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...

'In The Palazzo, You Are In Heaven'...

seen in WSJ magazine

So says Francis Ford Coppola of his heavenly, sublime palazzo come recently opened hotel (Palazzo Margherita) in Southern Italy... Wouldn't you just love to spend a few nights here in heaven yourself? Designed in collaboration with French designer Jacques Grange and the Coppola clan -  the design is just pure quirky (see wallpaper/chandeliers) whilst oozing movie set glamour. Love it! Love it! Love it!

Have You Been To Mavis' Kitchen?...

I know you know that I'm a complete sucker for beautiful gardens - particularly one with an old Queenslander quietly nestled in the landscape. There's something just so homely about a grand, old, slightly rundown timber house and something just so soulful about a garden that has been loved and tended and filled to the brim with edible delights. Add to this - heart-warming home cooked meals and you have a beautiful restaurant and a recipe for a great day out ! Hubby and I decided to head up to Mavis' Kitchen in Uki (about a 40 minute drive from us in Byron Bay) last weekend on a whim -  it was our 18 year wedding anniversary - and with the sun shining and nothing particularly planned we thought we'd drop in to see if we could get a table. Luckily for us - there was room and we were able to spend the afternoon languishing in the beauty of the surroundings.... I do love that such a place has been created in the midst of nowhere - and yet because of it's beauty attracts people from near and far. It's a real testament to the place. If you're in the area, then it's worth checking out Mavis' Kitchen - if simply to have tea and scones and to delight in the love that abounds there..

One Fine Day...

I do love it when cutie pie little stores open up in my hometown of Bangalow... Gorgeous, one of a kind stores, the kind that Bangalow is famous for... One such store is One Fine Day, housed in a pretty little shack in Station Street... One Fine Day is filled to the brim with colour and creativity - beautiful things that bring a smile to your face... If you're heading to Bangalow then be sure to check out what's in store...

Penny Farthing and Max Dupain....

Wow... What a coup... If you're a lover of Max Dupain photographs (who isn't?) - then you're in for a treat. Penny Farthing Design House has secured release of a series of photographs from the Max Dupain estate - beautiful, evocative, black and white images - that beautifully capture Australia, our culture, our life, our sensibility... If you're interested in infusing some MD photographs into your decor then contact Penny Farthing Design House for options... Imagine some of these pics lining your walls? Beautiful...

Beautiful Things and Travelling Wares...

I'm loving these summer holidays - as you know (!) - not only because the weather is so beautiful - but also because the slower pace has given me the chance to do a little stalking! And stalking, I've been doing... I do love hunting down old work shoppers - to find out what they've been up to... And in my hunt I've come across the delightful Kara Rosenlund... Kara came along to one of our very first workshops - and had a gift from the get go... You know those types that seem to be able to bring colour, style and texture together with ease and light hand? I've been following Kara since that time, to see how her career would unfold and recently have been checking out her website... And wow, what a treat... Kara has been styling and photographing (yes, she takes pics too) up a storm, as you can see from the images above... Such evocative, emotional and sensitive work... Congrats Kara on taking your career to such great heights... Not to be dull though, Kara has fingers in many pies... Check out Kara's caravan of old wares (called Travelling Wares) which trips from market to market around the Brisbane area... Love it Kara, you're such an inspiration....

I love that the workshops attract so many diverse and interesting women - who all share a commonality - the desire to lead a creative life... I come across so many women who don't have the confidence to be creative... These women believe that creativity is for the select few - only those who are born with the gene! I love it when these gals attend a workshop as it can be such a personal leap for them to even turn up! The workshops are designed to create a space where even the most novice creative is free to explore her own creativity... We use decorating as our creative medium - but really our workshop experience can be applied to any creative medium. We give you the space, and the tools that you need to allow your creativity to unfold... Creativity isn't a finite thing, after all... It's a journey that often lasts a lifetime... A creative ride! I  can't wait to fire up new workshops for 2012 - and to launch the new website which will have all of the details/dates... So, if you've been holding your inner creative to ransom and are looking for a way to unleash it into the world - then look out.... As 2012 is going to be a very creative year...

Chillax In Byron Bay...

It's no secret that creative types turn to the environment around them for inspiration in their work... The colours, textures and energy around us is a great influence on how we feel within ourselves and in turn how we express our vision through our work... Well, this is my environment... The beautiful Byron Bay.... Pure white sand, clear blue water and sculptural foliage - like the pandanas tree - in muted tones that speak in whispered tones - saying all the while - 'relax, relax, relax'... I've recently been working on a lovely project - a small hotel - in Byron Bay - and it's colours just like these that have made it's way from the environs beyond to the spaces within... Washed up, washed out blues and greens, sandy tones in textures intended to translate the feeling you get from the beach to your lounge room... Loving this colour palette right now - it says summer chillax - exactly how summer in Oz is supposed to be... Can't wait to show you the result of our chilled out labours...


This pic is by Prue Ruscoe for a shoot we did for Inside Out...

Colour Interpretation...

