This Weekend...

The Finders Keepers market is on in Brisbane this weekend, hope I get to pop up there and have a peek at some lovely goodies.

Connect With Your Creativity Today...

WOULD YOU LOVE TO CONNECT WITH YOUR CREATIVITY TODAY BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO BEGIN? SPEND THE DAY WITH ME AT THE LITTLE COTTAGE IN BANGALOW AND I'LL SHOW YOU HOW...

You'll know by now that I'm a big believer in the power of creativity... In fact, I believe that a connection to your creativity nurtures your soul, offers a window into your your life and your loves, and ultimately makes you feel good about yourself - makes you HAPPY... In my view, anything that can provide us a opportunity to feel happy, I mean truly happy and at peace, even for a moment, keeps us feeling healthy and balanced and allows us to offer more of ourselves to our life and those who share it... Using the tool of decoration as a way to connect with yourself is such a lovely gift, I say... The simple act of infusing a pattern or fabric into your space, or incorporating a new cushion or artwork goes a long way to satisfying your soul. I do so love the decorating and styling workshops that we hold up here at The Little Cottage. It's a wonderful way to bring gorgeous, like-minded women together to share the act of being creative. There's nothing that I love more than sharing my decorating knowledge with you, so that you can benefit from the gift of creating a home that you love, in the way that I do... We only have a couple of workshop dates in the schedule for the rest of 2011 - and they are in August in Bangalow and one date in Launceston Tasmania in September.  All who book into the August workshops in Bangalow  and September workshop in Tazzy will receive a beautiful, natural and heavenly Shannon Fricke Home Apothecary Candle valued at $28... It's my gift to you - and I hope that everytime you burn this heavenly candle, your own creativity will light up as it does. Don't miss out on this lovely day - click here for all of the details... I hope to see you in sunny Bangalow in August and luscious Launceston in September. x

Shelves...

ngocminhngo.com

Ah, the art of choosing how to store and display your bits and pieces.. There are so many creative ways to store things - in simples shelves such as these and cubby holes, old drink bottle crates stacked high, funky vintage suitcases or utilitarian plastic containers (boring, perhaps but highly organized!) How do you keep your shelves in order?

Honey & Blue...

hungryghostfoodandtravel.com

These images feature the amazing work of Brooklyn based Elephant Ceramics and food, travel writer and photographer Andrea Gentl. Is there anything blue doesn't look good with? I love the rusticity of the pics, the beautiful ceramics and the dreamy nature of this heavenly honey... It's just the kind of beauty that we need as we slide into the weekend... I can see an evening in front of the fire, cheese, wine and a dollop of warm, cozy honey ahead... Happy Weekend all...

Ode To Paradis...

Don't you think Vanessa Paradis is such a cutie pie? It's been so many years since Joe Le Taxi hit our airwaves, I think I was living in Paris at the time (or London - so long ago now!) and she was just a littlie when her funny little song became a hit... Who would have thought that all of these years later she would have snapped herself a movie star and be living such a stylish life in the depths of France with contracts for Chanel up her dainty little sleeve... I do love her style, it's dark, layered and kooky - and I was completely enamoured when the latest UK Vogue hit the stands with a more relaxed, casual, French style gracing the cover. She looks modern, and quietly confident - a gentle humility perhaps. Lovely... Go Vanessa...

Wallpapers & Things..

Signature Prints is going on sale tomorrow for two days with at least 25% off anything..hmm..any rooms need wallpapering? The sale is available online and in store (Roseberry, Sydney)

signatureprints

Shop Focus...

This week's focus is on Lark, a family owned business based near Melbourne. They've been around for five years and have always been a staple for me when I'm looking for products for shoots - their colours always translate so beautifully into a photograph and into the home...
Here's some things that have caught my attention today...

Tiled BBQ And Stone Walls...

