Festive break...

{ pic from Real Living mag}

Wishing you all a wonderful christmas and restful but fun festive season!!! I am heading up north to spend a few weeks with my family and enjoy a well earned break. I will back mid January hopefully refreshed and ready for what next year has in store!

Thank you to everyone who has been reading my little blog and for the lovely comments which you leave. I love hearing your thoughts and ideas and look forward to seeing you all in blog land in 2010.

Kelly xxx

Island calm...

I am loving the gorgeous painted floors in this picture {found here}.

I wish I was in this room sipping a cool beverage rather than feeling

like I can't keep up with this busy time of year!!!

Kelly xxx

My little tree...

Here are some images of my humble little christmas tree this year. I went with simple baubles and ribbons tied on for decoration and the presents are wrapped in a blue/natural striped paper tied with pink twill. I am still on the hunt for an angel or star for the top of the tree, but haven't found one I love yet. May the hunt continue...

Kelly xxx

Artist love...

I received an email recently with new works from Liz Tran and fell in love with the one above. You can see more of her works here.

Kelly xxx

Birthday surprises...

I have had an amazing past few days - my family organised a fantastic weekend for my birthday with 2 surprise dinners and them arriving from up north to celebrate with me {all without me having a clue} !!!! It was fantastic and we had heaps of fun. The photo above is of a stunning french chest of drawers that I received as one of my birthday presents. Lucky me :-)

Kelly xxx

Trio of jars...

My makeshift painting area...

This is a painting I recently did for one of my lovely friends who was married not long ago. She loves yellow so I did an arrangement of yellow ginger jars and a blue/white one also which she loves also. I haven't had much time for painting lately but now that my studies are over for the year I am hoping to do some more - it is my 'time out' from the world and I enjoy it thoroughly. I am thinking about what I could paint to go above my new pink chairs...

Kelly xxx

My chairs are back...

...from the upholsterer and look fantastic! I am so happy with them and they really brighten up our living room. Working on cushions {that one is not staying}, artwork etc now so that the room will look a little more finished :-)

Kelly xxx

Frilled to bits...

As soon as I saw this this gorgeous picture in the October issue of Living Etc magazine I fell in love!!! Everything is so perfect - the all white scheme, black & white stripes, claw foot bath, the stunning pendant light, the glimpse of my favourite mirror, the pedestal basin.... not to mention the frills!!!! Ok, I'll stop now :-)

This one will be in the favourites file for ever I think.

Kelly xxx

Hooray...

I spent last week finishing off my final assignments for the semester and then had a lovely weekend in Cairns with my family. After having my final class for the year last night and handing everything in, it was like a huge weight had gone.... What on earth will I do with my nights now after work? Get organised for Christmas I think!!!!!! I have bought a heap of magazines and will sit down with some old ones also for some inspiration. No time like the present {pardon the pun} :-)

Kelly xxx

Image 1 from Kikki K catalogue; Image 2 from Real Living magazine

Artist's residence...

This studio & living space belongs to Janet Green, a ceramic artist from New Zealand. Something really caught me with these images - I love the quirky touches, the shots of colour & all the different materials / textures used. Another great find from here.

Kelly xxx

Thank you...

A big thank you to Kimberlee over at Brown Button for her lovely words & for mentioning my blog. I have been a visitor to her blog for quite some time now - you too can check out her great blog here.

Kelly xxx

The decision is final...

Cushion fabrics and sample of pink fabric for the 2 antique french armchairs

The decision has finally been made on the scheme for our living room. The 2 existing sofas will go {they have seen better days} and in their place will be a new 2 seater sofa with neutral cover and my 2 gorgeous antique french armchairs which will have a new lease of life in none other than a stunning pink fabric {not to mention the beautiful gimp/trim to match}. The cushions will be a mixture of the fabrics above and will be added to once I have the basics in place. I always thought I would have a neutral room with accents but this scheme is so happy & fresh, I'm really pleased. It's all so exciting, and I hope to have it all finished by christmas. Still need to find some cute side tables and maybe a new coffee table {if I can convince someone that our current one either needs a coat of white paint or to be relocated}! We have also ordered a fantastic striped awning for the front of the house off the rumpus room where the french doors will be added which will add a much needed facelift to the front of the house. Just waiting to hear back from the builder for a start date for the other little projects. That's about my excitement for the week. Have had a lovely day off today which has gone far too quickly. Have a wonderful weekend :-)

Kelly xxx

The end is in sight...

