The Christmas Wreath - I love this....

Today I love... this Christmas Wreath made from leaves of my favourite plants / trees - Magnolia Grandiflora.

The burnished sienna under side of the leaf provides a complimentary contrast to the smooth glossiness of the dark green top side. The shape of the leaf is perfectly spade shaped and is self textured when layered upon one another. The ribbon bow is a perfect choice with metameric (or shot) tones of mustard ochre and charcoal hues, making a structured piece also fluid. The mahogany stained door makes for a perfect backdrop.

Welcome to Christmas!

Image courtesy of Coastal Living

15 Days Til Christmas!

Today I love... this beach side image with the fir tree with its long stands baubles in shades of aqua & cobalt blue, and oversize yellow globes. And the strong sturdy lanterns ready to buff the seas breeze... with only 15days til Christmas this image with festivities by the beach and on the deck seems very Australian and oh-so gorgeous!

Image courtesy of Coastal Living.

Favourite Prints - Sweet Annie Jeanne

As graduate of fine art & applied arts (craft arts) and a previous student of hand-printing, I'd like to think I sometime dabble in printing every now and then - in particular lino printing is my favourite and has been since school days. I am an avid admirer of print techniques such as lino print, wood block/ relief and Gocco printing. Which leads me to the print work images above by an American artist, Annie Jeanne (aka Annie Swincinski), also known as SweetAnnieJeanne on her Esty featured web page where you can purchased her lovely graphic prints.
In each of the prints - I share a wistful whimsy with her tangible hand made quality incorporating wonderful line, shape, colour, the use of space in positive & negative contrasts, and harmony that she successfully.

Also be sure to visit Annie Jeanne's blog SnowFlakesJourney.

All images from SweetAnnieJeanne & Esty

Favourite Residential Family Style House

I love this family home, located on the mid-North Shore, Roseville, Sydney, it's casual & informal elegance coupled with it's bright open plan living & kitchen areas make it a universal family retreat . The multi-fold doors in each back wall partition are a fave of mine - allowing the inside-out & out-side in, such a must in temperate Australian climate. I particularly love the sensitivity in keeping the original architecture of street facade and blended it with the modern lifestyle of family needs towards the back of the house without - at any time - compromising a clean & fresh style.

Image source: McGrath - Real Estate

Happy Mother's Day.... 11 May

This is one of my Mum's favourite blooms - Magnolia Grandi-flora 'Little Gem' that I took a photo of for cards that I make for her. This is also one of my favourite blooms as well, I think because growing up we always had different magnolias blooming in the garden so they were always beautifully present, so much so, I had the burnished leaves in my wedding bouquet and my bridesmaid's bouquets...

Wishing all the Mums, Grandmothers, Mothers-in-law,Stepmothers, Foster-Mothers, Pseudo-Mothers, and God-mothers... A wonderful day with your families.

Love you Mum, S x x x

Palatial Homes & Gardens - Historic Aspects

Located on Sydney's North Shore - KILLARA, Arnold Street “The Wicker”, c1913, is a landmark residence nestled amidst inspiring Peter Fudge designed gardens. Restored to meticulous standards and flowing over three impressively proportioned levels, providing an enviable lifestyle of understated elegance.

I love the gardening style of Peter Fudge, his passion for strong simple lines and appreciation for the surrounding architecture is what makes his designs in-line with balance, rhythm and unity. I adore the pre-war architecture, the elegance and sheer regality that this home and surrounding gardens portrays. The estate creates a graceful and formidable atmosphere, where Palatial Living is at it's best!

Images from McGrath Real Estate

Palatial Homes & Gardens - I love....

I adore the stylish natural stone steps up to the entrance of this beautiful home located in WARRAWEE on Sydney's Upper North Shore. The main entrance to the home is not the only sophisticated walkway flow - where in the garden to the pool and outdoor area we have equally elegant cause to celebrate in symmetry and lusciousness. The home boasts impressive proportions with a versatile floor plan, with coveted rear northerly aspect and seamless integration with the outdoors, this solid brick home blends period grandeur with contemporary additions. Something that looks & feels effortlessly stylish....

I adore these lush gardens in this home located in Sydney's North Shore suburb of LINDFIELD.
It is a truly enticing home on a single level - built in the 1930s this residence is embraced by 1,104sqm of exquisite parterre gardens in an elite east side location. Flawlessly extended, featuring superb living and entertaining areas, impeccable interior finishes and the finest of inclusions throughout. North/east rear aspect, a private pool, and level rear lawns/gardens .

