Rest cure

Poor show on the posting rate in November - this will bring me to a measly 13. It has been a busy term. I've just finished the first year of my interior styling course and in true end of year form have come down with strep throat. I had no idea strep throat was this painful, I'm waiting for the antibiotics to do their stuff and in the meantime addicted to Nurofen Plus.

I think I need to curl up somewhere like this for a few days to recuperate. Once I reemerge the plan is to include a few gift ideas this December in addition to normal posts.

via Weekend Host

Funky Munkii

This landed in my inbox a few days ago. I love things that have a twist. This is the Vintage bookcase designed by Singaporean designer Jaren Goh and it is available through Munkii. Have a look at the 'about' tab on the Munkii site - sounds like Vintage has been a labour of love.

Images: Munkii

Biedermeier bedroom

This bedroom is from the portfolio of long time favourite of mine Nathan Egan. The antique Biedermeier furniture takes pride of place and the plain white linen and neutral walls allow the furniture to star in the room. There is an interesting little piece on the Biedermeier era in design and architecture on good old Wikipedia. For those in the mood for a little history lesson read more here.

Image: Nathan Egan

Blue haven

I'm cracking through the bedrooms I've collected in the folder of ideas - I always find it hard to go past crisp blue and white bed linen. I don't know where this linen is from but it has a distinct Tord Boontje flavour . . .

Image: via Design Shimmer

Rapture and Wright

If only my weekend was going to be as serene as this bedroom looks but no. Beautiful fabrics from Rapture and Wright.

Image: Rapture and Wright

Attention shoppers

Pop up shops and events seem to be the go these days and for Sydneysiders this looks like a great shopping event. See www.magnoliasquare.com.au for a full list of retailers which includes Heaven in Earth a favourite of mine for the garden. Starts today.

the shoppers

As always I had a number of favourites at this year's Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. This lovely blue and white pattern was on a large shopping bag, part of 'the shoppers' by Jie Qian. That's one of my little co-explorers with the blue hat to the left. 'the shoppers' had lots of small women figures scaling the bag on the sides - the artist asking the question will we gain satisfaction through material goods or end up lost in a life of luxury ?

Image: Folder of Ideas

Kitchen benches

These kitchens both have cleverly thought through seating. Simple tables with statement chairs are arranged for the usual number of family members but the side benches mean that when a crowd needs to be accommodated you can turn the table and seat everybody comfortably. The first kitchen is by Melbourne based interior design team Doherty Lynch whose broader portfolio here is well worth browsing through. In the bottom kitchen I also really like the cook book shelf over the bench seating. I love the colour and interest a line of good books adds to a kitchen.

Images: Doherty Lynch, not known

More is more

Personally I am much more minimal in the kitchen that this one which belongs to artist and director Mike Meire and his family. I kept these because the generosity of the whole room really appealed to me - the huge island and flower arrangement, the massive collection of kitchen utensils and copper pans. It is unconventional - with the three free standing drawer units each supporting a different appliance - but the huge windows and grand scale draw me in.

Images: via Desire to Inspire

Susann's kitchen

Things have been pretty busy for me lately hence the sporadic posting but with renewed energy I am committed to clearing out my inspiration folders and posting all the photos that have been hanging around all year waiting for the right mood to take me. So on some dasy there might not be alot of text - but hopefully the pictures will speak for themselves.

First off - kitchens. I have two favourite styles - soft modern (not too slick or shiny) and traditional - as I live in an old house. This kitchen belongs to Susann Larsson of Purple Area fame - I like it a lot, the doors and windows letting in light and air, especially the door by the fridge and the change in levels for the eating area - adding a bit of interest to the open plan space.

Actually Susann's whole house is amazing - see more photos here. Till tomorrow ...

Images: Purple Area

Dressing room chic

I can go on and on about how much I like Neisha Croslands designs - they are so elegant and understated. The header on my blog is Bird Tree by NC. The papers below are Clematis Flower and Firework Flower. They are quite 50s-ish but not overly retro which is probably why I like them.

Images: Neisha Crosland via Skonahem

High standard

No Chintz is one of my local lovely fabric shops. They have a design service making blinds and cushions etc and they also make custom lampshades covering them in the fabric of your choice. I really like this standard lamp shade - it is old fashioned and modern at the same time.

Image: No Chintz

Book Club

I'm off to book club tonight - although some would suggest that it is more a dinner and wine club but I beg to differ - I've read my book this month !! This is the Penguin Wine Hod by UK designer Steuart Padwick. The perfect little side table for those prone to leaving full wine glasses on the floor and then inadvertently kicking them across the room. The 2009 model shown first has four little wine glass slots which would be ideal for a small apartment or balcony.

Images: Steuart Padwick