Coastal Chic...

I am so willing for it to be spring already... though I think I could be quite happy come summer or winter to be living in these spaces with those views!





Chandelier & table- bliss!



LOVE that sailing boat chandelier!



Traditional white and blue...





All I can say Fridge + Stove= WOW!





Now for some with colour- how good do those Chinese lanterns look? I have never been a big fan- but here they work perfectly!





Sea greens go so well- I love how the highlights are picked up in the surrounds...



A touch of lime- you know this doorway is only going to lead to good places!









Great table decor for coastal living...



And this will be the next house I buy... you're more then welcome to visit!



Images care of: Coastal Living

Weekend delights...

Well I had a lovely weekend with my Mum. On Saturday we went to two different auctions and one antique market. The first antique action is a bit of a tradition in our family- I remember every Saturday morning getting up early to go and have a bacon and egg roll and a long troll through the goodies. There are normally four sections- the really good antiques up the front, the glass and ceramics, the old garage sale style junk and the bits and bob boxes- my dad and I fav's are the garage sale junk and the bits and bobs boxes as there normally is the most random array of goodies!

Anyway I always talk about auctions and the fantastic deals they house; Mum said that the other day she saw a butchers block that went at an auction for about $1,000 and now being sold in an up market antique store for $6,500. So there are definitely savings to be made- all it takes is time. Make sure you do your research go to a couple of auctions and see what they are going for, look at the quality of what is around and go into the stores and compare. This to me makes the purchase so much more fun as when you do find the right one you get the joy of knowing what a great buy it was and having a story behind the purchase!

Here are some of my picks from the weekend:

Chandeliers- these two were amazing for a big room...



Some beautiful smaller ones... make sure when you are buying at auction to look carefully at the crystals! Make sure they are all there and in good condition before you buy.





A mid sized blanket box in great condition...



Country Kitchen sideboard- fantastic project.



This was my favourite- a kitchen storage unit. I am not sure how clearly you can see it but each draw is named- there was a even a prune draw and tapioca draw! Fabulous- I asked the price range and it was est at somewhere around the $1,000 mark. So many people were looking at it I noticed so i am sure it will go for more!







A great shabby chic outdoor table...



This was a cool outdoor sign and thought would make a great single bedhead.



A shabby chic single bed for a little girl...



This was a fabulous basket of old shoe forms.... this will be snapped up by a dealer and sold at about $50 each...





I loved this an old movie projector and films...



A great big blanket box (when I first saw it a little girl was inside and it was the size of her- so cute!)... this would be great under a window or the end of a bed...



And lastly I did happen to get something for myself... a fantastic pair of vintage Dior sunnie's that were straight from a shop and never worn... I am totally in love with them!



Sorry the only photo where I am smiling properly I have my eyes closed! I really am bad at taking photo's... :)

I am hoping this blog looks better on your comp then mine as I left my laptop at home and seem to be working on a 1990's style computer which doesn't even have a good version of paint! xox

Italian inspiration....

I must admit I have been rather enamoured with Italian living since watching a movie called 'Stealing Beauty' which is set in the wine valley of Tuscany. The back drop of the rolling hills covered by vines added to the sun bleached walls and earthly tones of fresco's left to fade, all create a sense of lazy indulgence that seems to follow through to their way of life. Everything is about food, passion and family. Who wouldn't want to live there?

Italians have such a strong sense of design in both fashion and home, from city chic to country charm they get it right each time.

These opulent rooms are all from designer Savio Firmino and care of Luxury Interior Design and Decorations.

Once again my love of the claw bathtub features heavily! :) Oh and love the sheer curtain in the second pic!





From the chic city style to the simplicity of the country. The Italians have this amazing light that makes their homes look inviting and warm. You can just imagine curling up in the sun in a little nook and reading till your eye's grow heavy or breaking bread warm from daylights touch and dipping it in fresh extra virgin olive oil as you sip on a good glass of Chianti.




All Italian country houses have a pagola, somewhere to eat, laugh and watch the last embers of sun fade into the night...

Or how about somewhere to dive into to refresh your tired limbs...

This is a beautiful country apartment with lime washed walls that reflect the colours of the sofa...



How sweet are these light switches, I love the faded wall paper against the rustic paint. This to me is the images of Italy I fell in love with... *sigh* Images care of Mary Lou.

But to be a true Italian you must get around in style... So want one!

It's all crystal clear...

I have always had a small dream that either side of my bed instead of bedside lamp I want to hang chandeliers. I love chandeliers, not just inside the home hung low over a dining table or in the bedroom to create mood but I love when they are hung outside and left to rust and become part of the landscape... so idyllic! The best part is there are loads around at auctions and you can have fun building your collection... just make sure you check that all the crystals are there before you put on a bid!

From the simple..

To the divine... Love the use of different sizes, shapes and styles. Heaven!



I love these chandeliers care of Hooked on Houses, I happen to be a big fan of turquoise as it is but these look amazing against that faded pink wall. Also love the mix of velvet and faded carpets...

Now this would make an amazing entrance! This chadeilier from Crystal Art Chandeliers was hand blown and designed by Robert Kaindl ... also love that low mahogany circular hall table, making this room seem so art deco.