Bravo Carolina....

I've been in love with Carolina Herrera Jnr's style for a long time now. It is so grand, but at the same time has a lovely earthy quality which makes it modern and fresh. I think that it is the combination of opulent antiques coupled with warm, rusty colours and textured fabrics that creates this unique feeling. And also the sense of casualness that she imbues into every nook and cranny through her use of detailing and things like family photographs. It's a rare combination. And a beautiful one to boot.

picsource: Dominomag

Pure As Snow....

It's summer down here in Oz right now - and the hot and humid weather is perfect for swimming at the beach. But even though I love the summertime - for some reason my thoughts are turning to winter and the snow. Maybe it's because Christmas is just around the corner and there's nothing that I love more than a white Christmas. This pic reminds me of all that is lovely about the winter season - can't you just see yourself rugged up around the brazier? 

picsource: SkonaHem

Another White House.....

I came across this lovely magazine spread the other day in my files and I just had to share it with you because I know how much some of you love white houses - as I do. If you're a reader of Country Style magazine then this house will look familiar because it was on the cover of the first issue of the newly designed mag - a lovely all white timber cottage in Lismore, I believe, not far from where I live. I just this house, what with all of the collections, placed in beautiful vignettes all around the house. So much inspiration....

Me and Amy.....

Well, hi there everyone. I know that it's been a few days since my last post - but I've been in the big smoke visiting family and friends and touching base with the whirlwind that is life in Sydney. And, I've been hanging out here - with the one and only Amy Butler!

I was so excited when my friend Janine - who I worked with for many years at The Lifestyle Channel - called to say that Amy was heading to Sydney to give a talk on her life as a designer and a generally fabulous creative person. Of course, I had to go!

Organised by the great people at Living Creatively (an Australian website devoted to all things creative and crafty) - her talk went for about two hours and gave a wonderful insight into Amy's design process, the way that she runs her business and her life in general. I was heartened to hear that her business has been going for about 10 years and that its growth has been a very slow and steady evolution. So often we hear that peoples successes happen overnight - however, anyone involved in business knows that it takes a long time and much dedication before a business finds its wings.

 It was lovely to be able to meet her after the talk - and she very graciously posed for this pic - which I thought you might like to see.  Amy is soooo tall that even in my high heels I look like a 'shrimp' next to her! But what a lovely gal - and what a hunk her hubby is! Of course, I have to indulge and post a few of my fave Amy Butler pics from her site. Hope they give you a little inspiration too....

Great Dane....

Well, I'm just so excited today because I've received an email from my publisher telling me that my book sense of style: colour + space (the 320 page hardback compilation of my first two books) is about to be translated into Danish! The royal language no less! Oh, you great Danes - I just love your style....

Could This Be My Perfect Home...

I'm just completely in love with Rockridge, a romantic 1940s villa situated in idyllic Palm Beach Australia. It's sandstone and timber construction is typical of what you'll find around those parts - and the view? Well, completely to die for. However, I think it's the interiors that really do it for me. Simultaneously grand and relaxed, each space just looks so cozy and lived in. The great thing about Rockridge is that you can rent it out for your holidays - a kind of try before you buy situation perhaps! In my next life maybe!!! And my dreams!

Table Top...

I'm just a sucker for a gorgeous table setting - particularly one that looks like this! This table top has all of the elements that I love - colour, texture and one a kind china ware. Don't you just love this blue china against the lovely and natural coloured linen. Throw in a a piece of driftwood and voila - a beautiful table upon which to dine.

picsource: dominomag

White House.....

It's no secret that I love using white in my interiors. For me, it's just such an illuminating backdrop - the perfect base on which to layer some lovely colour. I particularly like white in the kitchen - it's just so fresh. Combining it with textured materials, such as timbers and tumbled tile work prevents white from looking overly clinical. And adding just a hint of your fave colour (here a lovely sage green is the perfect accompaniment) and you have a palette to die for.... 

picsource: UK Homes and Gardens

Say It With Flowers....

Sometimes all you need to add lift to a space is simply some pretty flowers picked from the garden and popped into a simple glass vase or even a jar. I just love these examples because they are just so easy to create as they require very little in the way of arranging. So simple - anyone could do it....

picsource: countryliving

Purple Reign...

