Semi-Permanent Stolen Snaps

[Nicholas Felton]

[Seb Lester]

These two photos captured by Megan Cullen Photo at last week's Semi-Permanent Brisbane event are a pretty perfect summary of two of the most powerful overarching themes of the day.

They may seem blatantly obvious, but the design industry is a challenging world and we often need these kind of 'commonsense' reminders. I do, at least - even after a decade in the design world.

Another reoccurring theme was the importance of personal projects. Almost all the speakers touched on this in some way or another - pouring yourself into a personal project, expressing yourself in an unfiltered, unapologetic way (Moffitt.Moffitt) and letting your work be your journal (Miso).

Challenge accepted.

xx Kit

Caffeinated Art - BioCup Art Series

I love a when bit of unexpected inspiration sneaks into your world, especially when it arrives holding precious caffeinated elixir! BioPak have collaborated with OKYO to create some of the prettiest coffee cups you've ever seen, and they're environmentally friendly to boot!

The BioCup Art Series features the work of 6 Australian artists - Lily Rose Dambelli, Jessica Bee, Jennie Holtsbaum, Annie Everingham, Thomas Wilcox and Mark Gerada. Fittingly, I found out about this fantastic initiative when I noticed the architecturally inspired work of Mark Gerada adorning my beloved skinny cap - my two loves in one delicious package!

 [Australian Dreaming by Lily Rose Dambelli]

[Sustainability by Mark Gerada]

[Swimming in the Sky by Jessica Bee]

Three of the artworks are also available as prints from the OKYO store, so if your coffee fix isn't just cutting it you can add these pretty prints to your walls too!


xx Kit

Semi Permanent Inspiration

I was lucky enough to attend Semi-Permanent Brisbane yesterday, and I'm looking forward to having the weekend to pore over the beautiful Book Two and really process all the knowledge and wisdom shared during the day.

 [Tyler Durden-inspired snap of Ben Briand's short film, Some Static Started]

It's easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of knowledge and talent at events like Semi-Permanent, especially for a hermit like me who was too shy to rock along to the after party on my own, but I'll do my best to sort through my thoughts and impressions of the day and share them here with you next week.

In the meantime, check out the great snaps, quotes and insights from other Brisbane attendees over on Tagboard and/or Seen (where I'm a 'Top Source' - woo!) I was planning to take a lot of my own photos during the event, until I took a shot during Ben Briand's presentation and suddenly realised how awkwardly loud my phone's camera is, regardless of which app I used. I could swear the sound echoed!

Anyhoo, watch this space for more SP goodness, and have a great weekend!

xx Kit

Modern Ruins

I have a long-held fascination with forgotten, abandoned buildings, so these photographs by Australian architectural photographer Peter Bennetts appeal to me on many levels - precisely because what at first appears to be sprawling Babylonian ruins, or perhaps even abandoned coastal bunkers, are in fact an exciting new hotel currently under construction in Vanuatu.

[Images via Dezeen]

The project in question is La Plage D'hôtel du Pacifique, designed by Melbourne-based Kristen Green Architecture (KGA). The strong influences of both Louis Kahn and Le Corbusier are combined with references to ancient Roman architecture, and to my mind, the resulting design manages to be oddly at home in the tropical setting.

 [Images via Dezeen]

The strong geometries are both complemented and softened by the timber herringbone fenestration on the windows and doors, and the boarded in-situ concrete walls, whilst appearing quite brutal and stark at first, will weather and age beautifully and gradually blend back into the surroundings (if they're not rendered or whitewashed, that is!)

Head to Dezeen for more information and stunning images.

Disco Dots by Jen Hewett

Love love love this Disco Dot Mini Tote by self-taught San Fran design extraordinaire, Jen Hewett. The combination of leather straps and hand-printed linen is pure perfection.

Check out more of Jen's Winter 2013 collection here.

xx Kit

P.S. I stumbled across Jen's work on Lisa Congdon's blog, which is currently getting some much-deserved recognition for taking up the fight against a company that appears to have quite the track record of profiting off the creativity and hard work of others. Read more about it here and here.

Surreal Absurdity - Collages by Beth Hoeckel

Loving these surreal hand-crafted collages created by Beth Hoeckel. Some are just plain absurd, some are quirky (I want a magic carpet..and a burger!) and some are unashamedly ominous.

