Living life to the full

This ad by Tourism Victoria is being screened here on tv at the moment and I love the styling, especially the line of lamps along the driveway at night - you'll see what I mean. Daylesford is known for food, wine, scenery and special spring waters so the idea of the ad is you can have two lives - decadence one night, nature and purity the next day. It is gorgeous to look at and listen to but some say the choice of music confuses the message and viewers are not sure what is being advertised. I'm happy, I just like the lamps - or is that very shallow of me . . . ?

Maine bathroom

Inevitably when one is blogging one's personal taste ( as I am here ) you to do tend to loop back around to certain topics from time to time - as you like what you like and that doesn't change that fast in my case anyway. So I have written about antiques and furniture in bathrooms before. I'm not quite there in terms of homelife as my bathroom furnishings still need a high level of water and toothpaste resistance but in time I would love to put a gorgeous piece like this in a bathroom. I also love the marble floor and mosaic tile on the bath. The photo is by Trent Bell (spotted via Desire to Inspire) and a little delving tells me that this room is in a stunning house in Maine photographed by Trent Bell for Maine Home ande Design magazine.

Image: Trent Bell

Burnt Orange: Avoca comes to Sydney

Happy day !- Burnt Orange opened on Middle Head Road in Sydney a couple of weeks ago and they are bringing one of my favourite brands and concepts in from Ireland - Avoca. Originally wool handweavers in Wicklow in Ireland, but now a lifestyle brand Avoca's stores and restaurants are hugely popular in Ireland with locals and visitors alike - and now Burnt Orange has brought their products to Sydney !! Avoca make beautiful wool throws and rugs - including baby rugs and their fashion label is now available here too. Food and setting was lovely and I have not heard so many Irish accents in one spot since I moved to Sydney. I reckon it will be a big hit. Read about Burnt Orange here and Avoca here

Images: Harbour Trust, Avoca

Stair styles

If we ever extend our house upwards and put in stairs I am definitely going to give lots of thought to the design of the stairs. A bit of panelling and detail makes a world of difference to the impact of a stairway. Especially in older houses a big blank triangular space along the side of the stairs can look really 'wrong' when a house has been renovated. Love this first hallway - very generous with three bannisters per step and deep detailing.

Images: Fric and Frac, Absolutely Beautiful Things, Living etc

Healing herbs

I cut my right hand badly on Thursday last which really slowed me down for a few days so no time for blogging. My left handed hair and makeup was looking a bit dodgy too over the weekend !! Anyway had to spend time this week researching the colour psychology for green which conveniently is a very healing and calming colour. My assignment was to create a magazine page of green objects and fabrics and this is one of my little finds - the herb garden by royalvkb, $79 from Top3 by design.

Thonet love

After the spikiness of yesterday's post I wanted to use something softer today - and what better than the gentle curves of Thonet chairs ? They are such classics and seem to be enjoying a revival - certainly they are featuring widely in the magazines these days. Love the cafe feel of this kitchen with the marble-topped table, the glossy floor and the photo wall.

Images: Tripod Agency via Desire to Inspire, Thonet Cafe Daum chair

Spite

When it comes to tables I am a confirmed 'leg' woman. The more elegant the wood turning the better. This is the 'Spite' table by Derek Welsh of Scotland. The name is a bit sharp (he has also designed a table called 'Malice' ) but I love how it touches the ground so lightly - always a good consideration in smaller spaces where heavier pieces can block up the space too much.

Image: Derek Welsh