I am very proud to announce the launch of my second book with Penguin Books Australia, Design with Colour and Style. The book was launched at my new space–Borough of Hawthorn– and I was lucky enough to have my good friend and co-judge on The Block, Neale Whitaker, Editor of Vogue Living.
Because it is my own space I was able to create some fun installations that referenced the themes of colour and style in my book.
Hipster café: The vibrant orange which has become popular in the past couple of years was where I drew my inspiration (with a nod to Penguin Books’ orange of course) and I used it to link to the café lifestyle trend and the growing ‘hipster’ movement. Push bikes, coffee as an artform and a place you can meet, kick back and while away the hours. I played on the‘ombre’ look as it blended into one of the forecast colours of the year, salmon and peach. I then played with a new take on the ‘bike’ and created an art installation on the ceiling with the very ‘now’ metal brass bicycle wheels hanging at different heights. The figure on the wall? A place where people can get a picture of themselves – ‘putting you in the picture’.
The house of Reverend Green; a fun play on the board game Cluedo with the sage green of the old-style house I imagine Reverend Green to live in. The table overflowing with food with little ducks giving a nod to taxidermy that was big in the Victorian and Edwardian times. The figure on the wall is the victim of the green colour of the times, fracturing into the modern greens and blues of now. This area showcases a modern palette of these cool colours that can work in period homes today.
The classic Black and White: a setting that gives the feeling of a classic interior, which works well with any formal or casual setting. In this case I went for the formal feel with the oversized couch, chaise and mirror and cluttered it with candles for that romantic feel. The dark teal on the wall added drama to what can sometimes be a clinical look.
The Den: a place where colour and style creates mood. The inspiration was the warmth of the orange bricks and I brought it down a level in tone with a black panelled wall, black chair and glass industrial table lamp, and lifted it with aged leather desk accessories. These moods can sometimes feel oppressive so I gave it a sense of humour with a sheep we have fondly named Chester and the feather fringing on the cushion on the reading chair.
I want to say a huge thank you to our sponsors on the night, Taubmans for the paint which brings the look alive, and Brown Brothers for their beautiful Prosecco and wines (you should take a look at their website for colour references to the wines we choose – it’s really very clever!) And finally Penguin Books Australia, who helped me make my dreams a reality in creating a beautifully visual book that’s all about my favourite things, colour and style!
It was a really fun night and I can wait to share my book with you over the next few weeks and months. To find out my book tour itinerary, just click here to go to the events page.
Shaynna Blaze, Design With Colour and Style, $39.99, Penguin Books
Megan Dougherty
Bravo Management Pty Ltd
Level 5, 111 Coventry Street,
Southbank VIC 3006
P: +61 (3) 8825 6641 (direct)
Blank Canvas Interiors
598-600, Burwood Road
Hawthorn East, VIC AUSTRALIA 3123