Goodbye...

kelly ann studio

Today I watched my Friend farewell her Husband, who was just 32 for the last time. A loving Man that will be terribly missed. Another bright light switched off

...goodbye Glen.

Ness xx

Idyll...

unknown - from my files
...need I say more!
Ness xx

Wednesday Wantings...

Maison Reve

Today I am wanting 2 things - Vintage Apothecary bottles and....
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...vintage Botanical prints!
Coastal Homes
...to do something like this with. The bottles would be in place of some of the frames.
I wish it was "I Just Got Wednesday"!
Ness xx

Bus & Tram Scrolls...

Country Living
My love of the Bus/Tram roll is on going and as we speak I am planning on making two long canvases to put above our sofa that will look like a Bus roll but have a personal meaning to the destinations like where we met, Married, live etc. I love this image above of the bus roll alongside the black framed photos.
Marley & Lockyer

My love of these rolls led to the design of my first Bus Roll cover. These sold really well and there will be more on the Etsy Shoppe soon
Marley & Lockyer
My London one has sold well also.

David Met Nicole
For something truly unique, the store Davidmetnicole has these wonderful, made-to-order wing back chairs covered in either English or Australian bus rolls. I think they are amazing and how good would one of my bus roll covers look on it?
Junk Market Style

This original roll was pulled out of a bus by the owner, so it is in mint condition...lucky!
Tram Banners
There are a lot of places now selling prints and canvases of these gorgeous typographic (is that the word?) masterpieces. Some are hideously expensive and others are very reasonable. It pays to do your homework.

via The Lettered cottage

Now I know this is not a bus or ram roll, but it has the same qualities....I just love this sign and thought I would show that even if your home is small, you could still have a piece of roll magic on your wall...even if it is an old ad! It is the whole white text on black thing that has everyone smitten I think...well I am!

1st Dibs
...but after all is said and done and I have made my own version of this new classic, I would really like a real one under glass.

Ness xx

What is in a dining space?

A dining space is not just somewhere to eat, it is so much more than that. In our home it is where we stop after a long day and share what we have done, the boys play with little cars and tanks and colour abstract doodles and I do paperwork and delve through magazines. Robin Stubbert
It is also another place to show your decorating prowess and this space above has so many elements to create a communal area that is welcoming, stylish and far from precious, a true family space. The chandelier sets off the whole space and gives the outdoor chairs a sense of casual class. The wicker chair and ottoman, beaded boards and neutral palette have created a zone that can meet the needs of a whole bunch of personalities and functions.beach studios
Although this space is small, it still has room to take a small group of people and has an amazing garden view out the French doors. More of a breakfast space to me, I would be happy looking over the Sunday papers here.

Atlanta Bartlett
This space I also love. Simple, casual, welcoming and calm. I love how the little print is picked up in the curtains and all of the white is anchored by the warm wooden floors.

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This one, from my files, is my favourite. I love everything here, the French style table, chairs, accessories and the doors. I can picture many things happening here with a family...Sunday roasts, loads of art with the boys, happy conversations looking out the doors on a sunny day, and romantic candle light meals. Now isn't that what a dining area should be about?

Ness xx

Fountains from my files...

From the depths of my ideas file I found these three beautiful fountains which all feature one of the lion heads that I have always wanted. We have actually had a lovely sunny day in Tasmania today and I was out cutting the lawn, longing to get my hands in the dirt again. This lead me to 'The File' and the following beauties...You can see the little lion in the background...I love it, especially paired with the urn, covered in moss, and to have a stone table on square pavers with a decorative grass between them would just set it all off.
It is beautiful here with these glassy green mosaics, cute white Impatient's and the stone (or concrete) surrounds.

...but here is my favourite! We wouldn't be able to replicate this at our space...because we have so much space, but I do love the idea of having such a gorgeous view from our french doors. The fountain for me is perfect and the set of 3 little tiles either side of it is just stunning. I have had this photo in my file for about 8 years, and I have just noticed the curtains! I do love the pom pom trim in neutrals.

I hope your weekend outlook is just as stunning.

Ness xx

I am sorry, I don't know where the photos are from because I have had them SO long.

