Natural Print Christmas Lines...

Loving these natural neutral light tones teamed with strong black lines, be it in the newspaper used as wrapping paper, or the black lettering used on the natural coloured tag ornaments, or the painted black dining table & chairs, or the striking staircase with a  fabulous wall cluster of perfect black frames... Each of these contrasting tones comes across in perfect balance & harmony, because the strongest hue is not overpowering the lightness of the other tones. Making it just spohisticated-ly simple!

images via elle decor, coastal living, & traditional home.

Nursery Sneak Peak...

I covet my [our] Eames [Replica] RAR Rocker from Matt Blatt - it is so comfortable and terribly stylish, teamed with UK brand 'Nature's Purest' - 'Bird' applique Pillow... ready for nursing.

A collection of sweet friends - left to right - 'D-lux' knitted Bunny from my Aunt & cousin, Harrods' 'My First Puppy' I picked this adorable plush puppy up when I was in London last year visiting my sister - just before I arrived we found out I was pregnant with Baby Verity - as a little girl I had a 'puppy' that I adored & I wanted to carry on the tradition.

Next to 'Puppy' is the knitted soft rattle 'Safari Elephant' from Nature's Purest - an adorable gift from a good friend & work colleague who loved the recent birth of the baby elephant at Sydney's Taronga Zoo and thought to commemorate it for our baby! Lastly - 'Noukies' Teddy Bear rattle plush slippers I saw these in a baby wear store in Lucerne Switzerland on my travels late last year and thought they were perfect!

I love this Cath Kidston 'Knitted Bunny' that I picked up in the Cath Kidston signature store in Covent Garden London when visiting my sister last year - I really love that store, coupled with another 'rabbit' with the wonderful story book 'Guess How Much I Love You' sweetheart edition by Sam McBrateny & Illustrated by Anita Jeram.

A fun display - Eric Carle's 'Very Special Baby Book' , Dr Suess' Miniature Library, Cath Kidson's 'Knitted Rabbit', & 'Guess How Much I Love You' story book.

[Above] A very special friend has been waiting for a few years now... we named 'Sinclair', who is Harrods' Signature Teddy Bear that my husband surprised with me when in London, heading though Europe for Christmas & New Year's, a couple months after we were married in 2004, he bought it for our first baby that he knew we'd have some time down the track!

[Above]'Peter Rabbit & Wedgewood Dinner Plate' & Mug; a gift from Verity Grandparents-to-be, my mother-in-law gave us this sweet set, which I have displayed with perspex plate holder, when we announced we were pregnant - I love that she told me she had bought it, as in -waiting gift, shortly after we were married and kept it for this announcement! A lovely friend & work colleague gave us Baby Verity's first couture - a 'Baby Dior' by Christian Dior bottle, complete with silver mesh carrier!

Starting the library... you know my fondness of books, and it's never to early to start. Since taking this photo the collection has grown again, as has the Amazon wish list in Baby Verity's name!

I got restless & did some 'nesting' end of last week and through the weekend in the nursery... and also picked up our Eames [Replica] RAR Rocker - Yay! Here are a few images of the Neutral Canvas I have created for our much anticipated 'Baby Verity'... due in approx. 2/2.5 wks time! My husband thinks it's hilarious that I love to 'merchandise' the books & toys in the bookcase & room... maybe some of me is rubbing off on him - as he found the white baskets, and is quite proud of his 'design' mark made!

Hope you like them... accented colours & more decor pieces to follow - stay tuned! S xxx

Images by Sarah Verity - Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions

Nursery Styling & Decor Ideas...

Since Baby Verity is due anywhere between the next 2 weeks & 4.5 weeks, I have been asked frequently by all who know me - '...how's the nursery decorating going...'! After being in hospital for false labour on Wednesday evening last week [a great test run for darling husband and family!]. I was at least calm in the knowledge that I have already created a fabulous neutral canvas that will be a solid design foundation on which to build more gender specific decor themes around & upon...

Above - Neutral Canvas, a solid colour & design foundation to build upon.

Above - Colour & Design accent ideas for a little man... White, Sand with Navy, Pale Blue, Cherry Red, teamed with Stripes & Nautical influences.

