“Please contact me if you would like a consultation or further information about any of the products you see here at Decorum.”Archive for December 2009
It’s a Wrap
Well another year comes to an end.
It has been so much fun being with you at either my place or yours. I am constantly inspired by my daily read of blogs and the lovely comments you share.
I have had a bit of a last minute rush, and am happy to say that curtains and blinds have been installed, lamps, delivered, cushions and other soft furnishings installed, upholstery all done and furniture delivered.
As many of my suppliers and clients will be away for the next few weeks, I too am taking a break. I have a pile of magazines to catch up on and a few good books I want to read. I look forward to entertaining family and friends, something that seems to be overlooked as we hurry through the year.
I can’t wait to see you all again, refreshed and raring to go in 2010.
Where the future decade promises to be bright.
Enjoy your holidays and celebrations and see you back here on 11 January.
A Single Man and his sofa
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I was reading my daily dose of Habitually Chic yesterday. Heather was discussing the sofa in the new movie “A Single Man” starring Tom Ford. The movie isn’t released here in Australia until February 2010.
The sofa is a semi-circular sectional sofa and that is exactly what I am having delivered for a client this weekend. Who would’ve thunk it!
The Rusco-1 lounge suite from Beyond Furniture is the same shape although it doesn’t have the same legs as the one mentioned on Habitually Chic. Beyond Furniture has a great range of items and they back that up with exceptional service. Call in to the Crows Nest store and ask for Alex. Tell him I sent you.
We’re off to look at the Christmas Lights tomorrow evening. Happy weekend.
Coffee Culture
I spend a fair bit of time in the inner city suburb of Crows Nest. It has two main drags – the Pacific Highway which is peppered with furniture and homewares stores, and Willoughby Road which has a line of gift shops, restaurants and cafes.
Over the past year, there has been a newcomer to the coffee shop scene and I love going there for the good coffee and superb decor.
Coffee Culture is now situated in what used to be a secondhand furniture shop. The shop is rectangular in shape but with clever use of different coloured timber floorboards and one side of the “path” higher than the other, you do not feel as if you are in a boring square box.
One wall of the shop has been left in it’s original state of exposed rough brick and large mirrors have been placed over the top with back lighting.
The other side is wallpapered. Each side has interesting light fittings and the banquette seating is finished in a faux shiny leather.
The colours are all quite neutral – lattes, mochas and espresso but the crockery is bright orange which adds a zing without being overbearing.
Check it out, next time you are in Crows Nest. I believe there is also a cafe at Bankstown and originally the group hailed from New Zealand. (But we won’t hold that against them!)
Dining Out
Sorry I haven’t been around much lately. It’s just a crazy time of year, isn’t it? I’ve been flat out trying to make sure all my client’s have their items before Christmas. I’ve had upholstery delivered to two clients, curtains installed at another two and am collecting soft furnishings for three others on Monday. I also have two lamps to deliver for another and waiting on some furniture for yet another. It’s full on.
Aside from work, I seem to have been on a Food Fest for the past week. I’ve had family visiting from Brisbane so last Saturday evening we all went to Leichhardt in Sydney (which is renowned for it’s Italian restaurants) for a family meal at La Botte D’oro. My brother is heading to Cambodia for Christmas and my Dad was heading on a cruise to New Zealand the following day. So this was our Christmas dinner.
Aqua Dining Restaurant
Sunday evening we went to Aqua Dining above the North Sydney Pool to celebrate my Mum’s, my brother’s and my husband’s birthdays which all fall in December. The restaurant was fantastic with fabulous food and attentive service. Oh, and pretty amazing views.
View from Aqua Dining
Wednesday I was out and about at fabric houses and collecting lamps from Botany and called in to Waterloo. This suburb has developed into a great food and design precinct over the past couple of years. We stopped at “The French House” for a bite of lunch. This is a great little place that doesn’t have a website. They don’t take bookings but it’s fairly easy to get a table. There is an outside verandah with plenty of tables of all sizes or you can sit inside at the communal dining table or small lounge area. French food abounds with baguettes, croissants and plenty of mouth watering cakes and pastries. It’s not expensive and the ambience is pleasant.
The French House
The French House Verandah
Yesterday was Mum’s birthday so we were out eating again! This time we went to Nick’s Seafood at Cockle Bay and shared a delicious seafood platter.
Nick's Seafood Platter
And then today I was out with 5 girlfriend’s to celebrate another December birthday. This time we went to the recently opened “Burnt Orange” in the renovated Mosman Club House which dates back to the 1930′s. The food and service were again fantastic and the view…… breathtaking.
View from Burnt Orange
I would like to say I’m not eating until Christmas but I’m out again on Sunday celebrating my husband’s birthday and again on Tuesday for another girlfriend’s birthday.
