Autumnal Scheme: Copper and Teal

I find it hard to believe that it's actually officially autumn here in Brisbane as there's certainly no sign of the hot humid days letting up just yet. Being from the UK I do miss a good seasonal transition. I love how the light changes, how the air smells that little bit different and how you can somehow feel things changing with all your senses. I definitely can't complain about the sunshine here but I like the idea of creating a look at home that is inspired by autumnal colours, even if the weather is still in summer-mode. I found the photo  above from Pannaphotos' Flickr stream via Pinterest and I absolutely love how the wet pavement appears a deep teal colour with gorgeous coppery reflective contrasts. It's a palette that isn't as obviously autumnal as the more mossy greens and burnt oranges of falling leaves, and that is exactly why I like it. Here's my translation of the photo in the form of some lovely, lovely homewares...time to daydream!

01. Copenhagen 3 Seat Sofa in Lido Teal - Freedom, $1,499 | 02. Metallic/Linen Cushion Cover in Copper - H&M Australia, $14.95 | 03. Shadow Pendant in Copper Colour - Freedom, $129 | 04. Copper Dot Painted Canvas Bucket - Lumiere Art & Co, $69.95 | 05. Scamp Large Table - Bludot, $399.20 (Limited Price) | 06. Flower Turquoise Wall Tiles - Bonnie and Neal, $25 each | 07. Greek Key Cerulean Throw - Adorn Homewares, $160 | 08.  Indian Bowl Copper Polished - Wheel and Barrow, $19.95

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DIY: A Touch of Marble

Marble is one of those materials that I imagine having in my 'forever' home, one day in the distant future.  For now, it's just too damn expensive to consider (plus I don't own my own home yet - that's a pretty big barrier between me and my dream carrera marble kitchen island!).  Thankfully, there is a budget way to add a touch of marble at home in the meantime, demonstrated brilliantly by the bloggers below...

DIY Marble Lamp via Weekday Carnival

DIY Marble Table via Stylizimo Blog 

DIY Marble Photo Frame via Plateful of Love

DIY Marble Pot via My Dubio

With little more than a pair of scissors and some marble contact paper, these girls have customised simple items to create something original and pretty darn good looking! I was really quite surprised at how stylish the results look, and how well this DIY works in the context of a minimal, monochrome, scandinavian interior.  

Unfortunately, it seems Australia doesn't have a great selection of marble contact paper from what I could see on the inter web. I found a couple of options from fishpond.com.au and eBay.com, but my favourites are from US site Design Your Wall. However, seeing as their shipping charges are extortionate, it's an absolute no go. If anyone out there knows where you can get this stuff in Aus, let me know! I'd love to try out this DIY myself! I'm thinking a marble box to hide our TV remotes. What would you marble-ise?

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Throw in the Towel

For a quick and easy bathroom refresh, I'm loving the idea of mixing and matching some new hand and bath towels. There are plenty out there to choose from so it's easy to tailor your choice to your own space and taste and find towels that compliment each other in terms of colour and print. I've whittled it down to my top three combos: 01. Jonathan Adler Arcade Orange & Grey Bath Towel, $91 - Shopstyle Australia  + Diamond Hand Towel, $18 - Cool Galah | 02. Dove Hand Towel, $35 - Ziporah + Heath Bath Towel, $29.95 - Country Road | 03. Muse Chevron Bath Towel, $34.95 - Pillow Talk + Missoni Giacomo Hand Towel, $35 - Safari Living I hope you're having a great Sunday! C x

Shop Online: Paterson and Steele

Thanks to an accidental 'stumble across' on Instagram, I found a gorgeous, brand spanking new online homewares store called Paterson and Steele. Apart from the fact that the store was devised by 'a design obsessed, self-confessed shopaholic' and 'a surf obsessed wine expert'(!), for me, what sets Paterson and Steele apart from other homewares stores is that their products have a story - they are handmade and sometimes end up going straight from an artist's studio into the store, meaning you are getting something new, original and lovingly made. They understand that a home needs soul, so they veer away from the mass produced and the ordinary. Their commitment to ethical sourcing and affordable prices is another reason to check them out, but most of all, I LOVE that they have an 'In the Doghouse' section on the site. If you are lucky enough to have a dog (a black staffy is on my 'one day' wish list!) then the Jonathon Adler collars and leashes will be right up your street! Here are six of my favourite picks from the store:

01. Dip Dyed Macrame Hanger Pink, $139 | 02. Jai Vasicek China Blue Cross, $125 | 03. Gloh Vessel Neon Pink, $35 | 04. Bone Storage Box Blue/White, $70 | 05. Algarve Cushion Natural/Neon Pink, $60 | 06. Hand Painted Antler White/Navy/Gold/Lime, $70

Plus, a pug (sadly, not for sale).  How could I go past a pug?!