I've been thinking a lot lately of using purple in an interior - and so was completely awe struck when I came across these lovely pinks/purples in this home featured in Metropolitan Home. This is such a luscious and contemporary use of the tones - such a far cry from the chintzy or hippy purples that I mostly find around the place. Just gorgeous...

Peony Heaven....

I'm just so completely in love with these peonies that I've had to photograph them again! 

Blessings From Above...

Floral Table Heaven....

I've just had such a lovely day today because I've been tinkering around with table settings for a shoot - and this pic shows a little of what I've been up to. As you can see, for this table, it's all about floral vignettes - and here we have some divine pink peonies and an orchid stem or two- which beautifully bring the table to life. Mixed with some green crackled ceramic plates, lovely aqua glass bowls and a couple of petit marble dishes - and here you have a very simple but lovely table to offer to your guests. I just love it so much - I had to share it with you!

Rocket Salad...

I've been meaning to post this pic since I did my last post on the rocket (arugula) that's growing out in the garden (see posts a few weeks ago!). This is what became of all of that lovely rocket - a beautiful and fresh rocket and parmesan salad. It's so simple to make, and so satisfying to eat, particularly as an accompaniment to pasta. Just shave some parmesan over your rocket, drizzle in a lovely, nutty olive oil, sprinkle some balsamic vinegar, add some salt, a little pepper and voila - a beautiful salad to enjoy any time of the year. Oh, did I mention - served on a lovely Nigella Lawson icy blue ceramic serving platter! Parfait! Perfecto! And just, damn fine!

Thanks Liberty Post....

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the gorgeous Liberty Post for including me in her posts on Australia Week - what an honour! And thanks also LP for reminding me that the land of Oz is one of the most beautiful and creative on earth. If you haven't checked out Liberty Post then it's definately worth a look see - it's so funny, creative and insightful - it always brings a smile to my face (and occasionally a tear!) - and that's exactly what I love about it.

Colour and Collections

Some more gorgeous interiors for you to ponder. I'm a big fan of spaces such as these - those that look like they've been brought together over time - and more importantly, that look as though someone actually lives there! Don't hide it, set it free....

picsource: MarieClaire

What a pretty setting this is - and so simple to create - what with a white linen cloth for the table, a stack of plates, glasses and white serving dish being the basis for this table top. Add some candles and a large overhanging tree as your stage set and voila - a beautiful table upon which to feast. Enjoy!

pic source: Martha Stewart

Pretty Collections

Oh, I do love girly things - packaged in pink with tassels and frills. Particularly when those girly things are grouped together to form lovely displays. These collections (from designer Fleur Woods' home) give some wonderful ideas as to how to group things together effectively. Scale and balance is the key,to your collections, looking like they belong together. Think of your pieces in terms of 'steps' - start small and then add bits that gradually step up in size. A central colour scheme always helps in making sure your displays look cohesive - pink and reds, in this case, seem to be the dominant hues. How lovely...

pic source: MarieClaire

Celebrate Good Times....

C'mon - let's celebrate now! Today seems like as good a day as any to get together with friends to share some good food and good wine. Raise your glasses now....

picsource: Dominomag

Red, White and Blue

Well, it's a red, white and blue day today - or if you live in my world, that would be aqua, white and raspberry! That's the beauty of this lovely colour combination - that is, whichever tones you go for, all rooms look beautiful when they are decorated in red, white and blue. This pic is of my son's bedroom in our old house in Sydney - we call it the 'circus bed' - a lovely reminder that at the end of all, life is a bit of a circus - but there's always a smile to be found underneath the big top...

Fenced Garden...

Another gorgeous little garden to inspire you all to get out there and dig the dirt. Could there be anything more fulfilling than getting down and dirty with the earth - whether you have a plot or a pot - it is the ultimate in weekend relaxation. 

picsource: Dominomagazine

Belle Fleur....

Oh, I just love the very pretty, vintage style fashions designed by Fleur Wood - they are just so delicate and lovely. And, I was so excited to see some pics of her beautiful home interior. The colours are lovely - and set against a backdrop of bright white just makes my heart skip a beat.I can totally imagine how inspiring and relaxing it must be to be immersed amongst such loveliness. Somehow, I think that you all may just love these pics too.

pic source: Marie Claire