It was such an exciting competition to be part of and we would like to sincerely thank the home owner  for allowing us to enter their property. The HIlls District Council and the judges for choosing Cotter & Jewell Interiors. Winning such a prestigious  award is  immense  for a small business like us. We share this award with all the trades people, soft furnishing makers and project mangers that were an incredible team to work with. Thank you to all.

The quality of the entrants & finalists was excellent.

The Hills District Council criteria was:

Residential Dwelling (Custom Design & Built Homes)

Over $1.25mill

“Here we are looking for how a new home fits in to the area where it is constructed, its streetscape appeal, its proportion and balance and its initial view from the point of entry. How the site has been utilised is an important facet when considering the street appeal and quality of the design itself.

Moving inside we look for the efficient use of the available space, innovation of design and creative use of space, height and materials to provide a quality of construction and finish that display both design and workmanship attributes.“

To see more images pls visit our Rural Residence page.

We were recently invited to the Sydney Reed Gift Fair to talk to the VIP guest about latest trends in interiors and home-wares.

We created an moveable mood board, with plenty of fabric sample, Dulux 2015 colour palette, wallpapers, and décor. Being interactive and fun gave the VIP guests a moment to relax, have fun and hear,touch and see what new trends were happening.

Melbourne 2014: The Retail Hub

Cotter & Jewell Interiors were asked by Reed Gift Fairs to be one of their Retail Hub speakers.  A place where retailers could drop by to hear the latest news and tips for their retail business.  Our talk was based on a quick fix solution in creating an impressive retail environment.  We kept it simple, based on an easy formula we coined LCL – Light, Colour and Layout.

  We used a real live example to show our audience how these 3 design principles can magically transform your retail space.  In a nutshell, use Light to highlight your wares and to add ambience. Colour group your product range in a simple palette story.  And Layout to easily navigate the store so your customer can quickly ascertain if this is the store for them! If you would like advice on your store, drop us a line.From done in a day solutions to complete new layouts. We can help.

We were also asked by Reed Gift Fair to create a product showcase to highlight the latest wares from the new Exhibitors. We chose a colour palette of breezy blues and sunny yellows to depict summertime.

We loved being asked our tips of styling and accessorising for Home Beautiful article ` The Art Of Accessorising` by Vera Klein.

As a interior designer/decorator/stylist it really makes you stop and think about verbalising what you do!  It`s a lovely article and the magazine is always full of great ideas and so many beautiful images to inspire you. Grab  a coffee (or wine if you’ve just got home)  read and relax.

We hope you enjoy it.

To read the article and spot our tips…..(how many can you find),click on the link below:

Have you got time to get your partner or a loved one  an awesome  present?

Stuck for an idea? Yet wish to give someone special something wonderful and get it on time!

How about a Cotter and Jewell Interiors Gift Voucher?

We will do an Interior Design Consultation giving them great design & decorating tips & ideas.

Plus we can save you money on  future interior design purchases you may then have. Seriously!

How?

Call us or email your details now and we will get straight back to you. 

Vouchers can be emailed or posted directly to you, no need to go shopping!!

Get that awesome present all wrapped up!

Your home is looking the a little sad, it’s been the same for a while and you just don’t know where to start let alone have the time! BUT you know you do want to walk in and think ahhh. I love it, home.

Maybe you have an important event coming up,  its Christmas and all the family are due, its your birthday and you want a stunning wow!

Well sometimes it can be just as easy as spending a day on it. Or letting Cotter and Jewell Interiors do that for you, we can come in and do a quick revamp.

Utilising what you already have (maybe it just needs a change of scene) and adding a few key pieces of decor.

Really it can be a simple case of `Spruce Up your Home in Just a day!`

We recently did this for Sue. We had updated her furniture pieces previously but Sue wanted us to spruce it up with complete styling, as she simply didn’t have the time. Yet  did spend most of her time in the space as it was her home office.

So we did and all in a day.

Call us for a quick chat about how we can help you.

Or email us photos of your space and a tell us how it makes you feel. What you love and what you don`t.

We love to hear from you.

Here`s what our client said after her Spruce Up Day!

Dear Dee and Karenza,

David and I are very pleased with the outcome of the styling of our office/guest room. You have introduced practical and stylish finishes to the room and these small finishing touches making a such big impact! Thank you for creating such an inspiring workspace!

Warm regards,

Sue

Check out our pinterest page for more pics.

We found this Shibori fabric simply irresistible, especially since the fabric is hand dyed on natural cloth (linen or cotton) and made by local artisans.

