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.

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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!

 

new year inspiration

Welcome 2013

                          This time of year it is all about people's New Year Resolution's.

After much thought and consideration, I have decided to not make any resolutions ;

     resolution
noun
1 a firm decision to do or not to do something : she kept her resolution not to see Anne any more | a New Year's resolution.
• a formal expression of opinion or intention agreed on by a legislative body, committee, or other formal meeting, typically after taking a vote : the conference passed two resolutions.
• the quality of being determined or resolute : he handled the last French actions of the war with resolution.

All so formal and quite frankly for me, I feel very unmotivated.

Instead I am going down the inspiration path. As I am now 40 and old wise I am of the belief that if I am inspired I will achieve. I also think lots of gorgeous images / quotes are much nicer to look at each day rather than a hard edged "TO DO" list, just thinking about it makes me uptight.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the short week end 'to do' list - nothing like crossing those chores off - especially with a big fat nikko pen, right through the guts of it....time to move on.

So to kick it off I have started with a gorgeous shot from the amazing blog the food dept   I discovered the food dept this morning on The Design Files As soon as I saw the little deer that we stocked leading up to Christmas I thought that's it - this is my starting point.

   So be warned I will be bombarding you with lots of gorgeous and hopefully inspiring images.

   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

 

Inspiration

 

 

 

 

We are doing the table and stage decorations for the Ita Buttrose lunch next week so I am leafing through my Grandiflora Celebrations - Saskia Havekes for inspiration.

As you can see by the second image (courtesy of Vogue Living Australia) Saskia produces amazing free form work that I adore.

I wanted to share a snippet from her book because her words completely resonate with me and I thought there might be a few of you that feel the same!

"I always feel like a tightly stretched elastic band but maybe that's the part of the creative process, having that tension - for me it is. It's important to be mindful not to let it get too out of hand, utilising tension to push you forward into a creative spell"

I recently had some beautiful dusky pink lissianthus and disbuds in store so I might use something like them but then rough it up a bit, I don't want it to look too romantic.

x