Its in the Stars

March 9th, 2010 . Posted in Bathrooms, Interiors, Living Rooms, Outdoors, Style | No Comments »
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I think we all read our astrology charts from time to time. Whether we live by the predictions or just read them for a laugh there are often things that ring true.

Many years ago I picked up a sheet on decorating styles for Virgos (which is me). There were many comments that made me wonder if there was something in decorating by the stars.

So when Jonathan Adler released these cushions, it reminded me to read a bit more about astrology decorating.

Needlepoint Cushions from Jonathan Adler

Virgos like an earthly retreat filled with natural materials and colours.They like to bring the outdoors in. We are no nonsense type of people and want simplicity and everything in it’s place.

from Australian House and Garden Photographer Andre Martin

Those born under the sign of Sagittarius (like my husband) like their homes to reflect their interst in travel and other cultures.

via Style Files

via Style Files

And Cancerians (like my daughter) require their home to be a retreat, as they are “stay-at-home” types and want security and then comfort.

via Point Click Home Photographer Keith Scott Morton

Have a look at decorating for your star sign and let me know if your home reflects your star sign.

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Warm and Cosy

March 1st, 2010 . Posted in Interiors, Living Rooms, Texture | 2 Comments »
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Well yesterday was the last day of Summer. Boo Hoo! I’m definitely a summer girl and would much rather be boiling than freezing.

Flickr from {{{tara}}}'s photostream

But even I can’t stop the seasons.

Flickr from Pisces {away}'s photostream

Some of my clients are starting to think about their winter rooms and what can be done to make their homes warm and cosy.

Flickr from jogroman's photostream

I am looking at putting a stacked-stone fireplace in one house and have been searching for some images to inspire me and convey to the client what can be done.

From Australian House and Garden Photogrpaher Dan Magree

This might be a little too Alpine for a house in the suburbs.

From Australian House and Garden Photographer David Morcombe

And this is a little too neat for my client.

from Australian House and Garden Photogrpaher Steve Ryan

Getting warmer (sorry, bad pun). But the texture is good. (The view’s not bad either)

Not sure where this one came from. I had ripped it out of a magazine.

This could be a very real possibility. I like the colour of the stone and the pieces are not too little and not too big.

I’ll be sure to post the end result in a couple of months. Almost makes me want the weather to turn!

Well almost.

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Style in Your Life

February 26th, 2010 . Posted in Art, Colour, Cushions, Interiors, Sydney, Uncategorized | No Comments »
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Yesterday was the first day of Life Instyle trade show in Sydney.

I went along to take a look at the new and exciting homewares and giftwares on display. I enjoy going to the Gift and Homewares shows (there are three on in Sydney this weekend) but not having a retail outlet, I’m really only there to look at trends and new things. Some of the bigger shows have furniture and rugs but in the main these shows are aimed at Retailers who buy lots of smaller items.

So I’ve selected my favourites. These are items I would buy if I had somewhere to sell them or I could put them in your home. Most of the exhibitors have minimum orders and I only want one of each…… just for me or you. What would I do with the other 29 I have to buy? Never mind, it’s fun looking.

Jo Luping Design has been in my little black book for a few years now as I quite liked her Hemp cushions.

Now she has these cute little bowls which could come in handy for all sorts of purposes. I think I would put mine on my dressing table as a good spot to put my earrings.

A company I had not seen at the shows before was Seletti. Imported from Italy, this company has a wide range of household items from mugs to containers to ornaments. I love these fine porcelain sardine tins. They also have a range of toys made in the white fine porcelain. Very quirky!

Images Francaises have a gorgeous range of cushions.

And who could resist these lamps……especially when your surname is French!

But what caught my eye was this adorable little bookmark.

With the current obsession of home cooking sweeping Australia, I could probably find 30 friends and family that would help me out with these.

Always looking for colour, I couldn’t help but notice this beautiful purple compote. The colour was stunning and I’m a sucker for plates on legs. Of course it was THE most expensive item on the stand.

Other items from Collect Home include Terracotta Urns, glass and pewter pitchers and amber and honey bottles. The philosophy behind the brand is inline with how I think a home should be decorated. “Treasures that are collected from different times, places and friends -pieces inherited and those we have fallen in love with.” That’s what makes a home.

I’m sure there is something there that appeals to you. If not in my round-up, then I have no doubt you will find something amongst the 500 brands that are on display.

Whatever you’re doing, enjoy your weekend.

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Taking Tea

February 24th, 2010 . Posted in Colour, Dining Rooms, Furniture, Interiors | 1 Comment »
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What comes to mind when you see this powdery blue colour?

