Creative Souls

We are incredibly fortunate in this part of the world to be surrounded by some very talented and creative souls.  Maureen McLean is one of these people.  She lives in Federal, a pocket of paradise just inland from Byron Bay, with her husband Stephen and her miniature poodle, Billy.  Maureen sources and refurbishes preloved furniture and antiques.  Her business, Boheme Decor operates out of one of my most favourite stores of all, Lazybones in Bangalow. And despite her full days, she recently welcomed us into her home to have a peek at her treasures and to chat about her life.

How long have you lived in this area and how has your life changed since moving here?

We moved to the area 10 years ago.  Life is very different here.  In Sydney I always worked for someone else.  Here, I wanted to do something creative.  Something that was mine… that I loved doing.  

How have you changed the house?

We didn’t change the house a great deal.  We bought it in Queensland, had it brought down on a truck in 3 pieces and put it back together.  When we saw it we climbed up into it with a ladder.  We wanted 11ft ceilings, verandahs and French doors.  This house was simple but we could see the potential.

We re-roofed it.  Put on new verandas and dropped the eaves.  Ripped out the old kitchen and bathroom.  It’s a hundred year old Colonial house.  We did a lot of the work ourselves.  We painted the entire place – inside with Antique USA and outside – Rosette.  Stephen needed a bit of convincing about the pink but he loves it now.  We loved doing it.  But we didn’t realize the magnitude of the job.  We were thrilled with the adventure. 

What advice would you give people thinking about making a big change or taking on such a project?

I would consider doing it again.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  But you have to have time.  You can’t be rushed.  And there was only the 2 of us.  We lived out of one bedroom

What/who are your influences?

I love the coming together of 2 styles – the period of the English in India.  The French in Vietnam.  I love the tradition mixed with the tropics.  I’m inspired by the 19^thCentury – Deco, Rococo mixed with the rustic, tropical combination.

What were you hoping to achieve with the decorating?

I think a rustic elegance.  I think the Asian, rustic feel takes the edge off the traditional. 

I wanted it to be relaxing, comfortable.  People enjoy being here  When there are beautiful pieces around – vases, lightfittings… it makes people stop and relax.  It’s a very relaxed lifestyle here.

What is your favourite room/area in the house?

We do spend a lot of time on the verandah.

What does a typical day hold for you?

I spend a lot of time shopping for pieces.  I fly to auctions in Sydney.  I used to drive the truck down and bring it all back myself.   Not any more.  

You live in paradise.  Where do you go when you need a break?

Recently we went fishing in Bermagui.  We had a great time.  Last yr we went around                      Tasmania. 

Where is your favourite place to shop?

 I absolutely adore country antiques in Newrybar.  And I love Strangetrader in Byron.

And the winner is..............

While we're on the topic of beautiful things, the winner of the Las Ninas Textiles oilcloth is.....

Polka Dot Bandit.   If you can send your address details to us at email@shannonfricke.com we'll pop it in the post.  Congratulations!

OPEN... Free Range Blog Shopping...

Check out our beautiful range of bits and bobs that are available for sale on the blog...
Free Shipping on all orders over $50 and a complimentary Shannon Fricke Home Apothecary Soya Wax Candle (valued at $30) on all orders over $100 (Australia Only....)

Call us on 02-66872184 or email here to place your order for Christmas....


p.s and don't forget to check if you're the winner of the Las Ninas Textile Table Top Cloth tomorrow...

Second Hand Rose...

I do love a room decorated all in white - white walls, white floors, white accoutrements! They are just so fresh and so alive...
This beautiful space in Brunswick Heads is just the kind of space I love - can't you just imagine whiling a few hours away in here with a cup of peppermint tea and a piece of cake? Well, you can! This beautiful space (above Second Hand Rose - the cutest antique store) is avail for holiday rentals. Although it's only up the road from me - I think a mini-break in Bruns could be in order...

