With the new year coming up, so is the release of Queensland Homes 2012 Annual Gold Edition!

QH Gold 2012 brings us a fresh new mix of home pictorials - from beach side living to country homes on the coast, you’ll be spoilt with unique design + decorating inspiration.

There’s also a HUGE Interior Designers’ Q&A feature, which you simply must read! With a low-down of new tips and trends from a selection of interior designers, you’ll be all set for the new year.

Lastly, Natalie shares some stunning interior images of designer boutique hotels around the world in one of our regular features, Global Style. I’ve had my flick through and the pics are STUNNING!

Featured in 'Global Style'

This issue will be available in newsagents in January, so make sure you grab your copy early! You can also pre-order online via our website > graphicpublishing.com.au/subscribe/qhSubscribe.htm

Here are a few words written by Margaret McGuire for the editor’s letter -

When you read this it will be the start of a new year - a fresh slate on which to write another slice of your life, and we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a happy, safe and prosperous year.

Queensland Homes Gold differs from our quarterly issues in the number of pages we are able to give the homes we feature, and this edition our houses needed every page we could find. In many cases, these homes are on acreage sites, where there is room for big, beautiful trees and lush landscaping - and some of the houses have access to their own creeks and waterholes - now that’s bliss.

We also feature a gorgeous old home from Toowoomba which has been restored and renovated but which is still a fun, family home; a beach house built on a sand dune, an ultra luxurious Balinese resort and Sir Richard Branson’s Makepeace Island at Noosa.

We’ve also conducted a Q&A with a number of interior designers and it seems that minimalism is on the way out after a record run of popularity - I have to say it never made an appearance at my house; you need to be very tidy to live with minimalism!

In its place the designers are predicting a return to warm, welcoming homes, softer and more colourful interiors filled with all the lovely accessories that make a house a home - and the return of wallpaper.

I’m sure you will enjoy this issue.

Purchase your copy of QH Gold 2012 online > graphicpublishing.com.au/subscribe/qhSubscribe.htm

Visit the QH website > www.queenslandhomes.com.au

- Cherizza, QH Web

We all love something unique: Something inventive; something special. And this is why we are loving Greg Hatton!

Far from being mass produced, Greg makes the most of re-using and recycling materials to come up with ingenious ways of incorporating environmentally conscious ideas into modern yet rustic looking furniture.

We can see just how much heart and skill he puts into each piece. With a strong focus on the environment how could you not be inspired by Greg’s concepts!

> Just check out his webpage here

- Despina Papamanolis, QH Guest blogger

Escape to Clear Mountain Lodge for a quintessential Australian Christmas setting!

This Christmas day escape with your family to Mercure Clear Mountain Lodge, Spa & Vineyard to enjoy lunch with an awe inspiring Australian bush land view.

Cresting the top of Clear Mountain on Brisbane’s north side just 35 minutes from the CBD, the Lodge will be opening its doors on Christmas day to host a spectacular gourmet buffet lunch.

Enjoy an afternoon of fine food, wine and conviviality at Mandy’s on the Mountain Restaurant which offers panoramic views over Lake Samsonvale, Moreton Bay and the granite spires of the Glasshouse Mountains.

Mandy’s on the Mountain Christmas lunch will include a delicious assortment of seafood, including Mooloolaba prawns, freshly shucked oysters, spiced calamari, whole backed King Snapper, Morton Bay bugs as well as slow roasted pork shoulder, roast turkey, honey and orange leg ham and a selection of roast vegetables, salads and condiments.

For a sweet note to end the day guests will choose from a selection of decadent desserts including iced nougat Christmas puddings, Christmas seasonal fruit salad, Belgium and Scottish chocolate tartlets and a selection of cheeses including Shadows of Blue, Triple-cream Brie and Maffra Cheddar served with homemade compotes and lavoush.

Lunch is served from 12 noon on Christmas Day from just $145 per adult and $70 for children aged five and up, all guests receive aglass of sparkling wine, soft drink or local beer on arrival.