Light & Lovely

beach studios
All of these images share the same pleasing qualities, light, lovely and a little French!
This one above is actually in the UK and even though it is very pale, it is so welcoming and peaceful.
via Heidi Claire
The dark wooden floors are beautiful in this room and the use of black against the white walls just scream sophistication to me. The two wicker chairs and the stone fire surround add some warmth to this area.
beach studios
All white washed and aged...just how I like them!
via fabulously french

...this is just gorgeous!! What is there not to love about this space?
The chandelier is magnificent and I adore those full, shuttered windows

...ah Heaven.

Ness xx

Wednesday Wantings...Janet Hill Studio

images - Janet Hill Studio
I have fallen in love with the beautiful art work from Janet Hill Studio.
Most of her images are prints of her original oil paintings and are pictures of beautiful interiors, little cake shops and some lovely outdoor soirees.
They are well priced too! Click HERE to see for yourself.
Ness xx

My pick for tonight!

For Aussie readers, tonight is the finale of HomeMADE, a fantastic competition for Interior Designers and Stylists. My pick for the winner is Jason Sullivan, Model and Design Assistant who has taken the show by storm. The room above was one of my favourite rooms Jason had done. I think I love it because all of the white pieces pop against the dark colours to give the space a really sophisticated, clean and earthy feel to it.
Everything in this room is gorgeous. The silver platter on the wall looks superb against the dark walls and the coffee table is just gorgeous. Jason's style is very RL and maybe that's why I pick him to win homeMADE tonight.
If you would like to have a look at the show click HERE
Ness xx
photos from Real Living Magazine

...my legs are a little better today!

Needing a lie down?

Veranda magazine

I do! One of the reasons I have not been around Blog land lately is because...I have started boot camp!!! and it hurts...LOTS! Last night I pulled my quad (front of thigh) muscle getting out of the car, then tonight felt 'pop' while running at boot camp. I am in loads of pain and need a good lie down....in any of these bedrooms please.

This one is just beautiful. There is only one thing in this space I am not into - that picture thing above the bed...sorry I don't get it. Every thing else is just right.

via brown button
The neutral palette and those beaded walls are magic!

phoebe howard
A well appointed room would make me feel better, and I could always have a rest on the sofa and a leg up on the sweet tufted ottoman.

via shannon fricke
My favourite things for a room. Louis sofa, quilted cover, chandelier, French doors, antique style urn, bust and white.
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...but maybe I will stick with something simple, uncluttered and restful...and the floors and grey throw are like whats in my own room. I am off to bed now...think healing thoughts for me. I have to go back to boot camp on Wednesday night...ouch.

Ness xx

Flour Sack Reinvented!!!

I have finally reinvented my Flour Sack pillows!! I have made 4 to put onto my Etsy Shoppe to see how they go, then I will make more.


This is the White and Wheat one. The text has changed and the year, incorporating the year our home was built...and the little bee has been added. These new ones will have different styles of ladder stitch ribbon, as I find it so they won't always be with this one.

I am still selling them filled and ready to go...no inserts needed!
This one is the Wheat and Caramel pillow. It is lovely and warm and goes great with the white.
I really like this new interpretation of my old favourite...what do you think?
Click HERE to see the shop.
Ness xx

Birth of a room...

Seeing I am in renovation mode again, I thought I would show you the evolution of this room...how it came about and what it ended up as.

This is an improvement on how it began. We had to basically gut it and start again, re-lining the walls first and taking the old 70's brick off the beautiful old brick in the fireplace. The light and carpet is what was here when we bought it...someone liked them!!!
We had to fill between all of the beaded ceiling grooves, repaint, put up new cornice to suit the era, added picture rail and chair rail and high skirting's.
Dad set to work building the new fireplace surround to protect the old bricks. Previous owners had really done a job on the fireplace and we had to render the bottom just to stop it falling apart and to make it look nicer.
I painted this 1 meter x 1 meter canvas to become the main focal point of the room....
...while I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Mason! As you have probably guessed by now we were doing his bedroom/nursery. This was taken the day we brought him home.
We had to re carpet (obviously) and I painted the room Chalk USA as I wanted the toys and the canvas to be the main colours in the room. At the time we had balloon curtains in the window and side drapes were added. There is now wicker roman blinds.

