Chalk it up to fun...

I have blogged a couple of times on the use of chalkboards in the home and the more and more I see the more and more I love this idea. So today's blog is dedicated to the different and sometimes quite interesting uses of chalkboard's in the home.

I love this first shot... I am not too sure where I found it as have it in my file of images that I collect. I love the chalkboard's to organise and I also love that soap bin. So sweet!



What a great idea to organise your herbs and remember what you potted. Cheap too- just buy the chalk paint and a terracotta pot!



From O Magazine. Yes the great Oprah has reached my blog- she truly is everywhere. What a great idea instead of a mirror.



Love this idea from dinner parties, this way it is easy to change names for new guests!



From Living Etc how cool is this storage seat for kids? Once again once I get over my heart attack of chalk going all over the place!



From Decor Pad two great uses in the kitchen- love the white clean and girly pantry with the chalkboard door and LOVE chalkboard cabinetry- what an awesome way to remember which door holds what! p.s though I am never that organised!





Ok so you probably wouldn't think for the bathroom- but wouldn't you prefer to look at this sometimes then self doubt? :)

Black is back...

I will be honest I never thought I would want to decorate with black in my home... I am quite simply a cream girl. But last week as I was looking through the amazing photo's from Lonny Mag I saw and LOVED a black bathroom. Wow could a cream girl go black?

From Lonny Mag... the stark white against the black is striking! I really thought you shouldn't do black in a small space because it makes it seem smaller- but this adds atmosphere and makes it seem very dramatic.



The first three are from Decor Pad.

Featuring Martensen Jones Interiors Powder Room. How awesome is that wallpaper?! Also love the water jug.



More and more I am seeing yellow used against black to create a dramatic and striking look. I am also a fan of those mismatched lamps but out of the same yellow and same shades.



This last one is fantastic... the black just sets off the crisp white. Love the blanket and pillows. I also love the head board made simply out of white boarding and the feature mirror.



Another yellow against black... how dramatic is this bathroom featuring my favorite claw bath tub, heavy black drapes and that gorgeous yellow bedroom chair? (small criticism would change those green tiles to white with a black feature tile!)




Apartment Therapy featured this kitchen last week. I know it isn't strictly 'black' but love the chalk board wall!



From Made by a Girl... a black staircase... this was another image that inspired me last week to go black... the banisters in white look stunning!



This one is interesting as most of the black rooms so far go for the dramatic white and black contrast where this room uses woods and naturals. I love the fire place!



Anyway the moral of the story is I wouldn't be afraid to use black... even as a shabby chic girl at heart! I really think it can be striking and in the older homes it really makes the most of the old arcatraving. 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!

World of Wallpaper...

For those who don't know me, one of my great loves is Wallpaper. I became obsessed whilst working in London for a fashion & home wares label who design and produce their own. I find it a great way to bring to life a wall with little effort, to create mood in a room or show your personality and unique style. As today I have a huge case of Mondayitis, this is to bring a little joy into my world...

My favorite designer is Florence Broadhurst, who launched her design business in 1959 after a quite worldly and infamous life. She designed mainly in the 60's & 70's and was largely influenced by her travels to Asia. Her design library is now held by a husband and wife team who reproduce and sell under the company 'Signature Prints'.

How beautiful is this bathroom featured by Absolutely Beautiful Things with a gorgeous pink Florence Broadhurst print. So stylish.



Florence's blues...



A great way to add a splash of colour and re-invent an old kitchen cabinet.



This is from a home store in Los Angeles called Weego Home. Stunning! And love the way they have also covered the ottoman (featured front left just popping out of frame) with her fabric.



To look through the full range of Florence Broadhurst amazing wallpaper, fabrics & art go to Signature Prints.