Karen McCartney casts an experienced eye over the offerings at the recent Life Instyle fair in Melbourne.

The Life Instyle trade show was held in the rather grand Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne's Carlton. As well as hosting over 350 stands, Life Instyle organised events and talks in their 'Meet The Experts' series. Stylist and author Jason Grant, Greenhouse Interiors, Jen Bishop from Interiors Addict and our own Jess Bellef, amongst others, took to the stage to share some of their insights and industry knowledge. The show felt buzzy, bright and beautiful and care was taken down to the delicate floral arrangements in the upstairs café (they echoed the colours in the elaborately painted ceiling). So, finally, here are a few of my favourite things (to quote the song).



(Left) The Design Farm is a Queensland based-collective designing and making here in Australia. These pale timber candleholders come not only in the current trend for fluoros and pastels, but in interesting metallic shades of copper and silver. (Right) Ceramic plates on the Lumiere Art+Co stand combined pattern with a burst of colour.



(Left) First stop was Everingham & Watson with their cheery take on Australian icons – the prawn and the pineapple (no big bananas) – featuring in a range of colour combinations. Chalkboard maps of Australia were another favourite with letterpress-packaged soaps coming in a close second.  (Right) Nancybird, is expanding its range to include a homewares collection. Taking inspiration directly from the Silk Road, they have reinterpreted what they saw into a suitably Australian aesthetic.



(Left) What is not to love about this harlequin cabinet by The Family Love Tree? It allows for so many styling opportunities, picking up on any number of colours for vases, mirrors and flowers. And while on the theme of harlequin patterns it seems only appropriate to mention Uimi - a Melbourne based company who specialise in eco-friendly knitwear in natural fibres including fine merino wool (right). If you are not up to the brights, their muted pattern of soft greys and blues looks equally beautiful.



(Left) Print and fluoro colour came together on the Blink stand with eye-catching bags and simple lampshades in playful patterns.  (Right) Aura by Tracie Ellis is something of a T&W favourite and Tracie's bijoux stand of strong colour and pattern didn't disappoint. Dynamic designs were balanced with plains and handcrafted throws, both knitted and crocheted, completed the look.



(Left) Amidst all the strong colour and printed product the funkis stand (along with Heaven in Earth's) was an oasis of naturally beautiful product from handmade timber utensils to vegetable dyed leather bags and organic Lila Bruket spa and skincare products. These mini ceramic vases, which look so good as a collection, are irresistible. (Right) British designer Tom Dixon has had such success with his Eclectic UK range that he has developed a number of new designs, which were showcased on the dedece stand. Impressive marble candleholders were styled beside a mammoth fossil to be used as a bookend. His candle range has proved to be so popular it has now been launched in a mini-set of three.



(Left) Spacecraft Australia showed their distinctive aesthetic through wall art, textiles and furniture. This Melbourne-based printmaking studio takes on contemporary art projects and explores design ideas through their Gertrude Street store. (Right) Bonnie and Neil always delight as they continue to explore new ideas within their strong signature style. Smudged-ink plates, timber flower holders for the table and a host of deliciously eccentric patterned cushions defined their exuberant stand.



Six things I wanted to buy but couldn't (its a trade fair after all)

1. A framed collage of an Edwardian gentleman with a butterfly wing from the best name in the show – "The Gently Unfurling Sneak".

2. A beautiful rust and stone zigzag knitted throw from Aura by Tracie Ellis (above left).

3. Wire, wall-hung shelves from Telegram Open House for their authentic, light industrial feel.

4. Sustainable Stubbies upcycled glass light shades by Ruth Allen.

5. Skimming Stones sensitive handmade porcelain plates.

6. I Ended Up Here's range of illustrated cards