contemporary

Six Things I’m Loving Today

by Chavah Kinloch on November 24, 2010

#1: Weekend getaways with girlfriends. I had the best time on Saturay. I went on a little road trip to Dunedin with a carload of new girlfriends and we shopped the day away. Our feet were killing us and I’d almost lost my voice by the end of the day but I had so much fun. Can’t wait for the next round! I love the pic above because Kelly’s showing us that somewhere in the world she’s a size 10 lol. Heaven bless to US sizing system, it made us all feel good. Also, sorry Kelly! This is the risk everyone takes when they become friends with me, eventually you’ll show up on my blog somewhere.

This next photo carries 3 new loves (none of them include taking photos of myself in my bathroom):

#2 – My new bangles! I picked them up on our shopping trip. We had a heck of a lot of fun in one particular store and we almost all walked out with something. I am the averagely short type but despite that I have freakishly large hands and feet which makes it impossible to find bangles that fit. I saw these sitting on the counter, tried one on…and then got told I got three in a set. I had to buy them!

#3- That fabulous fushia colour. I wore a top in this colour the first time I met my husband, so it must be a goody hehe. The colour has disappeared off the racks and found it’s way back again and I still love it. I’m keen to rock it till I die.

#4 – Shopping off the rack. Well, I’ve done it. I picked the top up on the weekend too and I didn’t get depressed because it couldn’t fit. All I had to do was find a top I adored, and pick it up off the rack. Off. The. Rack. As you can see, it fits just fine! Although I have to undo the top button because I have ginormous boobage. I’m really NOT trying to flash anyone so I apologise to people that know me in real life if I do. I always feel self conscious and think people assume I am trying to. Especially my mother. (Love you Mum!) It’s just I have to wear a V neck to make me look taller and slimmer. Please don’t make me live in turtlenecks.

#4 – Watching little children perform in cultural groups. Kids are so funny. They sing off key and they over exaggerate actions. Isn’t that the way life’s meant to be lived? Oh to be so free again. I went on a trip with my 4 year old son and his kindergarten today to watch them do some Kapa Haka. Tooo cute. Yeah… my one is the one in the front on the far left…yep, that’s the back of his head.

#5 – Contemporary pressed flowers! I stumbled across these baby’s today. They’re traditional pressed flower cards, with a modern twist. You know what’s even better? They’re designed by one of our regulars here, Shelley! You have to click through to look at the rest of her handmade cards on her etsy store. I can’t choose a favourite.

Buy them: $17.00 for a set of five ( order now and get an extra card free)

#6 – Fresh flowers from my garden – This photo is actually from earlier in the year, or maybe even last year BUT the flowers I have from my garden are pretty much the same but purple and they’re in the exact same vases. A big thank you to the green thumbed previous owner of this house. I’ve managed to kill most of the other parts of the garden over the three years we’ve been in here but miraculously the front garden has (mostly) withstood the torture. One day I will learn to garden properly…maybe.

Before I go, we’ve just had breaking news. It’s a sad day here in NZ. Earlier in the week 29 miners got stuck in the mines after a huge explosion. Today, another explosion has happened and it’s seeming very unlikely there will be any survivors. There are reports saying it’s confirmed that all 29 have passed but that feels gut-wrenchingly awful to write. NZ is a small country, we’re all feeling the sadness for these men and their families. I spent the day yesterday watching all the updates and the news of the second explosion has just come through.  My heart is so sad for them all. :(

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10 Minutes with Lisa Brook of Urban Habitat

by Chavah Kinloch on September 26, 2010

Urban Habitat is one of New Zealand’s up and coming interior design companies. Launched by Lisa Brook – Artist, Decorator and Interior Designer, Urban Habitat offers professional interior design services and designer products to every day Kiwis at fixed prices; helping clients achieve their desired look, within each individuals’ specific budget.

With Urban Habitat’s help, using their concept boards and colour schemes; they will transform a persons space into a fresh, creative, contemporary design. They are proud to support and promote like minded local New Zealand businesses and their products. Find Urban Habitat on their website, Facebook and Twitter.

Favourite interior trend right now?


Definitely wallpaper feature walls.. I love that wallpaper can incorporate so many elements of design in one product – amazing colours, beautiful textures, bold patterns and stunning effects. And the beauty of wallpaper is that if you want a change, it’s easy to remove and replace. And it’s affordable.

