Inspiration

Simply Stunning

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:34:00 +0000

Helen Mirren. What an inspiration she is. Just beautiful.

Knock, Knock, who's there?

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 21:29:00 +0000

This is my latest fascination.

Yes. Doorknobs.

Vintage, glass, ceramic. Just plain pretty.

You don't have to use them just for doors or cupboards either.

Look at this cute little jewellery hanger for a teenager.

Now I am searching for old cupboards I can do up and put some of these fancy knobs on. The best part is you can keep changing the look of your furniture by changing the knobs - see, it's just like changing the cushions and updating the look of a room.

Am I alone with this fascination I wonder?

Izziyana Suhaimi

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:04:00 +0000

Is a 26 year old Singapore based artist who embroiders colourful threads on drawings to create modern tapestries.

Izzi says that "I am interested in collapsing the boundaries between traditional and popular cultures and exploring the links that exist between these two. Preferring to work with craft-based techniques, I am attracted to the evidence of the hand and its time-consuming aspect, which runs counter to the instant gratification and mass-production centred age of today".

Her works have been exhibited in Singapore, the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan.

They are simply wonderful don't you agree?

The art of Danny Roberts

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 23:53:00 +0000

It. Is Just beautiful.

Danny is a fashion artist and you can find more about him and his paintings at his blog Igor and Andre. You can also buy his art and prints there as well.

Girls in glasses - note the Chanel they are wearing

Better than cake

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 10:21:00 +0000

I love that High Teas have made a come back over the past couple of years. And while I really enjoy baking and eating sweet treats, I love collecting pretty cups and saucers and cake stands moreso.

Over the past couple of years I have collected quite a few cake stands ..........

What about you? Do you like High Teas?

If you do, there is a great website called the High Tea Society for lovers of high tea. With tens of thousands of followers, you will be in good company.

The Secret Life of Lilly

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:37:00 +0000

I was visiting a friend of mine and happened to comment on the beautiful print she had on her office wall. Was there any wonder I loved it? It's called The Secret Life of Lilly by Susie Franco.

The colours are beautiful and the painting is mesmerising. I think I will be heading to Susie's website to get a print and some cards.

It just has to be, for obvious reasons.

Edwardian Architecture

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 02:53:00 +0000

In the old gold mining city where I live there are many exquisite Venetian Gothic buildings. However, I particularly love the brightly coloured Edwardian Flemish Baroque buildings below.

365 days of hand lettering

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 23:05:00 +0000

I have browsed illustrator Lisa Condon's Etsy shop for a long time. Her art is truly beautiful.

However, now I have just discovered her 365 days of lettering project on her blog called Today is going to be awesome. I love these kind of projects and Lisa really is an inspiration. She is already up to Day 70 and each illustration is unique and very special. Why don't you take a look. It's inspired me to get my calligraphy inks out and have another go at doing this myself.

Guest Room Transformation

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 22:50:00 +0000

In the last 12 months I have been living in a regional city which is an old gold mining area. The buildings are very old and full of character. I will share some of the architecture in a future posts as it truly is beautiful.

Since I moved here I've had lots of friends and family visiting so I've had to transform the guest bedroom as a priority. I wanted to make the room as comfortable as possible without spending too much money or time on it. The room is quite small but it has high ceilings and an extremely large built in cupboard which is quite unusual in these old houses. I kept the existing cream paint on the walls and just introduced furniture and accessories.

I've used a monochromatic colour scheme - white, grey and black. I introduce another colour in accessories such as a blanket or cushions depending on the guests. For example, if my daughter comes to stay I introduce a touch of pink.

I have tried to make it as comfortable as I can by making sure there are bath products, tissues, mirrors, candles, perfumes, hair dryer and a white fluffy robe and towells available. There is nothing worse than staying away from home only to realise that you forgot to bring something as essential as your toothbrush or shampoo.

Rather then spend a fortune on artwork I have made my own. I've just done some water colour and pencil drawings and bought some cheap frames. I am not a Da Vinci by any stretch but at least the artwork is original and cheap.

I got this 'Do Not disturb' sign from a posh hotel and put on the door as a bit of fun.

My mother is going to be my next guest so I have put some items on the bedside tables that she may like. Family pictures, some soap and perfume she loves and a favourite book.

I also have a box of assorted beauty products for guests to use. Soaps, body lotions, makeup samples, shampoos etc.

