes on the environment just to ship over some fabric or yarn or paper goods makes me a little crazy. So I look forward to more info on Aussie shops!
February 29th, 2008 at 6:54 am
hellooooo, another aussie here…..I have popped a few of my favourite Aussie designer things on my blog….feel free to pop in and roam about.Love your blog !
Michelle
February 29th, 2008 at 10:00 am
As yet another Aussie making comments here have to say Australia is really coming into its own as far as beauty-design goes. Its exploding, everywhere! I adore Inside Out for its beautiful paper, lack of huge advertising (which sadly seems to spoil many US magazines, but then keeps the cost down), and geeeeorgeous pics, stories and ideas, its eye candy. Also love Home Beautiful and Vogue Entertaining & Travel, which whilst not design per se has beautiful travel stuff and the look of the mag is so sexy. As someone who grew up in Sydney and has lived in Melbourne, I have to say Melbourne is IT as far as design and hipness it ain’t called Australia’s shopping capital for nothing. Yes we don’t have that obvious visual beauty Sydney has with its harbour but there’s so much more. Holly, love your blog, its always exciting to open my reader and find your colourful gorgeous updates!
Hugs from Oz
Lise :^)
February 29th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I love ‘Real living’ mag – i get so excited when I see it in my mail box every month as I know Im in for a treat!
i have that funky wall image on my flickr – the colours really appealed to me!
The deputy editor also has a blog which is a great read
http://dailyimprint.blogspot.com/
Holly you will love Australia!!! we have so many cool shops and designers – there is a freshness about Australia & the people are always so laid back and down to earth!!
Here’s a great link for any of your readers planning a Sydney trip!
http://urbanwalkabout.com/sydney/art/
March 1st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
This Australian company has the most fabulous range of children?s party invitations. You can see the designer has not just produced gorgeous graphic but has helped mothers think of party themes.
Simply lovely!
http://www.imprintables.com.au
love your blog!
Helen
March 1st, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Hello, I really like the work from Mel Robson, a ceramic artist based in Brisbane.
Blog
http://feffakookan.blogspot.com/
and etsy
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5162190
March 1st, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Holly, your blog is one of my favourites. Here are some suggestions from Australia…
I recently found an Australian blog doing similar things for Canberra:
http://canberrasgotstyle.blogspot.com/
In wallpaper, you’d be hard put to go past Florence Broadhurst’s work for distinctive style (it’s Not Cheap, though, as it’s handscreened, I understand)
http://www.signatureprints.com.au/frameset_furnishings.html
In table linens and other kitchen goods, including china, take a squizz at http://mozi.com.au/
Online (and real) design store Top3 draws on inspiration from around the world.
http://www.top3.com.au/
In resin, Dinosaur Designs have a special niche
http://dinosaurdesigns.com.au/
Bison, based in Canberra, make beautifully simple, modern pottery:
http://www.bisonhome.com/
Lots of Australians sell on etsy, of course.
Whipup was started (and is still steered) by Kathreen, an Australian
http://whipup.net/
For modern screenprinted fabrics (for quilts and for home) there’s Prints Charming:
http://printscharming.com.au/home.htm
Modamuse showcases modern Australian artists and artisans:
http://theblog.modamuse.com/
While some of the fabrics are from overseas, Australian designers doing interesting modern (often limited edition) stuff are also part of the carefully selected mix at Duckcloth:
http://www.duckcloth.com.au/
http://duckcloth.blogspot.com/
(I’m not going anywhere near the Sydney vs Melbourne argument, except to say
a) it’s probably perpetual
and b) they both have wonderful things to offer and great shopping for decor8ing in and around both cities.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Hey
It’s another one of the Real Living crew. Just wanted to say it’s so exciting that blogland makes the world so much smaller. Glad to hear you’re enjoying Australian decorating and design. I’m featuring a whole stack of amazing creative Australian women on DesignSponge’s guest blog this week so check it out!
Happy blogging!
Natalie
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:23 pm
It’s another one of the Real Living crew here. It’s so rewarding to hear you love our mag and find the pics inspiring. That’s the great thing about blogland – it makes the world that little bit smaller so great decoration and design doesn’t have so far to travel. If you want more Australian inspiration head to DesignSponge’s guest blog this week where I’m doing posts on amazing Australian creative women. And, as always, I feature them regularly too on my blog dailyimprint.blogspot.com
Natalie
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:47 pm
What a coincidence Natalie that you’re on design sponge now, I have to go check that out later on as I’d love to see what you have to feature in addition to my finds and those from decor8 readers.
:) Thanks again for letting us know!
March 4th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I love all this talk about Australian designers and magazines! It’s quite exciting! While I live in Hobart, I regularly visit Sydney and Melbourne and you most certainly would not be disapointed with either city. Design in Austalia seems to be going through a very exciting phase and coming into its own. There are so many stores with fantastic products and designs, and a growing blogging community and artists. I think magazines such as InsideOut and Real Living, as well as Vogue Living (I HAVE to buy all three!) are showcasing a true Australian style.
March 6th, 2008 at 3:35 am
Another great Aussie design company is Afficionados of the Nod – gorgeous wallpapers, fabrics and homewares. I love their calligraphy print. http://www.afficionados.com.au
Bx
http://www.renovateanddecorate.blogspot.com
http://www.reallivingmag.com.au