All images from McGrath & RealEstate.com

Palatial Homes - I Love ...

I love the grandeur & the elegant simplicity of this home, not to mention the crazy sandstone paving around the azure pool - almost modern retro...

The use of timber through out the home - the french doors, the staircase, & flooring adds a natural sophisticated warmth and compliments the large scale rooms - in height and length.The home which is located on the North Shore in TURRAMURRA , this iinspirational Georgian manor 'Ku-ring-gai' is magnificently set among French provincial style parterre gardens on almost 3000sqm of estate-like grounds. Classical glamour meets the finest contemporary finishes and impressive resort facilities, with Northerly aspects flowing to an Annie Wilkes inspired parterre gardens.

Image Source: McGrath

Graphic Cushions - Old MacDonald's Farm

I love these graphic - printed cushions, a series called 'Old MacDonald' By Bumble Belly Designs through Etsy store. The story behind the designs - the the maker tells us that these designs were inspired by her daughter's stories & songs from 'Old MacDonald's Farm'.

Simple inspiration turns to fabulous product idea!

Graphic Prints - Helen Dardik

I have just found a wonderful website, One Lucky Helen with original artwork, graphics and illustrations by Helen Dardik and had to share it with you. It was almost impossible to choose just a few images to show you and in fact I could've put the whole lot up!

Thanks the blog site dear ada.pattern love for your inspiration on Helen, and your lovely blog.

Print Art: SweetAnnieJeanne

Today I love.... Annie Jeanne's Line Prints I found on Esty. They are so fresh, clean and simply gorgeous. I can see them framed, as beautiful lam shades and as well placed scatter cushions - works of art!

Be sure to visit Annie Jeanne's blog SnowFlakesJourney.

All images from SweetAnnieJeanne & Esty

Earth Hour - Saturday 29 March 8-9pm

Earth Hour - This Saturday 29th March between 8pm-9pm
It’s about more than one night.

It’s about changing the world.Thousands of organisations across the country and plunge into darkness to make a power statement about change as participants of Earth Hour 2008. Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.
On March 31 2007, for one hour, Sydney made a powerful statement about the greatest contributor to global warming – coal-fired electricity – by turning off its lights. Over 2.2 million Sydney residents and over 2,100 businesses switched off, leading to a 10.2% energy reduction across the city. What began as one city taking a stand against global warming caught the attention of the world.
In 2008, 24 global cities will participate in Earth Hour at 8pm on March 29. Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their emissions on an ongoing basis. It is about simple changes that will collectively make a difference – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty, to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby.

Do your bit and turn off your lights and any unused power for 1 hour and help contribute to cutting our emissions and helping to conserve!

Visit www.earthhour.org to find out more.

[Current] Favourite Book

50/60/70:Iconic Australian Houses - author Karen McCartney / photographer Michael Wee

Illustrated throughout with evocative images by internationally renowned photographer Michael Wee - author Karen McCartney has gathered together 15 significant and influential houses from the 1950s through to the 1970s, most of which have never before been comprehensively documented. Each is by a different architect and combines outstanding architectural principles with an interior that remains in keeping with the integrity of the house.

At the best of times I fall head over heels in love with books, but even more so when it comes to any book that covers the following key areas - design, architecture, trends and within an historical context! And Wow - does this book - 50/60/70:Iconic Australian Houses - have it! Plus if it can get any better than that, it is authored by the ever stylish and in-the-know, Karen McCartney (I do think she is amazing), who by day, is also the editor of interior/ exterior bible - 'Inside Out' magazine.
Take a 'Palatial' hint and get yourself this book is it a lavish feast for your senses and an Australian history lesson in iconic design style to boot!

50/60/70:Iconic Australian Houses ($69.95, Murdoch Books) available at all good booksellers.
Image from Murdoch Books

Happy Easter!

I found these beautiful hand painted porcelain floral eggs from Royal Copenhagen, and had to share them with you. My favourite would have to be the 'delf' blue & white - I am always drawn to this simple colour scheme.

I love the idea of hanging decorative Easter eggs from a simple branch - what lovely way to celebrate 'new life' holiday. Wishing you a very Happy Easter!