...at this point we still hadn't finished the fireplace. The bespoke corbels had gone on and the bricks and render painted the same as our other fireplaces, but the detail was still being sorted.
As of 3 weeks ago, it is now the playroom. We have taken the bed out and Mason is now in with Declan. He will probably go back in there at some point, but for now they want to be in the same room. Long time readers will know that the rooms in our home never stay the same way for long. I wonder what it will be next.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Ness xx

Screaming Summer...

These images conjure up memories of Summer for me and as it is bitterly cold and raining here at the moment I thought you might like to warm up with me.
source A perfect porch? There is so much here to love for me and I remember playing on my Parents porch for hours, milking every bit of warmth from the Sun before it set.
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A grassy backyard is always on my list of Summer loves. B-b-q's and Family gatherings and lazy Sundays laying on a blanket with my Sisters chatting was always special.

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Seeing people spending time outside, sitting on their front porches and saying hi to all the kids as we rode our scooters along the pavement.
svettol
This doesn't really remind me of Summers past, but future ones.

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One of my fondest memories of Family time in Summer was being at the Family holiday house at Vincentia, right by the ocean with sunburn (a no-no I know), lemonade Icy poles and smiles all around....ah Summer!

I hope you have all warmed up.

Ness xx

Lovin...

...this wonderfully quirky range from Teo Jasmin.

I think this would look great in a really funky restaurant or a business lobby. Somewhere to create interest. The range is huge and there are loads of beautifully pieces that are a little more subdued. Click HERE for a look.

Ness xx

For all of you...

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These flowers are for all of you who, like me, are trying to get through a renovation...and a few words to keep you all going. Sorry for my short posts of late and my lack of comments on your blogs, but I have been extremely busy.
Ness xx

busy, busy, busy!

My office at present resembles a bomb site while I source, price and design our bathroom. We have pretty much settled on a layout and know what is going in the space. It seems everyone is doing bathroom posts at the moment, which I am loving as I am always seeing new pictures that instantly fill my head with new ideas...

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...like this one. I think the reason I am into this is because it is basically the layout that we already have on a smaller scale. It has the beaded board on the walls that we want, hexagon tile like will go under the claw foot, and I am now looking at a pedestal sink instead of the old cupboard. I think I will top this and use it as a dressing area.

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This is the way I want the tub to face, along the window, except our window will be larger. This is the same as our tub and I would love a separate shower as it is over our bath at the moment. The tin ceiling squares on the wall will be in our space, except in a different manner...you'll have to wait and see!!

Anyway, I am off to do a Kitchen consultation so I will see you tomorrow.

Have a lovely day,

Ness xx

The Warmth Of Stone

Having an old home I am smitten with stone, particularly if it too is old. The warmth and texture of old stone can give a space soul and as it ages just gets better. I have found these images via the wonderful Robbin Stubbert, who has captured these rooms beautifully.

This dining area is sophisticated, warm and is the perfect backdrop to all the vintage art and furniture. I love this space.
Even on the porch, it makes you feel welcome. That stone sill is gorgeous!

Couldn't you imagine being in here with a crackling fire going, the smell of a baked dinner in the oven...and a good book? The stone is decoration enough for the walls in here and colours from the stone are picked up in all of the furnishings.
I am loving the mantel in this room, with the carved out date. Stone can look just as beautiful in a modern space and can blend with any colour scheme to create lovely spaces. I do love the big wood beams and the ones above the windows.
How is this for a breakfast area?

I think if it was mine I would eat out here all the time, especially if it had an outdoor fireplace...wonderful! Our own home is built on blue stone and I just love it and would like to use it for big flagstone like paving outside, but it would cost a fortune. So for now I will just be content to look at these pictures and imagine the spaces I could create.

Have a wonderful day,

Ness xx

all images Robbin Stubbert

Still life from home x 2....

After a busy weekend, I thought a still life with some of my favourite things was in order seeing I don't usually post on weekends.

My favourite chair in our bedroom, my lovely market basket, that does double duty holding flowers on a table in our room, my old mirror that weighs a tonne, old frame and a letter 'D' for Declan. This photo wasn't staged, I was moving some things around (as usual) and had just put these here while I moved the table they live on now. It looked nice, so I took a picture.
This next still life features some little dish cloths I just bought off Scraps n Things. They are too pretty to use though and look great next to a bowl of Apples and my fire starter Lavender bundle....don't you just love afternoon sun light? Happy Winter Solstice! I hope you have enjoyed your weekend...the party was a hit and we are all pooped!! =0)
Ness xx

Our little man is 5....