Creative Spaces.... Victoria Spring

I'm forever in awe of creative people and the spaces they shape to inspire and support them...
I'm particularly inspired by layered spaces - those that are full of surprises at every glance - where beauty is piled high - inducing that kind of 'kid in a candy store' sort of feeling...
This creative space belongs to fashionable icon Victoria Spring - a treasure trove of beautiful bits and pieces that reflect a life full of living...
I love that Victoria is opening up her space (situated in lovely and luscious Mullumbimby) to us - and you - as the place where she is holding jewelry making workshops during the school holidays and beyond... What a treat to be creatively guided by such a colourful spirit...
If you're interested in learning about the art of jewels from a master then book into a workshop. You can contact Victoria on 0402 836634 for all of the details.

Las Ninas Textiles Giveaway...

It's giveaway Saturday! yay...
I'm very excited to be posting another giveaway - we've had just such great booty after all... Today's giveaway is no exception...
A very big thank you to Las Ninas Textiles in Byron Bay for today's offering... Las Ninas is filled to the brim with colourful and purely divine bits and bobs sourced in Mexico by Zara the owner. Zara heads over to Mexico a couple of times a year and scours the marketplaces for her beautiful Mexican pieces... It's lovely see Mexican colour and patterning making its way back into the home again... If you're in Byron Bay then check out Las Ninas (located in The Byron Industrial Estate)...


Okay, now to today's giveaway.... This beautiful oilcloth table cover is 2x1.2 metres - and is valued at $45... Doesn't it just look fab here on The Little Cottage verandah (we've doubled it over for the photo, it's actually much bigger). 


If you'd like a chance to win this gorgeous prize then become a follower on the blog. Or, if you're already a follower - then click on 'like' on the facebook page to go into the draw. The winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday 6th October...


good luck everyone...

ISCD Talks...

Thought I'd post a very belated pic of myself with a couple of the speakers at the ISCD Behind Design talks... Here I am sitting with the lovely Sarah Estens from Frost Design and stylist Jason Grant... We had a lovely time time speaking with about 250 ISCD friends and students about design and all things creative...

Fabric Heaven...

One of the most exciting and downright fun aspects of being a decorator is playing with fabric... I feel like a kid in a candy store when out and about on the hunt for new and exciting fabrics - there are just so many to choose from... One of the issues that pops up the most amongst participants in my workshops - is the fear of the fabric showroom! It can be an overwhelming experience stepping foot inside one and many keen home decorators have been put off by the thought of it... We were so lucky at our last workshop to have Emma Stewart from Mokum Textiles speaking about how to handle the fabric showroom - from what to arm yourself with before you arrive, what to do when you get there, asking for sampling and getting advice from the showroom operators... It was such an inspiring talk and our workshop participants came away with a more confident view of the world of fabrics...
Nicky and I were up in Brizzy a day ago on the hunt for fabrics for a client - as you can see from the pics (taken at Inhouse Agencies who represent some of my favourites - Thibaut, Andrew Martin, Westbury, Unique) - I'm up to my armpits in beauty!!!

Now... News is in - that the workshop dates and details for 2011 are up on the website for you to check out... I'm so excited about our workshop series for next year - as we will be adding 'Just Colour' and 'Styling 101' to our line up - plus we've introduced a brand new seminar called 'Follow Your Heart Creative Living' - a day-long exploration into how to live a creatively fulfilling life... Here's the link if you're interested in checking it all out...

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Ready To Party....

I do love a room all dressed up and ready for a party... A glass of champagne in hand, and this one is out on the town...

Loving....

You know how much I love a tree house! They are such lovely places for children to play, explore and lose themselves in their imaginations... Deep down inside - I'd love a tree house of my own - a little shack suspended amongst the wilderness... Kinda like this one - what with colourful quilts and all! Imagine such a thing?

Weekend Bliss...

