Showing posts with label chandeliers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chandeliers. Show all posts

The Great Gatsby - 1920's style inspiration

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

The Great Gatsby
Carey Mulligan who plays Daisy – the 'girl' in the epic love story The Great Gatsby.
 Image courtesy of  wahingtonpost.com


The recent release of The Great Gatsby movie has inspired a resurgence of 1920's fashion. The movie is set to be released in New Zealand soon, and I cant wait! The glamour and decadence of the art deco period is truly dazzling. Think fur, diamonds, pearls, champagne and everything glitzy and sparkly. It is such a gorgeous and glorious decade, I'm pleased that it has made a comeback in fashion.

The "roaring" 20's were a period of social liberation and the fashion and style of the day reflect that excitement and optimism post World War 1. Its the decade that women became allowed to vote and of prohibition (in the USA) which arguably spawned a legendary surge of organized crime and a whole other movie genre.

For fashion the flapper look is what immediately comes to mind; the headband, drop waist dresses, feathers, sequins and a healthy heaping of flashy accessories of diamonds and pearls topped off with fur. Its great to take some cues from this trend, but to avoid looking like you're heading to a costume party I wouldn't put it altogether at once. For tips on how to wear faux fur check one of our latest posts.

For interiors the same thing goes, the look and feel of the time is of extreme opulence and lavishness.  So over the top detailed accessories like chandeliers, gold, silver and bronze, most things reflective and shiny perfectly fit this sort of style. Also think strong graphic designs in wallpaper which have a very distinctive sleek look. 

The Great Gatsby style
The star burst mirror and clock are classic art deco along with graphic and decorative wallpaper.
Check this lovely flapper outfit with the turquoise and yellow, very complimentary colors. The headband with feathers along with the long pearls are totally flapperish
Interior image courtesy of skonahem.com
Outfit image courtesy of stylegirljessjames.com


The Great Gatsby style
Deep emerald green totally captures the essence of this rich period in time. Alison Williams  from GIRLS wears a very strong structured almost architectural dress with distinctive art deco period contours.
Interior image courtesy of habitusliving.com
Outfit image courtesy of  blog.mangomuseevents.com

The Great Gatsby style
Check this modern take on an art deco chandelier, gives a nod to the past but with a modern and contemporary edge. This headband with pearls and feather again ticks all the 1920s glamour boxes, but teamed with a more subtle dress make it more contemporary and less costume like.
Interior image courtesy of design-byproxy.com
Outfit image courtesy of 3d-memoirs.com

The Great Gatsby style
Bold and graphic designs like this black and white wallpaper epitomize the art deco period. This dress worn by Blake Lively is so sexy and contemporary, but she wouldn't have looked out of place at one of Gatsby's parties nearly a century ago, timeless beauty.
Interior image courtesy of etsy.com
Outfit image courtesy of sewinglovers.blogspot.com

The Great Gatsby style
The darker side of art deco elegance, shimmer and style. Simple but elegant and timeless.
Interior image courtesy of habitusliving.com
Outfit image courtesy of becomegorgeous.com

The Great Gatsby style
Glittering, sparkling, diamonds, silver and sequins, as long as it is shiny and reflective its right on our Great Gatsby brief!
Interior image courtesy of decorati.com
Outfit image courtesy of applebaummd.com

The Great Gatsby style
Satin and gold, the perfect opulent pairing for this rich and luxurious interior. Kept modern with the white floorboards, contemporary cushions and mixing in with the Moroccan pouf. Sequins and sparklers, how could you talk about the Great Gatsby without mentioning fireworks!
Interior image courtesy of homebunch.com
Outfit image courtesy of Visit pinterest


The Great Gatsby style
Graphic wallpaper and art deco style mirrors along with a mirrored vanity, modern yet classic. Carey Mulligan looks so stunning and demure in this pic, the soft pastels are also a strong fashion theme to emerge from this trend. How do you get those finger waves? Try the tutorial here.
Interior image courtesy of Visit decorati.com
Outfit image courtesy of newyorkdress.com


The Great Gatsby style
Rich style with rich colours - black, white and gold make for a truly lavish combination that screams DELUXE. Appropriate to bring out these big guns for a special room or outfit for a special occasion.
Interior image courtesy of lifeandstyleonadime.blogspot.com.au
Outfit image courtesy of thebeautyagenteurs.com

Now straight out of the movie, some stunning images to really demonstrate how plush and splendid this trend is...

