A Late Night Cheer Up...

It hasn't been the best of days today I have to say - having spent it at the funeral of my very young and gorgeous cousin who succumbed to cancer after a very courageous battle. On days like today, I turn to colour and the beauty of nature to brighten my spirits. A spell in the garden really does wonders to remind you never to take life for granted. Rest now, rest now NG x

beautiful pics from Country Living

Need Some Joy In Your Day?

Well, these pics should do the trick - a la the effervescent, ever wonderful Mr Adler.

Bikes And Trikes All In A Row...

Pic of the Sixx Design house that I found over at A Cup of Jo...

Lovely Tiles...

What a relief - in this world filled with modernity and beige - to direct the gaze to this beautiful bathroom, made up of the most sumptuous arrangement of tile work. Thank goodness for Kathryn Ireland...

Back To Bed With You...

Well - if you insist! It is almost winter after all - the days are shorter and colder and the nights are a little chilly. Imagine hopping into this lovely four poster - cozied up under the Moroccan Wedding Shawl that is draped over its end. Ah, lovely...
This pic is from the Strangetrader blog - that gorgeously sublime store in downtown Byron Bay. Happy snuggling everyone...

Hola!

Hola to all of my Spanish friends...
What a lovely surprise awaited me at the post office this morning - the Spanish translation of sense of style: colour + space! It is such a treat to see one's words translated into another language - and I do so love this cover version which is a total departure from the others. If only I could read the words... Now, for the Chinese version which should be making it's way to the marketplace soon. Imagine that!

While On The Subject Of Sleeping...

Here are a few divine bedroom ensembles from our friends over at Anthropologie.  Which one is your favourite? I have to say that I'm feeling quite partial to the blue frilly tie-dye. It's kinda high-class girly hippy don't you think? Is anyone from Oz been taking advantage of the new international shipping offerings that Anthropologie have on offer? Yes? Then pleeeease let me know what you've been purchasing - I'd love to see the beautiful things that make it back to our shores.

Watching The World Go By...

I love seeing the look on people's faces when they ask me the secret to being creative. You see, for me, being creative always begins with the same routine and really, there's not much of a secret to it. Really! In fact, my secret to creativity simply involves  lying down on my comfy sofa and staring at a blank wall for a time. Doing nothing at all but just kicking back. Some of my best work has begun in such a fashion. The writing of my books for example, the designing of a house or two, the styling of a shoot. You see, the creative mind is a wonderful thing when it's allowed the space and the freedom to wander. When you give yourself the time to allow the world to just go right on by. Of course, it doesn't happen straight away. For the first few minutes my mind is racing with all the things that need doing - the long list of tasks that provide the framework for my life. But given time, all of that 'mental noise' melts away and in its place, beautiful creative thoughts come flooding in, catapulting around my mind like shooting stars. The trick, of course, is to have a pen and paper handy so that when you get a 'nugget' of an idea, you can write it down to ensure that it doesn't shoot in one ear and out the other! When you allow your mind some time out, and you retreat into your imagination - it's a wonder what it will do for you....

pic Anthropologie

I Just Can't Get Enough...

Of quaint timber cottages filled with florals and girly things...
This cottage is in Martha's Vineyard (from Country Living) and I particularly love that a quilt in the main bedroom is from Lazybones - our very own homewares/sleepwear brand form Bangalow.  How exciting! Congratulations Tracey and the Lazybones gang for offering us pure decorating heaven...
I have a little Lazybones surprise for you myself - it has to do with the next workshop (!) - but you'll have to wait a few days for the big reveal! Oh, how cruel I know - but it will be worth it!!!

Gaya Gelato...

Do you remember not that long ago, I told you about the fabulous gelateria that I found up in Ubud, Bali? The beautiful place run by Italians Massimo and Colette? Well, this is it! Can you imagine what an oasis it was, stopping off for an ice-cream after a big day out roaming the markets and the shops of Bali? Pure heaven... The gelateria was filled with tropical flavoured ice-creams and sorbets, plus home made biscuits and of course, sublime Italian espresso. Heaven in paradise. Could it get much better than that?