The fabric is Australian made using the ancient Japanese art of Shibori.  What’s Shibori?  Shibori is the Japanese word for a variety of ways of embellishing textiles by shaping cloth and securing it before dyeing.

Each piece of fabric is unique! We thought lets make a range of cushions and focus on the details such as contrasting and complementary buttons –  again all hand crafted.  Not only are they gorgeous to look at, but they are gorgeous to feel!

These inky blues will add some summer time to your space. Go all dreamy tonal or team it with yellow and white for some vibrancy and freshness.

If you like, these outdoor chairs from Globe West, are also available to buy.  They are extremely comfortable whilst adding a sense of style and colour to your outdoor entertaining space.

Our cushions are priced at $129 for the large square and rectangle cushions, with the smaller square cushion at $119, plus packaging and postage.

To place your order please email your requirements to info@cotterandjewellinteriors.com.au.

Childrens rooms we have created are often themed, from footy fans, princess rooms and even a lego room. Creative storage that grows with your children is a blessing.

How fast  do they grow! A focus area now is the tween room! We love the fun and joy decorating children’s rooms brings. What kind of room would your son or daughter like?

Here`s a couple of  tips from Dee & an idea from Karenza for you:

Interview with Cotter and Jewell Interiors

I have had the pleasure to work with Karenza and Dee from Cotter and Jewell Interiors, and I just love them to bits. They are creative and cheeky ladies who have a great style. So lets get some sneaky tips off them to take home!

Hi Ladies! Tell me about how you met and your business.

We both worked together many years ago for a high end bespoke furniture company as their Interior Design Consultants. We worked well as a team, providing greater design ideas and having fun at the same time. We remained friends and embarked on different directions in our design career. Years later, a friend needing her home interior refreshed to sell, demanded our services, bringing us together once more. We enjoyed it so much, we decided it was high time we made a go of it on our own and hence Cotter & Jewell Interiors was born!

How do you spend your weekends?

Ahhh!! We often spend part of the weekend working, as you do when you run your own business. But of course we love to relax and have some down time to revitalise our busy minds! Karenza is either at the beach surfing or Dee is running around town getting ready for marathons. Our favourite thing is a glass of wine in a quiet spot with a few good interior mags. Oh and throw in the odd designer market and a great meal with friends. Of course we like to party as well! Every now and then, Dee will be the first rocking out on the dance floor and Karenza will be the last to leave!

How would you describe your individual style?

We both have a pin board on our Pinterest site, named “Jewell Style” and “Cotter Style”, depicting our individual flair.

Karenza loves calm, relaxed spaces with natural timber, chalky white paint and a touch of humour. Juxtaposing antique finds with elegant modernism. For example I love a box I found in Mexico City, outside its a scruffy wooden box that opens like a folder and inside it is a shrine to a passed away person. But in Mexico with day of the dead a person’s life is celebrated and this box has amazing crazy colourful pieces inside.

Dee finds the question too hard to answer! I think I will begin with how I dress and see how this unfolds! My dress style is very simple, with a tendency to wear tone on tone in colour. I like my clothes to drape easily for comfort and ease. To add some interest and colour to my attire, I always add a piece of jewellery (necklace or bracelet) or scarf – providing the final finesse to my outfit. On reflection, I tend to use the same formula for interiors as well. Keeping my design and colour palette simple and adding a few key signature pieces to provide the finishing look.

When a client comes to you with a room to design, how do you draw out their personal style?

Karenza: We give them ample time. Time to get to know us and for us to know them! It is important we take this time, as we are usually a stranger they have never met, but have only heard of. Its important for our client to be relaxed and be at ease. We always ask to look at the home in its entirety, if possible and if they are happy to do so. One room needs to know how it plays a part of a whole home.

Dee: They have kindly welcomed us in their home, their personal space, which speaks volumes of who they and their personal style is there ready for us to see. They just don’t realise it. As it is appears in the purchases they have made for their home; from the very ornaments they have found and bought to showcase. These pieces will provide some necessary clues on colour, shape and form, which we can extract for use in creating our design ideas.

Is it quite an involved process with the client?

Karenza: Yes, you really become part of their life for a time, you need to understand their habits and lifestyle to really give them a great result and sometimes you wish you could just move in once you have finished.

Dee: Karenza is so right! This is the part I really love of my work. Forging a strong relationship with our client, which sees us become part of their everyday world. As their lifestyle need changes over time, from starting out and having babies that grow into children then teenagers to adulthood, their homes are expanding and contracting accordingly. We are usually invited at these various points of time to assist with the differing needs in the function and design of the evolving home.