The Great Gatsby style
Leonardo is so hot in that suit, surrounded by the decadence of those cakes and flowers its a great image.
Image courtesy of cinemastyle.blogspot.co.nz


The Great Gatsby style
Men in black suits and bow ties - check, sparkly dress - check, fur - check, sparkly headband  - check, swinging party scene - check. Roaring 20s party scene 100% confirmed.
Image courtesy of thegreatgatsby.warnerbros.com/


The Great Gatsby style
You can't forget the diamonds and champagne!
Image courtesy of thegreatgatsby.warnerbros.com


The Great Gatsby style
What a great scene, statement chandelier, enormous statement rug and I think that room is round, a distinctive architectural style of the art deco times.
Image courtesy of living.msn.com

Here are some flapper fashion ideas to get ideas on how to bring this trend into your wardrobe...


The Great Gatsby style
Image courtesy of  fashionstylemag.com



The Great Gatsby style
Pastel feminine softness is one way to capture this trend - contract with some geometric patterns and you've arrived.
Image courtesy of fashionstylemag.com


The Great Gatsby style
Ralph Lauren flapper influenced collection, flowy with a hint of feathers throughout.
Image courtesy of fashionstylemag.com

The Great Gatsby style
A beautiful example of a vintage graphic wallpaper print with beautiful vintage accessories.
Image courtesy of  your4walls.co.uk
The Great Gatsby style
The art deco mirror is a simple and effective way to bring the 20's style into your home.
Image courtesy of  your4walls.co.uk


Introduce some 1920's, Great Gatsby luxury into your life. So forget casual, get glam and go for everything that glitters and sparkles, shine on!



5 reasons why you should wear black

Monday, 18 March 2013

Interior pic - madeaboutthehouse.com Michael Kors 2013 - upscalehype.com

In 2012 I was adamant that I would steer away from black.  Why?  Well it's a bit of a kiwi stereotype and I wanted to challenge myself and my wardrobe!  Now that we are well and truly into the new year I feel differently.  Black is chic, it evokes so many emotions  including edginess and sexiness and for some reason this Winter I'm looking forward to heading over to the dark side.  So these are my Top 5 reasons (in no particular order) why black IS the colour you should be wearing this season.

5 - Black is powerful and masculine!


Kitchen image - freshome.com and Justin - styleforum.net

Whether you have your doubts about black in the home there really is no question that a hit of black makes a dramatic statement and there is a masculinity and strength to it.  It's a nice way to turn what would be a feminine space into somewhere your husband would feel even more comfortable being.  Oh yes and a black suit on a man is oh so suave!

4 - Black is slimming



It can't be denied, the right dress in  black can create the illusion of a svelte and slimmer figure.  Thats not to say that every black dress will do this.  Be careful not to confuse this with just colour alone.  Black cannot work miracles on its own it needs to also be teamed with great tailoring.  Get those two right and boom, style star!

3 - Black makes other colours look good!



If black is a place you never venture - perhaps because its 'not in your colour palette' or it evokes memories of a bad girl past, fear not.  Turn those misconceptions around and venture gently by pairing black with another colour, think silver, fuschia, royal blue and white and you'll have yourself a stylish contrast.

2 - All black gives you instant style cred!



Head to toe black is undeniably stylish.  There are times when I have felt undecidedly blah about what I am going to wear and have turned to all black (in various textures) to feel more 'put together' and thats what an all black ensemble can do.  The above example really does showcase the girl on the right - she just looks more put together in all black.

1 - Black is just so hip right now!



