Bienvenue La Piscine...

Those of you who have been following my blog for a while will know that I've been actively campaigning for a pool up here at the farm for the last few years. You see, we are sans piscine at the farm - hubby just wont come at it. He comes from a long line of pool owners - and knows only too well that at the end of the day, the responsibility for the cleaning of the pool will rest upon his shoulders... I, on the other hand, am a pool novice. Never had a pool - and if the truth be known, never really needed one - until now! You see, we live in sunny Byron Bay - and the days are long and very, very hot! And so, I have been in campaign mode! Naturally, I've been running an honest, no dirty tricks campaign - we all know that underhanded lobbying can just come back to bite you on the derriere! Instead, I've gone for the slow and steady campaign - highlighting the virtues - without being pushy or overly desperate! It's been hard - but I thought you'd be very happy to know that the count is in - and the pool side has crawled to victory! Today marks the day - that the pool is being dug! Yes, there are diggers up at the farm - and many men armed with spades - and they are a diggin! And so, we will have a pool for this summer! Hubby has struck at deal with the dependants (i.e the children!) who will take over the responsibility of running the pool party. And so, welcome summer - it's going to be a cool one...

Lovely Kitchen Curtains....

The kitchen at The Little Cottage isn't the most modern of designs - but that's just how I like it. It has open shelving - and is a little haphazard in it's design - but such a makeshift space is a continual reminder to me that I live in the country - where things don't always fit, life is slower and more languid - and sometimes you have to simply make do with what the universe presents to you. Of course, such things don't mean that you can't inject a little beauty into a space - and that's exactly what I've done with these lovely little kitchen curtains that have been strung up to hide the ugly pots and pans beyond. These fabrics are from Cloth - and make for very pretty kitchen curtains don't you think? And of course, their blue, green, yellow and cream colours blend perfectly with my aesthetic of late....

p.s a big thank you to Holly (a kindred design spirit) over at Decor8 for writing such lovely things about me on her blog today. Holly has always been a grand supporter of my little blog with is humbling - as hers is just so grown up and downright gorgeous. Thanks again Holly for the kind words - you are an angel...

And The Winner Is...

Do you remember that the gorgeous folk at Lazybones gave us a quilt to give away at our August 6th workshop? A luscious and girly pinky quilt - perfect for a feminine bedroom? Well, the winner was the lovely Melanie (who owns homewares stores in Perth called Remedy) - one of our workshop participants who joined us all the way from Perth (along with her friend Michelle who flew up from Melbourne). Melanie has been kind enough to send us through some pics of the quilt in-situ - in her little girl Sofia's bedroom. Isn't it just the cutest. Congratulations Melanie for winning the beautiful quilt and a big thanks to Lazybones for offering it to us...
Look out as the 2011 workshops dates are about to go up on the website. Next year we're offering 4 different types of workshops all with their own unique flavour...

How To Decorate
Just Colour
Styling 101
Follow Your Heart Creative Living Seminars

Check out the workshop descriptions in the box to the right.... And look out as we announce our new dates....

Remember These...

Do you remember these little goodies that I found in a local antiques shop a few years ago? They were such a find - and soooo reasonably priced that I simply had to take them home despite their floral nature! Well, I did promise to show you how I intended to transform them - and this is the result - of two armchairs at least... I simply love these No Chintz fabrics called Alone in The Paddy Fields and the Ticking in Aqua - they are such greeny/bluey loveliness that never fails to brighten my day. Would you believe that I still have covered the 2-seater settee (good things do take time!) however, finally I think I've find the perfect fabric for it. Hopefully it wont take me another two years to get it going!

Cozy Pink for A Rainy Day....

I love these pics from The Assembly Hall blog - showcasing gorgeous rooms and the quirky bits and bobs that you will find at their namesake new store in Melbourne. Talk about a wonderful array of colour and texture (and of course my favourite of all PINK is a focus), plus inspired styling and merchandising - makes me want to jump a plane and head down there for a sneaky peek right now! T

Free Range Set Free...

Well, the time has come when Free Range - my gorgeous range of ceramics in the most loveliest of colours, is to be set free to range beyond the doors of my studio - out in the world! It's a little nerve wracking I have to say - a little like what I imagine setting one of your children free into the world feels like. But, I know they will be going to a lovely home - a place that is in love with colour and natural things as much as I am. All will be revealed soon enough of course, but in the meantime, I thought I'd introduce you to a few new members of the 'Free Range' range! These are the 'pinkies' - feminine girls who like to walk barefoot on the beach by day and hang out on the back deck at dusk! Welcome pinkies to the Free Range family - I think you might end up leading the way!

While On The Subject...

Don;t you just love this quirky pic (from Quadrille)? Lovely jubbly quirky wallpapering heaven!

How To....

