Inside is an inaugural design festival celebrating the finest interiors and their creators. It will run from 2-4 November in Barcelona in parallel with the already hugely successful World Architecture Festival. Inside will consist of a series of curated events, talks, installations and a prestigious awards program judged by an esteemed jury of internationally respected designers and key industry figures (including my personal hero Ilse Crawford.) The winner of Inside will ultimately walk away with the World Interior of the Year Trophy. Ummm… that sounds pretty serious to me.

Now… Why am I telling you all this. Because this year’s shortlist was announced not that long ago and I wanted to share with you some of my favourite projects. I should also mention that I find events that celebrate and recognise interiors on a world stage hugely exciting…

There is something very special about hands. They can tell so much about a person – about their values, occupation, age, aesthetics, marital status (at least some of the time), even the future (if you believe that sort of thing) etc. They can simultaneously cause pleasure (stop it!) and pain. They can either be a threat or a safe haven. They are really nice to hold…

It is no surprise hands are one of the most challenging parts of human anatomy to draw. I think this is precisely because they tell so much in such a small package. This is why I love looking at people’s hands. Not in a creepy way, I promise. In an observant-designer-hungry-for-information kind of way…

This is just a quick post to let you know about a little interview with me on Interiors Addict. Lovely Jen Bishop broke the interview in two parts, probably because I don’t know when to stop when it comes to anwering questions/ talking/ writing…

Check out Part 1, which is about my design philosophy and my personal style, and why I started this blog. Part 2 talks a bit more about the success of this blog and overcoming my fears, some of the best and worst parts of being an interior designer, what makes a good designer and a little bit about my design idols…

Deconstructing Ways by Isidro Blasco is an art installation which creates an amazing 3D optical illusion of a vortex. Absolutely amazing, no? Located on the corner of Mullins Street & Market Row in Sydney (near the QVB), this installation is part of the annual public arts festival Art & About Sydney.

You have until October 23rd to go see this FREE installation alongside many others, such as Janet Echelman’s stunning Tsunami project on George Street in front of Town Hall. Check out my dodgy iPhone photo of the installation here. It’s way, way better in real life. Promise. (You may recall a fantastic guest post on the blog in April about Jane’s amazing work during the time I was gallivanting around Europe.)

Yes. This is such an exciting time in Sydney when clever Australian and international artists use their creative powers to re-imagine …

Wowee! This is a pretty gutsy and flamboyant example of a residential interior. Located in Berlin, this 400sqm penthouse was designed by LecaroliMited, architectural office founded in 2005 by Oskar Kohnen and Fabian Freytag.

It is great to see an apartment interior which is unafraid to push the conventional aesthetic, but at the same time has the potential to remain slick, simple and beautiful. I say ‘has the potential’ because I am yet to see how this space will actually be furnished and ‘finished’. I love the use of ‘bling’ mirror joinery elements which create an illusion of greater open spaces and amplified natural light. Fantastic architectural bones, but I need to see a bit more ‘juice’. Also, I really wish this space had lighter timber floors – limed …