Okay so Olivia can do know wrong in my eyes but how chic and cool does she look above.  All black, lots of texture and a stone cold attitude!  The interior parallel to her above is a great play on the boho theme.  The quirky elements of chandeliers mixed with oak and mid century furniture takes the cool factor up about 20 notches, so cool and unexpected don't you think?




Yes, it could be said that I am digging on black at the moment but I'm excited to go to this dark place this Winter.  Even style maven Anna Dello Russo is 'jealous' (above).  Black is edgier and just so cool in my eyes and hopefully I've awakened you to it's many dark charms, if you needed more convincing that is.

REMIX! Juxtaposed styling

Tuesday, 14 August 2012

Outfit pic: By Lindsay Keats - Dress from ASOS, shoes from Nike
Interior Pic: Courtesy of So Darling

The formal and informal

After putting together all the pictures in this post I realise Erena and I have a thing for chandeliers! But I couldn't do this post without them. They are the classic high end formal factor in an interiors situation, kind of like a pair of high-heels for an outfit, a chandelier instantly dresses up a room.

Above we've paired a somewhat unlikely combo of Nike high-tops with a dress, the formal dress with the informal shoes may not have been a natural combination for some but it works in a youthful, fun, not to mention comfy combo. And equally who would have thought that putting a chandelier in a bathroom was just so right!

Outfit pic - Sarah Jessica Parker on red carpet, image courtesy of Style Bistro
Interior pic - Industrial and pink courtesy of Curbly

The hard and soft

You don't have to be strictly guided by what is "appropriate" in a room or for an outfit. Check Sarah Jessica Parker's soft flowing pink evening gown that is edged up with a biker style black leather jacket. We've matched it up with this interior pic that is a mix between an industrial building with cold metal and concrete, which is then beautifully complimented by the soft, plush pink furnishings. The juxtaposition of the hard and soft in this interior shot work particularly well to keep the room modern, edgy and functional, yet at the same time warm and inviting.

Outfit pic - Cute polka dot dress and sneakers courtesy of the gorgeous Delmy from Fashion Bananas
Interior pic - Chandeliers in the laundry courtesy of Arcadian Home

The casual and elegant

This is Delmy from Fashion Bananas and she looks incredibly cute with this high and low combo polka dot dress and sneakers. An elegant chandelier is a surprising and fun accessory in a typically non-glamorous room - the laundry.


Kitties + Couture

Maria Morales is one of my favourite bloggers, she has fantastic style and is an expert in juxtaposed styling. Below are a few of my favourite pics where she has mixed casual jeans with dressy heels.



We hope that this post inspires you to not be afraid to mix elements of your wardrobe and interiors in non-traditional ways. Don't be locked into the idea of "this dress goes with these shoes" or "this jacket has to be worn with this top". You can wear sneakers with a dress, or high heels with a shabby pair of jeans, or a black leather biker jacket with an evening gown... there are no hard and fast rules, so have fun and mix it up.



Chandeliers Literally...

Wednesday, 18 July 2012


Antique Chandeliers are an interior design fave of mine and as I'm a big fan of eclectic living spaces I really love how such a grand light fitting can sit well in even the most unexpected settings.  Quite the contradiction and twice the design statement, don't you think?


Interior pic: housetohome.co.uk

Never one to shy away from a costume design challenge  it was only a matter of time before I'd come up with the idea of dressing 'ode to chandelier'.  This was actually a costume I made for the Wellington Sevens (an annual rugby event).  Nonetheless heads were turned, eyes were blinded, and 'fake' diamonds shimmied.  

Outfit pic: Gaya, Ereana and Mereana - Chandelier costumes by Erena Te Paa
Interior pic: Chandelier image courtesy of Kennedy Home Design

This was an unexpected costume design that created mass appeal in the most unexpected environment and I have to admit it was a bit of fun feeling like a chandelier for a day. 




 The above may be a bit too Avant Garde for your average special occasion but who says you can't pair your most sparkly frock or pant with something more paired down to your next bash. 




I'm digging on Blake Lively's sequined skinnies paired with a plain black boyfriend shirt (above).  
I dare you to be different!  Erena x
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