WE'VE MOVED....

we've moved - go to shannonfricke.com 

Hello my dear friends,

Just letting you know that we've moved.... You can find us at our new home...

www.shannonfricke.com

Hope to see you there, for news, views and lovely things...
X

Not Long Now...

I'm very very excited everyone - because after what seems like an eternity - we are getting ready and set to launch all of our exciting projects - my new book (called How To Decorate), my range of bedlinen (called Shannon Fricke Bedlinen) and my new website called.... well, Shannon Fricke dot com of course! It's been a hard slog all, to get our projects done and ready to fly simultaneously no less, and of course, I'm completely indebted to my team - and extended team - for the support... I'm so proud of all of the work we've done - I know you're gonna love it...  Now, get ready - as this blog is integrated into our new website. Those of you who visit me here - will need to head to www.shannonfricke.com from now on... But don't worry, as we will ensure there's an automatic redirect so you don't miss out on all my news and views... And once there, you'll be able to sign up to our newsletters - so you don't miss out on product launches and special events... Watch this space as I give the behind the scenes on the process that I have taken to launch the book and the bedlinen - it's been a wonderful creative ride, a journey that I've enjoyed to the full, one that has inspired me to push my creative boundaries, and to leap in a direction that I would have never felt imaginable... It's a journey that has helped me to live what I preach in my workshops - that yes, you can do anything if you're brave enough to try... So, come on the journey with me - through the blog, my new book and my workshops (dates in the new website)... It's one hell of a creative ride!

What's Your Scent?...

Do you have a favourite scent? Me, well I'm completely and utterly hooked on Annick Goutals Gardenia Passion... Do you know it? I came across it when I was in Paris for my 40 year old birthday, and I was scent hunting at Le Bon Marche with my mother. One whiff, and I was hooked... As a birthday gift, ma purchased me a bottle -  now, I'm just in pure heaven everytime I'm anywhere near it... Luckily, I've just purchased a new bottle - so I'm flush with passion for the next while... Every spray reminds me of my time in that beautiful city.. In a new city (NYC of course!) I'm still completely besotted... Love you Gardenia Passion... You'll be my flavour forever...

Prepare To Parasol....

Loving this display at West Elm - filled with whimsy, colour and delicate parasols...

Five (Or So...) Things To Say About Martha...

And please excuse the poor quality pics...

I have a soft spot for Martha Stewart - I do, I really do... You've gotta give it to her, after all... She's single handedly paved the way for us girls to tap back into our inner homemaker - which is no mean feat when you think about it... Who would have thought, back in the 80s (when I was finishing school) that there could ever be room for a career built around the principles of homemaking - cooking, cleaning, decorating, flower arranging and gardening. For those of you of my vintage (!) - you'll remember well the rhetoric around what it meant to be a woman... The fashion said it all - big shoulders, sharp suits, structured briefcase in hand... In short, it meant, taking on the attributes of a man... To survive as a woman at that particular point in our history, it meant relinquishing all things that had defined womanhood to that date - the frivolous pursuits of homemaking being top of the list... I remember well, embracing the emancipation - I mean, cleaning the house! Really? Why oh why, I wondered, should women have to clean the house... And why, indeed, as I looked on at the women in my family, who seemed to slave away endlessly scrubbing for little appreciation in return... However, as I grew older, something different kicked in, a shift began to take shape... I got married. I bought a house... And all of a sudden, and seemingly out of the blue, I wanted to home make... I wanted to bake a cake, make a dinner, I wanted a clean house, to pot some plants, I wanted to have children younger than what was expected... I wanted all of things that I'd been told, were not okay, if you were a woman back in the 80s.  I remember well, the inner wrangle that ensued... The trying to reconcile what I wanted to do, with what my generation was meant to do... And right about that time,  enter Martha Stewart... Now, I have to state, that I've never really ascribed to Martha's way of doing things - I'm not a perfectionist... Nor am I a lover of cleaning... I don't like things exactly so.... And, I don't have endless funds to spend on redecorating the house and, or re landscaping the garden... But, that's not really the point of it all... For me, it was Martha, yes, Martha, that made it okay to settle in to home... To nurture it... To love it and to embrace some of the lessons that my foremothers had taught me... When Martha took the stage, the fashion changed and with that change, girls of my vintage were given a choice, and with that choice the permission to tend their homes if they so chose. I relished the change, actually, it was like a relief... In fact, I embraced the change so wholeheartedly that ultimately I shaped a career around all things home... And, of course, I'm not alone... There are women out there everywhere who are shaping their working lives around the pursuit of home making and creativity at large... There are crafters, designers, decorators - there cupcake bakers, and gardeners... And for that, I tip my hat and say Thank you Martha...

