What's New????

Watch this space for all the latest on our new & very exciting forthcoming June "Designer Secrets" workshops...

Heatherlie, A Charming Retreat at Maldon

Warm textures, colours & materials make the bathrooms the perfect space to pamper...

When friends of mine recently told me about their gorgeous Maldon getaway, they were particularly enthusiastic about their stay at Heatherlie, a divine Victorian property that blends everyday luxury with the romance of rural Provence. As I had not heard of it until then, I of course had to further investigate. On my visit to the website, I understood their enthusiasm! It looks divine, and with the Melbourne winter seemingly upon us, that open fire in the Main House is particularly inviting!

The detail in the touches...

The attention to detail in nurturing guests every need is evident throughout the property. Whether you are booking in for a romantic getaway in the Pool House, or want to share a weekend with friends in the Main House, Heatherlie accommodates up to eight adults in four queen sized bedrooms, each room a very welcome & inviting aesthetic. Whether the weather suggests an open fire or a lap in the pool, your every requirement will be met in this fully equipped, beautifully detailed, elegantly furnished property

The perfect way to begin the day with morning coffee & breakfast...

The mezzanine bedroom of the Pool House..perfect for that romantic soujourn...

Is there any better way to relax on a cold evening than with an open fire, wine, great company, comfort & luxury???...

Indulge in a dose of hand & body pampering

Harmony in the provincial aesthetics

Enjoy nearby wineries, a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, golf, or travel through the Castlemaine landscape on the steam train. Stop & shop for coffee & antique wares, local art & produce, or simply embrace the natural beauty of the surroundings, or simply retreat to the luxury of Heatherlie...if you're looking for pampering, rest & a fabulous dose of relaxation, contact Robyn Slattery at Heatherlie, and she will make sure your booking is all about you.

Visit the gorgeous website at http://www.heatherlie.com.au/, or phone on 0413 123 650.

Lest We Forget...

Today We Pay Tribute & Give Our Thanks to Those Brave And Wonderful Men & Women who fought at Gallipoli during World War I, & gave so much for our country...thank you...

Bedhead Luxury

My favourite Bedhead Style -Tailored, Timeless, Streamlined & Versatile

(Private Home, Southern Highlands NSW)

Private Residence, Kyneton, Victoria (featured in "Australian Country Style" Nov 08).
An elegant, classical design, & the classic check ensures timeless appeal

Private Chalet ("Cote Est" Dec 08)

I love this bedhead, it makes such a statement, but is another example of timeless appeal by way of the simplicity in the design, & the understated sophistication in both the fabric & colour, just divine.

"Groom's Cottage"- St. Agnes Homestead, Kyneton VIC

Simple, strong, balanced. The height & stud detailing of this linear design creates a very strong & rather masculine statement, but the softness of the lighting creates a perfect ambience that is both inviting & aesthetically balanced against the scale of the bedhead.

Bedlinen Image as featured in Abode Winter 09 Catalogue

Yes, my favourite colour palette, so relaxing, light & luxurious, whites & naturals, soft textures. Not everyone wants their bedhead to make a statement. For some, the aesthetic appeal is all about the bedlinen, & the bedhead serves purely as unobtrusive headboard behind the pillows. Depending upon the ceiling height & size of a bedroom, I always think that if you are going to have a bedhead, it should still be part a feature, even if a subtle one. In this case, I think another 30-45cm would be a perfect height, still making the bedlinen the feature, but the bedhead would frame it beautifully.


Private Residence France ("Cote Est" Dec 08)

Chic, sophisticated, divine. The stunning upholstery against the raw stone creates a gorgeous statement of contrast.

What Is Your Personal Style...?

Last week I was interviewed for an upcoming decorating feature article in one of the newspaper magazines. The photographer's task was to capture the interview in appropriate images from around my home, but what he captured behind the lens will surely create another perspective.
What photos will be featured in the article is unknown, but it began our conversation about how our homes are a story book, always evolving, never static, & bearing our personal imprint. What touches & spaces he was drawn too were not ones I chose to highlight simply because for me, they don't carry significant meaning, despite belonging in the various spaces & rooms, & therefore to me looking 'right' where they sit.

For those of you who are reluctant to express your own style in your own home, don't be. If you don't feel confident purchasing new pieces for your home, begin by experimenting with furniture placement, gathering your favourite pieces in another space, changing room layouts, getting rid of once loved favourites. Don't be afraid to have space, it can create a feature of other furnishings. Don't be daunted by what the lens sees, just enjoy creating the images that make you feel good, that you can proudly stamp as your own personal style with confidence!