Wedgwood? It’s a brand that’s been around for 250 years and is well known for it’s powder blue and white plates and trinket boxes.

I had the pleasure of taking tea with Lord Wedgwood yesterday……along with about 40 other people.

The Country Trader

We were gathered at The Country Trader at Waterloo for cucumber sandwiches, lemon tarts and champagne to hear Lord Wedgwood, the seventh-generation descendant of Wedgwood’s founder, Josiah Wedgwood.

The new range of exquisite works of art, celebrates the company’s 250th year and shows that whilst maintaining it’s classical roots, the pieces can sit comfortably in the contemporary home.

Wedgwood Panther Vase

Pieces like the Palladian Vase which is a crystal vase with black jasper lid.

Wedgwood Palladian Vase

Lord Wedgwood also announced that Designer Rugs will be releasing a range of Wedgwood inspired rugs. Again, these classical pieces would suit the floors of many homes. And I love the colours in this Renaissance rug.

Wedgwood Renaissance Gold Rug

This rug is taken from the dinner set that has been released with the 250th anniversary collection is just beautiful. The antique table at The Country Trader looked resplendent with this elegant setting.

Wedgwood Renaissance Gold Dinner Set

Makes me want to invite a bunch of friends over and cook up a storm!

Wedgwood Renaissance Gold Tea Cups

Maybe we could just have a cuppa?

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The White Stuff

February 19th, 2010 . Posted in Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Colour, Dining Rooms, Furniture, Interiors, Kitchens, Style | 1 Comment »
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As I’ve mentioned before, I LOVE colour. I love it in my home, in my clothing and in my workplace.

Colourful interior by John Croft Design

However, there are times when one needs to rest. Too much colour can sometimes have a negative effect. This is when you need to include some white. White is pure and clean and creates a calm spot to rest the eyes or body.

Enter Whiteport. All your white accessories and small furniture items in the one place…..and online! You don’t even have to leave home.

Kitchen accessories by Whiteport

Jennifer McCabe, founder of Whiteport has sourced beautiful bath, bed and table items and put them all together on her website.

Many, many years ago, my Grandmother helped me buy my first dinner set. We chose an all white set which I still use today. White is timeless and goes with everything. The white plate allows the food to take centre stage.

White dinner set from Whiteport

I love going to hotels and having nice fluffy white towels and there’s something luxurious about slipping between crisp, white sheets.

White bed linen from Whiteport

At the moment, Whiteport is offering up to 40% discount on certain items when you sign up for their email newsletter.

Whether your style is Beach, French Provincial, Hamptons or Traditional, white will work for you.

So pop over and grab yourself some refreshing new items for your home.

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Red, Orange, Green and Bholu

February 17th, 2010 . Posted in Children's Rooms, Colour, Fabric, Interiors, Wallpaper | No Comments »
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Remember that alarm I mentioned on Monday? Well it went off even earlier today as I needed to be in the city for breakfast.

Not that I was complaining. I was off to the Cafe in the Royal Botanic Gardens for the launch of Porters Paints new wallpapers which have been designed by the very clever Jodie Fried.

Jodie is the designer behind Bholu, pronounced boll-loooo. The name has it’s origin in India and means a term of endearment and affection towards a small child or is descriptive of naive and free artistic expression.

Tweet Dreams Wallpaper

Bholu products are designed in Australia and are brought to life by artisans in India. Proceeds of many of the pieces sold are put back into the Indian communities giving them independence and opportunity.

Frederick Elephant p Moo Night Wallpaper Frieze

Since 2007, Bholu, along with Architect Without Frontiers have built 10 Bholu schools and now have more then 250 children in school, receiving education, hygiene, nutrition and love.

Mavis Monkey and family is my favourite

Many of the wallpaper designs have been inspired by artworks by the children in India and would look gorgeous in a nursery or young child’s room. The bright colours and fun images are a refreshing change for childrens’ decor.

Porter’s Paints will be donating a percentage of sales of this collection to the “Bholu Anganwadi Project” which rebuilds preschools for slum children in under privileged communities in India.

Porters Paints and Bholu wallpaper and accessories are available from Inside Out Colour and Design.

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I don’t like Mondays

February 15th, 2010 . Posted in Bedrooms, Interiors, My Work | 1 Comment »
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JackARobinson via Flickr

When that alarm goes on Monday morning I really feel ripped off. It can’t be Monday again and back to the usual grind. The weekends, no matter what I do, just never seem long enough!

Art Nouveau inspired Bedroom by Inside Out Colour and Design

I am writing a couple of articles on personal spaces and thought I’d leave you with these images of bedrooms I have decorated for clients.

