Lifeinstyle Blog

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Stylish, Fun & Functional Kids Storage Solutions

Let’s face it, parenting can be a mess and even the most organised of parents needs somewhere to frantically shove the mess when that doorbell rings. Kids rooms and playrooms are probably the worst for clutter and it’s all too easy to become overwhelmed with the constant disarray. The obvious solution is to sort and get rid of the stuff that is no longer used but often another look at your storage options can prevent having to cull old toys and avoid the associated meltdowns. Continue Reading →

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In Style: Frith Hucks, Bay & Fyfe

Coming to Life Instyle Melbourne will be the fabulous Frith Hucks and her stunning new brand Bay & Fyfe. Already attracting celebrity following, Bay & Fyfe’s limited edition, art inspired accessories will be on show in our First Instyle category. We stole a moment with Frith to get more of story behind the brand…

Tell us about Bay & Fyfe:
We collaborate with artists to creative art-inspired fashion and homewares that people will treasure. Our first collaboration has been with Australian artist Daimon Donwey. Together we’ve created a collection of limited edition over-sized silk scarves.

The reaction to the collection has been fantastic. Some people even get goose bumps when I pull out a scarf to show them. We must be doing something right because Miranda Kerr, Dannii and Kylie Minogue and Nicole Kidman are all proud owners of a scarf from this collection.

The heart of the brand:
Staying true to the art. It’s not about applying it to any old thing and selling it. The art has to be able to express itself on the pieces we create. That sounds all very technical, but it’s not really. It’s just about integrity and not turning the art into a ‘Ken Done’ graphic for the sake of a sale.

We also keep our numbers to a minimum. What we’re creating isn’t essential for the world to function. We’re catering to ‘wants’ not ‘needs’ and for that reason we take it upon ourselves to act responsibility and not mass-produce what we do. Once a piece has sold out, we don’t re-print it.

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Trend Watch: Neon Delights

By Simone, style.life.home

When adding such an explosive colour spray like neon ‘brights’ to your home you must be confident to think big and allow your home to be transformed into a look that makes a statement. If you love colour, this trend will not let you down, from just adding a little splash or wanting to add a lot, this is what neon is all about ~ making life as bright as it can be.

Your home can become the next trend of excitement, so if you need to re-vamp a room or renovate your space this could be what you are look for. A little colour shy? Think about just adding lights into your living room or even kitchen for that extra spark. Now for the lovers of colour… and I mean BRIGHT colours, why not add neon to your walls with a whole wall to be taken over or maybe a eye catching piece of art but one thing is for sure if you need an extra lift in the colour department in your home, neon is a sure delight.

Images: Koskela, Kate Banazi

Congratulations to Jane Skirrow who has been picked as our winner of the Shannon Fricke giveaway! Jane – a copy of How To Decorate is on its way to you now. Thanks to everyone who entered for their support, it was the perfect way to relaunch the Life Instyle blog.

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Window Love

By Belinda, The Happy Home

As the news reports keep telling us, retail has taken a bit of a hit as online shopping has taken off. As someone who mainly shops in a store, this saddens me. I much prefer wandering around a store and using my senses to shop – I’ve bought jewellery before just because it tinkled a certain way. And not bought pants because they did the dreaded George Costanza swoosh sound when I walked (it was a whole Seinfield episode). So if I can buy it in a store, I will. That said, I think retail needs to step it up a bit – if you want people to come to your store, you’ve got to offer something different (perhaps unique items you can’t get online – how novel!) or give them a bonus (a kids corner or coffee shop). Or take advantage of the biggest thing you have over an online store – your physical space.

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Jac + Jack

By Jason, Mr. Jason Grant

I love to take inspiration from fashion magazines, runway shows and blogs like Convoy and with the cooler months approaching all too quickly, just like our wardrobe, its time to cosy up our interiors. The change in season is a perfect time to update your home. It’s winter so think texture, tone and earthy shades just like the current A/W collection by Australian label Jac + Jack. I’m loving all these chunky knits and woolen pieces time to layer it up. What’s your favourite winter accessory?

Images: Jac+Jack

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GIVEAWAY: Win Shannon Fricke’s How To Decorate

What better way to re-launch the Life Instyle blog than with our first giveaway!! The fabulous and always lovely Shannon Fricke has not only given us a behind the scenes peak at the motivation behind her new book but is graciously offering a brand new copy of How To Decorate to one lucky reader. *Giveaway has now closed – congrats to Jane Skirrow for winning this fabulous prize!

By Shannon Fricke

My new book, How To Decorate, is a step-by-step manual – a roadmap if you like – showing budding home decorators how to decorate their home from wo to go! In it, I cover everything from how to unearth your own personal style, how to create a decorating concept, how to add colour, pattern and texture with a sense of balance, harmony and humour – and then how to bring all of the elements together to create a home that you love living in.

