bijou kaleidoscope

Chris Chun's gorgeous pieces!

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:52:00 +0000

Tranquility Island card $6.95

Chris Chun has now got an online boutique! I've loved Chris' paintings from the time I saw his work featured on TV, of all places, on a cooking show by Joanna Savill and Maeve O’Meara.

Limited edition pillows, $200

But he didn't have an online boutique the last time I visited his site!

Magnolia Moment card $6.95

Kyoto Blossom painting, $3000

A big more affordable are his eye pillows, available now!

Longevity Eye pillow, $89.95

Getting my credit card out... would be awesomely unique Christmas cards! (For some reason, I don't like sending out "Chrismassy" cards during Christmas!)

All prices in Australian Dollars.

2010 Calendars

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:09:00 +0000

It's that time again... I've always showcased my favourite 2010 calendars from Etsy and this year's no different, just a little later!

paisleytreepress's gorgeous letterpress work, USD$24

pspapergoods's mid-century prints, USD$15

tascha's artwork in mini-prints, USD$14

englishmuffinshop's animal prints in glorious patternation! USD$18

FireHydrantPress's personalised puppy silhouette calendar, USD$8

larkpress's letterpress quaint vignettes, USD$25

katieviggers' pretty woodcut style animal calendar, USD$19

TurtlePapers' sleek and modern slim calendar, USD$18

3SistersLove's colourful prints, USD$20

yaelfran's whimsical prints, accordian style calendar, USD$10

inkadinkadoodle's elegant black and gld and white prints, USD$16

mademoiselleyo's pretty letterpress calendar, USD$18

creativethursday's whimsical animal art, USD$30

lepapierstudio's botanical whimsical prints, USD$22

delphineSTUDIO's botanical whimsical prints, USD$24

sarahjanestudios's famous whimsical children prints, USD$24

JessicaDoyle's prints of her beautiful art, USD$26

sarahparrott825's letterpress floral calendar, USD$28

pistachiopress's letterpress pieces inspired by her grandmother's antique china!, USD$35

ilee's highly popular letterpress work, USD$22

WhiskerGraphics's gorgeously coloured calendar, USD$15

albertinepress's letterpressed pieces too,USD$29

satsumalynn's letterpressed calendar, USD$44

missingqpress's letterpressed calendar, USD$35

myfolklover's whimsical girl artworks, USD$18

moxiephotodesign's twiggy girl calendar, USD$10

arian's seasons wall calendar, USD$35

ALittleHut's diecut pretty calendar, USD$26

blancucha's simple but charming calendar, USD$25

Sleek Victorinox meets luxe Airstream campervan

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:11:00 +0000

And the opposite of my previous Hello Kitty house post....

Swiss Army knives turned 125 this year in May and to celebrate, Victorinox worked with Airstream, a luxury RV maker, to create a super sleek campervan.

A 19-foot trailer that, in Airstream's words, embodies the two companies shared philosophies of "precision, functionality, reliability and a classically elegant design" with a $59,000 price tag.

Very sleek, almost cold, but I would imagine it to be outfitted with all the gadgets you could ever need or want for a home!

Via Airstream

Trim sexy!

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:34:00 +0000

I do love this detail!

Normally we choose safe colours for window and door trim... white, off white, black... but I'd love to be bold about it!

Like this white kitchen walls with hot pink window trim!

Beautiful yellow and white nursery

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:51:00 +0000

I so love this gorgeous nursery. Great job Serafina!

I love the sweet orange disco ball above the cot like a mobile!

See the great idea??? I love it! Trail butterflies or flowers across the walls to a dense collection in a white picture frame!

Simple but effective change table!

Via Serafina's Flickr page.

Ideal indoor plants

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:08:00 +0000

Sidsel Zachariassen

I have been looking to add green leafy plants to my house... on the inside.

So I thought I'd list out the various indoor plants that suit the indoor environment...

African Violets

I'm very proud of my two African violets. The pink one has been my friend for the past 3 years. The dark purple one is about 3 months old.

