Author Archives: topbird

1. 5 Australian brands making beautiful table linen

   June 2, 2017 12:49 pm 12 Comments Table linen is making a bright and beautiful comeback, if Australian design is any indication. Naked tables are out, and fully-dressed tabletops are in. If you want to adorn your table with beautiful table cloths, here are my top five picks from Australian design brands.

   Charlie & Fenton

   An independent textile studio in Melbourne, Charlie & Fenton's signature look is a "blend of bright angular geometric patterns, off-kilter painterly watercolours and the occasional unexpected psychedelic triumph!". If that doesn't spark your interest, check out the beautiful inky designs below, hand-painted and digitally-printed on to Belgian linen.

   Bonnie and Neil

   One of Australia's biggest independent textile brands, Bonnie and Neil's vibrant hand-crafted designs and Australiana themes have earned them a strong local following. Their latest table linen collection, Forest, features a stunning flowering gum in a delicate yet bold mix of soft and rosey pinks, with a stunning gold banksia print on napkins.

   

   Photo by Amelia Stanwix and styling by Heather Nette King, courtesy of Bonnie and Neil.

   

   

   Photo by Amelia Stanwix and styling by Heather Nette King, courtesy of Bonnie and Neil.

   Aqua Door

   A Brisbane-based textiles studio by Angela Richardson, Aqua Door's designs are first hand-drawn and then screen-printed using non-toxic water. Latest pieces include a beautiful Broderie Anglaise design, printed in white ink on natural linen; and a striking Algarve design printed on Indigo linen. The small print runs mean you won't catch your hand-printed linen napkins on your neighbour's table... unless they "borrowed" them!

   Kip & Co

   If you thought Kip & Co was all about bright and beautiful bed linen, consider their bold new venture into tableware. Their latest Autumn/Winter 2017 collection features three wildly different designs - from a delicate spray-painterly blush to a vibrant splash of salad fillings. Printed on pure woven French flax linen, the tablecloths are pre-washed to give a "relaxed look and feel like an old friend".

   Kate & Kate

   The brainchild of sisters-in-law Kate Pascoe and Kate Pascoe Squires, Kate & Kate is a Melbourne-based textiles brand. For its most recent collection, Kate & Kate collaborated with Sydney interior design studio Arent & Pyke. The result? A stunning range of textiles titled 'Carnival', which showcases Kate & Kate's trademark clean lines and love for both colour and monochrome. The 'Festive Twist' tablecloth features an organic hand-drawn element, and is available in a soft blush and ebony.

   

   The Festive Twist Tablecloth.

   Love homewares? Click here for more textile goodness. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save

2. Wee Find: Swedish wallpaper Majvillan

   May 16, 2017 11:28 am Leave a Comment After a fresh new look for your walls? I've just discovered Majvillan, a Swedish design brand that ticks all the right boxes of Scandinavian design. The eco-friendly wallpaper collection caught my eye, with particularly enchanting designs for children's rooms. The brainchild of designer and founder Charlotta Sandberg, the brand first launched in 2013 with its children's wallpapers, followed by a range of textiles and posters. The children's wallpapers range from bright and bold colours in fairytale-inspired figurative designs, to more subtle shades in organic and geometric prints. Majvillan later released a wallpapers for the entire home, echoing the dusky pastels and versatile neutrals in the children's collection. Bestselling designs include Alice, Cherry Valley, Confetti, Sweet Cotton, True Unicorns and Dragon Sky.

   

   'Alice' in pink/yellow, 83.50 EUR.

   

   'Cherry Valley' in green, 79 EUR.

   

   'Confetti' in Turquoise, 83.50 EUR.

   

   Sweet Cotton in Turquoise, 83.50 EUR.

   

   True Unicorns in Grey, 83.50EUR.

   

   'Dragon Sky' in Dark Blue, 79 EUR.

