Saturday, April 26, 2008

More eye candy ;)

One of my new favourite blogs to frequent is boatshed chic. Beth's most recent post was about her recent trip to a popular and rather exclusive store in the up market Sydney suburb of Woollahra called Imagine This. This store is like Sydney's version of Melbournes Miguel Meirelles antiques and the stores owners regularly visit Paris and Provence and bring back container loads of treasures....unfortunately for me they come with a hefty price tag lol.

I'm completely in love with this fabric. I have a louis chair at home I'm wanting to have recovered. I wonder if I called them to ask what company makes this fabric and where I could obtain it, they'd tell me? I guess it can't hurt to ask :)

This was labelled as a birdcage chandelier....stunning!


hmmm anyone would think I have a thing for blue ;)
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City of lights...

The lovely Anastasia of Anastasia drawings and dreaming blog just finished hosting a week of French. One of her posts featured this link to an absolutely AMAZING panoramic view of Paris (thank you Anastasia!). Click the link below and scroll across this phenomenal image and you'll feel like you're right there! Enjoy!
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Friday, April 25, 2008

Tablescapes, Vignettes and other bits & pieces...

(The Paris Apartment)

(Shootspaces via Desire To Inspire)

(TBA)

(TBA)

(Desire To Inspire)

(Abi Boura via Desire To Inspire)

(Desire To Inspire)

(Paris Parfait)

(TBA)

(The Paris Apartment)

(Irina Graewe)

(Dan Duchars)

(TBA)

(Carla Lane via Desire To Inspire)

(Canadian House To Home)

(Canadian House &Home)

(TBA)

(The Paris Apartment)

(TBA)

(image courtesy of Alkemie)

(The Queen of tablescapes Anna Spiro of Absolutely Beautiful Things)

It's all about the details! One of the reasons I love more classic styles of decor as opposed to contemporary, is I simply love the personal touches people add to make a space their own. Some people would say it's clutter and although clutter can suffocate me too at times, when grouped tastefully personal items create warmth and personality will not only constantly make you smile as you pass them, but will also thrill and excite others and make for welcoming conversation :)
Tonight I decided to put together a group of some of my favourite "details" pics I had saved in my files. There are quite a few that I saved at a time before my blogging days therefore carelessly didn't record their sorce and for that I apologise. If anyone can offer some corrections I'd be forever grateful.
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On a personal note, My son William marched for the first time this year at our local Anzac dawn service with his Air League squadron. I'm a very proud momma ;)
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LEST WE FORGET.


(Will is third row centre)





Tuesday, April 22, 2008

So pretty!


J'adore this image from an eclectic boudoir store in Portland Oregon, USA called Flutter!
Originally posted by desire to inspire this girly boutique's tag line is "A delightful disarray of found objects and clutter".
To me it looks like Portlands version of Melbourne's Harem store. Just my kind of shopping!
Check out their website and online store for a visual feast of recycled goodness :)

Monday, April 21, 2008

My favourite Sydney home for sale this week...








http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=o&id=104535602&f=40&p=10&t=res&ty=&fmt=&header=&cc=&c=99623877&s=nsw&snf=rbs&tm=1208693457



Meticulously renovated in a classic style to emphasise the vast, light-filled interiors, this magnificent 6-metre wide residence offers expansive accommodation over four comfortable levels.
Luxurious double formal rooms with ornate period detailing including soaring ceilings, original fireplaces and bi-fold doors for privacy.Vast gourmet granite kitchen with stainless-steel gas appliances and ample storage. Casual living area opens to sun-drenched parterre courtgarden with retractable awnings, built-in bbq facilities and separate entrance.
Magnificent master bedroom opening through double French doors to full-width balcony. Multiple bedroom accommodation over three upper levels, several opening on to private balconies and one with kitchenette for self-contained staff quarters. Two large marble bathrooms on the middle two levels, one with direct access to large separate linen & storage room. Laundry and drying room, guest cloak room, extensively wired, security

This home is grand yet cosy. My favourite feature HAS to be the kitchen/family room opening out to the courtyard. I'm completely smitten! This is also a very similar colour scheme I'm planning to create for my own new family room. The only downside to this house is Woolloomooloo is not one of my favourite suburbs in Sydney. Too fast paced.
What's the price tag you say? I predict a cool $3, 000, 000 ;)

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Still on the subject of magnificent French design...










Look at these incredibly sweet, sexy and alluring shop signs.
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So special, so endearing, so typically Paris!
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The doll sign is from Paris Parfait
The Lingerie sign is from monkeyiron @ flickr
The next 6 signs are from The Paris Apartment.







Thursday, April 17, 2008

Noone! does it like the French...



I was recently introduced to Miguel Meirelles european antiques store in Melbourne, Australia from Anna Spiro of Absolutely Beautiful Things.

Miguel travels three times a year to Europe to find pieces with personality for his shop, his criteria being whether he “would happily put each piece in his own house”. The shop stocks an eclectic range of antique furniture and decorative items, ranging from fine Parisian pieces to French provincial and English country furniture. Periods and styles include Louis XIV, Regence, Louis XV, Louis XVI, Directoire, Empire, Restauration, Napoleon III. Occasionally also Biedermeier, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, 1950’s and 1960’s pieces.

As you'll see, my favourite style is definately Louis XV! I can't ignore the feminine touches introduced by Madame du Barry, Madame de Pompadour and of course Queen Marie Antionette.

Browsing around this utopia I was speechless at the endless amount of exquisite items Mr Meirelles had to offer.

Of course the pieces I chose during my fantasy shopping trip have a grand total of approx $50, 000 so hahaha Anna dream on! I think I'll just have to stick with the repros ;)

A 20th century French wrought iron and brass ètabli de boulanger (baker’s stand) - This piece just about brought a tear to my eye. I have dreamed of owning a traditional french bakers stand for the longest time but have yet make my purchase *sighs* someday ;)

mid-19th century French Provincial Louis XV style Armoire - Just beautiful!!

An early 20th century Louis XV style painted and gilt Double Bed - my favourite style of bed, of course I'd prefer a queen size and reupholstered in a duck egg blue fabric ;)

An early 20th century French Louis XV style
Desk - I would probably use this as a dressing table/vanity.

A classic 19th century louis XV style Parisian trumeau mirror.

A 19th century Normandy lantern - In my opinion, iron work can never have too many scrolls ;)

An early 20th century louis style oak Chiffonière. I would love one of these lingerie chests but painted off white.

A louis style Bergère armchair - love the colour!