Villa Inspiration

This holiday break has given me plenty of time to research villas for our Bali trip next year. With so many stunning places to stay it is hard to pick just one or two. Here is another villa that caught my eye.

This sophisticated villa, named after a meeting place for the gods, would unquestionably provide a luxurious stay.

images via villa samuan

Holiday happiness

How was your Christmas day blog readers? We spent the day travelling between families, opening lots of beautifully wrapped presents and eating more food than I can ever remember eating in my life. Now that the craziness and hype of Christmas has passed we are slowly winding down and switching into holiday mode.  Catching up with family and friends, taking the dog for long walks, and catching up on some much needed R&R. 

Good news also - Steven has begun building the day bed in our sun room and I am very much looking forward to seeing the finished result. Now to get in touch with our upholsterer to have the cushions made up, pot up some nice greenery and select a mirror to set the whole room off. I will post some photos once complete. In the meantime enjoy the holidays if you are lucky enough to have some time off. Will leave you with some inspiring images to enjoy over your break.

Images via elle decor; le Royal Monceau; VT Interiors; Domayne; unknown.

Carlos Aparicio's Florida Home

I recently came across these images of Architect and antiques dealer Carlos Aparicio's Florida home in Elle Decor. I am coveting the design which combines Parisian flaire and Miami cool - a lovely blend of traditional and modern. The perfect holiday home for a weekend retreat don't you think?

images via Elle Decor

Brisbane Kitchen

The year is wrapping up and I am pleased to announce that so are some of our design jobs (hooray)! A little while ago I posted a colour scheme for a kitchen we were designing for one of our lovely clients. Well, the install is now complete and the results speak for themselves. I have included a before photo for added effect.  Love it when a job goes according to plan and we have such amazing clients to work with!

p.s. excuse the dodgy photos (professional shots to come in the new year) - still needs a lot of styling but its beginning to take shape.

Island Dreaming

We are planning a trip back to Bali next year and I honestly cannot wait. It is almost a yearly event that we make the  journey across to this to-die-for island. I couldn’t be more delighted at the thought that we will soon be back there for a relaxing few weeks. I have been doing some research on villas and accommodation and there are just so many gorgeous places to stay.

I can definitely see myself relaxing on this day bed with a good book and cool drink in hand.

I will include some more Bali villa inspiration over the coming weeks. If you have any recommendations I would love to hear them.

Green with envy

Move over Tangerine Tango, Emerald Green is vying to be seen. Pantone have just announced their 2013 Colour of the Year is Emerald Green (PANTONE 17-5641).

Every year, Pantone polls designers and brands about colours they're featuring to aid in its decision for what hue will tinge the next 12 months. Previous years colours have included turquoise, mimosa and last year's colour - tangerine tango.

I’m not a huge fan of green interiors myself however I do enjoy this colour when used as an accent to bring a room to life. I adore the use of these green, opulent curtains against the chalky grey walls.

It will be interesting to see how this colour is used in interiors over the next 12 months.

Tropical Oasis

Its been raining and drizzly here in Brisbane the past few days and its got me fantasizing of spaces that are warm and sumptuous. This Palm Beach inspired home fits the picture. Light and airy with a touch of tropical exoticism - pure heaven. 

Images via auseh

Finders Keepers

Yesterday during a trip to the beach to get Luca's (our lovely puppy) craziness out we took a long stroll along the shoreline. I have picked up many things washed up on the shore over the years including gorgeous pieces of coral, shells and driftwood. Yesterday I collected two lovely pine cones. I'm thinking of painting these guys in a bright hue and turning them into an ornament for the tree or adding them to a nice arrangement on the sofa table.

Styling for the Festive Season

The first weekend of December is a time I thoroughly relish as its the time I get to put up my Christmas tree and deck out the house for the festive season. If it were up to me I would probably have my tree up mid November, however Steven is totally against that idea (what a Grinch). So anyway, last weekend out came the boxes of decorations and the oversized tree. On went the Christmas carols (yep I get right into the holiday spirit) and off I went decorating, styling and re-arranging the house with branches  baubles and all things golden and glittery. This Christmas marks the first Christmas we have spent in our house as we were still renovating this time last year. It was a wonderful feeling to finally pull out our decorations (some of which I had forgotten I event had) from storage and and do up the house. 

I hope you all have enjoyed decorating your homes for the festive season as much as I have!

Styling and images by Elisha Bryant

New renovating TV show. Want to be on it?