What is your favourite shop at the moment?

All of them!!!

Karenza: Ahhhh Ahoy Trader from Byron Bay, quirky details with fun, Le Forge great customer service and you can always find a piece of real beauty. The Modern (Scandinavian furniture) has that look down to a tee and good prices!

Dee: There are too many to have just one as a favourite. Being Designers, we shop directly to the source, so we can offer fabulous prices to our clients! One of my all time favourite suppliers is Cromwell Australia as I really love their broad product range of classic timeless pieces. They offer everything, from cushions to lighting, mirrors, art and high quality furniture.

As interior designers you have your finger on the pulse of what’s hot in the design scene. Please share what you’ve seen!

Karenza: Oh the gorgeous wallpaper we just put up for a client: Its watery affect and handpainted look is spot on.

Dee: I keep seeing the colour BLUE splashed everywhere and making a stamp in interiors. Just like the wallpaper and artwork we have just hung.

So Joyous “So Joyous” from Penny Farthing Design House

When in an apartment, what would be your space saving tips?

Karenza: Products with multi use; a table with drawers (it can be a dining table and a desk). Stools that neatly stack extra seats and extra side tables. Full height kitchen/wardrobe cupboards (even if this means you go bespoke to do it). Standard height cabinets waste so much room and can be dust collectors on top. Blinds instead of curtains, they are less imposing. All of this, is of course dependant on your style too.

Dee: Karenza has said it so well! Mainly, to be guided by the principle of “less is more” to create the illusion of a bigger space.

What’s a trick to get an expensive look on a budget?

Karenza: A clever idea can be seen with a kitchen for example.. Use white cabinets (possibly IKEA) and always do beautiful stone bench tops and a stunning tap!

Lighting can dramatically change an interior space and is becoming so cost effective nowadays.

Curtains. Use a sheer fabric at a low price but triple the amount you would use, it will look luxurious in its abundance but hey may have cost $10 a metre!

Double sided cushions, each side being different to have a quick change, 2 looks for the price of 1.

Buy a beautiful antique piece of furniture that sits in a key spot and spend less on the rest, what your eye sees first will always give the first impression on lushness.

Dee: Karenza’s last point is the key! By adding a significant high quality piece to the main portion of lower value items, you will be providing the essential “gloss” to your entire scheme. In effect, this “trick of the trade” is based on the 80/20 principle, whereby 80% of the outcome, in this case the “expensive look on a budget” can be attributed to 20% of the cause, being the expensive item purchased.

The key to the trick is in adding the main focal piece to the interior. You can do this by up-cycling an old furniture piece such as a chair with plush and interesting fabric, by using beautiful sumptuous bed linen and towelling to update a tired bedroom or bathroom or by wallpapering or adding an artwork to the wall.

Well, there you have it, so many great tips, so much gold! Thanks ladies, I know I have taken away a few new tips!

Jacqui.

“Thank you so much Jacqui Pix, we had a great time chatting with you. 

We have also created some new Shibori Inky Blue cushions which work beautifully with the wallpaper and artwork above. Check them out on our media page.“

http://cotterandjewellinteriors.com.au/shibori-inky-blue-handmade-cushions/

London Design Festival is an assault on every sense and every level of aesthetics.

Mayor Boris Johnson sums the event perfectly: “The London Design Festival is the most vivid possible proof that London is the hub of the creative industries in the world.” well he is right but after living in Sydney and seeing our amazing design talent we have just as great a design source too. Maybe just not as BIG!

LDF It is a vibrant, robust, complete celebration of design.

Whatever you style you can find  crazy, elegant and awe inspiring examples.

From  world renowned architect Zaha Hadid collaborations with bespoke furniture craftsmen such as Gareth Neale. To the up and coming excited  new designers with their first show, to the established design heavy weights.

All are intermingled and rubbing shoulders. It`s a delightful collaboration for the interiors spectator.

Cotter and Jewell Interiors have been lucky enough to visit this year, and we shall bring you a peek into what we saw here on our website and social media.

We have been to VIP nights at the V&A Museum to view the incredible design at The Wish List design show. “The Wish List bring together a line up of ten world-leading creative minds paired with a younger generation of rising talent” Plus the impressive head swiveling Precision & Poetry In Motion installation by designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby for BMW. 

Design Junction, here we saw bespoke, beautiful, boutique and bountiful inspiration for the interior from design talent far and wide. New mixed with old.
We have so many inspiring images we shall be bringing to you.

100% Design. The BIG show with an opening intro from Philippe Starck, surrounded by giant inflatables!

