1st, second and 3rd ...

see, nothing to change ...

nope, nothing here either ...

Oh my. I love this one. I would even just move in and do nothing. Maybe just tidy the garden a bit as it's all you can see through those fantastic windows. With all the art the current owners have, I'm not sure they will ever find a house where they can hang them. I wish them well. I wish the new owners a happy life in this fantastic home with a great address ... 19-21 Second Avenue, Anglesea (see link if you are interested to buy).

still playing ..

I must be in a particularly girly mood today and have quickly done this. I think I might have to just change it back to what it was .. but for now, let me enjoy my pink moment. Thanks for your patience.

oh dear ...

i was briefly bored for one moment and thought I would play. i didn't think it would change what I did. now it is going to take me forever to fix the blog design. please ignore it's ugliness right now.

THE GARDEN HOUSE ..

If you like good design - whether it be interiors, architecture, graphics or photography - you really MUST go visit The Garden House website.

The site is designed by Melbourne designers Cornwell
The project property developers are Piccolo;
Designed by Woods Bagot - and finally,
The interiors are by Hecker Phelan and Guthrie.

Oh, and just to top things off, there are also fantastic images on the '85 steps' section by photographer Martin Mischkulnig.

Now, if I had found out who did the architectural renders, then the list would be complete.

SNEAK PEAK ...

my OEKE linked outdoor cushion (strategically placed of course)

see those slatted panels - they are on slides
so we can move to wherever the sun is for shade

it's not painted yet, and the ceiling needs plaster sheet

On the weekend we finally got time to plant around our outdoor room. We are getting there, it's not stained or painted yet .. there is only the old outdoor table & chairs (freedom 2005) and the ceiling is yet to be plastered up.

The back wall (behind the pool) will eventually be a nice stone wall - and we will plant some small plants in front of it - probably hebe's - I LOVE hebes.

We sat out here again last night for dinner. I didn't bbq - but cooked in the house and bought it out on a tray. It feels like we are on holidays in our own backyard. Love to hear what you all think!!

HOUSE LOVE ..

It's great living in Australia. Love the beaches. Love the cities. Even the weather is pretty good (4 season in one day and all that). BUT. I think I might like to live in Sweden. Or at least LOOK like I live in Sweden.

This house is a perfect example of why. The colours, the shape, the styling and the greenery all make me drool with envy over the stylish approach to home living. This little wonder is by architect Johan Sundberg and is situated in the seaside summer resort of Hollviken (I type that as if I know where it actually is - hahaha).

For me, the exterior colours excites me the most. The stunning contrast with the dark against white - against the backdrop of those trees. Oh I wish I had the courage to paint a whole house a dark colour. And those windows, don't even get me started.

I found this via Arch Daily - which says 'the worlds most visited website by architects'. Well, it is also visited by me too. Go have a peek yourself.

TOO CUTE FOR WORDS ...

These are just too funny for words. And, as I am in super relaxed mode with the 2 boys sleeping at their grandparents for TWO (that's right, I said TWO) nights, I thought something fun, yet stylish, might be the go for this post.

I found EDEN & EDEN via THE KITCHEN INK via FAMHOVE via URBAN STYLE VIBES. These little knitted wonders are of famous people like Van Goh, Picasso - and the one with the long hair is Lady Gaga. Their online store also stock lots of other goodies such as these blahblah cushions and the architectural drawing placemat.

If you too are in relaxed mode, go head to all the links above and veg out in style (-:

HOW LUCKY AM I ...

I actually re-designed the award graphic - the other one looked .. umm .. a tad black??

Lucky me received TWO .. that's right .. TWO .. stylish blogger awards this week. I know they are going around the traps, but still, I am so delighted that someone (let alone 2 people) would include me in their list. The fantastic Eduardo @ The Designer Pad .. and the lovely Nastasha @ Northern Light. A very much appreciated thankyou to you both!

Now, as you know, I am meant to let you know 7 things about me. I have actually done this before (remember the spitting when I see the spider comment!!) but I've come up with 7 new ones. Here we go:

1. My favourite colour is white.
2. I love lamps. So much so, that if I bring another lamp home I think the Mr might disown me.
3. I would love to have fabric colour couches - in a nice light colour. But. With 2 boys (and really, I can't blame them all the time - there are 2 adults as well) I'm afraid the brown leather will have to stay.
4. I love our outdoor area so much that I cannot believe we actually live like this.
5. I've only ever bought 2 things on ebay. Does that mean I am behind the times?
6. I can't wait to do our new main bathroom. I have been designing it in my head for about 6 months now and hopefully we will get to it this year.
7. In a different life I would have moved to New York to live. What a place!!

