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

.

Blogged here

.

...
And now...



I think I love best.

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

Yellow and white happiness in my courtyard

I shared my dreams/plans for my dismal courtyard/garden in September 2008. In October 2008 I showed you a cast aluminum Coalbrookdale outdoor setting the MIL and I scored from someone's here-take-it-pile mid last year just before moving to our first/current house.



We have enjoyed a few breakfasts and morning work on that setting despite chipping paint.



Now the grass/lawn is dead, the bushes are dead... just not enough water/rain and we have very high restrictions for watering atm. So the dismal courtyard is looking worse... sigh!

But I have been rather busy!!! After a very difficult time of getting rid of old paint with expensive but ineffective products from Bunnings, I finally called it quits and took the setting to a sandblaster. After a coat of galvanise protection to protect the cast aluminium, I sprayed two coats of sunny, happy yellow.





One of my favourite furniture pieces is the white cane settee I scored off Ebay.

So although the garden is dismal, I think it is now one of my favourite areas to relax, read and hang out.

Planning on gathering more white cane pieces and maybe a few more of those cast chairs... perhaps a large table for outdoor dinners...

I would love to paint over those ugly terracotta tiles white gloss as well (unsure if this is possible/practical) as the dismal fencing (soon!)...

Of course, still no super large shady trees for my French settee on a swing!

Hope you have a great weekend!!!!! Read More..

Have a great weekend!

I'm still hoping for my perfect summer day: 20 degrees, overcast and a drive through the Victorian countryside visiting antique and vintage stores with a wad of cash.

Flickr user: omnipasado

Read More..

Un-beige cubicles

via Flickr user: Kristen Anna

I worked for a few years before falling pregnant in a small cubicle. While I wasn't one of the lucky few with a view of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House, all I had to do for that was stand up and the window would be 4 feet from my seat. It was a rather open office and I didn't feel boxed in... and I guess my design passion wasn't quite so... intense as it is today.

But I think a few more years in that space and I'd be tempted to do the same as graphic designer Maria, seen today on Lifehacker. Maria got some inexpensive fabric from Ikea and created a personal and happy space for her daily 8-hour grind.



Good huh? And not much of experience and skill required, just a "that's it, I've had enough of beige", a staple gun and some pretty fabric. Read more of Maria's cubicle happiness on her blog.

Of course, that got me going to Flickr for more cubicle happiness.

Enjoy!!

Flickr user: creampuffles

Flickr user: jamalistics

Flickr user: lorihighfill

Read More..

yellow and white on the outside

been dreaming of a sunny warm yellow house with white trim, or a white house with bright warm sunny yellow door and black trim.

Country Home Ideas

Skeppsholmen

The famed Monkey Cottage

Country Living

Country Living

Taken from Flickr user: lumierefl

Have a great weekend! We're hidden away in our home due to the 45 degree heatwave here in Melbourne, Australia!

What are you dreaming of today? Read More..

In conversation with... me.

Finally reading through my building (but still VERY modest) pile of magazines*, I went through Elle Decoration UK October 2008.

I particularly enjoy reading witty "10 questions about some famous person" and enjoyed reading in that issue an interview with Arik Levy, designer for Living Divani, Molteni and Baleri Italia... so I thought I'd give the questions he was asked a go myself!
(This is not an exercise in self-promoting etc, but just to have some fun with myself!)

And besides... it's Saturday.



Tell me five words to describe yourself?
Comfortable. Efficient. Colour. Linen. Eclectic.

What words do you most overuse?
Hannah!!!!!!!??!?!?!?!?

What's your idea of a perfect day?
Left alone at home on an overcast 20°C with a car, left to potter around, to read, to have a long shower, to do a little gardening, to bake to some good music.

Do you have any regrets?
Only two weeks ago I read How to Live Without Regret by Charles Stanley and was so encouraged by it. Stanley clarifies that regret is rooted in unresolved guilt. I.e. regret is without forgiveness. (Forgiving yourself and the other person) One of the most important questions about regret is "Was there something more I could have done?"
In the light of the above, yes... I regret I did not say enough "I love yous" and "Thank yous" and "Sorry's" when I could have.

What's the quality you most admire in a man?
Strength of character and body without violence, strength enough to apologise, strength enough to love and strength enough to be sad.