If any day can be a little absurd, silly and ominous...it's Monday!

xx Kit

P.S. More THAT GIRL Needs a New Computer! eGarage Sale goods coming later tonight tomorrow! Allanah Hill, Louis Vuitton, Spencer and Rutherford and a whole stack (literally!) of covetable design magazines.

[via Frankie]

ArchiGeeking Out

It's been a big week in the world of architecture, so I thought I'd share a few of the things that are currently inspiring me.

First up is this brilliant proposal to reclaim an abandoned train station under the streets of New York City. It's basically the hipster underground version of The High Line, another recent NYC masterpiece created from leftover rail infrastructure.

[Images via thisbigcity]

The Delancey Underground is a private project in the very early days, so it will be interesting to see how this one develops, particular as preliminary indications point to this being more of an 'attraction' than a public park/asset...i.e. possible admission fees. Keep an eye on this one!

Next is a wonderful clash of cultures and styles - the result of French architect Jean Nouvel and, once again NYC. Perched on an outcrop of the Brooklyn Bridge Park, a sleek acrylic 'jewelbox' encases an historic Jane's Carousel.

[Images via ArchDaily]

At night, the transparent pavillion transforms into a lantern, and the carousel and the cityscape compete for attention in the best possible way. If you happen to be heading to New York any time soon, be sure to pay Jean Nouvel's "fragile little monument" a visit. Rides are only $2!

And last but not least, the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona has recognised not one, but two Australian projects! In addition to Brisbane's Cox Rayner taking out the World Transport Building with Kurilpa Bridge (oooh, tensegrity!), Australia is now home to the World House of the Year.

Designed by architect Domenic Alvaro and located in my beloved Surry Hills, 'Small House' is a deliberate and well-executed argument against the ever-increasing size of Australian housing.

[Images via C+A]

The perfect demonstration that good things do indeed come in small packages, 'Small House' and the recognition it has received will hopefully nudge the Australian housing industry towards a more efficient, practical and beautiful approach. Fingers crossed.

Rue Awakening

If you're like me and you've had your head in the proverbial sand for the last few months, you may not have heard about Rue yet, so allow me introduce you to the coolest new kid on the block.

Rue is a completely free and ridiculously good looking online magazine filled to the brim with beautiful people, places and things, and only two issues in it has already established a wide and devoted audience - it's not difficult to see why.

Co-founded by Crystal of Plush Palate and Anne of The City Sage, Rue is "fueled by [a] mission to bring the inclusive nature of blogging to a magazine," and flicking through the pages and seeing so many familiar names and faces, it's obvious that Rue has been welcomed with open (virtual) arms...and rightfully so.

With an eclectic mix of styles, price points and people, this is an amazing online resource for all things interiors. Despite the American focus (not that there's anything wrong with that!) and my already heavily burdened credit cards, I suspect Rue is going to become a reliable staple in my decorPorn diet.

Rock on, Rue!

On Top and In Between

Alright, perhaps I'm still not feeling quite on top of things, but I'm getting there. I ticked quite a few things off my To Do list today, so I'm feeling positive...which is good, because that's what this blog is all about.

And that's precisely why I want to share this playful 'Lost In Sofa' with you. It's not particularly my style anymore, and it's definitely something that wouldn't be at home in my own apartment, but from a design point of view I can't help but love it.


As someone who is constantly losing my mobile phone, remote controls, keys, books...and yes, even my coffee (le gasp!)...the idea of just being able to tuck it into my sofa as a means of finding my belongings rather than losing them in the first place...beyond genius.

And even better is the fact that I could hit up to four birds with one stone! One book appropriately slotted into place could hold my keys, coffee, phone, and even other books!

A very smart, very appealing design from Tokyo-based architects, Daisuke Motogi Architecture. In fact, this is one super-modern looking design that I'd consider changing my whole apartment around for...stick in a few flowers and I'd be right at home!

It's strange to think how much my style has evolved since I started THAT[unreliable]GIRL two whole years ago, especially as my aesthetic remained very much the same for many years prior, including my six delightful long years at Architecture School.

And while I continue to ponder my ever-evolving style, I hope you have an amazing weekend! I'll be spending my time off working on some very exciting design projects, including a great collaboration that I can't wait to share with you!

