I am a list keeper. I love notebooks and am never without my trusted notebook in my bag which waits in anticipation for all the very important bits that I jot down throughout the day. There are so many notebooks to choose from, so I have found a couple of beautiful ones that I wouldn't mind if they ended up under the Christmas tree.....

It is always lovely receiving catalogues of some of my favourite shops in the mailbox. This is one of the pages from a boutiquey shop in Melbourne called Husk. It shows some beautiful African artefacts and design pieces which are very similar to Missy Baillieu's, - who coincidently is having a sale from December 1st to 12th at her South Yarra store - 12 Yarra Lane (off Claremont St)

Desk Lamps

As I am running into the drawing stage of the first stamp homewares range, I am finding that I need good lighting, and have started hunting for a great desk lamp. It's hard. So many options and routes to go down. These are some of the ones I love - some not so strictly desk lamps either......

A country storm

While speeding back to Melbourne from a wedding last weekend, we chanced across this storm that was casting the most dramatic colours across the landscape. The beautiful golden paddocks of freshly cropped hay glowed in retaliation to the mounting and thunderous clouds. I was looking at the landscape and imagining it as a room - golden beigey yellow walls with charcoal linen sofas, vibrant blue lampshades.... natures colours never clash

checkers & stripes

While still on the home hunting front - I recently stumbled across this wonderful little house in Melbourne. It is a typical inner Melbourne victorian terrace which has received a hugely sophisticated yet fun renovation. I am a huge fan of stripes - on walls, floors & furniture coverings, and to me it looks like Geoffrey Brown had a great deal of enjoyment creating this home. I especially love the way the stripes inside lead out to the courtyard...

home hunting

I went to look at (another - 15 months and counting of house hunting) a house yesterday that had (fair enough) been done up to sell on. While structurally it was beautiful a lovely double fronted Victorian facade, the entire house - all bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry, kitchen and living area had been completed in cream and beige - from tiles & paint choices through to carpet and wood flooring with a chocolate leather sofa thrown in to dice it up a bit. I understand the need for a neutral palette but are we selling houses or homes? I know I would pay more for somewhere that vibrated 'I am a loved home'.... like these simple but beautiful ones.

This amazing tiles (the first image is a close up of two individual tiles, the second image is the complete design) & bird wall paper have been created by Wouter Dolk - a Dutch artist. He has done some beautiful bits & pieces so check out his website for more inspiring designs: www.wouterdolk.com. I first stumbled across Wouter while at World of Interiors Magazine & I have continued to be impressed by his dedication to his work, not one to fly with trends & fashion he an artist who has remained true to himself....

till soon x

I have been an avid follower of architect India Mahdavi for some time now. Her work while generally remaining masculine in finish, is always elegant and classic. I particularly love the simple lines of the bathroom above & the quirky yet sophisticated feel of the sitting room on the left. Last year Time Magazine included India in design 100 - their top 100 most influential designers.

till soon & happy monday!

Just quickly - we went to a wedding north of Melbourne at the weekend which meant a drive through the bush-fire effected areas. I was struck by the resilience of the gumtrees as they fought back, there are sections of the road where all around us we were surrounded by acres of these bearded wonders.

night night

& so it starts

This little outlet is to show all those around me who are feeling uninspired a few of the beautiful things out there that can help make our homes, cribs, flats, mansions, huts & joints a bit more 'like us'.

Recent times (& magazines) have shown a fashion wave of homes that look like hotels or display homes found in the new suburbs being built all around us. While each to their own, the purpose of this little corner of the web is to show everyone how easy it is to add their stamp to their home.

I hope to fill and use the ensuing pages with all the beautiful things that inspire me & as a record of my work as I develop 'Stamp Interiors'

till soon