New York House Hunting...

No, no - I'm not planning a move to the big smoke j.u.s.t yet!!! But if I was, well it would have to be the beautiful NYC and wow, wouldn't it be it be grand to move straight into a place like this one!!! All you need is a lazy $10,000,000 US and it's yours. What I particularly love is the decorative ceiling work! And what about the chandelier! Oh, sublime...

Ethereal Beauty...

I love these pics of Jess Brown's (maker of beautiful textile dolls) place that I found over at the beautiful and sublime online children's mag, Papier Mache. I love the sensitivity in these pics - they are soft and ethereal - and Jess's place is pure handmade elegance. Hope you love...

Wallpaper Beauties...

Now you do know how much I love a wallpaper! Why? I find they add quirky interest to the walls in the way that a beautiful artwork does and with so many patterns available it is possible to go for anything from the subdued to the dramatic. In my work, I do tend to to trip down the more dramatic end of the scale what with the Florence Broadhurst papers that I tend to feature. However, it doesn't always have to be this way. These papers are soft and more subdued - but still incredibly beautiful. You'll find them all through Porters Paints. Hope you like...

Greenie, Heavenly, Bliss....

Ooooh, I do love this green! And I love that it has been applied to the exterior of this home (somewhere in Southern Europe to be sure) with such confidence! Some of you will know too well, that I too did a little experiment with this colour green a few years ago. In a furious moment of creativity - I painted the outside of my old timber fisherman's cottage in a tone not too dissimilar. For me, the expression lasted about 12 hours (before it was quickly restored to a much more acceptable shade of white) but somewhere, deep down inside, I wish I'd had the gumption to keep it green. Even for just a day. Perhaps green with a red door and cobalt blue shutters! Ah, for another lifetime!!!

Pic from Bauwerk

Dreaming About...

Long days at the beach (pic from JCrew)...

Kathryn Irelands Batik fabric range

A gorgeous bench seat by the pool

The pretty curtains that we made for a how to column that you will find in this month's Australian Women's Weekly

Pretty Votives All In A Row...

You will have seen these pretty Geraldine Gonzalez votives before I'm sure - but I do love this pic of them all in a row that I found on the John Derian site. What a gorgeous palette to use in a little girls room or if you are a lover of colour - then anywhere in the house. These colours are uplifting without being too in your face. They are pretty without being overly sweet. A simple touch in a bathroom would be most uplifting - or in a row as found here is a lovely gesture upon a console, a cabinet or even a window sill....

Step Outside...

I do love a beautifully put together outdoor room. One that is full of colour and layering and of course, abundantly blooming pot plants. These outdoor rooms were created by Kathryn Ireland - and I think they are simply sublime. In fact, if my outdoors looked like these - I'd live outside!

Are You A Lazybones Lover?

You know that I'm completely in awe of all of the creative and extraordinary people that live up in these hills in and around Byron Bay...
And the gang from Lazybones are no exception. Tracy Hocking from Lazybones is one talented lady - and I love that she runs a global business from a shed on her beautiful property not far from Bangalow. These pics are of her store in the old Masonic Hall in Station Street Bangalow. I'm always uplifted when I step through the front door to be greeted by colour, eclecticism and loveliness. And, I have some very exciting news!
Lazybones have offered us one of their divine Rosette quilts to be given away at the August 6 'How To Decorate' Workshop. All participants at the August 6 workshop go into the draw to win one Lazybones Rosette Queen/King Quilt in Lilac Rose worth $319! That means, if you've already booked into the August 6 workshop then you are already in the draw. We have three workshop places yet to be filled - so if you are planning on booking then this is a great opportunity to win one of these beautiful quilts. As you all know, I have the Duck Egg colour in the Guest Nook and they are just heavenly.
Thanks to Tracy and all at Lazybones for this very exciting workshop giveaway...

A Late Night Cheer Up...

It hasn't been the best of days today I have to say - having spent it at the funeral of my very young and gorgeous cousin who succumbed to cancer after a very courageous battle. On days like today, I turn to colour and the beauty of nature to brighten my spirits. A spell in the garden really does wonders to remind you never to take life for granted. Rest now, rest now NG x

beautiful pics from Country Living

Need Some Joy In Your Day?

Well, these pics should do the trick - a la the effervescent, ever wonderful Mr Adler.

Bikes And Trikes All In A Row...

Pic of the Sixx Design house that I found over at A Cup of Jo...

