Friday, 24 December 2010

Happy holidays


Rest. Relax. Come back January 3 because there are some exciting times ahead on Daily Imprint.

In the meantime, I've started to list all the interviews that have run on the site. After many of you suggested people who had already been featured, I realised there needed to be a better way to access all those amazing people.

Happy reading. Happy New Year!

See you then...

image real living (photography pablo martin; styling natalie walton)

Thursday, 23 December 2010

christmas with lara hutton






I had a feeling stylist Lara Hutton would not only create a beautiful Christmas look at home, but also get into the spirit of the season too. After all, she has three young children. And in case you were wondering, the tree is from Top3 By Design.

Lara Hutton: "As a stylist, the very best part of xmas is having an excuse to decorate and wrap loads of presents. I love giving each year a new theme. This year is very organic... white and neutral, brown paper, cutout chipboard shapes, calico, string and origami."

images courtesy of lara hutton

Wednesday, 22 December 2010

christmas with rebecca riles






I'm not sure if it's possible to have a favourite store in a town where you don't live, but that's how I feel about Roots & Wings. I keep up to date with what's going on via her newsletter and online shop. As well as regular email chats. Rebecca is incredibly stylish, so I thought it would be worth checking out what's happening in her shop this Christmas.

Rebecca Riles: "It’s all a bit manic this time of year preparing for Christmas and the summer holidays in store and at home (packing to move house just 4 days before Xmas!) and all the stressing out kind of takes away from the fun and spirit of it all.

"
So... I’ll be keeping it nice and simple and fresh this year (I’m definitely a less is more kind of girl anyway). I prefer festive decoration, not Christmas specific decorations. I’ll by tying gorgeous vintage bells on a big twiggy centerpiece and hanging papier mache and recycled cardboard stars in front of the windows. They cast beautiful shadows on the table and ground by day and at night I’ll be lighting a ton of pillar candles and placing them in all my chunky hand blown glass hurricanes. You can’t beat candlelight.

"My Christmas wish list (this year it’s all about my new home) - I’d love a rusted mirror from Mark Tuckey to lean against the wall somewhere. I love his pieces; they are so raw and easy to live with.

"I want everything in Pony Rider’s homeware collection that has now arrived in store at Roots & Wings Design, especially their Players Welcome quilt and floor cushions.


"A big bold scull like piece by local artist Ben Quilty to go on my rough sawn Tallowood wall in my little cottage. I have a thing for sculls and saw this piece and died. I want one!"


images courtesy of roots & wings

Tuesday, 21 December 2010

christmas with jacqui lewis








Hands down, the best Christmas greeting this year goes to Jacqui Lewis. In fact, it's an all-timer. Jacqui came up with the idea to produce a 16-page card called The Art Of A Merry Christmas. It's part Christmas guide, part the best of summer manual, and all good. She styled many of the pages in her living room, photographed everything, designed it, and handwrote a personalised message on the back of each one.

Here is an excerpt from Jacqui's piece on The Art Of Gift Giving: For The Ladies:
"The art of a good gift is a personalised one. I think commissioning an art piece for someone special is truly a fantastic thing. Better still though, is giving someone something you made especially for them. I do this as much as I can, and love it when friends do it for me. The framed photo featured is by photographer Jai Odell which he took in New York for me as a gift for my 30th, and I love it as much as I do the paper horse Anna-Wili Highfield made for me many years ago. You just cannot beat these kinds of gifts. If you don't have a creative bone in your body, or if an artist is not within budget, (or on hand), then these are some other cute things to give this Christmas... The wall dots are from Ponyrider, and opposite, left to right, Virginie Castaway Striped Top, Medicinal Jars, Leather Ballet Flats (all from Biird)."


images courtesy of jacqui lewis

Monday, 20 December 2010

christmas with stylist marie nichols


This week I thought it would be fun to get into the Christmas holiday spirit. So I've asked some of the amazing people I've got to know this year to share their pictures and thoughts on what inspires them over this period.

