Colour My World

J Crew Blog!

2011-03-26T01:20:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, so excited to find out this morning that J Crew staffers have started a blog, 770 Behind the Line which will provide insights into what inspires them, style and musings. Such a fan, already!

Image via 770 Behind the Line

Love your style Bee

2011-03-26T01:13:00.000-07:00

Stumbled across the gorgeous style of blogger Bee of Atlantic-Pacific. Style inspiration plus!! I love the cute undertones of a modern Betty Draper in her style aesthetic. Edgy yet classic and all over fabulous. I'll be taking a few pointers for my winter wardrobe planning.

Images via Atlantic-Pacific.

Marnie Gilder artwork

2011-03-26T00:56:00.000-07:00

You know when you hear about something or someone for the first time and then you hear about them repeatedly for the next week - strange, huh? Or fate, perhaps? Marnie Gilder was one of these people for me - I first saw some of her work over at The Design Files in Leesa O'Reilly's home feature and then again when I stumbled across a feature in the March edition of Country Style magazine. Her artwork is simple with a big impact and I love it, and want it. One for the birthday list (which will be quite long by November).

Image via Marnie Gilder.

A life in the country

2011-03-26T00:40:00.000-07:00

I often yearn for a peaceful life in the country, maybe one day. And when that day comes I hope I live in a house as beautiful as this one owned and renovated by the gorgeous couple behind fashion label EmersonMade. I especially love the rawness of the exposed wooden beams and the light and airiness right throughout - so delightful... can I please move in!! And did I mention how often I visit their EmersonMade website and lust over the ENTIRE collection... ahhh...

Images via Boston Magazine Home (photography by Jorg Meyer), EmersonMade and Elements of Style.

Go West!

2011-02-17T23:58:00.000-08:00

One good top to head to Perth. The new look Clancy's Fish Cafe is so colourful and fun -

a perfect reflection of the sunshiny state!

Images via InDesign Live

You've been Love Bombed!

2011-02-11T14:29:00.000-08:00

On the whole, Valentine's Day and all its crap marketing can go frock off as far as I'm concerned. That is unless I was Love Bombed! How cute are these quirky flower arrangements that I stumbled across over at The Design Files through the week. They are the brainchild of the creative minds behind The Flower Drum. How fun would they be as decorations hanging around the house and such a sweet idea for Valentine's Day. Big thumbs up for Love Bombs, the best thing to come out of Valentine's Day for like, ever!

Images via The Design Files by photographer Sarah Christensen

Happy Birthday to me!

2010-12-04T16:05:00.000-08:00

Check out the best birthday cake ever! Thanks Freya for being such a wonderful friend to me and making my birthday so memorable! This was the cake we shared at a very special birthday lunch at The Ivy in LA - it doesn't get much better than this :)

Watching sun come up over Santa Monica Boulevard

2010-11-27T17:48:00.000-08:00

I'm just back from a week in LA and I was so inspired by its abundance of quirky and colourful design. It was the furthest you could get from the hum ho of beige and Antique White with big pops of colour, statement furniture and quirky plays on size and scale. Here are a few pics of the Chamberlain in West Hollywood where we stayed and it's sister property the Viceroy Hotel - both designed by Kelly Wearstler (love her!!). We also had an amazing Sunday brunch at Cecconi's also in West Hollywood, they all epitomise LA style for me.

Images from Viceroy, Chamberlain West Hollywood and Cecconi's.

Boo!

2010-10-30T19:21:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween! Scariest child costume I have ever seen!

Image via People

Oh yes you do!

2010-10-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

Image via Rachel Castle

Cool collisions

2010-10-30T17:01:00.000-07:00

My friend Nicky sent this link through to me - my two loves, art and soft furnishings collide! Thanks Nicky! Love them :)

Images via Hoping for Happy Accidents

Cute!

2010-10-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

Image via Evoke Mio by Orla Kiely

Denim on Denim

2010-09-14T02:30:00.000-07:00

Usually a sin, on Jenna - hawt!!!!! She can do no wrong in my eyes. I may even be tempted to try this fashion no-no myself based on this funky look. Topped off with a splash of orange red lippy and hot pair of heels - bring on spring weather (she says whilst a miserable thunderstorm threatens outside - the grass is always greener, huh?!).

Image via Sartorialist

Thinking colourful thoughts!

2010-09-10T00:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a rough two weeks, and I need some cheering up :)

Images via Chocolate Therapy Tumblr

Strange but true...

2010-09-10T00:11:00.000-07:00

Image via Quote Book

David Downton, fashion illustrator extraordinaire

2010-09-09T23:05:00.001-07:00

And he's coming to Sydney!!

Images via Fashion Journalist in the City, Ruby PR, Second Hand Cameras, The Essential, Trend Land, Today and Tomorrow

Dream House

2010-08-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

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.

The Nine Lives of the Florence

2010-08-24T04:01:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-24T03:44:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-08-24T03:24:00.000-07:00

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

Images Dinosaur Designs

Can't get enough!!

2010-08-24T02:18:00.000-07:00

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

When a tea towel is more than just a tea towel

2010-07-10T00:35:00.000-07:00

A tea towel as fun as this wasn't made for drying dishes. I picked up this cute design by PPD Design when I was visiting Murobond paints last year. A few months later on a rainy day I decided to make it into a pillowcase and it now takes center stage on my bed. I also like the idea of framing it - a great cost effective way to create some unique wall art.

Images via me and PPD Design

In the Summertime

2010-07-09T23:10:00.001-07:00

It's official, I can't bear the cold! I blame Sydney's blue skies! It always looks like it should be warmer out there and hence I never wear enough clothes when leaving the house. So in dreaming about warmer weather I'm inspired by this summery pic from The Sartorialist. Pairing a soft blouse over shorts, so pretty, feminine and slightly restrained with the longer sleeves.

Image via The Sartorialist

Loft Envy

2010-07-09T22:42:00.000-07:00

Someday in my life I will own a loft. Just like, someday in my life I will own a beachhouse or someday in my life I will live in Paris/New York etc and etc... easier said than done! For the moment I will just have to ohhh and ahhh over other peoples amazing creations like this loft owned by Dixie Chick, Emily Robinson. Who would have thunk it - a country gal in a city loft. I love how the ceiling to floor curtains and timber panels create a certain softness and warmth to this overwhelming scale of the space.

Really love the little breakfast space in the second picture to the left of the kitchen - low lying armchairs and coffee table.

Images via Elle Decor

Remnants of a grand party

2010-07-08T06:45:00.000-07:00

I just love the imaginary world I am dreaming of whilst reading the description of Lizzie Fortunato's latest Spring Summer Jewellery line. Titled "Faded Grandeur" is "the story of discovering an abandoned Indian Palace where evidence of a grand party - a torn gown, a half empty glass, or a single earring - remain." Ummmmm... "I want to go to there."

Images via Lizzie Fortunato.