Mid-century Pettit and Sevitt home tour

Our love of mid-century architecture drew us to our home - a Pettit + Sevitt house designed by Ken Woolley in Cheltenham, NSW in Sydney's north west - and with a few small tweaks, we made it our own and after six years, have now passed it on to its new owner. Read on for before and after photos, including a fairly dramatic kitchen makeover!

A magpie silkscreen artwork by Roofus Australia to turn heads

This silkscreen artwork by Melbourne-based Roofus Australia stopped me in my tracks. Magpies are Australia’s favourite bird (despite the odd divebomb) and this mid-century modern-inspired version would work in any space. 

The mid-century modern inspired artwork you have to have by Inaluxe

Another amazing Australian-designed Christmas gift idea: the Sleepy Lion art print by Inaluxe - the masters of mid-century modern-inspired artwork. It's a piece that transcends all ages, and would look pretty fabulous with some beautiful mustard linen sheets, or even adding a massive pop of colour in a neutral space. It's certainly a head-turner.

Finally mini couch covers that you and your child will love

I’m so impressed with this spill-proof mini couch cover by Aussies Alicia, Hayley and Hayley from Marmalade Lion. We had two of those fold-out foam couches in the ugliest fabric possible, and if you have one yourself, you’ll know that the little ones adore them. They have been so practical; and now they can be cute too.

Whimsical Monique L'huillier collection for Pottery Barn Kids

Goodness, Pottery Barn Kids sure knows how to create dreamy spaces that children adore. My girls are mad for all the looks created in collaboration with Monique L'huillier - it's a world of whimsy and elegance that stands out from the more graphic looks that we've been seeing in kids' interiors lately. Come along with me to the launch of the Monique L'huillier Collection with Pottery Barn Kids in Sydney recently...

Maryanne Moodie rugs for Arro Home - yeah!

Arro Home has nailed it with these gorgeous rugs designed by Aussie weaving expert Maryanne Moodie, now living in New York City and owning the loom over there too. These pieces are gorgeous - I want both the Adamas and Desert Storm rugs - and look fantastic with Arro home's signature cat and eye cushions and range of bedding.

How to quickly change out artwork with Flat Pack Frame

If you're anything like me, you've got a stash of wall art that you'd like to swap out more often, but the hassle of taking down the frame, dealing with those hard little metal pieces at the back, and getting the positioning right makes it too much of a headache. I recently came across these Australian-made all-timber frames that connect with magnets, making it super fast and easy to change out artwork. Introducing Flat Pack Frame...

8 excellent Australian monochrome art prints and posters for kids

Monochrome is still a massive theme for kids' bedrooms, so I pulled together these Australian-designed black and white prints for all the monochrome lovers out there. Black and white illustrations also look fantastic as a counterpoint to rooms with colour. Adding a touch of black to a pastel and white room looks particularly great. Read on for all the details:

Fun, bright two-year-old boy's room - Instagram winner

Lucky little two-year-old Christian has an amazing bedroom designed by his Mum Nina. And soon it will also include the gorgeous Little Red Industries tree shelf as Christian's room has won Round 3 of the Australian Kids Room competition on Instagram. It's light, bright and has great balance. I really like the simplicity of this white room with its neutral furniture and great use of primary colours. Read on for Nina's advice on putting together a fun boy's room:

Room: Christian's bedroom (the tiniest room in our house)
Age: 2
Designed by: Mum and jewellery designer Nina (@Eva_and_Tissy)
Location: Melbourne

Real Australian Kid's Room Instagram competition - Round 3

Do you remember the Australian Kid's Room Instagram competition in June? It was so much fun seeing and sharing all your children's rooms, so I'm thrilled to announce that Round 3 starts.. now! We're getting festive this time around, and this round's co-judge is the lovely DIY specialist and furniture maker Natasha Dickins Little Red Industries who will be giving away an amazing tree shadow box. It's perfect for Christmas but the colours will work all-year around. Read more below and head over to Instagram to share your own interior design style. Closes 7th December 2015!

Bondville Christmas Gift Guide 2015: Just For Fun

I've left my favourite Christmas 2015 Gift Guide until last. This is a collection of Australian-designed gift ideas for kids that will make them smile - from neon cactii, to personalised books with their own name, Christmas decals and prints for their wall, bright and beautiful kindy sheets, cute pillowcases, fun artwork, fun clothes to play in (for our special needs kids too), and pretty things to brighten their day.

