This weekend in Geelong

Remember the little blogpost I did 2 weeks ago on inspiration from magazines? I ended it with a piece of art glass display I was so inspired by...





Since my first art glass purchase 2 years ago, I have really loved it but couldn't afford the big dollars for it of recent, esp with the resurgence of 1950s interiors.

This weekend, I went shopping at my favourite place to shop in Australia: Mill Markets, Geelong, Victoria. I spent a total of $90 on a few things from there and some other secret place:

Set of 6 silver dessert silver spoons, 4 art glass vases, 1 art glass pink compote, 1 Wedgwood China mug, 2 tiny blue French perfume bottles, 1 Laura Ashley flower border

Now I have my own none too shabby art glass collection (I had just 4 for a long long time scattered around the house).

So now my "boudoir" dressing table place has these 2 cute French perfume bottles!





I bought that wallpaper border roll not to wallpaper my rooms... but they make excellent wrapping paper paraphernalia!

Do not give me the third degree about the Merry Christmas wrapping paper in March 2009. It's Hannah's birthday today, she's only 3 years old... she can't read quite yet... and she doesn't care about the exterior of gifts.

And my new fireplace display has evolved a few steps...

Blogged here

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Blogged here

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And now...



I think I love best.

(I also think I'm no longer looking for more for this collection anymore.) Read More..

My Nicola and her friends

I wrote about my eBay score nearly two months to the date... the gorgeous Nicola by Shabner.

Image from Decor8

Today I realised I hadn't updated you on where it now hangs! Holly from Decor8 posted a pic from London store, Etoile Home where the Shani has photographed her gorgeous vintage and new wares. I spy a Nicola there!



She now graces my fireplace. I'm looking for smaller, similar artwork... maybe some vintage brown and black prints...

(Fireplace to be painted crisp white or yellow soon). Read More..

Fireplaces

In our new home, the study now boasts our first ever fireplace!

Photo taken with current vendor's furnishings and colours on Real Estate Australia.

Although we can't afford it right now, we're going to paint this room white and the middle bit where the electric fireplace is will be either wallpapered yellow (and white) or painted a deep yellow... or something along those lines.

But it got me thinking about what to put above the fireplace and I found heaps of ideas from my inspiration files.
Loads of images so please be patient until it all loads.

Wooden feature.
My brothers in law love this idea being very "woody" men. Apparently getting a piece of rotted trunk with branches etc (holes) with that pattern is as rare as hen's teeth and very valuble!


A collection of small pieces of glass, china and art.
I love the idea of displaying a few of your favourite pieces on mantelpieces... like a vignette of your self.

House to Home

A staghead.
Not one of my favourites but gotta admit it adds drama and glamour (when thoughtfully planned, i.e. not in a room of other heads).

Real Estate Australia

A large mirror.














A television.
Means that you have extra floor space for that oh-so-needed chaise or pet bed :)


One large artwork piece.
Ya know, this is popular, but you need to have wow-worthy art.. or something that speaks. Like maybe a blow up of my daughter's first colour pencil portrayal of the family. But that's going to be a while more a wait. At the moment, she can colour in a circle in wide jagged lines hehehe so cute.








Multiple artwork pieces.

Met Home

Wooden or plaster moulding/image.
I have long been a fan of Sid Dicken's plaques. I would love to line this area with 4 x 4 of his creations. Will have to start a collection of these anyway... soon. Slowly.

Woodson & Rummersfield

Nothing (but a purposefully nothing, not the neglected nothing).


China plates.


Off centred artwork!
Would drive my husband and his whole family berserk but in this example of Frank Roop's, symmetry is wonderfully acheived elsewhere (i.e. chaise longues).

Frank Roop Interiors

My favourite, the Sunburst-type mirror.
I would really love any found in these photos below.

Sarah Richardson's Sarah House series

I am veering towards a mirror. One option is my yellow and white cane mirror. But I am also considering (and saving up SLOWLY) for Freedom's white and black sunburst mirror.

(I've attempted to state source of photos for most, if you know where the others are from, please let me know, thanks! I have to really get the source in my photo files too.... another project for another week...)

Read More..

MODERN FIREPLACE - SOLUS DECOR

Custom Concrete fireplace installation by Solus Decor, photography provided by Solus

"Block" Concrete surround display at Solus Decor Studio on 3rd

It feels like just yesterday that I first met Khai Foo and Brad Carpenter at their studio on 3rd off Main street in Vancouver, BC. A modest exterior entrance led to palette of sophisticated and refined concrete finishes. Four years ago, large format tiles had just started to be introduced to the residential market and Solus was already in production with a line of 12" x 24" floor tiles, showcased in their showroom in a perfect shade of charcoal. Examples of elegant fireplace mantels featured a new updated look to traditional crown profiles using simplified and well thought out use of scale and proportions. Also in their showroom - custom door surrounds for a dramatic entryway to a wine cellar. It's inspiring to see that within the last few years, Solus Decor has built a business model based on quality product and a belief in bringing excellent service to a growing market of sophisticated Vancouver buyers, as well international markets. A recent visit to Solus Decor's new location offered a sneak peek at behind the scenes efforts that go into each product from design process to careful production and packaging, Solus Decor is one of my favorite success stories and the best part is they are a great team to work with. To read more and view an inside story on Solus, see our collaborated effort at MODERN 604.COM where we feature all of Vancouver's talent and modern resources.

Concrete tile collection featured at current showroom location at 1445 Powell Street

New "Quadra" profile, a seamless single cast concrete surround that can be floor or wall mounted. I'm excited to see the collaboration between Solus Decor and Inform Interiors showcase this new concrete profile at the new Inform Interiors showroom located in Gastown.

Read More..

MODERN FIREPLACE

The "heart of the home" ... next to the kitchen is the fireplace, a place to gather with family or snuggle with a loved one. Australian manufacturers bring new light on the typical fireplace with new innovative designs. A minimalist at heart, here are a few of my favorites. Simplicity in design - the concept of "less is more". These companies offer the ability to install a zero clearance fireplace where the trim kit is minimally exposed for a clean opening. A modern pre-manufactured firebox that offers a cost effective alternative to the custom made fireplace.

Stuv
www.stuv.be






The Fire Company
www.ecosmartfire.com






Read More..