Have you been to Faded Empire yet? We are gradually adding new stock and we have exciting decor pieces arriving all the time. Thank you to everyone who has purchased already. Your orders have been shipped. The good news is that you will have noticed that shipping is free. Yes we are celebrating the site going live with free shipping. The bad news for my overseas readers is that we only ship to Australia… for now.

I thought I’d share with you one of my favourite things on Faded Empire. Porcupine quills. I love these little suckers. I have mine all over the house. In tarnished trophies. Old pottery vases. Strewn across a table. I love the texture, the graphic pattern. These are naturally shed quills from South Africa. You’ll find them here on the Faded Empire site.

Can you tell I’m back at work? My real estate stalking has increased. Two houses. Both in Melbourne. One a small house in Fitzroy. The other what appears to be a converted commercial building in Caulfield. One a casual almost thrown together house with wrinkled beds and water droplets on the shower screen. The other styled and styled and styled. Cool but I need to take some cushions off the bed, ditch the throws, roll up some of those hides and take those words out of the kitchen. The first house I want to iron the bedspread. The second I want to rumple it. Links here and here while they last.

If my last stalking home left you cold with its unsympathetic, icy and bland extension (you were cruel in your comments) then perhaps this North Carlton house might be just what you were hoping for. It’s another “mullet” house. That’s a new term I heard for this type of renovation. Like a mullet hairstyle or dress. Short/small in the front and long/large in the back. This house though…. oh the boho meets contemporary style vibe. And a great kids house too. I would love to see this one shot magazine style. Those wide angle photos and artificial lighting are so unflattering. Link here while it lasts just don’t pass out when you see the price

Beachside living with a contemporary vibe. A touch of ethnic chic, lots of warm natural materials against clean whites. Crisp and fresh like the sea air. No seaside cottage cliche here. Hand crafted materials, found objects, organic elements. The perfect retreat. Beth Dillard of Notre Maison in Rosemary Beach, Florida.

P.S. Check out her blog too.

Dramatic volumes, softened by curves, spaces that seem to float on air, spectacular views matched by privacy and intimacy. Energy and luxury. A relaxed ambiance built with high end finishes. A dream space with dream views. An amazing multi level house perched on the side of Lion’s Head in Cape Town, South Africa. By SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects and interior design by OKHA Interiors.