Berry Days...

pic from cotemaison

I'm Thinking About Balustrades...

An issue has cropped up in my life of renovating and redecorating - that has to do with balustrades. And so, I'm on the hunt for pics of lovely and quaint styles of balustrades that will fit in with my old farmhouse. I've come across this pic - simple I know, but very achievable - kinda Caribbean but not overly literal. What do you think?


pic from cotemaison

Remembering Paris...

The day always began with a coffee and a croissant at Cafe Flore on Blvd St Germain. There we watched the commuters making their way to work - and we lived vicariously and were kept bouyant by the energy they generated as their dainty shoes tapped on the sidewalk. We spent hours sitting there watching the world go by. After all, could there be a more beautiful world to watch than the one laid out before you in Paris. Ah Paris, until we meet again...

The Joy of Summer Colour

I'm stunned - I'm besotted - I'm completely in love with these divine pictures from the Malabar catalogue. Bring on the colours of summer...

Inside Out Christmas Issue...

Have you all checked out the new Inside Out Christmas issue? It's full of loads of beautiful and inspiring Christmas ideas for everything from present wrapping through to turkey stuffing. But best of all (not that I'm bias!) is the kids Christmas story that I styled and Prue photographed up here at the farm. Oh what fun did we have putting this shoot together... What with all the kids Christmas goodies, toys and clothes that piled into the farmhouse - it felt like Christmas had arrived in September! I'm sure you've all heard the saying 'never work with children and animals!' - well we had both!!! But they were a gorgeous bunch and such good sports. And Isobel the Spoodle (ever the model!) loved every minute of it...

pic from brocantehome

Lucy Vanstone...

One the most satisfying aspects of my job is being a part of the process of seeing very talented and creative people receiving the public recognition that they deserve. And one of those people is ceramicist Lucy Vanstone who is profiled in the latest issue of Country Style magazine which was styled by yours truly and photographed by Prue Ruscoe. Lucy is the kind of artisan that the Byron Bay area is renowned for - one who is driven by an honest and pure love of self expression, and one who puts creativity high on her list of priorities for her life. I've loved Lucy's work from the first time I laid my eyes on it at the markets in Bangalow - and since at her studio Wheel of Life in Brunswick Heads.
Check out this issue of Country Style to be inspired by Lucy's story...

Lazy Sunday Inspiration...

My goodness.... there's just so much beauty in the world - everywhere I look there is inspiration to be found. Enjoy!

p.s I'm sure that you'll all be happy to know that I did in fact make it to the beach for a swim this morning (even though it was a little overcast the water was warm!) and I've just finished an hour of yoga! Ah the joy! To celebrate, I headed to the Top Shop (a Byron Bay local) for a quick coffee... Could there be a more perfect way to spend a Sunday morning, I say?

pics from Toast and Anthropologie

Strangetrader and an Amalfi or Two...

Now I know that I keep harping on about how divine this time of year is in my neck of the woods - what with the water being warm and crystal clear and the days being long and all - but I really do just love the summer in particular because I get to crawl out of my night time hibernation and go out on the town! And last night marked my first official summery night out.

Of course, I had to celebrate - and so headed down to St Elmo's in downtown Byron Bay for a couple of Amalfi's - an orangey cocktail, filled with campari, a squeeze of lime and a few other goodies - and a chat with the girls. One of those girls happened to be Andrea Duff from Strangetrader - the wonderfully eclectic homewares/textiles/jewellery store that's taking Byron by storm - and I spent a couple of hours hearing about her travels through Italy, France and Turkey where she went in search of the beautiful things that are now gracing the shelves in her lovely store.

So taken was I that I headed to their website this morning for another Strangetrader 'hit' - and I found these snaps. Ah, how lovely to have an Amalfi on the Amalfi! But that will have to wait for another life time. In the meantime, I'll be living vicariously through Andrea...
Enjoy!

Happy Weekend...

May the sun shine and the roses grow... and the ocean be warm and the coffee be good. May I make my Sunday yoga class and may the kids not fight. May I sleep well - and may I wake early...
Ah - the weekend - may it be good!

Going Potty...

I'm in love with hanging pots and baskets at the moment after photographing a lovely little cottage here in Bangalow which was swathed in pink petunias in hanging pots. What a lovely way to decorate the outside of a house, I say. So inspired was I that I went back through my pic files and found these lovely photographs from the trip to Spain that I made earlier this year to celebrate my 40th. The Spanish are particularly fond of potted geraniums although on occasion you will see petunias and general potted colour. Hope these pics inspire you to get potting!

I've Been Thinking A Lot About Pools Lately....

Probably because it's been heat wave conditions up at the farm lately and although the beach is but a short drive - there is something rather tantalizing about having a breathtaking pool of water right on the doorstep. And so, I've been going through my pic files and I unearthed this little goody. I love this pool because the location it's situated in and the house it's attached to have a look and feel that's very similar to here. Imagine having this in your backyard! Oh yes, I like that idea. Now, I just need to convince hubby of its virtues!

Summertime....

And the living is easy....

We've been blessed with lovely weather up at the farm lately - and the ocean is slowly climbing to a comfortable temperature. Ah summertime - you're back... and I love you!

Orange Is The Happiest Colour...

...says the colourful Frank Sinatra. And of course I agree. Could there be a colour that enduces a feeling of fun and creativity quite like orange?

These pics are from the now no longer Organic Style magazine - a Rodale publication. Does anyone remember this gorgeous mag from about six years ago? I felt that it got the mix of organic info and gorgeous style just right. Oh, I wish it too would come back. Sigh...

Is Yellow The New Black?