I'm having so much fun, conceptualizing and styling these gorgeous 'how to' projects for The Women's Weekly. It's amazing how off-cuts and bits of wallpaper and fabrics can be reused to completely transform your home and interior. This project was a favourite (and is in this month's issue) - you know how much I'm completely in love with wallpaper and it was so inspiring to be able to put some of my favourite Signature Prints and Cole & Son offcuts to good use. It's just such a pretty result - I can't help but open up my old cupboard to take a peak at the pretty patterns inside....

Heaths Hunting

I do love hanging out in the gorgeous old wares shed in Bangalow - called Heaths Old Wares. The owners, Ross and Eva, have a wonderful eye sourcing one of a kind pieces that are almost impossible to find anywhere else. Even though I'm only down the road - I still love checking out their blog - and seeing the beautiful displays that Eva puts together. And this pinky one is no exception. Look at all of these lovely pink things! A particular fave is the stepladder - although it's more dusty than pretty. I hope that your weekend is full of hanging out in fantastic places like this one... You never what treasures you might find!

Yellow Love...

I'm completely in love with the yellow in this wattle that is flowering all round Bangalow at the moment. It's the perfect complement for the Cloth fabric that we have used as a backdrop for the workshops. Just pure heaven! Funnily, I haven't been partial to much yellow until now - isn't it amazing how you can discover a colour at different stages of your journey.... Love ya yellow....

Finnish Up...

I get very excited when I see one of my books translated into another language - and was over the moon when I spied the Finnish translation of sense of style: colour today. Go SOS - just waiting on the Chinese version now! Talk about exciting....

Another Crazy DAy...

Of creativity and fun...
Oh, we did have a great time on our photo shoot with the Divine Miss R and a massive crew on the weekend. It was a bit of a production, that's for sure - and required a huge amount of pre-organization to be certain that everything went to plan - but luckily those Byron Bay angels looked down on us - the weather was heavenly and we had the most wonderful time. Plus, our gorgeously talent kids were just the bestest ever. Look out for the fruits of our labour in the next couple of months. And a big thanks to everyone who helped out on the day... Big kisses...

What A Day...

Hi All,
Just a quickie post tonight - as I have to be up at the crack of dawn as we are photo shooting up at the farm all day - and it's gonna be kinda crazy!!!
But I couldn't resist showing you a little of what went on at the 'How To Decorate' Workshop today... What an extraordinary group of fabulous gals came to the Little Cottage today - all with great stories to tell and inspirational aesthetics and points of view. We did have a great day of colour, fabric and fun (and stuffing ourselves senseless with Nicky's amazing lunchtime feast.) More pics coming soon...

What A Mess...

Oh, I love these messy days before a shoot! When the craziness sets in, the products arrive, the chaos ensues - all in preparation for a couple of days of fabulous photographing up here on the farm with the divine Miss Ruscoe. Yes, we're in shoot mode here - (and workshop mode too, as the next How To Decorate Workshop is tomorrow!) - and look at all of the booty we have to play with.... Life is good, the sun is shining, and we are in manic mode! Aaaah.... good days. Look out for the clean up!

I've Been Painting...

I've never been one to want to paint - as in art (not furniture)! Or to even contemplate attempting an artwork of any kind! I'm no artist, that's for sure - even though I can visualize a picture in my mind - I just have never had it in me to transfer those visions to paper or canvas. Until recently! You see, I've been studying of late to keep me busy in those non-busy (!) times in my day - and a component of my studies is art! And, a component of art - is... painting! So, I've been putting brush to paper - working with paint and colour and really just having a good old muck around with it all. I have to say that it's been a very satisfying process to go through and I thought that I would share the proceeds of my artistic labour! This is a copy of a Frida Kahlo painting (In The Frame) and for this exercise we had to paint a master print in complementary (or opposite colours). She's certainly come out of it looking a little pale and pasty! But kinda beautiful too... What do you think ya'll?

Oooooh Pink!

Oh dear! I'm so in love with pink right now, it's just ridiculous! I don't really know how it happened - it really did just creep up on me.... After all, I think it's fair to say that I absolutely did detest pink for the longest time - it was either too baby girl, too vibrant, too feisty, too subdued - never quite right. And, well, you all only know too well that I simply can't live with it! But lately, pink has just been rocking my socks off - in the most decorative way, of course.... And so, this Sunday eve, some pink to ponder!

pics from Marie Claire Maison

A World Of Interiors...

From the relaxed with Bloomingville - to the richly textured and ever so sublime with World Of Interiors... Don't you just love this magazine? It's eccentricity - it's total over the top nature - it's nod to crusty old world charm? I salivate every time a new issue hits the stand - there's something so yesteryear about it all - it brings a tear to my eye. Here are pics from some of my favourite covers... Of course, there's a whole world more to show you... But this is a sunny Sunday beginning...