Just needs a suitable location, kitchen windows are popular since most offer good natural filtered lighting. The soil needs to be kept moist but not wet so I find it thrives in the plastic pots from the nursery and then in a pretty pot. When I water mine, I stand it for 5 minutes in the kitchen sink so that extra water runs off. I keep my purple one in a pretty vintage tea tin and the other in a Sylvac pink planter.

Angel Ivy

Via Romantic Home on Flickr

This plant is apparently popular because it's able to be pruned and shaped into forms. I've seen many pruned into topiaries.

Bamboo

I kept a twisted bamboo plant in a tall glass vase for many years. Does not need soil, just water! How easy is that? The Chinese call it the Lucky Bamboo.

Ficus

Kelly McGuill

Another plant that can be shaped is the ficus. There are many varieties but most are lush, shiny, green medium sized foliage. Apparently this is the best indoor plant because it will survive well even with long periods of neglect. They do enjoy full sun as well as part shade.

David Netto

When they have outlasted their time as an indoor plant - after about 10 years - can be placed in the garden or given away as a gift to a very-special-10-years-in-the-making-friend with house and land! They can even be trained for bonsais (just rigorous pruning)...

Bonsai

I do like bonsais. If they were not so expensive, I'd have one in every room! A local specialty nursery here where I got my pretty crabapple blossom from also grow their own maple bonsais which are exquisite. Bigger than the traditional bonsais, their red maple bonsai looked SPECTACULAR on an outdoor table!

Dieffenbachia, Camille

I've always wanted a big leafy plant in the bathroom and if it had the right amount of space, I'd love a Dieffenbachia Camille. It's got these beautiful big cream and green leaves. During the months of active growth, they require just as much water as any other potted plant, but as soon as the cooler weather approaches watering should be kept to a minimum.

Gerberas, only when flowering

I had a pretty yellow Gerbera on my desk for a while while it flowered. Otherwise it needs to be outside. I just repotted it and hopefully we'll see more blooms soon!

Ferns

Kelly McGuill

This Old House

Very pretty, light green leaves... I am dying to get large planters!

The Peace Lily Spathyphyllum wallisii

The Peace Lily is voted one of the best air purifiers of all and boasts a beautiful large dark green shiny leaf and an elegant white flower. It will tolerate very low light conditions. But make sure you water only when the soil past your forefinger is dry... overwatering is often the cause of many a Peace Lily carcass.. It will show you quite firmly that it is not happy if not watered, as it will almost lay down in despair.

The Lady Palm Rhapis excelsa

Via Kaylee Skylyn

This very dense displaying plant is very slow growing, but can make a super decorative statement with their fan-shaped leaves. The plants do not like drying out and are not ideal in areas with air conditioners, but if the air is humidified they will thrive, and will tolerate low light situations well.

Rat-tail Cactus

Via pat626

If you're into slightly freaky plants, I did see this along a wooden planter set next to a bathroom window on an episode of Greenest Homes. It makes a statement to be sure, with the tail bits hanging down along the planter...

Mother-in-law's tongue

Erinn Valencich

Also known as Sansevieria or Snake Plant makes an ideal indoor plant. It produces elegant variegated foliage, yet is an easy to care for plant. I am not a fan, since I don't really like spiky-shaped leaves...

Chinese Evergreen

Via ctmarie3 on Flickr

I'm going to have to get one of these! The Chinese Evergreen is good for those that don't have a lot of light in their home or are gone a lot with the lights out as the plant does not need much light to flourish. The plant needs to get kept in a warm area and the leaves will turn brown or black in cold atmospheres. Everygrowing.com suggests that you make sure the soil is dry between each watering to avoid killing the plant.

Cast Iron Plant

Kelly Proxmire

It may have an interesting name for a plant but the Cast Iron Plant is an easy plant to take care of and an ideal indoor plant. It requires low light, can handle drafts and is known for being the most cold tolerate indoor plant.

