Dec 31

Victoria Hagan for Target

Posted in Designers I Love, Shopping

I get very frustrated sometimes by the lack of inexpensive and stylish homewares in Australia. There are really no large chain-stores that carry an extensive range of good homewares for the small budget, though from what I gather there are several in the U.S. (like homegoods). And I’m not talking IKEA (though I love Ikea). Target in Australia will occasionally have a stylish mirror or cushion, but I am very jealous of Americans who have access to the wonderful (and cheap) designer homewares available at U.S. Target stores, particularly the range by designer Victoria Hagan (though I believe it’s now discontinued- or sold out!). Her interiors are refined and classic, and her homeware range reflects the same aesthetic (which suits me to a tee):

What a gorgeous patterned vase (above), and that white stool is beautiful! I am using the white mirror above for inspiration for my own mirror makeover (see previous post).

Victoria Hagan lamp via pencil shavings blog

 

Victoria Hagan homewares image via country living

Isn’t her line fab? I love it all. Maybe it’s a good thing we don’t have it here, because I’d be down there buying one of everything and pairs of those gorgeous ceramic lamps! I contacted Target in Australia to find out why we don’t have these wonderful things in our stores and was told that the Oz and U.S. stores are completely unconnected and source their products independently of one another. What a shame!

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Dec 31

Latest bargain finds

Posted in Latest Find, Shopping

You know how you can search in vain online for a satisfying bargain buy and there’s nothing, then all of a sudden there’s a hundred things you love? Is it just me? Well I have had a bit of that lately. Even if I don’t actually buy anything, I really enjoy just looking and seeing what’s around and what things sell for (at least with online auctions).

This is what I have found over the past week or two:

I haven’t received this yet but I love it already! I mentioned in my last post that I have a habit of purging my home of things when I am in a particular decorating ‘mood’. Well I used to have some lovely french hessian cushions which I sold to a friend and on-line client of mine when I felt that I was ‘over’ french provincial (was I crazy!? A little bit). So this one is the replacement, though it looks a lot more rustic than the others I had. I’ll post a pic when it arrives..

Next I bought these chairs. They were ridiculously cheap on ebay ($100 for the pair) so I didn’t really think before I bought them. They are en route from Sydney as I write, so I haven’t met them yet either. You can see in the pics that the fabric is stained and will need to be replaced (another project for me!). I’m not sure what to do with these, maybe cover them in different fabrics and have one in my daughter’s room and one in the living room, or I may be able to use them in a project down the track…

Finally, I bought this fab octagonal mirror ($40). I love the shape and the large size (and the price). It’s currently bronze-framed but I am going to paint the frame white. I think the geometric shape will go nicely with these fabrics I have for the re-decoration of my sister’s apartment in Sydney:

That’s another exciting project in the works that I will be sure to post.

Well that’s my shopping for now but stay tuned for pics of these pieces in situ soon! And Happy New Year!

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Dec 31

I’m still a sucker for french provincial

Posted in french style, grey, white

Like a lot of decorating junkies, I go through phases of being in love with a particular style. Sometimes I crave modern spaces, sometimes it’s what I call ‘upmarket coastal’ (basically what many refer to as ‘Hamptons’ style), or it could be bright, colourful, American East-coast style. But I always come back to french provincial, or at least a little bit mixed in with whatever else I am loving. French chairs in particular are my big weakness! I am so drawn to the french grey palette (see previous post!), linen and hessian fabrics, mixed with chipped paint and a hint of gilt.

marie claire maison via decorology

interiors via decorology

paint me white

martha moments

To me this is heaven in display (above)! How I love the shapes and aged patina of this mirror and candlsticks.

image via decorpad

I am always on the lookout for pieces that fit with this look: antique french candlesticks (reproductions are around but they at least have to look antique!), grey or off-white-painted furniture and of course french chairs. Being a very impulsive person, I have sadly sold many of my ‘french’ pieces over the years when I have been in a ‘modern’ frame of mind. At the time it seemed right but I occasionally remember something I used to have and regret that I sold it so hastily. Though it does mean I can continue to shop…

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Dec 30

Feeling grey, grey, grey today

Posted in Colour Love, Designers I Love, grey

Verandah

Is it just me or does the end of a year always bring a little bit of melancholy with it? The calm after the mad rush of Christmas has me feeling grey today (not a bad thing – it’s my favourite colour after all!). Whilst a new year is exciting, I always feel that the years pass too quickly. I can hardly believe that tomorrow is the last day of 2010!  But this has been a good year, with the birth of our third child, the pleasure of watching our others grow up, friendships new and old, the start of my blog and lots of decorating/renovation fun along the way. I have enjoyed a Christmas break (my break from blogging has been longer than I planned – thanks for bearing with me!) with my family and hope you all did the same! Here are just a few of my favourite grey rooms: 

Verandah

best home news

 What a gorgeous subtle grey wall colour (above). Those fabric-over-wire light shades really make the space, along with the mis-matched chairs.

dwelement

 My dream butler’s pantry would be like this one (above) – grey cabinets, open shelving above with lots of white, glass and silver on display. Is that benchtop and splashback slate? One of my favourite surfaces! Or is it metal? 

dhani

 Not quite my decorating style (above), but I do like that dark grey shade on the walls – especially for a library. And the bold yellow and pink really pop against it. I don’t like the sloppy cushions though, I like more symmetry!

homes & gardens (UK)

 I think I may have used this pic before (above) of this L.A. home, but it’s a favourite of mine – those shades of pale blue, grey and purple are so elegant and beautiful.

s.r. gambrel

Another favourite designer of mine Steven Gambrel of S.R. Gambrel does classic so well (above).

traditional home

 Oh how I love this bedroom! Grey and pale pink is, in my book, one of the most beautiful colour combinations- along with grey and pale purple. And that wallpaper adds a necessary element of pattern – imagine the room with a plain grey paint behind the bed – it would be too much block colour. The curvy mirror and wallpaper are genius!

philip paradon

elle decor

Until tomorrow!

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