Last Thursday I attended the annual Furnitex / Decoration and Design trade show in Melbourne which is the go to event for interior decorators, stylists, architects and furniture retailers to brush up on the new release products for the year ahead. Unlike previous years, I had signed up for a seminar being held by UK decorator and retailer, Abigail Ahern and I've got to say I am soooo glad I did! Her talk on creating emotion and feeling in interior spaces was like breathing fresh air into me. So inspiring and she delivered such practical and relevant information that I am now champing at the bit to interpret into WR's interior work as well as with our merchandising throughout the store - thanks Abigail! So I thought I'd upload a couple of images of her most recent work, decking out the ever-so fabulous Ritz Carlton in Miami, USA. Although this work is much more restrained than her normal work, you can still see her key pointers of inquisitive focal points, textural layering and bold colour throughout creeping in to the paired back, sophisticated opulence of the resort. I love how she suitably she plays up the art deco vision of Miami Beach ( think that hilarious camp movie The Birdcage )through pattern, colour contrasts and obscure decorative pieces. She's a genius!







Also if you are interested, have a look at her beautiful store in the UK, Atelier. As I say, she's a genius!

Each year in for the month of July, Melbourne becomes a flurry of activity with the State of Design festivities. A combination of trade fairs, installations, designer showcases and networking events, State of Design highlights the very best in homeware, decoration and furniture design at many many gorgeous venues across Melbourne. The last three days I have been revelling in all it has to offer!!! A huge event at 'Jeff's Shed' is the Furnitex/Decoration and Design exhibition. Here the latest releases from wholesalers and manufacturers in the Interior Design industry come to show off their wares. As always our favourites were in fine form with standout displays by GlobeWest, The Rug Collection, Equator Home and Rubystar Traders wowing all in sight. However, a new player on the soft furnishings market has taken my eye, Canvas Home had a gorgeous array of textural cushions and throws perfect for our sunnycoast environment (keep an eye out for the new range at Watermelon Red in the coming months).

However, the event that has my heart is a little side event at the grande Royal Exhibition hall in Carlton. DESIGN.MADE.TRADE is simply oozing with personality and individuality, the little sister to Furnitex showcases smaller, bespoke designers. Watermelon Red feature designers such as Cloth Fabric, Me and Amber and Design for Use are included in this event. This year was particularly gorgeous with the discovery newly released textile and wall paper designer, Patternique along with Jewellery sensation, Kristina Brenke. Here is a glimpse of the action from Melbourne.



Designer Julie Patterson and sidekick Martine

Jewellery sensation, Kristina Brenke

Absolute delights, Karen and Amber

The lovely ladies of Patternique fame

It is no secret that I am a HUGE fan of designer Julie Paterson and her label Cloth Fabric. They make the most glorious hand made, bespoke homewares and soft furnishings and truly suit the laid back style and cruisey feel of coastal living which I just adore! I love the natural simplicity that finds it's way through the Cloth teams work.

Julie has just launched her new wallpaper collection in partnership with the divine Porter's Paints, adding to their bevvie of collaborations. Check out her website for all the details http://www.clothfabric.com/category/blog/ I am so excited about this release!!
 
She's taken six of her most popular designs and reinvented them with gentle soothing silvers, light grey and sand and added interruptions of coral, tumeric, mint and boyblue - it is so refreshing and uplifting and reinvents her most recognisable designs. Each wallpaper design comes in two colourways. I fallen for the boardwalk with the grey, soft grey and coral. Nothing optimises the Australia beachy way of life like the thousands of kilometers of chain board the leads us the the open surf right along our coastlines. Love it!
 


I'll be looking to stock the Cloth Fabric Wallpapers by Porter's Paints that can be bought by the metre for under $30 shortly! Exciting Exciting!