Clivia

Lovely orange Clivia in Tyra Bank's office

I have two orange Clivia plants courtesy of my mother in law's and she's just scored another younger one for me. They look lovely in the garden but they flower only but for a short time and only flower annually - beginning of spring. I have never tried them indoors but they do make a spectacular display when flowering and their dark green, simple foliage does make for a good indoor plant. Might see if I can score more at garage sales around for my lounge room.

Clivia miniata is both beautiful and indestructible. Deep green, straplike leaves arch 2-3 feet above the crown. Clivias require very little care, growing larger and more impressive with age.

Orchids

Robyn Karp

These plants thrive in Malaysia where I've grown up so this has a special spot in my heart. So far I only have one, a lovely delicate green orchid given by a dear friend and it lives outside when not in flower. I've just got my first green bloom yesterday after a year of inactivity so it will go on my piano on Sunday when most of the buds would have bloomed.

Dracaenas, the happy plant variety

Again, large green leaves ... but this time, on a thick stalk. I do like this one too. Nice for an area that has loads of low furniture as it's got a fair height.

Rubber tree

Popular in clinics and hospitals, in my experience! This indoor/patio plant can grow very large... so contain it by prunning, or repot into bigger containers. (Whatever you do, don’t plant them in your garden, unless you know where your pipes are!)

Monstera Deliciosa

Via Jason Unbound

Now this one I do like too... it's got interest, with the large bright green leaves.

Kalanchoe

My pretty Kalanchoe, last summer

These have dense, small coloured flowers with succulent leaves. These hang down, so suit planters that are set way above the ground on a tall side table or hanging. I have about 5 of them around the place, but none indoors yet. I have a desperate lack of suitable planters! These do not thrive in the cold or moist areas (many of mine died indoors) ... but thrive in warm spots. I love growing these because like most succulents, all you do to have another plant is to break off a branch with leaves and flowers and stick them in another pot!

Golden Cane Palm

A more delicate leaf palm that clusters from the base. The more light it is exposed to, the more golden it will become. Goes well indoors only with very good light.

Moss

Christopher Maya

It's quite attractive, having planters covered with this mossy green fluff. I do like it...

Well I hope I've given you some ideas to breathe in more fresh air indoors... and to add that beautiful green touch to your indoor space.

My bright white porch and redone garden pots!

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:49:00 +0000

Meet Sir Lancelot!

I shared before how this place was an explosion of just the one paint pot (peachy cream) when we moved in and I revolted in shades of whites, blues, plums and yellows...

The same went for the courtyard/porch area. The porch was ALSO painted this peachy cream... and I hated it. Wanted to move away from the poorly designed mediteranean feel...

My "new" porch

So a fortnight ago the in laws descended on our place... for a break. So a fortnight later, I have a new bright white porch! :) It makes the laserlight cleaner and whiter somehow... (even though we didn't clean the top of the laserlight... the translucent hard plastic roofing for the porch).

This is my father in law painting the first coat.

This is about a fortnight before he went to task.

The white glory.

And this is Hannah playing with mud, grass and water... better than her bugging us by her sweet offers of "help"!

So nice to sit outside now and eat and work... the white of the porch really sets off the white blossoms at the end of the porch. And the place is so much lighter and brighter. I wish I could just slap some paint down on the not-favourite orange brick tiles too.

The mother in law thought she could do a better job at my newly laid out courtyard after cleaning out monster spiky plants in April.

And of course, she did! We scoured the city for old bricks... cleaned them, and then the dedicated woman spent all day making sure the line of bricks was perfect. PERFECT. Stamps all facing up and out... And then made us pick up my pebbles, clean them and put them down again...

Before

After

And the last thing... I found out I'd been spending 5 months watering a DEAD plant! We replanted a weeping tree outside next to my front door in April... and it's been DEAD for months. I just thought it was WINTER!!! Hehehe...

My mother in law pronounced it dead on sight (I'm a NEW gardener)... and then we scored a sweet little crabapple blossom tree for $60 (normally $90-120) which apparently "loves the spot" :)

Then I painted the eaves and post... and am considering doing the dividing wall and gate next (behind my crabapple).

