yellow treehouse

Can you believe this beautiful tree house restaurant really exists? Well it sure does… it’s at home ten metres up a redwood tree and located in a top secret location near Warkworth, north of Auckland, New Zealand.

The project was the brainchild of Kiwi Tracey Collins and has got off the ground, quite literally with the help of yellowpages. For more inspiring info and to read about how it came to be, go to this link here at yellow tree house. Also click here for amazing pics of this creation and info about the architects pacific environments.

john quan

With a background in fashion and industrial design, South Australian based John Quan creates liveable objects and furniture that seem to be perfect fit for contemporary interiors with an element of fun. Pictured here are “Sexy Explosions” which are hanging sculptures made of pencils and a magazine rack inspired by the humble “Slinky” toy. Really cute!!

Happy 2009

Hiya! It’s been a while since our last entry and we’re taking a little break after the Christmas rush ;)

But we do want to thank all our readers and supporters out there and hope that you are enjoying the holidays and making a brilliant start to 2009!

Happy holidays everyone we’ll see you all soon!!!

Nance and Jess xx

muntedkowhai

Mmmmm…Although technically not ‘local’, we just love these crochet necklaces so much we had to feature them here. In actual fact, the maker, Puiyi Tiffany Pang currently resides in Portland, Oregon but she did grow up in Auckland New Zealand, hence the link ;)

Her pieces are one of a kind, embellished with vintage buttons and produced in modern colours. In Puiyi’s words -”my goal is to bring the closet grandma out of all of us and to transform the traditional yawn yawn pretty lace into something unexpected”. We think she has easily achieved that and converted us to crochet fans!! Check her store for the current range at Muntedkowhai Arts and Crafts.

holey christmas tree

If the thought of a fake tinsel tree sends shivers down your back, then you may want to consider getting one of these ingenious beauties. After scouring the stores for a suitable tree and disillusioned with his choices, architect Vladimir Ivanov decided to create his own concept of the Christmas tree. Beautifully designed, the large holes have been routed out of the timber panels for ornament hanging.Not only will this gorgeous tree suit contemporary spaces, it can be easily flat packed once the festivities have ended.

You can purchase one here at top3 by design.

shonah

These pretty fabric and wood pendants are created by Melburnian designer Shonah Tomkins. Every piece is mounted on Tasmanian oak, carefully hand crafted by her father and only made in limited runs to maintain their unique appeal. She has a great range of accessories and other pendants available at shonah.

all about heidi

Aren’t these baby shoes from all about heidi just lovely? Handmade from one piece of leather with no seamline they are ingenious yet look beautifully raw. Created by a mum from Bondi Beach Sydney, they are ideal first shoes as the soft leather acts like a ‘second skin’ for baby while she takes her first steps. There are various colours and sizes, and are even available for older children and adults upon request.

modamuse.com relaunched!

Some big news for us! Modamuse.com has relaunched to celebrate our 2nd anniversary! The site has been redesigned to make the shopping experience easier with improved product display and a streamlined one page checkout. We’d love to hear your thoughts/feedback so please feel free to drop us a line!

vert design

Had a hard time picking something to feature from this incredible online range of designer homewares and objects vert design. But we do fancy this sculptural free blown glass jug and cup in the most striking red colour.

You can also find here acclaimed objects such as the glass “Boab” by Aussie designer Adam Goodrum and some more affordable pieces such as cups and saucers and the famed “flat pack hammer”.

laura mccusker

‘Compact’ (pictured here) is a contemporary vanity unit and work of exceptional craftsmanship by acclaimed furniture designer and makerLaura McCusker. Trained in cabinetmaking and fine woodworking, Laura’s beautiful work is featured regularly in publications such as Belle, Vogue Living and Inside Out and has also exhibited in major competitions. Check out her site to see more. We really dig the elegant simplicity of her timber furniture and skillful detailing.

buttons

We just love these candy coloured button necklaces threaded by three NZ ladies Lisa Perigo, Pippa Lee and Tanea Chapman. You can browse through their online shop buttons for some creative button jewellery where each piece is an original combination of colour and texture. Just delightful!!

moyou

These very pretty laser cut beech ply earrings are from Moyou. Created by Amy Kerr a Canberra based textile designer who has a background in graphic design, Moyou encompasses her evolving range of homewares, jewellery and toys.

We’re sure Amy will continue to create some more fabulous pieces which are a lovely mix of Aussie and Japanese aesthetic, so definitely one to bookmark.

the red thread

You can find these very sweet hand printed timber Christmas cards at the red thread. They are individually made by Sydney artist Lisa Tilse who also creates one-off and limited edition artwork and really wonderful commissioned children’s portraits. Just a word of advice -since the commissions take weeks to generate, it’ll be a good idea to get in early before the Christmas rush!!

one red robin show

Our good friend Jhoanna Aranez creator of One Red Robin is having her first smashing solo show titled “Woodland Park Folk” at Hudson Clothes Shop in Melbourne (see details above). We are so pleased for her as she not only makes gorgeous softies and artwork but is a fabulous person to boot! If you are lucky enough to be in Melbourne during September to 12th October, make a visit to the show. We believe all her work is available for purchase as well so grab a cutie while you can!

If you can’t make it to Melbourne check out some of Jhoanna’s pics here. Well done Jhoanna – we wish you every success!

Moofus

We’re absolutely floored by Milan, a very talented 11 year who has set up his own etsy shop called Moofus. It is a little gallery of prints of his original drawings depicting his home turf Sydney, beaches and streetscapes. And get this… a percentage of his sales goes to charity International Animal Rescue! Obviously his talent and genius eye for composition and colour runs in the family. Check out his mum’s brilliant screenprints at alyoisiusspyker.

mascha moje

Drool, drool, drool….This is an amazing necklace by Melbourne based jeweller Mascha Moje who is originally from Hamburg. She fashions the most beautiful sculptural pieces of jewellery from a broad palette of materials. Her work can be found at Gallery Funaki.

mrd home

One of our favourite pastimes is fantasising about how to decorate our dream homes. It’s a cinch with all the products from MRD home as their interior ranges are so carefully coordinated. You can pretty much make anything look fabulous here. Our top pick is the oak Scandi TV unit pictured here with the roll away doors, it’s a gem! Click here to see more at MRD Home which is a Melbourne based homewares and interior design company owned by designer Craig Miller Randle.

sprout design

We think a lot of crafty types out there have been eagerly waiting to get their hands on the screenprinted designer fabrics inspired by children from sprout design for some time now. The fantastic range is now available for purchase online by the likes of Aussie designers Naomi Murrell, Kristen doran, Pippijoe, Lara Cameron, Tiel Seivl-Keevers – just to name a few…

Check out the shop for other playful accessories and products which would brighten any child’s room or nursery.

lola and bailey - metropolis range

Those clever lasses from Lola and Bailey have done it again!! Designers Theresa Nguyen and Cheri Uppal have created a brilliant third collection called ‘Metropolis’. Continuing the brand’s romance between two lovers and inspired by art deco and urban architecture, these pendants capture the essence of a true love affair with geometric forms and modern day materials. Pictured here are a couple of their pendants in different material schemes – one in black acrylic and copper, the other in clear acrylic and stainless steel. They are now available for purchase at modamuse.

little black crow

Little Black Crow Studio is where you can find these wonderful little creatures. All the way from Tasmania, they are lovingly handsewn and are full of nostalgic charm as though they were once cherished by children a long time ago.