Top Design Australia - BREAKING NEWS

Meet the contestants of Top Design: Lisa, Dan, Jo, Leigh, Kai, Steve, Dee, Craig, Mary and Robert

FINALLY, FINALLY I can share with you my big news why I'm in Australia. I can officially announce I'm a judge on Top Design Australia along with Jamie Druie and Nick Tobias airing on Channel 9 at 8pm next Wednesday... You can read more about it here. 

 I can promise you the designs are going to blow your minds!

Remember follow SnOOp and Top Design on Facebook to keep up with all the news

Senior Design Factory

Zurich-based association the Senior Design Factory teams up groups of people, young and old, to take part in creative projects together. The first branch of the project, comprising a studio, workshop and retail space, opened in March, while the second branch is set to include a small restaurant and is scheduled to open this summer.

The project is the brainchild of designers Debora Biffi and Benjamin Moser, who have been developing the concept together since 2008. Designers taking part range in age from mid-twenties to ninety.

Walking sticks by Omhu

The Factory runs regular knit and stitch workshops where participants can exchange and develop skills, using their new knowledge to create items for the Senior Design Factory's shop. Products on offer include recipe cards, knitted tableware and stylish walking sticks designed by Danish brand Omhu.

How To Live with Colour

FACT: I love colour... But for me when I use bold colours I like to combine them with natural materials. TIP: I believe by matching loud colours with natural fibers your object or space will not yell but engage.

Egg box by Marie Paysant-Le Roux

Egg box by Marie Paysant-Le Roux

Photo by Lala Ladcani

Hanging basket by Smalltown; Future fiber SnOOPed on Laerke Hooge Andersen

What I'm trying to say is natural materials don't need to be in beige. Dulux believes in this colour way so much they have called their shades of imperial purple and peaceful greens Champion, Virtuous, Immortal and Funk. 

A wonderful friend of mine who is a superstar makeup & hair artist and was Kylie Minogue's assistant many moons ago recently told me "beige is the colour of indecision". It's my favourite quote of the year so far... POWERFUL!

Prada F/W 2012 Advertising Campaign Inspires Interiors

So, looking for new inspiration for your next interiors project? 

  

Well Hello! Check out Prada's new F/W 2012 ad campaign. I love, love the graphics mixed boldly with the clash of patterns and textures. Don't even get me started about how delicious the colour pallete is. Don't you think the silver trimming on the dusky pink walls are a stroke of genius. My advice to you is Be Brave , Be Bold and remember to invite me over for a cocktail when you are done. Happy decorating 

Sensual Home - Working with Natural Textures

Never under estimate the power of working with natural materials in your designs.  A sensual home is made up from leather, wood, stone, natural linens and fur. I'm in love with super talented Australian, Sarah Parkes, from Smalltown who produces to-die-for macrame and rope work.

In a technological driven age more of us are taping into and showing appreciation for traditional crafts and sustainable ethics.  Photos by Masahiro Makino

Always opt for timeless products that will last. Online store, Analogue Life, primarily focus on selling Japanese homeware made by artisans and craftsmen who emphasis on simplicity, functionality and good design.  Product designer Mieke Dingen shows the inner workings of a coffee maker. This transparent approach to design congers the feeling of honesty.

Natural timbers provide rich natural warmth and balances beautifully with cooling stone and ceramics. Photo by Snowy. You can find similar handmade Yunomi cups from Analogue Life. The cup has a warmth and texture that makes holding it a pleasure

A 'Sensual Home' colour palette is grounded with minimal shades of charcoal, umber and sienna. Off-white and black add sophistication and balance. Untreated wood provides natural richness. Bedroom is by  Guilherme Torres and snopped over on Design Crisis

Combine small gestures with large over the top designs to create the perfect mood and feel to your space. The wooden bath with combined sauna is by Anna van der Lei

A simple way to remember to create a 'Sensual Home' is work with opposites. Rough loves smooth, pattern loves plain, perfect adores imperfection and everything natural loves wood. This awesome photo is by Marek Wykowski

Tactile, handmade and one-of-a-kind umbrellas are by KIYATA

The Secret To Good Design

This apartment is a SnOOP love moment. Why? I can hear die hard designers say "there is no layout, no thought of colour, no this, no that" . Perhaps, but what this home has that a lot of designers lack in their designs is it tells a story.
Take a look and work out who is the person who lives here. What are their likes, dreams, occupation, etc

This homeowner loves to listen to music and read novels over watching television. They want to travel the world and loves nature.
They are a romantic at heart and although they may appear to be chaotic I think they actually prefer things to be simple and uncomplicated.

Photos by Carlota Santamaria

Hello From Australia

Hi SnOOpers! I'm so sorry for being away from SnOOp for so long. I am in Australia for work at the moment and preparing for my wedding (eek). BUT I have AMAZING news to share with you all very soon. I'm bursting with excitement but I can't tell you just yet but the minute I can you guys are going to be the very first to know. 

Please keep checking in I should be up and running again within the week. Meanwhile check out the new catalogue from Rice