Introducing baby Sam...



Samuel Oscar at 4 days old



On the 24th November we had a new addition to our family arrive... Little Samuel Oscar was born {suprising us by being 2 weeks early}. It was such a wonderful & emotional day for both of us & also our families. He has settled in to our house so well & we are gradually getting used to having a little one around as well as learning to adjust to the new challenges that go with raising a child. He has grown so much already & we are so excited about having his first Christmas at our house, with both families coming to share in this special time.

I will share more pics in weeks to come & be sure to keep you all updated!!! As I get used to being a mother {albeit with limited sleep}, I will be back here much more often and promise not to have such a long break in between posts from now on!

I hope all has been well with you & I look forward to reading everyone's blogs again and catching up with what has been happening in blog land.

See you soon....

Kelly xxx

Garden update...

All is flourishing in the garden at the moment. I have been cutting roses for the last few days as each morning there are new buds bursting open. They are making the house smell so beautiful & I have some in nearly every room!!! I hope you all had a relaxing weekend... Ours was filled with lots of jobs including painting the final 2 rooms of the house - We are nearly there with all the finishing touches. Then comes the decorative finishes which are of course never finished & a work in progress :-)

Kelly xxx

Artwork addition...

I have loved this artwork by Miranda Skoczek for a long time , so I took the plunge recently and it came home with me {courtesy of Edwina Corlette Gallery in New Farm}. It now hangs proudly in my lounge room & I must say that it really helps finish off the space. I am just trying to decide on some new cushion covers to add to my collection for the sofa underneath - oh the dilemmas!!! Once I have the room looking respectable, I'll be sure to post a picture of the painting in situ.

Kelly xxx

Image courtesy of Edwina Corlette as above

Happy thoughts...

A thought to keep in mind for busy times ahead...

Kelly xxx


Image via Tiny white daisies tumblr

Letterbox love...

This could be up there as one of my favourite covers yet... Look what I found in my letter box when I arrived home this afternoon! I can't wait to sit down and read the whole copy. I had a quick flick and am looking forward to the article on Nicki Townsend's home - it looks amazing.

Happy weekend to all...

Kelly xxx

P.S. My photo doesn't do this cover justice - the title is hot pink!

Market delights {from Nice}...

 

There was nothing I enjoyed more during our past overseas trips than visits to the local markets. The vast array of produce & goods was always beyond my expectations and the colours were a feast for the eyes {as well as providing for a delicious meal later}. I received these images in my inbox on my way to work this morning from my mother in law who is currently taking a group of ladies through France with her business 'Girls on Tour'. These were her photos from the market in Nice, which had me longing to be back in France!!!

I hope your week is smooth sailing so far... It's nearly the weekend!!!

Kelly xxx

Liz Caan in IvP...

There has been lots happening around our neck of the woods lately {but more on that later in the week}... It was nice to take some time out today & enjoy the 1st birthday edition of the IvP online magazine. My favourites from the mag are above & are the work of designer Liz Caan. I am smitten with that artwork in the second picture!!!

Happy Monday :-)

Kelly xxx

All images via IvP

Mini break...

Source: shabbyapple.com via Kelly on Pinterest

I'm back from a mini break up north to visit my family. It was so lovely to be able to spend time with everyone - we don't get to do it near enough!

I hope your week has been good so far...

Kelly xxx

{Belated} Weekend treat...

This gorgeous little bunch was given to me on Friday morning as a treat {from the garden fairy}. It took pride of place in the house as my sister was down for a conference & stayed the night with us - so exciting as we don't get to see her very often! It had brightened my desk all day {despite the crazy weather we had in Brissie}.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend whatever you were up to. We had lots on which included a special christening on Sunday, as well as spending time with my sister doing dinner & shopping!!! Overall, a tiring but great weekend :-)

Kelly xxx

Spring colours...

Source: desiretoinspire.net via Kelly on Pinterest

The simplicity of this picture is what caught my eye... With spring having arrived last week, these colours to me are the epitome of this season - Fresh, crisp & clean colours that evoke a happy sense of being.

I hope you had all had a great weekend & are ready for another week!

Kelly xxx

P.S. This gorgeous image & the previous one from Heather Nette King's house - you can see her blog here.

Happy Saturday...

