French inspired!

Limewash Designer Series Bamboo Flooring has been used in this living room and provides a modern and daring contrast to the furniture and accessories. "We love the blend of styles" say Brendon King at Style Plantation - "it's edgy - the modern lines of the couch with the hides and flamboyant art pieces set the scene - the combination is a true reflection of the owner".

Wonderful at Woolloomooloo

We love the contrast of the light and dark in this spectacular Woolloomooloo apartment. A striking combination of metallic striped wallpapers, fabulous lighting (including a red feature lamp) and gentle pattens in the furniture give this apartment the wow factor. Using Walnut Semi Gloss Designer Series Bamboo Flooring gives the space an additional dimension as it throws the light and reflects the beautiful views around the apartment, and works with the vertical wallpaper patten and feature lighting (not shown). "It's elegant and very much on trend" says Fofi, from Style Plantation. "The combination of light and dark makes a sharp contrast, and gives the space an luminous quality". 

Inner West Make Over

The inner west property gets a full makeover that is simple yet refined. Inspired by oriental lines, the owners were keen to retain as much of the property's original style as possible. Red accents with neutral stone and earthy colours work to create a splash of colour with out being too heavy.

Walls are in Dulux Antique white to help open the small house (rooms are 3500mmW) and reflect as much light as possible.

Kitchen is in a 'light-cream' by Miton Sydney, with Sage Caesar Stone Bench-tops, integrated dishwasher and stainless steel oven. Flooring is Savannah semi gloss, with White on White Trims. The feature wall in the living room is 'Baresque' textured wallpaper, with a 'Hip-Home' rug by Boyd Blue in a stone with metallic threat - selected by Fofi by Design.

Praline - Designer Series Bamboo Flooring

Working with a lovely young family that relocated from Melbourne to Sydney's fashionable Leichhardt, Style Plantation was on the case to help transform this inner west home back to it's former glory.

Along with a new kitchen, complete restyle of the exterior and interior and remodel at the back of the house, the scheme is modern, family friendly and warm.  "As rich and decadent as it's name sake, Praline Designer Bamboo is the perfect combination for a modern 'Manhattan Style'" said Fofi, Style Plantation's senior designer.  "Our client's have achieved a balance of style and practicality - it just works".

Available in a distressed finish, Praline works well with a neutral palette of linens and stones, with textured weave furniture. To combine with dark style furniture, consider a light area rug for contrast.

5 steps for a 5 star bedroom.

Your bedroom is such an important part of your home. It’s the one place in the world for you to relax and chill, and escape the daily grind.  Surprisingly – we find it to be one of the most over looked rooms – probably because it’s a room that is out  of the way and doesn’t get seen by many visitors. Many people skimp and rob themselves of the comfort and luxury that they need to recharge and re-energise and have a great night’s sleep.

Our top five tips to create the bedroom of your dreams with five star comfort:

1 – Colour. Consider muted and calm colours for your bedroom walls.  The most affordable transformation is a new coat of paint – in neutral linen shades.We like Dulux Beige Royal ½ strength for walls with a contrasting colour for trims such as White-on-White.Think about colours when buying linen – what colour walls / window treatments / furniture / trims /cupboards to you have that you need to consider. From classic whites, modern greys – earthy tones or even navy – linen will definitely set the scene. Scatter pillows can add a touch of colour and create a look that is unique. We love Green Paprika House eco friendly hand printed cushions in neutral shades with irresistible patterns and designs.Contact us for more info.

2 – Sleep in style.Get the best linen you can afford. Aim for high quality sheets with a thread count over 350. We love organic cotton – try eco-linen from Style Plantation stores nationally – 100% certified organic cotton for a healthy night’s sleep. Never skimp when it comes to your bed. Pick a mattress that you find irresistibly comfortable. If you don't have the funds for a new mattress set, there are things you can do to breathe new life into the one you already own - consider buying a memory foam or down filled mattress topper.

