Hello Winter

With the arrival of Winter tomorrow the few types of Autumn trees that we have in Brisbane are only now starting to loose their leaves. 

This week has been fairly quite for me- the rainy weather combined with a head cold has kept me mostly inside.

The fireplace has been getting well used!

Happy 1st day of winter Southern Hemisphere! And a long awaited welcome to Summer for the Northern neighbours!!

Patches on You

Patch work gets funky, it's time to raid Nanna's drawers! Lately I've been noticing a big trend in patch work furniture. I love it. It's very eye catching and lots of fun.

I've mucked around with it over the years. I often end up with lots of fabric samples from my suppliers. Usually when I'm specifying for a job I'll request quite a few samples. Then I'll play with them to get a combination I'm happy with. In the past I've used the swatches to make cushions.

This fabric is a print, not actual pieces sewn together.

This was the full bed from above and there are assorted types of furniture in the same fabrics.

Here's a throw rug I mucked around with years ago to use up some left over wool.

The old fashioned hexagon spreads- an oldie but I goodie I think.

These armchairs started popping up several years ago.

And to finish on a different note- here's some wallpaper I came across yesterday. I've always been a fan of goldfish.

Happy Mother's Day

To mum's everywhere enjoy your special day tomorrow. 

Here's to some of these in what ever type you love....

may you be spoilt with breakfast or lunch.....

enjoy some "me" time.......

perhaps you'll get some more lovely smelly things......

and a luxury half hour to hide away in bliss.

Whatever the size of the feet you are mum to, may it be a day that you enjoy and get to do something you wish.

I love you mum. xxx

Magnolia Flowers and Gifts

As I drive along Waterworks Rd at Ashgrove I always keep my fingers crossed that the traffic will be busy and that I may even have to stop at a red light. I love looking at the front window of Magnolia Flowers to see the new weekly display and the props and beautiful products out the front.

Walking into the store, that amazing smell of fresh flowers surrounds you.

At the time that I visited succulents were featured through out the store.

This is the front window. Very on trend with cacti and succulents!

Check out their website, or better yet, check it out in person. 

www.magnoliaflowers.net.au

out and about

Here's a look I love- the gorgeous recycled timber on the shop front of the T2 stores. 

This week I saw the Rumour Has It show at the Judith Wright Centre. It was a tribute show to Adele, the writer and singer of Skyfall from the most recent Bond movie.

It was a cabaret performance done almost in the round.

Besides the fantastic music I absolutely loved the props. All the mis matched lamp shades suspended from the ceiling. They appealed to my eclectic taste and reminded me of designing the Shingle Inn stores which have many styles of lamps and up to 24 types of fabric in some stores. 

Sea Balls

Check out these amazing sea balls. I caught up with a friend on the weekend who had collected these from South Stradbroke Island. 

In all her years of visiting "Straddie", she's only ever seen them a couple of times before. They came in after recent rough seas which generated that disgusting brown foam. They consist of grass, bits of rope and fishing line and have just occurred naturally from being tumbled around in the waves.

She has amazing decorating taste which shows everywhere through out her gorgeous house and she's used the largest of the balls in her guest bathroom.

Winn Lane

If you happened upon Winn Lane in Fortitude Valley you'd describe it as a serendipitous discovery. It would leave you smiling for the rest of the day at the thought of this magical little location.

Winn Lane is one of the Brisbane City Council initiatives doing up some of the forgotten lane ways in the CBD area. You'll find it off Winn St, which runs between Ann and McLachlan St's. 

It has about 6-10 stores nestled in, including a cafe, hair dresser and book store. I loved the astro turf laid down to personalise the space. It certainly added to the character of the lane way.

Here's the very cute book shop at the end. Winn Lane has lots of ambiance and worth the detour around the corner from the busier streets.