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My Weekends

Bowral weekends … the new design hub 2100

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Bowral in the Southern Highlands now has its very own ‘design hub’. The once neglected bottom end of town is becoming ever so fashionable. My favourite … rabbit trap timber, has a new, larger home that shows off their gorgeous rustic yet contemporary style to perfection.
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Full of recycled and environmentally friendly pieces, the design aesthetic is very much of the moment but with its own unique stamp. Such an interesting mix of beautifully designed furniture and homewares … and found objects.
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I feel I need to keep an eye on the changing scene at rabbit trap timber but look forward to exploring this end of town further next weekend.  In the meantime … back to Sydney !!!
My Design Travels

Loving london’s boutique hôtels 2014 2212

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The Pelham Hotel in Sth Kensington is, for me the perfect location in London.  A short stroll to the V&A or along the gorgeous Walton Street to Harrods … more specifically, their Stationary Department.
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Kit Kemp the designer has created a luxury town house style hotel, the interiors ‘a tailored version of grand English style’.  I love the idea of individually designed bedrooms, and there are 52 to choose from.
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What sets these hotels apart is the unexpected … the combination of antique and contemporary furniture … quirky lighting and modern art set within a a wood panelled drawing room or library … it is perfect.
My Design Tips

5 ways with vintage style 2152

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The trend toward minimalist interiors is I hope on the wane, with the pendulum swinging back to that of warmth and comfort … rooms that are inviting, lived in and have real character. Let your possessions provide the detail.

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1.  Display and use on a daily basis inherited pieces such as pretty porcelain or silver.  Don’t just store it in the attic or at the back of a cupboard.

2.  Visit antique shops and markets to keep your eye out for vintage finds … baskets, picture frames or collections of glass bottles to use as vases.

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3.  Collections of new or old books add character to any interior …  either in bookshelves or piles on coffee tables.  You can go a step further by displaying them by colour.

4.  Antique timber furniture of any period will always add warmth and texture. Often only one or two pieces are needed to make the difference in a very modern interior.

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5.  Choose a classic piece of antique furniture and recover it in a modern fabric.

It is the combination of old and new that gives character … and it should be constantly evolving not created in a few weeks.
My Weekends

Stylish baroque flowers in bowral, southern highlands 2991

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Oh what a joy to have such a divine little shop in the Southern Highlands. Once renowned for all things stylish and smart the beautiful Highlands has had little to offer in the way of boutique shopping of late.

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The Southern Highlands has seen the likes of Belinda Seper, Peter Chadwick, Jan Weekes and many others, open wonderfully stylish shops … sadly, no longer. This is the sort of boutique shopping that Sydneysiders with weekenders in the Highlands, crave.

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Anyhow, back to Baroque Flowers … it isn’t all about flowers … the shop is full of decorative items such as urns, baskets, glassware and one off antique furniture pieces that compliment the flowers …. and draw you through the door.

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Vanessa is a very clever florist/stylist who creates not only fabulous flowers but beautiful vignettes within this tiny space.  She puts together unusual combinations of flowers and foliage, both strikingly bold and pretty, rustic and classic.  There is always a surprise element.

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My Week in Sydney

Discover hidden treasures at seasonal concepts 1927

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Seasonal Concepts … a treasure trove of antiques and old wares for the home, garden and garage … whether decorative or industrial. You just never know what you will find … no wonder it is so popular as a source for film shoots, fashion shoots, window displays and film productions.

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Buckets and jugs of fresh and exotic flowers are for sale daily, somehow bringing this wonderful old building to life.

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Browse the Seasonal Concepts website for images of fabulously stylish events and weddings put together by this talented team.

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My Week in Sydney

The country trader, sydney … not just furniture 1819

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Recently I was faced with the task/fun of finding gorgeous bits and pieces to turn a recently refurbished country cottage into a ‘home’.  As pleased as I was with the initial result … it still lacked something.

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I had a flash and remembered the Country Trader … normally known for stylish furniture both old and new.  They now have lots and lots of interesting glassware, silver, tortoiseshell, baskets and candles … affordable accessories for the home and table.