Note to self – Do not eat in January!
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I also wanted to make sure you knew about a great sale which is on tomorrow. Online store, Have You Met Miss Jones is holding their annual warehouse clearance sale at Alexandria. They have fabulous bone china ornaments, metal birdcages and capiz shell plates and picture frames. I’m sure you’ll be able to find some great Christmas gifts to keep or give.
Have a great weekend, shopping, cooking or eating.
Ming
It’s been a rough couple of days. We had to euthanise our beloved dog on Friday night.
Ming would have been 11 next month and since May this year has been on a cocktail of drugs for a heart condition. Friday he was very slow and didn’t want to do anything. A trip to the vet followed by a mercy dash to the animal hospital confirmed our worst fears – it was time. His spleen was riddled with cancer and there was nothing that could be done.
As a child, one of my favourite books was Li Chung – a Tale of China. It told the story of two small chinese children who found a dog which they called Ming.
Li Chung - A Tale of China
When my husband and I moved to Hong Kong in 1999, we set out to buy a puppy to share our lives. On a trip back to Australia, I purchased a little white ball of fluff and immediately named him Ming.
After his immunisations, I packed him up and we flew to Hong Kong where he quickly settled into apartment life.
Ming and bags ready to fly
There were many dogs in the apartment building and he would love to sit at the window and watch them taking their walk, seven storeys below.
Ming looking out of our window - 3rd up.
Twleve months later his life changed dramatically when we brought home our daughter.
Ming meeting Sophie
They quickly became good friends and he showed her how to sit at the window and watch what was happening on the street and in the playground.
"This window Soph, can you see that dog down there?"
We then moved back to Australia and settled in Sydney. Ming was used to his apartment life and sitting on the sofa so we bought another puppy to put a spring back in his step.
Ming and Coco
Coco and Ming were well known around the neighbourhood as they looked so cute both out for a walk on their dual leash. They even dressed up for the Vet’s Christmas party and went Trick or Treating with my daughter.
Ming's Santa Suit
He was a well travelled dog but these days spent time travelling by car rather than plane.
On the road to Brisbane
But all good things must come to an end and Ming met his on Friday night. We loved him so much. They really are a member of the family and life isn’t the same without him.
Ming and Coco
La Maison and Finders Keepers
One of my favourite suppliers in Sydney is La Maison and tomorrow they are having their Warehouse Sale. Rush over to Leichhardt in Sydney between 9 and 5 and grab yourself a bargain.
Ondine Console Table from la Maison
La Maison has a strong French Provinicial influence although many of their pieces would suit any home.
Finders Keepers Markets
The other exciting event this weekend is the Finders Keepers Market at Carriage Works. The markets are held on Friday night between 6pm and 10pm and all day Saturday 10am – 8pm. It’s a great opportunity to support our talented designers and artisans and do some Christmas shopping.
Happy shopping and have a wonderful weekend.
Worst Dressed Wednesdays
Yellow is my favourite colour and it is an excellent colour to draw the eye or highlight a focal point. So it’s no wonder that this little Terrace House in inner Sydney caught my eye.
Yellow is the colour of Energy and Life and people that use yellow usually have a preference for sunshine. Maybe these homeowners were tired of being in the shadow of the Plane Tree.
Yellow has usually been seen in the kitchen or in children’s playrooms. I think this is a bit bright for the exterior of a house. What do you think?
Oh Christmas Tree
In the box
It’s that time of the year again and over the weekend we put up our tree.
Step One
I’m not a fan of real trees and all the mess they leave behind. Also what do you do with them afterwards?
Step Two
It’s not like you can throw them on the fire when it’s 34 degrees celsius. At least a man-made tree can be recycled each year.
Step Three
It comes in a long box which is stored underneath the house for 11 months of the year. I go a bit crazy on decorations and like to steer away from the traditional red and green.
Step Four
It’s always a decision as to what colours to use. This year my daughter decided on purple, blue and silver. So out came the boxes of those decorations (I have a box for each colour).
Santa's Helpers (??)
The dogs and I put up the tree and then Sophie came and hung the baubles and other decorations.
When we lived in Hong Kong, a pop-up shop would appear each November full of beautiful decorations from the Philippines and other places. I’d never seen anything like it before or since.
So after a few hours, a cocktail and some carols playing, our tree is up for 2009.
Ta-da
Now I just have to finish the shopping and start the wrapping. I like everything co-ordinated so will have to find some blue, purple and/or silver paper, ribbon and gift tags. I also need to find a silver something for the top of the tree. I have a gold angel and a hot pink star but neither of those suit this year’s colours.
What colours are you putting on your tree this year?