I also include some reading material and photo books I have made depending on who my guest is. For family, I use a family photo book they may not have seen or, if it isa friend staying I use one of my travel photo books on Hong Kong or Italy for example.

So that is it.

Tell me, what do you like to see in a guest room to make it comfortable for you?

Love at first Site

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 23:49:00 +0000

TRY

www.ikeahackers.net

A worldwide network of clever people who personalise their Ikea purchases and post the results online. You will be amazed at what they do.

www.sayyestohoboken.com

Liz Stanley's charming blog features quick and delicious recipes, fashion and craft ideas - from sewing pockets into dresses to decorating glass jars.

BUY

www.shophorne.com

An American mecca of unique , style driven homewares.

www.fatherrabbit.com

This New Zealand based site has beautiful, vintage inspired treasures such as tin measuring cups, linen and gardening tools and much more.

BE INSPIRED

www.apartmenttherapy.com

If you are stuck with a small space bookmark this site, make yourself a cup of tea and spend hours ogling stunning departments in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and beyond.

www.delightsbydesign.blogspot.com

This blog features gorgeous photography of homes from around the world - original design ideas, products and upcoming trends.

Courtney Cox's new home

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 07:08:00 +0000

Well it's been a while since I have been inspired clearly! However, now I am looking for some interior inspiration.

I saw these pictures of Courtney Cox's new home in LA in Elle Interior and I really love the simplicity and spohistication of the design (all her own doing apprently). Grey, white and black are my new colours too so I thought I might borrow a few of her ideas... what do you think?

Do you like it or do you think it lacks a little personality and colour?

Happy

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 06:35:00 +0000

Australia Day!

Melbourne definitely inspires me.

I spent it at St Kilda, It is something else. An inner city suburb, with its own beach, fun park, theatres and the best cafes and shops around. Enjoy some photos.

My new neighbourhood

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:56:00 +0000

My new neighbourhood for the next three months is in an inner city suburb of Melbourne, the second largest city in Australia.

The suburb contains an eclectic mix of expensively converted warehouse residences, public housing high-rise flats and Victorian-era terrace houses, along with a lively retail sector. The suburb has a vibrant and popular Little Saigon area just around the corner from where I live where there are small fruit and vegetable markets and many Vietnamese restaurants and grocery stores.

Here are some photos of my neighbourhood. 2011 is the year I have set aside for living differently and while its stretching me and pushing me outside my comfort zone its exactly the mid-life change I need and will expand my horizons in a positive way.

Click to enlarge

1. The side lane where I live. 2. In a converted warehouse at the end of the lane 3-8. Which is an amazingly quiet and peaceful place to live 9. Here, you walk everywhere or take trams. Luckily this tram stop is at the end of the laneway. It takes me to some of the best shopping districts I have ever seen. No doubt I will be fitter and poorer after this stay.10. One street away from where I live is Little Saigon, where I am being educated .....and confronted.....on many, many levels.

Oh the shopping in Fitzroy....

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 01:48:00 +0000

Fitzroy is home to Melbourne's bohemian culture. Its streets contain an edgy mix of alternative, artistic and trendy elements.

Colour of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:07:00 +0000

"Honeysuckle" is the color of 2011 chosen by Pantone Color Institute, the research arm of Pantone Inc., the company that largely sets color standards for the fashion and home industries.

So what colour is Honesuckle?

Really lovely! Now if I can only give up wearing mainly white, black and grey I might give it a try.

What do you think?

Lofty heights

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Fri, 07 May 2010 08:52:00 +0000

.
Jane Fonda is selling her gorgeous loft in Atlanta given she has resumed her acting career in Los Angeles.

I just LOVE this loft. It's so feminine, curvaceous and timeless. Totally my cup of tea, and I would move in tomorrow, just a shame about the seven figure price tag....

To die for

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:19:00 +0000

It's been a while but I had to post this recipe. Easy and so delicious.

Pavlova

Recipe courtesy of Donna Hay

Ingedients:

150ml egg white (approximately 4 eggs) 1 cup (220g) caster (superfine) sugar 2 tablespoons corn flour (corn starch), sifted 2 teaspoons white vinegar.

Method

1. Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F).

2. Place the eggwhite in the bowl of an electric mixer and whisk until stiff peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, whisking well, until the mixture is stiff and glossy. Add the cornflour and vinegar and whisk until just combined. Shape the mixture into an 18cm round on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper.