I'm creating a BBQ surround in the pool cabana right now - and am so excited to be using some tiles that I found through Sonya at Jatana Interiors - these are the ones from Argentina (if you've seen the Facebook page then they'll look familiar). Joni our stonemason has been laying these out to see how they fit together - next step is to lay them into the space whilst also creating some lovely stone walls... Ah, I'm in heaven working around our lovely stonemasons, they are such a lovely breed - calm, collected and of the earth. These walls will lead us into the garden beyond - which we are slowly, slowly beginning to shape. There's a lot of grass up here on the farm which we are beginning to tree in. I do so love the garden - in fact, it is in the garden that I am happiest. Last weekend I spent Sunday digging the dirt - planting the most beautiful natives, mixed with camellias and some pink magnolias - plus a Norfolk pine or two. These will sit behind our small orchard - which is fruiting beautifully this season. It's an education that's for sure - and I'm loving every second of it...
Sx
p.s thanks so much to our gorgeous girls that came to share the day with us on Friday at The Little Cottage for the Just Colour Workshop. It's always such a pleasure and I come away completely inspired by the extraordinary and interesting women who make their way to the studio.

A Spanish Retreat...

I don't think I'd mind staying at this beautiful spanish eco/creative retreat. I came upon it whilst rummaging through the web and have been dreaming of such a getaway ever since.
There's something about Spanish style architecture that I love and this place has it all - check out the stone in particular. It even hosts "paint safaries" and is completely eco friendly. Anyone up for a trip to Spain? It reminds a little of Trasierra (do you remember the gorgeous place I stayed for my 40th birthday journey - oh so many moons ago now!!!) - love those Spaniards... I'm hosting my Just Colour workshop tomorrow everyone and so I think will be a little busy with my colour girls to post tomorrow. And so, I'm saying an early Happy Weekend - I hope yours is wonderful... sx

Cortijada Los Gazquez

A House In Nimes...

Marie Claire Maison

With our upcoming colour workshop in mind, I stumbled upon a gorgeous house in Nimes, featured in a housetour on Maire Claire Maison. I love the appreciation of soft sublte colour in this home, mixed with small colourful bursts on furnishings. The colour has been used cleverly on aged/antique looking furniture and still retains its character by having it on such surfaces. It shows that you can play around with colour and still have a bit of serenity.

Follow Your Heart, Creative Living...

Some of you will remember that we had planned a new kind of workshop for this year - the Follow Your Heart, Creative Living Seminar. We'd planned a creative day to be held at the Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast - a palace of creativity if ever I've seen one. Unfortunately, the Palazzo had, at the last moment transformed our seminar room into a beauty parlour and so we were left without a space that was befitting our plans! The Follow Your Heart seminar is different to our other decorating inspired workshops as this workshop goes deeper. To be able to create in a way that is a true reflection of your unique point of view, requires a connection with your inner self, a connection with your true self. It requires some soul work. I know, it all sounds very new age, but in reality, it's impossible to create freely and from your heart unless this connection to your inner voice is switched on. There are many tools that people employ to connect with their inner voice. Some take up a yoga or meditation; others walk, eat well, read, sit. Whilst all of these techniques are important ways to help you access a kind of clarity, the Follow Your Heart Creative Living seminar is for those of you who are looking for another, perhaps more practical way to connect with your voice. Simple techniques that you can turn to, everyday, to help you remain 'in your skin' - techniques that will enable you to create in a way that is a true reflection of who you are. Ideas that will help you live a life that you love. Ways to help you connect with your inner hopes and desires and practical ways to help you manifest your dreams. This workshop is designed for those of you out there who are struggling to find alignment with your inner voice, with your true self.  Specifically designed for women who are feeling in between - perhaps at a point in life where they are leaving one life path behind with the hope of embarking on a new journey. Women who are ready to take a creative leap in their lives but are not sure how to make it happen. During this day, I impart to you some of the tools that I use, everyday, to help me live in the moment with a sense of creative purpose - the tools that enable me to live a creative personal and professional life.
 I'm so excited about this seminar - however finding exactly the right space to hold this special day has been a journey to be sure. I haven't felt comfortable with any of the locations that we've sourced so far. The space needs to be beautiful, inspirational but also natural. It needs to provide an environment where the women who come along feel comfortable enough to speak their truth. Where they're happy to explore their own creativity. We're they're able to truly let go. And so, this leads me to my shed! We've been renovating this old shed up at the farm for a while now. Originally a slightly dilapidated building, it suffered a blow after a big storm and desperately needed to a face lift. This shed is beginning to take shape - and is looking just so incredibly beautiful. We've had a question mark over what to do with the space. Hubby has tentatively claimed it as his office (or man shed!) but I've been thinking it could be a lovely place for my Follow Your Heart seminar. Imagine, a day in the shed at the farm, exploring your creativity, connecting with your inner voice, touching base with the more creative you... And so, I'm plotting and planning - and hoping to set a date for this workshop for a little later in the year... Watch this space as we evolve this idea into a reality and the shed into a true beauty...

