Warmth from Contemporary Wall Art

John-Richard 'Blocks' Abstract art
John-Richard 'Sunrise' Oil

John-Richard 'Red Sky' art

So much warmth & individuality can come from a piece[s] of art [work] such as shown in these images - pieces by John-Richard for Horchow. I especially love art styles of abstract expressionists in landscape and conceptualist works. But most importantly an art work when considering placement in a room - aside from appreciation and sheer love for it - be it [graphic or advertisement] print, oil, acyclic, mixed media, collage, or even a framed favourite piece of printed paper, fabric or tea towel, can act as a colour vehicle to tie other separate hues together in a room or space - thus creating a more unified colour scheme & style.

Images courtesy of Horchow, John-Richard

Happy Friday... here's to the weekend!

Happy Friday! Wow, I can't believe how quickly another week has flown by and the end of January 09 is upon us! I found this gorgeous image I thought I'd share with you of Blackberry Farm located at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, near Walland, Tennessee U.S. it looks so lush, green, inviting and just like our outdoor summers in the garden. I especially love the beehive rice paper lantern hanging from the tree branches.

So here's to a wonderful summer weekend... which I am spending partially in the garden - planting, mulching, filling in holes courtesy of my lovable Cavoodle, Zach [!] and tidying up, and partially at the beach - my sister-on-law is in a charity ocean swim for 'CanToo' that raises money for cancer research - if you'd like to donate head to this link http://www.cantoo.org.au/ alternatively if you're in Sydney on Sunday 1 Feb - head to the Cole Classic, Manly Beach, 2k, 1k swims - donations can also be made on the day to organisers. Happy Weekend! x

Image courtesy of Traditional Home, 'Blackberry Farm'

Wonder Walls - Wallscapes...

I adore this colour palette - with the whimsical yet graphic stencil-like design of the wallpaper and it's Mediterranean cerulean blue, teamed with creamy meringue trim & panel work and small shots of chartreuse accented though lighting, and a tinted variation through the upholstery, all anchored by the dark rich stained slender legs of the dining chairs and table ...

'...A dining room can become stodgy with its predictable formality—making it the perfect subject for fresh design ideas.This dining room has been finished with top-notch wall treatments—hand-painted wallpaper, earthy, neutral landscapes, and contrasting silhouettes—that take them from expected to exceptional...'

Images courtesy of Traditional Home - Room by Dennis Duffy, duffydesigngroup.com.

[Current] Favourite Palatial Designer Series... Annie Selkes

It seems that each time I receive my newsletter emails from Horchow I find more and more that I just love... here I found one of Horchow's newer additions to their collection - 'the Designer Series by Annie Selke'. I adore Annie's use of colour both in print/ pattern and solid dashes in combination with contrasting timber & structure surface tints - White, Black Brown and Burnished Gold. I especially love the button back upholstery in these arm chairs, over-size ottoman, lounge and love seats - structure with sumptuous prettiness.

Images courtesy of Horchow

More Mirror Love...

Today I have extended more love to these fabulous mirrored (furniture) pieces from Horchow... I just love the use of line through cut pieces and beveled edges to form another shape. Each piece has subtle reference to styles such as Art Deco and the romance of Hollywood yester-year, but also hails to a new a (Post) Modern Glamour take. Mirrored furniture although not practical for people with young families - finger marks - is perfect for that instant sleek & elegant look brightening a room with it's reflections and creating depth through mirrored endless horizons....

Images courtesy of Horchow

Happy Friday....& [Australia Day] Long Weekend!

Happy Friday, and it's even happier because it is our Australia Day Long Weekend.... A wonderful taste of high summer with a national holiday! This afternoon we're jotting off up the coast to North Avoca on Sydney's central coast [one of my favourite spots on the central coast] where we have rented a wonderful beach house for the long weekend with our families. It's stone's throw from the beach and puppy friendly too - which is fabulous for our two 'fur kids' Lucy (our 3yr old Cavalier King Charles) & Zach (our 2 yr old Cavoodle)...

The image used is one I found on Coastal Living - a beach retreat in Mustique... although not the home we are renting for the weekend it still captures the essence and atmosphere of a weekend away at the beach! Happy Friday & Hope you have a fantastic [long] weekend!

Image by Coastal Living

[Current] Best Palatial Gardens...

Evening dusk falls over the house and the main front garden, a tiered fountain with water lilies sits inside a

contemporary circular framed pebble garden in cut sandstone.

A combination of natural elements bring this lush formal garden together - use of stone through edging, walls, path & driveways and planting features (such as the urn & plinth) whilst the variation in foliage through shape, texture, scale & colour create carpets, walls and features.

View towards the front gate & fence captures the dense emerald mono grass that lives happily under the canopies of the large tree, whilst bright petals of the Clivias pop against the dense green spectrum of the garden.

Today I am in love with this gorgeous & highly luscious garden located in Killara on Sydney's North Shore.

Images courtesy of McGrath (Real Estate)

Fascination with Beautiful Mirrors...

Above: Art Deco - Chinoiserie style

Above: Small Mirrors in a grid formation

Above: Circular shapes form a pattern for the frame

Today - I have a fascination with these beautifully framed Mirrors from Horchow... I am currently looking for a mirror for my living room and came across these styles. I really like the 9 x small square mirrors (in the centre image) with their outward framing and grid pattern, almost making a wall art pattern of the individual mirror. Across the three mirrors a metallic finish ties them together - be it either in gold, platinum, or silver... overall a simple and contemporary but lux finish is perceived.

All Images from Horchow

Birthday Wishes to my Mum...

I found this gorgeous image of these floating Camellia japonicas which are one of my Mum's favourite blooms. She has them as hedged trees lining her front verandah and when they bloom their heads are as large as side (bread) plates, she often has them displayed on her dining table, just as this image, the heads can be too large & heavy to keep on the stem in a vase and look beautiful floating.

Sending Love & Birthday wishes to my Mum for a very Happy Birthday today... Mum hope you love these blooms xxx

Image courtey of Southern Accents

In Love with Blue & White...

Blue & White Coral Wall Art framed in Silver from Horchow

New season Asian Ceramic Platter from Horchow

Ceramic Calligraphy brushes from Architectural Elements

New season Large Ceramic Asian Ginger Jar from Horchow

I have had a little break from 'Palatial Living' over the past few weeks but am back now and have been found new inspiration from new seasonal lines that have popped up over the New Year.

I have noticed that through my decorating & styling that I am consistently drawn back to 'Blue & White' both in its colour scheme and the patterns it can create. I adore these blue & white 'willow-esque' patterns from Asian ceramics from Ginger jars, to decorative but functional platters, to small containers and these brushes - above. Another decorative element that caught my eye was the hand painted blue & white Coral wall art in silver frames although not in essence part of the 'Asian' ceramic or 'willow-esque' look, the coral's 'fingers' still have a delicate & whimsical pattern that compliments the ceramic pieces and colour scheme allowing it to tie together in simpatico.

Images courtesy of Horchow & Architectural Elements

Welcome 2009!

Well after spending the evening with great friends and good food (some beautiful seafood dishes) I am sure most are a little weary today! Here in Sydney the temperature peaked to about 35 degrees, whilst in London where my sister is, at midnight it was -3 degrees! So in Sydney New Years style I have found a wonderful image from the Sydney harbour celebrations last night to share with you - I just love the brightness of the magnesium, the fine haze of metallic dust that umbrellas the harbour and the glass mirror that is the harbour water.

Happy New Year & Welcome to 2009...

Images from SMH AAP