TrEnvy Australia CEO TeePs, studies interior design.

I start a year ago with The Interior Design Institute of Australia based in NSW but a correspondence course, as I live on the Goldie (Gold Coast) Queensland, Australia.
Now when I first decide to part take in the Interior Design Industry, having already a background in Fashion Design, I thought I knew or had some crazy assumption that it would be very similar, boy how wrong could I have been. I now have a great admiration for all interior designers. Designers in all aspects of the world too, for that fact. 

I love that it has bought me a new sense of purpose, although I am yet to finish my Diploma, I have had a 98% rating on all my assignments thus far. Now I understand I cannot call myself and interior designer, especially till I have had my first paying job, but I am ready..... Ready to colour, create and excite the world or those who are willing to take me on as their designer, and I am always willing to learn. There in lies the key, I think the way the world is today it's time to reflect the past and the present for the future.
I am excited by the fact that history is always ever present in this fast paced and technologically advanced world we live in. Most, I'm sure take it for granted, but with a design eye..and you know who you are, find the intrigue, love and lust for the history in all things design. Whether it be architecture, art, design, antiques, hell, almost everything that we place or surround ourselves in breathes a certain history. I hope and wish more people could look through the world of design and realise just how much learning there is to do. I am blessed to have that gene and keen eye, as I am sure most that do are. I have 1 more assignment to go before I complete my Diploma and look forward to new and exciting challenges. 

Below are a few of my latest assignments, if you thought Interior design courses weren't for you, this may just open you world to a new and exciting career change.

My one point perspective assignment, with sunken lounge, this is something I want to bring into the future of designs, a lost design from the 60's & 70's. Marks received were 10/10.

My mood board for the large lounge room I designed..I wanted a fresh, warm and inviting Mid Century look with new contemporary feel. Marks received were 10/10.

New Fabrics have arrived at TrEnvy HQ

With excitement, we have received new fabrics direct from the UK..these are sure to create a little interest..why, you ask. Let's just say these will be Feature/Pop Cushions to our Living Collection.
At TrEnvy Australia we believe cushions are a home staple, like my nightcap of Johnnie Walker Blue.
Yes..Blue..love it..It warms my cockels. So our new fabrics were purchased purely for their bold statement print. I am also thinking about teaming them up with covered canvas to hang on the walls. Here is a little sample to get you in the TrEnvy Mood!

My Beautiful Frame...by TeePs

Well My Beautiful Frame starts about 6 months ago..I walked into my local picking store..and hanging on the wall, was my beautiful frame. The pastel was of an elderly woman signed D.Fuller 82. Really not my cuppa tea..at all. But the frame it was in, caught my TrEnvy eye immediately. An original late 70's Gold Bamboo look frame..
Well I didn't have enough money on me at the time to purchase it. So I went home and forgot about it...as you do when you have so much going on in your life. Well, I venture again for a pick at Xmas time..and My Beautiful Frame was still there, with that awful pastel in it, hanging exactly in the same spot..collecting more dust.
The price was too high to pay just for My Beatiful Frame. So, I ask the manger if she'll lower the price and explain my conundrum re the awful pastel in it..But alas, no budging on the price..in fact the price was high for the potrait..My Beautiful Frame didn't come into the price. Left a little disgrunted thay day, it was Xmas also.
So I decide to not patronise my favorite store for awhile. Well its been 2 months since I went to my fav picking store. But I went today, and there she is..My Beautiful Frame..collected more dust and all I could see, was how good it would look with a TrEnvamp (revamp). Well I say to the manager, she's still here..she said "yes I don't understand why, its a beautiful pastel portait". I reply, "its a great work of art that is in the wrong frame, I'll buy it now and you can keep the pastel".
I offered half the price knowing full well what the reaction would be...boy, I was so wrong. I get a polite reply saying, oh..ok, and you can keep the picture too. My head starts playing Born to be Alive, that 70's Disco tune by Patrick Hernandez..This is my, you did it tune.
So I paid for My Beautiful Frame and took her home. Below are a few pictures of it..now remembering, its going to get a TrEnvamp. I will of course blog soon about the TrEnvamp of My Beautiful Frame. Smiles...T

TrEnvy Australia Living Collection debuts continued..

So I lead off from yesterday's blog...Pattern making is done...from there I had spent many hours perusing fabric sites, and scouring fabric shops looking for unique, yet fashion/interior statement fabrics, some of which I couldn't justify their prices. I blame store owners not the designers, cause I know their not making the money they so deserve. Some of the fabrics were made in China too and cost more than an imported fabric from say Spain, US or even the UK.. (and again I digress). Once I received some of my imported fabric, like my most fav'd, the TrEnvy Retro Flamingo Fabric direct from the US or the Vintage Retro Bamboo fabric, I started to cut out panels and panels of fabric with my almost 17 year old Serra Sharp scissors, (and yes they are getting very blunt, but am happy to announce my gorgeous better half Mel, bought me a new pair for Christmas, yet to be Christened). So now I have loads of panels and squares cut, ready for the entrance of my trusty and old faithful Bernina sewing machine and Janome Overlocker which is pink..Not a mans choice of colour, but this, back in the day was all you could buy, quite sexist really, looking back even to the late 80's early 90's. So starts the venture into my TrEnvy Living Collection. Here are some pictures of these proceedings.