If you could be any other nationality what would it be?
Free.

Are you religious?
Not in the traditional sense, but I am a Christian, living and breathing.

What is your favourite snack?
Green mango pickle (Chinese style)

What do you think you'd taste like?
Chicken.

What talent would you most like to possess?
To be able to make money to be able to give money.

If you were a vegetable, what would you be?
A cucumber: versatile in all sorts of dishes, a source of relaxation and a "cooling" agent.

And if you were an animal?
A dolphin: they are around water (which I love!) all the time, they smile perpetually and they're extremely clever.

What was your dream job as a child?
Newscaster. I loved that their job was to read aloud. (I've grown up to hate that now heheheh)

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
Hannah.

How do you define style?
Mature yet child-like outlook on life, quietly confident about yourself and what/who you believe in, and an ability to hone your home to reflect that quiet, confident space inside you.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I'd love to be able to handle +25°C days better.

Do you have a motto?
Just get it done!

What would you do if you ruled the world?
Make beautiful furniture CHEAPER!



*Speaking of magazines I'm very very very disappointed that Domino Magazine is closing its doors due to the tough times in the USA economy :( I really enjoyed reading the issues... one of my absolute favourites! Read More..

Inspiration at my desk

I moved a few things around recently and just put these on my desk temporarily while re-arranging another spot..

I've left them there because I love the different shapes, textures, lines and finishes of white! (And that burst of yellow, a Christmas gift from MIL.)

Read More..

Secretaire DIY ala Eddie Ross

For 2 weeks now husband and I have been considering a major move in our lives which has been triggered by Christmas 2008. Will talk more about things when we have made more of a decision... but it involves planning a new floorplan!

So when I spotted this secretaire DIY ala the frightfully talented Eddie Ross* (Top Design Season 2 contestant and Senior Style Editor, Martha Stewart Living) I got all excited. The new floorplan planned during Christmas 2 weeks ago involves a much needed secretaire for books, storage and deskspace. Since I can't afford a new one at my favourite store for $3950, my secretaire will also most likely be a product of a similar DIY job.

Before:




After:


Thanks Eddie for the inspiration and encouragement!

Btw, this is another secretaire Eddie DIYed! Love the punch of colour too!




*I know this sounds so lame, but we here in Australia don't enjoy most of the American produced interior design shows on free to air... but I scored a copy of Top Design Season 2 and have been enjoying it after my family sleep. So hence my seemingly late-oh-so-overdue discovery of Eddie Ross! Read More..

Marinna Kennedy inspiration

We're back!!!

Happy New Year!!

We got back from in laws about 6pm last night. Since then till midday today, we've been madly cleaning. Once I get home from holidays for more than a week, I have a desperate need to clean the entire place, even though I normally clean before leaving. Don't ask why.

Now we're relaxing. I can't be bothered thinking about dinner.



I discovered bespoke, a line of bespoked home furnishings created by Marianna Kennedy, a talented duo from London.

I'm now struck by a need to secure an old side table, getting me some black gloss and some pretty yellow paper (or fabric) and going all decoupage-crafty!

Marianna states her ethos: "The pleasure of antiques is not only the pleasure of beautiful materials skilfully put together - it is a sense of the mind and hand behind those things - the human element that speaks through the metal and wood, the sense that somebody made this, and that there is a connection between us.... There is no reason why new, modern pieces shouldn't have this connection - this feel for the human that mass production always fails to deliver."

I'm constantly looking for a cute cabinet to store my printer/scanner and workbags... might do me some of that gorgeous decoupage work ('cause I can't handpaint like Ms Kennedy and can't afford the super pricey tag!).

Some prettyChiyogami papers might do the job nicely... Read More..

My new {Family} Poster

No one in my family (not even 2 year old Hannah) or circle of friends like Nicola. Only I do. The frame needs replacing, sure but Nicola herself is in great condition! There's just something about her gentleness, her poise...

Anyway. Fact is fact: No one likes it.

So under subtle hints from husband and 2 year old Hannah, the in laws, the rellies, the friends, I got it replaced. (Plus I have to admit, it does seem odd her hanging there solo above the fireplace when she's not our ancestor or friend or my portrait :P)

Now that space is replaced with my newest poster, {Family}.



