NEW OEKE WEBSITE ..

LAIR FLAIR ...

Tonight I am posting about a residence that was featured on Getaway. As the place is just so darn flash, I really can't call it a house .. or holiday rental .. or even abode .. so in keeping with the style of the interiors, I will stick with residence.

This residence is called 'The Lair' and is in the idealic surrounds of Swansea in Tasmania. The fact that it only sleeps 4 and is more than $1,000 a night might limit who could actually go stay there .. but via the website you can dream a little (and that, my dear friends, is FREE).

I love with a big WOOHOOO the bath. Could soak in that for hours. The kitchen is fully stocked with all that Tassie has too offer. The views are too die for. AND. The architecture is just perfection. My mum is originally from Tassie (when people ask where my parents came from - I say overseas. Dad is from Croatia and Mum is from Tassie) but I don't think their house was this nice when she was growing up. I would, at a guess, think most houses in Tassie are not this nice. Who knows. Perhaps I might have to search around and see ...

TODAY IS THE DAY ..

I'm guilty of the above. Regardless of how fantastic our life is RIGHT NOW, I check myself in the mirror and actually think "life would be perfect if I could be skinny''. Silly heh. I see wrinkles appearing where before there was just uncreased skin. Ageing is a constant thing that pays no respect to individual wants.

This little saying is from the My Paradissi blog and I think I may take it up. WHO cares if I am not skinny? I don't like or dislike people by the size of their arse. So what does it matter. So I make this pledge to whoever reads this. I, Linda, will be happy and healthy and enjoy this summer even if my size is not model proportions.

OUTDOOR CHAIRS ...

Homeware Gallery in Alexandria NSW stock these B E A U T I F U L outdoor chairs. They were only released in Milan in April, and will look perfect in our (yet to be finalised) outdoor area. I wanted a chair that was stackable (check!), was weatherproof (check!), was easy to clean (check!), came in white (check!) AND looked fantastic (check!check!check!). As they are about $300 I might need to twist the Mr's arm quite hard for him to agree on buying them - but as I am integrating a long merbau bench seat on one side of our table, I would probably only need 3 or 4. Hmmm ..

Joe @ HG has also just included my OEKE umbrellas in his outdoor range. Lucky me heh!!

NETTLE ARCHITECTS ...

Where have I been? What have I been doing .. being away for so long?

Well, apart from normal work, school holidays, footy grand finals .. etc etc .. I have been in discussions with the Mr. We are currently designing our outdoor 'area' (I dare not say gazebo as you might get the wrong idea - and I can't say room, as it doesn't have walls) .. so area it will be. We have redesigned it about 5 times .. drawings included. But STILL we are not happy with it. So I have been researching my favourite architects to get inspiration.

Along the way (gotta love google search) I have found Nettle Architects. I must admit to getting a tad excited when I see on their list of projects they have completed quite a few down this neck of the woods. Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale, St Leonards - and if you check their upcoming projects, even a nice big one in Queenscliff. I might have to try and sneak a few hours and go for a drive and find them (the places mentioned are not big so hoping it shouldn't be too hard). Anway, I must get back to the discussions with the Mr - but hope you like this little selection of images .. and I'll let you know if I find the homes.

MELBOURNE INTERIOR DESIGNER ...

I'm not sure how long you cannot speak to someone before you stop calling them a friend. It has been nearly 2 years since I have spoken with Liz and her gorgeous family. I worked with Liz many years ago, we went to the Rolling Stones concert and had many a night at the blackjack tables at Crown Casino (just for fun!). Our boys played together when they were smaller, birthday parties, park trips - but as we moved away and life gets busy, I guess some friendships seem to drop off.

Anyway, I am getting sidetracked. Last year they finished their Melbourne home and it just turned out s.s.s.stunning. I went there when it was just an old weatherboard 2 bedroom 'dump' .. and then they embarked on a full renovation - and apart from builders and landscape designers - they used the very stylish and talented Danielle Trippett to help them finish their home. I have just been on Danielle's website and have found a little selection of images that I think you will love. The weeny little one with the red toned rug is my favourite (pity I could only get a small one).

ps. when Liz decided to put a pool in .. I gave her a copy of an image from Belle magazine that I had kept for years which had a bluestone tile around a green pool. They used that and it turned out better than the original!!!

