...and the WINNER is...

...according to random.org, #14- VART LIV I NORR!!!! which is a wonderful blog from lappland and features photos from home shots right through to beautiful scenes of Husky dogs towing sled (yeah like a mush! mush! thing). It is well worth the visit to see extreme weather and beautiful things.

Congratulations!! you have won any 2 prints from Opart courtesy of the lovely Tim Irving.

To all of you who entered, I thank you for visiting me each day and leaving your always lovely comments..it means alot to me.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend,

Ness xx

Note - I did try to copy the actual draw, but couldn't figure out how to do it, but trust me it said #14 =0)

LAST CHANCE GIVEAWAY POST

"First Arrival"

"Devotion To The Ocean"

OK. Today is the last chance you have to WIN ANY TWO PRINTS from Tim Irving's range at opart.etsy.com

All you have to do is leave a comment and you will go into tonight's draw. I will let you all know who random.org has chosen after boot camp tonight.

Good Luck,

Ness xx

images thanks to Tim Irving

Outdoor wishes...

via velvet & linen (I think)
I am loving this porch with its white and fresh hits of navy blue and seeing I am over being indoors, my thoughts have turned to what need to be done outside once the warmer days arrive.Tim Irving
..which is why today's pick from Tim's range in "The Yellow Jersey". Not only because I am on a serious health kick (2 dress sizes, 8kgs and 8.5" of my waist so far), and would like to get back on the bike in the sun, but Mic (Husband) was a serious cyclist for a long time and the recent Le Tour de France has reignited a fire in him to get peddling again...so this is my pick today.
Don't forget to leave a comment as tomorrow night the winner will be drawn to win 2 of Tim's beautiful prints!!!
Ness xx

Wednesday Wantings & GIVEAWAY!!

bh&g
Today I am wanting a beautiful Kitchen, just like this because I am sick of looking at our 70's wooden doors in the one we have now.

via the vintage rose
somewhere I could have my lovely white ironstone pieces out with pride, and possibly with a work wooden counter like this table top...

Tim Irving
...somewhere I could hang prints like these in...

This one of a Metro sign in Paris.
Tim Irving
...or this one called "Ripe Red", which would amazing with a huge white mount board around it...

Tim Irving

...or this one called "View Of Paris". All of these prints are from the very talented Tim Irving, and have been shot with an antique camera lens to give the appearance of an old photo. I love them and their ageless appeal...and by leaving a comment this week, you can WIN TWO OF TIM'S PRINTS!!! and he will ship to any where in the world...yay!

I hope you all have fun working out what two you will pick if you win. It will be drawn on Friday.

Good luck,

Ness xx

Wedding Ideas and GIVEAWAY!

Tim Irving

I have found some of Tim's images that relate to today's post (don't forget to win 2 of his prints, leave a comment) about Wedding table layouts. As some of you know I am styling a Wedding in Spring, the brief being 'simple and stylish'. I am very excited about it and this print of Tim's, "The Embrace- French Cherry Tree" gives me inspiration to cut beautiful branches to put in glass fish bowl type vases as center pieces...very chic and Spring!
Tim Irving
This one called "White Tea Pot On Cotton Lace", is such a beautiful print and reminds me of a Brides delicate detailing on her dress...the fact that I LOVE white Ironstone probably helps.

Martha Stewart
I love this idea. If you are on a tight flower budget, you can use real leaves and fake flowers, and considering some of the faux varieties give the real deal a run for their money, I think if you select your faux flowers carefully you can pull it off.

Martha Stewart
It looks stunning all together and if I hadn't have told you the flowers were fake, would you have guessed??

Martha Stewart

...but this has to be my absolute favourite idea. Little birds nests holding gorgeous Peony Roses and for the place holder, a mini version nesting one bloom.
I am going to try and replicate this and see what it turns out like with my Twisted Willow tree to show the client. I think I will add a candle somewhere though as it is indoors and what is a wedding without candles?

Don't forget to leave a comment to enter into the draw to win 2 prints from Tim Irving...there are 100+ of his vintage looking prints to choose from!!! It will be drawn on Friday.

Ness xx

GIVEAWAY WEEK!!!

all images - Tim Irving
OK. Today is the beginning of a new giveaway here at M&L.

The lovely Tim from Opart is kindly offering the winner of this giveaway ANY 2 of his prints and as there are 100 or so to choose from it will be difficult to pick. Today I am showing you 3 of my favourite picks from Tim's range. Each day I will be adding a new one to the end of my post.

So, all you have to do is leave a comment and I will pick the winner out via random.org on Friday...simple!!!

If you comment each day...the more chances you have to win.

Good luck!

Ness xx

Have a wonderful weekend

Robin Stubbert
It is sooooo cold here right now that I will be hibernating indoors this weekend, trying to get some of my long awaited projects done...and sorting out the details for the fabulous giveaway starting Monday!!!
Have a great one, Ness xx

Ticks all the boxes...

...on my list for our own quest for simplifying, is this beautiful home featured in the current issue of Australian Country Style. This photo in particular ticks all the boxes for me, and I feel I could move in straight away without changing a thing.

I love this part of the kitchen, which is a new add on (not that you would tell) in this 100 year old home. The Tolix stools look so good against that old table, and the reproduction French dresser is divinely authentic looking. I have been after some of those big glass pickling bottles for a while now...gorgeous!

Another recent addition is this sunken entertaining area. The whole recent add-ons have been done on a tight budget, which I am loving...of course!
Big soft sofas, curios from the couples travels and all the things I love- twine, wood, wicker and cushions are plentiful here.