3 – Clear the clutter. Arrange the space to take advantage of the view / natural light. There normally aren’t too many options here – most rooms are designed to be laid out in a particular way, especially in apartments – but if you can move the bed around to catch the view – do it. Make sure that bedside tables are clear of mess and rubbish – and invest in a hamper. Neat photo frames and a stack of books in arms reach are a must - but keys / mobile phones and other day-to-day items belong in drawers - not on your night stand. Clothes thrown at the end of the bed or over a chair often stay there - so put them away.  Store junk (that you can’t get rid of) in baskets under the bed. Dust collects under the bed and around bedside tables – so make sure you leave enough room for easy access with the vacuum cleaner.

4 – Light your night.  Matching bedside lamps are a must! Choose a warm bulb and have some fun when picking your lamps. Add some colour or design here – for instance, choosing a fancy / reflective base and ornate shade will give the space a more luxurious look.  A natural weave shade on a timber base will look more casual – remember that not all styles work together in one space.Overhead lights should be not too bright.

5. Scent. Use reed diffusers or scented candles to create an ultra relaxing ambiance. Choose scents that are calming – and not too strong. Scented candles are fragrant at all times – not just when you are burning them – so be careful. We love Kinikka Pomegranate and Sage natural Soy Candles – and Bamboo and Mandarin for a more masculine feel. Of course – don’t leave candles burning at night as you fall asleep. 

Team SP. 

Style Plantation - LifeStyle Concept Store in Sydney

There is a vision, values and goals which are the driving force behind everything done at the Style Plantation Design Studio.

Because we believe poverty is unjustifiable, our gift and home ware range has been sourced carefully to to ensure that the world's poor are given what they need most to lift themselves out of poverty. And that with the right help, poor people can change their lives for the better.

Our always growing range is clever and quirky, see hand made tote bags or recycled rice sacks that have been given a new life as a lunch cooler bag. Or, try our hand made kid's aprons from Africa - hand made with an individual touch.

Our Fair Trade body care range has been created using pomegranates from South America - and are divine.

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

This is done by requiring companies to pay sustainable prices, Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives. Fair trade’s aim is to help producers in developing countries make better trading conditions and promote sustainability.

The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as social and environmental standards. It focuses more so on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fresh fruit, chocolate, flowers and even gold.


See the range at Style Plantation
Concept Store / 747 Botany Road, Rosebery
www.styleplantation.com

Hallway ideas.

VISUALLY it’s the very first place that guests will see in our home. So why do we overlook our
hallway? Here are our tips for maximising your hallway, big or small.

“For instant impact introduce colour and texture.”

Long corridor (typical in terrace houses)

Think about wallpaper for the smooth, un-interrupted wall. Eg textured grasses or cellulose paper, metallic finishes that reflect light. All available from Baresque. If you’re renovating on a tight budget consider textured paints. There is a big range available from Porters Paints or DULUX. Whatever you choose, it needs to be durable and low-maintenance so any stains or marks can be easily wiped clean.

L-shaped or dog-legged hallways (typically found in an apartment)

Consider a bespoke floating shelf that is fixed onto the wall. This can be in either marble, onyx, timber with dimensions to suit your space. For eg 40mm thick, 1200mm wide and 900mm off the floor (basically kitchen-bench height) - Useful to place an ornamental sculpture, being mindful of placing vase or glassware on high traffic area, as item could get knocked off.

If you have the luxury of a very wide hallway you could have a sideboard or a console table complete with top-drawers and plenty of bench space for decorative items. Interesting artwork hanging above that could be textured and colourful, eg contemporary Aboriginal artwork. Or a thick gilded frame mirror.

Lighting is an important factor and will depend on the style of your home. For a touch of glamour chandeliers are a good choice, for something more under-stated a clear glass dome pendant. For added height consider a coffered ceiling with down lights.

Remember, it’s still a thoroughfare so don’t overdo it with accessories. A few, well-placed items will give maximum ‘wow’ .

Designer - In Review

Fofi by design is a Sydney based interior design + decoration consultancy offering creative solutions with an emphasis on function, style and comfort.

Specialisng in a range of interiors from residential, cafes to boutique commercial projects, Fofi by design has a good understanding of space, light, colour, texture and fabrics and creates innovative yet practical designs. And loves sustainable materials - such as natural textured wallpapers and bamboo flooring.

