Sunny Reminder...

image-me

A nice sunny image from our home I found while deleting some old files.

It is so, so windy, wet and cold here.

I came home to find the Trampoline on the fence and our clothesline blown over and had to go out in the torrential downpour to try and get the Trampoline off the fence and bend the line back into shape!

Not a nice day at all folks.

On another note, the 2011 Christmas range is in full swing here =0)

White Beauty...

here

Just beautiful!

Home makes me smile...

One of those days!

Mason, our 3 year old swallowed dish washing liquid on the way back from the grocery store. I panicked and felt really teary while talking to the Poisons Center. He is OK, but I think he regretted it!

So, I took some photos of things that make me smile and feel calm...basically home.

This one is of the mirror Dad made us that's in the dining area, looking into the living room. The afternoon sun was just starting to come over the top of our house to fill the living room with light.

My $50 Chaise. How can that not make me smile and it is filled with the ticking, tufted base I made and a heap of cushions/pillows that I have made. It is in the hallway, right outside of our bedroom door and I love seeing it.

3 gorgeous little bottles I bought in Oatlands on a trip with my Mum and the boys and an old picture frame, picked up at the markets.
And finally, a new cover for my Etsy Store called La balloon (I really like this one and have made something else with it that I will show you soon) which is on a stack of books all about white interiors....ah smile =0)
The day has ended well with a nice 3km run to get rid of the stress.
Lets hope tomorrow goes smoothly!
Ness xx

Cafe Style

image- breakfast out via glimpse of style

Today, after last nights post, I have turned my sights on to the logistics of creating this barn "pop-up store". I know these pictures don't relate to this but I have had a few cafe influenced pictures saved for a while and thought I would share what I would love to have if I had a cafe.

The one above is perfect...all white, beaded boards and comfy wicker chairs. Their would have to be a casual comfort to the air. I like cafes where Mums can feed without being judged, old people can access everything and children can be themselves (and entertained in a small kids only space fill with games).

image- BH&G

These banquet seats have always been something I have loved...especially in a cafe setting. If it is tufted, even better. I would pass on the cow rug and modern shelving, but the colour of the fabrics and the bulkhead would be a yes for sure.

image - Atlanta Bartlett
Kitchenalia in frames is such a cute idea for a cafe...after all it is what makes the place work! fresh blooms in jugs and chunky glass, not done by a florist, but plucked right from the yard would give a loved, unfussy feel to the cafe.

image- via once wed
A small alfresco area, nothing to grand- small and quaint, would be ideal. I love the idea of old jars to hold flowers on the tables and market umbrellas (in white!) to provide the shade.

image- via Mediterranean markets
...and imagine if it looked out onto something like this??!

Ness xx

The Bounty...

I thought I would show you what I brought home from my trip. Not everything was bought though...these little blue and white jars my Mum gave to me. She knew I was on the hunt for Ginger jars and has been scouring all of her haunts for some. These were small enough to bring on the plane. They go so well with my bigger ones.
Love this concrete piece which I bought from Haven & Space (which I posted on yesterday). It only cost $5.95 and it weighed a tonne!

...I think they all look great together on my sideboard.

This lovely thing I found lurking in my Dads shed. There was no way I could fit it in, so when Mum and Dad visit soon, they are going to bring these. There is two of them.
This was another beauty I found in the shed. It is coming with Mum and Dad too. I think Dad is happy to be getting rid of these things from his shed!!

Some lovely fabrics in my new colour palette I bought from Ikea. The bottom fabric was given to me by my Auntie. Oh, and my Uncle is tracking down a black Bakelite phone for me from one of his many Antique contacts...yay! =0)
This beautiful old replica of a sepia botanical print on canvas was picked up at Haven & Space also and was just $14.95. Oh how I just love this store. At present it is hanging in our Guest room while I decide on its permanent position.


This little silver candlestick, which reminds me of mercury glass I bought from Ikea. I wish I had got one of each height they had, but I wouldn't have been able to get them all back. I also bought home some wrapping paper, ribbon, a lovely Orchid stem, some little blue and white vases, lantern and clothes and shoes...of course, and just think - I carried all this home in a carry on bag!
Maybe when Mum and Dad come soon I will get them to pick up the things I couldn't fit it. Now that's an idea.
Ness xx
all images - Ness Lockyer

Display Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to all that entered the giveaway. The displays were lovely, but there could only be one winner...Michelle from Sweet Something Design.

Michelle's display is made up of some vintage postcards, shell balls, a ceramic bowl...

her own artwork and inexpensive photographs and this lovely sewing that Michelle has just had limed. The range of whites and browns is something she likes and goes very well with two things she loves about her theme - The ocean and flowers. The willow is a nice touch.
As Michelle said in her email "I guess I like to create my own surroundings through projects and time spent remaking and making something that my Family will love". That's what it is all about.
Congratulations Michelle (who will win a set of 6 white clay Christmas stars from my shop)...and to everyone who entered.

Ness xx

Hanging with me....

Victoria Hagan
Hanging pictures, art work..what ever can seem a little daunting when faced with a group of loved images and the question "How do I make them look great?". Well, I don't have all the answers, but I do however have some ideas on creating an eye catching arrangement for your pictures. The ever inspiring Victorian Hagan {photo above}, always has beautiful arrangements and one thing I have learnt from her is theme is most important. Let me explain....

via Desire To Inspire
All arrangements should be based around the subject matter. Maybe you have some lovely black and white family shots, or funky art cards. Maybe like me you love black frames, whatever it might be, it should tie together your picture arrangements. Here all of the images are black and white. There is no real structure to this grouping and the easiest way to do this sort of display is do a test run on the floor and move the pictures around until you find a composition you are happy with.