   "I am proud of my design", says Charlotta, "and that the brand has travelled out in the world from my small studio in Sweden!" For more information, head to Majvillan. Worldwide shipping available. Save Save Save

3. Beautiful entry ways + the best consoles

   April 26, 2017 7:20 am 1 Comment It wasn't until I didn't have a console for my entry way that I realised how much I relied on one. Not only was there nowhere to drop my keys when I first walked through the door, but everything that belonged in the hallway - hats, coats and gumboots - started to drift into other rooms throughout our home. Practicalities aside, there was nothing visually anchoring the entrance to our home. It was missing colour, texture - and personality. Here, I've listed my top five top tips to consider when buying a console, along with my favourite looks and products to give your entry way a fresh new look. Top: Jordan from Oh Happy Day created the perfect balance of style and functionality in her beautiful entry way. Photo via Oh Happy Day.

   

   A stool, side table and row of hooks make a stunning - and functional - entrance. Photo via Christina Prescott.

   5 things to consider when buying a console

   1. Practicalities First, think about how you use the hallway in your home. If you like to have your keys, wallet and spare coins at hand when you come and go, consider getting a console with drawers as a way to organise your stuff and stash any clutter. However, if your kids use the hallway as a place to dump their shoes and outer wear, you could use a bench as a seat for putting on shoes, with baskets underneath for shoes and hooks above for hanging hats, coats and bags.

   

   A bench seat with a row of hooks for hanging bags and hats makes an inviting entrance in this home. Photo via Tigmi Trading.

   2. Space Keep the length and width of your hallway in mind when choosing a new console or bench. If your hallway is narrow, choose a console that is around 35cm to 40cm wide. Alternately, you could hang a floating shelf as a handy bench top to stash your stuff. A mantle with hooks hung high on your wall can also save valuable space in an entry way. Check out Australian company Willow and Wood for their wall-mounted mantles, benches and hooks for the mudroom.

   

   The Virginia mantel by Willow and Wood is a stylish space-saver.

   

   With space at a premium, a set of Eames wall hooks is a practical and vibrant solution for kids in this home - and a blackboard wall can be used for messages and reminders. Photo via Child Mags.

   

   A row of hooks and woven baskets look at home in this rustic Italian cottage. Photo via Berenice Blog.

   3. Style As your entry way is the first thing you see when you walk through your door, the furniture should reflect the style of the rest of your home. If your home, for instance, is filled with mid-century style furniture, look for a timber console with sleek lines and tapered legs. Scandi-style homes, meanwhile, lend themselves beautifully to a practical bench seat.

   

   A carefully considered arrangement of form and texture reflects the style of this design-led home. Photography and styling by Bloesem Studio via Decor 8.

   4. Lighting Many hallways lack natural light, and a dark and dingy entry doesn't make the most inviting look to your home. If you don't have overhead lighting, a table lamp on your console is an easy solution. Otherwise, a floor lamp next to a bench is an alternate solution.

   

   A slim console table makes the most of the space in this hallway, while pendant lights above make dramatic use of the high ceiling. Photo via Sharyn Cairns for Mim Design Studio.

   5. Organisation and storage A console table or bench doesn't necessarily offer instant organisation. For example, I use baskets under my console table as a way to store shoes at the front door. Hooks and wall knobs above a bench seat or on the back of the door are an invaluable way to store clothes, and keep things off the ground. Click here to shop my edit of the best-looking wall hooks. If your console table doesn't have drawers, use a system of trays, baskets and bowls to store all of your essential things.

   

   A console table with drawers and a lower shelf is a handy way to organise and store your stuff. Photo via West Elm.

   Shopping Guide: 8 best console tables

   (From left to right) 1. Tripod console table, $1,835 from Nathan and Jac. 2. Frieda 2 drawer console table, $349 from Freedom. 3. Vintage 3 shelf console table, $2,999 from Zanui. 4. Reeve mid-century console, $799 from West Elm. 5. Console table, $2,395 from Workshopped. 6. Johansen console table with shelf, $295 from Interior Secrets. 7. Novitta console table in oak, $549 from Zanui. 8. Oak Oia Console Table  by Oslo Home, $599 from Temple and Webster. After another option? Check out the Valance Modern Designer Console, $499, from Retrojan.

   

   Cupertino console from BoConcept, $1,229.

   If you don't need drawers for storage, go for a low bench or a chair in your hall way. Here, my pick of the best benches.