3. Reduce oven to 120°C (250°F) and bake for 1 hour 20 minutes. Turn the oven off and allow the pavlova to cool completely in the oven.

4. Decorate with your desired toppings

Eating well for health

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:57:00 +0000

I have just been reading and rereading Andrew Weil's essential guide to nutrition called Eating well for optimum Health and, what can I say, I was so inspired that I have planted a vegetable garden. Most unlike me.

This is probably proof that this man can seriously affect your health and inspire readers to take control of their nutrition. This is the first book I have read about nutrition that makes sense to me. I am a bit slow to join the organic brigade (my own parents were there 40 years before me and my daughter is very conscious about the food she eats) but it seems incredibly satisfying to know exactly what I am now eating and why (yes the book scared me given the amount of pesticides and hormones now included in our food which has dire consequences for our health).

However, while I have the fruit and vegetables taken care of, I am not sure I will be adding chickens, a cow or a lamb any time soon. But, stranger things have happened I guess.

What about you do you have a vegetable garden? Do you buy organic produce? Are you into nutrition or do you think its all about balance.

Slumber time

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:06:00 +0000

I love luxury bed linen, mainly white linen. My two favourite stores are the White Company and Brocade.

Goop

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:11:00 +0000

If you are looking for some inspiration, sign up to Gwyneth Paltrow's newsletter. Yes, I am serious. She writes about things you can do, make, see, get etc.

A lot of people were very negative about a 'movie star' doing this (essentially blogging), but I think she has proven that she has something worthwhile to share. Plus, she knows a lot of interesting people who provide their expertise and insight on wide-ranging issues.

I've found Gwyneth's newsletters to be fascinating and full of great ideas.

Go visit http://www.goop.com/ and check it out. You, like me, may be surprised.

Inch by Inch Art Project - Bloom

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Either bloom or go to seed. It's more of a choice than we think.

This week's theme reminds me of a garden show I watch which always finishes with the line, "well thats your blooming lot, see you again next week!"

Apologies for such a quick effort this week - I was in a big hurry and only had moments to spare but I did not want to miss out. Thanks Paris, I truly look forward to doing this each week and in seeing what everyone else creates!

See other contributors to Remembering Paris' Inch by Inch Art Project

Courage - Inch by Inch

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:02:00 +0000

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This week I thought long and hard about the word Courage. I wish I had it moreso and in greater abundance. I remember reading once that it is the ladder that all other virtues mount (sorry I don't know who said this). So I looked though my photos and saw lots of evidence of courage all around me. Maybe we are more courageous than we think we are once we look more closely for the signs of it.

Courage is from top l - r
1. getting up close and personal with a lion at the zoo 2. shooting for the sky 3. being willing to dye your hair the PMS colour you hate 4. the brave soldiers who lost their lives to protect others 5. being in the middle of a bushfire 6. trying new and more creative makeup approaches 7. being alone on a deserted beach 8. this in Japanese 9. looking fear in the eye 10. taking an unknown path 11. growing old 12. loving someone 13. tasting foreign looking food sources 14. clinging to a twinkling star when there is darkness all around 15. patting a cougar 16. saying good morning to a huntsman spider 17. not being afraid to stand out from the crowd 18. sailing away from shore 19. bravely suffering injuries 20. changing your look, uh um, substantially for a dare 21. eating loads of sugar 22. being willing to stand away from the pack 23. developing a bullet proof spirit 24. being different and being proud of who you are 25. being willing to stand all alone in tall grass.

Thank you Paris from Remembering Paris for setting up the Inch by Inch Art Project. You can see other entries here.

Geraldine Georges

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:30:00 +0000

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I really love the work of French illustrator Geraldine Georges - beautiful isn't it?

PutItOn.com

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:20:00 +0000

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I have just found a new site which features undiscovered artists from around the world.

This site showcases ART, FASHION, FILM and MUSIC. A great place to feature your own work (no commissions) and also a great place to discover new artists. Oh sometimes I do love the internet just a little too much.

Go visit the site - www.PutItOn.com

Bookshelf by Colour

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:39:00 +0000

Need something to make a room appear bright and welcoming? Try this idea and add excitement to your old and dusty book collection. Re-organise your bookshelf by colour and create a sort of book case installation. By simply dividing your books into separate colours, grouping them from lighter to darker shades, and arranging on the shelf by hue, you can add a new, uplifting and artistic feature to a room without the expense. Relax, read and enjoy!