As we decided not to find out what we're having - a little boy or girl, here's a few mood boards I have popped together for our potential baby boy or baby girl! Hope you like them too! I have painted the room walls in Dulux 'Scallywag' Full tint, the trim & door is 'White Canvas' and the furniture is all 'White' - we repainted a timber bookcase that I have had for a number of years in Dulux 'Vivid White' aqua enamel [I don't know why I didn't do it sooner] it looks fabulous! And the rest of the decor is accented with similar hues, with dotted applique, mirco stripes & plains to create a solid colour & design foundation on which to build upon for our impending delivery - a little man or for a little lady!

Above: Colour & Design accents for a little lady...hues of Raspberry, Floss Pink, Pistachio Green with forest friends of stylised owls & squirrels in blossom branches to ticking stripe & gingham bunting.

So when we have settled back home with our Baby, in several weeks time, and we accent the room to his or her decor style, I will post pics of the room to share with you! Hope you like the ideas so far!

Images by Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions.

Included in collage - Fabric from No Chintz, Boori Furniture, Nature's Purest UK - bedlinen & decor, Eames RAR Rocker, Ikea - Lamp & Basket, My Sweet Prints via Etsy.com - 'World Map',' Room t Grow' & 'Nautical' Bedroom Collage from Shop4Kids magazine, WallArt - decals, Bosco Bear - Decals.

Flowers for Friday...

[click on image to enlarge]

Flowers for Friday - this week are from a wonderfully inspirational spread from Australian Country Style, April 2010 issue. Here a beautiful 'neutral' floral arrangement is utilised by extracting the colours from this gorgeous arrangement into an inspirational, livable natural mood & colour palette.
I'm super excited for this weekend - tomorrow afternoon - I am having my Baby Shower with lots of family & friends attending.. And with my Mum as host & caterer extraordinaire & my best girlfriend, Alisa, as Shower Event & Games Organiser I am sure to have a wonderful & memorable time!! My darling sister-in-law Kylie is kindly photographing the afternoon so hope to have some pics to share soon! Not too long now til we're due to meet 'Baby Verity' - expected on/ around 8 May, the day before Mother's Day [Sunday 9 May]!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend - be sure to think about your decorating & chocolate egg needs this weekend - as from Friday 2nd April [Good Friday] - everything will be in full swing for Easter and limited retail hours!
Have Fun & Thank You for making Palatial Living your blog to visit this week!
Enjoy S xxx

Images from Australian Country Style, April 2010 issue

Fab Esty Finds for Christmas...

[Image 1] Rate my space HHGTV, Neutral Colour Scheme

[Image 2] Beaded Treasure etc's Beaded Treasure Light Christmas Tree

[Image3] The Robin & Sparrow's - Six Shabby Chic Vintage Spoon Ornaments

[Image 4] CreekBed Thread's - Christmas Pine Tree Felt Applique Pillow Cover

[Image 5] Bookity's - Paper Shakespearian tree or room garland

[Image 6] One World One Gift's - [Single] Spruce Tree Ornament

I love the fab 'Christmas Etsy Finds' from my one of the most recent newsletters received from Etsy... Here they have a gorgeous room [image 1] from HGTV & matched these great items that are perfectly suited to a neutral Christmas palette that you could purchase from Etsy. If you're not familiar with Etsy [where have you been!!] it's a gorgeous site for items that are all handmade that you you can purchase online]... Why not take a look at Etsy.com today & see what you can add to your Christmas decorations or some one's stocking!! Have Fun!

Images from Etsy & HGTV

The Power of Styling Placement - Ocassional Lamps & Chairs...

Top & Centre Images - Nate Berkus

Above: Design Trend Forecast: Fall 2009 Trend: Industrial Chic - A surprising amount of metal is being used for furniture. The circle cutouts, matte finish, ring pulls and wheeled feet make this chest of drawers feel like a product of the industrial revolution. Adjacent is a metal chair based on a classic form; the rust marks give a cheeky nod to the past.

How could you ignore the power of 'styling placement' when it comes to occasional lamps & chairs... Here I have found some of my favourite room images - of colour palette: tonally neutral natural hues - creating a somber-elegant- sophisticated - natural atmosphere; of ambient lighting with distinctive urn-pedestal style lamp bases and large drum shaped fabric covered shades; partnered with a trophy occasional chair - with either a feature painted frame work or unique button or contrast upholstery. Each small space making for a place to sit, rest, retreat and relax...

Images from Nate Berkus & Asiatides