   

   Mid-century entryway bench, $899 from West Elm.

   

   Moller Bench #63, $1750 from Great Dane.

   

   Trenery leather bench, $1,099 from Nathan and Jac.

   

   Panca Corta bench seat, $645 from Plyroom.

   My top pick? The Novitta console table in oak, $549 from Zanui. What about you? Which console or bench is your favourite? Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save

4. Frock on Friday: Mara Hoffman

   April 14, 2017 10:57 am Leave a Comment If you're ever in need of a mighty fine frock, look no further than Mara Hoffman. I'm a little bit in love with Hoffman's dedication to colour and pattern, and her spring collection for 2017 doesn't disappoint, with rainbow stripes and the prettiest prints in the softest organic cottons and linens. Pictured above: Patchwork cami, AU$234.40 and Patchwork midi skirt, AU$395.12 from Shopbop. Head to Shopbop now and get 20% off orders under US$500, and get 25% off orders over US$500. Find all details here.

   

   Mara Hoffman embroidered linen dress, US$515 from Shopbop. Head to Shopbop now and get 20% off orders under US$500, and get 25% off orders over US$500. Find all details here. Photo via Mara Hoffman.

   Spring 2017 also marks Hoffman's new direction into sustainability. A bikini bottom from the collection, for example, is made with recycled polyester and spandex, and the fabric is engineered and digitally printed to reduce waste. On her website, each garment is sold with the caveat to "wear more, wash less". Suits me!

   

   One shoulder midi dress, US$395 from Mara Hoffman.

   

   Mara Hoffman Maxi Wrap Dress, AU$569.24 from Shopbop. Head to Shopbop now and get 20% off orders under US$500, and get 25% off orders over US$500. Find all details about the sale here.

   While the new spring 2017 collection is primarily about Hoffman's more subtle, softer palette for summer, I'm drawn to her signature vibrant prints and patterns.

   

   Cut out midi dress, AU$468.69 from Shopbop. Head to Shopbop now and get 20% off orders under US$500, and get 25% off orders over US$500. Find all details about the sale here.

   

   Tie-front ankle dress, US$425 from Mara Hoffman.

   

   Mara Hoffman stripe rainbow high waist paints, $295, from Modus Operandi.

   The rainbow stripes are particularly striking in this season's swimwear.

   

   Left: Triangle bralette bikini top, US$125 and high waisted bikini bottom, US$125, from Mara Hoffman. Right: Beach ball high cut maillot, AU$301.26, from Shopbop.

   Head to Shopbop now and get 20% off orders under US$500, and get 25% off orders over US$500. Find all details about the sale here. Disclosure: This post contains affliate links. Please note that I only ever include products that I genuinely love. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save

5. Gorgeous gifts & gear for Easter 2017: Part 2

   March 28, 2017 1:54 pm 3 Comments Did you get my Easter bunny alert yesterday? Here is the second part of my top 26 Easter 2017 goodies and gear for kids, from bunny cork boards and espadrilles to rabbit slippers and dress-ups. Hope some bunny loves it (sorry). Top: Photo by Pretty Brave, via The Corner Booth. 14. Fabelab bunny bag, $28.95 from The Gathered Store. 15. Alimrose linen Bonnie bunny rattle, $21 from My Messy Room. 16. Baby long sleeve organic bunny T-Shirt, $5 from Target. 17. Bloomingville Adelynn rabbit dish, $35 from Kido Store. 18. Pretty Brave white rabbit espadrilles from The Corner Booth. 19. Oeuf Clothier animal hoodie, $219 from Kido Store. 20. Bloomingville cork pinboard, $42.95 from Kido Store. 21. Bunny hood gloves, $24.95 from Seed. 22. Felt bunny cap, $34.95 from Seed Heritage. 23. Wall art in a tube, $19.95 from Cotton On. 24. Bubby onesie, $19.99 from Cotton On. 25. Novelty homeboot, $24.95 from Cotton On. 26. Dress me up, $10 from Cotton On. After more Easter goodies and inspiration? Don't miss these posts. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save