All images sourced from patersonandsteele.com.au C x

Supermarket Chic

I mentioned in my last post that saving more money is on my agenda for this year, but I've still got to fuel my addiction for prettying up my unit - that's non-negotiable! Rather than hitting the shops and being tempted by pricey homewares, I found inspiration in the midst of a mundane grocery shop. Here is my supermarket haul for a little home sprucing on a budget: 1. Chevron Portable Coffee Mug (Woolworths) - great for a nice cup of coffee at your desk, but even better without the lid and filled with flowers, pencils, make-up brushes or whatever else you fancy. I'm diggin these peach tulips, also picked up at the supermarket. 2. San Pellegrino Sparkling Water - this iconic bottle design  is displayed in so many stylish kitchens and bar carts I see about the web. Lovely.

3. Thankyou Hand Wash - these are a fab wallet-friendly alternative to the expensive Aesop hand washes and proceeds from this range help fund sustainable health and hygiene education programs in developing countries.

4. Limes - I never shy away from a pop of colour so a glass container full of limes adds a suitable hit of green.  Same goes for oranges or lemons; change it up!

How do you find inexpensive ways to spruce up your home?  I'd love to know!

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Colour Popping

01. Yellow Bowl: Dreaming - Kikki K | 02. Queen of Hearts Blue Heart Vase - Love Star | 03. Into My Arms Cushion by Habitots - Hard to Find | 04. Raspberry Lacquer Box - Hello Polly | 05. Enamel Tray Cobalt - Adore Home Magazine Shop | 06. Colour Wheel Basket 004 - Fossik

It's the first day of December and I am HAPPY.  The countdown to Christmas has officially begun with the eating of the first (and always best) advent calendar chocolate and watching the boyfriend 'help' to decorate his parents' Christmas Tree (the 'help' involved haphazardly throwing tinsel at the tree, followed by artfully decorating the dog). In keeping with my mood, I'm totally loving this little collection of bright accessories. I'd keep the backdrop of the room crisp and white with neutral furniture in pale woods and greys, then sprinkle in these colourful items for a perfect pop of mood-lifting energy and fun. 

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White and Gold: Cork Coasters DIY

For me, when it comes to craft/DIY projects, it's a case of the simpler the better. I don't do them as often as I'd like, but when I do I'm always impatient to get to the end result so I end up taking shortcuts on anything even slightly challenging -  and it shows in the finished product. That's why these little painted cork coasters are my kind of DIY - easy, fast and cheap as chips! I'm sure they'd have turned out better if I'd slowed down and put in a bit more thought, but with some leftover white paint and a few items from the two-dollar store, they look perfectly fine and I now have something cute to rest my cuppa on. It barely needs explaining but here's what you do:

1. Get yourself some cheapo cork coasters, a small tube or tub of acrylic paint in a colour of your choice, leftover wall paint (I used primer too but I'm sure this isn't essential), a paintbrush, a stencil brush, masking tape and some clear gloss spray (also from the $2 store).

2. Paint on a layer of primer (if using), leave to dry for half an hour to an hour, then paint on a coat of white paint, leave to dry and repeat until you have enough coverage.
3. Once the final coat of paint is dry, take your masking tape and mask out simple patterns on your coasters - stripes are by far the easiest.

4. Squeeze a small amount of the coloured acrylic paint onto the stencil brush and dab on newspaper to work it into the brush a bit. Dab the brush onto the coaster until all the gaps are covered. Leave to dry and repeat until you get the coverage you want.

5. After you have applied the final layer, peel off the masking tape while the paint is still wet.

6. Once the coasters are dry, spray them with a coat of clear gloss spray to protect them and make them more waterproof.

And voila! Time for a cup of tea...

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Shine Bright Like a Diamond

Catching my eye today is anything gem-shaped. Maybe it's the weddings I've been to lately that have put diamonds on my mind - the boyfriend better watch out! Luckily I'd be perfectly happy with any of these four faceted favourites!

Diamond Hemmeli Light Pendant by Panselinos via Etsy | Hanging Planter by Raw Design via Etsy - $52.69 | Diamond Box in Natural by Areaware via Safari Living - $20 |  | Shine Bright Like a Diamond print by Michaela via Society 6 - $15

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Home Office: Black, White and Wood

01. Dante Deep Tray - $29.95, Dante Pen Holder - $19.95, Dante Set of 2 Stacking Boxes - $69.95 and Alfie Small Candlestick - $29.95, Country Road | 02. Replica Asterisk Clock - $59 (Sale), Clickon Furniture | 03. Crest Scissors - $9.95 and Tio Timer - $14.95, Country Road | 04. Wild Stripes Print - $59, The Minimalist and Ribba Frame in white stained oak effect - $24.99, Ikea | 05. Ikea PS 2012 LED Wall Lamp - $69, Ikea | 06. Cowhide Rug - Stencilled Zebra (Black & White) - $ 695, Matt Blatt | 07. Shorthand Desk in White - $299, Freedom| 08. Replica Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair in Beech - $179, Replica Furniture | 09. Cubic Bookshelf Tall in Black - $499, Freedom

I really love this sleek, modern and Scandi-style scheme for an office. The high contrast black and white has graphic impact and the wood softens the look by bringing in a natural element. The rug feels fun and would stop the space from feeling too serious.  You know what they say about all work and no play! I think that for any room, having all the basics comprised of black, white and wood creates a really flexible neutral backdrop which you can easily (and cheaply) change the feel of using artwork, accessories, plants and flowers to lift the mood and add a pop of bright. 

