Saturday, 11 October 2008

Click-click-clack ching!: Red retro writer

What it is about a fully restored cherry red typewriter from the 1950's that gets me so excited? Maybe it's the romantic ideas of click-clacking away, writing the great Australian novel or just the old technology that produces that every-letter-different, hand-done quality, even by a machine. Realistically, I am sure this typewriter would never actually get used but it sure would make a great feature piece in my lounge room and go perfectly with my retro red telephone.
The 1950's Royal Typewriter is from Three Potato Four. They have some awesome stuff there, all able to be shipped internationally so be sure to check them out.

Labels: alphabet, decor, red, retro, Three Potato Four, typewriter

posted by topia7  # 3:05 PM 0 Comments

Sunday, 5 October 2008

Fresh setting: A place to sit and eat at my place

Just thought I would share the way I have set up my dining setting in my new place.
Last time I didn't show you my Mart Stam chairs (bargain of the century: leather is in perfect condition, slight rust marks on the chrome but only $20 for all four on eBay!) and they are super comfortable to sit in too.
I have tied it all together with a giant fresh leaf from a tropical plant (called???) in a retro red vase and some lemons in a teak nut-shaped bowl from a second hand store. The table is the extendible Bjursta.
Behind the setting is another screen-print by The Little Friends of Printmaking called Pacific Jamzzz. This one I put in a larger Ikea frame, Ribba, and filled it out a bit with red framing card.
I really enjoy mixing old and new and I think it all comes together very nicely.

Labels: art, Bjursta, black, chair, decor, ebay, ikea, Laos, Mart Stam, my new apartment, red, retro, Ribba, screen printing, The Little Friends of Print Making, vase

posted by topia7  # 11:12 AM 2 Comments

Friday, 3 October 2008

Green and amber glass in my kitchen window

I just wanted to share a little detail from my new place. I plan to do a full photographic survey when I have my new blinds and have painted etc, but here is a sneak peak for now.
A green vase and amber jug from eBay on my kitchen window shelf. I picked this native Australian flower (unsure of the name, got any ideas?) from my friends garden.
I had not thought to put these two pieces together until moving here and I think their shapes complement each other perfectly.

Labels: amber, decor, ebay, flower, Glass, green, kitchen, my new apartment, retro, vase, vintage

posted by topia7  # 11:02 AM 0 Comments

Wednesday, 1 October 2008

Etsy find: Something sweet for 2009

The new year isn't too far away now and if something needs to be ordered from overseas, maybe now is the time to start thinking about it.
This adorable little Birdie Calendar by smeurer8 would make a lovely gift or would look very sweet in the study or kitchen. The branch and bird in black are mounted on wood and encased in a slick resin with a tear away calendar attached.
Hm, a gift for someone special or an addition to my new home...? I think I better order two!
Check out Birdie Calendar or more work by smeurer8 on Etsy.

Labels: birds, black, calendar, craft, decor, Etsy, smeurer8, wood

posted by topia7  # 10:43 AM 1 Comments

Wednesday, 17 September 2008

And on your way out, don't forget: Chalkboard

As a perpetual forgetter, this is something that I could really use and way less annoying than having a real piece of ribbon tied around my finger.
Ben Floeter's Don't Forget Chalkboard found at The Curiosity Shoppe and at his Etsy shop, is such a friendly wall feature. It would be perfect at my friend door which is also near my kitchen, it would even double as a pointer, guiding guests into the living room.
Now to find out how much postage to Australia will be...
Check out the Don't Forget Chalkboard.

Labels: art, Ben Floeter, black, black and white, decor, Etsy, kitchen, red, The Curiosity Shoppe

posted by topia7  # 12:03 AM 0 Comments

Sunday, 14 September 2008

Alphabet brew: Letter blocks for coffee cups

The Alpha Coffee Table from Crate and Barrel is inspired by a find in a Paris flea market and is carved from a single piece of wood with raised letters and numbers, protected by tempered glass.
This coffee table would certainly be a conversation started and such a great example of retro/modern, old meets new.
If only it was available in Australia, I would snap it up in an instant!
Check out the Alpha Coffee Table.

