Live Breathe Decor

What a week! The week leading up to Christmas is always busy with getting this organised, battling crowds at the shops, catching up with people before they go away and finishing off jobs before everything shuts down for the break. But I love this time of year, and with my 6 and 4 year olds counting down the days, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun. Excitement is contagious! But I can’t just think Santa and presents day after day and stay sane, so managed to get away by myself over the weekend to do some shopping (furniture and homewares, not food or toys!).

One of the shops I went to was Early Settler (I hate the name, and it’s so misleading given what they sell). Over the years I have found some good bargains there, though generally a lot of their stuff is too ‘country’ or too ‘fakey french provincial’ for me. But if you take a closer look there are some good pieces at good prices - especially if you wait until the end of season and buy floor stock. I could picture the striped armchair (above) in my daughter’s room.

They had these silver glass tealight holders at only $2 each! I couldn’t not buy some of them. I love having scented candles on the go all the time. The saleslady told me that a hairdresser customer had bought 3 boxes of them to give to clients for Christmas with a tealight inside - what a great idea!

I have been watching this armchair (in natural linen) for a year now, wondering whether I have a place for it, and now they have this dark grey linen version, and also a pale purple version. Isn’t it gorgeous!? There is an almost identical chair for sale at coco republic for more than twice the price - this one is $599.

I loved this delicate cut-out linen bedspread ($129).

I can picture this purple sofa in a teenage girl’s room, as part of a purple and grey or purple and brown colour scheme to keep it grown up. And for the boys:

I looved this union jack long bench. I would have loved to buy it and actually still thinking about it..I love the way it’s faded and coarse and old-looking.

They had these great hammered metal tray tables with a folding base. I can picture them as serving trays/coffee tables in an outdoor area- especially with some bright coloured fabrics and/or morroccan theme. Maybe paired with these:

Black and white, anyone? In a parallel life, if I had a different house, I’d have grabbed this suzani ottoman (above) in a heartbeat - isn’t it fabulous? Only $599 too.

Wouldn’t this round stone table look amazing in an entry way with a big pot of orchids on it? Or in a corner with a display of flowers, books and these:

Large plaster torchiers are $79 but smaller sizes are available, too.

I still love a bit of feminine french/shabby style and this chair fits the bill perfectly. I like the pale oak timber mixed with faded purple toile. I think at $599 it’s good value, as similar chairs sell for twice that price at other shops.

Finally, I saw this:

I can picture this metal cabinet in the bathroom to store towels up the top and toiletries down below.

Hope you are all enjoying your own count down to Christmas!