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

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

How style will travel

 

 

Just quickly,

 had to share with you a photo of a Bluebell Grey Tote on vacation in the Maldives....

Courtesy of one of our most treasured clients, she who is the one sitting on the deck in the Maldives

 sending me gorgeous photos!

Thank you Stacey.

x

More yabbering on about flowers

 

image from sumptuouswish.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

image from snippetandink.com

 

With Spring looming I thought I might do some more yabbering about flowers and how easy it can be to have a gorgeous display!

I am a big fan of anything en masse but especially flowers.

First decide on the vessel and get lots of them in various sizes. Old jars, medicine bottles, tin cans, options are endless once you start looking with intent.

Flower choice, mmmm so many choices however think about how you want to feel when you look at the final arrangement, i.e happy, calm, elegant, carefree, alternative.

This makes your selection easier, because once you tune into your reaction when looking at individual blooms you will be able to group them.

Layout your vases where you would like them and if possible have your flowers close by so you have a clear visual. Then start selecting individual stems and placing them.

If space is limited then go for a jam packed single vase like the first image.

Don't forget to look around the garden for greenery.

Have fun.

x

 

Handy work

 

 

 

 Something about making your own bread that is so satisfying, teaming it with a lamb, coriander & garlic curry - lots of, oh and a glass or two of red wine equals happiness.

How great is the mortar and pestle, it is cast iron, crazy heavy but man does it make short work of, well anything you put in it!

 x

Porters, Anna & Catherine

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 Hope you're ready to sit and have a cuppa....just a little long this morning.

Heading into Brisbane tonight for Anna Spiro's launch of her wallpaper range in collaboration with Porters Paints.

We have been long time fans of Porters Paints - using it at home and then in the shop renovation, some 4 years ago!!

We still get people commenting on the Dandelion Wallpaper, and it continues to inspire people to push themselves out of their comfort zone (just a little) when decorating.

I congratulate Anna on her range she has designed, it is fresh and contemporary and like the other designers who have worked with Porters you can see the individuals style in their designs.

In complete contrast is Catherine Martin's designs, I love the impact of her designs, be it on set or on a wall.

Needless to say looking forward to tonight!

x