OK, so Zambesi coming down the runway at Melbourne Fashion Week with six all-white outfits for SS2013/14 may possibly have something to do with my current obsession with white. I have always loved a healthy inclusion of white in my interiors.  I love the way white and strong colour work together, and white is almost always my colour of choice for joinery and ceiling colour, more often than not, curtain colour (in my own home).  But white is slowly creeping into my wardrobe as well. I have the beautiful ‘Smoking Jacket’ by Lela Jacobs with its beautiful billowing sleeves and screen printed back. To celebrate all things white, I thought I would do a post on all my favourite white things at the moment..

I first saw Timothy John’s work at Urbis Design Day in 2012.  He had taken over a space below Design 55 in Newton to showcase his amazing light fittings (which were/are my favourites) and furniture designs. He works with a variety of raw materials including wire and fabrics, glass and wood. His newest project is a stool called ‘sidekick’.  I am, of course, completely obsessed with stools and have far too many in the house – though I could be persuaded to add another one. With its fabulous base in coloured wire (white, black, blue or yellow) and either clear or black stained top (and any combination there of), you can make yours exactly what you would want.  The stool is $399 and the side table version (with a thicker top) is $440.   The stools/tables are available on-line at Timothy John Studio or through Corporate Culture & Thread Design in Auckland and Yoyo Design in Wellington. I hear through the grapevine that Timothy John Studio will be opening a space in Tauranga having moved from Whakatane and also that we to check the next Home magazine as we might get a look at the barstool version of the sidekick…

Timothy John Sidekick Stool $399

Chaos and Harmony just posted a sneak peak of their Reverie sandal for SS2013/4 and it is looking rather fabulous.  I am still obsessed with the Pilgrim and boot from their current winter collection (I have a boot post coming), but these look gorgeous.  I can but dream – a pair of crisp white shoes with an all black outfit.   Summer Bliss…

Chaos and Harmony Reverie Sandal SS2013/14

Hides are featuring everywhere in interiors at the moment and are a lovely organic juxtiposion to all the graphics around (chevron et al).  We have painted wooden floors and hides look great with the white against the white. Or in this case white/black against the white. This calf hide was sent to me from Canterbury Sheepskins and looks just as at home thrown over the back of the couch as it does thrown on the floor. I do also use them as a bathmat as I prefer that to a battered old toweling mat. They retail for $147 and are available on-line.

If I had to choose a shop to live inside of (strange thought I know), it would be Father Rabbit.  It always feels like I am on holiday when I walk inside of their store.  Maybe because of the white on white palette – but also because of the simplicity and practicality of many of the things featured there. I am just doing a tiny beach house with a client at the moment and we are trying to make sure (because of the small space and four children) that everything in the space is very practical, but also beautiful. Fruit bowls are stacked on the pine bench top but double as mixing bowls or serving dishes, the dushpan and brushes are hung from a nail in plain sight as there is no laundry cupboard. There are no garish plastic bottles anywhere (everything is decanted into glass) which just leaves less clutter for the eye and helps make the tiny space peaceful and calm. I just love all the new enamel plates, serving platters and Reiss Kitchenware that has just come into store.  And all of it fits the bill perfectly for the practical and the beautiful.  I have collected enamel cookware for years, but as most of it is damaged, it is no good for actually cooking but looks great on a shelf.  Enamel is great for cooking and easy to clean – and lasts forever as long as you care for it. Visit them in the dreamy store 14 Cockburn Rd Grey Lynn or find them on-line.

Reiss Kitchenware Dustpan $86

Reiss Kitchenware 2 Litre Jug $118

Reiss Kitchenware Enamel Stockpot $148