LOOK WHAT I FOUND ...

I literally found FOUND. A Queensland based online business that sells sooooo much stuff. AND I am most excited that I ordered this. It comes in red too .. but I am moving away from red. Going blue. Blue tones everywhere (OK, still with a hint of red - no use throwing out existing things). Might have to go into an actual shop and find the lovely extra slips - but for now, I am one happy camper. Go check FOUND .. they have shoes, jewellery, beach things. The LOT!!

HOUSE OF ORANGE ..

Lucky ol' me is having a 5 day weekend. I don't work Fridays (although I'm out here doing a final job now - so, perhaps I do???) and taking Monday and Tuesday off. School holidays are here again so I am going to (make like broccoli and) veg out with the boys a bit. Taking them to the show on Tuesday so wish me luck.

Thought I would do a quick post about the House of Orange. An Armadale (Melbourne) business that produces beautiful furniture with a hint of Dutch design. The Mr is Dutch (well, 2nd generation) so it sort of feels like family - liking this furniture. They do dining, seating, hospitality - and even have a kids range. Lovely colours - especially the limewash.

I will be missing in action till next week .. but I wish you all a very happy weekend (and go the Cats in tonights AFL match)!!!

DESIGN CRAFT ...

I'm feeling quite excited. Canberra based Design Craft have taken on the OEKE umbrellas to include in their range of contemporary furniture. To be associated with such a great Australian company who pride themselves on 'the best possible service at the best possible price' just makes my day.

Bob and Joanne Fenderson (the owners/directors of Design Craft) establised the company waaayyyyyy back in 1991 .. and now, nearly 20 years later (how time flies!!) - they are leading the design community in Canberra and beyond.

The dynamic duo of Susan & Gordon of the TAIT Store in Melbourne will be including their super designer outdoor furniture at Design Craft next month also (they gave Design Craft my OEKE details - aren't they great!!). Can't wait to see it all setup.

FAKE OR REAL .. CAN YOU TELL ?

OK .. a little test to see how good your eyes are. Can you tell which of these images is fake .. and which is real?

MOSMAN MAGIC ...

OK .. I appear to be back in the swing of the things ... for now at least!!! Here are some fab pics from the website of DSG architects from Mosman, Sydney. I love so many things. The front entrance way with the 4m high door. The view from the upstairs bathroom - and oh my, that bath!! The shady pool area with the tall gum tree. Love, Love, Love them all.

THE ROOM - DESIGNERS ..

Where have I been. Phew. The time has just been zooming by and it has been THIRTEEN whole days since I have posted on my little blog. I do apologise. I have just been so so busy .. plus, the laptop is going so slow so I can't do my usual web-surfing while watching TV. Excuses, excuses.

Anyway, here are some great graphic designers from Queensland. As they are called THE ROOM, I thought it covered both bases of design and interiors. Cool huh. I found them while searching around for inspiration for a new architect brochure I am working on. Their website is really cool and with great pics to look at, I just had to let you all know about them too.

MAGIC MAKEOVER ..

AFTER

BEFORE

SIXTIES STYLE

I was just browsing the Happenstance Home blog and found these magical makeover images from Emily Henderson's The Brass Petal blog.

Emily describes herself as 'Stylist by day, cuddle monster by night' (cute) .. and is now hosting a show o/s called 'Secrets from a Stylist'. Oh I wish the show was on here. After seeing these images, I would LOVE to know her secrets. The charcoal grey, the black, the wood, the white .. everything is just perfect in these shots and if I could somehow manage to a) get some $$ together and b) find time to shop - I think I would copy this look for here.

The 3rd picture is, what she describes, 'a more sixties look' - and if I had seen that first, I would have fallen (tripped!!) head-over-heels in love with that too !!