Nursery update inspiration

Little Miss J is transitioning from the "tiny wee wee bed" as she calls it to a big girl bed, and I thought it was time to give her room a tiny wee wee update too.  Nothing dramatic, just some little additions more suited to her age.  

I don't want to change the pale blue rocking wing back chair, and am thinking of adding a touch of pink and gold to the existing white furniture, walls and curtains.  I have ordered some pink and gold dot decals, just like the ones below from Urbanwalls, and I have bought some cute bedding from Pottery Barn to turn into some pillowcases.

Triangle wall decals by Urbanwalls + Simply Grove, love the pink lettering too.  
Crochet cushion and mat via la casa de coto, great shades of pinks, not to sweet.
Gorgeous wooden knobs available from Chocolate Creative.

Love all these products designed by Empire Lane, gold pineapple decals - how fabulous, and I love the cushions too.

Details of a gorgeous bedroom by 91 Magazine featured on sokeen.  Love these ice cream colours all together, especially the pom pom fringed pillow.

The gold and pink decals available at Urbanwalls, featured in this gorgeous nursery which you can find on Babyology.

Watch this space - mini makeover coming soon.

Corner modular search part 2

I have found some more options for the corner modular, and also found some manufacturers I didn't know existed before.  I still love the Osbourne from Boyd Blue but its going to cost around $7k which is really a lot more than I want to spend.

First I discovered Staple & Co, available through Project 82.  They aim to be stylish at a reasonable price point and they are.  The Lennon from $1,050 in fabric seems frankly to good to be true, I am guess this is the base before adding fabric.  I recently went to the store and is is super comfortable.    The Lennon and the Walter are my favourites.

The Walter reminds me of the more modern Restoration Hardware designs.  Both have a lot of modular options that should let me design the corner sectional of my dreams.  The Walter looks great in this photo but the back is very low and I personally thought the Lennon was more comfortable.  Bit disappointed because it looks so great in this image.

Then I discovered Camerich, best selling point for me is that the covers can be removed and washed, and better yet you can buy another pair for around $900 a sofa.  If you have children and pets this is going to make you happy.  It also means you can choose a daring fabric colour safe in the knowledge that if you hate it in two years time you don't have to pay for a whole new couch.  Quite a good range of fabric's to choose from.

Comfort was good, especially the Lazy Time which will make a fabulous place for the whole family to flop onto.  I like the style of the Casa and Clouds but they are a more firm feel.  
Price point was pretty good too, around $5,500 - $6,000 for the size I am interested in.  

So no decisions yet, but some really great options.  If any of you have any good suggestions let me know.

See part 1 of my great corner modular search here.

Inspiration from papaya.....summer 2013/14

Papaya is a favourite store for browsing.  They have the best lanterns, beautiful boxes and baskets, and a textured neutral colour palette that makes it easy to add their pieces to your home.
These are my picks of whats in store this season.

Above: Palomino vases - love the shape how they look grouped together
Below: Portello fire stack, Marakesh lantern, Taverna baskets in grey

Would love to have a grouping of those Palomino vases on my oak table outside, or perhaps at the front door.  

This is not a sponsored post and all opinions are as usual my own.

more mid century obsessions...the bumling pendant

Finally I know what this light is!!!  I have been stalking images of it online since I saw this one below.  I love the shape and the colours it comes in.  If I didn't already have a lovely pendant over my dining table this would be very tempting.

| Bumling over table  |  Yellow Bumling |  Hans Wegner chair in orange  |
The Bumling was designed in 1968 by Anders Pehrsson for Atelje Lyktan, its only just mid century I suppose.  I love the rounded shape 

|  Bumling over table  |  Brass bumling via 1stdibs  |  Candle stick from Nordic Bliss  |
And the best news of all is that it is still in production, try Scandinavian Design Center.   Or you can look for them second hand too, I have spotted a few on ebay and craiglist.

|  Bumling over table via My Ideal Home  |  Red Bumling |  Scandinavian Chair  |

Pretty gorgeous aren't they.  Would love to find a spot for one somewhere.

an elegant home...what is elegance and how do you get it

What is elegance?  The first thing that popped into my head was Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy Onassis, I wonder what just popped into yours?    
How do you get elegance?  It is such a personal vision there can't be an exact guide, in fact I think that's the point, it is a unique quality so it needs to be personal to you.