I was first introduced to the virtues of yellow by my mother - who has been singing it's praises for years now. I admit, that at first I wasn't convinced. It was just too sunny a disposition to really strike a deep and long lasting chord with me. That was, until recently when I was asked to use it in the home of a client. Although at first, it was a little tricky to get my head around - within a few weeks I was well and truly hooked. Of course, it's all about choosing the 'right' shade of yellow - nothing too soft and sweet - and nothing too bright and bubbly. Like the yellow used in this lovely house. Don't you think it's just a perfect shade? And just the right amount. A touch of yellow, if you like. Yes, I love it!

pics from Country Living

Chasing Butterflies....

'I think I can, I think I can,' she said to herself, as she sat with her head in her hands, wondering how she would muster the strength to fly again. Her wings had been clipped, you see and she found the sensation of it to be most unsatisfactory. It's just that, she loved chasing butterflies. They are colourful and so, so free, the way they dart and prance against the baby blue of the springtime sky. They make her heart soar with a sense of possibility. And this makes her happy. And she loves to be happy. 'Yes, I think I can', she said to herself. And with that she spread her wings, looked to the sky - and smiled...

Oh White... How I love thee...

pics by the lovely Jared Fowler

The Right White...

I've had loads of email questions lately asking me about white - specifically how does one go about choosing the 'right white' and why I tend to use Dulux 'White On White' so much - and so I thought I'd answer these questions here, just in case there are more of you out there struggling with choosing the right white for your own home.
I just love using white as a backdrop in a house - particularly if it's a pure and crisp white - one that has very little in the way of undertone (such as yellow/pink/beige). The reason why I go for such a crisp white is that I tend to use a lot of colour in my decorating and as such I love the walls to merely be a backdrop to the space - not another colour. Whites that consist of an undertone can tend to compete for attention.
What I also find in my work is that my clients often live in spaces with a fair amount of natural light and pure whites work well in these environments. If a client's home lacks natural light then I'll choose a warmer white, just to kick a little heat in the space.

These are the aspects that you need to think about when choosing a white for your own home. Ask yourself how much light your space receives in the day and how that light moves from morning to evening. If you receive a lot of light then you could think about a pure white or a cool/blue white - one which tones down the heat. Think also that white can bounce light around the room, and you don't want to spend your days squinting - so if you ask going to use a very bright white then it's a good idea to have a light control system in place - whether it be curtaining, UV blinds or shutters.

The other issue to think about is the choice of colour palette in your decorating/furnishings and remember that the white on the walls will need to blend in perfectly with the colours that you are layering over the top. A pure white tends not to compete in any way - it's a like a neutral third party. However, a white that throws beige/blue/yellow/red will work like another colour in your palette and as such will need to blend in perfectly with the rest of your scheme.

Most importantly of all, sample your whites on the wall in which it is intended - and take your time to muse your reactions to them. Be calm. Enjoy the process. And then, go for it. It's such a fun process after all...


pic from taverne

Happy Long Weekend...

I want you to know that I've been thinking about you all, even if I've been rather busy (read: slack!) this week... It really has been a crazy kind of week - my mother has come to stay from Sydney - and so I've been driving her around the place, indulging in cups of coffee and pieces of cake at multiple cafe's along the way... However, she leaves tomorrow and even though we'll be sad to see her go - my waistline will be rejoicing! And so, I promise that I'll be back on board, much more faithfully, from next week.
In the meantime however, have a lovely long weekend... and I'll leave you to ponder this glorious pic from the JCrew Kids catalogue. What a divine colour palette - don't you think?

A Simple Arrangement...

Sometimes it's simplicity that makes us feel the most complete.
Happy Weekend All...

pic from Taverne Agency

Party Time...

Oh, I do love a party - filled with flowers, fun and a little champagne, of course!
These pics are of Brad Ngata's Salon in Sydney - taken by the lovely Prue Ruscoe for Instyle.
Hope you enjoy...

Sunday Happy Sunday....

There's nothing that I love more on a Sunday than hanging out in the garden and digging the dirt. Don't you find it such a therapeutic activity? I always feel complete tranquility when I'm getting dirty! And it's extra fun at the moment because the vege patch is flourishing. Yes, it's overflowing with rhubarb, snow peas, lettuce, rocket, broccoli, beetroot. What could be more satisfying hey! And so, this is how I'm going to spend this Sunday - out in the garden, digging up the dirt... Happy Sunday all...

Pic from Coastal Living

A Weekend Rummage....

Well, I've spent the morning rummaging through my office - in search of order and the kind of peace of mind that I feel only once I've sorted through all my paperwork (!) - and look at what I've uncovered! It seems like many moons ago now that I was approached by Ebay to put together this time capsule collection. Talk about fun! Ebay gave me a budget (of a few thousand dollars if memory serves) and a small chunk of time (maybe a month) and it was my job to construct a space that was bright, spunky and relevant to the home decor market at that moment which was taken with retro designs and colour ways. And to show that it was possible to design a home directly from Ebay which at that time was still in its infancy in Australia. And this is what I put together! We transformed a studio space into two rooms - dining and lounge (pics to come)- and then invited the media along to showcase our hard work. The result was a great event that generated loads of coverage for Ebay and allowed me to indulge in what I love to do the most - styling beautiful spaces! I was very excited when Ebay flew me to New York the very next year to see what the American designers could come up with. What a treat! Geez, those were the days!

A Shiny Black Piano....

On which to play a tune... This simple room is brought to life with a little musical glamour. It's black, it's beautiful and I love it...


pic from CoteMaison

A Cup of Love....

I love the simplicity of this pic from Atlanta Bartlett's site. Afterall, what else could one need than a cuppa of love....

A Little Bit Of Yellow....

Can go a long way...

Happy Weekend everyone!

pic from TOAST... of course...

Blowin in the Breeze....

pic from Inside Out styled by Lynsey Fryers