An overnight rate from $209 is available for those wishing to conclude their Christmas day relaxing by the pool, taking in the spectacular Mountain fresh views  in total serenity.

Mercure Clear Mountain Lodge Spa & Vineyard has a range of spa and accommodation packages perfect for last minute Christmas gifts. Packages start from $285 for two up to the ultimate two night Mountain Top Rendezvous from $1,020 per couple.

> You can find Clear Mountain Lodge, Spa and Vineyard at 564 Clear Mountain Road

> Call 07 3298 5100 as bookings are essential!

> For more information, check out their website: www.clearmountainlodge.com.au

If you didn’t get to pick up your copy of the Winter 2011 issue of Queensland Homes magazine, you would have missed out on our Interior Showcase special feature - showcasing some truly inspirational interior design + decorating ideas.

In this 4 part weekly blog post, I’ll be sharing a few of my fave interior projects - you’ll be spoilt for inspiration ideas!

Here are a few words about the Interior Showcase …

“Each year we ask some of Queensland’s interior designers to showcase a project they’ve been working on so we can see the latest trends and directions in decorating. Many design the furniture for their projects, and they all consider where the home is and their clients’ lifestyle when they create their schemes. You’ll find practical ideas married to great design in this feature …”

Now for Part 1 of the Interior Showcase - a fabulous Gold Coast penthouse! This gorgeous Gold Coast penthouse has come to life under the careful guidance of the Robertsons Design team.

Diana Mitchell has her say on a few styling notes …

• The brief was to achieve a sophisticated international penthouse feel, away from the norm of cane and ‘typically coastal’ to suit the high end interior finishes and architecture.

• Large art pieces work with the light and help to absorb the brightness as does the neutral linen sheers that surround the lounge/dining windows and the white shutters that are in the kitchen.

• The abundance of natural light in the space allows for creativity. Hence the use of matt black paint on the feature wall only enhances the space and grounds the area without making it feel darker.

• Mirrors are a wonderful tool when designing and when used properly they complete the space. We have used a great full length mirror in the dining area which reflects the light and creates depth to the room as we’ve done in the master bedroom.

• The iron lattice lamps imitate the square structure of the behead and the large mirror completes the room by reflecting the whole space.

Who would have ever thought that sitting on cardboard could be classy? Well David Graas from the Netherlands is mixing things up a little with his innovative and creative take on using cardboard to create beautiful yet quirky pieces of furniture.

His pieces take me back to my product design studies at uni and being instructed to construct a chair purely out of corrugated cardboard.

With the lifespan of cardboard, I would’ve never thought that my design could actually be used as ‘real’ furniture. It is possible and it all lies with David Graas!

What I most love about his concepts is that idea of flat-packing. We’ve all seen it done with IKEA’s range of do-it-yourself furniture, but his takes flat-packing to a new level.

No need for screws, nails or glue, many of his chair designs can just be slotted together (easy enough for a child to put together!).

But what I absolutely admire, and what many of you ‘greenies’ might too, is that his use of one material and the simple dis-assembly of the chairs makes it perfect for recycling!

> Check out  his website: www.davidgraas.com

- QH Guest blogger, Despina Papamanolis

Although I’m not yet a parent, I can’t help but adore everything from Noosh! Noosh creates  quality unique and quirky, but most of all fun rooms for kids. And all their stuff is Australian made!

We are loving the Gigi Alphabet wall hangings at the moment. They come in a raw MDF finish, which is perfect for a do-it-yourself painting job so you can customise and decorate to fit your colour scheme.

> You can by them online through the Noosh website … visit noosh.com.au for more!

- Despina Papamanolis, QH Guest blogger

How we love our Brissy designers! Featured in our ‘Made with Love‘ special (have a read in the current issue of QH Spring 2011!), boutique greetings designer Alarna Zinn puts her little heart and soul in to her Little Jane St. collection of unique, handmade designer stationery.

With a knack for paper crafts, plus a creative eye for cute and quirky design, she creates the most adorable range of limited edition greeting cards, gift enclosures, custom invitations, signature wrap, art prints, paper decoration, ribbon, ceramic garden labels and personalised trinkets.