Lovely Tiles...

What a relief - in this world filled with modernity and beige - to direct the gaze to this beautiful bathroom, made up of the most sumptuous arrangement of tile work. Thank goodness for Kathryn Ireland...

Back To Bed With You...

Well - if you insist! It is almost winter after all - the days are shorter and colder and the nights are a little chilly. Imagine hopping into this lovely four poster - cozied up under the Moroccan Wedding Shawl that is draped over its end. Ah, lovely...
This pic is from the Strangetrader blog - that gorgeously sublime store in downtown Byron Bay. Happy snuggling everyone...

Hola!

Hola to all of my Spanish friends...
What a lovely surprise awaited me at the post office this morning - the Spanish translation of sense of style: colour + space! It is such a treat to see one's words translated into another language - and I do so love this cover version which is a total departure from the others. If only I could read the words... Now, for the Chinese version which should be making it's way to the marketplace soon. Imagine that!

While On The Subject Of Sleeping...

Here are a few divine bedroom ensembles from our friends over at Anthropologie.  Which one is your favourite? I have to say that I'm feeling quite partial to the blue frilly tie-dye. It's kinda high-class girly hippy don't you think? Is anyone from Oz been taking advantage of the new international shipping offerings that Anthropologie have on offer? Yes? Then pleeeease let me know what you've been purchasing - I'd love to see the beautiful things that make it back to our shores.

Watching The World Go By...

I love seeing the look on people's faces when they ask me the secret to being creative. You see, for me, being creative always begins with the same routine and really, there's not much of a secret to it. Really! In fact, my secret to creativity simply involves  lying down on my comfy sofa and staring at a blank wall for a time. Doing nothing at all but just kicking back. Some of my best work has begun in such a fashion. The writing of my books for example, the designing of a house or two, the styling of a shoot. You see, the creative mind is a wonderful thing when it's allowed the space and the freedom to wander. When you give yourself the time to allow the world to just go right on by. Of course, it doesn't happen straight away. For the first few minutes my mind is racing with all the things that need doing - the long list of tasks that provide the framework for my life. But given time, all of that 'mental noise' melts away and in its place, beautiful creative thoughts come flooding in, catapulting around my mind like shooting stars. The trick, of course, is to have a pen and paper handy so that when you get a 'nugget' of an idea, you can write it down to ensure that it doesn't shoot in one ear and out the other! When you allow your mind some time out, and you retreat into your imagination - it's a wonder what it will do for you....

pic Anthropologie

I Just Can't Get Enough...

Of quaint timber cottages filled with florals and girly things...
This cottage is in Martha's Vineyard (from Country Living) and I particularly love that a quilt in the main bedroom is from Lazybones - our very own homewares/sleepwear brand form Bangalow.  How exciting! Congratulations Tracey and the Lazybones gang for offering us pure decorating heaven...
I have a little Lazybones surprise for you myself - it has to do with the next workshop (!) - but you'll have to wait a few days for the big reveal! Oh, how cruel I know - but it will be worth it!!!

Gaya Gelato...

Do you remember not that long ago, I told you about the fabulous gelateria that I found up in Ubud, Bali? The beautiful place run by Italians Massimo and Colette? Well, this is it! Can you imagine what an oasis it was, stopping off for an ice-cream after a big day out roaming the markets and the shops of Bali? Pure heaven... The gelateria was filled with tropical flavoured ice-creams and sorbets, plus home made biscuits and of course, sublime Italian espresso. Heaven in paradise. Could it get much better than that?

Another INspiring Day...

Well - I'm just completely inspired! I mean, how could I not be - after spending the day with the most extraordinary group of women who attended my 'How To Decorate' Workshop at The Little Cottage last weekend. They came from near and far for this day of decorating joy - as close as Byron Bay and as far away as Townsville to share a day of decorating with me. There were mothers, daughters, sisters, students, teachers, writers, bean counters and fashion gurus... each and every one, an inspiration and a joy.

Thanks so much to all of my workshop girls - it's an honour that you have found your way to Little Cottage and to me. I certainly learnt a lot! Hope to meet you all again and be sure to keep in touch and let me know how your decorating life is evolving...

p.s an enormous THANK YOU to Nicky - my trusty offsider - for creating the most delectable ploughman's lunch - and an endless supply of tea/coffee and home made cake! And to Sophie, as always, for her beautiful snaps...xx