Hunt for home furnishings (without the meatballs)

The New Year’s custom in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, of throwing furniture out of windows of tall buildings has been voted one of the strangest customs worldwide to bid farewell to the old year and ring in the new.

The local custom came fourth in a poll conducted by social networking site Badoo.com, which asked 7 200 users in 18 countries to vote for the strangest and most fun New Year’s customs.

The Chilean city of Talca’s custom of spending New Year’s Eve at a cemetery to be with dead relatives won the poll for the strangest custom.

A Romanian custom of trying to hear animals talking – where failing to do so brings good luck – came second, followed by the Irish practice of banging bread on the wall to scare away evil spirits.

Following Johannesburg’s fourth place was a Siberian custom of diving into a frozen lake carrying a tree, and a custom in North Carolina in the United States where you lower a possum over a noisy crowd.

The Johannesburg custom also took fourth place as the most fun New Year’s custom.

The mass kiss-in in Venice, Italy, Mexico’s practice of wearing red underwear for good luck and a three-day water fight in Thailand took the top three places in the fun category. 

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Those looking for new furniture in the new year, and finding ways to offload their old furniture have to look no further than Couchelo. Looks like we’d be sweeping up the streets for the New Year if we were in Johannesburg. 

Happy New Year Everyone!

As we approach the holidays, restaurants in Sydney are being booked out for Christmas lunches and dinners. Here is a list of our favourites where the design is just as good as the food with or without the turkey..

The Grounds of Alexandria

With a wholesome approach to food and design, the Grounds of Alexandria has become a Sydney cafe staple. A former pie factory, the fit-out provides an inviting contemporary spin whilst maintaining the integrity of the former warehouse. 

7A/2 Huntley St Alexandria NSW 2015

(image by Michael Wee)

Mr Wong

Mr Wong’s interiors instantly creates a mise-en-scene of 1930s Shanghai with its jazz music and striking colonial-style furnishing. An incarnation of Tank nightclub, the dark timber floors and existing structural elements prove to complement the new additions including blue cement tiles and a mural of a period-specific Asian lady. The traditional Cantonese themed food adds the final touch for complete immersion into old Shanghai. 

3 Bridge Lane Sydney, NSW 2000

(image by Paul Gosney)

The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room

The former Brooklyn Hotel is transformed into a New York-inspired hospitality venue encouraging patrons to feel at home with communal dining tables and clustered stools. The  interior uses indoor plants to create an intimate setting, with large street-facing windows recreating a stoop-like people watching experience. Watch out for the occasional $1 oyster treats. 

225 George St Sydney, NSW 2000

(image by Murray Fredericks)

Adriano Zumbo Patisserie

A real life mini Willy Wonka factory is invoked in the design of this sugar patisserie. Well known for the unique macaron flavours, Zumbo’s latest instalment uses a ‘dessert train’ to add to the intrigue of this quirky and colourful venue. 

Shop 1 Cafe Court, The Star, 80 Pyrmont St Pyrmont, NSW 2009

(image by Murray Fredericks)

Mejico

Mejico has successfully captured the essence of a Mexican canteen whilst avoiding all the cliches of the culture. It has a predominantly neutral palette with touches of vibrant colours from the occasional item of furniture or from the food itself. Bold graphics on both the walls and floors provide a high level of energy perfectly complementing the mix of chillis and peppers. 

105 Pitt St, Sydney 2000

(image by Juicy Design)

This year, instead of buying a stock standard Christmas tree, or decorating your home with ornaments and festive decor purchased from a local store - think about mixing it up with something more crafty. These alternative out of the box tree ideas will add a fun and stylish vibe to your home this holiday.

#1 Wireframe and Globe Lights Christmas Tree

Spare and modern, this tree alternative tucks into any corner and doubles as a stylish lamp.

#2 Camera Tripod Christmas Tree

For the photographers out there, check out this clever centerpiece using your camera tripod.

#3 Knick-Knack Wall Christmas Tree

What better way to show off meaningful photos, jewellery and trinkets by hanging them together like art? This can be made with useless (but pretty items) collected over the years.

#4 Stick in Jar Christmas Tree

Keep it simple.

#5 Book Stack Christmas Tree

Don’t throw out this year’s uni textbooks or old encyclopaedias. Not only will you look well read, but you’ll be able to play a mean game of Jenga afterwards.

#6 Mountain Dew Cans Christmas Tree

Just another reason to stock up on VB…

#7 Wine Cork Christmas Tree

…or if you prefer wine.

#8 Dry Wood Christmas Tree 

Not only is this a green alternative, but it inspires you to get your craft on.

#9 Tempting Tasting Tannenbaums Christmas Tree

This is one delicious show-stopper. Diet starts…next year…

#10 Balloon Christmas Tree

A very light alternative, and easy to clean up!

#11 Hanging Mobile Christmas Tree

Christmas trees are great, but floating, abstact Christmas trees? All kinds of amazing.

#12 Ladder Christmas Tree

Don’t know what to do with that spare ladder? Now you do.

What is so appealing about buying vintage or a preloved piece of furniture is that it’s often cheaper than buying new, and pieces that have aged with time and marked by the touch of those who cherished them before us can give our homes character and personal style. However, buying vintage furniture and vintage homewares can be daunting and a little complicated, especially if you don’t know where to look, or if you’re not the type who enjoys scouring dusty op-shops in search of treasurable finds.

The good news is that the traditional approach to buying vintage furniture and accessories is changing. Gone are the poky corner shops and the ‘take it as it comes’ mentality. Many companies now showcase their wares in inspiring settings, and will also restore and modify furniture, accessories and soft furnishings to create a perfect fit for your home. To further ease the transition, many vintage pieces can be given a contemporary makeover to suit your interior style.

Here are a few tips on what to look for when buying Vintage furniture and homewares:

1. Buy the best with what you’ve got. Make sure you know the difference between good and poor quality before you buy.

2. Question yourself. Do you love it? Is it a good example of its type? How rare is this particular one? Is it by a notable maker/designer? Is it in good, original condition?

3. Be adventurous. Mix and match what you buy and avoid being limited by sticking to just one style. Good quality objects from different eras can look really good together.

4. Be selective. Collecting should be about quality, not quantity. Remember to keep your collection fluid, not set in concrete. If better examples are found, sell off the poorer ones.

5. Avoid fashion. Form your own opinions about what to collect. Don’t follow the pack; consider buying furniture that others aren’t buying.