But like Audrey and Jackie there is a certain similarity.  They were certainly unique but there is a similar feel to their looks, bold but simple, striking but always sophisticated.
Essential qualities don't you think?   Today I am sharing my tips for elegance (as I see it) with you, and some lovely quotes from fabulously elegant icons, but please let me know what you think elegance is too.

Elegance is the art of effortless style - it appears effortless even if it isn't.
Elegance is edited but not minimal, it is just the right thing in just right place.  
Elegance is not fussy or cluttered, it is carefully edited collections, and items chosen for beauty and functionality.
Elegance is not over designed, it is a personal statement that doesn't come from a catalogue.
Elegance may be faux, but it is never fake.
Elegance is quality over quantity.
Elegance is a bold statement done in a simple way.
Elegance is understated and not overbearing, it a large statement done with simplicity.
Elegance may look expensive but it doesn't always come with a large price tag, it is the hint of luxury without trying to hard.
Elegance cannot be copied, it is unique.

1 - Buy quality over quantity, less really is more.  
2 - Edit rooms carefully but don't lose your personality, elegance cannot be copied so your rooms must be unique to you.  Fill them with objects, fabrics and furniture you love.
3 - Say goodbye to clutter.  Absolutely show off your collections, your photographs, your favourite things but edit carefully.  Make sure collections have room to breathe and are displayed in a space, not crammed onto a shelf.
4 - Be bold in your decisions - Choose that dark wall paint you always wanted, blow up those photo's extra large, create a gallery wall with photo's and paintings, go for that crazy wall paper.
5 - Don't try to hard, don't be over designed, remember elegance should look effortless.

Remember, be memorable not fashionable

This post was written in partnership with Nick Scali - where buying furniture is an investment in your life and style, and quality is the right price.  But as usual all opinions and content are entirely my own.

tretchikoff

It was deeply unfashionable to like Tretchikoff when I was growing up.  His prints were everywhere, in every waiting room, every guest bathroom, they were just over done (like Monet's water lily posters).  I secretly always loved the colours, the serenity of the women in the portraits, the exotic clothing.  Like many things it appears Tretchikoff has gone full circle and is set for a world wide revival.

I don't think I could do a print in my home, the childhood stigma runs to deep, but I rather like the lampshades and cushions.  

And I love the idea of doing a whole wall in Tretchikoff wall paper, perhaps even full circle in the guest bathroom.  

Wallpapers and cushions - crazy good!  Must have these cushions!

Read more about his rather amazing life at the official Tretchikoff website where you can shop for cushions, lampshades and prints.  And visit Robin Sprong to find out more about the wall paper.

What do you think, do you like him?  Did you grow up with these images too?   

Target style picks for little girls - summer 2013

Look I never write about fashion, but I could not resist posting about the gorgeous girls wear that Target has in for summer 2013.  Girls 1-7 has a gorgeous selection of coral and navy, I could hardly choose there were so many pretty things, and the price was right too.  I bought Miss J's summer wardrobe in half an hour.

I haven't even show the gorgeous T-shirts and jerseys because they didn't come out well on screen.  Its worth popping into your local store before they are all snapped up.

Please Target, get these buyers to help with the ladies section, I would totally wear all these lovely dresses in my size.

This is not a sponsored post, all opinions are, as always, entirely my own.

Happy.

The other day Matthew came home from school and announced that he was a changed man. He had watched a documentary on Netflix called “Happy,” and he had decided that he was ready to try lots of new things and have lots of new experiences. According the documentary, intentional behaviors and novel experiences make up a whopping 40% of one’s total happiness, and Matthew says he’s ready to claim that slice of his pie, so to speak.