Brompton Design District was a lovely tour of well known design brands, with unique designers slotted in-between, amongst classic London architecture as you strolled along.

Shoreditch Design Triangle  for bespoke, small designers oh and Chelsea Harbour for all the fabrics and frivolity.

Next we are putting together lots of lovely inspiration for you to see from these brilliant design shows, and as the London design festival likes to say `lose yourself design`, we shall break it down into the above events visited.Plus more. Phew!

Calyn Hoad was only seven when he threw himself in front of a four-wheel-drive to save his little brother’s life, suffering massive brain damage. The story was picked up by Channel 7`s Sunday Night show and when the original story aired, it reached out to all of Australia creating an overwhelming instant reaction! Hundreds of selfless Aussies banded together to give Super Hero Calyn & his family the priceless gift of a new home.

“Calyn’s family home wasn’t equipped to handle his wheelchair and medical equipment and people far and wide put up their hands to help give it a facelift. But we never expected this transformation” Sunday Night

Pls scroll through the above images or see the links below:

www.facebook.com/BringingCalynHome

https://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/a/22228664/calyn-hoads-story-my-brother-my-hero/

 Click our Pinterest P to see all the photos!

Cotter & Jewell Interiors story:

One wednesday afternoon we had a call from Channel 7`s producers inviting us to get involved. We said yes without hesitation. The next morning we flew to Brisbane to meet the builders. Within a couple of hours a simple reno to include a disability bathroom and bedroom had moved to a full scale new home. How come? Well CC Projects Mike said `we can do anything“. So it was decided, let’s do the best ever renovation we could. We we were asked to come up with ideas & concept plans as fast as possible,literally by the end of the weekend!The foundation slab needed to be poured ASAP, but how big would it be? We worked with the disability bathroom already designed and went from there. We had a small window of time before the Hoad family would move back from the Grandparents. So instead of a couple of walls being moved internally….mountains were moved instead. Calyns home doubled in size.

With a spreadsheet of volunteers, suppliers & trade people forwarded from the `Bring Calyn Home` charity we had an army of helpers. Real humans with heart!

“Sometimes, when this happens, it brings back my faith in humans, in this day and age all we ever hear about is bad things, this is just beautiful“ Facebook comment Channel 7 Sunday Night Page

Karenza & Dee had not long been speaking to each other about doing a project `whereby we give something back` whether it`s a community based or individual. To be asked to get involved seemed like providence.

Who could ever say no to helping brave Calyn, what a true Super Hero he is.

The project was full of wonder and surprises. Each day a new piece of magic would happen: for example the kitchen makers (2Scale Cabinets) not only made & installed a bespoke kitchen, but when we cheekily asked if they could help with the laundry they said yes! When we rang again with a few days to go and asked for a bespoke lego table and bed they said yes.

When the shower screen man arrived from Regency and gave us his card (we noted they did Wardrobes) we asked and he said yes (on the spot). That was 10 metres of wardrobes (all different too). When Mike asked the tilers to also help with the floor laying they said yes (they had already installed tiles for 2 bathrooms! CC Projects worked tirelessly from beginning to end,and beyond! Staying with us till the late hours of the night, staff members even celebrated their birthdays onsite!

Even the neighbours children came and swept and cleared rubbish each day after school. They missed their friends Calyn, Ashanti & Kya.

We had insane days such as shopping at BIG W and filling 17 or more trolleys!!! Plus we almost lived at Masters (the whole team new us personally after 6 weeks of calls and visits). Our hire car was a mobile office and storage space!

It was incredible!!!

As we were not able to meet the family/our clients. We gained an insight into Shah, Ben Calyn, Ashanti and Kya`s everyday life we had long detailed phone calls from Sydney to Queensland. With all the questions you would normally ask your clients directly….to even having secret late night rendezvous, in dark car parks with the grandparents and Auntie Bec. Borrowing photo albums and childrens drawing books. This was a family that truly knew and loved each other. An inspiration to get to know.

It was quite nerve racking to design a home for someone you have never met, but above all wished to get get it right! Cotter and Jewell wanted Sahh & Ben to have a family home they would love and be at ease in> We tried our best to design it in a way to make life a little easier. Especially in those small everyday details.

Dee and Karenza sincerely hope that Calyn`s Hero House is the home the Hoad family deserve, and that they have lots of fun and happy times. A place for the whole family to grow in. (With room for Granny to stay too). We hope to catch up with this wonderful family next time we are in Brisbane.

It was an amazing experience for us to be part of, something that will always stay close to our heart`s.

THANK YOU

XXX