Another INspiring Day...

Well - I'm just completely inspired! I mean, how could I not be - after spending the day with the most extraordinary group of women who attended my 'How To Decorate' Workshop at The Little Cottage last weekend. They came from near and far for this day of decorating joy - as close as Byron Bay and as far away as Townsville to share a day of decorating with me. There were mothers, daughters, sisters, students, teachers, writers, bean counters and fashion gurus... each and every one, an inspiration and a joy.

Thanks so much to all of my workshop girls - it's an honour that you have found your way to Little Cottage and to me. I certainly learnt a lot! Hope to meet you all again and be sure to keep in touch and let me know how your decorating life is evolving...

p.s an enormous THANK YOU to Nicky - my trusty offsider - for creating the most delectable ploughman's lunch - and an endless supply of tea/coffee and home made cake! And to Sophie, as always, for her beautiful snaps...xx

Just Because...

It's beautiful...

Luscious Courtyards and Distempered Walls....

Worn out walls, secret courtyards filled with luscious gardens, hidden doorways and the life that lives beyond... Colour, colour, colour - to tantalize the eyes and fuel the senses...

pics toast

Atlantic Airstream...

Have you seen the story on The Atlantic Guesthouse is this months issue of Country Style? It's a funky boutique guesthouse, in the middle of Byron Bay, where you can stay and rest your head while you enjoy the beautiful things that Byron Bay has on offer. Kim and Stephen, the owners, have done a wonderful job creating their boutique guesthouse - and Kim in particular has a great flair for interiors. It's her airstream, however, that really takes my fancy. How funky is this! Here's some pics from the airstream and other parts of the guesthouse that you can find on their website. Love ya Atlantic!

A Beautiful Blue.... Of Course!

Those of you who have read my book sense of style: space will remember the story about me trying to match the the paint that I intended to overhaul the exterior of my house with the colour of a green swimming pool. You see, I loved the colour of a particular swimming pool located somewhere in the depths of the French countryside that I had seen in a pic in that sublime French mag Cote Sud. It made perfect sense I thought - take the pic to the paint shop - show them the colour and voila - beautiful green house with overtones of wateriness and translucency. You'll have to read the story to find out how I went with it all - but needless to say - it wasn't pretty! And as quick as a flash - the house was painted white, the colour that it remains to this day. I laughed when I came across this swimming pool on my recent trip to Bali. The blue - a beautiful blue - caught my eye straight away. How could I translate the blue of a Balinese swimming pool into the life of my interior was my first passionate thought - until I pulled myself together and reminisced over decisions from a life well and truly past! A blue. A beautiful blue - of course!

What! Monday Again...

I do so love love my weekends - and particularly lounging around in bed! I'm not quite ready for Monday I have to say - and so today's pic is of this beautiful bedroom - exactly the place where I would like to be...

This pic is of a house in Bangalow - sourced on realestate.com

Sunday In The Fields...

Just browsing Ilse Crawfords site and came across this lovely pic taken for the design and concept of Ye Old Inn. As much as I love the interiors - it was this shot taken out in the field that captured my imagination this sunny Sunday... One big table, a motley crew around it, a little wild life, a feast, and maybe a wintry bonfire at dusk - ahhh... I can feel winter coming on!

Cover Love...

Am loving the green on the cover of the new issue of Vogue Living. Sophisticated eco flavouring...

Browsing...

There's nothing better than blog browsing on the weekends, don't you find? And today, I've been over at Pam from Red Tickings blog. Pam has such a lovely style - I think she may be a kindred spirit - even though we've never met I'm sure we would get along like a house on fire... Chat, chat, chatting over a cup of tea and about all things decorative. Kind of like decorative sisterhood... I feel the same way away all you gals out there in blog land - it's a lovely thing to be able to share our life and loves with like-minded people (and non like-minded people at that!). Anyhoo, I digress...
I love this pic from Pam at Red Tickings blog - one day when I grow up - I'd love a walled vege garden just like this one. So organized, so beautiful - like a fairy tale... Thanks for sharing Pam...