Labels: alphabet, brown, coffee, coffee table, Crate and Barrel, decor, furniture, red

posted by topia7  # 11:23 AM 0 Comments

Sunday, 31 August 2008

Old made new: Telephone table as side table

Well, the big move is over and I have been loving organising and arranging my stuff in my new apartment. I have about twice as much space to work with and the original 1969 layout, kitchen and embellishments work so well with my modern/retro furnishings and collections.
As an intro to my new place I thought I would bring you one of my favourite pieces which I am using in a new way in my new place. It's a teak and leather telephone table that I picked up from a garage sale for the bargain price of $5. I have had it for a while and it's previous incarnation took the form of a bedside table. The little chair was perfect for sitting on while putting on shoes. But I don't have the space on that side of my bed here so I have used it as a side table next to my leather couch.
The red phone I also picked up from a garage sale, also for about $5 and the lamp, which glows a wonderful rich, warm orange, was made by my step-dad before it was retro. To complete the picture, the cushions I had custom-made by Jamric from Etsy. They cost way more than I had planned on spending but since everything else in the picture was such a bargain, I guess it all balances out in the end.
More snaps of my new place to come!

Labels: black, cushion, decor, Etsy, grey, interior, Jamric, lamp, leather, my new apartment, orange, red, retro, telephone, wood

posted by topia7  # 10:15 AM 2 Comments

Tuesday, 22 July 2008

A circle of life for your coffee table

When I move into my new apartment next month I will need to bring something fresh and green. Currently my outlook is onto tall trees and shrubs but my new place, despite having a very large balcony, mostly looks on to the car park below (sounds bad, but I do get a lot of blue sky!)
Factory circle, could be the fresh green solution that I have been looking for, and the prefect size to sit comfortably on my coffee or dining table.
I think the Japanese website, style-pd.com, explains it best:

It is an image of cutting out wide grassland and set in the room. A frame of planter holds grass and gives new impression. Enjoy seeding and to see sprouting and growing in the planter.

House warming present anyone? Check out Factory circle.

Labels: circle, decor, garden, grass, green, white

posted by topia7  # 11:10 AM 0 Comments

Wednesday, 16 July 2008

Cathrineholm teapot from William Topp

On Saturday, after picking my copy of Mayk, I wandered further up the street only to discover an amazing store called William Topp. A collection of local and international art and craft meet refound objects in a delightful array (including more tea towls from Third Drawer Down!).
Lots to explore, I could easily have walked away with more but all I picked up (this time) was a little orange Catherineholm teapot to add to my collection. I plan to put it away, saving it for after I move house next month. It will be a lovely little house warming present to myself and my new place.

Labels: cathrineholm, decor, kitchen, orange, tea, teapot, William Topp

posted by topia7  # 1:18 PM 1 Comments

Monday, 14 July 2008

Miss Jones' delightful snowy swallow

Happily perched on a votive sits a snowy white bone china swallow, all set to take a joyful flight around the room. I love the way she cocks her head, listening in.
Have You Met Mrs Jones have some wonderful and whimsical items of beauty from angel wings and antlers to chandeliers, cushions and organic pottery.
Check out more of what Mrs Jones has to offer. You'll be delighted.

Labels: birds, decor, interior, sculpture, white

posted by topia7  # 11:56 PM 1 Comments

Thursday, 10 July 2008

Sleeping with the fishes: Stylish and perfectly orange

I went through a phase about 10 or so years ago of loving images of fish. I drew them, collected them, sculpted them and generally surrounded myself with them. I'm not sure what it was, part was the details: scales, fins, gills etc and also their other-worldly familiarity.
I got over the fish-phase but this cushion, Pescado Pillow by Z Gallerie, could very nearly plunge me back into it. It's true, I am going through more of the-colour-orange thing now, so, in a way, this cushion combines my past and present. Besides, it would look so great with my other cushions (here and here).
Check out Pescado Pillow for yourself.

