the trip - from the start

as some of you will know my reasons for being some what absence over the last weeks (months..!) is that we caught the travel bug after Anthony Wiggle Garden to us, otherwise known as Anthea Peers to her boss at Christies and Anthea Heather to her now husband, invited me to be her bridesmaid in London this September. In a great rush of excitement we set of for a 6 week excursion in bits of Asia and Europe. I was inspired by so many beautiful things and want to share a few of the beautiful things  I found along the way in my next posts.
Here are some highlights - enjoy!

 beautiful statue from Callian - a lovely small town in the hills behind Nice

this is an external hall of the Eastern and Oriental Hotel in Penang, a stunning example of Colonial architecture

Freddie and Greedy excited to be out of the car while driving from Paris to the South of France

My niece ChiChi doing some exploring through hidden doors in Sanur, Bali

amazing bathroom at the Eastern and Oriental Hotel in Penang. I love the marble finishing at the base of the tub

the ammmmmmmazing stairs from the Conran Shop in Paris. So simple but so good

the Foundation Maeght in Saint Paul de Vence. An fabulous art foundation in one of the most incredible areas of the world, where Impressionism started....

this stunning old merchant traders house is an incredible example of Colonial architecture in Penang, right on the water front of the Malacca Straights. I first came across this house 3 and a half years ago and each time I go back to Penang I cross my fingers it hasn't been pulled down for some hideous high rise 

NGV GARDEN DAY - 20th October 2011

Visit some of Melbourne's most beautiful private gardens through the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) Women's Association's Garden Day. Always a date for the diary this is a truely unique experience to see some of Spring's best work. Tickets are available through the NGV website in advance                                 ( www.ngv.gov.au/whats-on ) or on the day from 10am at 2 Heymount Close Toorak or 159 Koyong Road Toorak.

A great day!

so these chairs are great. b&b italia canasta chair

inside, outside, by the pool around the table, in the corner of the room by the window. love them

its the kitchen that sells the house......

I have been looking at all sorts of kitchens recently for a client and my search has lead me to down various avenues and to various dead ends. Wanting to go beyond the two pac and a touch of granite- or marble if we are going that extra mile (!), we have come across some wonderful ideas and had a lot of fun. The kitchen is the centre point of the home & so much personality can be added from one small tweak or touch of colour

i love the roof and the fabulous sky blue rubber floor

this sophisticated kitchen has been given a great personality through the black feature wall and deer hanging

i love the laminex from the 1950's!

a pretty and sophisticated kitchen bought to life with flowers and ladels

i love this kitchen it looks so lived in and used without being mucky....i think it may be from the set of 'something's gotta give'

so simple - ikea rug and chairs  paired with the blue and white walls so comfortable

i love the blue & white china and the plantation doors

great combination of a laundry and flower room

stunning in black! and loving the trend for rounded benches

a simple classic that works in the country and town 

again another modern wow! I love the under cupboard lighting and rounded cupboards and bench

white green and black.... timeless chic

again a modern beauty that will last beyond many of its contemporaries

fabulous blue and white check floor - i am loving rubber flooring at the moment

a lovely country kitchen with a soft peppermint wall giving it a bit of interest

beautiful things

after moving back from the UK to Australia I try not to lament about how narrow our furnishings retail market is. sometimes to make things worse I will have a quick browse on some US or European sites......... here are some of the beautiful things that can be frustratingly hard to find in Australia (then I think of our beaches, lifestyle, food, horizons....and all is back to equilibrium)

these fantastic bar stools are by Phillippe Starck for Emeco

 brass side table by Coleen Rider

brass coffee table by Coleen Rider

faux bamboo bar stools by Coleen Rider (am I beginning to sound like i have a crush??!)

Dana John walnut hand carved ottoman. yum.

country breakfast eatery by Stamp Interiors

as I have mentioned time and time again i love the blue & white combination. Here we have used to to revive a tired kitchen eatery. We have incorporated existing furniture & blinds as well as some favoured old friend cushions to create a functional and inviting area. Unfortunately the garden is in mid winter, but imagine stunning English trees full of leaves and a beautiful feast of flowers as the backdrop to such a pretty family meeting area.

notes for 'the farm'

here are some images for food for thought re 'the farm'. Not all of them are to be directly interpreted as they are, & are more for inspiration / showcasing a feature.

the facade......

 the arches here are dramatic without trying too hard and perfectly capture a garden / eating area when looking out. this shape could also look fantastic as windows through the front  of the house looking towards the view

classical isn't exactly what springs to mind, especially with the heavy roof line but i love the different use of materials and the lay of the tiered landscape (which may not be extremely practical)

again, contemporary & alot of glass but an amazing way to let light in with a south facing view

i love this circular front - an excellent way to get a 270 degree view vantage

again a great roof line which has a modern take on the tradtional pitch

i like the window lines of the front of the house - it isn't a glass block and it has interesting shape through the front and is both classical and modern (i think this is concrete but could be rammed earth) by eme design

stunning classical feel to it (and a bit of the francois!) and can easily be interpreted into a single story house

a glass box but a lovely roofline

windows.......

i love an arch....

and again with square details

i love this window style with small frames, this one is from a frank lloyd wright house

i thought these have a lovely feel for a study or an area where you may not want full length windows or french doors

lovely shutters - metal

again lovely proportions and style

one of my favourites - small panes in black metal 

could look fantastic for stepping outside into the outside eating area

again arches - looking wonderfully dramatic!

a good staple winow

a twist on the circular feature concept

materials.........

i love rammed earth.......

and again.....rammed earth

concrete used in a slightly different way

and this wood and glass look fantastic 

sandstone is always a beautiful material but there is a lack of images of houses built this (or last) century. However this one from the 1830's is pretty!