I do love that the weekend has been a sunny one - because I managed a little turn in the garden which is just a lovely thing to do - particularly since I've spent the last couple of days on the sofa with the flu! Aaargh! The vege patch has been well and truly overgrown - as so I loved clearing it out to make way for a few summertime veges - tomatoes, beans, lettuce, beetroot plus sage, oregano. The soil is just lovely at the moment and so it shouldn't take long for things to flourish. Aaah, the garden - how lovely for the soul... These summery rooms are just so inspiring don't you find - and remind me that my favourite time of year is just around the corner.

pics from Marie Claire Maison

And The Winner Is...

Happy Friday everyone! How lovely to be rolling on into the weekend... After a couple of days in Sydney talking over at ISCD - it's lovely to be back on the farm - albeit with the flu! But nonetheless, it's good to be home...

Anyhoo, the time has come to make your Friday! As I'm about to announce the winner of the Blue Caravan and Honey Bee Flock Clock giveaway. This giveaway has been very, very popular - and thanks to everyone who has become a follower. Sadly, there can only be one winner (until our next bumper giveaway!) and that winner (chosen at random) is.....

Life, Love, Clutter and Other Beautiful Things....

Congratulations Life, Love, Clutter - email me with all of your details and we'll send your beautiful Honey Bee Flock Clock asap...

Happy Weekend y'all....

p.s I'm leaving with you with this lovely shade of orangey red today. This pic was taken in Bali and I just love the colour as well as the funky shape of the car... It just looks sooo happy....

Pretty In Pink...

Yes, everyone, I'm having another pink moment! I simply can't help myself it seems - it's all about pink right now... Could it be that pink is a the gentle nurturer - the calm, the relaxed, the all embracing? I have to say there are times when I do love a little bit of nurturing - life just seems to go by in a whirly girly sometimes. Of course, it doesn't help that I have a head cold! (And there I was boasting that I'd made it through winter completely unscathed!!!) And that I'm away from home right now. You see all, I'm in Sydney - for the ISCD talks called Behind Design. The first was last night, the second tonight.... It was lovely to head into the ISCD offices and to spend the evening hearing stories of design from some very talented designer-y folk. And a pleasure to have a little chat myself... I do love being in Sydney again - stripping off the farm boots and mud and getting all dressed up in my finery... And so, back to pink... Just the perfect shade for a day like today...

pic from Lobster and Swan (I think!!!)

Happy Monday Giveaway...

How lovely to begin a new week with a giveaway! I'm completely in love with this HoneyBee Flock Clock - it's cute and very funky and will look simply fabulous gracing a a cozy nook in the kitchen, hallway, or above a mantel. It's made of Blackwood veneer and has a silent mechanism so it's tick-tock won't disturb! The good news on this Happy Monday - is that you my dear readers can win one for  yourself - thanks to Blue Caravan and Honey Bee. All you need to do is sign on to become a follower - then your name automatically goes into the draw. I'll draw the winner at random on Friday - so good luck everyone...

Art Piece Inspiration...

I am forever inspired by the creative types who live in and around Byron Bay... There are writers, actors, directors, chefs and of course, artists - who live by the beaches and up there yonder in those hills. They are constantly creating beautiful things and I feel blessed to able to live amongst such beauty and to be able to see their work gracing the walls of local galleries. One favourite gallery is Art Piece Gallery in Mullumbimby - a divine shrine to all things creative. Owned by the lovely Nadine Abensur who scours the region for the best local art and crafts - Art Piece is just a breath of fresh air and not to be missed if you are heading to Byron and love to explore its regions....

Here are some pics of the gallery in full flight - Congratulations Nadine on creating such an inspirational space... 70 Burringbar Street, Mullumbimby...

Late Night Beauty...

I can't help myself - I just have to share these pics of Cath Kidston's house that was featured in Lonny Mag...
Love Cath - and Love Lonny...

We Have A Winner...

Oh I do wish that you could all be winners - but sadly my darling followers there is only one!

And today's winner (chosen at random) of the Blue Caravan/Kanimbla Clay Tea Light is Emma Treadgold...

Congratulations Emma - please email on email@shannonfricke.com with all of your details and we'll send your beautiful tea light to you...