As you all know, I managed to secure some tickets to a Martha show taping here in NYC, and so yesterday, I totted off wearing springtime fashion (and the fluro peep toe pumps, you should have seen the looks I got on the subway!) with some friends, to witness the lady herself, in action... We spent a few hours around the studio and had soooo much fun... I loved being a part of it all and getting to see Martha at work. I'm always intrigued by the machinations of how things and people operate and in the short space of time that I spent watching Martha in action, there were a few things about her that I noted which you might find of interest... And they are...

1. She's Very Focused (and an Island)...
Of course, you'd expect that from such a successful business woman, wouldn't you? One knows, that to be a success at anything, you have to give it all of your attention... As soon as Martha hit the set, she was focussed and unerring.... Her concentration was obvious, she was in the moment and she didn't break focus even though she was surrounded by a crew of about 30 on set, and a live audience... In fact, she was a little like an island - slightly removed, separate, and on her own...
2. She's Clearly A Perfectionist...
It's no secret that Martha likes things to be exactly as she likes and so it was to be expected that the set was immaculate, not a thing was out of place... The bowls were placed on the shelves at exactly the right distance from each other, everything was in order... Martha likes order and raises the bar high... When a couple of things didn't go according to plan on the set, she said so (even though the show was taping live!)... But, when you're running a business at this level, let's face it, there's no room for slacking off and everyone is accountable...
3. She Doesn't Like To Be Wrong...
Like an old school ma'am, nobody tells Martha how things get done, otherwise, expect a scolding! And that's exactly what her director got, (through pursed lips and willful gaze!) when she asked Martha to redo a promo! The desire to be right shows the kind of drive that you'll often find in people who reshape the landscape... And Martha, is no exception...
4. She's A Little Naughty...
I love that underneath all of the seriousness, Martha really did come across as a playful kind of gal... I think she may know exactly how she's viewed by others, and she's not adverse to making fun of herself... Her dry sense of humour was refreshing - and at times, she was even a little bit naughty!
5. She's Human...
Underneath the machine, there's a woman... And every now and then, if you looked real close, you could catch a glimpse of her frailty... And what a relief, I say... To know, that that even though one strives for perfection, underneath it all, humanity will always prevail...

Us girls have been through some changes in our history, that's for sure. And I have an enormous respect for my peers, those who donned the big shoulder pads and went into battle for equal rights... For choice.... After all, without them pushing the bar, where would we be? But, I also love that in this day in age, women are embracing and redefining what makes them feminine. I love that, if you work hard, if you make sensible decisions, and if you are focussed and on top of things, anything (even cleaning the house!) can have an impact and ultimately be made into a career... I love that women like Martha Stewart, warts and all, have left an indelible mark in what's still a mans world... It's an exciting time... And for that dear Martha, I'll always be a fan...

Step Outside...

These pics are just beautiful - don't you find? A reminder of how the vastness of the outdoors can be shaped into the prettiest of vignettes... Love, love, love the lampshades...

Thank You Bella Mumma...

Just a little shout out to the gorgeous Nikki Yazxhi from Bella Mumma blog for mentioning me in an article she's written for Studio Bambini mag... Do you guys know Bella Mumma? If you haven't seen it, head over there - it's simply gorgeous - the design is heaven - and Nikki's beautiful beauty tips inspire one to reach for the stars when it comes to keeping fit and fabulous... I've know Nikki for yonks - since our magazine days - and she is such a divine gal... Thanks Nikki for the mention - I promise I will make it up your way for lunch soon!!! xxx

The Angels...

