Sydney Decoration + Design 2013 - Part 3

The final instalment of my Sydney trip to attend Decoration+Design. I shared my product faves with you in Part 1, and focused solely on the gorgeous Abigail Ahern in Part 2. Finally, I get to sift through the image banks of Greg Natale and bring you my favourites.

Greg Natale’s Wallpaper range for Porter’s Paints | More #Interior #design and Greg Natale on the RSD Blog.
{Greg Natale’s Wallpaper range for Porter’s Paints}


Greg’s seminar took us on a journey starting back with his inspiration as a child and knowing quite early on what he wanted to be and do.

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Sydney Decoration + Design 2013 - Part 2

As you may know I had a whirlwind trip to and around Sydney mainly to attend Decoration+Design. (I was recently reminded that I shouldn’t be surprised that people know where I have been, when it is discussed on blog/facebook/twitter etc!) I shared my product faves with you in Part 1, however the highlight for me was obviously the seminars by Abigail Ahern and Greg Natale.

Abigail Ahern’s lounge room. Dark, inky palette brightened with multiple light points. More on the RSD Blog
{Abigail’s own lounge. Dark, inky palette brightened with multiple light points. Source}


The queen of eclecticism and dark, moody interiors, Abigail Ahern, was over from the UK in her own whirlwind Sydney sojourn. Her seminar drifted through her style guides and tricks of the trade, complemented by spectacular imagery. These spaces, tips and tricks are all summarising beautifully in her book.

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Sydney Decoration + Design 2013 - Part 1

Aside from cancelled and delayed mucking about with flights, no names mentioned (Crapstar!), I had a whirlwind trip to and around Sydney, catching up with great friends and popping into Decoration+Design. The highlight for me was the seminars by Abigail Ahern and Greg Natale, but I have so many images of theirs to share and they are way too hard to choose from, so I’m saving this until Part 2 and may even require a Part 3! Sorry guys.

Popper pendant lights, Designed by Andre Hnatojko. See More #Decoration and #Design on the RSD Blog. www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/
{Popper pendant lights, Designed by Andre Hnatojko}


Unfortunately, I felt like I had seen a lot of the products on display before (the Melbourne D+D 2012 wasn’t actually that long ago), but there were still a few notable pieces to be found. Yellow and bright neons featured heavily again this show. The Popper pendant lights by Andre Hnatojko below were even better in person than the many images I had pinned before.

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Decoration + Design

Hi Everyone.

Just a quick note to let you know that I’m off to Sydney tomorrow to catch up with friends and colleagues as well as take in the sights at Decoration+Design.

Atelier Abigail Ahern. Decoration + Design preview on the RSD Blog www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/
{Atelier Abigail Ahern. Image from her seriously cool blog}


Super excited about the seminars by Abigail Ahern and Greg Natale. Here’s a sneak peak at their work…

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Grand Designs Live

With what looked like half of Melbourne, I went along yesterday to see the smooth-voiced Kevin McCloud speak at Grand Designs Live Australia. Crowds were early, eager and wide-spread. If I had’ve scored a seat and he’d been a little less busy, I could have stayed there forever. His enthusiasm and obvious love of architecture is abundantly apparent in every gesture and grin. He wooed the crowd with his summary of Melbourne (and Australia in general) as very forward-thinking and adventurous in their architecture. Perhaps with such a short built environment history, the only way to look is forward, but it seems to be working for us.

Kevin McCloud at Grand Designs Live Australia on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/
{Kevin McCloud - Grand Designs Superstar!}


While the highlight was obviously seeing the charming and witty Kevin McCloud speak, unfortunately, I don’t have many other great things to say. Maybe it’s design event overload, creative fatigue from the same companies obviously wanting maximum exposure. It feels like I have seen it all before and what is there is often not the cream of the design-world crop. Having said that, I did manage to snap a few interesting pieces, some now key items on my personal wish list.

Firstly, the incomparable
Volker Haug. I definitely have a Design-crush on him. Probably since spying his recycled black leather and zipped up chandelier, Joker, a good many years ago at a trade event. I would happily incorporate any of his pieces into any room in my house. I think it would be great fun to start the creative process with one of his major pieces, like the massive OMG! shade, and go from there.

I liked this quirky little primary-coloured, almost diagrammatic, pendant light of his below. Simply called
Cable Jewellery, you can pick and choose your components, S- or U-shaped, in a range of colours and lengths. You will have to excuse the pictures. They looked fine on my little iPhone screen but are a tad blurry up close - possibly a result of eyes darting around the room for the next design fix. There are much better pics on his webpage (with cool and quirky navigation and interaction too). He also had little terrarium light globes hanging that were so cute, as well as his aptly named Wow range.

Cable Jewellery Pendant by Volker Haug at Grand Designs Live Australia on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/
{Cable Jewellery from Volker Haug lighting}

Next, the Mokum stand stood out with Catherine Martin’s divine Art Deco inspired fabrics and wall papers. Fitting in well with husband, Baz Lurhman’s The Great Gatsby, these opulent designs are to die for. Beautiful metallics in hues of silver, champagne and gold. So very luxe and touchable. How great would it be to have a luxurious OTT bedroom in these fabrics and papers, maybe even with one of her divine Designer Rugs Australiana-inspired or Deco Collection rugs on display.