Don't worry everyone if you didn't win today as there is another wonderful gift from Blue Caravan on it's way to be revealed in the next day... Keep your eyes peeled for more booty my friends!

A Story of Escape...

As you know, there is the odd occasion when I sneak away to Bali - generally on a work vacation but occasionally for a little getaway! I find Bali is such an inspirational place in so many ways - the Balinese are so 'in the moment' (sometimes frustratingly so!) - that thinking of the past or even the future is not in their emotional vocab... Being there is a reminder to be present in the now - a state of being that I'm forever struggling towards...

The colours of Bali always inspire me - these pics were taken at a local fruit stall and I had to take a couple of snaps. Note the muted tones mixed in with a sparkle of bright to uplift and entrance... This is Bali at it's most honest... Do you have a favourite place that inpsires you to be at peace? At one with yourself? Let me know, I'd love to hear your stories of escape...

p.s Also, a little reminder that I am going to draw the winner for the Blue Caravan Kanimbla Clay leaf tealight tomorrow - so look out - Tuesday could be your lucky day...

Progress...

Getting anything done in this world is never an easy task, don't you find. There always seems to be delays, hiccups, mistakes and problems that mar the path to a successful outcome. Being an Aries, I find this all incredibly frustrating - as us Aries gals a prone to a little impatience at times!!! However, perhaps this is the lesson of life - be patient, be present and good things will come. Having said all of this, the road to building the pool as been smooth sailing and a pain free ride - perhaps because I've already been patient 2 years worth? (Thank you universe...)

 Anyhoo all - I thought you'd like to see the progress of all that digging... Doesn't it just look fab? Things are rolling along - and we should be tiled, decked and all filled up for summer... Bring on those hot and steamy Byron Bay days...

p.s don't forget to sign up as a follower to go into the draw to win this divine leaf tealight from Kanimbla Clay via Blue Caravan... It's simply a divine piece of artistry and will beautiful grace any mantel...

Giveaway Saturday With Kanimbla Clay...

Hello everybody,

I hope you're enjoying your weekend and that the weather is glorious in your part of the world...
I thought that I would celebrate the weekend with another Blue Caravan giveaway! Yay! Now you know how much I love all things ceramic - well, I'm very excited that our giveaway is a beautiful leaf tealight from the lovely gang at Kanimbla Clay. This sublime piece is made by hand (and of course, ethical in nature) and is simply lovely by day and even lovelier all lit up at night...

If you would like to be in the running to win this lovely Kanimbla Clay piece - then click on and become a follower. The winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday (so be quick y'all!)

Good luck everyone - and happy weekend...

Friday's At The Studio...

I thought you guys may be interested to see what goes on at The Little Cottage Studio on a Friday afternoon? Sadly, as you can see we are not cracking open a bottle of champagne to celebrate the end of another productive week! Instead, we are up to our eyeballs in mess - frantically researching and administrating some ideas for a new little range... This, my dear friends - is the truest example of what goes on in here on any given day. Simple divine and beautiful chaos. I remember once seeing an article about Martha's working desk and it was all white and as clean as a whistle... As hard as I try to be orderly, it;s just not a reality all the time - and so here we are - messy but happy! 


Before I bid you adieu for a happy weekend - I must announce the winner (who was chosen at random) of our lovely, jubbly Blue Caravan Earth Tribe Giveaway.... Drum roll everyone....


Congratulations to Jodie from Creativity and Love - you have won the beautiful Earth Tribe Purse...


Send us a line Jodie with your address and contact details so that your purse can be despatched asap...


I have some more giveaways coming up in the next few days - so keep your eyes peeled everyone...


Happy Weekend all....

Pretty Pictures All In A Row...