6. Gorgeous Gifts & Gear for Easter 2017

   March 27, 2017 12:00 pm 1 Comment Easter is just a hop, skip and jump away, so I've rounded up my favourite finds for this year - starting at just $4.95. There are so many beautiful things for kids right now, you could (almost) get away with a chocolate-free Easter. Try tucking a sparkly bunny wand into an Easter basket or wrap up and hide a collection of small themed trinkets for the kids to find, like bunny hair clips. Love beautiful design more than foil-wrapped chocolate eggs? (Wash your sugar-free mouth out!) Get simple and refined Easter style with a wooden leather rabbit teether for your youngest, or kit out your home with sprightly wooden bunnies. And it needn't be expensive, with Kmart's cute collection of simple white bunny bowls for $4. I've spotted similar designs at Liberty, arguably London's top arbiter of style, for a lot more. Hop to it, etc. Look out for part two - coming tomorrow! Top: Easter hunt kit, $19.95 from Kikki K. 1. Lurex bunny sweater, $54.95 from Seed Heritage. 2. Garbo & Friends wood leather Miss Bunny teether, $30, from Meus Shop. 3. Shooting stars wand, $4.95 from Cotton On. 4. OYOY Nature wooden rabbit decoration, $58.95 from Milk Tooth. 5. Meri Meri pouch bunny, $25 from The Corner Booth. 6. Ceramic bunny bowl, $4 from Kmart. 7. Oeuf Clothier organic layette bunny hat, $45 from Kido Store. 8. Easter Bunny’s Helpers, $14.99 from David Jones. 9. Giddy Giddy Hair Clip, $9.45 from Milk Tooth. 10. Bunny knit headband, $19.95 from Seed Heritage. 11. Alicia LS Girls PJ set, $29.95 from Cotton ON. 12. Bunny Tutu Dress, $59.95 from Seed Heritage. 13. Gift tags 2 pack, $3.95 from Kikki-K. After more Easter inspiration? Have a look over here for more ideas and great buys. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save

7. Object of My Desire: Cesta Lamp

   November 25, 2016 10:39 am Leave a Comment What do I want for Christmas? Why, a Cesta lamp by mid-century Spanish designer Miguel Milá, please Santa. The iconic lamp was designed in 1962 and it’s still in production by Spanish design house Santa & Cole. The Cesta lamp has been on my wishlist radar since my obsession with mid-century design began, but it’s recently popped up again, making an appearance in interiors magazines and in the homes of design lovers around the globe. Top: Photography via The Fine Store.

   

   Photography via Santa & Cole.

   I love the Cesta's handcrafted organic oval form and the considered cherry wood frame, which was made using traditional steam-bending techniques. The design is both sturdy and delicate, and it can be used alternately as a floor lamp and table lamp. It’s an exquisite piece of modernist design - at once sturdy and delicate - seemingly informed by traditional Japanese design.

   

   The Cesta lamp, €659 from The Fine Store.

   According to Santa & Cole, Cesta’s designer Miguel Milá  “almost represents the history of Catalan modern design”. In 1950s Barcelona, he joined a group of like-minded designers and architects to discuss modernity and how to promote design and implant its professional practice.

   

   Miguel Milá with his iconic Cesta lamp. Photography courtesy of Santa & Cole.

   Milá himself stated that, “I am in reality a pre-industrial designer. I feel more comfortable with the technical procedures that allow correcting failures, experimenting during the process, and controlling it to the maximum. That is where my preference for noble materials comes from, the preference for materials that know how to age." Santa & Cole has recently released the Cesta's little sister, the (more affordable) Cestita Lamp, which was also designed by Milá in 1962. This version features white opal engineering plastic, which looks just like glass

   

   Santa & Cole's new Cestita lamp, €255 from The Fine Store.

   The perfect sideboard lamp

   Need a nice lamp for your sideboard? Look no further than the Cesta, which has found a new home on the sideboards of many a stylist on Instagram.

   

   Beautiful sideboard styling in Simone Haag's home. Photography by photos by Armelle Habib, via Desire to Inspire and Urbis Magazine.

   

   The organic shape of the Cesta lamp softens the geometric lines in this vignette, by Ines Garp.

   

   Photography by Barcelona Original Designs.

