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My Week in Sydney

Chairs in underwear from the country trader 3266

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The Country Trader has done it again……the most stylish range of classic furniture !!!

Just when we thought we knew the showroom so well. This is a range of custom made furniture designed to look like it has been stripped and recovered many times…..that beautiful distressed and aged feel.

The styles themselves are divine…the sort of pieces and styles that are normally quite difficult to find….the classic lines and proporton of the furniture makes it unique.

These chairs and sofas can be left to look as though they have been handed down from generation to generation or be reupholstered to capture their former glory !!!!
My Design Travels

Liberty london sheer opulence 3189

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Liberty London is unique when it comes to nearly everything in the store !!! Such an Aladdin’s Cave.  This bedside table is covered in the most beautiful velvet.

Such a divine concept…..and other furniture in the collection as well.  Who ever thought velvet would even be available in such cute patterns and colours.

I can’t seem to find out the origin or designer of this range however will be on the case.  More images from Liberty tomorrow…..it is without a doubt my favourite store !!!
My Design World

Designers guild shop online 3283

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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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My Design World

More trade secrets…..designers little black book! 2493

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Ondene ….. magnificent linen, cashmere, furniture, lighting and on it goes !!!  All so elegant and so beautifully presented. I adore their earthy colour palette… my real passion ….the Society linen. Tucked away in Transvaal Avenue you really need to know it is there.

Ondene   12 Transvaal Avenue, Double Bay 2028 PH: 93621734

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Paper2 is the only place to go for something totally different when it comes to stationary, cards, paper, invitations and much more.  This shop is all about beautiful design !!!  They specialise in personalised stationary and invitations…I have just loved everything they have designed for me.

Paper2  477 Crown Street, Surry Hills 2010 PH: 93181121
My Design Tips

Design tips….no, tips for the modern girl 2495

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Just read  ‘tips for the modern girl’  in an October 11 Tatler while at the hairdresser….and thought they were gorgeous !!! Definitely passing these on to my 19 year old daughter.

Know your way around a wine list and hold your drink.

Know your credit card limit, interest rate or overdraft, mortgage terms and rate, health provider, insurance limit and excess. Pay bills on time.

Write prompt and witty thank you letters.

Accept compliments graciously.

Have effortless good manners including always remembering peoples names.

Play some non classical music on the piano or play a cool instrument.

Remove a spider without squealing.

Roll a cigarette while jumping a hedge on a horse !!!

Do an Arab spring or other form of nonsexual gymnastics !!!

Hold down a real job in a grown up way… don’t take your problems to work, contribute to the team, be enthusiastic and cheery about everything

 
My Week in Sydney

Belgian furniture at parterre garden 3598

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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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My Design World

More beautiful fabric inspiration 2927

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I fell in love with this range of fabrics from UK designer Mark Alexander……very Hamptons……and the colour palette he works in is just beautiful.  Mainly neutrals but introducing colour in a very subtle way.

The range includes printed linens…..such quality…. textured linens, relaxed linens, artisan dyed, brushed and embroidered both traditional and modern !!!!

These neutral string tones above work so well with white, cream and other sandy tones….sisal matting….all punctuated with the warmth of dark timber.

Below, is the introduction of Indigo.  I have used this inky colour…..with black timber floor boards, white walls and mid tone sisal matting.  It has the same effect as introducing blue and white china…..classic and timeless.

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Mark Alexander fabrics are distributed through Romo Fabrics available at Marco Fabrics in Paddinton, Sydney
My Weekends

European style by the sartorialist 2875

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                                                image: The Sartorialist

On a rainy and cold weekend in the Southern Highlands what else is there to do …. but lose oneself amongst the beautiful images of Scott Schuman.  I long to be swanning around New York, Rome or London in this divine coat !!!

I could well … in fact … be in Europe with the weather we are experiencing.

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