What would be your ideal office scheme?  

Happy Friday!

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Spring Spruce: Bed Linen

Chevron Grande Mint Queen Quilt Cover by Aura - $199

Spring has officially sprung here in Aus and it makes me feel like bringing bright, happy colours and patterns into my home. There are so many colourful bedlinen options available so I started here for inspiration. I like the idea of keeping walls neutral in the bedroom so that you can play with the focal point in the room - the bed. Whatever colours you go for in the bed linen, you can bring them into the rest of the room in little pops through flowers, vases, little trays and decorative bowls, books and even clothing items like scarves and shoes. Here are a few of my favourites from the interweb...

Sandi Queen Quilt Cover by Country Road - $229

Real Living Dotti Quilt Queen Cover Set by Target - $87.20 (reduced from $109)

Matchstick (Black) Queen Quilt Cover and Two Matchstick Black Pillow Cases by Kip & Co - $209 and $59

Kantha Quilt Tropicana Forest Green by Fossik - $165

Queen Bed 'Lily' Quilt Cover Set by Kmart - $25

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Faceted Finds

Faceture Vase/Blue - The Minimalist

I love the ongoing trend for geometric prints in interior design and homewares (which is showing no signs of abating any time soon) so I equally love seeing this reflected in 3D in the form of faceted furniture and accessories.  Here's my quick pick of online faceted finds to add a modern pop to a room...Happy Weekend!

Handmade Faceted Wood Quartz Crystal Point Sculptures by Stone and Violet via Etsy

Candyfloss Geo Pop Necklace by Fruitloop via Rockrose Handmade

Faceted Mirror Side Table - West Elm

Faceted Wall Clocks by Raw Dezign via Etsy

DIY Christmas Balls by Snug Studio via Hello Polly

Faceted Magnets by Pigeon Toe Ceramics via Etsy

Ceramic Vessels via Hunting for George

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Jamieson's Home & Fashion

Last week I was browsing the antique shops in Brisbane's Wooloongabba when I stumbled across an absolute gem of an interiors shop. Jamieson's Home & Fashion opened in March this year and is run by a lovely mother and daughter duo. When you walk into the shop (which I highly recommend you do), be prepared to be bombarded with gorgeousness - bright colour, bold patterns and the most amazing smells from scented candles fill the space. You'll find items by Bonnie & Neil, Orson & Blake and Pony Rider, plus local Brisbane designers like Maker & Merchant. Needless to say, I loved it. The owners were super friendly and were kind enough to let me snap a few pictures. They update their stock frequently so it's well worth a regular look. You can pop into the store at 37 Logan Road, Wooloongabba, Brisbane or follow them on Facebook or Instagram (@jhomeandfashion) for updates on new goodies. Of course, I couldn't leave empty handed so I chose a bright orange Sophie candlestick, pictured below, which will feel right at home on my balcony!

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Dreaming of Summer - Balcony Brights

[Images sourced from Google Images and Pinterest]

We've been given a teaser of summer lately here in Brisbane with a string of 25 degree highs in the middle of Winter, but every year since I've lived in this city and at the same time each August, the winds suddenly pick up and I am left wishing those balmy days would return. Like clockwork, today the winds arrived like a swift slap to the face! This left me thinking about how I'd like my balcony to look when it's finally warm enough to spend some time out there, hopefully relaxing with a cool drink and some good company. When the heat returns, I'll be ready! Our balcony is covered above and on each side so it doesn't get a great deal of light. To compensate for this and to lift the mood of the space, I'm going to use bold, summery brights in cushions and accessories and use neutral furniture to ground the colours and create a lounge-like space that's laid back but fun. Here are some items I think will pull it together... hope you like!

| 01. Resort Black Stripe Cushion - Fab Outdoor Fabrics | 02. Macaw and Nova Flamingo Fabrics - Fab Outdoor Fabrics | 03. Flamingo Statue - Freedom | 04.  Orange Pillow Cover by East and Nest via Etsy | 05. Replica Acapulco Lounge Chair in White - Matt Blatt | 06. Rainbow Tealight Holder in Apple - Freedom | 07. Brisa Tealight Holder in Orange - Freedom| 08. Garpen Sofa Combination in Black - Ikea | 09. Kimberly Orange Outdoor Rug - Fab Habitat | 10. CBD Coffee Table in White - Freedom | 11. Henry Throw in Pink -  Freedom |

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Jumbled

Aztec Folk print - $399

If, like me, you are a fan of homewares that are colourful, bold, modern, eclectic and fun, then you need to pay a visit to online store Jumbled immediately!  If you live in Orange, NSW then you could also browse their shop which, judging by the photos on their website, is flippin' fabulous! Their philosophy is 'all about mixing, not matching' and they offer plenty of inspiration on how to master the art of the mix and match via their Facebook page and Blog. I've compiled a round-up of my current favourite items for your viewing pleasure!

Malmo Stools - $189 each

You Are Awesome book - $20

Incan Pattern: Bisque print - $269

Beaded Chandelier - Green - $1,099

Rag Rug (Medium) - $89

Hattie print - $845

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