3 Wishes | Alana & Warren

I'm hoping y'all know by now what my '3 Wishes' is about, but if you need me to catch you up... I select two awesome people whom I admire greatly and ask them what's top of their wish list. Then I throw one of mine in, just because my list is long, and I love to share it! Today I'm really excited to have the amazingly talented husband and wife team of Alana and Warren Broadhead-Fryer.

Alana is the woman behind one of my most fave blogs, FANCY! New Zealand Design Blog. She brings us the best design from New Zealand and around the world, and all with a wicked sense of humour! FANCY was the first blog I ever started following. I remember the days when I was still working in a graphic design agency (and not loving it so much), I had the website bookmarked so I could escape to a beautiful land of design, even if only for a few minutes!

If you follow Alana's blog, you'll know what excellent taste she has, so I was looking forward to seeing what she chose. I definitely approve of her Candy Dot Cushion from Danish furniture and design brand HAY.

I let Alana have a second wish because I know how hard it is to stop at one, and it's truly gorgeous... a Seize Bracelet by The Boyscouts. Now that I've been introduced, I really want one of their hexagon rose gold rings.

Warren is the creative genius behind Company and Things. His cleverly designed logo says it all - a company that makes beautiful trestle desks. Classic and stylish Warren's desks work brilliantly in most environments. We've used them in our Bibby + Brady client's homes and I highly recommend them.

It seems that Warren shares his wife's great taste. He loves everything from Hard Graft, especially their Mighty Phone Fold Wallet. I am so pleased that I asked Warren to share his wish, it's fantastic to have a guy's input. I find it so hard to buy for the men in my life, and now (thanks to Warren and Hard Graft) I've got it covered. Check out this cool MacBook Pro Retina Zip Sleeve.

And here's a little example of the combined talent - Warren's desk and one of Alana's prints.

Now to my wish - I would really like a new chair for my desk. I spend a lot (and I mean A LOT!) of time at my desk. Because it's in the corner of our sitting room, I have a ghost chair so that it doesn't take up too much visual space. But as great as those ghost chairs look, they are not meant for long hours of sitting!

I have decided that this divine Featherston Chair from Mr Bigglesworthy would do nicely. It certainly won't blend into nothingness, but it's just gorgeous. And I could pull it round for an extra seat when we have friends and family over.

Thanks so much Alana and Warren for taking part in 3 Wishes. x

3 Wishes | The Scout

If you haven't discovered the amazing website, The Scout, then I'm more than happy to introduce you - you can thank me later :) Founded and run by best mates, Jacqui and Tara, The Scout brings you fabulous home inspiration, products and trends. After spending long hours trawling the internet looking for their 'must have' items, only to be disappointed that they couldn't get them in New Zealand, Jacqui and Tara only feature products that can be bought in New Zealand, or can be shipped here by global retailers - that is brilliant!

I decided they would be the perfect candidates for my next '3 wishes' post. For those who are not familiar with them, I get two 'friends' of mine to submit a product that is top of their wish list, and I choose the third. But because The Scout girls are forever hunting for incredible products, I knew they'd have way more than one thing on their list, so they have chosen all three. They did not disappoint, check out the amazing products they've chosen...

We’ve both been lucky enough to have had a sneak preview of super talented Tauranga artist, Mandy Williams’ beautiful new series of original artwork ‘Feathers & Spikes’. These striking pieces immediately draw me in with their seductive and elegantly woven mix of identity, culture and nature. My blank walls are screaming out for Mandy’s inspiring new artwork but my problem is deciding on which ones - I want them ALL! - Jacqui

'The Wood's - decorative hand blown glass sculpture. A collaboration between Norwegian design studios StokkeAustad and Andreas Engesyik. I’ve been wooed by this cute little cluster of trees and its whimsical design. The colour combo represents the seasons and they look like they’ve been removed straight from the pages of a children’s picture book. A quirky, fun and ‘just because’ piece! (Still scouting out how to get these to NZ) - Tara

On both of our wish lists is a leather Butterfly Chair (originally haling from Argentina), teamed with a gorgeously soft New Zealand sheepskin. We’re both in awe of the whole scandi aesthetic and this minimilistic, simplistic look fits perfectly with the Butterfly chair’s timeless style... and the fact that once you sit down it’s very hard to get up again! Stuck in the lap of luxury, YES please!

Thank you so much Jacqui and Tara for your wish list - I love them all!

3 Wishes

Normally my 3 Wishes posts feature one item each on the wish list of myself and two others. But my lovely friend, Lisa Quinn-Schofield, has her eye on so many things that she found it difficult to narrow down her choices. So today everything featured has been carefully, and lovingly selected by her.