When did you realise you wanted to be an interior designer?

I’ve had a love for houses since I was at high school. I left school quite sure I was going to build them so did a 1 year carpentry course. Being the only female in the entire department of nearly 200 blokes, I stood out like a sore thumb (excuse the pun). That didn’t deter me though, my realisation that I wasn’t cut out to be a builder came when I was working as a builder’s apprentice, climbing up the side of a house in the middle of winter in the mud, wind and rain. I decided I’d rather be on the inside of a house! From there it was a close call between studying architecture or interior design.

Where do you find inspiration?


Everywhere. Everywhere I go, I’m looking at things and relating them back to interiors. From things as simple as the trees in my garden and their changing leaf colours, to going to the mall and seeing what colours are popular in clothing and fashion. Even going to the hardware store, I find myself looking at industrial products or garden sculptures and thinking of ways I can bring them indoors. I surf the net and read a lot of interior design magazines and adapt concepts I’ve seen and add my own ideas to them.

What has been your most challenging aspect so far?

The most challenging aspect for me so far has been setting up Urban Habitat with two preschoolers. Any parent out there will know that you don’t get any spare time to yourself except when the little ones have gone to bed. And that for me, has meant many late night’s working.

On any given day you can find me…

Doing the washing. I never seem to catch up with it. As soon as I bring in a load, I have another load to hang out in its place.

My secret indulgence is…


Turkish delight and anything chocolate, I have a real sweet tooth.

My latest purchase was...

A Boston bedside table lamp, since the kids broke my old bedside lamp. Not that I’m complaining, it was the perfect excuse to go shopping.

I can’t live without…

Facebook, I’m a bit addicted (actually a lot). And my parents who happily take the kids off our hands so we can have a break or head out to the movies and dinner for an evening.

Favourite place to be?

In bed, I love my sleep.

Dreams and goals?


I’d love to study architecture. It would be awesome to combine both architecture and interior design and alternate between the two as careers. I’d also love to travel more; a few places on my wishlist are India , Dubai , Rome and Japan . I’d love to experience the culture of these places and see in person the amazing architecture they have.

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A DIY Cot Blanket

by Chavah Kinloch on September 17, 2010

I taught myself to sew last night. Seriously!

I am a crafty lady but when it comes to sewing…I suck.

It took me 1/2 an hour to figure out how to thread the sewing machine butttt after a few test runs I got it right.

I learned to sew when I was 11 and I made a pair of shorts, a hat and cushions galore. I haven’t made anything since though. Now my sewing is shocking. I managed to pull together a baby blanket though; so I call that success.

I just made it up as I went, no pattern. That’s usually how I tend to work. Sorry to all my super terrific handy with a sewing machine readers. Please don’t judge me hehe. If my Mum or Mother in law lived closer, I would have called on them for help but they’re a bit too far away so I went for it on my own.

Yesterday when I was shopping for fabric I went searching for something bright and multicoloured for Boston’s cot. I wanted a contemporary feel to the fabric, nothing  too baby like. There were actually a lot of fabrics in store to choose from but it seems my taste is rather extravagant and I wasn’t willing to pay $25-$30 a metre for this project. The whole point was to get the look at a discounted rate. Paying over $100 for a small blanket wasn’t going to cut it.

I walked by the discount table and this black and white fabric caught my eye:

I liked that it was kind of comic/graffiti like with it’s pictures and words. Then I unrolled the fabric a bit more and saw this:

Amused by the colour change I kept rolling:

That was it. I was in love! I looked at the price tage and it read… $5 per metre. SCORE!

So last night, after I put the kids to bed I got to work laying out the fabric, pinning and sewing.

I left the blanket on the beanbag last night and Boston got into as soon as we were up this morning. He’s cuddled it and wrapped himself up in it all day. Looks like it’s a hit. :)

Total cost of this project $17. I even have enough left over to make a cushion for the chair.

Now, we just have to finish the room.

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New Products Listed on ChavahKinloch.com

by Chavah Kinloch on February 20, 2010

I’ve just launched some new prints on my store over at chavahkinloch.com. You can now purchase 30cm x 40cm gloss prints of my Nas of the Mohicans and Queen C designs. These prints add a great touch of contemporary style to any space.  Which one’s your favourite? I’m thinking of having a giveaway. Oooo la la.

Order your print

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