See the shining painted eaves!??

Then after the in laws left, the work continued... upon suggestion of the father in law, I used leftover tiles on the property to create a "bin" area for my rubbish, recycle and green waste. I'm very happy with the outcome!

Nice huh? I love my in laws visiting ;) Things get done around the place!

Loft inspired

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:44:00 +0000

Briefly, we're going to be moving shortly... and be in a space much like this for some reasons I can't go into right now.

Like it... but oh so not like this! But I can DREAM!

I LOVE the white, and the white ... and on the white...

And the brick wall on one side is kinda awesome too!

And would be so funky to paint random boards a soft, different colour! I'm loving pink!

And the sliding bathroom door would look awesome in this glossy bright bright yellow!

And since the small studio space we're looking at does not have much storage (and we're so spoilt here in our current home for built-in storage) it would be cool to have these white Ikea shelves installed above the kitchen counter.

Oh happy happy space... in my head, at least!

Hello Kitty house

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:42:00 +0000

... where else, but in Taiwan, Hello Kitty land!

Sure to bring a smile to my pal Casapinka!!

via cute overload

Pink coffee machines

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:49:00 +0000

I stumbled on some pink coffee machines... and thought it would be cool to highlight my favourites. Pity my husband loves the professional chrome ones! :)

The Bugatti Diva 15-Bar Pump Espresso Machines

Fuschia Pink X5 Espresso Machine by Francis Francis

JURA's bespoke PINK ENA 5

Ascaso Dream Coffee Machine

Pink Bialetti Mokona Coffee Maker

A break

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:04:00 +0000

Here's me hoping and praying you have a great week ahead. Monday started half an hour ago and I wish you many moments of laughter.

I apologise for the lack of posts these past 2 weeks. The in laws were visiting... we got to painting the kitchen porch (photos following soon) a happy bright colour, do some re-gardening (I know the look I want, my mother in law knows gardening...), bought a pretty new tree, painted the front door...

The pretty vintage pink basket I got myself as a birthday gift from my sister in law, from one of my favourite shopping places of all, the Mill Markets, Geelong

They left yesterday... and today, I'm exhausted. :)

Also got myself a 1970s glass cake plate and dome lid. No makers mark, but it is superbly made, very very heavy and detailed with yellow bubbles.

More to come on changes around here this week!

Mantlepiece finally

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:57:00 +0000

Since moving into our home, I've been changing displays on the mantlepiece above the fireplace constantly - an almost obsessed dissatisfaction with it... until 2 weeks ago!! I finally had $50 to spare to frame one of the items I've been wanting to hang... and I'm happy :)

A reminder of the journey:

It started off with just displaying some white china from what I'd already owned.

Then I scored Nicola, a Loui Shabner print off eBay last November. And hung it there for a while amongst some white china pieces I'd had here and there.

But no one in my family understood why I'd have a portrait of a stranger in a place of prominence... so after a while, I sold it off to Kim from Desire to Inspire.

I replaced it with my the {Family} poster.

After a while, I decided that it looked odd hanging there, something about the scale hehe so I brought it down, and gathered some other things around the place... a yellow cane mirror and a few black and white Raynham urns...

Then some time later, I finally had enough yellow-mustard art glass vases to display!

And up again went the {Family} poster... (yes I know I'm schizophrenic with these things!)

I really do like the art glass pieces there, so they're there to stay (kinda). But the grey-brown wall is going soon!

Then I finally dealt with the already-known fact that the {Family} poster did not suit the scale of the area... so that now hangs somewhere else and that space has been empty for months.

Pardon the mess and the clothes airer in front of the fireplace-it's winter!

Two weeks ago I finally got the spare change to frame one of my favourites, Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years. October 2008 they reprinted and I got my copy quick-smart!

Now I'm happy.

The size of the poster fits the mantlepiece and the room. I love it there. Now just have to paint the rest of the room the way I want it and I'll be a really happy chicky!

