Saturday, January 31, 2009

Christina Re's China Doll...

This is a classic example of the wonderfully eclectic, vintage style I'm leaning towards this year.
Christina Re is a super talented stationary designer from melbourne Australia. I actually used some of her stunning papers to make my 30th birthday invitations a few years back.


Her gorgeous home is featured in this months Australian country home ideas magazine and was also featured in one of my favourite books - Madison Living.


Just as the magazine states, I LOVE her harmonious fusion of oriental and european vintage and contemporary pieces.

Mixing the old with the new has never looked so chic.




Bold patterns, contrasting colours yet everything looks simplistic and uncluttered.




(please click the images for a much larger view)







Christina states her home is a work in progress and will constantly evolve the more she travels - words to live by :)



Of course the pink tufted armchair is my favourite piece and this particular image with the red birdcage and black side table is an absolute winner!


(please excuse my dodgy scanning hehe)

^^ LOVE IT!


The gorgeous woman herself :)
love her dress!



This home is such an inspiration to me, I simply can't get enough of it.


Christina Re.








Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Dream Modern Kitchen Design and Pictures

kitchen interior accent design

I just came across my dream modern kitchen design that has most of the elements that I want should I be able to build in the future. The first thing that catches my eye in the pictures is the wine cellar storage underneath the island. I love the look it creates in the kitchen. If you are a wine fan, then this may be a nice touch. I will admit that there is quite a bit of storage so perhaps a scaled down version would be appropriate. One idea would be to put an ice maker or beverage cooler in one of the sections there. To the left of the wonderful Thermador refrigerator is a small station for a computer and cookbooks. What a nice idea! How often are you waiting for something to cook and have to stand in the kitchen? Here you can multi-task while spending your time there. You can also store all your recipes electronically which is a nice feature.

dream modern kitchen design

I do love the size of the kitchen island and the fact that there is a sink there. It would be easy to have barstools or furniture brought up on one side of the island for kids or guests. The stove and oven are beautiful. I love the size of this appliance and the amount of cook space it provides. I am not so sure about the cabinet color. I would maybe opt for a different color of kitchen cabinets. The sink along the right counter looks great with the window. I do like where the dishwasher is tucked into the space to the right of the sink. My favorite elements of this dream modern kitchen design are the wine storage, computer workstation, appliances, and size of the kitchen island. Pictures:

contemporary kitchen pictures

great luxury and stylish minimalist kitchen

modern kitchen

minimalist Living Room designs

modernminimalistic kitchen italian

minimalist house

modern and classic kitchenskitchensluxury kitchenluxury kitchen

kitchen islands

kitchen designs

kitchens design

black kitchens

kitchen design

Source: http://temi.repubblica.it/casa / via / http://freshome.com

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

I still can't get enough vintage style.....part 1 the bedroom...















I forever struggle with trying to define my own personal style. I try to follow the rules with one but then add something completely different to the look. I guess you could say I'm more of an eclectic kind of gal, but one element will forever remain in my interiors and thats my love of all things vintage.
I gave myself a break from flea market shopping these holidays as my home is simply busting at the seams, but I feel the pulling sensation to get back out there and start rummaging again so I know I will cave very soon lol.
I have however decided to de-clutter alot of my "pretty things" and create something a little more industrial. One of my favourite books in my collection is called Found Style by David and Amy Bulter. If you have a passion for all things vintage and recycled but without too much of the the feminine aspect then this book is for you!
Don't get me wrong I'm still a girly girl and regularly read my Austen novels but I just think I'm going to minimalise my "granny items" and go for a more boho feminine chic look this year.
Does this happen to you? Each year do your tastes change and you feel like you want to rip it all out and start fresh? God help me this could become a costly obsession LOL ;)



(all photos via house to home)




Tuesday, January 13, 2009

I'm back.......kinda sorta :)




Hellllllllllooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! *group hugs* How is everyone?! I have missed you all so much!



I took a little more time off my blog than I had originally planned but I guess I needed to. It's been a really hot summer and the kids and I have been keeping ourselves quite entertained. Back and forth to the lake house, family reunions, visiting old friends, catching up on all the latest movies and basically enjoying the non routine way of life the summer break brings.



So I gotta know, who has read the Twilight series?! I got completely sucked into this magical world of vampires and warewolves the past couple of weeks and even enjoyed the movie. This saga has been HUGE down under to say the least and I must say it was quite an enjoyable and easy read. The last book was a little "out there" though lol.




Thumbing through the january issue of Instyle magazine I came across a photoshoot with the cast of Twilight and as goodlooking as the cast is I couldn't help but swoon over the sets! The location and props were stunning. They reminded me of that eclectic restaurant set up at the recent food and wine festival I attended last november.











I LOVE the shabby chesterfield, the birdcage, the aubusson pillow, the empire chairs? and the zebra rug - Genius!



Also in the magazine was a 5 page spread on my new favourite hair salon - Brad Ngata in Pailings Lane.


Mr Ngata recently hosted a high tea in his salon and I LOVED the images. Wish I'd been invited! pffft ;)







Look at those Louis chairs?! They almost left me breathless! I MUST have some chairs just like them!
Oh my looooord I have ALOT to catch up on! I hope you are all well!
(please click images to enlarge)