Out In The Garden...

Now that it's summer in Melbourne, I love to spend time in my parents' beautiful, old garden. It's full of character and has plenty of different areas to get lost in, filled with pretty flowers and big trees...

In particular, I wanted to share what they've done with their herb garden. It would work equally as well for pint-sized gardens and is completely budget friendly - and looks lovely!

My Dad built it using old pots, tubs and a vintage sink he had. He added the beige tubs (you can pick up similar from any hardware store) and my Mum had the brilliant idea to paint them and the sink with blackboard paint.

I just added the final touches with a steady hand, blue chalk and a coat of hairspray to waterproof it (mind the herbs when you do this). I think the overall result is really quite cute!

Latest Project: Vintage Lamp Restyle

So I know it's been a while, but with a move across the world (London to Melbourne) and an impending pregnancy to contend with, life has kept me on my toes of late. Still, I can't pass up a total bargain and the chance to flex my creative skills... even if an ever-increasing bump has slowed me down a bit!


I came across this brass lamp on a recent Sunday morning market venture. Total bargain at $12. I knew it had potential...


I chose a stretch satin-mix material (black & white so it will go with any room's colour scheme) together with a modern print to clash with the vintage base. (The material and some black trim cost less than $10). After some nifty gluing (using fabric glue) of the material to the lamp shade, then the trim around the bottom/top, it was complete. A bit fiddly, but well worth the effort. I'm quite happy with the $22 end result!

Amsterdam Does Black & White

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My amazing friends recently bought an apartment in Amsterdam and I was lucky enough to be one of their first guests to stay (thanks guys)! A little charmer of a place, with beautiful big windows and a great feeling about it, it was a real treat to visit.  

One of my favourite things about Amsterdam are the black & white exteriors of the houses, especially when there's colourful flowers and plants dotted about... they just look amazing (and make me seriously consider moving there every time I visit). Though I haven't got any of 'said' colourful photos, you get the idea I hope... 


Ax

Oh Shutters, How I Love You

Firstly, apologies to my faithful readers (and dear blog) for the neglect of late... it's been too long between posts. I have some big things going on right now so my attention has been stretched to say the least... But!- I am back, and I've brought a little bit of sun on this grey evening in London...


I love shutters. White ones especially. They're so simple, neat and let so much light in (exactly what we need in London).  They're also perfect here for keeping the prying eyes of pavement passers-by at bay, while still being able to give you a view of the outside world.  


When we moved into our new house last year, I was completely set on getting them. I just couldn't imagine dowdy, dark curtains. Results above! Ours split across the middle (cafe style) so we can open the top fully if we're in the mood.


Whoever invented shutters... I salute you. They're awesome.

Pink Kitchens (Not For The Faint Hearted)

Pink kitchens. Nice idea in theory, but would we be able to bear them after day-in day-out viewing..? I'm game.

I love the candy version above - it's not too much with all that white and other colour thrown in. I would draw the line at getting pink cabinets though - imagine if you decided they weren't right and were stuck with them for years!

I think there's a fine line to tread when dappling with the tint of roses, but I say go for it. Bet you'll have loads of (less-adventurous) admirers. (Now for the hard part... convincing the boyfriend)! 

Pics via AbsolutelyBeautfulThings and Apartment Therapy

Riding House Cafe: Worth A Visit For The Interior Alone

via TheHappinessProject, DailyMail, ILiveToEatAndEatToLive and The Prodigal Guide


This morning I ventured off to meet a friend for brunch at The Riding House Cafe, in town. (I'm no food connoisseur, but it's yum there). What I really want to talk about is its interior though. 


There's loads of cool cafes/restaurants in London and their styling is always just as sharp. But there's something at Riding House Cafe I just can't get past - its blue leather stools. The colour is amazing. I know blues are blues and we've all seen them, and I don't know what it is about those stools in particular - but I love them to bits. 


It might be the buttery-soft leather, or that the shade is bordering on turquoise, or simply because they're set off by grey lamps... I don't know, I just know I want one. (Well, all of them really). Thankfully, I've come to terms that this dream may be quite impossible and instead shall settle on having that colour in my home. 


I've got my eye on a perfect dark-wood dining chair that needs recovering... I'll post the end result! 

Tiles That Go Pop

All pics via Lubna Chowdhary


I'm back! I do apologise...it's been a long time between posts, and I'm not proud. Oh I have missed you blog! While away, I finally managed to spend some time checking out my favourite blogs and one in particular caught my eye... 


Fine Little Day featured a kitchen from an amazing UK artist - Lubna Chowdhary. Lubna makes tiles primarily - damn pretty ones too. Since drooling over her blog and online store I have decided I want them all. Oh, and check out her jars - they're STUNNING.


We have a spot above our kitchen that's calling out for a tiled splashback of some sort. Lubna's pretties would be perfect. Though I'm actually in two minds whether I could justify seeing them splashed with water every day.  They're so beautiful they could easily be framed and hung. Hhmmmm... I'm seeing my mission for this weekend - visit to Lubna's London studio! 


Happy weekending. Ax

Your Books Are A Decorator's Goldmine

Pic via EyesOnSparrow

Books...there's nothing quite like losing yourself in a great one. Not only do they have that very functional purpose - but I think they moonlight as interior secret weapons! As well as reflecting our tastes and interests, telling a story about who we are, they're just damn pretty to look at. 

Line them up on shelves for some eye-candy (neat or dishevelled), stack them from the ground up to add a focal point to any room or dot them around as you like.

I've gone pretty simple on my sitting room shelves at home (above), but here's some other cool ideas to get you thinking... 

