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Japan is a country that is unique and captivating, that must be experienced to be fully appreciated. From the vibrant energy of Shinjuku in Tokyo to the tranquil villages of the Nakasendo, Japan's allure is irresistible to anyone with a passion for food and design.
I recently returned from a trip to New York City, where I spent six jam-packed days exploring and discovering the city's many wonders. Travel has always been a significant part of my life. I lived overseas when I was ten years old, and since then, I have tried to travel as much as possible.
As we embrace more colour in our home, green has positioned itself as a natural choice. It can be used for floors, beds, sofas and walls in exactly the same way you might have previously used grey. The earthy tones of green are pleasing to the eye because they’re so prevalent in nature.
As much as our homes are inspired and influenced by trends and style, it is important to incorporate our own flavor and personality into designing them - so it really feels like home! Many of my clients do not know where to start - which is fine! For this exact reason, interior designers exist. Here at Hello Saturday design, we focus on ensuring that we work with the client to make their dreams around the home come true.
How to create warm, inviting outdoor space where you can sit, rest, relax and entertain all year round.
Art makes a house a home, and choosing the right pieces is key to making a room look lived in and loved. But it’s easier said than done! No matter what your style, I believe the most important thing is to choose art and objects you love. After all – you’re going to be living with them every day! If you’re a minimalist, then two or three larger pieces in key locations will make your home feel loved. If you’re a maximalist, you may prefer a picture wall, or art zones where collections come together.
You searched high and low for the best architect and the best builder, but there’s one other professional you need by your side. An interior designer. One thing I often hear is, we should have used an interior designer. Building can be stressful and having an interior designer helps to guide all your decisions from day one until you move in and beyond.
When it comes to designing bedrooms, I try to have a clear idea of the mood my clients are looking to achieve. With master bedrooms, generally they’re looking for an oasis – a space away from the busyness of the home, a retreat. Something a little bit luxurious, warm, comforting, and most of all relaxing. It doesn’t have to be overly fussy, but of course it can be if you love colour and pattern! Think of it as taking a mini holiday every time you escape to your bedroom.
Window treatments are a great way to create the mood you want in your home, and with so many options to choose from you’ll easily find a look that matches your style. When you’re building or renovating, make sure you talk window treatments with your architect during the early stages, as you’ll need to consider the size and shape of your windows if you want to be able to cover them
When you are choosing flooring for your home there are a lot of things to consider. Flooring is a big ticket item, so you want to make sure you are making the right choice for your budget, lifestyle, family situation and the kind of home you are creating. The style of floor from timber to tile, natural or artificial will be the most influential in the mood you will create in the home.
With the borders closed over the past couple of years, it’s been amazing to see Kiwis embracing the special things we have right here in Aoteoroa. Instead of heading offshore, New Zealanders have turned their attention inwards to explore all that’s on offer in own backyard. From taking advantage of our native bush or visiting the best beaches (and we have a few!), to appreciating the little things in our bigger cities.
There is no doubt that we all need to make more conscious decisions when it comes to what we purchase, where it is made and what is used. Interior design is ever-changing design trends and fashion upheavals within the furniture and design industries. When we purchase products, we should be thinking about how long we will use it and if it will stand up to the test of time. Like what beauty products go on our skin we should also be thinking about what products we put into our homes.
When it comes to renovating or building a new home, there will always be trends and popular styles to follow. But, choosing a look that won’t date is a bit of an art - and that’s where a good interior designer can help. They can pull your ideas together with key trends to create a cohesive look that will stand the test of time.
When it comes to designing a great bedroom, there are a few golden rules Mary-Ellen follows to create a cohesive, interesting room.
How to create warm, inviting outdoor space where you can sit, rest, relax and entertain all year round.
As we see the end of the trend of all white kitchens, we’re becoming braver with our choices - embracing colour, texture and interesting forms in our kitchen design. Maximum impact in the kitchen is hot right now!
Spending more time on your sofa lately? Check out some New Zealand custom-made options that tick both the style and comfort boxes.
Aren’t we so lucky to live in New Zealand. Matt and I traveled extensively while living in London, now we like to take our kids on Adventures.
Wallpaper is one of the quickest, simplest, and sometimes cheapest ways to create the WOW factor in your home.
We hope you are all happy and well in your bubbles. We are navigating the new normal. Our three school age children keep us busy, but we are all learning a lot of new things.
At Hello Saturday we believe that you should live in a home that you love. Your space should not only look amazing, but it should be a reflection of your personality and style, and it should function perfectly to suit your lifestyle.
If you are anything like me, you love to have the house just perfect for Christmas, here are a few things I have found and would love for my home to make it feel special. These would also make great gifts for family, or treat yourself.
I am so excited to announce that I’ve been working with two amazing women, Portia Woodman and Dame Trelise Cooper, on Sealy’s 2019 Designer Bed fundraiser, to help raise vital funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
A busy family with three young children is usually an inevitable recipe for clutter. Luckily, I have developed some important rules that I live by in order to keep my space clean, tidy and clutter free.
PLUS: 5 Tips for preparing your home for sale.
The colours. The vibrancy. The tiles. Oh my gosh, the tiles! It’s worth a trip to Morocco just to see them.
If this isn’t a country you’ve considered adding to your bucket list, this is why it should be. I’ll explain what we did, where we stayed and how Morocco is providing some major design inspiration.
From tiles, to colour pallets, to courtyards and rugs, Morocco truly is an interior designer’s paradise.
If you think that a trip to Bali may in the cards for you, there is no denying that this island is an interior designer’s paradise. Hear my journey through the lens of an interior designer who returned from Bali with a dose of rustic and eclectic Indonesian interior inspiration…
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Over the past year the colour green has infiltrated our interiors – we’re starting to see the colour in so many shades and available in so many different ways.