DESIGN GEMS // VITTORIA COFFEE X MBAFW

Vittoria Coffee has had their fashion fix again with their limited edition fashion series of cups for Mercedes Benz Australian Fashion Fashion Week. 2014 will see the addition of Camilla and Marc and Dion Lee to the designer collection.

Past collaborations have included Alice McCall, We Are Handsome and my personal favourite Ellery. Get ready for a designer coffee cup overdose on Instagram next month.

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CREATIVE CRUSH // KRISTINA KROGH

Natural textures and geometry collide in these beautiful prints by Danish graphic designer and artist Kristina Krogh. Cork, marble, timber and brass fit together like a jigsaw puzzle, as Kristina masters the restraint of a neutral colour palette, and don't get me started on these styled to perfection vignette's.

Of course it's no surprise danish super brand ferm LIVING recognised a kindred design spirit, bringing Kristina on board for a collaboration of 4 plywood prints in their latest collection.

Or if you prefer something a little smaller you can get your hands all over, check out Kristina's gorgeous foiled notebooks - almost too pretty to use!!

LIVING & LOVING LIFE INSTYLE

There are always periods in life where the scales are tipped unevenly when it comes to work/life balance. Late nights in the office and waking up in the middle of the night to write down to to-do lists are sure signs the candle is burning two quickly at one end and you often find yourself wondering whether it's all worth it? A simple 9-5 job starts to sound more and more appealing. Something that simply pays the bills and allows you to re-discover what your home actually looks like in daylight.

But does a 9-5er get the reward at the end of it all? Do they get to see the culmination of all their hard work in one big fantastic week of retail love jam packed with inspiring creatives from across Australia and the globe? Do they get to be a part of a community dedicated to design in all it's forms and work with the best god damn team in the exhibitions business?

The simple answer is no, they aren't as lucky as me. They don't work for Life Instyle.

While our team might be small, what we lack in numbers we make up for in passion and I am proud as punch at what we managed to pull off at our most recent event held earlier this month. Above is just a glimpse of the goodness that was Life Instyle Melbourne.

For more check out the video by Extra Mile Pictures here

Photo Credit: Emma Scammel

COOL KIDS // JAI VASICEK // AHOY TRADER

I first discovered the exciting ceramic artwork of Jai Vasicek through the crazy/beautiful Lauri Elks of Ourlieu. A match made in heaven, Jai and Lauri joined forces to launch their cross collaboration at Life Instyle earlier this year and Jai's tiled palm tree mural which adorned the back wall of their stand (paired with his bubbly personality) was an instant hit.

With a childhood spent sailing the world on his family's boat and a stint living in Brazil it is no wonder the ocean and cross cultures are a constant source of inspiration for Jai's bold designs where he layers vibrant coloured paints with photographic prints and patterns on ceramic pieces including his famous crucifixes and portholes.

Besides the Martinique cushion currently adorning my couch, the crucifixes are a favourite of mine and currently at the top of my wish list. Adorned with feathers, shells and splashes of neon, these eclectic pieces are a true melting pot of Central/South American and Polynesian flavours with a modern twist.

Apart from being stocked at a number of designer retailers nationally Jai has created his own retail haven with his popular Byron Bay store Ahoy Trader, a bowerbird's nest of Australian homewares and fashion designers who share Jai's colourfully unique design aesthetics.

Jai Vasicek = Hot Property peeps! Get on board xx

Image Credits: Ahoy Trader, The Design Files