The first post is from stylist Marie Nichols, who has recently returned back to the UK after living and working in Sydney. She's also just updated the portfolio on her website, and her blog is a good way to keep up date with her work, adventures and inspirations.

Marie Nichols: "So many things inspire me about Christmas but this year I’m feeling really inspired by snow. I had the most fantastic 14 months living and working in Sydney but for me Christmas without log fires, and a chill in the air just isn’t Christmas. Last year we missed the first white Christmas for as far back as I can remember, so this year I’m keeping everything crossed. Within 3 days of our arrival back to the UK we had 10 inches of snow! I felt so inspired that I dashed out and spent a good hour playing with bakers twine to shoot my Christmas card for this year... Seriously I couldn’t feel my fingers afterwards but it looked pretty so I was happy!"

image courtesy of marie nichols

Friday, 17 December 2010

"holiday at home" styling shoot



My last shoot for real living was supposed to have been a kids garden feature, which will feature in the JanFeb 11 issue (on sale 10 Jan). However, I was asked to squeeze one more in before the break. It was for a "Holiday at home" feature. Click on the images for a larger view size.

What a year it's been. As I've mentioned previously, this time last year I had only just styled my first shoot, and now I have a merry little collection under my belt. Even more thrilling was this week I saw one of my images in the latest Living Etc. It's the Young Explorer room from this shoot.

Who knows what next year will bring!

images real living (photography chris warnes; styling natalie walton)

Thursday, 16 December 2010

photographer katie graham








Is it possible to tell someone loves their job through the work they produce? I think so. These photos are from the portfolio of photographer Katie Graham. She switched from a career in magazines to focussing on children's portraiture.

Which five words best describe you? Happy, spontaneous, inquisitive,
impatient and grateful.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Working as a temp in the subscriptions department of ACP publishing when The Bulletin was being relaunched. My job was the opposite end of the spectrum to interesting or glamorous, but I was instantly caught up in the whole energy of the place. I was lucky enough to be given an opportunity to stay and in my 10 years there, worked closely with amazing editors, publishers and marketing teams, who were such creative and inspiring women to work with.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got".
What’s your proudest career achievement? Working in such an energetic and creative industry for a long time and now having the ability to do something creative and earn a living on my own terms.
What’s been your best decision? Following my heart to Australia.
Who inspires you? My family. They define who I am. What life is about. And what is beautiful to me. They explain why I am drawn to photographing the things I do.
What are you passionate about? Beautiful light, making photographs, finding inspiration in ordinary every day things.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Vincent van Gogh and my great grandparents.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? To run the London marathon together with my dad, brother and twin sister.
What are you reading? Elliott Erwitt Personal Best. Plus more than my fair share of magazines! And inspirational blogs.

images courtesy of katie graham

Wednesday, 15 December 2010

wednesday giveaway!





Today's giveaway is from Wholistic Harvest, a company set up by two sisters in country Victoria who are passionate about living a simpler, more fulfilling life. Mandy Leigh, pictured, and Melissa Branagh want to encourage you to get back to nature and are offering 2 readers a 2011 wall calendar printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper using vegetable-based inks. Value $25.

For a chance to win please visit Wholistic Harvest and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random after comments close at midnight Tuesday 21 December, Sydney time. And don't forget to check back to see if you've won because we can arrange a speedy delivery if you'd like one as a Christmas gift.

Good luck!

Update - The winners, selected at random, are
#4 Irene
#5 asta199
Congratulations! Please contact me asap at nataliejwalton[at]gmail.com so I can help to organise delivery of your prize - hopefully before Christmas.

images wholistic harvest

Tuesday, 14 December 2010

stylist lara hutton






There's that old saying about Ginger Rogers doing what Fred Astair did but in heels, and backwards. You could use a similar analogy with Sydney stylist Lara Hutton. Not only does she produce beautiful shoots - in the areas of food, fashion, interiors and lifestyle - for Australia's glossy magazines, but she does this while being a mother to three young children - all under the age of three! (Her two baby boys are twins.) If that weren't enough she has just released a range of homewares and is about to have a book published.

