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!

Harmonious Design for Everyday Living

This book is an interior decorating bible...a really wonderful resource. I refer to it often to both align & extend my thoughts & ideas, & am constantly inspired...

"Creative planning helps a room achieve its greatest potential."

"For those who love strong colour and want to introduce in into their home, harmony lies in selecting a bold colour and layering it with confidence."

"The best kitchens are efficient home bases for cooking, relaxing and entertaining. Make yours a joy to come home to and a pleasure to work in."

"I love sharing food with family and friends. I want everyone to feel at home in my dining room, free to talk and laugh for hours around my table."

"Sharing objects and memories that are important to you is the most natural expression of your style."

"Decorating is not about imitating a style. It's about expressing your own."

"When a guest slips off her shoes and curls up on your sofa like a contented cat, take it as a compliment. You've served up the greatest luxury: True comfort."

The Colours of Egypt

Recently my sister travelled to Egypt. I haven't been there, but after seeing the spectacular sights that she captured in her many images, I'm totally inspired! She was overcome by the sheer scale & of what was created thousands of years ago, and how so much of its history remains standing, there for all the visitors to experience. These photos are a few of my favourites, for their scale, colour, detail & the way that natural light captures such a beautiful atmosphere...awe inspiring don't you think??

If you would like to read more about her travel to Egypt & see more beautiful photos, subsribe to the latest "Renaissance Magazine" at www.bossgroup.com.au/magazine

Ian Mankin Natural Fabrics

For those of us who love contemporary, relaxed & versatile fabrics for home, Ian Mankin offers contemporary inspiration in his collections of natural fibre linens & cottons. Offering a relaxed yet classic aesthetic for any living space or room, the ranges include nordic, vintage & regatta stripes, classic colours in ticking, both bold & subtle checks, plus a kaleidescope palette if your wanting something in a herrringbone, jacquard or plain twill.

For many years, I have dressed my own homes & clients interiors with Ian Mankin classics. Regardless of whether decorating outdoor furniture, living room sofas, chairs, window treatments, cushions or ottomans, Ian Mankin's collections always work so effortlessly, never date, & in the true sense of the word offer classic, timeless appeal.

Their website is a fabulous, their staff just wonderful, & at a moment's notice will send you whatever you need for that next interior project. Of course, next time you're in London, pop into either their Fulham or Primrose Hill shops, so welcoming, just divine! Nothing is too much trouble, & it's easy to understand why Ian Mankin is such a success story.

http://www.ianmankin.com/

A Georgeous Event To Remember

"Georgeous, Simply Georgeous Occasions" is a fabulously dynamic, innovative, vital & totally professional Melbourne based event management company, owned & operated by the equally fabulous & dynamic Georgie Kay. I first met Georgie a couple of years ago through the exciting Magnolia Square Homewares Market. Her unwavering commitment & dedication to her work is evident in every project. When you talk with her, her exitement and energy for everything she does is almost tangible, whether she's organising an intimate dinner party, or project managing a major event on the Melbourne social calendar.

"When we plan an event, we consider every element, thinking about what it feels like to be a guest throughout the event. We like to inject small surprises and twists that keep our events interesting and captivating. We also focus on hospitality and spend time sourcing only the highest level of suppliers to work with. At Georgeous we make communication with our clients our highest priority in coordinating your special occasion."

Georgie Kay & her team stamp every event with a unique, creative & totally personal touch reflecting the client's requirements, plus so much more. This is a company that is not only professional, but has fun in the process of creating very special events resulting in very happy clients. Enough reason to start organising something 'gorgeous' now? Absolutely!!

http://www.georgeous.com.au/

ph: (03) 9534 5603

St. Agnes Homestead, Rich In History & Charm

Enjoy the sunshine outside the Grooms Cottage...

The Beauty of the Country Touch...


Springtime at St. Agnes


Tranquility amongst the homestead splendour



The Grooms Cottage...complete with open fire, breakfast & weekend luxury...

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Traudi & David Bibby at their beautiful property, St. Agnes Homestead in Kyneton. They are the most delightful couple who are passionate about their property & providing the perfect dose of hospitality to their guests with charming accommodation where you can relax, unwind & rejuvenate at any time of the year.

St. Agnes is within walking distance to the main street of Kyneton,with its numerous antique shops, & cafes to enjoy. Otherwise, escape to within the historic property gates, unwind with a walk through the gorgeous stables, by the pond, or through the maturing rows of grapes in the picturesque vineyard. If you're feeling energetic, pick up a raquet & head to the tennis court, or simply relax & recline in the sunshine for a nap amongst the beauty of the mulberry tree.

St. Agnes is a heritage property that has been meticulously restored to its original charm with much TLC. The rural atmosphere ensures that once inside the gate, you will want to simply stay, unwind & enjoy the surroundings, regardless of the season, & being only an hour out of Melbourne, it's a wonderful excuse to get out of the city for the weekend. I can highly recommend it, & just in case, don't make any appointments for the following day, you might just want to stay a little longer!

http://www.saintagnes.com.au/

(03) 5422 2639

Living In Style Everywhere...

Barclay Butera is a renowned & very fabulous American Interior Designer, having lived in Southern Carolina for almost 25 years. His style is synonymous with luxurious, sophisticated, classical interiors, largely the influences of own living environments for many years.

Included in the many sources of his inspiration are mid century Hollywood glamour, European chic, to the Exotic influences of the Far East. In his first & absolutely gorgeous Interior publication, " Barclay Butera: Living in Style" he profiles five themes in his work, each one able to combine & interchange with another, therefore creating personal style, & an ecletic mix of personality.: Town & Country, Mountain, Beach, Desert and City. His signature style includes "layering patterns upon patterns, textures upon textures" thus always creating luxurious, elegant, warmth & personality to every space he touches. In the introduction of his book, he says "...little details are what add personality and warmth to a home. I like to think of them as conversation pieces, they have a story to tell"...everything in a home should have meaning, & therefore reflect the personality of those who live in it.

I love his passion for his work, & appreciate his design principles " Designing a home should be fun and free of rules and regulations. I like to think of my aesthetic as liveable luxury, which can mean different things to different people, as long as it is about making a home warm and comfortable..."

..."I apply fashion principles to home furnishings, and this is the way I prefer to approach home design, with an eye toward the fresh and current, while maintaining a traditional and timeless aesthetic..."

I applaud Barclay Butera for how he so passionately expresses his style on every page with so much energy & commitment. Regardless of your style & your approach to decorating & design, exploring & at times adopting alternative design principles to our signature approach allows us infinite scope to express & incorporate the things we love love. Appreciating the little touches, elements of surprise, mixing old with new, classic with contemporary, ecletic combinations, the special pieces & personal treasures give a home it's personality, & these are vital ingredients that collectively help in creating happy, warm & welcoming living spaces.

"Mountain" Style

How divine is the barrel bedside table & the lampbase??

Town and Country:

Harmonious, luxurious & perfect proportion of scale. How interesting is his combination of the detail, such an ecletic mix, & each one a perfect compliment to the other piece.

"City" Design

I love the stud detailing in the armchairs, & again, fabulous focal points & decorative touches

Town and County

I love this bedroom. Elegant, cosy, luxurious, streamlined, chic, soft & relaxing colour palette
http://www.barclaybutera.com/