Our fav'd TrEnvy Retro Pink Flamingo fabric...HOT!

 

Panels of fabric sewn and overlocked at TrEnvy HQ!

Panels sewn and overlocked..

Great Vintage Fabrics Mambo and Vintage Islander Fabric

 

TrEnvy Australia Living Collection debuts.

So it is with great pleasure I write this blog today, after many hours or designing, sourcing fabric, pattern making, cutting and then sewing/overlocking, our TrEnvy Australia Living Collection has debuted on our website www.trenvyaustralia.weebly.com, ready for sale. We have always enjoyed design, and as a former fashion designer, it is more like a follow on (some may call it a step down) but anything designed, then made by hand, is in my opinion a creation worthy of HYPE. When i started the business over a year ago I never thought in my wildest dreams I would turn to my trusty Bernina (who's age is identical to mine), yes, my grandmother bought it for herself the day I was born. Now I know your all intrigued with my age...but we will leave that for another day. Let's just say the Bernina has seen technological advances like the microwave, Beta/VHS and The Compact disc...I digress.
The release of our one of a kind TrEnvy Envelope Cushions range in various fabrics, rich in both Colour and texture. As I am studying interior design now, it really has been a progressive interest gaining momentum with every day. The Cushion is an integral part of everyone's lives, and if it's not...it should be.
We first started by sourcing interesting fabrics around the world both vintage/retro and new alike. My personal love of fabric saw me racing to my own personal fabric vault from my fashion design days, and once the vault was unlocked, I was amazed to see just how much of a hoarder I am.
So began my journey back into pattern making...
One Sunday afternoon in November of 2012 at TrEnvy Headquarters, I popped a bottle of Champas, which for those of you who know me, know this is my Sunday ritual. Well sometimes, not always Champas, I have a love for Royal Mojitos too, and began quite simply drawing up ideas. I decided for my first round of cushions that I had to begin small with a view to grow. So I decided on an Envelope pattern, this way I could use my talents of blending unusual fabrics and creating a reversible cushion. Something which I know has been done many times before but I am not one to follow with a classic zipper cushion, which everyone has and sells.
So this is where it all began..photos to follow.

TrEnvy Australia Living Collection soon to Debut!

Well peeps it has been along time since we have blogged, so much happens in day to day life that things like our blog fall by the wayside. I know...very sad, you'll be pleased to know we have been very busy creating, designing, sewing and working on our new Living Collection soon to be released at TrEnvy Australia. We have decided to create a line of vintage and new fabric cushion covers. Why? Well we know there are a lot of people who what something a little different without spending a lot of money while still being unique and maintaining style and individuality. So we want to give our viewers a sneak preview...so here we go peeps....enjoy. T x

Edwardo the Elephant -TrEnvamp Project...Part 2 The Finale!

So from our last blog Part 1 of Edwardo The Elepant as he has been introduced. So you've seen how he looked originally...well with a real scrubing of our secret TrEnvy weapon we are very please to announce that Edwardo has been TrEnvamped! It is a fantastic TrEnformation..we are very excited as he looks and shines like he should or originally did. Edwardo loved himself so much..he was itching for a photo shoot...So here we go..

Edwardo the Elephant - TrEnvamp Project..Part 1

We love scouring the shops for exciting pieces that we can clean up or make over.. Either to look like it originally did or to TrEnvamp to something new, chic and totally not what you'd expect. It is with this in mind we bring to you Edwardo the Elephant! Rescued from a shelf of dust, this elephant was stuff up the back of a shelf, perhaps almost never to see the light of day ever again.. We in true TrEnvy style, always checking the backs of shelves, found this delightful Elephant.. Obviously loved with Brasso to death, it was your typical diamond in the rough find.
Cast statue elephant was chosen to come home and experience life again. So firstly it's a case of look at visible signs of neglect.. Way too much BrassoLove as previously stated, this is the obvious. The Brasso build up must have been at least 20 years+! Splatters of old Brasso had accumulated from toothbrush cleaning, on the what would be, a perfect rosewood base. Here is a snap of the newly named Edwardo the Elephant..prior to TrEnvamping.

Chairs.. What do they mean to you?

Chairs..What do they mean to you?
Something tells me there is a huge resurgence in chair make overs of late. You've only got to search Pintrest, Tumblr and the web, to find some of the most amazing and refreshingly re-decorated chairs.
Chairs from over the centuries have had recent make overs, and why not.. We all love a good chair. Chairs are very personal items, like ties and jocks for men and shoes and handbags for women. So it is with that in mind we wanted to have a celebration of chairs.

We do not own any rights to these fabulous photos of beautifully made over chairs,but we salute you. We would love to get in contact with them, to thank them for bringing these chairs back to life.