Award Winning Style

Ah, at Ella and Sofia we are big fans of the quality of craftsmanship from Volante Decorating Services. Having worked with the team on several residential homes around Sydney, we have to say that their attention to detail and understanding of the client's space is second to none.

So it comes as no suprise to find that they recently won not one but two awards at the Master Painters Association  Ceremony for Excellence in 2010/11 Winner for the Best Residential Re-Paint Project & Winner of the Best Decorative Finish

In the words of John Volante; Director : "For a large home in Sydneys prestigious Wahroonga - circa 1915.

This project required meticulous preparation of the internal and external substrates, which were neglected for many years.

Each internal room having its own theme and therefore requiring is own design treatment. From beautiful hand printed wallpaper (Ella and Sofia's Narnie design) in the main bathroom to rich bold reds for the formal dining. Metallic glaze sprayed walls in the entrance foyer to metallic hand painted stripes in the powder room.

This home has been updated without compromising its period history".

Scroll below to see the amazing work that won them, these awards! Well done again, to this talented team!

For the Volante Decorating Services Contact details simply click here

promises, promises

So last post I promised to blog about sustainable and eco friendly furnishings on a weekly basis. It didn't happen, so I have decided no longer to declare things like this. This lack of blogging is not laziness (juggling a 5 month old, a toddler, ES and occasionally getting to see my husband!) I have decided instead that there will be no more promises, other than that I will blog when inspired and not because I am "supposed" to.

Busily designing new textiles and papers as well as styling for a range of clients around Sydney, its all been a go. Exciting collaborations with designers and ES are still flowing through and yes posts will follow shortly...I promise...! 

But for now, here is a bit of inspiration from my beautiful two and half year old son. A flower for mummy.

Everything Old is New Again

Well it's been a while since my last post but I'm sure you can forgive me, as I sit here typing with one hand and our little baby girl in the other. She is only three and a half months old and we can't remember life without her. On top of this, we have our beautiful and energetic toddler and all the exciting projects we get to work on at Ella and Sofia . The blog alas, seems to be one of those things that has slipped. 

In the desire to get my posts out there (I realise that you may not be inspired about the pooey nappies or potty training - unless its a designer potty :-)), I have decided to combine a project I am working on with the blog.

I am currently looking at furnishings and surfaces, that have been re-vamped or have a new tilt to co-inside looking at contemporary products designed with their life cycle in mind.

My goal is to review a furnishing product per week that is eco-friendly and if possible commercial. At Ella and Sofia we work in this dimension all the time with our fabrics becoming a part of the evolution.Though to source, I don't want it to become an Ella and Sofia advert per week. Yes along the way I shall show you what we've been working on, however I am not limited to the soft furnishings and wallpaper arena.

I really would like to see what creative folk are doing with second hand surfaces such as hard wood floors, vintage lighting, basins, that plastic furniture from the 50's and 60's teamed with sourcing products created with an environmentally responsible edge.

So if you happen to be a designer, manufacturer, restorer etc who specialises in these area of interiors or simply a fan of  what was old but is new again, please tell me about it . I'm very excited to see what's out there.

And the bubba? Well she's fallen asleep - maybe I should have been blogging since she was born!

Refurbing the nest

 I should be asleep, getting some rest before the arrival of our new baby (any day, second now) but as Mother Nature would have it, the body clock is getting ready for those oh, so late nights. One, not to sit idle, nesting consists of re-decorating the house. The doll house that is.

After 30 odd years, the little house, my Dad made for me is finally getting a face lift after all the too-ing and fro-ing from one place to another. I have to admit his attention to detail is quite interesting. He has put in everything from curtain rails, to electric wiring for each room (just open up the back of roof, add a battery and you have instant lighting!)  He told me the other day  it took him about 9 months to make, after work and on the weekends.

He wallpapered a few rooms, with some wrapping paper from the 70's - definitely a keeper, and also the papers from Laura Ashley I spoke of in an earlier post.

So, though it is highly unlikely I will finish the reno's before our second baby arrives, I've stripped back some of the papers, added a few Ella and Sofia designs and ready to paint the exterior and re-lay the floors!

How lucky am I to have a unique piece of my Dad's imagination, rolled up into a gift of love like this?

Then once all done, in true stylist mode, I get to go sourcing some pretty cool accessories:

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Doll-House Kitchen Furniture
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Doll-House Furniture- Living Room Set
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Doll - House Bathroom Furniture
PLAN TOYS Dollhouse Furniture - Neo Living Room
 

inside the mind of a designer

Ever wondered what makes a designer tick? What inspires them and how they get into the zone?

The designers that provide stunning furnishings to the Ella and Sofia range share their thoughts on their product.

To read more click here

Instant Love!

My sister sent me this postcard whilst in London.
Its by photographer Martin Parr

I have to admit Tamasin is not far off the mark! I give many of my wallpapers a story - so that I can fall 'in love' whilst designing and in a way hope that those of you who buy them replicate the above...okay, I'm kidding but I do find designing much easier when I get to be a little light hearted.

Ella and Sofia's trademark to date, has been very simple but stylish designs worked in large scale motifs. To add a bit of playfulness to the mix, the Candy Cane Dreams collection was born. Designs such as Labyrinth of Mirrors and Licorice All Sorts keep to the above mantra, then multi coloured wallpapers such as Off the Leash have become an overnight hit due to their quirkiness which is not necessarily child-like. Though don't get me wrong kids love Off the Leash (we have it up in our son's bedroom!) yet it has also been supplied for veterinary clinics and dog lovers homes.

Away Allowance is another popular design, with that retro type '007' feel to it  and sits well with fashion shop fit outs. As does Prima Donna. Who said that wallpaper had to be safe? Now with all our eco-friendly papers, inks and the easy application and removal there is no need to feel that when you choose a wallpaper it is a life long thing. Like paint colours you can play a little bit.

And don't feel that you are only able to work with the colourways on the site. If you have a room that you know needs this bit of character added to it, just drop through an email - let me know what colours your room is in and we can work from there. Remember its always all about the love!

colourwiZe design, colour and design solutions for residential and commercial clients

www.colourwizedesign.com.au

 

Hi Guys, if you still haven't booked colourwiZe are holding a seminar this weekend in Sydney on colour trends and interiors. Check it out.