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

Christmas In Province

 

Sunday saw us launch Christmas in Province as well as the start of Sunday trade!

 

I am a natural girl at heart so there will always be hessian, linen, nature in general but this year we accompanied these organic elements with bright bold colours! So of course it was hot pink ribbon to secure the hessian to the lillypilly christmas trees.

  

But really nature itself provides a perfect example of how to bring colour into your my earthy palette...

 

We have an abundance of these great paper origami decorations, various shapes and colours. I really like the green & white with the black & white ones piled high in this brass jar.

 

Our simple understated Christmas windows this year are all about the colour. I love the way bursts of colour can make you feel, and going off  all your comments and purchases I think it's safe to say I'm not alone in my new found appreciation of bold brights.  Fianlly a B I G shout out to Brad from Plants Plus Raceview - he supplied us with these healthy lillypilly trees  - thanks Brad!

 Have a great week.

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

Easter Bunny, break, and lamb...

 

Easter is upon us and for many that means a nice few days off - Yay!

 If you happen to find yourself in Paris or Provence you could celebrate Easter with milk fed lamb at  Alain Ducasse’s restaurants. They welcome you to savour a special dish based on milk-fed lamb,  original recipes with this tender meat, lightly spiced from the maternal tenderness of the sheep.

Personally I'm always up for some lamb, Paris or not. May not be milk fed but definitely slow roasted..

I changed the window displays earlier in the week and it has been so nice seeing and hearing the kids get excited when they spot the eggs in the windows.

Province hours for Easter:
Friday          Closed
Saturday      9am - 12pm
Sunday        Closed
Monday       Closed
Tuesday       Closed
Wednesday  10am - 2pm


So where ever and how ever you celebrate Easter - enjoy.
x

The little things

 

So we had some of our stock feature in Saturday's Courier Mail LIFE lift out - thank you Paddy Hintz. We had photography done a few weeks ago and I didn't know when it was going in so the best bit was getting an email Saturday morning from a reader asking about thefaux topiary...I was oh oh it's in, it's in! 

It's the little things isn't it, like receiving a bag of homegrown goodies that was just begging to be apart of some Thai creation - thank you Brent!

x

Green in NY

 

I think it's public knowledge of my love for fresh flowers and anything related. So naturally I adore this florist store Saipua in NY that is featured on today's daily imprint.  So unique I had to share. Great article.

It reminded me of this image I have on file, that I'll now share with you to save on your file perhaps.
Happy thoughts.
x

French trends

 

Just received the new edition of Country Homes magazine with our new ad in. I love the grainy texture of the photograph. All due respect to Jason MacNamara from pintsize  who does great things with a camera.

If you would like to re-create the table setting as on the cover,  we have Belgium Linen available by the meter, and vintage French wine bottles in stock.  

 

Belgium Linen $65 p/m

Vintage French Wine Bottles (empty..)

Select some foliage and hey presto you have a beautiful table setting just waiting for some wine, cheese and friends to share. 

x

 (Province: 07) 34961183 / 0434110811)

Healthy Approach

 

 

 

 Wow, busy couple of weeks - I have cleared piles of books, stock, files and paperwork and guess what I found.....my keyboard! Will give more info on the busy-ness soon.
Back on track and all with a renewed healthy focus. These last couple of weeks I realised how easy it is to get lost in work/life that you don't really allow time for yourself, especially being owner/operator of a small business and mother to 3....
Tired of feeling tired, so over it! We only get out in accordance to what we put in right, so I sat down with my scrummy healthy sandwich and devised a list of ways of which I can put in more, ultimately, so I can give out more.
I love the wheat grass on the coffee table, and also the organic grocer's, organic - down to the locally sourced timber for display shelves. I think you would feel healthier for just being in there. It reminds me of the Sourced Grocer in Teneriffe (last image) a really great selection of organic local produce - YUM
So I'm off for my glass of hot water with lemon juice, swiftly followed by freshly brewed coffee.
x

Arts, Crafts and Cafes

 

Wow Friday afternoon, such a busy week! We attended the exhibition opening of  'the tree of man' by our dear friend Andrew Spark last night at the SWICH contemporary art space.

Great night and impressive turnout in support of Andrew - congratulations Mr Spark!

On the shop front, some very nice new jewellery in store by clever sister design duo,  their brand is Zatini - very organic and beautiful colour palette.

 

Earlier in the week we assisted fourthchild in the acquisition of an amazing piece of art work by Gary Abkin and Andrew Spark. Gary Abkin collaborated with Andrew Spark on Abkin + Spark: live action painting for Animated Spaces: Alive with Music, Theatre, Poetry & Visual Art. The result of this collaboration, an 8 x 2.1 metre artwork, is now hanging on the wall at fourthchild.

We are open through til 7pm on Friday nights, so with all this action around us be sure to come visit.

Saturday 9am - 2pm and Sunday 10am - 1pm

Have a great week end.

x