I still can't get enough vintage style.....part 1 the bedroom...

I forever struggle with trying to define my own personal style. I try to follow the rules with one but then add something completely different to the look. I guess you could say I'm more of an eclectic kind of gal, but one element will forever remain in my interiors and thats my love of all things vintage.

I gave myself a break from flea market shopping these holidays as my home is simply busting at the seams, but I feel the pulling sensation to get back out there and start rummaging again so I know I will cave very soon lol.

I have however decided to de-clutter alot of my "pretty things" and create something a little more industrial. One of my favourite books in my collection is called Found Style by David and Amy Bulter. If you have a passion for all things vintage and recycled but without too much of the the feminine aspect then this book is for you!

Don't get me wrong I'm still a girly girl and regularly read my Austen novels but I just think I'm going to minimalise my "granny items" and go for a more boho feminine chic look this year.

Does this happen to you? Each year do your tastes change and you feel like you want to rip it all out and start fresh? God help me this could become a costly obsession LOL ;)



(all photos via house to home)

Movie magic...

(image couresy of Vogue Living Australia)

It's heavenly images like this that make want to forget all about my love of French design and embrace the culture from my own backyard.

Whether it be French, English or Australiana, what is it about a feminine boudoir that appeals to my senses? I suppose it's the romance of it all. The fact that although I'm not royalty or a celebrity I can still create this illusion in my own home.

Catherine Martin is the brilliant talent behind this scenic beauty created for the new Baz Luhrmann movie - Australia. It is quite a feast for the eyes with it's intriguing wall of art, fresh plant life (LOVE orchids!) and just the right amount of pink!, including the gorgeous porcelain galah. Finally, aren't those blossom rugs and matching lamps too die for? Mz Martin is driving me crazy! Firstly she tantalizes and dazzles me with her Academy Award winning sumptuous Parisian sets on Moulin Rouge and now I find myself falling love with the interiors of 1940's Australia!

My God I love this room and I CAN'T WAIT to see this movie!

Indulgent luxuries...

Ok now for something at the completely opposite end of the spectrum. I have discovered this company called Sweet Dreams via a blog I can't remember the name of (argh I'm so sorry). Sweet Dreams is a fine furnishings company who specialise in luxurious fabrics and trimmings sourced from around the world. This company has been around for 15 yrs so I'm sure my American pals know and love their heavenly wares well.

This was an exciting discovery for me and I was practically speechless as I was scrolling through their site. At approx $300 US a pillow it's lovely to dream about someday being about to afford their royal pieces.

Following are some too-die-for examples of just what Sweet Dreams has to offer. Possibly one of my favourite designs is the Angelina (pictured above). The soft blue and green tones are so calming and soothing and perfect for the bedroom.

Angelina Table Cover.

Angelina Runner.

Angelina Throw.

Bellissima Table Cover.




Malmaison Runner.

Momentos Bedding.

I also LOVE this Jasmine bedding.

Now we move on to the pillows. This one called Chelsea Garden is my absolute favourite. Look how splendid she is?! I love her so much! LOL ;)

Jasmine Pillow.

Antoinette Breakfast Pillow.

Look Brookie they even have Dragonflies!

Printemps Boutique Pillow.

Giverny Boudoir Pillow.

Giverny Boutique Pillow.

Daniela Boutique Pillow.

Daniela Boudoir Pillow.

Scuttlebug Boudoir Pillow.

Anniversaire Pillow.

And the piece de resistance - The Scuttlebug Ottoman! WOW what a beauty!!

The details and textures on all these pieces drives me crazy. I love my needlepoints for my livingroom and I sure love my silks and trims and emboideries for my boudoir.

Here was just a small selection of some favourites I picked out. There are so many more breathtaking designs to choose from please check out their website if you dare ;)

May your weekend be full of Sweet Dreams :)

A circus themed little boys room...

Some people despise themed rooms but I actually don't mind them. Inspired by the new range of wallpaper and rugs by designer extraordinaire Catherine Martin, introduced to me by Shannon Fricke and Home Beautiful magazine, I have become so smitten with her Circus Silhouette range I couldn't help but put a virtual inspiration board together for a proposal to my sister. My pregnant sister and her husband already have one 2 yr old son - Zach!, and we all just found out last night at a family dinner they are expecting a second son! *YAY*

Unfortunately my own son is now 11 so I doubt I could convince him to allow me to attack his room with my new found love lol. If I were to design a circus themed boys room this is how I'd do it -

Example one: I would paper one wall with either the red or the blue CM circus design and paint the remaining walls white.

Example two: Like the images, I'd paper all the walls the CM circus design and corresponding stripes design.

