Rich Royalty

My brother and sister-in-law gave me the beautiful book French Essence by Vicki Archer for Christmas. I am so in love with it and am dreaming of my own french life! So many of the photographs were truly amazing but I was really taken with this gorgeous image of a collection of boxes, books and figurines. I am really loving the combination of rich royal blue and gold at the moment in interiors (and no this has not just been prompted by the current visit to Australia by the very dashing royal, Prince William!).

Photo courtesy of French Essence By Vicki Archer

I also loved the cover story on this month's Belle Australia Magazine of David Collins's home in London. I especially love the 2 tone side chairs - they are just so sumptuous! I specified some furniture which is reminiscent of these for a client last year so I can't wait to see it when it arrives! Will keep you posted.

Christmas Butterflies

My brother and sister-in-law brought me back one of those wonderful paper kits from their trip to Japan which has a mix of different squares of patterned paper. I had thought of so many things I 'could' do with it but finally yesterday I 'actually' did something with it! I found the instructions to make a Lizzie Buckmaster Dove inspired artwork in an old copy of Home Beautiful (July 09) and decided that they would make the perfect Christmas presents for my 2 little cousins who are very much into butterflies at the moment! I made one each to match the different colours of their rooms.

Summer is Here!

Image: Australian Home Beautiful Sept 09

I love hydrangeas - they remind me of summer and I especially like them because being a December baby they are my birth flower! My mum has beautiful ones growing her garden at the moment but I couldn't resist this picture from an old issue of Home Beautiful. I had tagged it at some stage and came accross it again when I was looking for inspiration for a project I am working on at the moment and still loved it! I always think that hydrangeas always look wonderful in this shaped vase - it really balances the shape of the flowers which can sometimes look a bit top heavy in taller vases.

Dreaming of a gorgeous office!

Image: http://www.sarahrichardsondesign.com/

Lately I have been dreaming about re-doing my office - it is currently a big old mess! I was watching an old episode of Sarah's House on pay TV the other day and fell in love with the home office she did - it is a little bit early Kelly Wearstler style (one of my favourite designers) with the white black and yellow theme and use of the lovely vintage coffee table and desk. The desk was a hideous dark brown timber when she found it and she had it sprayed white. So Glam!

Image: Vogue Living Sep/Oct 2009

The other office I am in love with at the moment is Anna Spiro's which was featured in the Sept/Oct Vogue Living. Oh the gorgeous Kelly Wearstler Imperial Trellis wallpaper, the wonderful picture wall and that chair - I must have one of those! I think one of my new years resolutions is to definitely get my space cleaned up and make it look like a designer's office and not a bad Ikea nightmare! I shall be taking some of Anna's words from the Vogue Living article as inspiration - "I am pushing for people to challenge themselves and embrace something bold" Anna Spiro VL Sept/Oct 2009. Well done Anna I just love your work!

S

Amy Butler In Stitches

MY FIRST POST!
I have to admit to being a bit of a late starter and an addict, in terms of blogging that is! Having only recently discovered the world of blogging I have very quickly become rather caught up in this interesting new (well new for me anyway) world. You will have to forgive me as I am just learning the ropes and will no doubt be excited by things that you have all seen before but I just had to join in! There is so much creativity and soooooo many beautifully presented blogs out there it amazes and inspires me to want to share some of my knowledge if I can.


Image via www.amybutlerdesign.com

So here's to my first post – I just had to share the wonderful day in Berry I had last week with my Mum. We had a girls lunch at the Berry Wood-fired Sourdough Bakery for her birthday (so yummy, so worth the drive!) and then we spent the afternoon wandering the lovely shops. I came across this wonderful Amy Butler book called “In Stitches” in The Berry Patchwork Shop. It would make the most wonderful present for any budding Martha Stewart! There are heaps of easy sewing projects - I think I will definitely be making some of those gorgeous cushions shown on the front - will keep you posted on their progress! Anyway please check back soon as I would love to share some more of what I have been up to!