Modern Red Bedroom by Inside Out Colour and Design

They are all so different but speak volumes for the people that inhabit them.

Relaxing Bedroom by Inside Out Colour and Design

The bedroom is the only room in the house which is completely private and can be personalised to suit the inhabitants.

Calm Floral Bedroom by Inside Out Colour and Design

No one else has to use this space so it’s completely up to you as to how you decorate your retreat.

Once a lounge room, now a bedroom by Inside Out Colour and Design

I wish I could go back to bed!

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Kung Hei Fat Choi!

February 12th, 2010 . Posted in Furniture, Interiors, Style | 3 Comments »
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or in English ….. Wishing you great happiness and prosperity!

Chinese New Year starts on Valentine’s Day this year, when Chinese people throughout the world will be welcoming in the Year of The Tiger.

According to Chinese Horoscopes it will be a period of drama, intensity, change and travel. This year is the year to be active – seizing opportunities and making the most of our personal and very individual talents. Everything happens quickly and dramatically in a Tiger year – blink and you could miss an important chance of a lifetime!

Chinese New Year is a time of much celebration. It is a time to join with families and friends to wish them prosperity and happiness for the coming year.

via Flickr

Symbols are very important in Chinese Culture and are incorporated in many ways throughout the home.

The blessing of Happiness, one which we all need, can be represented through various symbols, one of the most popular being Clouds of Happiness.

Clouds appear on many furniture pieces such as this Old Winged Burl Cabinet with Stone inlay which is over 60 years old.

The carving under the wings is symbolic of clouds

I’ve already mentioned my love of Asian Antiques. I think they blend very well with furniture from other styles and will often create a focal point.

Lamps from Wah Tung, Hong Kong

If you would like to see more beautiful Asian furniture pieces, like the Winged Cabinet above, visit Soul Design and the lovely Linda who helped me with information for this post.

So here’s wishing you great prosperity and happiness for the Year of the Tiger.

Happiness

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City or the Bush

February 10th, 2010 . Posted in Architecture, Interiors, My Favourite Things, Sydney | No Comments »
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Do you browse the real estate section of the newspaper?

It’s one of my favourite past times. I enjoy looking at the different styles of homes and how they have been decorated. Lately there’s one house that has caught my eye.

Apart from the beautifully appointed rooms, it is situated on one of my favourite locations- on a cliff overlooking the water.

When you sign up to my monthly newsletter, you will receive my article How To Create YOUR Harmonious Environment absolutely free. One of the questions I pose is “Where are you most comfortable – country, city or beach?” No question about it, for me it’s near the water.

So this house would be my ideal. I love how you not only see the ocean, but also the coastline. That helps to give perspective to the view and provides a wonderful fairyland at night when the ocean is inky black.

So where are you most comfortable?

Sydney City Skyline via www.rogerswebsite.com

City,

Kangaroo Valley via www.kangaroovalleytourist.asn.au

Country or

James Robertson House

Water

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What’s in a Name?

February 8th, 2010 . Posted in Colour, Interiors, Renovations | No Comments »
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Nariel, Phelan Pearl, Cavedon and Blissington. Do these names mean anything to you?

Nariel Creek is a place in Victoria, Australia where an annual Folk Festival is held.

Nariel Creek Folk Festival, Victoria

Phelan Ready is an Australian Race Horse that won last year’s Golden Slipper and all I can find on Cavedon and Blissington is people with those surnames. However, all of these names have been given to Paint Colours.

Phelan Ready winning the Golden Slipper

Have you ever wondered who chooses the names of colours? I can see that some names tell you exactly what you’re getting in a colour like Pate, Curry Paste and Chutney but then who wants that on their walls? There’s so much to think about, a bit like naming your first born.

Pate

Curry Paste

Now YOU can be the person that names paint colours? For the first time ever Berger Paints are giving the Australian public the opportunity to name six colours from the new Berger Premium colour range.

New Colours from Berger Paints

Think of a colour name and explain the inspiration behind it. Or just vote on the colour names that others have come up with.

If your colour name wins, you’ll get a $500 voucher to spend at your local Inspirations Paint & Colour store plus the glory of knowing your name was the most popular and the colour will be painted in homes across Australia.

Paint Colours

Everyone who suggests a colour name or votes will get a free membership to the Colour Clique (valued at $25), which is the Inspirations Paint & Colour loyalty program, offering lifetime discounts and a colour recording service.

So log on and have a look at the colours, come up with a name or simply vote on your choice of the names already suggested. The competition runs until 25 Feb 2010.

Good Luck!

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