Unit Concepts

Unit Concepts is looking quite sharp these days, it looks like they have had a bit of a re-vamp - I just love love love everything in there...I want it all mwahh ha haaa.

My favourite destination for design icon pieces and gadgets, they just don't seem to be very pleased to see children in the store! But the children sure loved the novelties room in the back!

Unit Concepts is on Lonsdale Street, Braddon.

Rarified: Art framing design

LOVING....After a friend suggested I check out a few things in Dickson, I was grateful to find this gem... a beautiful framing showroom and workshop. Rarified is refreshingly modern,with a 'designed' take on framing.

Rarified combines a gallery space with a personalised custom framing service emphasising style, design, creativity and interior design. Chill out at the layout table or on a lounge and browse through catalogues of inspiring art prints and posters, never ordinary, always a little unexpected, some rare.

Owner Samantha Simpson-Morgan, a photographer, Illustrator and lover of art says Rarified "aims to be a framing store unlike any other, friendly and accessible to all, that celebrates all things creative. Our mission is to bring framing up to the level of fashion in Australia and the world."

As part of the custom framing service, you can also have a 'vision board' (a custom pinnable board) painted in any colour you like, and framed, then it's up to you to add your own inspiration. They also love the challenge of framing holiday keepsakes and odd objects - anything is worthy of framing! Check out this on Samantha's blog.

Rarified also stock these amazing cushions by local designer Donna Aylen - HOT!

Rarified is also recruiting for a 'frame designer consultant and front of house' (part time) more info on the blog. Rarified is tucked in behind Zefirelli's, off Wooley street in Dickson. Fabulous!

Real Estate Rooms: With style

Something which has always satisfied the voyer in me has been browsing inside people's homes when they are for sale. It never fails to fascinate me how people choose to present their home for others to view it.

Here are a few shiny houses I spotted in last weekends paper, none of which I could even dare to imagine affording!

16 Dominion Cct Forrest - Berkely Residential

22 Ferdinand Pl Campbell - LJ Hooker

36 Dominion Cct Forrest - Richard Luton Properties

Fashion in the city: Jo Pickup

I took the opportunity on Sunday afternoon, to have a look at the 'whirlwind' exhibition of fashion and art by Perth based artist Jo Pickup. Held at Craft ACT, in conjunction with fashion boutique Department of the Exterior, the exhibition featured Pickup's Winter 2008 range and a collection of her artwork.

Largely monochromatic, the fashion collection features a layered silhouette with slices of grahically printed fabrics, derived from Pickup's artworks.

Unfortunately the exhibition, traveling the country, was only here for the weekend, but you can check out the fashion collection at Department of the Exterior, inside 'Manuka Court', Bouganville st Manuka, and more of Jo Pickup's work on her website.

Fashion for feet: Karmen Sega

Once again, the Kingston Markets brings to my attention another fab designer, this time something delicious for your feet, and in Canberra's winter, these will be wonderful for keeping your tootsies off the cold cold floor. I spoke with Karmen Sega about her designs...

"Inspiration comes from anywhere and everything that catches my eye: colours, objects, moods. My style is unique, clourful, alive and personal."

Karmen studied fashion at CIT, but chose not to pursue it seriously. Of the delectable leather 'house shoes' she designs and makes, Karmen says "they started as Christmas presents for family members and the ideas just started rolling, and they evolved from there"

"My slippers are an unique product as every pair is made individually and no two pairs are the same, so every customer is assured they're the only ones with that particular design. I Only use the best Australian leather and wool felt for padding in the soles. My slippers are leather laced around the edges."

Most of the designs have botanical themes, such as leaves, flowers, butterflies, dragonflies and lady bugs. Karmen also designs Australiana themes, sunflowers, cherries, frogs, all in a huge variety of colours and textures.

Sizes are in small medium and large and cater for men and women, with custom sizes also available for unusual sized feet). Karmen also does children's slippers to order, starting from size 3.

See the range of leather house shoes at the Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston, where Karmen is a regular stall holder or drop her an email at karmensega@optusnet.com.au for more information.

Behind the Curtains with: Erin Cain

I was privileged to be invited to the elegant home of Erin Cain, Interior Designer, last week.

Erin describes her style as "a clean take on antiques, and without clutter". Her style is very elegant and her home is full of beautiful and unique furniture and objects.

Just inside the entry (wallpapered with a pearlised, soft blue Laura Ashley paper) is a beautiful antique chest with an amazing ornate mirror.

Opposite the kitchen (with the most gorgeous island bench I have EVER seen) is a gallery wall of iconic artworks, including a reproduction of a Norman Lindsay painting.

Of finding the right pieces for her home, Erin says it's all about the thrill of the hunt. An opportunist, she sources items from ebay, revolve, auctions and garage sales, preferring to be surrounded by pre-loved and unique items. But a splurge item is on the way, a beautiful scrolled arm sofa will be fully restored and upholstered with a Designer's Guild fabric in Chocolate brown with tree blossoms in blue.

Another element to her interior design is the beautiful artwork she paints, a large canvas dominates the dining room, the tulips inspired by works in a book by Decorator Nina Campbell.

And just wait until you have seen the children's rooms, where Erin lets her imagination run, and her talents shine. 5 year old Zeke has a floor to ceiling mural in a riot of colour and very cute characters, painted a few years ago "it's time for a change of pace in here" says Erin, Zeke has out grown (the theme of) this mural."

Things are dialed down in the restful bedrooms for Hunter, 2 and a half, and baby Jasper, 2 months.

In Baby Jasper's room, the tree and birds are an arrangement designed by Erin and made from wallpaper offcuts and are set against a pale blue wall. Erin also made the cushions in the cot...too cute!

If you need an amazing child's room, (and after seeing her work - who wouldn't?) Erin would love to assist, you can contact Erin by email at ecain@dodo.com.au or by phone on 6258 8212.

...and stay tuned to Canberra's Got style for more of Erin's work in an up-coming Canberra Children's Rooms feature!

Happy Friday: Canberra's Got Style office

 Ok, so I have been busily deciding how to  do my office when I move into a new room. It needs to double as a rare-occasions guest room and sewing room in our house. It also gets to be the only kind of girly room as everyone else who lives here are boys. It needs to be fun and inspiring for me!

  

before; and Momiji

So here is what I am working with... 2 small corner desks (from Ikea), 2 Ola chairs from Cite (one red, one mint), 2 upholstered bench ottomans on wheels (will be joined together on the rare occasions we have guests here), Ikea Knappa pendant light, floral 'wall stickers' from Don't Tell Phyliss. I also have already bought lots of red storage boxes for the open shelving I will have (to hide my junk, you understand!). 

  

So here is the colour inspiration I have decided on...

 

The images are from one of my favourite books "Contemporary Eastern" by Alice Whatley. The brown fabric is on the upholstered bench ottomans, the pink/red floral represents the 'wall stickers', the green pattern is flocked wrapping paper by (Aussie) Christina Re - I plan to 'wallpaper' some wardrobe doors with it, and they will double for a bed head in guest-room mode. And my little Momiji, above (from Living In Style) inspired it all!