Pretty As A Peony...

I love this pic taken by Jacqueline Lee Rose of leavenbyjlr who came to stay at The Little Cottage Guest Nook a while ago now. I think she's beautifully captured this painting by my fave artist Hilary Herrmann - a local Bangalow artist - sitting proudly next to this pink peony in full bloom. It reminds me of spring time... And, anything that whisks me off to the spring (in this windy, blustery, winter weather) is a good thing...

Product Love...

 

I'm always on the look out for online homewares stores, especially based in Australia as they  don't seem to be that easy to come by. I stumbled upon Gallop Lifestyle and came across lots of little goodies from all sorts of designers, I've picked my favourite above. They're also having 20% off everything valued over $40 which certainly helps! Are there any Aussie online stores that you visit regularly? Please do share... 

The Importance Of Doing Nothing...

I'm a big believer in the power of doing nothing... Just sitting, being, and staring into space for a while... For me, it's these moments in time when beauty has a chance to flourish... These moments in time, when we're not pushing, striving, aiming, achieving - instead when we are just being - when creativity has a chance to seed and with that, the space to grow... I find it impossible to be truly creative when I'm pushing too hard towards a goal. There's just no room... And so, even with deadlines looming, with chores piling up, with people to see, and children to clothe - I always try and make time to just be... Even for a few minutes... Even a split second... In this space lies beauty... And in the beauty lies happiness and best of all, therein lies the clarity... It's a discipline to be sure, all of this doing nothing... We are trained to do, we are trained to strive, we are trained to push toward what we want. But, I'm not convinced that this is the way to fulfillment of any kind. Even as a decorator - even when working with clients - I try to find the space for their and my ideas to grow. A client who is living with only my ideas forced upon them, who has had no hand in the creation of their own home is not a fulfilled client I say... Not in the long term at least... And as we know, creation of this kind does take time. It takes space... It takes doing nothing at all... Sometimes, it's the only way... Happy Sunday all... I hope you find time for nothing...

love you terrain @ styers

Workspaces...

ruemagazine

I think that I may have been just a little optimistic wishing you all a Happy Weekend, yesterday! And so, to get myself back into work mode, today is a post about Workspaces! Rue magazine has provided great inspiration for what a workspace could be like, whether it be a small desk tucked into the corner of a living room or a huge studio complete with floor to ceiling shelving, we all need a little corner of our own to switch off, somewhere that inspires, energizes and motivates. I have a few workspaces that get the creative juices flowing - everywhere from the sofa (in front of the TV no less!) to my studio, to the bedroom, outdoor verandah... Thank goodness for the laptop I say... Happy Working all...

Behind The Scenes...

I love shoot days - photo shoots that is... There's something so fun about tinkering away, creating vignettes and room scenes, bringing together objects and making them 'marry up' - creating 'happy families' as I like to say! Just sharing a little insight into a photoshoot we're doing at the moment. I'll give you a hint about it... It could have something to do with a particular book project that I'm working on at the moment... But that's all I'm saying! For the moment, anyway... We're so glad the sun has stayed out for us to provide us with lovely light... And, as ever, it was a pleasure to host the unstoppable Prue Ruscoe for a few days of creativity... We have been hatching a plan to squeeze in a quick trip to NYC, photo shooting a few houses in the weeks to come... Cross fingers NY... I could be seeing you... Happy Weekend all....

