Not only One Small Room

The original idea for One Small Room (OSR) was to set up a room with lots of special pieces chosen for their quality, uniqueness, style and soul, all displayed in a retail space just as it would be in a home.

Ten years later this idea has now evolved into a multifaceted business specialising in interior, building and product design, prop hire and styling – and the original OSR retail space in Croydon, Adelaide is still a popular stop for lovers of all things vintage and retro!

My design brief was to create a clean and feature full website for One Small Room, something to simply promote the two sides of the business – Retail and Design. Rather than manage an online shop, OSR wanted to have a simple way for customers to enquire about a product, so a sophisticated gallery and pop up form was developed to suit this requirement.

The project was completed with crisp professional photography by Denis of Smith & Collins, working alongside Stylist Rebekah Cichero of One Small Room. Some behind the scenes pics...

Bek and Denis churning out the styled product photos.

Behind the scenes setup at the OSR Hall. Impressive!

Toodle-pip,

Surface Art Spring 2014

Some may find this quite scarey seeing 6 of me in one place, it freaks me out a little. But putting that aside, check out the first roll-out of Surface Art's new Spring / Summer range for 2014!

Oh and also thought I would mention website design by Kyrie Design Studio! ;)

The Shedley

Image Source Here >

Built in 1965, The Shedley Theatre is a long standing icon in Elizabeth, and was recently upgraded to incorporate a new cafe and bar. I worked alongside The City of Playford's Marketing Department to develop a new brand for the Elizabeth Civic Centre's Café space.

The brief was to somehow incorporate the original 1960s Shedley sign into the new brand, keeping it fresh and not in your typical council style!

I managed to reproduce the original Shedley sign into a logo file, and introduced a new element - a complimentary 'octagon' starburst graphic to use on its own for stickers, uniforms and other marketing.

Interior Design by Total Space Design

It was also a requirement that all designs complimented the new interior design by Total Space Design.

This was such an awesome job because I love the fact that this brand was inspired by the building's history and elements from the 1960s, including starbursts, Featherston Chairs, red bricks!

Feeling Responsible

I was chatting to a friend the other day who was telling me about their recent experience with having a business website developed. So I jumped on my iPhone while on the run to check out her new online digs and was really disappointed to discover that her new site is not "Responsive".

So what does this mean?

Well in website terms a Responsive website design takes into consideration all screen sizes that the site may be viewed on. For example tablets/iPads, iPhones, laptops - basically big and small screens on any hand held or desktop device. When viewed on different screens the website should cleverly (and subtly) change layout to make the overall viewing, navigation and scrolling experience easier. (here is the long definition on Wikipedia)

So considering how many gadgets people will potentially view your site on, it is recommended that you make sure Responsive design is on your website wish list. Actually I would expect this to now be a standard feature of website development, so do check or ask the question when gathering website quotes.

Gettin' Creative with Dinky-Dye

Heidi & Baby Pip, Nigel the Kookaburra and Denis the Platypus

What a thrill to receive these photos in my inbox this morning! A loyal customer of mine (Kathleen) beautifully designed and handmade this amazing quilt for her little boy's bedroom. Kathleen has designed the quilt around our Dinky-Dye Cut & Sew characters Nigel, Heidi and Denis.

Creative and clever is an understatement!

I am so happy that my Dinky-Dye range inspired these creative projects for Kathleen, forming the colour palette and theme for her son's bedroom. No classical navy and red to be seen here! I love it!

Next on the to do list is a custom made cushion featuring Jess & Baby Toby!

Click here to see a previous post about the matching floor rug that Kathleen made to compliment the Dinky-Dye framed prints. AMAZING!

Toodle-pip,

Happy Ethel!

So pleased to see that E for Ethel are happy with their new logo and website that I designed for them. Hooray!

How to make your Dinky-Dye Softie

Here are some simple step-by-step instructions on how to make your Dinky-Dye Softie...

 Cut around the outside edge of the front and back image.

Lie the two fabric pieces together with the printed sides facing each other.
Pin both shapes together to reduce movement during the sewing step.

Starting near one of the black dots, sew around the shape leaving about a 5mm seam.
Leave an opening between the two dots to turn and fill.

Turn your Softie so the printed sides are facing out. 

Use a knitting needle (or similar) to carefully ease the corners and curves into shape - then iron. 

Fill your Softie with the enclosed recycled PET toy fill...

 

Then hand sew the opening shut using small neat stitches. 

 

There you have it... your new Dinky-Dye Softie friend is complete!
To see the entire range of Messagemark craft kits, visit our Shop >

Rockefeller Crush

This week I discovered a new cafe called Rockefeller Cafe + Kitchen that recently opened in my neighbourhood. To my delight it is full of the most amazing collection of 1950s kitchen tables and chairs.

