Friday, August 27, 2010

Dream House

If there was just one house that I HAD to move into without touching one single thing it would be the house of Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy from Dinosaur Designs. Fresh white walls, dark lacquered floors, lots of light, floor to ceiling windows, big colour pops, investment furniture pieces and gloss white joinery... I just can't fault it, love love LOVE it!

Images via Arianna Belle.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The Nine Lives of the Florence

One thing I'm sure of and that is the extraordinary talent of Florence Broadhurst. I, like many others, adore her time defying designs, what I wasn't aware of was her fascinating life story. After growing up on a station in rural Queensland in 1899, Florence became a singer and performer joining a comedy sextet that toured South East Asia and China in 1922. In 1926 she set up the Broadhurst Academy in Shanghai offering tuition in music and dance.

She returned to Queensland in 1927 where she was involved in a major car accident, following which she took off to England and married, divorced and remarried. In 1949 she returned to Australia and produced 114 landscape paintings known as "The Paintings of Australia" which toured the country. She was a foundation member of the Art Gallery of NSW and the Society of Interior Designers, a teacher of printmaking and sculpture at the National Art School.

That is an extraordinary life. As I approach my 30th birthday and contemplate whether I have done all that I need to so far, Florence's story inspires me to fearlessly grab every opportuntity that comes my way, to continue on a path of learning and continual reinvention. Can you tell I'm having a 1/3 life crisis?!

Image via Florence Rugs.

My Country, My Art

I wish I lived in a big old art studio with white washed brick walls surrounded by this art. The Kate Owen gallery is just up the road from me and everytime I drive past I gaze up at the second level and pine to go in and drag my bed behind me. These pieces by extraordinary painter, Kudditji Kngwarreye, brother of Emily Kame Kngwarreye speak to something in me - their colours and structure stir my soul.

Images via Kate Owen Gallery.

Hello colour!

You've been missed! Forgive me and my neglectfulness, been busy finishing my course and starting a new job. It's good to see you again :) x

Can't get enough!!

Get in my belly, now!! Ahhh, whoever thought to put a 'touch of sea salt' in my favourite chocolate is a genious. The only thing that I like better is the official description on the Lindt website, "A revolutionary blend of silky dark chocolate enhanced with just a touch of fine crystals of hand harvested sea salt (fleur de sel) from France. This dramatic combination will surprise the palate as the salt accentuates the flavour and sweetness of the cocoa" ... did you hear that... hand harvested, I like to think about someone had the job of hand sifting through sea salt to find the very best flakes for my mouth, thanks guys, you did good!

Image via Lindt