Bloomingville Beautiful...

I can't resist posting these pics from Bloomingville - they remind me to sit back, relax and enjoy the weekend.
Happy Weekend all...

Smile...

Have a lovely weekend one and all. I embarking upon the weekend with optimism and the hope that one day my garden will be filled with lovely flowers like this one that I took in Bali with my new camera - a Canon G11 - a heavenly contraption that makes all of my photographs look professional!

What A Thrill...

I'm constantly inspired by the extraordinary people who live in Bali - there is an enormous collection of talent to be found hiding up in there in those hills. And Marcello and Michela from Gaya Ceramics are no exception. I was thrilled to meet with this gorgeous Italian couple who made their way from Italy 9 years ago to set up the Gaya Ceramic factory and design room. Now, you all know how much I love my ceramics - and so to spend time with the designers who create works for none other than Casa Armani, Donna Karan and my idol, Paola Navone was a treat but moreover a complete inspiration. If you do make it to the hills up around Ubud then it's definately worth taking a trip to Gaya (the art gallery, ceramic space and gelato bar!!!). Thank you M & M for your hospitality and generosity - I'll be back!
The pic above is of Michela (Michi) - and the wonderful animation you see in her face is reflected in her beautiful designs and creations...

The Colours Of Bali...

I've had a wonderful week - spent up in Bali on a week of work with a little 'health' thrown in for good measure. I spent the week, with my colleague Sophie (those of you who came to the March 12 workshop will remember her as our photographer) - sourcing some wonderful things for upcoming interiors and for a few secret projects to be revealed in the not so distant future. Bali is such a lovely place - full of colour and life but also humility and balance. And the Balinese are a joy to be around - particularly in times of trouble (like when this 41 year old Byron Bay girl, pretending to be much younger and far more carefree, had a teensy accident on her old vespa!!!) Here are some pics of the colours of Bali - to inspire peace and joy...

Are you heading to Bali? Here's a little list of must-do places to go in Ubud...

Indus - Owned by the talented and extraordinary Janet De Neefe (author of Fragrant Rice) - can't be beaten for the stupendous views of the Ubud rice paddies and great menu...
Sari Organic - The most divine restaurant - situated a 10-minute walk through the rice paddies in a beautiful organic garden..
Little Kafe - A part of the Yoga Barn - a temple of yogic joy - Little Kafe serves a mean espresso. Perfectly consumed with a 'Blood Cleaner' juicy concoction...
Gaya Gelato - Out of Ubud, but only a Vespa ride away, Italians Massimo and Colette create gelato heaven at their beautiful tropical gelateria. Not to be missed...
Body Works - An institution in Ubud - the ideal place to be massaged and cured of all your ails. Ask for Ketut...

Island Luxe at the Workshop....

It's just over a week to go before I host my second 'How To Decorate' workshop up here at The Little Cottage - my studio workshop in beautiful Bangalow. I'm so excited to be meeting all of the participants - it promises to be a fantastic day of decorating...
I'm particularly thrilled because Island Luxe - the most gorgeously divine store right here in Bangalow (I know some of you March workshop girls know it well!!!) - have offered a special surprise gift to all of the May 8th workshop participants. If you know Island Luxe, then you're fully aware of what a wonderful thing this is - but if you don't then the pics above should give you a hint as to how lucky I feel that they have supported the workshops in this way. Thank you Helen and Sam...

I have two places left in the May 8th workshop. If you're interested in booking a place, and spending the weekend in beautiful Bangalow, then send me an email to register your interest - for both the workshop and the Island Luxe gift pack. Hope to see you there...

Island Luxe - 62 Byron Street, Bangalow 02 66871605

p.s - how bout the white wicker chairs in the top pic! Heaven...

Pure Smile...

I do love that Amy Butlers designs are so bright and colourful - they resonate a happiness, a joie de vivre, that I'm sure represents the designers own lovely disposition (having met her briefly when she was out in Australia on a speaking tour, I can attest that she is indeed a delightful soul). Her range of bedding is just pure smile, don't you think? And would brighten even the dullest day. How wonderful that something as simple as a sheet or a pillowcase can bring a smile to the morning - it's magic. Thanks Amy...

Pretty Plates All In A Row (or Two)...