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Just as you walk in it resembles a fabulous bazaar.   I was thrilled to find decorative jugs, platters and baskets for the kitchen … in particular, I loved the vintage linen napkins.  For the coffee table and bookshelves I fell upon lovely old sets of books, rustic tins and candlesticks.

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With everything now in place, I must say the cottage is looking much less like a house and more a home … full of character and interest.  It was a lot of fun searching for and eventually finding just the right pieces !!
My Week in Sydney

Treasures from afar at arida gallery 2349

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In the fabulous gallery space beside the iconic Yellow building (and once Yellow cafe) Arida have opened their new Arida Gallery. This is a delectable combination of the fashion we have come to know and expect of Arida and exotic homewares, furniture and antiques, large and small.

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All just a little bit different …. classic but not !!

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Couldn’t help but think how appropriate it all was for the Potts Point clientele and inner city apartment living.

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Something for everyone and they are still unpacking …

Arida: 61 Macleay St, Potts Point 2011

Arida Gallery: 57-59 Macleay St, Potts Point 2011

PS. The really good news is that next door a little bit of Yellow the cafe may be back … Yellow Pop Up is open for breakfast and lunch and awaiting a liquor license for dinner. (Brass was a bit of a disappointment for the local residents who continue to mourn the loss of their beloved Yellow.)
My Design Travels

French style …. hotel lancaster, paris 1974

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The Hotel Lancaster in Paris is without doubt the prettiest hotel in Paris.  An extremely chic boutique hotel …. is this not just exactly what one would expect when we think of Parisian style.

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I adore the simple, pared back elegance which allows the architecture to shine.

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This is the most sophisticated use of colour …. so subtle, yet only for the brave.  Shades of lavender, lilac and aubergine teamed with shades of grey, crisp white and hint of gold …. how divine !  Not as easy as it looks to achieve the perfect balance.

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I have always loved the tile and marble combination in a bathroom … somehow it creates character.  It is so much more interesting than head to toe marble which is an easier option by far.  How decadent to have your own dressing table and in the bathroom… only in Paris !!

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This interior is timeless … classic and contemorary all rolled into one. Their collection of artworks and antiques complimented graciously by the sumptuous colour palette and subtle attention to detail.

Having said all that, how inviting does that sofa look. Perfect for putting your feet up after a day shopping in Galeries Lafayette.

I knew I was going to fall in love with this hotel when I spotted those lavender grey striped awnings and gorgeous flower boxes.
My Weekends

French and country …. 3 more days !!! 2040

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Hopewood Country House is open again for the Annual Stocktake Sale for French and Country and Suzie Anderson Home.  It was gorgeous to visit at the weekend and also to know that it is on for 3 more days.  So much to see and take in.  Suzie is very clever with her styling … every room delicious to look at … all so tempting.  There were none of the tell tale signs of a sale when I was looking.

The highlands are looking a picture … Suzie’s setting is particularly beautiful  … it is well worth popping in for a viewing or down from Sydney for the morning … and you won’t be disappointed in the delightful morning tea being served.
My Week in Sydney

French and belgian homewares at la croix 2657

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I am always searching for new and interesting homewares and decorative items as the finishing touch to interior projects I am working on …. the pieces that really bring a room to life.

Often it is the antique or rustic elements that will create the warmth and soften the most contemporary interior…. the juxtaposition of old and new.

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La Croix in Potts Point is one of those places that you do need to pop into reasonably regularly. Browse amongst their collection sourced from Belgium and France …. furniture, lighting, mirrors, glassware and porcelain …. not a chore given that the shop and cafe are intertwined.

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I have found they always have a lovely range of interesting platters, bowls and jugs …. from the very fine to a heavy marble …. and all in white and neutral tones, so easy to work with.

Without doubt my favourite find this week are the rustic timber lamps above with smart canvas shades.  The pair of differing height will look fabulous on a sideboard or console.  Probably no two bases are the same shape, which gives it a more eclectic feel.

The palette at La Croix is wonderfully neutral …. the space so glamorous with their use of antique mirrors and chandeliers. Just think …. you can ponder your purchases over a coffee and french pastry or even tartine.

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