Treasures from afar at arida gallery

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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.)

David jones sydney … spring flowers spring fashion

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What a spectacular entrance to this annual event at David Jones, Sydney. I love the reference to the spring fashion direction with their theme ‘fleuressence’.

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Having said that … I am not sure that I can embrace the whole fleuro fashion statement … maybe a scarf.

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However … the idea of bringing fleuro into the home as summer approaches is a fun concept.  It need only be a vibrant cushion, vase, platter, towels or flowers !!

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Each year, the ground floor of David Jones is transformed into a floral fantasy for the start of Spring. I have such fond memories of the trip into the city with the express purpose of viewing the ‘David Jones Spring Flowers’ and can’t recall ever being disappointed.

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French and country …. 3 more days !!!

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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.

French and belgian homewares at la croix

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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.

Pure and general ….. from travels far and wide

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This was not my first trip to Pure and General, however as it turned out, it was their first birthday.  The store looked as fabulous as I had remembered …. I think it just keeps getting better and better !! These shelves are constantly changing.

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It truly is a visual delight …. however, what sets this store apart is not just the totally unique product but the merchandising !! I was on a mission to find the perfect wedding present …. the choice was endless (and I kept getting distracted by what I personally just couldn’t live without).

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It was terrific to cross paths with the owner, Linda Gregoriou who can tell you the source, the story behind each piece …. and of her travels !! We are talking Cypress, Turkey, Greece, Denmark, Spain, Morocco, Belgium, France, Finland, Japan and the list goes on ……

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There is such joy in discovering something new and something totally unique …. ‘homewares with enduring quality, physically sourced’. (There does seem to be a sameness amongst homeware stores where product is sourced from Gift Fairs.) When Pure and General have sold out of a product, it won’t be replaced …. something even better will probably arrive instead !!

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Pure and General is a favourite with Interior Designers and Architects who are always on the lookout for different and one-off pieces of furniture, lighting or rugs for projects. The secret is to pop in regularly to keep an eye on the latest in store. By the way …. their very smart little cafe is very close to opening ….think Victoria Room delicacies !!

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Emma bridgewater hearts on valentines day

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It is worth a trip to London to stock up on Emma Bridgewater hand made pottery ……I spend hours in her shops in London.  Her glass is also particularly beautiful so very difficult to choose.

My friend Annabel in London has absolutely loads of it all which we admire……gorgeous when mixed and matched.  Somehow all the designs and colours do work together.

The clever thing is that the Emma Bridgewater mugs are not too big and still seem elegant…maybe that is an English thing…..all those tea parties etc.

On it goes with bedlinen, fabulous coated fabric, stationary, cutlery and tin…..

and her sales and seconds are amazing !!!

Our only problem is that the cost of freight is prohibitive……so do what I do and load up friends and family on their return to Australia.

Displaying your collections in style

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image: coty farquhar

Displaying collections of what ever takes your fancy is a satisfying and pleasurable project.  It is giving a little glimpse of you and your favourite bits and pieces, old or new, precious or not to those who might admire them.

It may be more personal…..a collection on a dressing table ….. or it may be hung on a wall in a living room for all to see!!!

Either way it is a very individual and stylish way to make a statement….bringing together beautiful colours, texture, like with like.

Create attractive groupings within your spaces…. that you have put together…..your favourite things for a myriad of different reasons !!!!!!

.  shells collected on your holiday on a white platter or in beautiful glass bowl (see Coty Farquhar’s image above)

.  pretty china plates hanging on a wall or porcelain teas cups grouped on a sideboard…..take them out of the cupboard and display them !!!

.  silver tea set or silver bowls, platters or candlesticks and of course your silver picture frames……silver always lights up a room but polishing it all can be punishing !!!

.  cut glass or crystal is always so pretty… particularly if you do groupings of vases with a selection of freshly cut flowers from your garden …..just a sprig is all it takes.  These look gorgeous if spaced down the centre of a dining table. A collection of crystal wine and spirit decanters always looks warm and inviting with lamp light.

.  pewter has a special hue that seems to work with grey and white….it can be rustic or minimalist.

.  stacked wood in or beside a fireplace has a warmth and texture that can be a design element in itself.

. bookshelves are fabulous anywhere…the more the better…..whole walls of them !!!!  Books can be arranged randomly…..by subject or by colour !!!

.  folded linen sheets and pillowcases in an armoire or linen press….possibly my favourite thing !!!!

Designers guild shop online

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I was thrilled to see that Designers Guild now have a fabulous online store for throw blankets, cushions, candles and floor rugs…..the quality of their fabrics is beautiful which I think you can see even from the photos.  Such a bonus to have the actual Designers Guild ready made cushions as I have spent years buying small metrage to have made into cushions for projects I have been working on.

These cushions, rugs and throws all co-ordinate with the various ranges of fabrics and you will find that Designers Guild will do a whole collection in a particular colour palette which makes it easy to put together a scheme for a room.

I did blog about their fantastic tote bags made out of smart Designers Guild fabrics a while back.

My favourite ever Designers Guild fabrics are their Royal Collection based on archives of fabrics in Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace…..in fact now that I am thinking about it….. I might just follow up with that story and show some of those magnificent fabrics next.

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Belgian furniture at parterre garden

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Having time to kill between appointments I thought I would have a quick look at Parterre Garden in Woollahra…always such a beautiful and inspiring showroom.

It does help having such fabulous pieces to style.  Their lighting and lamps I feel underpin the entire look….so unique.  The glassware, mirrors and candles are heavenly !!!

What makes the showroom such a delight are the fresh flowers…today mainly roses….spilling out of sparkling glass urns.  I never quite manage to achieve such a lavish look but after a visit to Parterre….full of inspiration…. I do try to raise the bar somewhat.

My very exciting find today was their elegant range of Belgian outdoor furniture(below)……looking far too divine to possibly put outside….Massant…..specialialising in French chairs of the 18th century.

Parterre have a brilliant web site with the beautiful Massant furniture, other pieces seen in the showroom….and much more!!!!

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Parisian chic by ines de la fressange

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I have loved every little bit of this cute book…..packed with invaluable advice and information.

Advice like ‘split your budget in two’…. use half for quality basics and half for impulse buys that will brighten your wardrobe. After reading Dress like a Parisian I found myself rushing out to buy white jeans …. somewhat relieved to find my wardrobe did include some of the other basics.

What To Wear When is invaluable but the shopping in Paris section …. which is extensive ….is brilliant because it is all,  in the main …. online !!!

Still haven’t got to the sections on beauty, beauty tips, home or how to organize your closet.  However, one quote leapt off the page …. “Frivolity is the key to youth !” …. I will most definitely be embracing this.

Am really looking forward to …..”Secret Paris” !!

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