Graphic Artworks by Calligrapher Ylva Skarp

We love Swedish calligrapher Ylva Skarp’s work so much that we have sourced some new, beautiful pieces for Yellow Front Door.

The great thing about Ylva’s work is that they all look wonderful when hung together on a wall, especially if you’re after a monochromatic black and white palette for your home.

Below: She brings letters to life with “Be yourself everyone else is already taken” $59 delivered.

Perfect for a nursery or children’s room is this delightful alphabet print in pink, apricot and black, on white $59 delivered

 

While “It’s Cool to be Kind” makes a real statement. $49 delivered

Check out Ylva’s work and buy her wall art online at Yellow Front Door. Prices included free delivery Australia-wide, or contact us form overseas for shipping prices.

New Outdoor Cushions at Yellow Front Door

A stunning range of new outdoor cushions has just arrived at Yellow Front Door. Jax and Tangier outdoor cushions are in fabrics by iconic US fashion designer Trina Turk. Not for wallflowers, her outdoor fabric designs are just as flamboyant and colourful as her catwalk designs. Turk's signature look is graphic and bold, yet also delicately detailed and intricate. 

Colours are on-trend yellow, stone, black, white and grey, and the material is long-lasting acrylic. Trina Turk is well known for her wonderfully creative and vibrant apparel, and moved into outdoor fabrics in collaboration with US fabric-house Schumacher. Read more about this inspiring designer here http://www.yellowfrontdoor.com.au/trina-turk/Her designs are just as at home beside the pool or on the deck as they are on the catwalk.

Tangier outdoor cushion at front with Cream outdoor cushion at back

Jax outdoor cushion

We are also excited to introduce a new range of outdoor cushions in our own Yellow Front Door label. They are made from solution-dyed acrylic so are especially long lasting and durable.

Solution-dyed acrylic has a strong woven construction and flurocarbon finish which makes the material is breathable and light-weight. It’s also resistant to water, mould, mildew, stains, and fading.

The sizes are 48cm x 48cm and there are three colours available – Khaki, Cream and Grey – which work in beautifully on their own or with other colourful, patterned designs, such as Jax and Tangier.

Khaki outdoor cushion cover

Grey outdoor cushion cover

Cream and Tangier outdoor cushions

These outdoor cushions and more are available online at Yellow Front Door – and we offer free delivery Australia-wide. Contact us for shipping prices to other countries.

Fabulous Eateries in NSW

On my travels I always keep my eye out for cool new design in cafes, restaurants and bars. Here are some recent finds and the top Yellow Front Door picks.

Harvest Cafe and Deli, Newyrbar

I spotted this divine cafe and separate deli/foodstore on my recent trip to Gaia Retreat and Spa in the Northern Rivers area of NSW. Now I felt absolutely no need whatsoever to leave Gaia in the four days I was there, but did venture out for a walk to the nearby village Newrybar in search of mozzie bite cream! Didn't find a chemist, but did find this delightful little gem - a magnet for residents in the surrounding area I'm sure.

The food is far too good at Gaia for me to be disloyal and actually eat or drink there, but I did appreciate the old school charm and rustic design http://harvestcafe.com.au

Above: Harvest Cafe in Newrybar, take-away coffees, horses greeting us on the way

Above: Harvest Deli/Foodstore in Newrybar, lots of beautiful delicious and healthy things

Ruby's Diner, Bronte Rd, Sydney

I must confess I haven't actually eaten here, but noticed the groovy, original design of this cafe when walking past one day www.rubysdiner.com.au

Love the wild waves art and pressed tin panels

Coogee Pavilion, Coogee, Sydney

If you've got kids you've probably been here or at least heard about it. I walked in one rainy day last month and was amazed by what opened up before my eyes - past the bar and tables is a huge play area for kids (and adults alike!) complete with table tennis, and large climbing wall Scrabble game, huge Jenga, skittles, and lots of other games. You do need quite a high tolerance for noise though, as it is loud and a bit chaotic. The food was good and they have a kids menu. 

Upstairs is for grown-ups only and feels a bit like a 1920s tennis club is really beautiful and has lots of interesting and cool design features such as the semi circular pegboard wall of artworks on the way up. It's reminiscent of a 1930s art deco tennis club. http://merivale.com.au/coogeepavilionhttp://merivale.com.au/coogeepavilion

 Bills's Bondi, Bondi Beach

I do love the booth seating in both Bill's Bondi and Bill/s Darlinghurst. And the brilliant wall of art actually makes facing the wall a delight. www.bills.com.au

 Bills Bondi

Bills Darlinghurst 

Watsons Bay Hotel

This old establishment was done up a little while ago now, but still impressed me on a recent visit on a beautiful Sydney day. It's the views and location you're really paying for watsonsbayhotel.com.au

I love looking at the interior design of these commercial spaces as I find them inspiring and a source of ideas for both Yellow Front Door products and my own house. If you're inspired too and want to buy some cushions or wall art online, take a look at our Yellow Front Door range www.yellowfrontdoor.com.au

10 Things to Learn from these Beautiful Bedrooms

Bedrooms are the most personal rooms in the house. A bedroom should be beautiful and relaxing, and offer you a feeling of peace, safety and comfort. Given that approximately one third of our lives are spent sleeping, it’s important to get this room right. Carefully consider colour, texture, lighting and furniture, and introduce elements that bring your own personality to the space. These bedrooms will show you some key ways to create a bedroom that is not only beautiful, but also functional and relaxing.