Whilst traveling is a load of fun - I am missing my angels terribly... I loved coming across these pics taken by Prue Ruscoe - of the angels in a photo shoot we produced for Inside Out mag a while ago now... My, how they've grown...

A Martha Moment In Pink...

So you know that I'm heading to see Martha live next week! Yes, I'm going to be a part of the studio audience (along with four other gorgeous gal pals) and I'm just so excited. I've been a fan of Martha since forever - how couldn't you be, I say... Even if you're not into her style or approach to things - it's simply extraordinary what the lady has achieved in one lifetime... Getting things done in this world isn't easy, and she's someone who has managed to make things happen, and shape our aesthetic vernacular in a way that few people can... And, the fact that she's helped to bring craft back into the arena, not only as a very satisfying way to spend ones time, but also as a way of making a living is a gigantic feat... And so for that, I tip my hat...
We've been instructed to wear some spring colours to the taping - no mutes and no busy patterns, which has been tricky for me cause I love my muted tones... Never one to shy away from a challenge though, I headed out to J Crew and got myself some colour - yes, a fluoro pink sweater and peep toe pumps! Too much, you think? Well, one things for sure, I wont be missed!

Trims...

I love a trim... In the world of decorating, it's one of the most exciting ways to add oomph and excitement to everything from a cushion, a throw, a lampshade... And visiting a trim store... well what could be more exciting than that... In Australia we're lacking in the trim department don't you find... Although stores such as Spotlight and Lincraft have come a long way in the supply of interesting and beautiful trims, it's still difficult to source the exotic and one of a kind at home... Recently, when hubby was in London I had him traipsing the streets in search of some gorgeous trims... You see, I had a photo shoot on the way and was desperate to get my hands on some trims to use as props... He did well, and managed to secure a tiny bag full of deliciously coloured trims and I was so grateful as they added such a beautiful edge to the photographs... Can you imagine my glee then, when the gorgeous Holly Becker steered me in the direction of M&J Trimming in NYC... Would you believe, in all the times I've been to NYC, I've never visited this gorgeous store... Trim stores are akin to candy stores for me... And I've just spent the better part of two hours scouring the walls for beautiful things... Of course, like candy stores, one can get a little overwhelmed by the choice - the range is huge! But I did come away with a few very special pieces which I'm planning to infuse into a new colour scheme that I have planned for the farmhouse... Well, when I say new colour scheme, I might be stretching things a little far... Note the blues and greens dear friends... I just can't get away from them... So, it's not really a new colour scheme, more a new texture theme... A little rougher and more earthy - with the noted blues and greens as accents... So after two hours - this is what I managed to secure... I can see some gorgeous cushions trimmed in these, can't you? From this pic, you'd never think that it taken me so long to make my choices! Such a piddly array!!! And so, I think I may have to dip my toe back in, before I leave! Just once more! For the fun of it all...

Mellow Yellow...

Yellow is popping up again as a colour for the season... Paired with natural timbers, and a touch of gold and white... It really makes a statement here... These pics are of David Starks range of tableware for West Elm. A little ray of sunshine for your day ahead....

Access All Areas....

Australians love to travel... It's true... The wonderment to behold beyond the pacific blue ocean is a calling for us... It's in our blood... It's part of our DNA... It's who we are... Intrepid travelers... Adventurers.. Those of you who know me here, know well that I love to travel... I love getting out into the world, to feel the vibe and the energy of what's happening 'out there'... I have some favourite places - funnily enough - all cities... London, Paris... But my favourite of all? Well, it's NYC... But as I sit in a high rise apartment on the upper west side (where I'm staying with some friends for the while) - and look out the window... I wonder just why? It's kinda ugly from way up here!

But those of you who have been here will know... It's the beat of the pavement that is so alluring... There's something about the energy here... About the pulse of the place... The ever enduring optimism... The possibility... The hope... It's all here... On the NYC streets... It's a tough place to be sure... It's grey... It's concrete... It's fast... It's furious... And yet, even in the face of this, the people walk to a happy beat...

One of the loveliest things for me when visiting NYC is the access you have to extraordinary people... You know from my last post, that I spent a couple of days with Holly Becker and her troupe of talented friends (photographer Debi Treloar and the lovely Daniel)... It's crazy, that after so many years of following her blog (and Debi's work) that I was able to sit with them and chat about life, love and everything in between... What a gift... And through Holly, I met the indefatigable Amy Atlas... A true sweetheart - kind, generous and inspiring... The world of dessert is the ideal place for such a lovely gal to be spending her days... A couple of days later, I went along to hear Alain de Botton speak about his new book, Religion for Atheists (he also wrote Architecture of Happiness amongst other things) up at the 92Y - a small auditorium, filled with only 100 people. Lou Reed was sitting only a couple of rows ahead! Then it was another talk by Deepak Chopra speaking with ecologist Vandana Shiva about the Future of our Food supply... This was held at ABC Homebase - a small space held within ABC Carpet and Home (possibly the most beautiful place in the world)... Next week, I've managed to secure 4 seats at a taping of one of Martha's shows... And I just cant wait for that one. We've been told to wear happy spring colours, and so I'm cracking open my fluro pumps and bright pink J Crew sweater!

It's extraordinary to have such access to so many talented people... But in NYC, it's just the way it is... Creativity abounds here... The most talented people in the world walk the streets the same as everyone else... No matter how well known you are, in NYC, you walk to the same beat as everybody else... I love that there are so many Australians here contributing to the aesthetic vernacular... One such talent is Vanessa Holden (ex creative director at Real Simple, Editor of Martha Stewart mag and now top lady at West Elm) Vanessa, along with an entourage of talented Aussie photographers, stylists, designers, have all been contributing to the look and the feel of things over here... It's great to see our Australian creative point of view can contribute in such a significant way to the global aesthetic... And so, as I spend my days pounding the streets of NYC, I'm gathering inspiration and energy to bring home to Australia - and to infuse into our work at The Little Cottage (in country NSW!)...

Watch out all, as we are preparing to launch our new website - a one stop shop for all of my offerings - the Shannon Fricke Bedlinen range, my new book, workshop dates, plus a showcase of my work to date... Charlotte, my creative offsider has been working at a furious pace to get things looking and working just right... And we are just so close! On the website, we will unveil the beautiful photographs taken for our bedlinen catalogue - of course, photographed by the gorgeous Prue Ruscoe... Plus you will receive up to the minute news through my news and blog page... Of course, you'll be the first to know when we're ready to launch... But for today, a sneeky peek into the website... Just one pic to set the mood...

Escape The Everyday....

Hello my dear friends... Life has been fabulously fun of late - as we've been working on some very exciting new projects at The Little Cottage which are finally coming to fruition! Those of you work in the creative way will know well that it takes time for things to happen... Projects require love and tending over the long haul before they are ready to be set free into the wider world... Well, I have a couple of projects almost ready to fly and I can't wait to tell you more... Watch the blog over the next few weeks to see snippets of my new book (I'm sooo excited about this one!) and also my new range of Shannon Fricke Bedlinen. Yes... Bedlinen! I've been a lover of all things bedlinen for so many years - and so it seemed like a natural place to extend on my product range ( my Free Range ceramics)... We've been working away for the past 12 months to create a range that is EXACTLY as I want it to be - a range that reflects the carefree and inspiring lifestyle that I live and love everyday... So watch this space all - as I'll be posting pics from the photographic campaign (photographed by none other than the tireless Prue Ruscoe at my little studio up at the farm)... But that's not all! Watch this space as - we're putting the finishing touches on the new Shannon Fricke website - a one stop spot for hearing all our news, shopping the range, and booking into our workshop dates. Due to go live beginning of April...