Pic via MyDeco

Pic via IHeartDesign

Pic via EyesOnSparrow

Oh and don't forget they can be used to bring a pop of colour wherever you need...

Both pics via LiveBreatheDecor

Last but not least, my personal favourite and for that day when I own the house of my dreams, the doorway bookcase...!

Pic via EyesOnSparrow

Cushion Alert: The Rug Company

If (like me) you are completely addicted to collecting cushions, check out The Rug Company for some splurge-worthy treats. 

A couple of years ago they teamed up with a load of great British designers (Alice Temperley (above) Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith are a few) and produced a range of gorgeous handmade pieces. Though they may not be the latest thing in interiors, they're so beautiful I thought they deserved a mention...(though I may be biased - I have two of Alice's)!

The range is growing slowly but surely (Alexander McQueen is the latest addition) and I can't wait to see what comes next. Though they're as pretty as they are pricey (and are a challenge to my 'interiors on a budget' ethos) at least you know that you're buying quality that will last for years to come.

My personal favourites have to be the graphic designs by Suzanne Sharp (founder of The Rug Company) and Viv's mouth design- as well as Alice's too, of course.

Pics via 1 AnneSage, 2 Home&Gardens, 3 CWD,  4 Stylefrizz

Bright Spark

Oh how I wish I had more time to be creative... My full-time job in PR keeps me quite busy (as does life!), so I don't always have enough time to dedicate to my DIY projects at home, blogging or just taking time to be inspired creatively. I am going through one of those really busy periods right now... and I'm thoroughly missing the inspiration!


When I do have the time, I have a few methods to awaken that spark in me. I love getting my camera out and going on adventures (cue photo below). These pretty pics either make it to my blog or get filed in my image library for future reference.

I also love to trawl through magazines, blogs and books (Interiors Now! (below) is my latest crush), photography (Tim Walker is amazing) and anything else that catches my eye - the best bits end up stuck in my increasingly heavier scrapbook. 

 

One of my most favourite things to do is the early morning car-boot/market mission. Even if I don't find anything to buy, I always walk away bursting with ideas. There's a great one on tomorrow in South London... but can I face the early start? Hhhmmm... 

I hope your weekend is creatively fruitful! Ax

Pic via AIOT

Tropical Delight

Sorry for the quiet period here last week - I just spent it away on holiday in Ibiza, lapping up the last of the European sun.  As us Londoners have come to expect, our first day spent back in London was met with greyness and rain..!


Instead of getting caught up in dreariness, I hunted down the beautiful home above to give me a little reminder of the pleasures of tropical living. Oh to be back on the island!


I love the use of texture throughout the house and the mix of old and new, which can be quite difficult to do well - I think they've succeeded though. The worn wood, together with the washed walls, natural and faded colours looks amazing too, everything looks so welcoming and comfortable. 


Though this entire look isn't always ideal for city living, (lots of space and light really set it off) I think it has a lot of workable ideas for decorating. I particularly love the way they've displayed glassware in the sitting room, jars in the kitchen and even made a feature with the bathroom cabinets. I could happily spend a holiday there!


Pics via Housetohome

White On White Interiors

I absolutely love white walls and white floors. It's such a fresh, bright look and sets a beautiful backdrop to whatever colourful furnishings, artwork, furniture etc., you have. 

Also, if like me you get bored easily, you can change the accent colours within your home to make it feel different - without having to repaint, which is always a bonus.

Images via Elle Decor 

Show Off Your Style

 

I came across this colourful jewellery stand outside a store a few weeks ago and it got me thinking about something... (maybe you don't already) but why do we hide away our beautiful, eye-catching collections at home - be it jewellery, scarves, bangles, even shoes (!), in drawers, cupboards, boxes, etc...

I had some wasted space in front of our bedroom fireplace and knew it was the perfect spot to appreciate my shoes. Now they're not hidden away and (though they do get a little more dusty) they're fun to look at.

Possibly my most treasured collection. I've been collecting sunglasses for a good few years now (well, I probably have an obsession (these aren't all of them)! Back then I decided I wanted to find a wall-mounted perspex case to house them so they could become a piece of art instead of being tucked away in a dark drawer, as they are now. Unfortunately, I'm still yet to find the case! 


I think showing off your style makes your home personal. It adds character and makes it a genuine reflection of you and who you are. It makes you feel warm to be surrounded by it, to remember the stories of each piece  - oh, and as another plus, it's simply eye-candy for any visitors!


Happy weekending xx

DIY Designer - Painted Furniture

I'm a big fan of using paint to spruce up old furniture. It's cheap, pretty easy to do and can really make something of an otherwise non-exciting piece - or provide a change of scenery if you're bored! 


I love using black or white because they provide a really nice base when used with bright/patterned fabric. As you can see from the photos though, colour can be just as effective when used in the right way. 


All pics via August's issue of Living etc plus check out the site for more info on painting furniture.

DVF For Home

Earlier this year, DVF's (Diane Von Furstenburg) 'At Home' range became available in Selfridges here in London. Check out these cool pieces which focus on tableware and bedding for now.


In terms of fashion, Diane's use of colour and pattern has always caught my eye. I'm very glad to see she's turned her hand to the interior market!

Bedding for the brave! I think leopard print in the bedroom is risky territory, but this pattern could look cool in small doses... I would probably use it as a sheet under a plain white duvet so you could see flickers of it when the bed was unmade. I think it would look amazing used to cover a lamp shade too (but not in the same room)!

This design is a lot more subtle and really beautiful. I could deal with this is my bedroom... I love the pattern and the colours are fresh and calming. I think it would work well used with stronger accent colours in the room to really set it off. I can't wait to see what Diane comes up with next...


All images via DVF