What do you have planned?


xx Kit


P.S. Thank you to Michaela for the link, via FastCo Design & DesignMilk.

Matryoshkas Made to Measure

Oh. My. Matryoshka. How flippin' adorable are these Russian nesting doll measuring cups from Fred? As if I wasn't having enough trouble keeping out of the kitchen (no really, I've been on a scone rampage and my waistline is living proof!)

[M-Cups]

You'd be crazy to hide these little guys away in a drawer somewhere (or 3 separate drawers...my measuring cups don't seem to get along!) so I LOVE that an item that has always been notoriously functional is now utterly adorable too.

And and and...there's even measuring spoons too. You'd have to be a bit more creative in how to display these, but where there's a will, there's a way!

[M-Spoons]

I'm told that perfect measurements and very precise timing are the secret behind making your very own macarons. Yes, I'm talking macarons. So far, I've eaten more than my fair share but I've never delved into the secret French Baking Underworld* of making these pretties myself.

[Soda inspecting my *coughBOUGHTcough* strawberry, passionfruit and lavender violet macarons]

This weekend, I think I just might. I've got my imaginary beret and I'm ready to roll bake. Scones will just have to wait...probably not long though, if my macaron adventure turns out just as disasterous as I expect. Anyway, wish me luck!


What Secret Weekend Adventures do you have planned?

*I like to think that everyone wears berets in the French Baking Underworld. And frou frou skirts and heels. And there's a secret membership handshake. It's like a cult, but cooler. And much, much tastier.

Dandy Dinnerware

Just about anything that's described as 'dandy' is an instant winner in my books, but these Superior Servers by Ladies & Gentlemen more than live up to my favourite adjective.

Available in three colours that can be mixed and matched to your fancy, there's something subtle and subversive about this idea that makes me smile. Perhaps it's because I grew up with suspiciously similar looking cutlery...and I love the idea of diving into the top drawer and DIYing my own set (though my mother would be far from pleased, no doubt!)

Love love love the Megadoily too. Ladies & Gentlemen are definitely a design studio to watch!

[via desire to inspire]

Musical Monday and Pretty Poultry

Happy Monday! Firstly, I hope all the dads in my corner of the world had a wonderful Father's Day yesterday (especially my darling dadsie!), and of course a happy Labor Day to all my US readers too - what an action-packed weekend!

After all that excitement, I thought I'd kick-start this week with a little soothing musical magic, so here's an adorable film clip for Townsville kids The Middle East. I can't get enough of these guys at the moment, and the film clip just enchants me every time.

If the aesthetic looks familiar to you, that might have something to do with the immensely talented studio behind the clip, Greedy Hen. The leading ladies, Katherine Brickman and Kate Mitchell, have also done work for the likes of Megan Washington, Josh Pyke, and of course our beloved Frankie Mag.

With a style that combines the surreal, subversive and subtle with doses of whimsy and a sneaky sense of humour, it's no wonder these ladies are in demand! Here's a little more of their work for your viewing pleasure!

Greedy Hen will also be launching their own range of clothing and accessories in the not too distant future, so keep an eye on their website (or Facebook or Twitter) to be kept in the loop.

Online Obsessions - The Design Files

Ever come across a blog that is so amazing and so you that you're torn between doing a joyous jig or simply throwing your hands in the air and deleting your own blog out of pure, unadulterated envy? I come across these often, but one that keeps upping the ante and generally blowing my mind with endless awesomeness is The Design Files.

Written by Melbourne-based stylist and set dresser Lucy Feagins, the daily blog boasts a strong Australian focus but also manages to cover the best of international design goings-on too. Weekly features include enviable interviews and amazing Australian home tours with some of the most creative and cool kids that Australia has to offer, including the lovely Liss of Daydream Lily!

['OK' by Liane Rossler]

[Rose Byrne as photographed by James Geer]

[Castle Linen by Rachel Castle]

So much prettiness, so much talent! Ignoring the fact that this humble little blog is just as young as The Design Files, I still can't help but dream that one day, when my blog 'grows up', it will be even a fraction as inspirational. One day...


Happy Friday everyone, have a great weekend!


xx Kit


P.S. Sydney kids! As seen on The Design Files, don't forget to make your way to the Pop-up Alphabet Co-op this weekend - in true pop-up fashion, it's on for two days only, so be quick!