Source: desiretoinspire.net via Kelly on Pinterest

It's been another big week & I'm glad it's the weekend! Thought I would leave you with a dining room that I absolutely love. I don't know whether it's the painted dining table, the collection of vintage furniture pieces or the artwork that I like the most. I could quite happily live with this!

Have a fabulous weekend

Kelly xxx

Little touch of colour...

I've never been one to wear nail polish much but lately I have been wanting to add some more colour to my wardrobe... What a perfect accent this is!!! Off to find some more colours to add to my small collection!

Kelly xxx

Image via Pinterest via Musings in Feminity tumblr

Bahama magic...

After a grey and dreary day here {great though as it was a public holiday!}, these images from the latest Veranda magazine transport you to a beautiful sunny house in the Bahamas. Would have loved to be here today :-)

Kelly xxx

P.S. Sorry for the quality of pics!

Nearly the weekend...

Hooray! It's almost the weekend and I hope it involves lots of relaxing. Whatever you are up to this weekend, I hope you find some time out too :-)

Kelly xxx


Image via Kathryn Ireland

A big day...

This morning saw Anna's online store launch around 9.30am. From then on the day was rather crazy but very exciting. A big day of shipping awaits us tomorrow when we begin sending out goodies to all the lucky customers who purchased their special pieces.

Congratulations to Anna for a fantastic concept - it was certainly rewarding to watch the live tracker and see people visiting from all around the world!!!

Have a fabulous Friday

Kelly xxx


Image via Absolutely Beautiful Things online store

The wait is almost over...

The Absolutely Beautiful Things online store launches tomorrow which is VERY exciting! It is well worth the wait, but you had better be quick - there are many special items to be had!!! To be first to see the new store, make sure you register on the website. Otherwise,  keep a very close eye on Anna's blog tomorrow for the announcement!!!

Until then.....

Kelly xxx

Coming up roses...

I spent a large part of Sunday enjoying the sunshine & outdoors {the things I love about Brisbane this time of year}. Involved was lots of weeding, mulching & general tidying in the garden. I gave some extra love & special attention to my rose bushes which were planted a little while ago. Being a rather impatient gardener, I have grand plans for these little plants to look their cousins above {by Christmas}..... Ambitious? Never! I can't wait until I can cut fresh blooms to put inside :-)

Kelly xxx


Image via Head of Over Heels

Serenity now...

A mid week pretty... I wish this was me this week. I would love to wake up in these gorgeous sheets with breakfast in bed accompanied by my trusty little laptop to browse the day away... A girl can dream right?

Happy Wednesday!

Kelly xxx


Image: Rita Konig via Decorista

Seeing red...

I came across this image while looking at curtain banding options for a client {not sure how google came up with this one but glad it did!}. I believe it is Ralph Lauren and I love the striped shower curtain and the horizontal heading. I know I have been off the radar lately but I am still around and busy as ever!!!

Kelly xxx

Sunny days...

There is nothing I love more on a weekend morning than sitting with a cup of tea in my rumpus room with the sun streaming in {my husband usually still sound asleep in bed!}. Our little furry friend Angus soaks up the sun in one of his favourite spots. It was a gorgeous sunny day here for the final day of a long weekend. Back to work tomorrow!!!!!

Kelly xxx

A Happy {Black & Spiro} Easter...

Wishing you all a very happy Easter & restful break.

I thought I would share a little insight into how we created the Easter window at Black & Spiro this year. It all started with an idea for custom fabric printed with brightly coloured bunnies & went from there. The pictures below show the various stages involved...

I hope you enjoyed seeing the process of creating a Black & Spiro window!!!

I'll be taking a few days off to spend with my family - see you all next week :-)

Kelly xxx

All images taken by Anna Spiro & myself

Head down...

It's head down time for me at the moment!!! There are a few major things in the pipeline that I am working on {hopefully all will be revealed in the next few months} that are keeping me extremely busy. I am also in the process of setting up a home office / workspace in one of our spare rooms which is exciting. Please excuse me if my posts become a little sporadic over the next few weeks :-)

Kelly xxx


Image via Papernstitch blog

The classics...

