Simple Pleasures

 

Easter fun 

 

 

Mother's Day prettiness

 

 

Simple pleasures wrapped in string

 

 

New stock in beautiful autumnal colours

Saying that most of us live a hectic crazy busy life, is not too broad a statement.  Seriously I don't know anyone that is looking for something to do on a daily basis. During our day we are often surrounded by chaos, be it traffic, work, a sporting event or even the groceries...that at times can be a game changer right there, isle 3... 

Why am I going on about this? Because people this is why home is so important.  Create a haven that encapsulates you allowing the stress of the day to dissolve. Whether your home is a room, tent, caravan or mansion, don't allow the external composition deter you from making a few adjustments to the interior. It does not have to be major but think about what makes you smile or feel relaxed and introduce an element of that into your space. For me, it's plants, greenery, foliage and natural textiles. Linen, wool, leather, timber, glass any or all of them, love them. 

Below is an image, (courtesy of TDF) that demonstrates how simple a space can be that imparts happiness. Happy Tuesday to you. x 

What a Month

   

 December really is one of my favourite months, I love seeing the street busy. I noticed this year people where putting a lot of thought into their gift buying, it was all about wanting the recipient to know they where thought of and it wasn't purchased for the sake of buying something. Lots of you went mad for the enamel tree decorations.

 

 

 We had a busy few days working with The Queensland Times styling the cover and some inside features of Decembers City Heart Magazine, I love the ritual of setting the table for Christmas so it was fun playing with the girls doing the shoot.

 

We discovered a new homewares range which tied in perfectly with our Christmas colour theme. The Louie Teacup and saucer flew out the door - I'm pretty sure a few of you had these under your tree this year. We have sold out entirely of the Louie range but we will have something new and exciting soon.

 

 We start planning Christmas in Province not long after the Easter bunny has been and this year our theme was completely Australian. Hot summer days, prawns, mangos, trifle etc etc. That was the basis for the colour scheme, I wanted bold brights with not a hint of snow, antlers or anything Northern hemisphere....well until I saw these origami snowflakes and only because they where bold pink and orange did they make it in store!

 

Always looking for something new and creative to do so the rosemary from our herb tub was put to good use -  snip of garden twine and hey presto, a fragrant organic wreath!

 

So here we are, the end of 2013 - may your night be filled with joy and laughter with a nod to how we want the new year to be.

x

Industrial Strength

 

image: Grytsberg

image: modern interior design

 

image: industrial danish home interior design

We have in our hot little hands a old school locker painted a really appealing appalling beige. 

I have been contemplating the future of this locker, shall it remain faithful to it's heritage and the industrial revolution....Or do I go down another trend path of c o l o u r . . . . . 

The colour craze is everywhere on everything, small friends of the forest are no longer shades of browns & creams, pfft, not when you can spray paint them fluro orange and pink. Don't get me wrong, I'm really enjoying the colour being used in interiors, which is why I have been in a quandary over what colour to paint the locker!!

I thought a vibrant tangerine would look really cool in a kids room or study, you know for the ever sought after "pop".

However after doing some serious thinking, I will be staying true to the roots of the industrial movement...I think.

x

 

Fabulous faux

 

silk hydrangeas beside fresh magnolia leaves

  

flowers and friand are real, the lemons are faux

 

some beautiful roses - fresh and fragrant

The old silk flowers have come a long way since the early 1980's and our new selection of faux flowers will take your breath away as well as leaving your guests wondering how you manage to always have your rooms looking fresh and vibrant.

The trick of the trade, I think, is to mix them with fresh flowers / foliage. Grab some branches of mock orange or gardenia and stick them in a vase. Magnolia leaves are to die for just as they are.
A big bunch of orientals will deliver fragrance and elegance. Roses scream romance and opulence.
Look at what's in season and have a fresh display each week and move your faux's around the house.

Don't underestimate the power of the vessel either, it's all in the presentation. Mix it up and have fun, it will engage your senses and create curiosity.

x

Simply put

 

 

Morning, I was just reading my many the design files emails to come across this gorgeous bedroom.

I L O V E  the striking simplicity of it all. Y U M 

Here is the link to check out the entire article on  Hannah Tribe and her studio. Enjoy.

X

Away for a bit...

 

 

 

Thursday and a few big days ahead! We are off to Noosa for a couple of days for a family gathering....good times. Unfortunately this means the store will be closed from 2pm today until 10am Monday. Before I go here are some scrummy dark images to fan the desire to be creative.

As you can see, going dark doesn't mean you have to start wearing black overcoats and two shades lighter foundation and listening to gothic metal bands.  It can be as little as some divine porcelain dishes for serving blanched green beans, roasted carrots, what ever the stomach desires with an alluring dark tablecloth. Banish the crisp clean white tablecloth, we all know it only stays white for a nano second before someone drips the gravy!

The two interior images show how to bring in lighter elements to lift the depth, notice how everything against the darker colours really comes to life and has a real impact in the room.

Next week will touch on the lighting to enhance such drama and mood. Til then enjoy your week end.

x

the dark side

I am totally enjoying dark inky tones at the moment. This photo from Petrina Tinslay interior portfolio shows how luxurious and inviting it can be. We have painted the walls in store PortersPaints thoroughbred,  I'm not running the main lights, all lighting is via the lamps and our chandelier cluster. Not only does it look so calm and luring it tricks you into thinking it's 5 degrees cooler. It really has been a little sanctuary from the explosive heat of late. Abigail Ahern always advocates to go the dark side - she does it so well!

Tomorrow is supposed to be a scorcher so grab a brush and get painting. 

Sorry about the lack of images - images wouldn't load....L O V E technology!

 

Balance & Harmony

Hands up who would like a little of the above??

I was reading somewhere recently where someone was asking the question can there be too much symmetry?

My immediate thought was no. 

I love a sense of balance and harmony and for me balancing things out creates that harmony.
Strangely enough though when I'm playing with vignettes I like objects in 3's....

This photo is from one of our stockist so stay tuned for some gorgeous new stock coming, but
I thought this would be a good image to test the symmetry limit.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

Cool Art

Going through my emails this morning and loved the stock from Canvas & Canvas so thought I would share my 2 fav's.  I think the first one is more about the complete look as I'm not normally an "owl" kinda girl but I really like the way the whole feel is very natural. The use of the green glass demijohn w magnolia foliage against the wood grain of the desk and stool, I like it.

And, well shoes...say no more!

x

Green thumb

          How great is this for an entry - I wouldn't mind coming home to that everyday..sigh.

                                                             My friend symmetry

                                                           Quaint cottage appeal
   

                     Now I know this is inside but it looked so cool and inviting I added it in.

Notice the one thing that is consistent through out....greenery! Don't underestimate the power of foliage, it doesn't have to be a grand arrangement just needs to be glossy and green. So go forth and potter. Have a great week end.
x

Sibella Court

NOMAD has just arrived in store, beautiful photography providing such inspiration to anyone who picks it up.
I love the inky tones of Japan, a complete juxtaposition to the vibrant colour of India.
I read something yesterday that sat well with me;
"the more educated a person,
the more they will travel,
the more they will search,
for the original."

I think NOMAD is testament to such a thought.

Spring is calling me

Just arrived in store is this beautiful Warwick fabric, Darjeeling. I feel a new window display coming on...