I love it, although I wish it were larger but I couldn't afford the print price plus framing in view of recent more urgent needs. One day! :)

I'd love to do one for you in your own custom colour and size choices! Contact me via my paperbean design website :) (link above on left) Read More..

Christmas at bijou kaleidoscope

Thought I'd show you a few snippets around the home with its modest Christmas decor.

Christmas Tree

Okay this is going to sound quite pitiful... but stay with me...

Since young, we have celebrated Christmas every year. Church, presents, food, caroling... the whole thing.

But this will be the first year I will enjoy a real Christmas tree at my home!! It's lovely having the smell of pine in the living room. It's even lovely vacuuming up the pine needles on the carpet.

I thought of decorating the tree very simply... while it looks great, I sometimes shy away from too busy Christmas trees. Gets a bit overwhelming. I thought of just white ornaments. Can you believe, I get to start collecting Christmas tree ornaments??!!!



Yeah... we got a tree with a crooked top.

I'll need to get an ornaments organiser... how do you organise/store your delicate ornaments?

Christmas Cards

I was inspired to make a move on finally realising one of the things that I've always wanted to do... a spot of luxury cards and stamping. So I thought I'd do it this Christmas. I normally make my own tags/cards but this time, wanted something more elegant and luxurious. I love Crane & Co papers and found some for a good price... and got all stampy-like.



Presents

Zero-budgets for wrapping the few family Christmas gifts we have has made me look around my home for wrapping supplies.
Inspired by an image that has been stash away at the back of my mind:



And I've just found that Martha Stewart has a Christmas version from Dec 2004 issue:

Via Martha Stewart

I grabbed me some of my oh-so-luxe plain brown packaging paper and some oh-so-even-luxe dollar paper doilies (we don't seem to have the array of doilies you guys seem to get in the USA!):



Not as swish as some other pretty packaging but to spend $0 on packaging, I think I did pretty well! Read More..

Mimosa

I am happy to see that Pantone Color Institute has chosen bright yellow, the Mimosa, as the colour of 2009. It's very similar to the yellow I chose for paperbean design a couple of years ago.



"Mimosa, a warm engaging yellow, brings hope and optimism during a time of economic uncertainty and political change. Inspired by the Mimosa tree and the sparkle of the renowned cocktail, the 2009 color of the year represents the hopeful and radiant characteristics associated with the color yellow."

I love this shade of yellow. It's the shade I plan to paint the fireplace and two walls in the home office space to complement my yellow art wall.



via Apartment Therapy. Read More..

Rug from towels?

So far, my planned yellow, black and white home office (blogged here and here) is looking more like a a box of crayons because our furniture, stationery, office accessories aren't all yellow. Though I'm slowly changing them to be more yellow, black and white where I can, progress is slow.

(I desperately want to paint the mucky brown fireplace a bright yellow.)

Ever since seeing Bev Hisey's Yellow Moroccan rug I've wanted a yellow and white rug for this space, just to make the space and my intentions for it more cohesive.

Bev Hisey's Yellow Moroccan


Some other contenders:

Moorish Tile by Pottery Barn


Kaley Bloom Rug by Pottery Barn


Brink and Campman's modern rug


Of course, none of these are available in Australia and finding a similar rug here has been rather painful (within or without my pea-sized budget).

This Saturday, after enjoying a great brunch at Gas, South Melbourne, Australia, (253 Coventry Street, South Melbourne) we roamed around Clarendon St. I'd been eyeing these beach towels from Bed, Bath and Table and they were finally on sale! So I grabbed two for under $70.

I've laid them down on my home office floor. While I'm not keen on the square-ness of the rug, I really do like the yellow and white modern floral pattern and they do make a more white & yellow statement.

But they are what they are (for now): 2 beach towels side by side. Can you perhaps throw in some suggestions how you would transform these into a more substantial faux-rug?

Would love to hear some suggestions! Thanks so much in advance!!!




Pardon the unstyled shots!

Hope you all had a great weekend! Read More..

My latest silhouette

I wrote about my first silhouette in May 2008. Hangs proudly on my yellow and white art section in my study...



My latest is a canvas art for my sister in law's birthday. I love it... but would you have guessed it from the original snapshot?



Contact me (see email address above left) for your own personalised photo-turned-silhouette!

Visit Paperbean Design for my other silhouettes. Read More..