Bondville Christmas Gift Guide 2015: For Kids' Rooms (II)

Kids are so proud of their rooms and this Christmas Gift Guide is the mini interior designers out there. Add touches of pink to a grey, white and blonde wood base for a Scandi-feel room that will last through to their teens. The hint of metallic, grid pattern, marble-look and weaving wall-hanging are the key trends to layer on timeless big-ticket items. All these gift ideas can be found in stores in the Bondville Online Shopping Directory where it's all-Australian, all the time.

Bondville Christmas Gift Guide 2015: For Kids' Rooms (I)

My second Christmas Gift Guide is all about great locally-designed products for kids' rooms. We are so lucky to have so many leading-edge kids' products in Australia; these are just a few of the best kids' bedding, homewares, art and furniture to brighten up your child's room.

Arro Home moon and stars kids bedding

Fun news! Australian homewares brand Arro Home, under the design directive of much-loved artist Beci Orpin, has just released a kids' line of bedding. You'll find doona covers, sheet sets, blankets, pillow cases and scatter cushions with a constellation/astro or sunshine theme. Too cute!

Head to the Arro Home online store to preorder (available 7th November 2015).

Images: Arro Home

Tickle The Imagination magazine Kids Issue 21: Sprout

I know I'm biased as it's the Kids Issue, but Issue 21 of Tickle The Imagination magazine is my favourite yet. It's full of ideas for creative kids' bedrooms, study spaces and toy rooms, party ideas, a recipe for healthy doughnuts, DIY craft tutorials for softies and fabric lunch sacks, interviews with creatives and much more. Here's a sneak peek of some of the kids' inspiration in this Australian-published and printed craft and lifestyle magazine:

Western Cowboy themed bedroom for Eli, age 6

Amy from Happy As Larry Designs has a way with rooms for her boys; and lucky for them that she can incorporate her own felt ball rug designs, made in collaboration with artisans in Nepal. Her son Eli loves the Western/Cowboy theme and Amy's Aztec-style navy and white felt ball rug brings it all together. Read on for Amy's tips on how to create a great space for a 6-year-old boy...

Room: Eli's bedroom
Age: 6 years old
Designed by: Amy Eaton (Happy As Larry Designs)
Location: Perth, WA

Lilly & Lolly Sydney store tour

Bondville sponsors Lilly & Lolly moved premises this year to a gorgeous space in Rosebery, right around the corner from Koskela. I headed over to capture some shots of this beautiful store, filled with Australian-designed products and Lilly & Lolly's own quality furniture for children's interiors. Here are some of my favourites:

Black and white with yellow looking great together with the Upholstered bed (Diego Nero) and Scoop bedside table (PS look at those windows!):

New metallic kids' beds from Incy Interiors

Metallics are hotter than ever, and Bondville sponsor Incy Interiors has two delicious new bed styles to add a touch of glamour for kids - the Louis Bed and the Ivy Cot in shiny nickel. With adjustable heights, rounded corners and sculptured side rails, these are as functional as they are good looking. The nickel colour is right between silver and black which works well for both boy's and girl's rooms. Or both!

It's a little bit outer-space and a little bit Hollywood glamour; here are my picks from Incy Interiors' excellent range of Australian kids' interiors products to go with the Louis Bed and Ivy Cot:

Armadillo and Co Origami Project rugs auction

This year Armadillo&Co are auctioning ten beautiful one-off rugs designed by the preschool children of Anganwadi #11 in India and Jackie Jardine of Armadillo&Co who explored folding paper and colouring in together. Each rug has been hand woven in 100% fine wool by Armadillo&Co’s own team of skilled artisans in India.

All proceeds will go directly to The Anganwadi Project – an inspiring Australian grassroots charity that builds preschools for young children in the urban slums of Gujarat, India. All bids will close on Monday 21 September, 8am AEST. If you are looking for a beautiful rug, this is an opportunity too good to refuse.

Head to the Armadillo&Co website to bid now.

Image: Armadillo&Co

Kip & Co Summer Storm Summer SS15

New Kip & Co. bedding, homewares, sleepwear and accessories launched today! Here are some of my favourites for kids from the new collection for SS15, Summer Storm. Lots of pastels mixed with brights here - just how my kids like it. I'm feeling the peach and magenta combo for girls: