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

Brighten Up...

I think you need to be a brave soul to infuse gale force colour into a home. It's a commitment, for sure - particularly if you're dealing with a wide palette. However, when it's done with confidence and total self-assuredness - when it's evolved and not just a token gesture - well, it simply makes the heart sing. I love these pics by Jonny Valiant for House Beautiful as they illustrate just how effective bright colour can be when used with commitment. Don't they make you want to paint or wallpaper your bathroom turquoise? Happy days....
p.s I do love the unruly looking flowering bush in the detail pic 4th from the top! It reminds me of a styling response that yours truly might infuse... Crazy, organic, reality.... Beautiful...

A Pop Of Pinky Red...

pics top and bottom from Kathryn Ireland - pic middle from John Robshaw...


Out of all of the colours of the spectrum - red is the one with the most vitality... In fact, infusing a pop of red into your home will really get you jumping... Of course, red comes in many shades and intensities - and sometimes a cooler dash, is what's required. Diffused as a pinky red and you have a colour that is both energetic and nurturing... Here are some inspiring pinky reds - to get you in the mood for Monday...