We Have Moved

It seemed like an eternity ago that I started this blog. It was the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my life and helped me move from graphic design into the world of interior design. I feel blessed to be making a living from something that I am so passionate about. As my interior design business has grown it made sense to combine everything under the one brand - Bibby + Brady. So the blog will continue with the same look and feel, but just in a different location. You can find it here now. Bookmark the new page, and follow us on Bloglovin (by clicking the bloglovin logo on the top right of the new blog), this way you will get an email when new blog posts are published.

Thanks for being a loyal Cush & Nooks follower, you guys are awesome. Please join me as the journey continues.

Reinventing a Room

In my home I am often moving things around, creating new vignettes, changing it up. Last week my black and white rug was in the kitchen, now it's at the foot of my bed. Bowls, plants, vases, decorations, cushions - they're always circulating. A change is as good as a holiday, it keeps things fresh and exciting. 

Norwegian blogger, Henrietta Kalbekken, takes it to a whole new level. She is so clever and creative, regularly posting photos of her beautiful, and ever-changing home on her blog, designlykke. Below you'll see six different interpretations of her living room (starting with the most recent), all from this year. She changes the wall colour, the artwork, rugs and decor, and along the way she got a new sofa.

I'm not suggesting you buy lots of new furniture pieces and paint your walls every few months (unless you want to), but try circulating existing pieces around. Have a play and see what works and what doesn't, you can always change it back. I'll leave you with some more inspirational photos from Henrietta's home. You may notice artwork and rugs moving around in these rooms too.

Green & Gold Accents

I love starting the week with an inspirational home tour, and I think you're going to love the sophisticated style of fashion blogger, Jenny Bernheim. Crisp white walls and honey coloured floorboards have been layered with beautiful furniture pieces, art and accessories. The colour palette is elegant in black, white and soft blue, with gorgeous accents of green and gold throughout.

photos by Bethany Nauert

If you like these photos, pop over to Domaine to see and read more about Jenny's home.

Favourite Finds

I have some amazing finds to share with you today - this collection might just be my favourite so far! Starting with this stunning Cole & Son Palm Jungle wallpaper. I found it in blue in a tiny London bathroom featured on Design*Sponge. But it's available in a range of colours, including gorgeous emerald green.

I'm a long time Donna Wilson fan, and I was seriously swooning when I came across these divine This Way That Way bean bags of hers recently. Made from pure wool they're the ultimate in cool and comfy occasional seating - yes, I want one!

Speaking of swooning... the range of jewellery by Sarah & Sebastian is absolutely divine. I have pushed several pieces right to the top of my wish list - the gold truss ring and bangle, and the pinky swear ring.

And last, but not least, I've discovered a fab new blog to follow. Cocorrina is a beautiful blog by graphic designer, Corina. Her story fascinates me, as she has done the opposite to me, switching from interiors to graphics; and she lives in Kefalonia Island, which is like heaven on earth (check out her Instagram)! Corina creates lots of brilliant wallpapers that are free to download.

This one below has the option of a black or white background, words or no words, and one for your phone too - aren't they great?!

I hope I've inspired you, and apologies to your wallet if you're rushing off to buy luxurious bean bags and jewellery - totally worth it, I think :)

DIY Inspiration

If I'm being perfectly honest I'm not really that crafty! I'm pretty good at drawing but don't let me near a sewing machine. But I am constantly inspired by all the amazing DIY projects that you can find on the internet. I plan to regularly bring you some of my favourites - ones that I feel I could have a go at, and I'd love to see your photos if you tackle any of them.

Amy Moss, author of Eat Drink Chic, is a super clever graphic designer who often posts gorgeous DIY and free downloadable projects on her blog. These delightful printable donuts are multi-purpose. Here Amy has used them as a gift topper and a cute garland, pop over to see how she also turned them into a memory game and a party favour.

The geometric craze is far from over and with the magic of masking tape you can create a really cool painted pattern on your walls. This top one is quite random, or you could be more precise and create a gorgeous harlequin pattern.

Bri Emery is another blogger who frequently posts awesome things for you to make. We have a couple of skate board enthusiasts in our home, and Dael & I have also used skate boards on the wall to decorate a kid's bedroom we designed. So Bri's idea to 'pimp' her skate board with fabric definitely appeals to me. See how she does it here.

I also like the idea of having a paper roll hanger. Perfect for a shopping list or menu planner, or a constant paper supply for your little artists. I'd love to have my paper that I use to wrap all my Cush & Nooks' orders easily accessible like this. Both ideas are simple to achieve - one uses hooks and wooden dowels, and is attached to the inside of a cupboard so it can be closed away; the other eyelet hooks and rope.

One of my favourite projects is this yummy striped tablecloth from Oh Happy Day. Created simply by using a beige linen tablecloth (or you could hem some linen fabric), fabric paint and masking tape. The trick is to use the masking tape to paint straight lines first, and then add a final loose brush stroke down each side for that lovely imperfect look.

What do you think - would you give any of these ideas a go? If you do, please send me photos, I'd love to see your results.

Stylizimo's Wardrobe Inspiration

I can't tell you how happy I am with our recently completed bathroom renovation, but that doesn't stop me dreaming of the day Mark & I can have our own en-suite and walk-in wardrobe. It won't be happening anytime soon as a new kitchen will definitely come first. But in anticipation of that day I have been gathering inspiration and I was suitably impressed with this gorgeous walk-in wardrobe created on a budget.

The beautiful Nina, interior decorator and owner of Stylizimo blog, created her wardrobe using inexpensive Ikea products and a lot of creative thinking. She took simple metal towel rails and transformed them with gold spray paint, turning them into a clever way to her high heels, belts and sunglasses.

Shelves were made from wood bought from the local hardware store. Nina had them cut to the exact size she needed, and braced them to the walls. The mirror and lights, also from Ikea, are perfect for makeup application.

Even Nina's perfume ties in with her Scandinavian colour palette of white, black and gold. A tray is a great way to house and display all your 'pretties', keeping them neat and tidy.

Ikea's Malm dressers provide more clothes storage and the simple, clean lines complete the beautifully organised space.

Are you as inspired as I am? My favourite is the accessories storage made from the gold rails. For more information about exactly how Nina created her wardrobe, pop over to her blog.

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