So today I thought I would go down and test out my new camera, and as predicted absolutely no shortage of cool photo opportunities! As a "welcome to the neighbourhood gift" I gave the owners Georgia and Maria a set of my Good Health retro posters, so we may see some Retro Delights love adorning the walls very soon!

I went a bit crazy with the camera so check out the full set of photos on my flicker page here > and don't forget to visit Georgia and Maria and their amazing collection next time you are in Largs Bay.

Rockefeller Cafe + Kitchen
Shop 5/ 245 Fletcher Road, Largs Bay
Open: Wed - Sun 7:30 am - 4:00pm

Polyhedra Garlands

'Polyhedra' is here and is available to purchase online! The new designs are our spin on the current geometric trend in home-wares and fashion. A celebration of sharp angles and bright colours, the range includes our popular cards and prints, and a clever new Polyhedra Garland 'Cut & Fold Kit'.

Get crafty on a cold Winter's day and make your own unique geometric paper garland to hang on a wall, above a mantle, in a window, inside or out. Garlands are a cute way to add a colourful design element to any space.

VIEW THE POLYHEDRA RANGE HERE >

Fresh Bread from Ireland? What the...

In everything I make and do at Messagemark I am always searching for a 'green' solution. Over the past 2 months I have been designing a box for my Note Card sets with the help of a local Adelaide business Creative Cardboard. 

It would be dishonest of me if I said the process of designing this box was smooth sailing, it took me about 2 months and many prototypes to come to this final design. An yes, it is simply a box made from recycled board, big deal! The point is I chose to use a local supplier over sourcing from overseas which would have been a third of the price. Working with a local supplier gave me the direct face to face interaction to communicate exactly what I needed.

There are many environmental benefits to choosing local suppliers, and it is also great for our local economy. I want to keep my Aussie dollars in Australia. 

Don't you think the world is going a bit nuts - 'fresh' bread being sold at Coles from Ireland... where is there sense in that? Don't we have enough bakers in SA to meet the demand? Of course we do!!

Please think about what you are buying and where possible support our local businesses! And please, be aware of where products are made. Cheaper is not always better...

Toodle-pip,

Colour Form Shape = Polyhedra

I love the fact that wherever I go, or whatever I do there is always inspiration right before me! Bright colours (including Fluorescence) and geometric shapes are popping up all over the place. Seems to be a new LOVE for many. So I have come up with my own take on geometric shapes, and it's called Polyhedra!

Above is a collection of objects and colours that have inspired me. A necklace from Gretel Girl, the shadow created by my screen door at home, textures in man made and natural objects, and home wares featured in the latest home design mags.

Paper is a flat medium, but of course that doesn't mean it has to always stay that way! Polyhedra will include a new project that will turn flat paper into a three dimensional form... I won't spoil the surprise just yet, but it will involve a bit of hands on from you!

Polyhedra is on it's way, just working the final touches!

Feeling Special

I'm feeling rather special. There was a little surprise in my PO Box today. A gift from Trace at Gretel Girl Draws. Included was a cute cardboard note with fabric stitched on the back, a brooch wrapped in a special pocket made from a recycled dress pattern envelope, and some cute wooden earrings. This really made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside Trace... thank you!

Last year I purchased this groovy hoop artwork which happily sits in my new laundry! I love Gretel Girl products and plan to have a portrait illustrated by the lovely Tracy very soon!

Toodle-pip,

Quirky Terrarium Holiday Project

I found this clock in an op shop and instantly thought, 
"Hmmm, I could make a quirky terrarium out of you!"

Step One - Pull the clock apart so you are left with only the base and glass dome.

Step Two - To clean up the base, I used black spray paint. 
Depending on your decor choose any colour!

Step Three - Give the base a coat of paint in a well ventilated area and leave to dry.

Step Four - Gather a small amount of artificial moss to cover the base.

Step Five - Once the paint has dried pile the artificial moss on top of the base.

Step Six - Choose a miniature to sit on top of the moss.

Step Seven - Position the miniature in the center of the base.

Step Eight - Wash the glass dome and sit on top of the base.

And there you have it, a Quirky Terrarium! You can buy bases and the glass domes new
but they can be a bit pricey, so keep a look out for some old clocks in your local op shop.

Here's what you will need:
1. Glass dome and base - maybe from an old clock (mine cost $7.99 from an op shop)
2. Artificial moss (I bought mine from ebay for $5 + postage)
3. Spray paint any colour
4. Cute critter to live in your terrarium

Toodle-pip,






(Cute hoop artwork by Gretel Girl)