Well, you know how much I love a plate! Why? Well, I can't describe the fascination for such things... Perhaps it is simply the excitement at the possibility of the food that will served upon them! Or maybe, that they are an art form of the user-friendly variety. You see, I do love my artworks to have a dual purpose - so that I can interact with them in a tactile way rather than arranging them on a wall or a pedestal for distant adoration purposes only! How beautiful to pick up a bowl, or a goblet - to touch and caress it. Or, for that piece of beauty to support the food that ensures your very survival. In this way, art becomes an active participant in our lives. And this is how I like my art to be. It's an inexpensive way to infuse our lives with beautiful things And I'm a big believe that beauty should be for everyone. And so, I offer you this gorgeous arrangement of plates today (from Anthropologie, of course!) - to give you a little beauty upon which to gaze...

An Anthropological Life....

Some days,  I think, wouldn't it be nice to live in an Anthropologie catalogue? What with all the beautiful things, placed just so on tables, walls and floors. If I were to living in an Anthropologie catalogue, I'd have parties everyday, and invite my friends over for a little dancing and fun. In my Anthropologie life there would be no mess, nothing to clean up, everything would be magically restored to its original place. To dream, to dream
Ah, Anthropologie. I do love you...

Feel Like Getting Away?

Then come along to beautiful Bangalow for a weekend of shopping and eating! Could there be anything more lovely than Bangalow for a few days? Not that I am completely and utterly bias as it is my hometown after all! If you're looking for somewhere to stay on your trip to Bangalow then check out The Little Cottage Guest Nook - the two bedroom loft studio that is attached to my workshop. The Guest Nook is particularly designed for girly weekends (what with the feminine interior and all) - however boys with an appreciation of luscious interiors and beautiful girly Lazybones bedspreads - are also welcome! The Guest Nook sleeps up to four friends (one queen bed downstairs and two singles upstairs in the loft - plus a bathroom). Email me for the rates and availability if you'd like to come and stay!

Another Birthday Girl...

Can you believe that it's 10 years since INside Out came into our lives? I remember well the first edition edited by the wonderful and talented Karen McCartney (who is still at the helm today). I'd never seen a magazine quite like it before. It's aesthetic and view were unique - inspirational yet cozy - forward thinking yet comfortable. It resonated with me in a way that no other magazine did at the time. I was overjoyed when I was asked by Karen if the magazine could profile my house in Watsons Bay for the second edition (do you remember that one?). It signified the launch of a whole new career for me - for which I will be forever grateful to the Karen and team. 10 years on - I'm proud to say that I am still associated with this lovely mag. And was honoured to have be asked to contribute an artwork for their 10 year anniversary art auction - with all of the proceeds going to the HeartKids Charity. I've been furiously bidding on a few pieces myself - as the line-up is quite stunning - Akira Isogawa, David Bromley, Lee Matthews, Karen McCartney, Tracy Lines, Megan Park just to name a few. If you're interested in bidding then head here.

Happy Birthday Inside Out! You don't look a day older!

Here's my contribution - called 'Free Range'. I've been having a lovely time collaborating with ceramicist Lucy Vanstone on a new range of Shannon Fricke homewares which have been gently finding their way into the marketplace over the last month. These are my colour and pattern test pieces - of which I have strung together and hung on some lovely cream linen. I've had an absolute ball creating the range - and these pieces are one-offs. So if you like them, bid away - all of the proceeds go to the kids...

A Birthday Cover Girl Surprise...

Who can believe that it's been one year since my trip to Europe to celebrate my 40th! Yes, one year ago I was heading to Paris, Switzerland and Spain in celebration of this auspicious event. And so another year has passed and yes, another birthday! Oh dear! They do roll around rather fast these days and the clock keeps on a ticking and well, sand really is beginning to gush on through that hourglass! This birthday was a much more low key affair. We celebrated hubby's birthday on Easter Sunday with a BBQ shared with a few friends - and for my birthday? A pedicure, dinner and a swim up amongst the bright lights of the Queensland Gold Coast. It could be worse I say! Upon my return I was very excited that at least the farm is cover girl worthy! She's made the cover of Danish mag Bolig Liv. Go farm girl! Here's the cover....