Merry Christmas

I have just finished my last curtain installation so I will be taking some time off. 2009 was a great year and I look forward to a wonderful 2010, with plenty of new projects. Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and safe and happy New Year.

Boutique Hotel

This stunning hotel in Marrakech (somewhere I'm dying to go one day) called La Mamounia has featured in a couple of recent magazines. It was built in the 1920's but its beauty was fading. Its recently been refurbished and I think its worth a look. Amazing traditional tiles, and plasterwork teamed with more contemporary interiors.

New Collection

Just saw the lastest collection from Harlequin called Lalika
Looking forward to using some of the fabrics in the new year.
Here are some images to tempt you and one of the fabrics won a UK Homes and Gardens Award.

Lalika, an evocative fusion of Persian and Indian influences

Beachy Bedrooms

I'm dreaming of my summer break and found these images of beacy bedrooms.....calm, soothing and casual. Soft blues and whites...you can go wrong. I know, I know, back to work.

Vogue - Grace Coddington

I recently watched the September issue, a documentary about the process of getting the US September issue of Vogue out. Grace Coddington is the creative director and has worked at Vogue US for 20+ years. She styled a photo shoot inspired by the 20's and below are some images. They are wonderful, the clothes, shoes and setting are to die for .... see the movie if you have a chance.

Owls...kids rooms

I don't know what it is but I love Owls. I have a new nephew, so I thought I would see what I could find for his nursery. Here are some idea's...
Fun shelves, quilt cover and soft toys

Wall decals...great fun and easy to remove and change as the kids get older.

But the "Enchanted Tree" from Cocoon Couture is a favorite. The Enchanted Tree features silk screened wooden leaves with prints inspired by vintage wallpaper. Delightful screw in Acorn pegs to be used for hanging special treasures and the Early Bird and Sleepy Owl nesting on the branches of this special enchanted tree!

Check it out at the Cocoon Couture website, they have great bean bags, wall art and accessories.

http://cocooncouture.com/home.php

Fabulous Flowers

Saskia Havekes finds that passion and inspiration come directly from what Nature produces. All the elements of composition – line, texture, form, colour, and pattern – are found there and it provides a good springboard from which to then re-interpret. She is constantly amazed by what Nature has to offer and never tire of the endless possibilities one can create with natural elements. Saskia has a florist in Sydney and a wonderful book call "Grandiflora", the same name as her store.




Absolutely love the drum shades in these wonderful fabrics.

Glamorous Rooms

My family has asked me what I want for Christmas. I have a book obsession, so suggested "Glamorous Rooms" by Jan Showers.Jan Showers is a US designer, known for creating rooms that stand apart from the usual, and yet, are completely liveable and reflect her clients' lifestyles. Showers' favourite quote is "The first thing I tell my clients is that they need to look great and feel good in their own rooms, otherwise, why bother?" She is known for using luxurious fabrics, leathers, colours that are unexpected, and the ability to mix traditional with mid-20th century modern.

Glamorous Rooms showcases the elegant eclecticism of renowned designer Jan Showers’s interiors, including many projects unpublished until now.... here are some examples of her work.

Victorian Chaise

Here is the before and after photo's of a Victorian Chaise, that was my clients Grandmothers, which we recovered in a beautiful Romo Stripe, bringing it upto date and a feature of the master bedroom.

Wallpaper

I was looking through some old "World of Interiors" magazines and came across this wonderful editorial on wallpaper. It hightlights wallpaper designs by showing them as paper dolls and paperdoll clothing and I think its very creative. Hope you like it......

Hue

Hue by Kelly Wearstler
Kelly is classed as a trendsetter in interior design in the USA. Hue celebrates the power of color in Kelly's work and the possibilities of color in interior design and decorating. Well worth a look....

Trimmings

I love to use trimmings, whether its the finishing touch on cushions or ornamentation on curtains or blinds....... small amounts of trim can just finish off the project, without having to blow the budget.

Armchairs

Here are some images of gorgeous decorative armchairs, to inspire..... Remember, we should not be afraid to use pattern whether its a contemporary chair or more traditional in style.

This is an armchair I did for a great client, earlier this year. This chair was a right off, broken legs, spring sticking out of the seat and was completely rebuilt and recovered.