   A lamp for every room

   

   The Cesta lamp was on The Design Chaser's wishlist "for ages" - and it now graces her desk.

   

   Books, plants and the Cesta. Photography via Barcelona Original Designs.

   

   A stunning lamp for a stunning living room, perched on the modern fireplace ledge. via Barcelona Original Designs.

   A table lamp that is also a floor lamp

   

   A floor lamp in the home of Salva López and José Javier Serrano. Photography by Silvia Conde.

   

   Design icons: the Butterfly chair and Cesta lamp, via Barcelona Original Designs.

   

   Joining the bedside floor collection - the perfect floor lamp for a futon or low-lying bed - by Hunting for George.

   For more information, go to Santa & Cole. The Cesta Lamp is available in Australia from ECC Lighting & Furniture; and in the UK from The Conran Store. Save Save Save Save

8. The Nicest Rainbow Presents for Kids

   November 24, 2016 11:33 am 1 Comment If you, like me, have a rainbow-obsessed little one (or big one) at home, you can't go wrong with an excellent rainbow-themed present for Christmas. I've rounded up my top 16 amazing rainbow-themed gifts - perfect for kids of all ages. Little ones will love playing with Grimm's rainbow stacking toy and the beautiful marble sounding tree, while your big ones will be thrilled with a rainbow pool float and a Tatty Devine rainbow necklace. Christmas presents for kids have never been easier - or colourful. Top: Incredible DIY Rainbow Backdrop by Oh Happy Day. 1. Marble Sounding Tree - medium, $104.90 by Honeybee Toys. 2. Rainbow Eraser, $8.50 from The Corner Booth. 3. Paper Wings Singlet Dress Rainbow Fairy, $59.99 from The Corner Booth. 4. Rainbow Maker, $59.95 from Mad About Science. 5. Paper Wings Rainbow Fairy Tote, $44.95 by Cocoon Living. 6. Watercolour Hearts art print, $25 by Rainbow Loves to Groove/Etsy. 7. Sunnylife Pool Ring Rainbow, $39.95 from Little Paper Lane. 8. My Very Own Rainbow Projector, $39.95, from the Australian Geographic Shop. 9. Washi Tape in Rainbow stripe, $3.95 from Little Paper Lane. 10. SunnyLife Large Rainbow Neon Light, $80.81 from Shopbop (special offer on now & free worldwide express delivery). 11. Rainbow Necklace, £65 from Tatty Devine. 12. In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey, $13.95 from Booktopia. 13. Grimm's Wooden Rainbow Double Tower, $109.95 from Milk Tooth. 14. Best friends pen, $3.50, from Cotton On Kids. 15. Cooler Bag by Ban.do, $70 from The Corner Booth. 16. SunnyLife Luxe Rainbow Float, $75.42 from Shopbop (special offer on now & free worldwide express delivery). Like my rainbow gift guide? Look out for more of my Christmas present round-ups - coming soon. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save

9. Bright and beautiful ideas for decorating your home at Christmas

   November 21, 2016 2:57 pm Leave a Comment

   

   A minimalist monochrome Christmas not your style? Brighten up your home with my edit of boldest and most colourful Christmas decorating ideas. Be inspired by some of some of the best design bloggers' creative ideas - from your Christmas tree and Advent calendar to home decor and wrapping presents. Then scroll down for my shopping guide to get the look. Have fun! Top: DIY Christmas Bulb Advent Calendar by The House that Lars Built.

   THE TREE

   

   Incredible DIY balloon-festooned tree by A Kailo Chic Life.

   

   Photo via Studio DIY.
   
   

   

   By Pencil Shavings Studio.

   

   DIY Pom Pom Christmas tree by Sugar and Cloth.

   THE TREATS

   

   Colour-blocked gingerbread men by A Kailo Chic Life.

   THE FREE PRINTABLES

   

   Free printable Christmas paper by Studio DIY.

   THE DECOR

   

   by The House Lars Built.

   THE ADVENT CALENDAR

   

   Merry Mod Advent Calendar, $52.81 (reduced from $70.42), from House of Nod.

   THE DIY ADVENT CALENDAR

   

   By Oh Happy Day.