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I can't believe our little man, Declan is 5 today. I have been busy preparing for his super hero party, which is tomorrow, all day today.
It just seems like yesterday that he was two. I love this photo of him playing hide and seek with puppy.

...and this one of him at the beach near our home about 4 months later. It does seem like a long time ago he was born, but 2 seems like yesterday...and now he is 5!!!

I hope you have a super weekend,

Ness xx

Entries to peek at...

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Do you love to peek inside peoples doors when they are open? I do. Especially at Christmas time or if it is a home I always wish I could have a look into. I don't do it to every house with a door open, there has to be something lovely about it first. An entry way, whatever the size, sets the tone for the home and is quite important to the overall theme of things to come. This one above is beautiful.
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I love houses that have staircases in the entry, especially if the staircase is pretty too. I am loving that big art work on the wall.

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Country halls are always inviting, and this one with it's stone wall and old world features is just begging you inside....I bet to a roaring open fire.

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All white and serene. Even in this thin space there I am glad there is somewhere to put your keys and mail down, check your hair and lipstick on the way out and to place a mirror to bounce some light around. One day I will have chandeliers down our hall when there are no threats from rogue toy cars flying around.

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Beautiful displays make you want to view the rest of the house and so many people neglect these spaces...why? If you love to travel, show your exotic pottery on the wall or your collection of black and white photography, old sheet music, whatever your into and give a hint of who lives here.
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Fresh flowers from the garden always look beautiful. I love the sort of displays that aren't artfully arranged and have that 'plonked in' look to them, especially if it is in an old crystal glass, even an old tin can be beautiful.
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This home screams "beach side living". I imagine it is stunning at night with the lanterns glowing down the hall.

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My favourite one is this. I can't put my finger on the exact reason, but I do think it is because it looks lived in, not staged, the vintage pieces, the palette and the fact that is a beautiful colour. Do you love to peek into peoples homes, or am I a bit different??

I would love to see a 'peek' of your entry way and tell me why you like it and what it says about you. I would love to pick a few and show them here. maybe we will have a competition!!!

Ness xx

Kitchen Cleanout...

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Tidying up my files today I realised how many photos of Kitchens I have. For a reason though, to inspire our own re-do, which will be a makeover to begin with and eventually a gut. My favourites are as follows. The top one is just gorgeous in every way.
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This little gem I found over at ABT and fell in love with the island and the beaded board on the cupboards, the hardware and the marble.
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3 Bell Jar lights sounds good to me. I love that the island is dark against white cupboards. This is a perfect solution for us as Mic wants wood cabinetry, and I want white.

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I did notice that most of the photos I have on file have 3 lights above the island. I have always been a fan of this, not only for the aesthetics, but for the difference it makes when you are doing any sort of fiddly prep. We had 3 white glass shades above our main prep area at the home we built and I loved it. This kitchen is magnificent and the turned legs over the breakfast bar are gorgeous.
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I love this. Simple, white, clean and uncluttered. I have a 'thing' about not having stuff on the benches...except my big glass canisters I have shown you before.

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The Aga in the old fireplace is something we would love to eventually do in our kitchen (with a electric/gas version), but I don't think I can part with our old wood stove...it's so cozy.

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A must!!!
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I would love to incorporate a breakfast bar. The tin on this ceiling is beautiful.
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The thought of having an old farmhouse table to do double duty as dining space and as an island really appeals to me, but it just wouldn't work for us just now. The mouldings on the doors are lovely and I would really like to do something with the baseboards like this to give a touch of fancy to them...the more I think, the more my head hurts...time to go to bed.

Ness xx

To see my other kitchen posts, see my labels at the right.

Louis luuurve...

This is meant to be a quick post cause part 2 of HomeMADE is coming on. This is a design competition that I am addicted to at the moment. In tonight's episode one of the designers is using a Louis chair in the Master room....in luv!!! Mic doesn't quite get it. I did try to explain that this is the equivalent of him wanting a Tommi Makkenen (?) Mitsubishi Evo (car).
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Here is the shape top of the list I would love.

