Strength...

It's been a dark and emotional time for our family in the past week and a bit. But...skies are clearing and looking brighter. Time to love more fiercely those close to you and make the most of every moment.

Looking forward to being back in 'blog land'.

Kelly xxx

Image via Mary Ruffle

Selby special...

I get so excited when I see the latest Selby photo shoot appear in my inbox. I love that the photos aren't perfectly styled interior shots and that they really show the personalities of those who live in the space. It's an amazing trip through someone's private life through the eyes of the lens, seeing their collections and displays and what quirky & unexpected things co-exist within an interior. This selby space is of Inès de la Fressange - designer, muse and model at her office in Paris. Hope you love these pics too.

Kelly xxx

Historic homestead...

Another gorgeous house from across the Tasman... Balquhidder House. As an excerpt from House & Garden describews "the house - listed as a category II property by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, is a vast dwelling that comprises six living areas, including a built-in conservatory, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen and a scullery with vertically opening shutters and a bar-style bench with high stools". Looks stunning - I could definitely move in here no questions asked. What a lucky family!!!

Kelly xxx

Wheels are in motion...

We had a visit yesterday from a builder who is going to quote on the small renovations that we have decided to do at our house {very relieved now we aren't moving - it's such a mammoth job and I'm excited to be able to work on our current house and transform it into a little beauty - emphasis on little}. We are looking at putting in some french doors to open out from our rumpus room into the front yard where will create a small courtyard. This rumpus area will become an entertaining area as well as guest room. We are fencing the front of the house in and finishing off some back fencing {for privacy} and adding an undercover entertaining area off the rumpus room into the backyard. We are doing other small changes around the house also like adding a much bigger and nicer window over the kitchen sink which overlooks the backyard. It's currently very small and strange!

I will keep you posted on what we are doing and make sure I get lots of before and after shots. It will be nothing grand but still very exciting as my first house project!!!

Kelly xxx

Images 1 & 3 are from Cottage Living - Image 2 unkown source

A lovely mention...

A huge thank you to 2 lovely girls who visited Black & Spiro today when I was working... They informed me that they had featured my blog on their site! Wow - thank you so much, I'm flattered! You can check out their site here.

Kelly xxx

Image from Tim Hixon via Lizard Management

Mid-week love...

Loving these images - they look so fresh and inviting. Maybe it's the beautiful spring weather that is making me feel like lunching outdoors or having a major clean out at home. Flowers always look so beautiful this time of year!

Kelly xxx

Images: 1 - a life's design, 2 - traditional home, 3 - living etc, 4 - mary ruffle

NZ beauty...

I often visit the New Zealand House & Garden website as they always have such beautiful features and articles. I saw this house while flicking through the site today and loved the bursts of colour that were added throughout the house - not in a large scale but in small doses that seemed just perfect! Soaking up the last moments of the weekend....

Kelly xxx