In the meantime, I want to share with a you a recent project that I've been working on close to home - a small hotel refurb in beautiful Byron Bay... I was chuffed and slightly overwhelmed when I was approached to work on the refurb and fit out of what is now known as the Bayshore Bungalows in Byron Bay... An existing site (at north Belongil) - which hadn't been updated since it was first built in the late 70s/80s (think brown brick and pine raking ceilings!)... the Bayshore Bungalows was in desperate need of some tender loving care to bring it up to the now. The brief was to make it fresh, exciting and relevant without losing that wonderful, down-to-earth, been here for years vibe that Byron Bay is famous for... I love a challenge - and what really drew me to this project is the clients desire to 'tread lightly and with respect' for what came before. Of course, it's often easier to knock down and rebuild something that is seen as outdated - but not nearly as fun. The Bayshore Bungalows are quirky buildings (originally brown brick - be inspired those of you with a brown brick bungalow!) with a great feeling - and so the team and I set about giving them some life.
A palette of white walls and neutrals were the ideal backdrop to layer the muted, worn palette of blues and greens that became the essential accents. Been there before details such as sand sieves, oars, ropes and glass buoys give the space a down-to-earth attitude and a wonderful warmth. All topped off with artwork by local artist Potts - and you have a smooth, carefree interior that begs you to stay a little longer.
If you're coming to Byron Bay then check out the Bayshore Bungalows - the location is ideal - far enough out of town to be truly relaxing but close enough to the action of Byron. And Belongil beach (a stroll down the road) is a stretch of paradise... Check out their website here - also worth noting for those of you with a wedding coming up - that the bungalows are attached to the North Byron Events (which is a beautiful wedding location right on the beach).

Check back in everybody as I have more news to tell you! Namely, I'm in NYC - and I had dinner with the gorgeous Holly Becker and Amy Atlas last night!!! Watch this space...

all pics here by Alicia Taylor

A Moment In Pink...

I'm having a pink moment - that's for sure... There's something so embracing about pink - particularly the soft, muted, slightly dusty version. It has a nurturing, understanding nature - don't you find? It's open minded, it says come on in, kick off your shoes, relax... It's funny how different ages and stages in our lives are marked by different colours... My early years, those when I was feisty, ambitious and ready to take on the world were my red and orange years. These colours are known well to give you a kick just when you need it... Those of you who have been following my blog for a while will know that the past 6 or so years of my life have been defined by blue and green - the desire to stop, be calm and breathe... Bringing up small children, maintaining a business and upkeeping a farm can demand that your surroundings offer a place where you can rest and retreat... A place to prepare you for getting back out amongst it all... But now, well pink seems to be looming on the horizon... What can that mean? The world is changing, that's for sure - as a collective we've spent the past decade or so advancing... Moving forward... Doing, doing, doing... Achieving, achieving, achieving... However lately, things are getting a little tougher out there. We're battling a global financial crisis. Tragedy through floods and earthquakes. Old ways and habits are being thrown up for questioning... We are reinventing... We are preparing for a new world... Perhaps pink is the colour within which to reflect... To take stock... To stoke the creative fire... To reinvent... To inspire... If ones life is measured in colour - then yes, I can see a pink stage coming on... And what a relief that is, I say... For now is the time to stop... To go in... To rekindle... Bring on a flush a pink - I'm ready to be inspired...

Dappled Light and Subdued Colour is so 'Naturelle'...

I received an email from Annemique de Kroon recently, the founder, editor, photographer and art director (phew!) of online Dutch magazine Naturelle. She knows that I'm a big fan of the gorgeous small hotel, Trasierra, owned by Charlotte Scott and situated in southern Spain (outside of Seville) - and wanted to let me know of an article on Trasierra featured in her latest issue... Trasierra is a special place to me - because I spent time there with my mother whilst on my '40 year old journey'. You remember? But I digress... On flicking through the pages of Naturelle in search of the mentioned article, I noticed the loveliest thing... The dappled light and the subdued colour found within all of the interiors featured... The soft, almost hazy European light - a kind of barely there light that works to support rather than overwhelm an interior. Here in Australia, we have harsh light. It's bright, it's bold, it's in your face... The effect of which gives a kick to even the most reticent of colour. However, in the interiors above - the light plays a supporting role to the space - it casts shadows, it provides reprieve, it lulls... There's a quiet confidence to this kind of light - it's there but it doesn't need to make a 'notice me now' statement. I have to say, that I like it... There's something embracing about it... And it's a reminder to me, as an interior decorator to always pay respect to the role that light plays in a space. It's a crucial factor to ensuring flow and harmony... Thanks Annemique for the inspiration and for reminding me of the beautiful Trasierra!

all pics from Naturelle magazine