We love Fofi by design's Coogee apartment make over. With a stunning feature wall and classic 'hotel' feel, this apartment is a blend of modern and traditional furniture (new and existing) with a stunning mix of personal treasures from the client's collection.

Fofi Gourlas has a Diploma of Arts in Interior Design + Decoration from Commercial Arts Training College (CATC) Sydney, graduating with high distinctions.

Fofi also writes a fantastic blog - be sure to check the website for more information.

Who: Fofi Gourlas, Fofi by Design

Where: Sydney, CBD and suburbs

What: Interior design

Web: www.fofibydesign.com

Meet the Designer

Meet the DESIGNER: David Tunbridge

David has a motto, ‘less haste, less waste’. And this innovative furniture and lighting designer instinctive and original creations have given him international acclaim.

David’s working philosophy is strongly tied to green/eco principles . He also has a passion for working with wood. His studio workshop is in Hawkes Bay New Zealand where his lighting and furniture are produced and then distributed around the world.

His designs have a remarkable connection to the natural world which he translates into beautiful, sublime shapes. His work is inspiring and nourishing to the soul.

David has a motto: less haste, less waste.

His products available through www.dedece.com

Baby Kind—caring for baby & earth

NURTURING, CALMING and soothing, these are the keywords to consider when creating a room for your young child.
“Colour,” says Fofi, should be the first consideration. “All colours have both positive and negative effects characteristics.”

Colour selection
· pale blue emotionally inspires peace. It is a restful colour and good for rooms that receive sunlight.
· green/turquoise reduce stress, calm nerves and create a sense of ‘freshness’ helping to balance and sedate. It is also a good choice for rooms that receive afternoon sun.
· purple and mauves are soothing and conducive to sleep as they lower blood pressure. It’s also a more great, sophisticated alternative colour to a traditional pink for young girls.

Paints for children’s room
As allergies become more commonplace, natural paints are a must for children’s rooms.Tim, from The Natural Paint Place in King Street, Newtown, told Life Style Plantation that natural paints are made from plants and minerals.
“Natural paints are well-priced, meet Australian standards (AS1580), free from toxin solvents, toluene, xylene, glycol”.
The Natural Paint place stock:
BIO: made in Adelaide to German formulaVOLVOX: made in Germany Benefits of natural paints include:
· a healthy balance between mankind and nature as the raw ingredients of agricultural origin are renewable and do not add to the Greenhouse effect, safe to transport and biodegradable.
· They won’t cost you more as these paints are around the same cost as synthetic paints; $79 for a four litre tin $179 for a ten litre tin
· There is no offensive smell, in fact some smell like lemons. Due to the lemon peel oil used in the paint (less than one gram per litre).
· Available in a variety of vibrant colours for walls, ceilings and most other painted surfaces.
· It’s also washable which is necessary for children’s areas.
· Low sheen paints are recommended as they allow the walls to breathe & there is no plastic coating on the walls.

Flooring for a children’s space
Why Bamboo? As well as being a stylish alternative to hardwood floors bamboo is also:
· Environmentally sustainable
· Allergy free
· UV and scratch resistant
· Low emissions
· Easy cleaning
· Available in natural, light coffee and coffee colours
Available through Style Plantation

Lighting

A hanging pendant from the ceiling on a dimmer will provide general lighting.
In addition, table lamps give a soft, calming glow and both of these can have matching covers or shades to give a sense of unity to the space.
Table lamp could be a compact fluorescent

Curtains & Blinds

Total block out factor (from sun) is an important consideration.
Venetians, dual blinds, (one sheer, one total block out) or dual curtains (sheer and a heavy drape). Plantation shutters are a great choice too.

Furniture

Furniture made from low toxic materials, like bamboo are the best choice.
Safety is also an issue, ensure that all furniture has smooth, rounded surfaces avoiding anything sharp or potentially hazardous to small children.
Good space planning ensures you have enough room to accommodate bed/cot, change table, toys storage etc.