Well. That's it. Not very funny or inspirational, but it's been a long day and I have been meaning to get this post out all week.

Now I must pass on this award to some other blogs I love. Here is my list (and please, don't be offended if I don't include you - I'm doing this post quickly inbetween getting some jobs out):

- http://www.bellamumma.com/
- http://www.urbanstylevibes.com/
- http://thediversionproject.blogspot.com/
- http://www.designstudio210.com/
- http://nyclq-focalpoint.blogspot.com/
- http://abodelove.blogspot.com/
- http://www.lifeonplanetbaby.com/
- http://www.hdinspirations.com/
- http://bluefruitdesign.blogspot.com/
- http://sarainlepetitvillage.blogspot.com/

I think I will have to leave it there. Clients are ringing .. yikes.




ps. the font selector option has disappeared, so I apologise for not being consistent with my typefaces!!!

STUDIO 101 ..

What a week. I have been super busy with work. The kids are still on school holidays. The little one had yet another 'incident' that required stitches to his head (current stitch tally: 3) and the weather is all over the place I am not sure if it is summer or winter.

But, I just had to find the time to post these stunning homes by Peter Woolards' Geelong based architectural firm STUDIO 101. I emailed last year (still not used to this 'last year' business!!!) hoping they would email me some images so I could let you all drool over their homes. This week I got an email from Richard (thanks Richard!!) with some of their recent projects.

This multi award winning studio has been featured in many publications - I first found them in the Beach Houses Down Under book - a Stephen Crafti publication. Not sure which one it was from (I could go inside and find out - but that would require going out in the 'summer' rain) - so have included a little pic of both.

These houses are the perfect blend of great architecture along with the creation of a true family home. Everything from open-plan living areas, extensive storage, large kitchens - and, a big favourite of mine - louvered windows - mean these homes not only win awards with industry experts, but must make the people that live in them feel like they've won the biggest prize.

All images were taken by TREVOR MEIN (now there's another post I must do soon)

A LONG JOURNEY ...

Nearly there .. as in, the water is starting to move ... slowly. A huge relief for some (my SIL and nieces included - who were given notice to pack) who's homes were not flooded. A terrible mess for others who have lost everything. We all watch it on the news and it seems a bit unreal. I'm guessing it's alot worse in real life. So, this wee little luggage tag from online store Raw Space titled 'Are We There Yet' might be fitting for the long journey these poor people have to take. Best wishes to them all (-:

I NEED NICE THINGS ..

I really do. And this site .. I NEED NICE THINGS .. sell some pretty 'nice' artwork. It has a great website where you can calculate what size costs what too. It must be relatively new as quite a few of the gallery links come up with an annoying message 'there are no products in this category' .. but I'm thinking that if we check back in a month or 3 there will be even more too choose from.

I found this link from the Habitus Living e-newsletter. Thanks Habitus.

I NEED NICE THINGS ..

DECISION MADE ..

i love the yellow chair too ...

Remember a few posts ago I was talking about the long bench that will sit under the TV. We have ummed and aahhed about what to do with it - perhaps 5 or so Ikea type benches (we have 1 already so we would only need to buy 4) .. and we had also discussed using some recycled timber, which the Mr could make a nice bench. And then I found this image via the super lovely, super stylish Anna Caroline at Design Studio 210 - and it has confirmed my decision of option no. 2.

I probably wouldn't go such a distressed, beach-washed look - but the overall feel of it has made me very happy. THANKS ANNA-CAROLINE

SHUT UP AND KISS ME ...

Lucky 'me' got a new follower today .. and lucky 'you' get to see the delightful products from their recently launched online shop. Kind By Nature sell all sorts of stylish, cute & designer products - including these gorgeous cushions. My fav would have to be the 'I Love Tea' cushion because, well, because I DO love tea. The 'Shut Up and Kiss Me' one is super cute too. Another great thing about the Kind By Nature store (visit here or here) is that all the items in their store are handmade. Cool huh!!

Oh and I just L.O.V.E. their logo too (-: