A Collar for Ned

I just came across these very cool Mascot dog collars and leads. I think I am going to have to order one in for Ned. Only problem will be trying to decide on which colour.....probably Navy.

A Beautiful Vignette

I am in-love with this beautiful vignette in the home of Melbourne based artist John Young which was featured in the July/August 2009 issue of Inside Out Magazine. I think the composition of the simple, natural tones of the objects with the divine, earthy coloured portrait is very beautiful.

Loving Ruffled Kitchen Skirts

I love the informality of ruffled kitchen skirts. I'm thinking from a budget conscious point of view this might be a fun option when we renovate our kitchen at our Stradbroke beach cottage. Are they a pain to use and keep clean?? I would love to hear from anyone who has had these before...

image 1 - mary ruffle, image 2 - skona hem

Green, Rustic and Romantic Backyard Spaces

Sorry about the delay, internet connection went down at

home yesterday. Trying to get it fixed.

In the meantime, we've been having some great weather in

San Francisco the last few days. The weather has inspired me

to do more posts on outdoor living and backyard spaces.

The space above is rustic, charming and romantic. Can

you just see the space at night lit up with lanterns and

candles?

I think some of the most romantic things about

Paris are its wide boulevards, gorgeous architecture,

cafes and of course little romantic vignettes like this

little balcony overlooking the street. One doesn't always

need a lot of space to make special little place.

When I was young, I loved tree houses. Who am I kidding?

I still love them. Wouldn't it be dreamy to have a tree house

like this in your backyard? Complete with drapes and a bed.

I love it.

This is such a relaxing porch by the sea. I

could totally lounge here with a book all day.

If you don't have a porch but a courtyard instead,

it can definitely serve a similar function and space.

An inviting place where you might have tea or prune

your plants.

Talk about a fresh and romantic space for dining.

Here's the same space without the canopy

between the trees.

Nothing like a white table setting with

candle light for romantic ambience.

I love the idea of putting sconces on the trees.

The pink table cloth really adds color to this space. I love

all of the plants and the cute chairs as well. Looks like a

wonderful place to have a summer meal.

The Natural Shade Garden

The green and romantic spaces above led me to

think about shade gardens. There are certain

plants that grow wonderfully in the shade and

make for very pretty gardens. I've picked out

3 books on Shade Gardening if any f you are

interested.

Shady Retreats: 20 Plans for Colorful,

Private Spaces in Your Backyard

Making the Most of Shade

Hope you are all having a

wonderful summer thus far.

Photos from We Heart It,

House Beautiful, AhParis and more.

Pretty Yellow Wattle

Whilst I have been out on my morning walks of late I have noticed the wattle trees in flower all over the place. When I went down to the park with Harry yesterday there was one large tree in flower. I picked a few branches and brought them home and then arranged them in an old crystal vase my grandmother gave me a couple of years ago. I just adore the vibrant yellow of the flowers against the grey-green of the leaves.

Saturday Vintage Shopping Trip

A friend asked me to go hunting for vintage pieces with her yesterday {Saturday}. I warned her before we left that sometimes it can be hard to find things and sometimes we can come home with no great finds. Well, didn't I eat my words. We had one of the most successful vintage hunts I have had in a long time. We filled the boot of the car and then filled the back seats with things too. We even have a few pieces which need delivering next week!! Now, that's what I call a successful day...

Warehouse in Sydney

This warehouse is a home and architectural studio in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Built in 1903, the owner has incorporated many of the building's original features into the current design. He has transformed the old warehouse into a livable bachelor pad by adding all the necessary mod cons, such as windows, plumbing and electricity. To add authenticity, some areas of the warehouse remain untouched.

Another dream house in Argentina

Friday Flowers

I was very lucky to be given these pretty mottled roses from a friend today. I arranged them in a pretty yellow vase we have at Black & Spiro. I placed them next to our beautiful vintage lamp and shade {note the beautiful embroidery on the shade} on a table in the shop and then a very lucky young lady came into the shop with her mum and her sister and they took the lamp home for her bedroom. I am sad to see this beautiful one-off vintage lamp go but I know it will be loved and cherished by it's next owner...

Happy Weekend. See you next time.

xx

Anna

Use Paint to Liven Up Your Furniture ~ Boldly Paint Furniture with Vivid Colors

It's amazing what a simple coat of paint can do to a room.
You can also use paint to give your furniture a complete
make over to liven up your room. The above bedroom
is absolutely gorgeous and it just wouldn't be the same
without the boldly painted wicker divider in bright blue
for a headboard. The lime green is a really nice accent
to go with blue and dark brown comforter.

It is absolutely okay to go wild with color on an antique
or vintage piece of furniture. The French bergere styled
chair to the left is proof of this. Vivid pink with cheetah
patterned fabric, it's loads of fun.

How about a pop of cherry red in this simple country
styled room?

The Orange headboard just screams out at you.

Opposite the headboard, a burnt orange chest
of drawers.

A White chair with a zebra pattern to mix it up.

And a sunny yellow faux bamboo chair.

I've posted this photo before but I wanted
to show it again so one can see that instead
of Teal, it could have been any other color.

Black to anchor this colorful blue living space.

A bright blue desk is certainly unique.

50 Ways to Paint Furniture

And with my addiction to books, here are
a few on the painting of furniture.

This is a more technical primer with step
by step instructions on how to paint furniture.

Painting and
Decorating Furniture

Painted Furniture

Great examples and ideas.

Painted Furniture: Decorating
Ideas and Projects

Better Homes & Gardens publications
always have fun ideas.

Your Home: A Living Canvas


And last but not least is a beautiful book
with photos and inspirations to painting
not just your furniture, but your home.
This one is worth checking out.

Any of you thinking to makeover or paint
a piece of furniture this summer?

Photos from Canadian House & Home