God Save The Animals

Damian Russell and Jonathan Gonzalez

I hope you are all having a lovely holiday season and I hope you survived Christmas day without too many family arguments. Come on admit it there's usually one door slamming throughout the day. Actually I had a row with my fiance, Ollie, on Christmas Eve... I know - so not festive. I feel red faced because I threw a strop at him  for leaving me all of his family presents to wrap. Poor form on my account especially when he cooked an amazing mustard glazed ham.

I have been thinking what has played a big part in my interior world for 2009 and well it has to be animal ornaments. I think it started when Jonathan Adler gave me one of his charcoal horse tray's in January. Now I'm addicted. Owls are a favourite but I'm starting to lean towards giraffe's and polar bear's.  Areaware have a fantastic collection of Ross Menuez's Fauna Pillows here. You can check out Hamleys here but if you are in London go and experience the store. See you tomorrow for the last post for 2009.... Wow. xxx

Light'n Up It's Christmas!

Ho, Ho, Ho! The jolly season has begun and what better way to do it than to start with your Christmas lights.  UK stylist Suzanne Stankus and photographer Damian Russell have got all creative on us with some explosively gorgeous ideas in how to brighten up our homes. A blog exclusive folks...

This year it's time to look beyond the tree to add some extra twinkling sparkle inside your home. One word PAR-TY!

A kitty cat's dream. Peace with a handmade white stained, wood cross by UK artist Alex Goacher

Remember Christmas didn't start with the fat guy in the red suit. It's about Virgin Mary popping out baby Jesus. So why not illuminate her with some fairy lights. Who cares if your not religious this will be the talking point for visitors all over the break.

Enough with the twee and bring in the Polystrene chains. This is soooo Tim Winter with a Stankus and Russell twist. Think statement, statement, statement... oh and Bambi

photos by Damian Russell 

  There is never enough dining chairs so make sure you stock up and never let them go. I love mix and match but why not try to stick with one colour... LOVE IT!

This shoot makes me giddy. Suzanne and Damian probably don't know this but they inspired me when I started out in Australia to do what I do. Their shoots have always been breathtakingly beautiful and what makes them stand out is how they create IDEAS that most haven't thought up. Suzanne started her career styling at British ELLE Decoration under the editorship of Ilse Crawford and then moved onto styling the iconic Habitat catalogues. Damian has helped set the tone in how modern interiors are photographed in our favourite magazines. The duo have been working together almost forever. If your about to set off in creating a new campaign then this is your team. And for the rest of us who love to have fun at home then go crazy with festive lights and brighten up your space.