This brand new outlook of his pleased me greatly. I am all about trying new things and having new experiences (maybe that’s why I’m a generally happy person?), and thus far, I often didn’t feel I had him on board with me in that regard. I mean, I totally understand that he’s been a little busy with law school the past couple of years, so he got a free pass for a while. But now that school is winding down (he only has two more weeks, omg), things are about to get real. Pretty soon maybe we’ll have some semblance of a normal life, and we’ll be able to incorporate normal activities and habits into our lives. We have grand plans about how fantastic that will be. But happiness only exists in the right now, right? You have to figure out how to be that now, or you’ll never figure out how to be it.

So out of curiousity, I watched the Happy documentary, too. Have you seen it? It’s a few years old now, I believe. (Here's a short trailer.) I was both intrigued and touched by it. It covers happiness research over the last 25+ years and people’s stories all over the globe, and it was just so great to be reminded that there’s so much more beyond our little bubbles, so many other ways to be and so many other definitions of happiness. According the research, only 10% of our happiness comes from things like our wealth, our health, our jobs, and our social status.  50% of our happiness comes from our genetic makeup, which I found especially interesting. The documentarly claims that most of us are born with a set happiness range that we typically fall into, regardless of whether good or bad things happen to us. I find that to be pretty true with myself and people in my life.

And the final 40% is that intentional behavior. Researchers recommend making even the tiniest changes in your routine, like running a different route on your jog or going to a different grocery store or what have you. It’s all about tricking your brain to produce more dopamine, the happiness chemical.  So if you’re someone who often finds themself in a rut or even depressed or just not as happy as you’d like to be, perhaps try signing up for a cooking or pottery or watercolor class, or hitting up a new lunch spot, or just taking a different route on your drive home. Worth a shot. ;)

What type of activities do you find make you most happy? Personally, I get a mini-happiness-high whenever I’m around dogs, beautifully presented food, and when I’m doing things that fulfill me, like writing and photography. It also feels really great to connect with other humans - whether they be people already in my life, or someone I just met in line at the grocery store.

Hope you have a happy Wednesday. :)

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Hollywood regency inspired bathroom

This bathroom by Tim Clark Design was love at first sight.  Love the mirrors, love the Hollywood regency style vanity, love the soft brushed silvery accents, love the soft grey colour scheme.  That's a lot of love.  If I had known I could have bought these vanities myself my master bathroom would look a little different.  Thought I would share my find just in case any of you have longed for a bathroom like this too.

Maybe in my next home.

| Bathroom from Country Living  |  Bristol vanities by J. Tribble  |  Mirrors from Zohi Interiors |

mint-spiration

Still loving all things mint, maybe its because the garden is looking so dull this midwinter and I am dreaming of fresh green spring leaves already

Potager via Gardenista,  Mint pendant lamps

Above from top left:  All vases and vessels from Freedom, Ayala Bar mint and pearls necklace,  Flapover bag from Asos

Simple entrance area for small alcove, Fern botanical print

Bathroom designed by Cary Bernstein via Remodelista

Mint bathroom accessories from Freedom, mint tea towel calender

So many minty things to share.  I couldn't even get them all in this post.  Enjoy!

Have you heard of Ommwriter?

So, Ommwriter. I'm obsessed.  Thanks so much to Emily for tweeting this to me yesterday! She thought I'd like it, and I do, I really do. First I downloaded the free version, then I downloaded the not-free version, which actually isn't a set price - you donate what you think it's worth.

I have such a hard time with staying focused lately. Well, for approximately the last three years of my life. Remember the "my blog gave me ADD post" a while back? Totally still applies. Hasn't gotten any better. Maybe worse. And this Ommwriter program, I really feel like it might help bring back some of the focus to my writing. I feel like I'm in another place when I'm there. I actually wrote a POEM yesterday - it just flew right out of my fingers and onto the screen. I haven't written a poem in years.

