Perfect Harmony

I love the simplicity and balance of this scheme.  From the perfect proportions of the furniture, to the understated elegance of the pendant light, the overall effect is stunning.  I also adore the way the fabric colours compliment the outside vista, pulling the eye through the window to the view beyond.  

Image from here

Motherhood

Sunday was Mother's Day... my very first ever... my time to reflect on the wonder of being part of the perpetual miracle of life... my time to treasure the warm little body that clings and flings and wriggles in my arms as I try to kiss his sweet, sticky face.  I am now part of a collective body of souls united by the simple, yet incredible act of mothering.  We are an army of sorts - we are protecting a city of angels from the ravages of an uncertain world - determined to preserve their white feathery wings and their glowing halos so that their little cherub faces can turn forever towards the light and know peace.

I was loved and hugged and showered with kisses but what my little boy may never understand is that he alone is the gift.

My love to mothers everywhere

x

Image from here 

Friday Collector

Some yummy bits to send us into the weekend!

Have a lovely time...

I will be celebrating my very first Mothers Day!

x

Girls Own Shed

I'm a girly girl (I know... you're shocked, right?!).  I've often whinged  and wined about the fact that I now live in a male dominated world that is literally dripping with navy blue clothes and yellow tonka trucks!  I desperately love my boys (both the big one and the little one) but I do occasionally dream of pink tulle skirts and silver fairy wings, of lavender cupcakes and sparkly shoes.  

So I've decided that the only thing for it is to create my very own backyard shed (...I don't actually have a backyard yet, but I'm working on it!).  I would have it totally decked out in white and pastels with a huge, jangly, glittering chandelier hanging from above, fairy lights strung all around, a kettle and a chair for my cat Daphne (... Daphne doesn't exist yet either by the way!).  Would you care to join me for tea?

Image from here

Photographer: Clayton Austin

I recently came across the beautiful work of wedding photographer, Clayton Austin... wow, what a talented individual!  I was blown away by his brilliant compositions and quirky styling.  His blog and website are a feast of deliciousness - pop on over for a big dose of inspiration.

New Eyes

Today I'm challenging myself to look at the world a little differently...

to think of alternative uses for the mundane...

to find beauty in the unexpected...

want to join me?

Images from here

Sparkle

Today we will light candles and eat cake

Today we will blow up balloons 

Today we will laugh and sing

Today we will just be us

Happy Birthday my love... 

x

Images from here

Picture Rail Perfection

I live in an old apartment with picture rails and I sometimes get a bit stumped for ideas when hanging small prints.  I love the arrangement above... the different shapes and sizes of frames combined with the varying heights works really well to create a gallery feel.  Never in a million years would I have hung a picture as high as the round frame on the left, but it creates a perfect sense of balance don't you think?

Image from here

What to do when you just can't find the perfect lamp shade!

Hippity Hoppity Easter Wishes

Hope the Easter Bunny finds you.

x

(Did you know the Easter Bunny is chubby, blonde and has dimples?  Click here to see)

Photos by me

Creative Little Soul: Stephanie Nichols of Steal The Limelight

My quest to find inspirational, creative souls continues... join me as I chat to another wonderful, quirky lady who has managed to turn a design dream into reality.

CREATIVE LITTLE SOUL INTERVIEW

Creative Soul: Stephanie Nichols

Shop: Steal The Limelight

Lives: Sydney, Australia

This week I was delighted to interview the very lovely Stephanie Nichols - an accountant turned lamp shade designer who is the creative force behind local Australian company, Steal The Limelight.  Finding stunning lamp shades is one of my pet obsessions, so I was thrilled to discover that Stephanie not only stocks a whole range of beauties online, but she will custom-make shades to order (hip, hip, hooray!).  Make sure you pop on over to her site for a peek!

WHAT IS YOUR DESIGN BACKGROUND?

I have no formal training in design but probably should have followed that path rather than accounting which is the path I took. I have always had an interest in home décor and interior design and have renovated numerous houses. Other than the complete rebuild of our house in Balgowlah Heights, my most recent home decorating adventure was in Beechworth, Victoria. I bought an old turn of the century cottage and moved another cottage from Melbourne onto the site. With the help of my brother who is a builder we completely redecorated the houses. I absolutely loved that project!

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR STARTING YOUR COMPANY AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?

Steal The Limelight was born out of sheer necessity.  When I was decorating our home in Balgowlah Heights, I wanted some fabric lampshades to hang over my island bench but I didn’t just want plain ones. I looked everywhere but all the fabric pendant shades on the market were either made of poor quality fabric or they were very expensive. I researched the materials required for making my own shades for months and found good quality lampshade lining in Europe, Australian made wires and the Warwick Fabrics showroom where I made my first lampshade fabric purchases.

I have been in business for almost a year now! I love pouring over magazines and fabric houses searching for beautiful fabrics to create gorgeous brightly coloured and heavily patterned lampshades that people can enjoy in their homes.

HOW DID YOU TURN YOUR BUSINESS IDEA INTO A REALITY?

Many, many hours of research and many failed lampshade attempts that ended up at St. Vincent D ‘Pauls (a charity).  My quality standards are very high, and of course my accounting background has been very handy! My family, particularly my husband Brett, are very patient!

ARE YOUR PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED LOCALLY?

I hand make all of my shades in my studio which is part of my home in Balgowlah Heights, they are each a labour of love and I never tire of admiring the finished product!

HOW CAN PEOPLE BUY YOUR SHADES?

My shades are available from my online store.  I also regularly attend Mosman and Lane Cove Markets and recently made my debut at Billycart Markets in Narrabeen with my children's range.  My products are also available from Galvanised at Millthorpe, near Bathurst and the soon to be opened I Heart Gallery here in Sydney.  I ship to all parts of Australia via courier.

Hello New Friend

Look what just happened to find it's way into my house over the weekend.... ANOTHER vintage trunk!

I found it beneath a whole pile of junk at a garage sale just down the road... the best $5 I've spent in a long time!  I'm going to stencil Leo's name on the front and he can use it as a toy box (... just as soon as I can figure out how to make the rusted edges a little more child-friendly!!!).  I swear every child that enters this house needs a double Tetanus shot!