“Please contact me if you would like a consultation or further information about any of the products you see here at Decorum.”My Favourite Things
New York State of Mind
So now the calendar has turned over to September I can start to get excited about my upcoming trip to …… (drum roll) ……….. The United States of America!
All my favourite Billy Joel songs keep running through my head – Say Goodbye To Hollywood, New York State of Mind, Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway, Los Angelenos. I’m a HUGE Billy Joel fan.
Anyway, I’m off. Or should I say, we’re off. The three of us in the States for 4 weeks. New York is our first stop and I already have a very long list of interior design and homewares stores I’d like to see. It seems every magazine I pick up lately has an article on someone’s top picks of New York. And as I only read interior magazines, they are mainly design and decor stores.
After New York we’re heading to Vermont and Maine. We’ll probably be a bit early, but we’re hoping to catch a glimpse of some Fall colours. We have a four day road trip in this area.
Then it’s across country to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Corny I know but ever since I saw The Brady Bunch go to the bottom of the Grand Canyon on donkeys I’ve wanted to check it out.
Next stop is Disneyland and Los Angeles and then a road trip to San Fransisco before heading back home.
So do you have any must sees?
We’ve never been to the States before, even though I’ve been trying to get there for the better part of 30 years. Would love to hear your stories or picks of places to see and things to do. We’re all very excited and have started the countdown. Only 10 more sleeps!
Never have to work
When I first heard this saying, it rang true to me.
Click on image for source
I consider myself very lucky to be working in the field of interior design. It is no trouble for me to go to work every day and play with colour and fabric AND I get to meet some lovely people, both clients and suppliers.
But like all of us, there are days that make you wonder if you are really doing the right thing. Naturally things go wrong, hurdles are placed in front of us that we have to work through. But fortunately for me those days are few and far between.
Yesterday I received a lovely note from a client and it makes me realise that it’s all worthwhile.
Click on image for source
“Thank you” just doesn’t describe, or begin to describe how grateful we are for ALL that you have done for us over this past year.
What you have created in the transformation of our home is beyond anything we could have imagined. Everywhere we look we see beauty, harmony, warmth, calmness, balance and “completeness”. Your amazing and insightful gift of being able to “know” what we want even when we can’t always find the words or can picture it ourselves is reflected in the way our home now feels like a “perfect fit” for us.
Thank you also for your endless patience, gentle proding and good humour. You really have made this past 12 months so enjoyable!
We’ve been overwhelmed by your commitment and effort and time given, by your professionalism and by your exceptional expertise. In every way, you went above and beyond.
THANK YOU so very much!“
Knowing I’ve brought such enjoyment to my clients makes me very satisfied with my lot.
It’s a long weekend here in Australia. We have Monday off to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday. Enjoy!
If you would like assistance in completing your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
It’s too hard
To keep talking about pretty things when there’s so much devastation in the world.
Thinking of you Japan and wishing you strength, courage and determination.
May the rest of the world reach out and lend you a hand.
Things I Heart
Well Happy Valentine’s Day!
It’s not really celebrated much in our house. But I thought I’d post some things I love. Hope you have a great start to the week.
Chocolate - any kind, any size, any time
Massage - any type, any time
Tropical Escapes - if I'm not on one, I'm planning one
Spending time with family and friends - usually over a meal
My dogs
Books on Colour and Design
Creating beautiful interiors
If you would like assistance in creating a beautiful interior for the things and people you love, contact us for on-line or in-person consultation.
One Oh
My baby turns the big one oh today. Who would’ve thunk it?
12 hours old
You’ve been an absolute delight, gorgeous girl.
Learning to walk in Hong Kong
Whether it’s
Ready for a swim in Cairns
Hanging on the telephone
Going to a Bratz Party
Chillin' with your toys
Being a Malaysian Princess in Kota Kinabalu
I wouldn’t have missed a moment.
Celebrating Mother's Day
Happy 10th birthday, darling.
XXX
Home and Away
It has been too long since my last post and I feel like I’ve been on a merry-go-round.
via www.stpmo.com
A family member has been in trouble with their health and personal life and I’ve been trying to help. We’re not out of the woods yet but things have improved for the time being.
via www.growingnewlife.com.
So please forgive me for my absence. I’ve been here in body but not in mind and just haven’t felt like waxing lyrical about all things pretty and nice.
I have also had a week’s holiday in Queensland with the family. We had a lovely four days in Brisbane catching up with friends and family and a further 5 days on the beautiful Gold Coast relaxing. We had three days at Royal Pines Resort and another two at the Sheraton Mirage.
So now it’s back to work and back to the blog. I hope you’ve had a good few weeks and I look forward to your company as I get back on the merry-go-round.
City or the Bush
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
Designer Black
Have you ever noticed that architects and interior designers all wear black? Why is that?
Sante Fe Interiors Designers - most wearing black
Personally I don’t wear black. I was told many years ago, when I had my colours done, that black was not for me. It drains the colour from my face and infact, only people with black hair should wear black.
So as a Colour Consultant, that suits me down to the ground. I LOVE colour and spend most of my time trying to inject colour into clients’ homes, so why would I wear black in any shape or form? Surrounding myself with colour makes me happy and puts me in a good frame of mind.
If I have to buy a new wallet, I bypass the black ones and go for red. I have a yellow work notebook, a green laptop, a blue car, a red laptop bag, etc, etc. The only black items I have are my briefcase (because I couldn’t find a coloured one) and the trolley bag or office on wheels, I take to consultations.
Red Wallet from Mahogany Leather
Yellow Notebook from Kiki-K
Dell Laptop
Now the other problem I have is that I’m a Virgo and I MUST have everything matching or at least working together. Last year when I upgraded to an iPhone I chose the white one, because I don’t do black.
I needed a protective case. I knew my daughter would play games on it and it was going to be moving around from handbag to handbag, taken on jobs, to the gym so I could listen to podcasts and sooner or later it was going to be dropped. I chose a Blue Silicone cover from the limited range at the Apple store. Blue is the world’s favourite colour so I figured blue would go with most things.
Blue iPhone Cover
However, last weekend as I was trying to multi-task (cook dinner and text my brother) it slipped off the kitchen bench and landed on the floor. My beautiful blue cover broke and I needed a new one. I went back to the Apple Store and stood infront of row after row of black cases.
Sena Black iPhone Case
There were also blue ones, but I wanted a change. The purple ones were nice but purple doesn’t necessarily go with every other colour. Then I spotted it.
It’s pink but look at the back. It is striped in so many colours it will definitely work with everything. Oh what a happy Colour Consultant I was to find an iPhone cover that was colourful and had a sense of fun. Thank you Kate Spade for designing such a wonderful item.
It’s the little things, isn’t it?
I’m off to the Australian International Furniture Fair today which incorporates Decoration and Design. There will be a large number of suppliers releasing their new products. It gives me a chance to catch up with colleagues and I understand there will be a number of design bloggers from around the country descending on Sydney too. I wonder if we will recognise each other, especially if they are all wearing black?
I’m also going to listen to Kathryn Ireland’s seminar which is titled Aesthetic Inspirations from Around the World. I’ll fill you in on all the details in a couple of days.
Together We Can Help
I’m sure, like me, you have been shocked and saddened at the extensive devastation in Haiti.
Haiti via The UK Telegraph
Design Doyenne, Charlotte Moss has sent out a call to the design industry to pitch in and help.
Your small donation to one of the many aid organisations which are working in the country, can make a difference.
A-M has provided links to a number of Aussie organisations which would love your support.
Click over to her site and jump online now to make a donation.