Labels: cushion, decor, fish, interior, orange, white, Z Gallerie

posted by topia7  # 12:52 AM 0 Comments

Sunday, 6 July 2008

Walnut's whimsical wallpaper: Garden birds

I have been looking for a touch of whimsy for my new apartment (40 days until settlement!) and I came across the wallpaper at Walnut. New and vintage designs arranged by colour or a gallery of rooms, I think there is something for everyone.
I am particularly fond of the garden birds with their muted colouring and the way they perch on simple sticks. They would look great on the hall wall that can be seen from the living room. Whales is also worth checking out, I think my little nephews would love that one in their bathroom.
Go check out Walnut Wallpaper.

Labels: birds, decor, interior, wallpaper, Walnut, whale

posted by topia7  # 1:33 AM 0 Comments

Wednesday, 2 July 2008

Design for dogs: Hepper knows how to please

Yesterday I accompanied my friend while buying accessories for his new puppy. Amongst them was the most hideous bright pink blanket/mat thing that I would never allow through my front door so I was determined to find something better.
I stumbled across Hepper, designers of 'modern pet furniture that'll make you jealous'. Their dog, cat and bird homes are simple and modern while still maintaining a sense of warmth and look fantastic. The photography on the site is also worth taking a look at.
Hepper makes me want to get a pet, just for these great accessories! If only they were available in Australia...

Labels: birds, decor, furniture, Hepper, interior, modern, pet, photography

posted by topia7  # 10:22 PM 0 Comments

Saturday, 28 June 2008

Mid-century modernism at it's best

Elsa & Darren have picked out some of the best mid-century pieces and put them together in a stunning way. I am envious of the space and light in their house, always helps to start with such a great setting.
Apartment Therapy have included an interview and inventory, as well as a tour through the house. Thanks again AT! Check it out.

Labels: Apartment Therapy, chair, decor, eames, furniture, interior, retro

posted by topia7  # 4:43 PM 0 Comments

Thursday, 26 June 2008

Bubbles of whimsy in the New Majestic

I decided to be out of the country for my 30th birthday so on the final night after a tour through Indochina my best friend treated me to a stay in Singapore's New Majestic Hotel.
One (of many) of the decor delights there were these hand-blown, sculptural, glass bubbles in the foyer of the hotel. The way the sun picked up the colours and dispersed them throughout was magical.
It would be great to do this in a home too, adding a spark of vibrancy to a room. Now I just need to look out for a hundred glass bubbles...

Labels: decor, Glass, Hotel, interior, sculpture, Singapore

posted by topia7  # 1:30 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, 24 June 2008

A glossy red kitchen to fall in love in... *cough* with

I've been looking at a lot of apartments with the intention of buying my first one in the past few months. I have mainly been looking at places built in the 60s and 70s in 'original condition'. Of course this usually means terrible kitchens that have suffered from neglect or been replaced in the early 90s with cheap peach and floral tiles. No thanks.
So, consequentially, even though I have not found the prefect original condition apartment to make my mark on, I have been looking for kitchen inspiration where ever I can find it.
And I think I have found the hottest dream kitchen ever. I stumbled onto it through Contemporist, it's a kitchen by an Austrian (sadly not Australian) company called Ewe who are a little too far away to be useful... But it's a start and certainly inspirational. It's the deep, rich, glossy red with clean white and dark wood floors, what a great combination.
Check out more kitchen Ewe.