This post was inspired by another shipment of some stunning hand painted Moroccan tables that are now in store at Black & Spiro. They are black & white in various designs, and it got me thinking how classic & striking the black/white combination is. I have touches of black & white around my house but was inspired today by pictures of both fashion & design that I found in my files. There are endless ways of incorporating this classic into design and it fits with every style!!!

Hope your weekend is fabulous so far...

Kelly xxx


Images via Domino, Brabourne Farm, the Glam Lamb, Vogue, Beautiful things to share, Susanna Salk

Next on the exhibition list...

Ethel Carrick Fox Flower market, Nice c. 1926 Oil on canvas

I can't wait for this exhibition to open at the Queensland Art Gallery on the 16th April. It is titled ‘Art, Love and Life: Ethel Carrick and E Phillips Fox’ and explores the paintings of an Australian artist who married an English painter. They travelled the world together to exotic places, searching for subjects to paint.

The exhibition is on until 7th August at QAG so make sure you don't miss out if you are in Brisbane!!!

Kelly xxx

Image via Member Mail - QAG

Under the weather...

I've been a little under the weather the past week or so, hence my lack of posts - Sorry!!! I love that weather is getting cooler in my part of the world and can't wait until I can wear scarves & jackets again. I love the simple 'bow' pictured above. Will definitely be trying this one :-)

Kelly xxx


Image via Emmadime via Compulsively Compiled

Matchbook Minnie...

I have a thing for huge bookcases and find it fascinating too see what books other people have & collect. I think you can tell a lot about a person through their book collection. This one above belongs to Minnie Mortimer as shown in the latest Matchbook Magazine issue {which you should check out right now here, if you haven't already}!!!

Kelly xxx

Heart it...

I have a few little crafty things up my sleeve at the moment... This cute idea made me smile {especially as you know how much I am a sucker for love hearts} :-)

Kelly xxx


Image via tiny white daisies tumblr

Off to see the wizard...

...Well, the witches anyway!!! I am going to the 'Wicked' musical tomorrow and can't wait. I have heard great reports from people... Have you seen it? What did you think?

Have a fabulous weekend!!!
Kelly xxx


Image via QPAC

Lilly love...

I just stumbled across these images of the newly renovated Lilly Pulitzer store in Ardmore, Pennsylvania... My favourite part of the store is the incredible toile scenes painted by the extremely talented Paige Smith who is a print designer. The last image above of one of the dressing rooms leaves me speechless!!! 

Kelly xxx


Images via Lilly Pulitzer facebook page

Mondayitis...

Back into the working week today... I have a long list of things to do this week... Happy Monday :-)

Kelly xxx


Image via Dream Girl Diaries Tumblr

Wishing for the weekend...

Looking forward to catching up with friends & spending some time outdoors this weekend to enjoy the beautiful cool nights we have been having!!!

Kelly xxx


Image via suziebeezietumblr

Garden inspiration...

Yesterday I had a lovely day off & for the first time in ages, went out & about to visit some of my favourite haunts. I popped in to work to say hi & saw a gorgeous little posy on the front desk. Anna had raided her garden & the result was a fresh & pretty arrangement. I was inspired & went home to raid my own garden {that I frequently say has no flowers to cut... Something I am working on} and found surprises everywhere. I snipped & snipped and my bunch of cuttings turned into a simple, little floral display that now sits on my coffee table!!!

Kelly xxx


All images above taken by me {March 2011}

Lucky no. 4 {end of Creative Spaces series}...

 

To finish off the 'Creative Spaces' series this week, I have ended with the amazing artist, Hunt Slonem.  Best known for his abstracts & paintings of tropical birds {having many of them living in aviaries}, he has also published a number of fabulous books. The images above {from The Selby} show some of his studio. Paint brushes galore, brightly coloured paints mixed in tantalising shades, stacked finished artworks & an easel literally dripping with paint.... It doesn't get much better than this!!!

Happy Friday everyone :-)

Kelly xxx


All images via The Selby

Creative space {no. 3}...

 



Confetti System is the result of two extremely creative people, Nicholas Andersen & Julie Ho. They make creative installations from all sorts of materials and their studio {pictured above as photographed by 'The Selby'} looks like so much fun! Books are a must in any design studio, being an invaluable tool for research & inspiration. As I dabble in sewing, I love seeing other people's projects in progress. What an inspiring space!!!

Kelly xxx


All images as seen on 'The Selby'