Catherine Martin for Mokum Wallpaper at Grand Designs Live Australia on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/
{Catherine Martin for Mokum Antique Lace Wallpaper - On the big, long wish list!}

Catherine Martin for Mokum Wallpaper at Grand Designs Live Australia on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/
{Catherine Martin for Mokum Imperial Pheasant wallpaper on left. Apparently that’s her and Baz’s bedroom on the right. Not sure I believe that…}

Catherine Martin for Mokum Fabrics at Grand Designs Live Australia on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/
{Catherine Martin for Mokum fabrics on display. Feathers in powder blue on couch. Cushions from left Feathers in Linen, Blossom in Linen and Coral}

Awesome Lights at Grand Designs Live Australia on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/
{Relaxed vignette with funky wire lights above}

Mobs of people and tantalising aromas drew us over to the Miele kitchen display. Forgot to actually look at the Miele products, which are always quite spiffy, because I was too engaged by Maggie Beer, laughing and having fun with the audience and fellow chef/cooks. The herb wall that they had set up was quite impressive. Yes, we’ve all seen them before and they seem to pop up everywhere now (I wish someone would do something a little more out of the box than the terracotta pots) but it is a good idea and nice gesture all the same.

Maggie Beer at Grand Designs Live Australia on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/
{The Scrumptious Maggie Beer cooking up a feast}

Miele herb wall at Grand Designs Live Australia on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/
{Miele herb wall}


We did rush through quite quickly, being slightly put off by the vacuum cleaner displays and contoured pillows having a greater prominence than textiles or designer furniture. I have since seen on a few instagram and Facebook pics of others that there were a few sculptures in the garden section that might have been nice to catch, but other than that I’m hoping that the next one steps up its game to a level that the Grand Designs brand could be proud of, with a bit more architectural cred.

Let me know if you agree or disagree and what your favourite parts were if you managed to get there. Ciao for now.

xo Romona

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Saturday InDesign 2012

I wouldn’t recommend scurrying around Melbourne CBD in the rain, carrying a bag, brolly and baby, but to get our design fix and not miss out on the splendour that is SiD, us mums have to do what we have to do.

I’m lucky to have been blessed with two very co-operative babies (my first was strapped to me in the same Baby Bjorn two years ago at the last Melbourne Saturday InDesign). Even so, it is a long day and if all things go to plan, I shall get to have my next one sans-bebe and stay for the inevitable evening festivities.

I love getting out and seeing the new products on offer, seeing other professionals and design enthusiasts cruising between show rooms with happy neon lanyards around their necks. Although it is a given these days for companies to have a wonderfully detailed and impressive looking website, there is nothing like running your hands over perfectly smooth and detailed timber or rough textural fabrics. Being stuck in the home most of the time, I relish the chance to get out to these events, and highly encourage it to all. 

Our day started a bit later than intended (as usual) and the first stop was Zenith Interiors. Bright colour, neons and geometry were evident, on-trend in all things at the moment. The impressive Godfrey Hirst neon pink geometric-edged carpet was a stand-out for me. Pumping music and yummy cheesy pretzels lead the way to a visual treat in the form of the Zenith Design Competition display, featuring creative ‘outfits’ for the TIPO chair.

Zenith Interiors and Godfrey Hirst carpet on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/


I also fell for their wonderful Buzzitiles 3d, recycled-content wall panels (below) - Although I’ve only ever specified similar for commercial fit-outs, I’m hoping to form them into a headboard for our bedroom. Love that mid-grey pyramidal form creating depth and texture.

Buzztiles 3D on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/


A few quick pop-ins along the way to the next destination,
Stylecraft, to catch up with a friend over from Radelaide. Love when events drag people to Melbourne from all over the country! She did a great job simultaneously catching up, pouring us champers, snagging the delectable little soft shell tacos and showing off their new and current products. The styling and quality that they displayed throughout the space was first class. My mum (Artist and Designer from Perth, Melva Babarskas) was about ready to snatch the striking orange chair from the entry, while I was coveting the rich black leather armchair and its surrounds.

Stylecraft Interiors at Saturday InDesign on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/

Stylecraft furniture on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/


The last few locations were all about lighting, lighting, lighting. Euroluce’s display was fantastic as usual. De De Ce also presented a classy exhibition. Again, my impending bedroom refurb was front-of-mind, so the selection of lamps in metallics and gloss were particularly appealing. Copper and Bronze are everywhere at the moment. It’s a nice break from the chrome/silver world - still up there with gold in luxuriousness, but not quite as cocky. Yamagiwa’s Mayuhana pendant by Toyo Ito at Euroluce was a glowing beacon in the corner and would look impressive in almost any space.

Lighting at Euroluce on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/

Lighting at Euroluce on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/

Lighting at Euroluce on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/

Yamagiwa's Mayahana pendant by Toyo Ito at Euroluce on the RSD Blog. See more at www.rsdesigns.com.au/blog/


A tired and hungry baby put an end to the days festivities, although it must be said that he was exceptionally well behaved for most of it. Had a great day, met wonderful-beautiful people and definitely got my design-fix for the week.
Hope you enjoyed my second post and hopefully enjoy more to come.

xo Romona
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