Labels: decor, interior, kitchen, modern, red

posted by topia7  # 1:36 AM 1 Comments

Monday, 9 June 2008

Tea towels can be art too

Form is an amazing space on Murray St in Perth (near the very swish King street) and has some amazing arts and crafts in it from Australia and around the world.
One thing I saw and loved were these tea towels! They are made by Third Drawer Down and artist have contributed their work. The only thing is, I don't think I could bring myself to wipe my dishes on them, they would look great stretched and framed.
Check out Third Drawer Down for their tea towels and other domestic art works.

Labels: art, craft, decor, form, kitchen, perth, tea towel

posted by topia7  # 1:26 PM 0 Comments

Friday, 6 June 2008

Eames style hat stand

Inspired by Apartment Therapy's coat rack story I thought I would share my hat stand, which is one of my favourite pieces. I had wanted one for ages but just couldn't find something suitably mid-century. I found plenty of antique ones and many contemporary ones but I just didn't think they would work.
Eventually I stumbled on this Eames style hat stand for only $30 at an antique stall at the Scarborough markets. It holds all my favourite hats, coat, umbrella and satchel perfectly positioned and ready to go on the way out the door.

Labels: Apartment Therapy, decor, eames, hat stand, interior, perth, retro

posted by topia7  # 11:49 AM 0 Comments

Wednesday, 28 May 2008

What do you Expedit? Yvestown: Retro patterned backing

I came across Yvestown's expedit shelf on Ikea Hacker.
What an elegant solution for the back of the shelves! I have my TV and dvd player etc sitting on my (4x8) expedit shelf and am always shuffling cords behind bigger things so I don't have to see them.

What do you Expedit?
Topia7: Orange retro vases on red tiles

Thanks to Damian Hopper for including a link to my blog on his!

Labels: decor, expedit, ikea, interior

posted by topia7  # 12:33 PM 0 Comments

Tuesday, 27 May 2008

Re Jin Lee's adds art to the kitchen

Artist Re Jin Lee does some lovely pen and ink work featuring flowing lines and heavy areas of black and white, mainly inspired by nature.
She has taken her artwork a step further from just pen on paper though, and produced a series of cups, mugs, saucers and bowls with her simple line work cleverly integrated into the object.
I would love to wake up on a Sunday morning and sit with the winter sun streaming in my window as I sip my morning coffee contemplating a lazy, relaxing day from one of these wonderful creations.
Check out Re Jin Lee's website for more of her artwork or her Etsy page for products available for purchase.

Labels: art, birds, decor, Etsy, illustration, kitchen, print, Re Jin Lee

posted by topia7  # 1:04 AM 0 Comments

Thursday, 22 May 2008

Gnomes in a cage

I spotted these fella's while passing through a clothing store on my way to the carpark in Leederville. They have a little courtyard with a headless Snow white and other quirky little twists on kitch suburban gardens. These gnomes in the birdcage hidden in a corner were my favourite.

Labels: art, decor, garden, leederville, perth, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 11:18 AM 0 Comments

Wednesday, 21 May 2008

What do you Expedit? Topia7: Orange retro vases on red tiles

I just received the orange jug with little cup (front) from ebay and it was enough to put the rest of my orange vases, of this shade, together, separate from the other retro amber, red and yellow orange ones to make a little collection of their own. They are sitting on some red Bendigo pottery tiles that my Grandma bought in the 70's and I rescued from her old shed (with her permission).
Expedit shelves from Ikea are great for making space for little collections.

What do you Expedit?

Labels: decor, ebay, expedit, ikea, interior, retro, vase

posted by topia7  # 11:52 AM 0 Comments

Sunday, 18 May 2008

Flickr find: Joel Pirela retro modern interior - with awesome chairs!

I love the idea of having a set of classic mid-century chairs all lined up as interactive art sculpture pieces and Joel Pirela has done exactly that. Check out the rest of his inspirational modern retro interior design on his flickr page. Great stuff!