Tomorrow a very large history of design assignment / presentation is due and I cannot wait! Counting down to Friday already for some serious relaxation and 'me' time!!!

Kelly xxx

Image from here

Celebrity Favourites...

Found this article on the Architectural Digest site about celebrities favourite rooms. These two above were my favourites! I love the casual elegance & the gorgeous turquoise colour of the walls in the first pic of Marilyn Monroe's apartment and something about the second pic of the landing in Woody Allen's Manhattan townhouse makes you feel like you should be sipping on an cup of tea discussing worldly affairs. I have two gorgeous antique french chairs similar to these {which I have posted about previously} and have just decided to have them reupholstered in a stunning dark pink fabric! Bit daring for me, but I think they will look amazing!!!

Kelly xxx

Weekend lovelies...

A few gorgeous images to start off the weekend with...

Kelly xxx


{Unsure where these are from sorry... if you recognise them, please let me know so I can credit.}

Image 2 via Brabourne Farm (Clignacourt Flea Markets) - Thanks Leigh!

It's the small details...

I have a thing for love hearts in decorating {yes - I know this is corny} but they never fail to make me smile. In our current quest to provide some finishing touches to our humble house, it got me thinking as to where I can incoporate some of these little bursts of happiness. Ever since I saw the above picture of this front gate, I have wanted one for my own house. Then to my amazement and delight, when we travelling in Europe last year (in the Lot region near Faycelles) I spotted this feature window and made my poor husband turn around on the narrow road so I could take a picture and stare {he didn't quite understand why I was so I amazed!}. Does anyone else have a thing for a funny little details?

Kelly xxx

P.S You may need to click on the pictures to enlarge :-)

First image taken by myself in France; Second image from magazine cutting (not sure which one sorry)

Rainy day...

Well the forecast was correct and today was a cool and rainy day. Perfect for finishing off a lighting assignment!!! I did end up buying some gorgeous pink roses yesterday {amongst other flowers} which I placed in one of my recent purchases, this cute little vintage vase.

Time to get ready to start the week....

Kelly xxx

Photos taken by me of my study desk

Spring weekend...

This is me this weekend.... Working and then frantically finishing assignments to hand in on Tuesday!!! I think I will have to splurge and buy some beautiful roses like the picture above to brighten my absolute mess of a desk. The forecast tomorrow is cloudy with rain periods which is perfect to keep me inside !!!

Kelly xxx

Image from Ngoc Minh Ngo Photographer

White out...

Sometimes when things get a little crazy in your life, it's nice to unwind and relax in a tranquil space. These above images instill a sense of calmness and serenity and offer a peaceful place to escape the world. As much as I love colour, it would be nice to have some 'white out' time.

Kelly xxx

Images via Janet Lohman

Bright ideas...

I am currently working on a lighting / electrical plan for a whole house as one of my assignments due soon. I thought I would look through some of my saved pics for inspiration. Thought I would share a few of my favourites at the moment.

Kelly xxx

Image 1- Domino; 2- Restoration Station via VT Interiors; 3-Domino; 4- via Pink Wallpaper; 5-Lieux Paris

Paving plans...

This picture from Cote Sud magazine has been on my inspiration board since I tore it out of my mag a while ago. This is what I am aiming for with our area off the rumpus room. Having gone through a number of different options and changes of plans, we are now thinking of not having an undercover area and making the most of our yard and trees. Although only small, I would love to a gorgeous paved area like this one for relaxing brunches and haivng friends over.

Kelly xxx

Wish I was here...

It's a really hot and dry day here today. Would love to be here!!!!

Kelly xxx

All images taken by me of Cortona, Tuscany.

Industrial revolution...

Images via Get Back, Inc

I have been loving the thought of introducing an industrial element somewhere in our house but haven't been sure where. I stumbled across these fabulous pieces and can think of heaps of places where I could put them. I must admit, I do have a thing for great storage pieces though!!!

Love this set of drawers (this is one of my favourite pictures)

Fabulous chairs (found via Pink Wallpaper)

Hope you are having a good week so far!

Kelly xxx