Check out Ommwriter in action over here on their website (click "see it in action" to watch the video), and decide for yourself if this is something that might enhance your creativity. It's sure working for me.

PS - If you download, Ommwriter, I highly recommend wearing headphones while you use it. It blocks out your fingers banging on the keyboard and allows you to better enjoy the ambient sounds provided.
PPS - have you heard of Coffitivity? That's another one that helps me focus while I work.

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home office inspiration

We may not need a formal dining room in our modern homes but we all need a home office.  How gorgeous would it be to work in these beautiful spaces every day.

Love the placement of this desk in the middle of the room facing out, a very luxurious use of space.

I am not a huge fan of the ghost chairs, mainly because they have been used everywhere, but they would look good in an office space like this. 

 I love everything about this office space and the antique Chinese chair I found to go with it.  I saw a pair of these come up at auction of few weeks ago but didn't have any clue what to do with them at the time.  The desk looks like it could be an auction find too, ugly but good ugly.

These spaces would certainly make paying the bills slightly sweeter.  Which is your favourite?


|  Aerin Lauder home on DesignRulz  |  Marie Olssen Nylander House on StyleKoo  | Ghost Chairs  |  Marie Olssen Nylander House on StyleKoo  |  Antique Chinese Chairs  |

Playroom storage solution...could this be the final design?

The playroom is a mess and it drives me crazy!  It probably drives you spare too!!  We just don't have enough storage and at the end of the day toys are crammed into boxes and the single cupboard and the room just can't be properly tidied.  Playroom storage was on my new years to do list and I haven't managed to resolve it yet.  But I may be a step closer, I think I have the final, revised, redesigned, could it really be the final, design at last.
I would love it to look something like the picture below, but really this is not a design for a family with children and all the toys and craft supplies that come with them.  

I like this one too, the TV looks almost decorative but those open shelves would just be too untidy with toys and its a little traditional for our house.

I like the clean and slightly asymmetric lines of this modern version, and the TV is behind doors which is a bonus, but there are books and special objects on display.

I still love this playroom on Weekday Carnival, one of the best Ikea hacks ever (below).  Hard to believe its Ikea kitchen cabinets put together in a giant puzzle. 

And this library style Ikea hack (below) on Apartment Therapy is another favourite.   They are all very simple, very white, and very uncluttered.

So this is what I have come up with at last.  Cupboards will be clean white with no trim or detailing. There is space for books to be on display, a counter top and wall space on the left where we can display art or family photos, and a whole lot of storage, a lot of it out of the reach of Miss J's sticky little fingers.

What do you think?  Could this be the final one?

| Source unknown  |  via Coastal Living  | via Arch Daily  |  Weekday Carnival  |  Apartment Therapy |  drawings by Eva of Build House Home|

Succulent story...

A little obsessed again, it started with this gorgeous grey cabinet and succulents and then moved to moody dark spaces with lots of contrast.  Makes me realise I want more of these colours in my home, layers of greys and greens.

A glimpse into an eclectic family home via a favourite blog of mine - The Pretty Blog.  I love the lime succulents and the subtle shades of gray.
| Photography by Yolande Marx for The Pretty Blog |
A dramatic dark bedroom full of textures I love: the rustic wood wall, black walls and ceiling and my favourite mud chandelier.  Succulents again, this one in a mini cork pot which is also a fridge magnet.  Cute idea but not sure the succulents would be happy for long.
| Bedroom source unknown |Alissa Rose om Etsy |

I love all these succulent tones and textures.  Silver, jade, quartz and gold in a wrap bracelet.
Echeveria wedding favours in turned spalted ivy pots.  I would love to take one of these home.  And a frosted glass door which mutes the colours of crockery and reminds me of sea glass.  
| Lovocracy | Tricia Newell on Etsy | House & Leisure |

A snippet of aloe peeks out of the vintage cutlery box on my kitchen counter.

| Eva of Build House Home|

Hmmm... think it might be time for things to move around a bit at my house...