Labels: art, decor, flickr, interior, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 1:04 AM 0 Comments

Friday, 16 May 2008

WonderThunder Cusion and MP3 Pocket

After discovering and writing about WonderThunder's Clouds and Ghosts Pillow Cover I had to get one. I also bought this quirky little Thumbprint Face Ipod Pocket, which I really love. The thumbprint texture is really great and kinda' makes me think of exposed brains as much as hair, there is also quite subtle lines radiating from behind which can't be seen mush here, but it's really nice detail.
Thanks WonderThunder!

Labels: decor, Etsy, illustration, interior, ipod, print, screen printing, wonderthunder

posted by topia7  # 1:40 PM 0 Comments

Thursday, 8 May 2008

Eva Solo Bird Feeder

This modernist fish bowl-like glass bird feeder from Eva Solo is such a clean, pure design. I really like the idea that the birds can be seen from all angles, I can just see myself sitting on my balcony on a warm day in winter, watching wattle birds and willy-wag tails enjoying the seeds.
The Eva Solo Bird Feeder is available in Australia from AboutStyle or in Perth, Western Australia from The Good Store.

Labels: birds, decor, garden, nature

posted by topia7  # 2:09 AM 1 Comments

Wednesday, 7 May 2008

Apartment Therapy: My 'Small Cool 2008' Favourite

A website that I visit every day, Apartment Therapy, have been running a competition for the best apartment over the last few months or so. All the entries are in and they have given me so many ideas, really great stuff. My favourite though, is Bryan and Stefs green loft in San Francisco.
The green, black and white colour scheme is so refreshing and modern and mixes modern with retro. It really has a lot of personality, not to mention space and natural light.
Thanks for sharing it Brian and Steph!

Labels: Apartment Therapy, decor, interior

posted by topia7  # 1:19 AM 0 Comments

Monday, 5 May 2008

Etsy find: Malabo's quirky sculptures

These sculptures from Malabo are so fun and quirky and they sell out too fast! I am waiting for the combo of sculptures here to be available again at once so that I can buy them both together. Great stuff!

Labels: art, decor, Etsy, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 11:27 AM 1 Comments

Saturday, 3 May 2008

Greens Cafe with paper lanterns!

I met a friend for coffee in Greens Cafe in Leederville and enjoyed a few perfect flat whites. I really love the casual decor and especially the hundreds of white paper lanterns filling the roof. Such a great and simple solution for a memorable cafe experience.

Labels: cafe, decor, leederville, perth

posted by topia7  # 5:23 PM 1 Comments

Thursday, 1 May 2008

Cathrineholm enamel bowls with citrus

I have just picked up my latest ebay purchase, the small orange enamel Cathrineholm bowl filled with limes.
I am really pleased with the way it works with the other items on my dinning table which include a print of a photo I took in Hanoi, Vietnam, a screen printed illustration that I bought on Etsy by The Little Friends of Print Making, a place mat made from recycled, weaved telephone book paper from the Philippines, that my sister bought me in Adelaide and a table runner that I bought from the lady who made it in a tiny village in Laos.
The new orange bowl was definitely not a bargain. I ended up paying $63 for it (inc postage) which I guess seems kind of reasonable but compared to the green one, is extortionate. The green bowl I picked up at a thrift store for only $5! I am glad to have the orange one though, I do prefer collections of items rather than one off pieces.

Labels: cathrineholm, decor, Etsy, illustration, Laos, screen printing, The Little Friends of Print Making, Vietnam

posted by topia7  # 11:24 AM 0 Comments

Wednesday, 30 April 2008

Etsy find: Clouds and Ghosts Pillow Cover

This cushion from Etsy is great. What a whimsical addition to a room. Hand screen printed with an original illustration by wonderthunder, a clever way to combine illustration and decore. Check it out.

I would really love it if some of my other fav illustrators that work with screen prints would diversify into doing a range of cushions. I want to see what The Little Friends of Printmaking, strawberryluna and even wondercabinet might come up with. Fingers crossed!

Labels: decor, Etsy, illustration, screen printing, wonderthunder

posted by topia7  # 12:56 AM 0 Comments