The entrance hall is amazing and the couple had to re arrange the driveway so visitors would use the front door and utilise this space....something we have just done, it's not working with Family though!!
How is this for cheap art?? I LOVE it! An old windmill blade found on the property had to be hauled back to the house, cut down and then they had to figure out how to hang it. This was the owners solution to not having money in the budget to buy a large piece of artwork for the wall...works for me luv!
When I am in Sydney next to see Mum, I am off to Ikea for one of these map canvases for our boys room....it is wonderful and will fill up our huge wall above their beds - or maybe I can dig up a windmill?

Now you see why this home ticks all of the boxes I love. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and make sure you check back on Monday for the amazing Giveaway!!!

Ness xx

Wednesday Wantings...Barbara Carter

all images - Barbara Carter
Today I am loving these gorgeous prints from Etsy artist, Barbara Carter. Her images evoke visions of warm days in Provence and a serious need to check out Lavender fields!!

To see more stunning prints, click HERE

Ness xx

crazy times...and a hint of a giveaway!!

country homes and interiors

After the last few crazy weeks here at home, I am loving this welcoming scene.

I hope to be back to some sort of a normal pattern soon, visiting you all and leaving comments...I have a wonderful giveaway to reveal to you all on Monday!!!! which will make up for my tardiness - promise.

Ness xx

designer rugs

Usually I am singing the praises of floaty white spaces with neutral palettes, but I have always had a love for warm, moody dark colours with the crispest white. It is a scheme that always looks classy and goes beautifully with wicker and wood. This Catherine Martin rug is a stunning example with the wood, white and wicker.
real living magazine
From the winner of HomeMADE, Jason Sullivan, is this room I have posted about before.

pure republic
Even though this space is mostly white, the dark beams, black and white rug and dark wood tables and chairs gives the simple space a sense of class.

via the laurel hedge
This gorgeous cocoon is from a Hotel in New Zealand. Very luxurious and inviting.
Atlanta Bartlett
Not Atlanta's usual palette, but it looks so good!

via Lily G
..and my favourite of the dark & white theme is this stunner! I can't wait to get to work on covering our sofa this way and accessorizing with the new scheme I have planned. I know some may think that this space is a little on the masculine side, but I beg to differ. Add a tall glass vase with twisted willow around the inside and a single bloom and candle and maybe a beautiful patterned cushion for the sofa and voila!!...a lovely space for man and woman to inhabit.
Anyway, I think it is what you make of the space. I could so picture me on this sofa doing my nails!!

Ness xx

Well Travelled Storage

home beautiful
Suitcases are just the most versatile pieces, besides the obvious, that anyone can have. I have always loved vintage suitcases to have anything from blankets, magazines, craft paraphernalia and the like to tuck away into. Stacked on top of one another they just look amazing and make wonderfully whimsical side tables in a bedroom.
home beautiful

For a modern approach or just for a splash of colour, these red cases are just the thing. I could imagine these in a child's room for cars (in our case) or for Barbie's shoes and outfits.

from my file-unknown

These ones paired next to this gorgeous Armoire look like they are meant to be. I am still trying to get my old ones finished, but maybe I will be as old as these when they are done!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, Ness xx

White and Wonderful

coastal living

This room is just wonderful...light, bright, little bit seaside, little bit shabby and a little bit French, grain sacks, beaded board walls and shades of white. Love it!

Ness xx

Loving...

living etc
...this gorgeously stunning bench. Why? Stuffed feather pad covered in a faded ticking, hint of French style and loads of white...that's why!robin stubbert
...and this beautiful blue and white linen and the cute little bowls. They all fit perfectly into this 'clean, fresh and unfussy' thing I have going on, and it also has a little Parisian chic there too. Love it all.
Ness xx

I am changing...

home beautiful
...decorating style I mean! Don't get me wrong, I love French style still but I am after a cleaner, much more unfussy style and have been drawn to the coastal homes more and more of late. Mic also likes this look so I am planning to introduce some elements throughout our home.
This photo above is just gorgeous and a huge contender for my new mood board. Lots of white, natural textures, ticking, and hints of red, navy and black...nice!
pottery barn
I love this sofa and want our own to be covered in something like this. Maybe a white denim for now while the boys are still small. The navy blue and white floral with the ticking is what I am after.

home beautiful
I know this is outdoors, but the relaxed feeling has me in totally. Natural finishes, greenery against the white and hints of Summer days is in my head for our veranda which will be back on track soon.

unknown
Even the bathroom makeover hasn't escaped this thought process. Beaded walls in white, white floors and simple, beautiful features and fixtures will be going in here.

home beautiful
Maybe it is because we have had such a drab Winter here in Tasmania and I am craving Spring that this style is overcoming me...who knows? All I know is that I am loving it and am going to enjoy sharing with you all what I make of it all.

Ness xx

Our reinvented room...

After my crappy weekend I needed to do something creative today to get me back on track...SO, I reinvented Masons nursery as a guest room. We have some guests coming this year and I thought I had better give these lovely people somewhere relaxing to stay. The mirror was a bargain find..I am thinking of giving it a white wash. The little bottles will hold fresh blossoms when our friends and family stay.
BEFORE

This is what I started with.
AFTER
I still have to finish off some things, fireplace, a canvas for the main wall and a little more dressing, but I hope you can get the feel of what I am after here. I would have loved to have put the bedhead on the main wall, but because of the fireplace, the flow of the room didn't work very well.

I have added these ticking curtains, which I still have to iron, to pick up the ticking pillow cases and the coverlet I will make once I get some spare time.
I love the whole navy and white thing in here, especially with the chunky textures of the wreath and the baskets that I have used. I have added a chair in one of the corners and a trunk which can hold suitcases.

It was so nice to get back into something creative and as the room comes along I will show you. I would love to know what you think so far
Ness xx