Home Tour x Marle x Bespoke Weaving








A gorgeous holiday home on Australias NSW coastal line as seen in the Australian House and Garden Magazine photographed by Maree Homer and styled by Louise Bickle.




My wardrobe is very much in need of a major over haul. Ive now come to the conclusion that quality is definitely better than quantity, for sure. New Zealands luxury merino and cashmere lable, Marle has been on my radar for some time now and each season they just keep getting better. I am eyeing up one of their gorgeous cashmere knits as a staple in my wardrobe. Perfect paired with jeans or a skirt and dressed up or down.



Bespoke Weaving pieces styled and photographed by Indie Home Collective

I adore the work of designer Laine Toia of Bespoke Weaving. Her pieces push the boundries and the story behind each is so inspiring and touching. I was lucky enough to ask Laine some questions and find a bit more out about the story behind the brand, Bespoke Weaving.

Tell us your background? How did Bespoke Weaving begin? 

Although I am from Maori decent, I also grew up partly in the middle east and Australia, expanding my knowledge and appreciation for culture. From a young age, I was taught to be thankful for the plants that nurture us in our everyday life. This translated into my creation process as I say a Karakia (Prayer) to thank the plant for providing the stems for me to weave with. I was also taught the original steps to prepare the plant for weaving, From sourcing the plant, stripping and drying the fibres out, right up to dying the natural fibres before it is woven.

Bespoke Weaving came about during my recovery time from a surgery whilst I was healing. I have always loved textiles. I made it my mission to create something during my time off work. Because of my background in interior design, I was able to incorporate a modern edge to the tradition that I already knew. 

Indie Home Collective is a pretty great name to have behind your brand, how did that relationship come about?

I was the manager of their flagship Newmarket store for almost two years before I recently left to explore my new venture of weaving. The team at Indie Home Collective became like family and I am so grateful for their support. I have always been in love with Indie Home Collectives taste and execution of styling,.Before I was employed there, I would go into the shop to dribble over their new things in store. After a while, the girls knew who I was and knew I would love the opportunity to work with them, so when a position came available I jumped at the opportunity.

Working in an environment with creatives every day fueled my fire to expand my work with Bespoke Weaving.

What inspires your works?

I am a nature baby, absolutely love the outdoors and the ocean/Tangaroa (god of the sea) has my heart. I have always taken inspiration from our landscape whether it has influenced my colour pallet or the shape and form of my work. Weaving has became almost like a form of meditation to me, I find it very comforting see how each piece slowly evolves and flows into something beautiful. So there is always a lot of emotion in my work to reflect how I am feeling at the time.

What other creative brands do you admire?

I bow my head to Jacqui Fink and Hello Hydrangea for pushing the boundaries of weaving. I also love Rebecca Desnos work - Botanical Colour at your fingertips.

Thank you so much gorgeous Laine. I very much admire your beautiful work.

Amy

Sunday love

Happy Sunday. Here's the thing, there is so much talk online about the positives and negatives of social media and blogs, currently. It is hard not to read it sometimes. I am lucky that I haven't had too many negative experiences. I am now writing for stuff.co.nz and recently received a negative comment from a reader that was far from the truth. I was so tempted to reply but as my husband said, I am the professional here and I chose to put myself in this situation.

I also question myself frequently. Am I doing this right? Should I be putting myself out there more? Am I putting myself out there too much? But you know what, Ive worked bloody hard to make Milo and Mitzy what it is today. I am proud of where it is at. I just need to keep reminding myself of what Milo and Mitzy is, a design blog.

The reason that I am talking about this is that people often ask me, how can they get their brand name out there online. People seem afraid to take the plunge. It is daunting and yes there will be negatives. Ignore those. Social media is hugely powerful. Done right and your brand will benefit hugely from it. I cant stress enough, and I say this often, social media is predominantly a visual tool, therefore, investing in your photography is key.  Staying true to your brand is also crucial. Now that that is off my mind, we can get onto the good stuff, and in saying that, I am always happy to chat about this sort of thing and to help you get your brand name out there online.




You will know, if you have followed Milo and Mitzy for a while now, that a life long dream of mine is to own my very own holiday accommodation. I am forever researching this subject. Ive basically got it all planned out in my head! How is this little beauty of a cabin? Fabulous design. Simple and effective. One day.... one day! Photography by Markus Linderoth.


How wicked are these guys? Meet James and Kurt. These dudes, along with their other buddies, are now available from Dapper Mr Bear. And whats more is that you can purchase extra clothes and accessories for them! How could you not?




I am going a bit nuts over New Zealand graphic designer and artist Samantha Totty.  Samantha's aesthetic draws on organic forms, soft palettes, bold silhouettes and refined elegance. You can now purchase Samanthas work from a Milo and Mitzy favourite, Endemic World. And don't forget Elliot and the team at Endemic World, will frame for you too.


I'm going to leave you all with this deliciousness. We were given a heap of cherry tomatoes, here's what I will be cooking up for lunch today as we also have some figs to use.

Amy x
Happy Monday. The husbands birthday today.  A bit cheesy but I am so bloody proud of him and what he has achieved in his 36 years.  And in saying that, we tried to talk him into having a day off but that didn't work! He said he will come home for a coffee and lunch date and a nice dinner this evening so that suits me. And I threw him a dinner party on Saturday night which turned into a late one so its fair to say we are a bit slow here today still.






I am such a fan of cafe culture as you may well be aware of. The thing is, so many cafes get it wrong and end up closing. To me, great food, good coffee and easy on the eye are absolutely essential. A no brainer really. Lyles of London absolutely nail their styling and from what I have read their food and coffee is a must try too. Just goes to show, a great name and its being shared all over the Internet.







Honestly, my kids, Frankie and Patch are growing like you would not believe! I tell them to slow down. They actually don't fit many of their winter clothes from last year so I have to do a total new wardrobe over haul. First stop for me was definitely Kiddy Couture. Kiddy Couture have a great selection for both boys and girls and some really neat, east to wear brands.









This beauty of a home based in Darlinghurst, Sydney is by the oh so flippen clever duo Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke of Arent and Pyke.  The history and character of this home was carefully maintained throughout the renovations. And that amazing little court yard, how good is that? This is my dream home in my other high flying Sydney life! Photography by Tom Ferguson and styling by Emma Elizabeth Coffey

Happy Monday.

Amy x





Slow Sunday start here for me which doesnt happen often so I am relsihing the opportunity. In saying that, there is a little niggle in the back of my mind telling me that I need to get out for a run! Plenty of exciting things happening in the Milo and Mitzy world which I am looking forward to sharing all in good time.

Kicking off our Sunday blog with a very cool home designed by London based Mark Lewis Interiors. Showing my love for old and industrial which will never die.







I am such a fan of Commoners. Great quality that I wear on a daily bsis. I tend to purchase mine from Charlie Who but you can visit here for a list of stockists.






Pony Rider is a brand close to my heart. I own several of their beautiful pieces and admire their point of difference and their aesthetic. Each piece is original and of immaculate quality.  Once again, their latest line is just so on the mark and full of edginess for sure.



Lastly, I have been doing a bit of styling and photography in my kids rooms as of late which I am very much enjoying. If you would love to see your products used in these images, do drop me a line as I would love to chat. I will be giving Frankies room a makeover soon and adding to Patchys as seen above.

Amy x

Annabell Kutucu

I have always adored Annabell Kutucu hence the reason I am head over heels for this newly transformed apartment in Vienna...