   

   By Oh Happy Day.

   THE DECORATIONS

   

   By Pencil Shavings Studio.

   NOW GET THE LOOK

   1. Sack Me Confetti Christmas stocking from Little Paper Lane. 2. Bubble Gum Machine decoration from The Conran Shop. 3. Snowflake paper decoration from The Conran Shop. 4. Retro Bright Christmas sack from Target. 5. Advent calendar with mini erasers from Hard to Find. 6. Fruit baubles set of six from The Conran Shop. 7. Multi-coloured Ball Wreath from The Conran Shop. 8. Barrel tree Advent calendar from Target. 9. Multi-coloured glass balloon Christmas decorations from The Conran shop. Love my Christmas edit? Click here for more incredible Christmas decorating ideas. Save Save

10. Wee Find: Melinda Young’s botanical jewellery

    November 17, 2016 7:00 am 1 Comment As many Wee Birdy readers are aware, I've got a bit of a thing for plants. Not surprisingly, so does the rest of the design world. We've seen a resurgence of the modernist indoors/outdoors theme inside our homes, and gardens and indoor plants are enjoying a new-found popularity. It follows that in recent years, plants and foliage have found their way as a recurring motif in fashion, design, homewares and art. So I was fascinated by the work in the recent exhibition at Craft ACT in Australia, Grow Your Own: Crafting Contemporary Foliage. In particular, I was drawn to the foliage-themed pieces by contemporary jewellery designer Melinda Young. Above: Deconstructed Peony.

    

    Above: Australian contemporary jewellery designer Melinda Young in her Sydney studio.

    The Sydney-based designer has exhibited widely in Australia and internationally, and has a Master of Visual Arts, (Jewellery and Object Design) from Sydney College of the Arts (SCA), University of Sydney. For last month's "Grow Your Own" exhibition, Melinda uses traditional silvermaking techniques and fake foliage to create exquisite pieces of jewellery. Each one-off piece is made with a firm tongue in cheek, deconstructing plastic flowers and salvaged plastic beads to create stunning new one-off jewellery designs.

    

    Brooches from the 'Old Growth' series.

    

    Neckpiece from the 'In Balance' series.

    The pieces are not only beautiful to wear, but are an exploration of the mass-produced versus the handmade; highbrow versus lowbrow; and the unnatural versus the natural. These are recurrent themes throughout Melinda's work (note that her Instagram user name is @unnaturaljeweller).

    

    Above: Succulent Rope neckpieces.

    There is an unabashed pride of Australian flora evident in Melinda's work, which works wonderfully with the faux flowers. The kitsch and mass-produced origins of the materials are also a statement about the traditional treatment of 'Australiana' flora and fauna as a souvenir.

    

    Above: 'Deconstructed Bottlebrush' series neckpieces; and Wattle neckpiece.

    You can buy Melinda's jewellery (perfect for Christmas presents) from Courtesy of the Artist; Pieces of Eight; Craft Victoria; Studio 20/17; and Fingers (Auckland). For any of the pieces from the 'Grow Your Own' exhibition featured in this post, contact Melinda Young.

    

    Above: Brooch with wood, coral, pearls, moonstone and jade.

    Follow Melinda on Facebook and Instagram. All photography courtesy of Melinda Young. Save Save Save

11. How to get a Scandi-style Christmas at home

    November 16, 2016 11:07 am 1 Comment For Christmas this year on Wee Birdy,  I'm pulling together a series of Christmas themes to inspire you when decorating your home. Today, I've taken inspiration from Nordic style and one of the biggest trends to emerge this year in design: black interiors and homewares. Minimalist and moody, you can create a Nordic-style monochrome Christmas by combining matte black with natural materials such as woven fibres, pale timber and Christmas greenery. Lighten your look with snowy white and add a touch of gleam with gold or metallic accents. Be inspired by some of my favourite Nordic Christmas styling and ideas. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for my shopping guide to get the look. Above: A Holiday vignette by Ami McKay via Poppytalk.

    The Tree

    

    DIY Tree Skirt Alternative by The Merry Thought.

    

    Nordic-style Christmas tree via Broste Copenhagen.

