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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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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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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Coasters by The Coastal

Is it weird to feel this excited about coasters?!  I discovered these beauties by The Coastal on Etsy this week and I literally want one set of every design (they have a wide selection so yes, this would lead to a somewhat unreasonable number of coasters in my home!). Each one is hand painted using eco-friendly, water-based paint and non-toxic sealants. They are heat and water resistant and backed with recycled cork. The crisp, geometric designs  are just what I like and on top of this, they make to order so you can email and select exactly the colour combinations you want. The only downside for me is that The Coastal is based in California so the postage is rather expensive to Australia, but these are so cute I can let that slide. Here are a few of my favourites...

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Colour Inspiration

While flicking through August's edition of Real Living magazine, this page caught my attention.  I like the contrast of the cool greens, blues and greys against the warmth of the yellow and the shot of black gives it a bit of edge. I might try and adopt this colour scheme in our living room.  Being in a rental rules out the option of recreating the geometric wall paint design in the magazine, so I've put together a little round-up of accessories inspired by these colours to get my ideas rolling!

| 01. Moth Origami Lampshade Autumn Yellow by Studio Snowpuppe, Etsy | 02. Mint Julep Art Print by Lisa Argyropoulos, Society 6 | 03. Glaze Vessel 25cm in Mint, Freedom | 04. Tyrik Small Vase, Country Road | 05. Smoke Grey Ikat Polka Dot Cushion by WhitlockandCo, Etsy | 06. Pixelate Mint Throw Pillow by Gypsy Luxe, Society 6 | 07. Acapulco Ceramic Vase, Exhibit Interiors | 08. Glansig Tealight Holder, Ikea |

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Bedroom Wish List

| 01. Arc Table Lamp, Domayne | 02. Pineapple Art Print by Basilique, Society 6 | 03. Moi+Toi=Nous Print by theloveshop, Etsy | 04. Midcentury Bedside Table in Acorn, West Elm| 05. Wise Math Large Print by Michelle Armus | 06. Cushion by WhitlockandCo, Etsy | 07. Vase, Freedom | 08. Australian House and Garden White Resin Lamp, Myer |

Since we moved into our unit over a year ago, the bedroom has been left a little neglected. Seeing as no one really sees it but us, it was always last on my list of home-sprucing priorities. We've been treating it badly - it's less of a restful retreat and more of a giant dumping ground for those 'in between' clothes that you haven't committed to washing yet but that don't seem fresh enough to go back in the wardrobe. I think it's high time this room got some care and attention, so I've compiled a little wish list of items that would help pull it together, centred around a lovely  (and affordable) Michelle Armas print. Time to save those cents and get shopping!

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Yellow Roses and Sandalwood

I thought I'd add a bit of zing to the bathroom with these canary yellow roses because even on the greyest of days, fresh flowers are a no fail way of putting a little smile on my face. Currently we are living in a rental unit and the bathroom is white and grey and impersonal so a pop of colour goes a long way. The candle is one of my finds from Eumundi Markets last weekend. I love scented candles but often they're quite pricey, so when I was told these were a mere 15 dollars I had my wallet out in seconds, especially since this Sandalwood one smells so divine. What's even better is that they are handmade in Australia with ethically sourced ingredients that are not tested on animals. They're by Bedroom Antics and are also available on line here.

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And So It Begins

Welcome to Into the Bright! As an English gal living in Australia I thought it would be fitting to kick things off with a little tribute to the wonderful land of Oz. I love stumbling across Australian-designed homewares that are cool yet affordable so this cushion from Make Me Iconic instantly caught my eye with its cheeky nod to Dame Edna!  The pillow case version below will be available by mid-July.

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