Displaying posts from April, 2010

It’s not often that I am excited by a supplier’s website. Lots of close-ups of tile or timber but no juicy photos. That is until I stumbled across Royal Oak Floors by Harper & Sandilands. Swoon! Not only a stunning product but a gallery of work that leaves you breathless. Is there anything more beautiful than natural finishes like oak masterly installed? Harper & Sandilands, an Australian company determined to lead their niche market have worked with the best of the best Australian designers and architects. Think Carr Design,  Ellenberg Fraser, Atticus & Milo, BARstudio, B.E Architecture, Hecker Phelan & Guthrie, Leeton Pointon Architects and Woods Bagot to name a few. Head to the website to see more projects. I’m still lusting after a room just like these.

Jo just emailed me a scanned copy of the latest issue of Inside Out magazine (one of our absolute favourites by the way). It’s their special 10th birthday issue and inside is a story called “style ideas that never date” featuring an expert design panel…..and Jo and I are one of their experts!!! We’re included with the likes of stylist Sibella Court, Glen Proebstel their style director, and Karen McCartney their editorial director. This is so exciting for us – we’re so thrilled and honoured that the mag wanted to include us on their panel. Thank you Inside Out!!!!

Just got home and on to the blog and all I can say is “squeal”. I love Inside Out and I’m so honoured to be part of their 10th anniversary issue. You must must must get your hands on a copy. It is full of the most beautiful homes of the most talented people in Australia. Stellar edition! – Jo

Hope you all had a fabulous Easter weekend spent with family and eating great food and lots of chocolate (like Jo). I spent the last half of it with a really REALLY bad stomach virus that was passed around to most members of my immediate family. Good times. I haven’t eaten since dinner Saturday so I’m hoping my appetite comes back (maybe not full force though!). That being said I’m a bit behind in my blog research but I did manage to find a classic Swedish flat that I really like for it’s ethnic and modern touches, loads of comfort and great built-in storage (via Lagerlings).

The Anchor Council is a design & branding agency with an artisan approach. Olga Naiman, a leading set designer and prop stylist in New York (you’ll know her work from Domino) and Amy S. Morris, dynamo media strategist but always with one foot firmly entrenched in interior design, develop signature styles for boutique hotels from interior design to all the details that tie the look together. Their latest project however was an unusual challenge. For this Peruvian jungle retreat at Chimbre on the Bolivian boarder they re-designed 21 rooms. In the process they worked closely with local craftsmen (love that green chair!), scoured markets for accessories and completed the whole project in 10 days. It’s a monastic look (this is a retreat after all), spartan but relaxed. From bland (the last photo is a “before”) to colourful and all in remote jungle!

What an amazing house. Bedroom after bedroom, bathroom upon bathroom of vintage meets shabby, Swedish meets upmarket fabrics, calm and stylish,  family friendly and fun. I’d kill for an entry hall that big. A dream. From my new favourite locations site 1st Option. You’ll find this beauty here.