See my {Family} poster peeking at the side?

This is what we saw when we visited the place prior to buying the home:

I can't help but think... well... it's now way more busy... but also way more vibrant (schizophrenically)!! :)

Entertainment unit --> desk makeover

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:46:00 +0000

Another yellow and white makeover beauty :) from Ladies Home Journal

Simple instructions:
They replaced the upper pullout shelf with a fixed painted plywood shelf hung on wooden brackets, which was screwed directly into the armoire's back wall.
They cut Homasote boards (recycled fiberboards soft enough to sink pushpins into) to fit the back and the side door panels and covered them in fabric secured with a staple gun. Small screw hooks hold each panel in place; you can also simply screw the panels to the corners.
They swapped out dated brass hardware for pretty (and inexpensive) glass knobs.
The original TV shelf became a functional slideout work surface. To make it movable, they screwed two drawer glides (available at hardware stores) into the top of the base about 6 inches in from the sides and then set the shelf into the glides. Knobs make it easy to pull the shelf out and push it back in.

Via belle maison

Panton chair

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:22:00 +0000

I used to love padded and upholstered dining chairs... (what can I say, I like comfort!)

But I must say... I find the Panton chair very very very sexy.

wohn idee

John Lum Architecture

Domino Mag

Greg Natale

Super modern house as dollhouse?

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:09:00 +0000

I'd love this real house to be modeled after a dollhouse. Love the shiny red wall, the bright white exterior and the glass walls!!!

Spectacular design, and location in the hills in Brasilia. The design of the house veers the owners and guests to enjoy the hills and its surroundings.

Now, only I wish that I knew a dollhouse maker!

Via Greatfa.com

Update: Thanks to Eloiza, I have been told this house is located in the hills of Nova Lima, Minas Gerais State, Brazil and not Brasilia. Thanks Eloiza!

Green, white and black office

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:19:00 +0000

I just discovered photographer Jessica Claire's blog and her new office makeover. It's so sharp and dramatic and calls to me like a mad siren!!

I love the crispy white walls ... and glossy black ceiling wide trim.

And I love the attention to detail to this wall. It's individual black trim into some cool art-deco style pattern. Some major precise, incredibly particular work.

I love it.

Yellow and white floors

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:15:00 +0000

When we moved in, we enjoyed the clean off-white high-end wool carpet. It stayed clean for about 3 weeks. The often-used spots are now a horrid gray-brown. Vacuuming is now of no help other than picking up bits.

I'd love to rip up the floors, lay wide-plank floorboards... Might still be able to do it!!!!

And in the study, I'd love to do as Lori did, as per Design*Sponge:

I'd die to have these floors!

Instructions on Lori's makeover are here. I wonder what are the equivalent of "foam core" boards in Australia!

Check out the 'before's:

Deschanel sisters

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:52:00 +0000

Yes this is a home and decor blog... but let me star-gaze yet another time...

I love the shots of these gorgeous sisters. I would die to be able to shoot like that... And to coordinate clothes.

Also, I LOVE the gorgeous clothes!!

Doesn't she have the most beautiful eyes?

I think she looks better with long wavy hair.

Paint dripping

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 10:07:00 +0000

Two very cool items simulating paint dripping...

A bookmark

A hook

Not sure if I'd have them in my own place, but it's a nice take on coat racks!

From Design For Use

Dollhouses for storage

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:05:00 +0000

I don't know if you have noticed, but I LOVE dollhouses. (not the Victorian types, but the ultra modern, more the mid century style ones)...

And I've collected two pictures of dollhouses used as storage... I've been looking for similar dollhouses with character and costing $2 ;)

Pretty storage for a pretty boudoir

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:55:00 +0000

Images scanned from an old Brocade Home catalogue

I would love to have a pretty ensuite please? Complete with shelves like above... filled with the most gorgeous shades of nail polish... please? :)

Images scanned from an old Brocade Home catalogue

Or even white shelves with same collection of nail polish against a gorgeous wallpaper? Mmmmmm

How divine. Imagine a collection of perfume bottles, if getting or owning 50 bottles of varnish would be overkill! (For me, it would!) Or vintage lipstick holders...