Contemporary Bedroom by Sydney Interior Designers & Decorators Carmen Parker Styling

Dark walls are cosier
Given that bedrooms are mostly used at night for sleeping and reading, it’s the one room in the house that can get away with being dark and moody. Bedrooms should be cosy and inviting, and a dark wall colour will achieve this. Remember colours look different depending on the amount of light available in the room so get a few sample pots which you can paint onto card and attach to the wall with blu-tack. This will also help you coordinate the colour with existing furniture and colours. If you don’t want the room to appear too dark you can use a dark colour on just one wall like here, and behind the bed is the obvious choice.

Contemporary Bedroom by Sydney Interior Designers & Decorators Darren Palmer Interiors

If light isn’t an issue, be daring and introduce the dark colour to all four walls.

Transitional Bedroom

This grasscloth wallpaper in aubergine combines a dark colour with texture for an extra dose of cosiness.

Traditional Bedroom by Sydney Interior Designers & Decorators Darren Palmer
Texture is key 
Texture is all about the feel of a surface or material, and is vital for creating warmth, character and cosiness. Texture also helps with acoustics. Introduce texture with curtains, rugs, throws and cushions. Look for textiles that have a “slub” to them, which means they have nubs and irregularities which give a bumpy, uneven and rough texture. Consider natural, woven or embroidered materials in linen, wool, silk, or velvet. Rugs should be thick and luscious, and even wall art can introduce texture if you choose a painting with a rough surface.

Contemporary Bedroom by Melbourne Architects Adam Dettrick Architects

Here texture is introduced through the exposed concrete bricks, so little else is needed.

Contemporary Bedroom by Sydney Architects C+M Studio

Curtains add sophistication
Installing curtains will up the drama and luxe factor, so consider using them even if you already have blinds in place. Blinds are great for controlling light but can feel clinical. If your bed is positioned in front of a window like here, sheer curtains will remove that drafty feeling while allowing the light through.

Beach Style Bedroom by Other Metro Architects Walter Barda Design

Aim for two layers of curtains which can be placed on separate tracks – one sheer curtain for privacy, and another in a heavier fabric for light and temperature control.

Transitional Bedroom by Sydney Interior Designers & Decorators Horton & Co. Designers

Bedheads dictate comfort
When choosing the style of bedhead, consider not only how it will look but also how it will feel when you’re sitting up in bed.
A padded bedhead will introduce comfort and texture (but will require regular steam cleaning).

Transitional Bedroom by Sydney Interior Designers & Decorators Touch Interiors

Buttons and studs, along with a geometric pattern, bring formality and a traditional element to this bedroom.

Eclectic Bedroom by Vancouver Interior Designers & Decorators The Cross Interior Design

A wooden bedhead, whether it’s part of the bed or attached directly to the wall, is easy to keep clean, but will need some European pillowcases for comfort.

Eclectic Bedroom by Perth Interior Designers & Decorators Twinkle and Whistle

Get creative with your bedhead. You can use wallpaper, recycled wood, or pressed tin panels like here. More creative DIY bedhead ideas here http://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/27270058/list/make-your-bed-and-lie-in-it-13-creative-diy-bedheads

Contemporary Bedroom by Other Metro Design & Construction Firms Webb & Brown-Neaves

Lighting is vital
A bedroom needs a variety of lighting options – overhead lighting that’s easy to access when you’re popping into the room, bedside lights for reading in bed, and soft ambient mood lighting.

Contemporary Bedroom by Melbourne Design & Construction Firms ArchiBlox

Pendant bedside lights should be positioned slightly in from the bedside tables otherwise they will light up the table, not your book.

Rustic Bedroom by Richmond Architects Birdseye Design

Wall bedside lights are perfect for creating that luxe hotel look while keeping the bedside tables clear, and can be angled to suit like these ones.

Midcentury Bedroom by Perth Interior Designers & Decorators Collected Interiors

Art can go on the floor
Art doesn’t have to be confined to the walls. Recently, patterned rugs have made a real comeback, and can make a bold statement in the room. Pick out a colour from the rug to repeat elsewhere in the room. If your rug is bold, make sure it stays the “hero piece” by keeping other artworks and accessories muted.

Transitional Bedroom by Melbourne Interior Designers & DecoratorsSTUDIOMINT

Using two colours creates calm
Limiting your colour palette to two colours, like the pale grey and beige here, creates an exceptionally calm and restful space, making it easy to relax and switch your brain off.

Contemporary Spaces by Sydney Interior Designers & Decorators Vivian Panagos / ish & chi

Plants improve air quality 
We all know that plants release oxygen, but they can also remove harmful pollutants, toxins and chemicals from the air. These toxins, such as formaldehyde and benzene, can be found in synthetic carpets and furniture, paints and cleaning products. Top plants for producing oxygen and cleaning the air are the Bamboo Palm, Snake Plant (or Mother-in-law’s Tongue), seen here, the Areca Palm, Rubber Palm, Boston Fern and Peace Lily.

Modern Bedroom by Sydney Architects Nobbs Radford Architects

Don’t compete with the view
If you’re lucky enough to have a beautiful view from your bedroom winnow, keep decoration and furnishings to a minimum to ensure the focus remains firmly on that view.

Eclectic Bedroom by Melbourne Interior Designers & Decorators Massimo Interiors

Make it Personal
Your bedroom is the only room in the house that your guests generally don’t see, so don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. Choose the things that YOU like, and really let your personality shine through. I’m sure this boudoir makes it’s owner smile every time they enter!

Remember cushions
Cushions will add colour, comfort and luxury to your bed. Choose colours and patterns that go with the room and make you happy. A collection of cushions, like the Imogen Heath cushions here, look amazing, or go for a single cushion for a more minimal look.
See the Yellow Front Door range of cushions and wall art online in a vast array of colours, patterns and styles here www.yellowfrontdoor.com.au and enjoy shopping with free delivery Australia wide.