And, I couldn't end Thursday without posting some inspirational pics - and today's pretty pictures come from none other than the forever gorgeous Anthropologie. For your viewing pleasure...

p.s also, if you're interested in design and would like to hear some industry folk speaking about all things beautiful - then ISCD (International School Of Colour and Design in Sydney) are hosting some talks called Behind Design - of which I'm taking part with a group of very talented industry types. The dates are 22nd & 23rd September - although I think the 23rd is Sold Out... Head to their website for all the info...

Countdown...

Hi guys,
Don't forget that I'm drawing the winner for the divine Earth Tribe purse (see post below) tomorrow - that is Friday! All followers go into the draw - so it you're interested sign up today. I've got a couple of other goodies from Blue Caravan to give away too over the next few days - so keep your eyes peeled...
sx

Workshop Update....

Hi all,
Many of you have contacted me regarding the 2011 Workshop dates - and we are scrambling to get them plus payment info up on the website - however a setback or two means that it may be another two weeks before we get the the website up to date. If you are really, really keen to reserve your spot - and definitely don't want to miss out - then I'm posting the dates for the Styling 101, How To Decorate and Just Colour Workshops in the right hand bar on the blog. These three workshops will be held at The Little Cottage in beautiful Bangalow and the cost is $395 for the day including a luscious ploughmans lunch and goody bag at the end of the day... If you would like to book via credit card over the phone then contact us at the The Little Cottage studio on 02-66872184. If we're not there then leave a message with your name and number and we'll get right back to you. We're confirming the venue for the Follow Your Heart Creative Living Seminar - which will most likely take place at a very swanky hotel on the Gold Coast - I'm just confirming now and will get back to you with venue and cost details in the next few days.
I hope to see you in 2011! Happy Decorating y'all....

Free Range A Roaming...

I was in Sydney the other day visiting my little chicks - that is, my lovely range of ceramics called Free Range by Shannon Fricke. You see, they've left home! And gone to the big city... It's been a traumatic time, setting my lovely babies free - but it had to happen you know, because this is just how things roll... Thankfully, they've found their way to a very, very nice home. The lovely gang at Murobond paints are stocking a collection of Free Range pieces - and here they are looking absolutely to-die-for in their Sydney showroom. I'm in love with the way they've been arranged and styled - I couldn't have done it better myself. If you'd like to take a peep at the Free Range by Shannon Fricke range - then head to Murobond (81 Dickson Avenue, Artarmon). Of course, while you are there, you will be completely bowled over by their wonder wall of paint colour and no doubt will be inspired to take a pot of paint home with you too - perhaps in a tone to match Free Range? Anyhoo - thanks Murobond for the support. And good luck in the big city my lovely, lovely Free Range babies!

Giveaway Monday with Blue Caravan and EarthTribe...

You know how I do love the team at Blue Caravan - the online market place for gorgeous things created with ethics and fair trade in mind. And I'm very excited that the team at Blue Caravan have supplied us with some gorgeous things to give away to you guys - my lovely readers....

I'll be rolling out the giveaways over the next week - so stay tuned - however our first giveaway begins today.

This beautiful Scarlet Evening Purse has been created by Earth Tribe. It's pure silk, with cotton lining and has embroidery panelling and a snap button closure. And it's worth $79.95! Wow, thank you Earth Tribe for passing on your beauty to our readers and thanks Blue Caravan for organizing the booty...

Now, for the rules... If you want to be a winner then sign up as a follower on my blog - all followers will go into the drawer to win this lovely prize and the winner will be drawn and announced this Friday 10th September. Good luck all...

Why, Hello Again...

Hello everyone,
I know I've been flying under the radar a little this week - that's because I've been away on a little sourcing trip - hunting fabrics and decoration for a dinner table that I'm styling for a charity ball coming up in October. It's been rather full on work I have to say - as I have a very definite picture of how I want things to look in mind - the trick of course, is to find the pieces of the jigsaw - and I seem to be on track so far... I hope!
In the meantime, I have to show you my latest Women's Weekly project - re-upholstering and painting an old dining chair. I used an Ici et La stripe as the fabric of choice - and painted the chair a lovely soft blue - (it was an old brown one originally). What do you think?