Decorating is so much fun but it can also be overwhelming, given there are so many styles, so many options and products to edit through. When you learn how to navigate the process with confidence, the world is your oyster in terms of what you can create.

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Blog Watch: Mamma Tuppy

Need a dose of style or a fashion fix? Mamma Tuppy is an online fashion journal – dedicated and devoted to two fashion forward women who shaped the blogger’s life. With its heartwarming story and mega collection of inspiration and imagery, this is a must visit site for any fashion addict…

Kid Space

Forget about traditional decor for your child’s room, LuckyBoySunday brings
their unique sense of style to each and every design…

We’re Back…

We’ve been absent around these parts lately but for good reason -we’ve been giving this blog a bit of a makeover – what do you think?? We are so happy to finally be back up and running and proud to show off our new look and layout, ensuring the Life Instyle blog is your one destination for all things instyle. You’ll find regular updates about our events, exhibitors, products you’ll love and so much more. We even have an amazing line-up of guest bloggers on board to bring you inspiring content from Australian and beyond.

We’ve love to hear what you think so leave a comment or send us an email and spread the word! This is your community, created for all of you passionate about design, creativity and living a life filled with inspiration and style. Thanks for joining us on this new adventure and most importantly Subscribe at the top of the page to make sure you receive our updates directly to your inbox…

Yellow Fever

Perhaps its a desperate attempt to cling onto summer or maybe we just like to look on the bright side, but for whatever reason we can’t help but find ourselves drawn to all things yellow. Continue Reading →

The Week Ahead

Busy week ahead? Seems to be the trend lately, here’s hoping you have a productive week!

Image: Pinterest

Feeling Crafty?

Okay Mother’s Day is just around the corner…are you ready? There are so many gift guides out there at the moment with plenty of quick fixes but if you want to get your hands dirty and get a bit crafty here is one DIY project she’ll be sure to love…

Image: Babble

In The Press: Blacklist Studio Prints

We love seeing our exhibitors getting some great (and much deserved) attention from the press. What makes it even better is when that press is a certain blog we LOVE. Continue Reading →

Blue Monday

The Life Instyle team have long been obsessed with the Decor8 blog. A pioneer in the blogging world, Holly Becker writes as if you’ve known her for years and is constantly bringing new discoveries in the world of style, design and decoration. Continue Reading →

From the Show: Beautiful Spaces, Inside & Out

With Mother’s Day just around the corner we’re guessing that many mama’s will be happily receiving something gorgeous from Beautiful Spaces – Inside and Out. On show at Life Instyle Sydney 2012, Beautiful Spaces striking stand featured fresh flowers in jewelled coloured Pantone pots and Serax canvas bags. Other highlights included Porcelain tableware designed by Béatrice Bruneteau for Serax Maison d’être and Antonio Sciortino’s ‘soft’ iron bowls with vintage finishes. For more visit: www.beautiful-spaces.com.au Continue Reading →

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From the Show: Sally Campbell Textiles

If colour and texture is your thing, then Sally Campbell Textiles is for you. Her display at Life Instyle Sydney 2012 was like honey to a bee – you couldn’t walk past and not want to touch her gorgeous quilts, throws and cushions.

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From the Show: Agence de Parfum

One of the most striking stands at Life Instyle Sydney was the incredible monochromatic, paper sculpted stand by Agence de Parfum. As the only niche perfume, body care and home fragrance distribution company of its kind in Australia, Agence de Parfum imports and exclusively distributes rare and luxurious fragrance houses.

The stand featured an entrance crowned with a scrolled banner topped with fancy paper crafted turrets and flying flags. The back wall was lined with black and white striped wallpaper, edged with paper cut garlands, winged wreaths and intricate skull and cross bone candelabras. The paper candles even had wax dripping down them. A showcase perfume from each brand was presented on its own uniquely decorated podium. Black glass table tops, vintage silver trays and simple white flower clusters gave the final luxe finishes. James Gordon is the versatile creative behind this work.

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And that’s a wrap!

The doors on Life Instyle, Kids Instyle and First Instyle Sydney 2012 have finally closed. We hope you found many small (and big) things to love like we did. We can’t wait to do it all over again in August in Melbourne. See you there! x

:: Life Instyle Sydney, 23 – 26 February 2012. Register Now. ::

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Live from the Show: Mrs Darcy

G&T anyone? Mrs Darcy welcomes you to her garden party. She’s just wheeling her bar cart out to the lawn now. Feel free to make yourself at home on the cane chair over there, padded with plump cushions. Why yes, that is a French Pear candle on the ceramic stool. Just mind the Moroccan pouffe over there. Aren’t the dahlias gorgeous this time of year?

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