Brooke Giannetti
It can be in a much loved condition...

I don't mind if it is this shape...

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or without arms...
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or even if there is a sofa it can't be parted with!

wisteria
or a table and clock!!

I am SO not fussy Mic, any of these fine specimens would do. Like I said this is HIGH on the list, actually at the top, of things to buy Ness that she will love forever, especially if it is covered in linen...beaucious!!

Do you have a favourite?

Ness xx

Here we go again...

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My thoughts have really shifted into gear to do our bathroom which is screaming out for a makeover. So, I have been saving file after file of photos and suppliers and have realised that I actually do know what I would like in here (I thought it was going to be a hard task). This bathroom above would look perfect in our home and has all of the elements I am yearning for in this space. Bath under a window, loads of panelled storage, telephone style taps, venetian mirror, lots of fresh white...and wood floors!

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Now, Brooke has given me the perfect idea to the wooden floor worries...a tile 'mat'!! I love this idea and think it would make a feature of our claw foot bath if it was under the window. I always thought I wanted a chandelier in here, but after seeing the glass bell jar light Brooke has used, I am loving it. The panelling is superb.
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I really want to keep a sense of age and nostalgia in this space and would love to hunt down some beautiful taps like these. I have the Samuel Heath catalogue coming to me, which I am sure I will have oodles of wants from.

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Beaded white walls is high on the list of wants for this rooms, actually must haves, and I love it with this double vanity and the shutters. Our bathroom has some serious privacy issues and I would love to have a clear glass window like in the first photo, so shutters would be great.

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Our toilet is in the same room (it is a huge space) and for some privacy we have for a long time talked about a nib wall to hide it, but keep the space open. Like this photo, but it would stop where the beading stops and the top part of the wall would be open...does that make sense?
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We have an old dresser like this which is still dark wood which I have been drawn to for a vanity. We certainly have the space to use it and I would like a white ironstone looking basin on top to keep the old feeling to the room. Crystal knobs will be the go.

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I do, however like the idea of 2 vanities side by side, but the space is so large a substantial piece like the dresser would fit better in terms of scale.

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We have tossed up the idea of separating the shower into a glass frame away from the bath. With the two boys, the idea of a shower space is a must. I love the storage pigeon holes in the reflection.

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I want to have some vintage inspired pieces about like jug and bowls filled with flowers, loads of linen towels, candles and clear glass pieces. I really want our home to help dictate what goes into the room to help it feel like part of our home, not just a new addition.

Now the fun begins...budgets! Ness xx

have a look!

We had a lovely weekend and I did visit the Homespun Markets, but was really disappointed. So Mic took us to town and I picked up lots of bargains, new jeans which were $90 reduced to $19.95, some movies and these letters.
The big letter 'M' and 'L' I bought from my favourite store, The Vintage Rose. The little '&' was from White Flower Farmhouse.
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This is the photo that got me wanting the M. When I was in talking to Amanda she whipped out the L and I had to take that too!!! After all it is my business initials. The old patina on them is beautiful and after much trying them in different spots, they have settled on our TV unit near the French doors. I love them, thanks Amanda.

I also wanted to show you all some new covers that have gone onto My Etsy Shoppe. This continues on from the Hotel Royale cover I showed you last week.

I have also added these Sweet Eiffel covers which look great with the unbleached seeded cotton. You can see all the little flecks from the seed through them which gives it an aged feel to the fabric. I have this fabric in the Hotel Royale cover, Villa De Fleurs and this one. I would love to know what you think of these. Ness xx

It's looking good already

pic by me

I hope you all have a lovely relaxing weekend, what ever you may be doing. This photo of my old rocking chair on the veranda sums up relaxation I think. I hope to be...
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..going to the Homespun markets to find some handmade treasures and getting inspiration...

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...as I am still having the colour addiction thing going on. Next week I hope to bring you some new items with a splash of colour (white will be involved though!) to the Shoppe...
pic by me
..but at the moment the kids are cuddled in front of this fire in our bedroom sleeping, Lamb is in the oven cooking and I am about to have a cup of coffee while I sketch.
The weekend is looking good already. Hope you have a good one too.
Ness xx