Nina Dobrev's Home Tour

Definitely the coolest home I've come across on the net this year is the California bungalow belonging to Nina Dobrev. I have a hard time putting a label on my interior style, and I don't necessarily think that we should have to label everything. But if I did, "relaxed-boho-glam" would be an apt description, and I think Nina has the same aesthetic.

After following Mat Sanders (Consort Design and creative director for Domaine Home) on Instagram for some time, Nina knew and loved his style. He, along with partner Brandon Quattrone, worked with Nina to help transform the Spanish-style, four bedroom house into the glamorous, laid back home you see here.

Mat used the strong contrast of black and white throughout the home and softened it with warm tones such as natural wood, brass and gold.

Artwork, books and accessories collected by Nina over the years help bring through her personality and tell a beautiful story about who lives here.

A powder blue kitchen is a bold choice, and it works so well with the brass fittings and black and white tiles. They've even included an all-time favourite of mine - the breakfast nook - yay! The tiled herringbone floor is gorgeous.

Nina has just enough layers to create a warm, comfy and interesting home without being OTT. Beautiful natural materials and texture for the relaxed, cosy vibe, and a touch of glam in the artwork and accessories.

Usually a peach bathroom is not so favourable with me (I've seen too many bad ones left over from the eighties), but teamed with chic panelling and simple black and white styling, Nina's is super cute.

Finish the tour off with a gorgeous blue walled pool area complete with festoon lights and a Buddha head - yes, I totally love Nina Dobrev's new digs! Check out more at MyDomaine.

Photos by Chris Patey

Celebrity Style

In the early days of my blog, and when I was just starting out with my Cush & Nooks Facebook page, I shared a cute bunk bed image in my Kids album, and Jessica Alba then shared it on her page.

Yes, you heard me right, Jessica Alba - gorgeous, celebrity, "Into the Blue" Jessica Alba! Well, my Facebook 'likes' went through the roof as lots of her fans came over to check out my little ole page.

This morning I was reading an article on Domaine about the best celebrities to follow on Pinterest, and Jessica was one of them. As you'd expect, she has fabulous taste, and I was happy to see quite a few pins that I already have on my own Pinterest boards.

Another of my favourite celebs is Nicole Richie, and I had lots of fun exploring her pinterest boards. The same beautiful Boho style that you can find in her fashion label, House of Harlow (and her own wardobe), can be found in her interior style.

Check out some other stylish celebrity pinners here. Happy Labour Day to everyone in New Zealand, have a great day!

Urban Chic Manhattan Loft

I absolutely love the glamorous, cool style known as urban chic, so it's easy to see why I was gushing over this gorgeous Manhattan loft when I came across it on Domino. It's owner is Rita Hazan, the colourist famous for giving Beyoncé her divine shade of golden honey hair. When Rita moved into her new loft in Manhattan's NoHo neighbourhood, she enlisted the help of her friend, Nate Berkus (oh to have such friends!) and his interior design partner, Jeremiah Brent to help her decorate.

Rita wasn't sure what to do with the space and had only bought a white bed, but Nate knew straight away that he could match her personality to her home. "I know who you are", he said "you're black, white, neutral, art deco, urban chic". She hired him on the spot!

Working with Rita's favoured neutral colour palette, Nate and Jeremiah layered texture upon texture - which is the key to working with neutrals. Ivory Mongolian lamb's wool with off-white linen, black velvet with brass, rough-hewn wood with crystal - oh yes, divine, divine!

Nate describes Rita as a soft-spoken, thoughtful person with a rock-and-roll quality. He and Jeremiah (who is not only Nate's business partner, but also his fiancée) have nailed her style, I think -  not that I know Rita :) but you can just see it by looking at her. It's beautiful, sophisticated and glamorous with a bit of an edge.

Read more about the design process over on Domino. And for a similar vibe here are a few yummy products all available in New Zealand.

Milo Baughman Flat Bar Armchairs | Vintage 1970's Leather Chaise | Armadillo Twine Weave Rug (available to purchase through me) | Moroccan Wedding Blanket | French Industrial Stool | Folding Brass Stool

Lonny Mag & Rachel Bilson

I spent some time last night updating the online magazines on my side panel, and I'm so pleased I did. In particular, I found the latest Lonny magazine inspirational and really quite breathtaking!

The article featuring actress, Rachel Bilson's home is my favourite. Rachel worked with Los Angeles-based interior designer, Kishani Perera (who I featured here), to help her create a home that blends her feminine, slightly bohemian aesthetic with that of her boyfriend, Hayden Christensen, which is more understated.

It's such a common problem when two people move in together - the fusion of two styles, and trying to do it harmoniously. But to me, that is the best kind of design. Mixing old and new, midcentury and bohemian... it adds more layers, more interest. Kishani is a genius (in my opinion), I absolutely adore this home!

You can see and read more about Rachel & Hayden's home here.

Little Mo Giveaway

Well hello, and welcome to Monday. I have got a fantastic way to start the week off. It's not Orlando Bloom (although he is quite a nice way to start the day), but a brilliant giveaway for you...
Take a look at the adorable little foot of baby Flynn.

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If you're a parent, how many times have you looked down at your child's feet to find one firmly encased in it's booty, and the wee toes of the other wriggling in the wind?! I can tell you it happened regularly to me. Finding footwear that would stay put was hard work. Never fear, Little Mo has solved that problem with it's gorgeous handcrafted Swedish Nowali moccasins. And one of you, my lovely readers, is going to win the pair of their choice.

These high quality, carefully handstitched moccasins are a unique combination of a sock and a shoe. A knitted cotton sock is sewn onto a soft leather, or leather-like sole, making them the most comfortable footwear for your little one, guaranteed to stay on. The thick cotton is irresistibly soft next to your baby's skin, and the soft sole allows little feet to move and develop freely.

When Vanessa Killeen discovered these fabulous moccasins for her son, she was so impressed, she wanted to make them available for the rest of our New Zealand babies. So Little Mo was born. Vanessa has kindly offered to giveaway a pair of moccasins to one lucky reader. All you have to do is pop over to the Little Mo website and choose the pair, and size, moccasin you would like to win, then drop me an email with your selection. For an extra entry, 'like' Little Mo on Facebook, and let me know in your email. I will randomly draw a winner this Friday 16 August. Keep an eye on your inbox, and my Facebook and Twitter pages for the announcement. Only open to New Zealand and Australian residents.

If you need any further convincing of how stylish and superb the Little Mo moccasins are, take the word of celebrity mum, Jennifer Garner. Her daughter, Seraphina, adores hers, and Jen is just one of many happy mums. So go on, tell me which pair you love - good luck!

This competition has now closed. Congratulations to Sophie Tyler who won a pair of traditional cream moccasins - enjoy x

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