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...

Bloomingville Beautiful...

I can't resist posting these pics from Bloomingville - they remind me to sit back, relax and enjoy the weekend.
Happy Weekend all...

Smile...

Have a lovely weekend one and all. I embarking upon the weekend with optimism and the hope that one day my garden will be filled with lovely flowers like this one that I took in Bali with my new camera - a Canon G11 - a heavenly contraption that makes all of my photographs look professional!

What A Thrill...

I'm constantly inspired by the extraordinary people who live in Bali - there is an enormous collection of talent to be found hiding up in there in those hills. And Marcello and Michela from Gaya Ceramics are no exception. I was thrilled to meet with this gorgeous Italian couple who made their way from Italy 9 years ago to set up the Gaya Ceramic factory and design room. Now, you all know how much I love my ceramics - and so to spend time with the designers who create works for none other than Casa Armani, Donna Karan and my idol, Paola Navone was a treat but moreover a complete inspiration. If you do make it to the hills up around Ubud then it's definately worth taking a trip to Gaya (the art gallery, ceramic space and gelato bar!!!). Thank you M & M for your hospitality and generosity - I'll be back!
The pic above is of Michela (Michi) - and the wonderful animation you see in her face is reflected in her beautiful designs and creations...

The Colours Of Bali...

I've had a wonderful week - spent up in Bali on a week of work with a little 'health' thrown in for good measure. I spent the week, with my colleague Sophie (those of you who came to the March 12 workshop will remember her as our photographer) - sourcing some wonderful things for upcoming interiors and for a few secret projects to be revealed in the not so distant future. Bali is such a lovely place - full of colour and life but also humility and balance. And the Balinese are a joy to be around - particularly in times of trouble (like when this 41 year old Byron Bay girl, pretending to be much younger and far more carefree, had a teensy accident on her old vespa!!!) Here are some pics of the colours of Bali - to inspire peace and joy...

Are you heading to Bali? Here's a little list of must-do places to go in Ubud...

Indus - Owned by the talented and extraordinary Janet De Neefe (author of Fragrant Rice) - can't be beaten for the stupendous views of the Ubud rice paddies and great menu...
Sari Organic - The most divine restaurant - situated a 10-minute walk through the rice paddies in a beautiful organic garden..
Little Kafe - A part of the Yoga Barn - a temple of yogic joy - Little Kafe serves a mean espresso. Perfectly consumed with a 'Blood Cleaner' juicy concoction...
Gaya Gelato - Out of Ubud, but only a Vespa ride away, Italians Massimo and Colette create gelato heaven at their beautiful tropical gelateria. Not to be missed...
Body Works - An institution in Ubud - the ideal place to be massaged and cured of all your ails. Ask for Ketut...

Island Luxe at the Workshop....

It's just over a week to go before I host my second 'How To Decorate' workshop up here at The Little Cottage - my studio workshop in beautiful Bangalow. I'm so excited to be meeting all of the participants - it promises to be a fantastic day of decorating...
I'm particularly thrilled because Island Luxe - the most gorgeously divine store right here in Bangalow (I know some of you March workshop girls know it well!!!) - have offered a special surprise gift to all of the May 8th workshop participants. If you know Island Luxe, then you're fully aware of what a wonderful thing this is - but if you don't then the pics above should give you a hint as to how lucky I feel that they have supported the workshops in this way. Thank you Helen and Sam...

I have two places left in the May 8th workshop. If you're interested in booking a place, and spending the weekend in beautiful Bangalow, then send me an email to register your interest - for both the workshop and the Island Luxe gift pack. Hope to see you there...

Island Luxe - 62 Byron Street, Bangalow 02 66871605

p.s - how bout the white wicker chairs in the top pic! Heaven...

Pure Smile...

I do love that Amy Butlers designs are so bright and colourful - they resonate a happiness, a joie de vivre, that I'm sure represents the designers own lovely disposition (having met her briefly when she was out in Australia on a speaking tour, I can attest that she is indeed a delightful soul). Her range of bedding is just pure smile, don't you think? And would brighten even the dullest day. How wonderful that something as simple as a sheet or a pillowcase can bring a smile to the morning - it's magic. Thanks Amy...

Pretty Plates All In A Row (or Two)...

Well, you know how much I love a plate! Why? Well, I can't describe the fascination for such things... Perhaps it is simply the excitement at the possibility of the food that will served upon them! Or maybe, that they are an art form of the user-friendly variety. You see, I do love my artworks to have a dual purpose - so that I can interact with them in a tactile way rather than arranging them on a wall or a pedestal for distant adoration purposes only! How beautiful to pick up a bowl, or a goblet - to touch and caress it. Or, for that piece of beauty to support the food that ensures your very survival. In this way, art becomes an active participant in our lives. And this is how I like my art to be. It's an inexpensive way to infuse our lives with beautiful things And I'm a big believe that beauty should be for everyone. And so, I offer you this gorgeous arrangement of plates today (from Anthropologie, of course!) - to give you a little beauty upon which to gaze...

An Anthropological Life....

Some days,  I think, wouldn't it be nice to live in an Anthropologie catalogue? What with all the beautiful things, placed just so on tables, walls and floors. If I were to living in an Anthropologie catalogue, I'd have parties everyday, and invite my friends over for a little dancing and fun. In my Anthropologie life there would be no mess, nothing to clean up, everything would be magically restored to its original place. To dream, to dream
Ah, Anthropologie. I do love you...

Feel Like Getting Away?

Then come along to beautiful Bangalow for a weekend of shopping and eating! Could there be anything more lovely than Bangalow for a few days? Not that I am completely and utterly bias as it is my hometown after all! If you're looking for somewhere to stay on your trip to Bangalow then check out The Little Cottage Guest Nook - the two bedroom loft studio that is attached to my workshop. The Guest Nook is particularly designed for girly weekends (what with the feminine interior and all) - however boys with an appreciation of luscious interiors and beautiful girly Lazybones bedspreads - are also welcome! The Guest Nook sleeps up to four friends (one queen bed downstairs and two singles upstairs in the loft - plus a bathroom). Email me for the rates and availability if you'd like to come and stay!