Check out my daughter Inez's creative offering for today - an artistic/graphic/computer interpretation of the cover of my sense of style: colour book... I love that it's a little Matisse and a little Gauguin - with beautiful rich colourings in broad, organic brushstrokes... Really, it's just lovely to see all of that holiday computer time (!) being put to good use, I say.... We could have an artist in our midst afterall...

2012... Here We Come...

Where Are They Now...

Hello everyone,
I'm back from my whirlwind trip to NYC and have spent the week, head down, bum up, so to speak, catching up on all that needs doing before the holidays...


And as we slide into Christmas - I thought I'd squeeze in one last, Where Are They Now - because I do so love to hear about what my past workshoppers are up to... This is Lyndel Miller (who attended a styling workshop in 2011) and this will be a real treat, particularly for those of you who are interested in a career as a stylist. Lyndel's journey is such an inspiring one as 2011 saw her dream of becoming a stylist turn into a reality... It goes to show that you can make your dreams happen - even if you don't live in a major city like Sydney or Melbourne (Lyndel lives in the Gold Coast) Anyway, I let you read her story for yourselves.... I hope you enjoy....

'I have never made a New Years resolution but on New Years Day 2011 I said to my sister I think I would make a good stylist.  I had been reading some great books, and researched courses, including Shannon's fabulous workshops , and decided it was time to throw myself wholeheartedly into this idea , and started enrolling and researching. I love research! and I started studying.

I committed to 2 courses and 2 workshops I thought had the most to offer. ISCD, Australian College of Professional Styling, Food Styling and Shannon's Styling 101. I was hooked ! and I knew from the very beginning that this was for me. 

I had such a varied background, but all of what I had learn't / experienced in the past graced me with tools to carry me through on this next adventure.

I sped through studies ( didn't seem like work ) and before I had  finished Skye Craig for Masterchef (Series 2) had offered me the job of styling her upcoming campaign for the launch of her gourmet ice- cream and dessert range. 

She liked my aesthetic , we had worked together in the past on an advertising campaign, where Skye was our Graphic Artist. 

I was so excited! This was my big break, as they say.

Of course, I said yes! 

I styled the shoots on all levels,wardrobe. prop and food ( ice cream) and assisted in production also.

I worked alongside photographer Armelle Habib, which was a great pleasure and I felt right at home.

After this, I joined with photographer Mindi Cooke, who was working for Frankie Magazine and we did some commercial, interior and food shoots. A mixture of paid work and portfolio shoots. (Finding an amazing photographer to work with is paramount ! especially when you are building a portfolio as I was and continue to do) Mindi was a gift from the heavens! Love you Mind!

A few months had past and Skye was in contact again with me and asked if I would be interested in styling her upcoming dessert book and then lead to an offer to co - author..I threw myself again wholeheartedly into the book, styling on all levels. Some said it was way too much to pull off. I was determined and energised by the whole process.Working with Skye , a talented art director and kindred spirit was fantastic!  I was living my dream! ( and still am )  

I love my work, I love all it's facets, and I particularly love food. I have a background in hospitality, natural medicine and design..all of which has bought me to this place now where I feel I am mean't to be. I found myself, finally.  

My style is eclectic, emotive and original.. I work from the heart. 

I spend my days researching, fossicking, sourcing props ( love this! ) developing recipes I hope to published, perhaps in magazines ( always aiming high! )  and search for avenues that may require my services. I have a facebook page too which I think has been really helpful also. ( never thought I would think that ! ) 

I am open to travel and have accommodation in Sydney and Melbourne( though I haven't need to do this yet )  and if I was to offer any advice to others wanting to do same, I would say " trust in yourself, it is never to late, and you can make anything happen, stop saying and start doing" No excuses! Stay tuned..a book in the making for May next year :)) and if I don't say so myself , it is exquisite! 

Thanks Shannon , you are an inspiration and such a great support. Love who you are, love your work! 

Wow Lyndel, what an adventure... What I love about Lyndel's story is that she just goes for it! She's always on the lookout for opportunities and grabs them when they come along which is so important in the world of styling; as in life... As you look your opportunities in the eye, and then do the best you can to rise to the opportunity - well, this is where the growth comes and this is where we evolve as professionals and as people. Thank you Lyndel for your inspirational story.

2011 has been a lovely year for our workshops. We introduced our Styling 101 workshop - which was great fun as we got out of our chairs, and into the studio, working with props to create small vignettes... Plus we continued with our wonderful How To Decorate and Just Colour Workshops. I've met so many inspiring women through the workshops - there's something magical about a group of women around a table - listening, talking and creating together. Thank you to everyone who has attended a workshop - it has been such a pleasure to spend time with you. 2012 will be an exciting year as we continue with our workshop series. I'll be taking them on the road (to NYC!) early in the year - as well as hosting you in my hometown of Bangalow with some special workshops at the farm! Our new look website will be up and running early 2012 (along with the launch of some very exciting projects) - I'll let you know of details as they come to hand... Happy Styling all...