Putting the love back into greeting culture, giving the gift of a smile and a warm heart to the receiver, Little Jane St. is all about a revival in heartfelt moments. And little treasures that make you go ‘ohhh’.

> You can buy online, and have your parcel delivered in organic hand-stitched cotton carry-bags (cute!) … littlejanest.com.au

or

> Head out to explore Alarna’s recently opened Little Jane St. boutique at 5c Winn Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.

Love handmade goodies? Check out our other fave designers featured in our ‘Made with Love‘ special here!

We adore the little pieces of magic that ceramicist and novelist (And Brisbane girl!) Kylie Johnson creates for her Paper Boat Press collection.

Featuring quotes and poetry that bring a smile to the face and a twinkle to the eye, she is a designer, potter, poet and published author to boot!

Kylie brings the magic of words to life, made with love - using everything from ceramic quote tags, brooches, pencils, magnets, hanging stars and letterpress.

> You can browse + shop online directly on her website… paperboatpress.com

> Check out her blog: instinctandgrace.blogspot.com

> If you missed our previous ‘Made with Love’ designers, check them out here!

Stay tuned for more ‘Made with Love’ next week!

Our second ‘Made with Love‘ featured designer is another local Brisbane talent..Gone Dotti!

Gone Dotti is the name that Brisbane designer Megan Phillips uses for her collection of quirky and creative art canvas, broochs and pendants, which she makes out of her Paddington based studio.

What started as a shop to sell and encourage the wrk of local artists and crafters has now been converted in to the workshop for Megan’s own creations, which she can funnel her passion for redesigning old treasures in to new keepsakes - wares that have been made with love, laughter and passion.

> If you haven’t yet come across Gone Dotti at the local markets, or visited the store, you may just like to check out her online shop at gonedotti.bigcartel.com. Delights are guaranteed!

> To read more about our quirky Aussie designers featured in ‘Made with Love’, purchase your copy of QH Spring 2011 here!

Spring is here! and so is the new Spring 2011 issue of QH.

This season, QH brings us a RENOVATION SPECIAL - featuring loads of hints + tips on giving your home a superb makeover.

Along with the regular features, QH Spring 2011 gives us the low-down in all things bathroom + kitchen - including what’s new, what you will LOVE and some gorgeous kitchen design images to be inspired by!

This issue will be available in stores next week, so make sure you don’t miss out! To ensure you have your copy, pre-order online > https://graphicpublishing.com.au/subscribe/qhSubscribe.htm

Here are a few words written by Margaret McGuire for the editor’s letter -

The beginning of spring is a joyous time of year - the days are longer and warmer, the garden is awakening and the dark days have passed.

To get you in the mood, this issue focuses on renewal - Melissa Reynolds shows us the latest spring fabrics and colours, in her Spring Fresh feature, and follows it up in her Spring Wish List with a bounty of homewares - where flowers and butterflies make their presence felt.

Natalie Bannister takes us further afield with her regular round-up of all things design.

Kitchens and bathrooms are also featured this issue with an overview of the latest appliances, tapware, bathware and basins, and our Kitchen Design Files show you the stand-out features of six fabulous projects. And in line with our theme of renewal, all the houses in this issue are renovations - houses which for one reason or another, have been made over and brought up to date for modern living. It’s an interesting journey.

We hope our renovating tips will set you on the right track to a successful project if you are planning to take this path, and as always, the featured garden should prove inspirational.

Our sister magazine Holidays for Couples has hit the technological high spot and is now available on the iPad - for free! So download it, and see why this magazine is so popular - we think you’ll love it.

And speaking of sister magazines, the 2011 issue of Outdoor Living is now in newsagencies; it’s full of news and information on what’s available for your outdoor entertaining areas, and features a couple of gorgeous gardens and outstanding landscape projects which are sure to inspire.

Purchase your copy of Spring 2011 online > https://graphicpublishing.com.au/subscribe/qhSubscribe.htm

Visit the QH website > www.queenslandhomes.com.au

- Cherizza, QH Web