Online Magazines

Yes, I know I know... I SHOULD be finalizing a quote for a job but I'm slightly (extremely) distracted by the latest online magazines...

Rue Magazine

Adore Magazine

Lonny Magazine

Being Terribly Sensible and Terribly Practical

Image: BMW

Image: Toyota

In all things, whether it be furniture, clothes, makeup, where we live or the cars we drive we have a decision to make. We justify between being practical (and terribly sensible) versus getting what we REALLY want irrespective of the price - we simply just have to have it because it makes us feel good or perhaps displays a perceived status.

Do I buy a gorgeous obscenely expensive Italian chair because it's iconic, despite the fact it being terribly uncomfortable or do I buy from a furniture chain a chair for 1/100th of the price - it's comfortable, practical and looks ok too? I don't know about you but I end up doing the latter all the time and as always a month later I still want the iconic obscenely expensive Italian chair.

I'm having this exact dilemma with my car. A couple of months ago we ordered the terribly sensible fully optioned Toyota Kluger with seven seats (we have three kids and their friends to transport). Don't get me wrong it's a BEAUTIFUL car and I'm very lucky to be getting one.

HOWEVER... I have since fallen MADLY and DEEPLY in love with the BMW X1 (in a George Clooney kind of way). I've ALWAYS dreamed of one day owning a BMW and now with the X1 it's in my clutches... it's NOT fully optioned, it's smaller, it doesn't have seven seats (what do I care about transporting my kids friends, I mean really... as if it isn't hard enough with my own three!)... oh and, no doubt servicing and spare parts are expensive... bla bla

So.... no doubt I will love my Kluger but will spend the rest of the days fantasizing about George Clooney, oh I mean, my husband.

My new favourite show...

Official Website

My gorgeous friend has introduced me to a new show which I luv luv lurrrve!!! It's called "9 by Design", and of course, it's a renovating show.

It's basically about a very charismatic family, of which there are 7 (that's SEVEN) kids. They start out renovating their uber trendy home in Manhattan NYC, sell it, buy another family home, renovate it, sell it, buy another, you get the drift... sounds same ole same ole but these guys are SUPER stylish and SUPER cool... you can purchase from iTunes. Oh, and I just discovered some of the cast have a blog... see here.

BTW, sorry I've been off line for a month, LOTS has been happening... all will be revealed next week.

Before and After

The last styling job for the year wound up this week, these guys did an amazing job helping me out so I have to say I can't take all the credit, but didn't it come up well? (Bodgy mobile photos as usual, sorry about that).

Before - Bedroom 1

Before - Bedroom 1

After - Bedroom 1

After - Bedroom 1

Before - Bedroom 2

After - Bedroom 2

After - Bedroom 2

Queensland: in particular 'Queenslanders'

We've just returned from a great family holiday in Queensland... not only am I even more in love with the idea of a swimming pool (what a great babysitter!). BUT now on top of the MUST HAVE 'wish' list is a Queenslander.

Don't you just love the high ceilings, tongue and groove walls and ceilings, the beautiful timber detailing, the lush tropical formal gardens, the swimming pool and of course, the lovely relaxed furnishings. I think I'd like to paint mine a soft grey and white colour palette. I even had a dream about it last night!

While in Queensland we went to a friends 40th birthday in the gorgeous Brisbane suburb of Chelmer, now I want to move around the corner... in particular this house (unfortunately we're already too late, it's under offer).

All images: domain.com.au

Some more beautiful homes on the market in the area...

My gorgeous two (almost three) year old daughter loving her holiday ... isn't she cute?!

A Pool

Despite growing up with a pool and having a wonderful time honing my synchronized swimming skills with my friends; (that is until I turned 16, at which time boys and the beach were far more appealing), since then however, I haven't really thought of a pool as a must have. Probably because I would have to clean it, well at least whine about it until my husband would eventually do it. (Of course, the budget has NOTHING to do with it either).

Despite this, today I'm dreaming about a swimming pool... and this is what I'm thinking... (the acreage and view as well).

Bedroom Dilemma

I have a MAJOR bedroom styling dilemma! I finally have all my soft furnishings back from various jobs for the year and have had an opportunity to do some styling at home.

This week I dressed the bedroom which I think looks perfect (minus a white linen bedhead which is arriving on Tuesday). The only problem I have is since I've put these lovely wool rugs under the bed my husband has had to retreat to the spare room complaining of asthma.

As tempting as it is to keep the room looking beautiful unfortunately the rugs have had to go (into the shed!), hence the photo... what do you think?

Image: kimpolley.com

Image: kimpolley.com

Image: kimpolley.com

Splashes of Green

I recently came across this lovely rug from the Saffron range at Designer Rugs AND the below artwork on eBay. Green is such a GREAT colour to lift an otherwise flat room... and, it can be as simple as green foliage, green fruit or a couple of green accessories.

Designer Rugs

eBay - artist "yanoosh8"

Some more green from my 'Inspiration' folder... have a lovely weekend everyone.

Image: Source Unknown

Image: Source Unknown



Image: notebookmagazine.com.au

Image: Home Beautiful 2009

Image: Kendall Wilkinson

Image taken by Photographer: Lucas Allen

Image: Source Unknown

Image from Things that Inspire

Image: Source Unknown

Image: Source Unknown

Image: Source Unknown

Maybe you could buy something green this weekend, what about this green ceramic stool from Ada and Darcy - she has a great blog as well so subscribe while you're there.

Fantasy

I have MANY house crushes... in fact, probably at least one a day... this is today's crush located in Wahroonga, Sydney....

Images: domain.com.au

Luv this shot