A work in progress revealed!

We previously had some bright coloured fabric hanging from our studio loft and recently decided we needed a freshen up. A few hours spent tearing fabrics, making paper rosettes and tying fabric around and voila, there you have it..

A Pop Of Blue...

lonnymag.com

Yes, you have to be brave to include a colour like this one in your life. You have to be very sure of yourself, of your likes, your dislikes, your taste for things... You have to know yourself inside and out to know that you could live with such a show stopper. After all,  a colour like this one cannot be ignored... And so, how do you go about including such a bold nuance into your home? Well, just like they've done here... With a small dollop above a desk or in the kitchen, or in a private space, wrapped around a daybed or an office space or library... Love you blue...

Milk...

Marie Claire Maison

Urban Eco Chic

I'm generally a colour girl - as I'm sure you have all work out by now! Other than the white walls - which are a favourite, I'm all for filling a space with colour - not a kaleidoscope of crazy colour so much,  but a good dollop of it nonetheless.  However, I'm currently working on a project that requires subdued tones, tones which I am a little unfamiliar working with but never the less, inspired by the dewyness and milky effect they give. This does take me into slightly different territory - and so I've been playing around with a much softer palette (washed out blues/greens/neutrals of all types) and I'm absolutely in love. Where have I been, all these years, I say. There's something quite lovely about a desaturated palette - there's an ease to it, a softness, a laissez-faire nature. As a decorator, it's experiences like these, where you are pushed beyond the walls of your comfort zone, that allow you to grow. And, being given the opportunity to grow in your chosen genre is a gift. Do you find yourself being pushed out of your creative comfort zone? How do you get yourself through the process...

California Dreamin...

And so I'm a big one for throwing ideas around - you know the kind of thing - crazy, out there kinds of ideas that are impossibly possible - maybe, sometime, if the universe gives the nod... Normally, I like to keep my ideas to myself - or at least  only share them with my team who are used to hearing my wild and woolley thoughts on things. But today, I'm going to throw an idea out to you guys... What I love about crazy ideas, is that, with a little tending and love, sometimes they come to fruition... Like my books as an example... And my workshops at The Little Cottage. And my product line (which is bubbling away nicely, to be released early next year) and for those of you who have been following my blog.... my pool! You know the one...
I've been thinking of my friends over in the United States of late - you gorgeous girls who have been faithfully following my blog from the get go... I've had so many lovely and supportive emails from our US sisters, asking if I would ever consider running a workshop there... Being busy over the last few years, at home and at work, it really didn't seem possible. I mean, how would I make it work? Where would we workshop? Who would come? But, this year is different. This year, I say, well, anything is possible. And so, I'm throwing this idea out to you, my American friends... I am thinking of a workshop to be conducted in California - probably L.A or the environs of... (Any excuse for a meet and greet, I say...) And so, I'm throwing the idea out there... Today... Right now... And I'm asking the universe (and you guys!) for a little feedback... Let me know if you're interested in attending a Shannon Fricke How To Decorate or Styling 101 workshop...  Sometime soon.... Email me here if you have any thoughts (or advice)... Look out California - we're a dreamin!

pic from The Parker

A Work In Progress...

 

We're on the go here in the Little Cottage with a pile of things happening all at once, and you're probably wondering what the mess is in the above picture..Just a little something we're working on here at HQ to give the space a new look... Rainy days can do that to you, don't you find? When the weather chills, and the rain is pouring, it sends me indoors and with that comes the moving things around and redecorating. We've been living with our decoration at the studio for a while now - and whilst I will miss it, it is time for a little change. Nothing too drastic, but just enough to keep us on our toes. And so, we've been rifling through the fabric box - and all of the styling bits and bobs that we have around the place to see what we can come up with. These paper flowers (on top) were created by Charlotte out of our old magazine tear outs - showing what a resourceful girl she is. Watch this space all as we post the result in the coming days..