Shaynna Blaze is a talented woman. With over twenty years experience in creating stunning interiors as well as featuring as a tv presenter on Selling Houses Australia and The Block, its mind boggling that she has time to fit everything in as well as maintain a personal life. How does she do it? Well she better get ready to clear her schedule as the announcmenet has just arrived that she is getting her own show. 

If you are looking to update your tired kitchen or drab living room, let Shaynna give you a helping hand. She’s looking for shabby kitchen and living areas in desperate need of help and owners willing to project manage under her guidance. With Shaynna’s expertise you can transform your kitchen or living area on the show. And the best part is that you get to learn the ins and outs of renovating and design along the way!

If you are interested in featuring on the show, please email the following details and photos to: shaynnaspecial@hipnotic.com.au. 

• Your name/s
• Full street address
• Contact numbers
• Brief description of kitchen
• Brief description of loungeroom
• What needs doing?
• Are you flexible with start dates?

Best of luck! I can’t wait to see the show.

Christmas Wishes

Well it has crept up on us once again – Christmas is just around the corner. Where did the year go?

Christmas is hands down my favourite time of the year. Holiday festivities, warm weather, amazing food and dreaming up new themes to decorate the house in for the Christmas season are just a few of the reasons why I love this time of year. I put up our Christmas tree over the weekend (I will post some photos in a separate post soon) and as always, I enjoyed every moment of it. On the flip side I am now dreading the mundane task of having to take it down December 31^st!

I have left my Christmas shopping a little late this year as I usually like to have at least made a start by now. But life has been so busy these past few months that I haven’t had a chance to put my lists together with ideas for presents for those near and dear. Life isn’t too busy however for me to have already thought about some of the things I would love to see under the tree for me! Here is my wish list.

Images source: (1) I am dying to read Kelly’s latest book for some design inspiration Book via Amazon, (2) I have been eyeing this gorgeous little tray off for months – I think the black and white version would go perfectly on my desk Tray via Etsy, (3) This scent reminds me of the Yarra Valley where I first purchased this lovely hand cream Hand wash & cream via Beleze, (4) Loving this sweet necklace to add to my costume jewellery collection Necklace via Collette Hayman, (5) Time to upgrade my iPad case and this one is too cute to pass iPad case via Country Road, (6) I have a big secret and you must promise not to judge me... I have never read Pride and Prejudice! Tragic I know. The Christmas break is the perfect time to catch up on some reading , Book via Anthropologie,(7) This cute little ring holder would be a lovely addition to my bedside table Ring holder via Kate Spade @ Macy’s, (8) A must have for the beach this summer Turkish beach towel via The Home, (9) My wallet has seen better days, this neutral number will go with just about anything Wallet via Witchery, (10) My ultimate favourite scent, I get so many compliments when I wear this Perfume via Michael Kors, (11) Ok, so I have been to Bali way too many times (8 to be exact) but I can’t help myself. There is so much happening on this little island that it’s hard to keep up. The perfect read for the plane trip over next year Travel book via Luxe City Guides, (12) I am in search of the perfect arm chair for our library – I think this one takes the cake Armchair via French & English.

The lovely home of Emily Loxton

I recently came across the home of Emily Loxton, a colour consultant and mother of four. This re-vamped family home has been tastefully restored in a cool palette of charcoal greys and cools whites. In 2007, Loxton relocated her family from their large family home to a smaller house just around the corner.  Changes to the existing house included splitting the lounge and dining room to create a third bedroom, creating a champagne room used solely for drinks with girlfriends and moving the staircase to make an open-plan living room.

The stunning Emily Loxton at the entrance to her gorgeous home

A functional yet simple kitchen with a French provincial feel. The clean and minimalistic colour scheme of crisp white and cool grey adds to the simplicity of the design

Charcoal upholstered dining chairs and a whitewashed table create a chic dining space with a slightly formal feel. The clock wall hanging (is it just me or are these everywhere at the moment?) anchors the space beautifully

 Glass cloches are a welcome addition to this side table. Elements such as the perfume bottle, fashion illustrations and flowers add a feminine touch

Loving the glossy black cabinet in the living room - simple and understated

How many people have the luxury of a champagne room in their house? The charming chandelier provides a stunning focal point to the room. Loxton confesses that her husband had big dreams to spend the money on a vespa, however I stand with Loxton on this one - what a fabulous investment piece

The bentwood chair that is used as a bedside table in their son's room is a recycled piece from the first dining setting his parents owned as newlyweds!

Image source: Est Magazine / Photography by:Georgina Skinner