    

    Photo by House Doctor.

    THE PALETTE

    

    Woodsfolk's Nordic Christmas style.

    The stockings

    

    Photo and stockings via House Doctor.

    The decor

    

    A simple Christmas look by Weekday Carnival.

    

    Photo via Broste.

    

    A Nordic-style candle setting by House Doctor.

    The gift wrapping

    

    Photo and Christmas wrap via House Doctor.

    The wreath

    

    Photo via Broste Copenhagen.

    The table setting

    

    Photo by Marie Claire Maison.

    

    Photo and tableware via House Doctor.

    

    Photo via House Doctor.

    The DIY

    

    DIY minimalist Advent Calendar by So Soft Sunday.

    The Advent Calendar

    

    Santa advent calendar by Oyoy.

    Now Get the Look

    1. Christmas advent calendar in black by Cabin Co Interiors, $85 by Hard to Find. 2. Scandi Tree Topper in Black and Natural, $19.95 by The Woodsfolk. 3. GIVANDE Ribbon, white black, natural, $4.99 from IKEA. 4. Black Christmas stocking, 129 SEK, from Granit. 5. Henry and Co 'dear santa' Santa Sack, $38 from The Corner Booth. 6. VINTER 2016 Paper napkins, $1.99 for pack of 30, from IKEA. 7. Scandi Wall Dec Black and Natural, $14.95 from The Woodsfolk. 8. House Doctor Pine Tree Ornament, $4.95 from Little Paper Lane. 9. VINTER 2016 Hanging decoration, set of 6, $7.99 from IKEA. 10. Black Candelabra, 649 SEK, from Granit. 11. 3m Black Garland Black, $39 from The Woodsfolk. After more Christmas ideas? Have a look at these posts from the Wee Birdy archive. Save

12. Frock on Friday: Milk & Thistle Kyoto Dress

    October 7, 2016 9:56 am Leave a Comment Sydney birds, it's time to break out your summer frocks this weekend, and I can't think of a better option than local label Milk & Thistle's Kyoto dress. I'm a bit obsessed with kimono sleeves right now, and Milk & Thistle has nailed the Perfect Sydney Summer Dress for Grown Ups with this linen beauty in a striking cobalt blue.

    

    Kyoto Dress Cobalt in Blue Linen, $285.

    With breezy kimono sleeves and a flattering V-neckline, it's a fabulously versatile dress that can be worn loose like a kaftan or cinched in at the waist. Play around with the long obi-style linen belt to create an elegant silhouette. The soft linen fabric will keep you cool on humid summer days, while the lightly creased look is beautifully on-point. I popped in to Milk & Thistle's Newtown boutique on Wednesday, and it's not surprising that it's selling hot and fast, with orders flying in online and in-store. The Kyoto dress is also available in other fabrics, including the Collector print by Edith Rewa (see bottom).

    

    Kyoto Dress in Turkish Weave Natural (available end of October).

    

    Kyoto Dress in Grey Chambray Stripe, $210.

    

    Kyoto Dress Collector Print by Edith Rewa, $310.

    

    Kyoto Dress in Collector print worn loose without belt, $310.

    To shop, go to Milk & Thistle. Save Save

13. Wee Find: Gorgeous Moroccan Sequin Baskets

    October 4, 2016 7:00 am 1 Comment Just when you thought you'd seen every kind of embellished woven basket (tassels; pom poms; painted), along come these bedazzled beauties. Handwoven from palm leaf, each sequined basket features a natural sisal cord handle. Perfect for storing jewellery, stashing essentials on your bedside table, or organising small toys, these handy little baskets will add a touch of colour, texture and sparkle to any room.

    

    Multi-coloured sequin basket, $15 from Meus.

    The baskets are available from online American home and lifestyle shop, Meus, which offers a petite yet impeccable selection of design-led products from independent makers. Also available in gold and white sequins, the baskets are ethically handmade in Morocco. Gold sequin baskets, $15 each, from Meus.

    

    Medium white sequin baskets, $20 each; and small white sequin baskets, $15 each from Meus.

    Various sequin baskets are available from $15 each from Meus. Save Save Save