Which five words best describe you? Treehugger, perfectionist, loving mother, neutral palette, soulful, dreamer... that's more than 5 though.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I began my career in fashion. I came from a family of journalists and needed to decide which road to take when I was studying. While at the Whitehouse School in Sydney, I started work experience at Marie Claire, a move designed to help me choose between magazines, or design. I was working at Marcs at the time. It was an amazing moment in time, and an iconic team I learnt SO much from, and would always hold dear. Lee Mathews was designing, and introduced me to Jane Roarty the Fashion Director at the time, an amazing inspiration to me still. By the end of the year I was offered a job as Market Editor, and a year later I was Fashion Editor roaming between New York and Paris. I had a wonderful, fulfilling and lucky experience but I wanted more creatively. I moved over into interiors, and it has all just grown. I flit between fashion, interiors, food and lifestyle. I am passionate about all of it, and I see no need to choose. It has become who I am and what I do.
What's the best lesson you've learnt along the way? Come to know your instinct and trust it at all times. Be generous of knowledge and nurture those around you, and teach wherever you can. There is nothing more rewarding. Oh, and keep it all in perspective.
It is so important to remember how lucky we are to be doing what we love; be grateful, thankful and enjoy the road.
What's your proudest career achievement? To be really honest with myself here, I haven't even begun. There are so many plans still. I have been lucky enough to work with numerous celebrities on their homes, that has been a lovely experience having the freedom to create. I've written a book - that was fulfilling - it will be published soon. And right at this moment there are other great things in the pipeline. Really, at the moment though, I am most proud that I have been able to juggle being a mother of baby twins boys and a 3-year-old with my career. That I have agreed with myself on some form of balance that allows me to fulfill my soul stuff and creativity, while still being there for my babies.
What's been your best decision? To follow my heart and pursue the career that fulfills me, to freelance after 10 years in magazines, to marry my husband. None of those in order.
Who inspires you? My husband, creative mentor and soulmate. My family: the love you have for your children will drive you through, and to anything. My mum, the most incredible human I know. To make her proud means everything.
What are you passionate about? Living in the moment, amazing food, beautiful things, my ceramics hobby, harmony, my home, music, art that takes your breath away, soul searching, fixing what I can in the world.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Buddha, Princess Diana,Bono, John F Kennedy, Morgan Freeman.
What dream do you still want to fulfill? To build a house on a hill with my husband, to publish my book and write another, to travel endlessly, to pick up a camera and shoot, to own, design and style a bed + breakfast, to combine my love of flowers, entertaining/events.
What are you reading? Haha. A pile of books on toddlers. But I did just read the Book of Conversations, a great concept.

images courtesy of lara hutton

Monday, 13 December 2010

designer seb brown






There is A Shop Called Milton. In Melbourne. It is a little bit of something to everyone. So old-fashioned and yet so modern. It's where I found Seb Brown. I first spotted his jewellery designs but then found his graphic design work. Both are worth checking out. As are some of his other ventures, including Phuong & Seb's Belt Co.

Which five words best describe you? Observant. Interested. Always making things.

How did you get your career started and what path have you taken since? I started making jewellery at the end of 2009. I started with one sketch of a necklace and it has gone from there. I initially made things for myself and frıends and enjoyed it so I kept going. I studied graphic design and I love to draw and paint. So I can mash them all together and create something exciting. I'm looking forward to the future as my path hasn't been very long!

What's the best lesson you've learnt along the way? That being a self-taught jewellery maker is possible. Also it isn't that difficult to get in contact with people who you admire.

What's your proudest career achievement? Having my jewellery stocked in two retailers in my first 6 months. Also whenever someone says; "I love your ring, where did you get it?" and I can say "I made it!"

What's been your best decision? To work for myself.

Who inspires you? I am inspired by a multitude of things. Particularly by organic textures and forms from flora and geology. I am also fascinated by the lives of people from ancient civilizations and the ways in which they developed their own unique aesthetics with limited outside influence. I am constantly in awe of artists who are willing to push the boundaries, making more headway for all different types of creative people.