Stay tuned for the magazine article, & my linen bedhead is on the way. :-)

Happy Easter.

Happy Easter Everyone. What perfect Autumn sunshine we are having in Melbourne, & how wonderful it is to once again see such beautiful green grass everywhere, perfect for bunnies to hop through! I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful break, relaxing & spending time with family & friends enjoying Easter Egg Delights, & simple pleasures.

Easter morning began in our household with the sun streaming through, as we sat enjoying hot cross buns, coffee & of course, chocolate treats from Easter Bunny. I know not good to eat it too soon in the day, but really quite difficult to refuse with such festive spirits in the air! Not to be left out, we had special Easter treats for our beautiful retriever Max, as he so patiently sat with his tail wagging furiously. Sunshine in the park followed, then a gorgeous trip to the Morning Peninsula. Not even the traffic could sway my restful thoughts of walking along the sand, with the sun on my back, & the crystal blue water lapping at my feet. Upon arriving at the beach, with latte in hand, the atmophere was quite simply heaven, & the perfect space to relax for the afternoon.

Enjoy the rest of the festive holiday, & have fun doing whatever makes you happy :-)

Packaged & Presented To Perfection

"TOAST house & home" Spring Catalogue 2009
Jo Malone London "Sweet Lime & Cedar"

Cotswold Furniture's 'Norfolk Bench' -"A Taste of Cotswold" April 2009

I always find great delight in receiving the latest catalogues & brochures from my favourite places. They enthuse me with visual delights & styling temptations, what's new, what's coming, how to put it all together, share in the excitment of new season's treasures. These days of course, we all do our best to be environmentally conscious & respectful of paper waste, so often our favourite items arrive on our screens, looking gorgeous & tempting, but not quite as tangible. I received my monthly e-news last night from Cotswold Furniture, which I always love & look forward to, & often forward onto friends & colleauges to share in the latest news on stunning outdoor furniture collections. The latest fun piece was the "Louvre Chair" in a rainbow of colours, to create 'a little piece of Paris' displayed against a very chic canvas, of course to complete the visual enticement...

Visit http://www.cotswoldfurniture.com.au/ & subscribe to the monthly "A Taste of Cotswold". When your screen opens, the images just take you away to heavenly places...

Next, Jo Malone. How divine is her packaging, her product & her presentation??? Pamper, pamper, pamper. In the mail I received an invitation to "experience a complimentary hand & arm massage using the new fragrance Sweet Lime & Cedar" followed by a complimentary gift, divine. For those of you who have been to one of the Jo Malone boutiques in Australia (3 only so far, Victoria, South Australia & NSW) you will understand where I'm coming from, beautiful, understated yet sophisticated, & all initiated by a gorgeous catalogue invitation.
http://www.jomalone.com.au/

The other item I received in the mail (yesterday's mail was indeed very exciting!), was the latest "TOAST house&home" homewares catalogue from the UK. I love it! I haven't received one before, and what a delight it is. 111 pages of 'simple things' for house and home, for you, your family, entertaining, gifts, to wear, to enjoy. Enticing visuals, fabulous detailing, and full of every product detail you need or want to know. It actually reminds me a little of those fantastic Country Road homewares brochures way back in the late 80s and early 90s, extravagant, indulgent, and something you loved receiving when you opened your mail. Well, "TOAST" has a very similar flavour I think, & I will definitely be keeping my name on their database for a long time! http://www.toast.co.uk/

For those of us who enjoy making our homes, or our favourite spaces feel special, such catalogues that feature gorgeous products so beautifully, yet often so simply displayed, continue to provide us with inspiration & excitement to enjoy often the simplest of things that we live with. How we rack our wardrobes, the coathangers we use (wooden ones of course are the best!), how we fold our favourite jumpers, where we place magazines & books on the coffee table, or stack them on a tray for an ottoman, candles, cushions or throw rugs, sit our favourite pieces on the kitchen bench or entrance table...When we see things we love featured in print, in ways that we can relate back to our own living spaces, it can create an extra special way of how we feel in our home that we can embrace & enjoy

just a little bit more.

I'm sorry if this post is a little difficult to read, but I just had to fuel my current passion for orange. Blame the latest range from the hand & body brand "Pamilli", all wrapped in gorgeous white boxes & wrapping with divine organe grosgrain ribbon. Pop into Rose Street Trading Company to see for yourself!