Lisa is an interior stylist and artist, and has a fabulous Facebook page under her business name, Featherhorse Studio. Living in Perth, Australia, Lis and I have never met, but we have so much in common it's almost scary! Both passionate about interior design, running our own interior styling businesses; both married to surf-mad boys, and mums to gorgeous young daughters (two for Lis, three for me).

Her first wish is for a Timothy Oulton Shabby Sofa available from Coco Republic. "I love the versatility of this lounge and it’s available in a 1, 2 or 3 seater if you don’t want to do the whole modular. I love the sumptuous worn leather and the tan colour is timeless. I love it’s contemporary style and it’s relaxed vibe. Did I say LOVE too many times?!"

Her next choice is Kelly Wearstler's book "Rhapsody" limited edition. "Kelly Wearstler is super inspiring. I love how she makes up her own rules and pushes the boundaries with her edgy ideas across her designs of interiors, furniture, objects & fashion. I love books and this one is on top of my list at the moment. I want the LIMITED EDITION of Rhapsody with gold perforated cover, signature of Kelly’s gold brass PERFORATED TABLE design. Did I mention I want the table too?!"

And her third wish is for this amazing photograph by Kathryn Sprigg. "Being an artist as well as an interior stylist, I put a lot of thought into what adorns my walls. I have an eclectic collection that compliments my interior including paintings, prints, photography, wall hangings and objects. I also like to support other creatives and artists when I can, and on my wishlist is a piece by Kathryn Sprigg. Her work is raw, unique and captivating and I especially love her images from New York. This one is titled Times Square 3".

Now, I told you Lisa was finding it hard to narrow down her list, and she was hoping the genie would grant her one more wish. Because I love this one so much myself, I'm more than happy to share the Tom Dixon Cast Mini Jack. "There are so many things I want, want, want from TOM DIXON. I absolutely adore stuff, things and objects and I would love to adopt a COPPER CAST MINI JACK from the TOM DIXON ‘Eclectic’ range".

So there you have it, what fabulous choices! If you live in Perth and want Lisa to weave her interior magic in your home, leave a message on her Facebook page.

3 Wishes

I really enjoyed my first '3 Wishes' post, and I got such a good response to it that I'd like to make it a regular feature. If you didn't catch the first one, the concept is that I ask two of my lovely friends to tell me what is top of their wish list. And since I always have a long list of things I'm lusting after, I'll add one of my own.

The first wish is from the gorgeous and talented Jane Denton. Jane is a Wellington-based artist who creates the most beautiful works of art predominantly using wool, for it's natural and textural qualities. Jane has her eye on a stunning painting by Kirra Jamison. "I think this painting is beautiful, timeless, and I adore Kirra's use of colour", Jane says. "The abstract nature of it means that it would appeal to a lot of people and could sit really well in many different spaces." I totally agree, I love Kirra's work.

Lovely Meg McMillan from Tea Pea Design has been coveting a Leanne Culy oar for years. So have I Meg, and they're even more amazing when you see them up close - the detail is exquisite. "It's the nostalgic feel many of them have that I love," Meg shares. "The colours and images from the 1950's New Zealand, they tell a story".

As I mentioned, there are always lots of things on my wish list. And because Jane and Meg both chose awesome works of art, I thought I'd share a piece that I'm absolutely crazy about. Part of the WANDERLUST exhibition at Fenton & Fenton, Emma Gale's mixed media and collage 'Peppa' is so striking!

Artwork is so personal. What kind of art do you love?

3 Wishes

I'm bringing you a new kind of post today. You remember that old story about the genie and the three wishes? Well, if you could choose anything for your home, what would be top of your wish list?

I've asked two of my blogging mates to share one wish each with me, so I can share it with you. Starting with Michelle from The Design Chaser. Michelle and her husband are currently building a new home, and top of her wish list is a Flos 265 Lamp by Paolo Rizzatto.
"I'm completely obsessed!" she says. "To me the lamp is a piece of art that combines both form and function, I love it's minimalist design and think it would look stunning in our future living room, preferably in black".

Amy from Milo and Mitzy has a gorgeous little girl called Frankie. Amy actually gave me half a dozen things on her list, all of which I love too. But right at the top was one of these delightful Incy Interiors iron beds "for when my little girl moves into a big girl's bed".

And lucky last - top of my wish list (I hope you're listening genie) is this gorgeous vintage Afyon Kilim from Siggada Kilims. It's totally calling my name!

OK, one more - I know that's cheating, but it's my blog after all, and it's so hard to choose just one thing! These super cool Porthole artworks are all individually hand-made in Byron Bay, Australia, and available for purchase at Fenton & Fenton. Wouldn't they look perfect with the rug?!

What do you think of our choices, and what's on the top of your wish list?