What are you passionate about? The environment, gay marriage rights, the beach and surfing, cooking and being cooked for, loyalty, honesty and friendship, dress up parties, the arts, riding my bike, wearing shorts, camping and travelling!

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Frida Kahlo, although I think she might be a bit intimidating.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? Too many things to mention! Although probably something involving flying.

What are you reading? The adventures of Augie March by Saul Bellow and the 'Turkey' sectıon I cut out of my Lonely Planet.

images courtesy of seb brown

Friday, 10 December 2010

photographer leila jeffreys






One of the travel stories from real living that has stayed with me was written and photographed by Leila Jeffreys. It was her second visit to Christmas Island (an Australian territory that's in the Indian Ocean and has been proclaimed by Sir David Attenborough as a "must-visit" destination for its wildlife). Leila was there as part of Bird and Nature Week, and spent time caring and photographing many rare species. (It's in the September 2008 issue, if you have back copies.) So I was thrilled recently to see that she was exhibiting her photography work at Iain Dawson Gallery. Not only because she has continued with her passion for photography, but she's also spent time documenting birds in an altogether fresh and vibrant way.

Which five words best describe you? Oh dear, am I able to ask one of my friends? Ideally a friend that only sees the good in people!

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I started off taking promo photos for bands, since then I fell into the wonderful world of magazines.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? It doesn’t necessarily matter what you do, it’s who you work with that’s important. Loving the people you work with really does makes all the difference.

What’s your proudest career achievement? I would have to say this exhibition has been my proudest achievement. It has been 3 years of hard work and I’m in shock that I finally made it to the finishing line.

What was the starting point for this exhibition? I was obsessed about a giant portrait of a budgerigar for my home. The whole project started being about something that I could visualise and wanted for myself. From there it turned into a series of images which eventually lead to the exhibition.

What’s been your best decision? It’s probably a bit of a cliché but for me it was the decision to become a Mum.

Who inspires you? My husband James, and our adorable son (James’s words).

What are you passionate about? I’m passionate about native critters, I love anything that has fur, feathers or fangs.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Gram Parsons.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? I’d love to commission a sustainable architect to design my dream home.

What are you reading? The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris, he’s all about practising mindfulness.

images courtesy of leila jeffreys and iain dawson gallery

Thursday, 9 December 2010

thursday giveaway!


Today's giveaway is from Safari Fusion - one of the first Australian companies that I came across that was importing these gorgeous headdresses. While they continue to stock an ever-growing array of colours, I love some of their other offerings too, including this guy.

Kellie Shearwood is offering TWO lucky readers 2 x Sevilla Rock Cushion covers PLUS 1 x Sevilla Rock Apron. You get to choose either the Herd or the Colts design, other details are below. Each prize pack is worth $197.

Herd design pack: Value $197

1 Sevilla Rock Cushion (Herds Red) cover only

1 Sevilla Rock Cushion (Herds Grey) cover only

1 Sevilla Rock Apron (Colts Yellow or Teal)


Colts design: Value $197
1 Sevilla Rock Cushion (Colts Yellow) cover only
1 Sevilla Rock Cushion (Colts Teal) cover only

1 Sevilla Rock Apron (Colts Yellow or Teal)


For a chance to win, visit Kellie's online shop and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random after comments close at midnight on Wednesday 15 December. Don't forget to check back to see if your name was selected.

If you love to travel, read about Kellie's amazing journey here.


Congratulations. The winners are
#36 Melinda
#45 Belinda Y
Please contact me with your postal address and daytime phone number so we can organise delivery of the prize. Thanks again, everyone, for taking part.

image courtesy of safari fusion

Wednesday, 8 December 2010

xmas wreaths






Christmas is fast-approaching, although for those who work on magazines it seems like a fleeting memory. We're about to finish the JanFeb 11 issue of real living and are already working on our March and April issues. But, this year, I feel more prepared for Christmas than ever before. After all, I have about 6 Christmas wreaths I can hang from almost every door in my home. The pictures above are wreaths I created for the December issue of real living (on sale now). Any favourites?

images real living (photography armelle habib (floral); pablo martin)

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