Or vintage enamelled compacts :)

Images scanned from an old Vintage Lux

Or a vintage set of dressing items in pink guilloche.

Images scanned from an old Antique Clocks

A new collection brewing... Leest artwork

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:10:00 +0000

I am so in love with the intricate papercut work of Emma Van Leest, Melbourne's own. Featured in Inside Out, i'd love to have some of her pieces on my walls.

Tessa Evelegh's House Beautiful: Storage Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:15:00 +0000

I have been going to the library to borrow books I can't afford (or books I don't want to buy before seeing if it's worth buying!) so I thought I'd share with you some of my favourites.. and the favourites within the favourites.

Now. I'm a storage whore. I LOVE storage... boxes, folders, tins, bottles, armoires, bureaus, secretaires, cupboards...

So there were LOADS of storage candy in Tessa Evelegh's House Beautiful: Storage Workshop book: (yes yes I know it's an old book)

Here's one way to hide the messy, uncoordinated books and bits in the lounge room: get a pretty bookcase with interesting doors, not just glass fronts, but chicken wire... hidden but not really!

What a way to fill an otherwise empty corner of the house, a secretaire filled with similarly monochromatic books and bits. It's all in the details, and shows that the owner has truly paid this otherwise neglected corner some attention and thought. I love it. Perfect corner to write thank you cards and letters or pay bills.

What about this gigantic dresser in the dining room? A darkwood dresser displaying a stunning array of white cook and tableware. The pieces jump out... while the dark wood adds some stability and solidness.

[I'm not sure about exposing all them pieces... in Australia there would be a layer of dust in a few days!]

But what about displaying your whites in an almost-all-white room?

Now... glass. Glass is good. I love glass :)

We just saw dark dresser holding white china. Now... what about white room holding darker pieces? I love the collection of antique wooden turned candlesticks against the creamy white walls. The colour of the warm wood is reflected in almost everything else, even the pet dog! And all against white walls and floorboards.

But I think if it were me, I'd go for something like this... white walls, white interest in white dresser, holding brilliant cabbage chinaware:

And if you had a humongous walk in closet (where money was no issue), displaying one's work shirts like this would be cool (also please hire a maid to do all that folding cos I ain't doing that).

Now, have a guess... what room is this? A sauna? A spa? A theatre?

No! It's a kitchen! Apparently fully spec-ed out too! Dunno if it's my style, but it's a stunner nevertheless.

And lastly, I did find this particularly pleasing to the eye:

I might do this... painting my closet a different colour than off-white. Really lends a touch of special to the place you store all your clothes.

Hope you enjoyed my favourites from Tessa Evelegh's House Beautiful: Storage Workshop.

Tim Neve

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 05:54:00 +0000

I've just discovered Australian magazine stylist Tim Neve's blog... and pictures of some amazing makeovers. What I do like about it is how simple the touches are.

... a bit of elbow grease is all it takes. Patching walls and repainting (thanks to a nice landlord, and having a dad who’s a retired painter always helps). Gone is the shagpile carpet and wallpaper (not that I have a problem with shagpile or wallpaper – but these were beyond fashionably retro).

From Tim Neve's blog

That's the lounge I've been looking for! I bet it's vintage... anyway... waiting for Mr Neve's response... will update you.

I am going to enjoy reading Tim's blog! And check out his studio, black and white and yellow, just like I have been wanting for my study!

Speaking of my office, I have to get all four (yes, yes) of the latest Australia Vogue Living 50th birthday covers!

Could make a great above-the-mantel artpiece!

My Birthday Cake

noreply@blogger.com (drey) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:08:00 +0000

from my sister and her boyfriend, thanks so much!!

Gorgeous green fondant over flourless chocolate cake dotted with these delicate fondant butterflies by Let Them Eat Cake