Example one: I would use a stripe design fabric for the window treatments such as the Alvine Smal fabric from Ikea or another along the lines of this stripes fabric from Pottery Barn kids.

Example two: I'd use a plain primary coloured fabric.

This absolutely GORGEOUS circus silhoulette design rug also by Catherine Martin to coordinate with the wallpapers, sourced through Designer Rugs would go in both example rooms.

(realestate.com)

For both example one and two the bedding would be a very similar pattern to the window coverings and I would choose perhaps a black iron or timber bed.

It's at this point I get to show off the AMAZING work of Kris Langenburg of Mystico Designs.

Kris is yet another extremely talented artist and fellow francophile who specializes in wall murals and handpainted wall hangings. I was blown away as I toured around her site at all her stunning whimsical designs and I was thrilled to see she even had a circus themed wall hanging you can have custom named. This would make such a wonderfully personal feature in my circus room. Check out her new blog as she takes us on a journey of her life, loves and work through her storybook eyes :)

For both example one and two I love this Hensvik bookcase from Ikea and I would probably attempt to paper the back with again either the circus silhouette or stripes design, however opposite colours to the walls. I would then fill it with with some must have accents such as...

A carousel...

A jack in the box...

And of course what childs circus room would be complete without Dumbo!

Finally, one last detail I thought would make a great addition would be a rocking lion as opposed to the traditional horse. I can just picture the little tacker riding away and roaring his lungs out lol.

Now as I am only a student I welcome constructive criticism. What do you all think of my virtual boys circus inspired room? Yay or Nay? lol

Mosaic making....

(please click to enlarge)

Inspired by all the mosaic's I've seen on my favourite blogs and flickr pages I thought I'd try one myself.

This is my first attempt and it's basically a virtual inspiration board for my new bedroom. Girly glamour, romantic, and traditional French chic are all words I would say best describes it's style.

I received Laura Ashley wallpaper and fabric samples in the mail today and I was bursting with excitement. My real inspiration board is almost complete. I'll post pics of this in the near future :)

1 Designers Guild, 2 Laura Ashley, 3 Mercer and Reid, 4 Laura Ashley

5 Google, 6 Villa Anna, 7 Laura Ashley, 8 David Brian Sanders

9, Villa Anna, 10 Eva Lindh, 11 NY rug company, 12 Villa Anna

13 Imagine This, 14 http://www.flickr.com/, 15 Jessica McClintok, 16 And so to bed

Mosaic maker.

Ahhh blue & white.......a classic!

I found myself sighing out loud when I discovered these two heavenly images on Dreamhouse. No matter what style I find myself loving throughout the years I will always surround myself with blue and white accents. Blue and white means home to me. My grandparents loved blue and white and so does my mum. It's timeless, it's alluring, it's classic!

Happy Birthday Beautiful Friend....and My Bed Post.

Dearest Brook, I wish you a truly wonderful birthday. You've been such a good friend to me over the past 5 years. I cherish our time chatting about all matter of things, sharing thoughts, troubles and dreams, and of course treasure hunting together. I love that we share a passion of all things vintage, girly and pink. You are the only friend of mine who gets that about me lol. I wish you all the very best in life and may all your wishes and dreams come true. I can't wait for our dinner date this week :)

The past few weeks I've been overwhelmed with blogging pals tagging me. I'm so honoured and humbled by the fact you want to know more about me. I apologise for not playing along, I hope I haven't offended anyone. With so many at once I just felt a little tagged out :)

One tag though from Chantal at Interior Dreaming simply asked me to post a picture of my bed. I wish I had a deliciously glamourous bedroom I could show off just as I dream to have someday but alas I don't. My bed is lovely though, an Australian oak sleigh bed. I found these pics in my files of my bed taken a few years ago. My room hasn't changed in that time. I do have different bedding for the different seasons. This photo was taken in spring. Sorry it's not so clear.


I posted this second pic to show a little closer view of the bedding. The quilt and one pillow is Laura Ashley and another pillow is Rachel Ashwell. Look at my gorgeous baby Tigger! He's all grown up now but still as loveable. He's the friendliest cat I've ever known. Sometimes I think he thinks he's a dog lol.

This pic is of one of the guest beds I use at my dads farm house. There is another bedroom next door and each room is partitioned from the living area with gorgeous candy striped curtains. It's so much fun! My dad has promised to send me some shots of the guest house soon to show you. He's a much better photographer than me lol.

Another bedroom I can't wait to show you over the next couple of weeks is my guestroom at my mum's home on the lake, and two - too die for - patchwork quilts my aunty lovingly made for me - absolutely stunning!

This last image is of my dream bed - currently owned by Paris Hilton :)


For anyone out there who wants to show off their bedrooms I'd LOVE to see them :)

Please let me know if you make a post like this.