BH&G
If you are still not confident enough with putting hammer to wall, then this might be for you...a shelf display. Where you can put your little arrangement out in confidence, knowing that when you get fed up of your current display you can shuffle around your pictures without having to spend an afternoon patching your walls and starting again.
Apartment Therapy

I have always, how ever loved symmetry and this is the sort of hanging display that I like - odd number prints across, even rows down. The easiest way to get all of your images straight is to get some painters tape and a level. Stick the tape to the wall (using the level to keep it on track) and measure from the bottom of the frame to the hanging piece, then mark the space on your wall where the nail will go. Once you have the first one right, you can go along and mark each nail hole (you know the distance of the hanger now)....then away you go!! Oh, and try and keep your display at eye level...not near the cornice. If you are hanging over a sofa or dining table, then you can hang the grouping even lower. It will make the space more inviting. I usually put some blu tac behind the frames to keep them level (having an old wooden floored home and 2 boys running flat out makes them move around otherwise).

Having said all of this. I usually just wing it! Works for me.

Ness xx

A Display Giveaway!!!

As you know, I am a very visual being and displaying things I love in stylish ways is something I will never tire of. I found in my files some displays that ooze calm loveliness. There are rules to displaying. I have my own.
Notebook
You often here stylists talk about a triangle. This works with your eyes easier and especially if there is groups of three. In your own home I don't think you have to conform to the exact rules of display, but just please don't overload your little area with loads of things. Start with the largest piece (photo or framed print etc) and try and make a relevant story from this...with a few choice pieces. It will look so much better than just plonking it all down.

I think the humble ball of twine can be the perfect prop, especially if it is displayed with eye catchers like these striped juggling pins. Something I think a display cant do without is...
Inside Out
...greenery, a branch, flowers even a single flower head can suffice. I have always been drawn to sculptural branches like Cherry blossoms, Dogwood, Pussy Willow and my fave, Twisted Willow. One of my rules is to never put the greenery in the middle of a display, unless it is anchored by something to the side...then it seems off centre. I don't know why, it just works!

unknown
Sculptural blooms like Orchids look so stylish in minimal pots and placing a print casually against the wall with smaller items grouped at the front gives the eye 'the triangle' to focus on.

via simply natural
There are a few to see in this shot, like the gorgeous blossom branches on the table for height, the beautiful display in the background which has a travel feel about it with the vintage suitcases. I would imagine all the little prints and the bird in the cloche would have been picked up on travels....all of the pieces relate somehow.
unknown - from my file
Then there can be displays that are just because. Maybe it is your favourite prints, blooms and like here, a clock which may have been a gift. They might not relate, but maybe they do...here it is colour! Black and white. Even though the branches are real, they look black with white blooms.

Marley & Lockyer

So, I am giving you homework! To go and rearrange a space in your home you have neglected for a while, gather things that relate, make a lovely display, take a photo and send it to me. I am going to award the best display with a set of my christmas star tags...a set of 6!!! I will ship to any where in the world, so get snapping. The photos of your handy work as well as why this display appeals to you will have to be emailed to me at marleyandlockyer@gmail.com by Thursday 13th August, 2009. I will show some of them in a post on Friday as well as announce the winner.

Happy snapping and good luck,

Ness xx

Ticks all the boxes...

...on my list for our own quest for simplifying, is this beautiful home featured in the current issue of Australian Country Style. This photo in particular ticks all the boxes for me, and I feel I could move in straight away without changing a thing.

I love this part of the kitchen, which is a new add on (not that you would tell) in this 100 year old home. The Tolix stools look so good against that old table, and the reproduction French dresser is divinely authentic looking. I have been after some of those big glass pickling bottles for a while now...gorgeous!

Another recent addition is this sunken entertaining area. The whole recent add-ons have been done on a tight budget, which I am loving...of course!
Big soft sofas, curios from the couples travels and all the things I love- twine, wood, wicker and cushions are plentiful here.

The entrance hall is amazing and the couple had to re arrange the driveway so visitors would use the front door and utilise this space....something we have just done, it's not working with Family though!!
How is this for cheap art?? I LOVE it! An old windmill blade found on the property had to be hauled back to the house, cut down and then they had to figure out how to hang it. This was the owners solution to not having money in the budget to buy a large piece of artwork for the wall...works for me luv!
When I am in Sydney next to see Mum, I am off to Ikea for one of these map canvases for our boys room....it is wonderful and will fill up our huge wall above their beds - or maybe I can dig up a windmill?

Now you see why this home ticks all of the boxes I love. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and make sure you check back on Monday for the amazing Giveaway!!!

Ness xx

Still life from home x 2....

After a busy weekend, I thought a still life with some of my favourite things was in order seeing I don't usually post on weekends.

My favourite chair in our bedroom, my lovely market basket, that does double duty holding flowers on a table in our room, my old mirror that weighs a tonne, old frame and a letter 'D' for Declan. This photo wasn't staged, I was moving some things around (as usual) and had just put these here while I moved the table they live on now. It looked nice, so I took a picture.
This next still life features some little dish cloths I just bought off Scraps n Things. They are too pretty to use though and look great next to a bowl of Apples and my fire starter Lavender bundle....don't you just love afternoon sun light? Happy Winter Solstice! I hope you have enjoyed your weekend...the party was a hit and we are all pooped!! =0)
Ness xx

Editing Collections With Style...

I love a collection as much as the next person. What makes me cringe though is when the collection becomes consuming in the space and down right cluttered. I have seen homes where you cant even get up the stairs because hoards of teddies, dolls etc are on each riser....really!!

So, I thought I would show you a home and some examples on how to edit and use your collections to make them stylish, and work in your space...

I am a lover of old signs and this owner has loads of them. Instead of shoving them all in the one area, she has scattered them through out the home which makes all the areas relate and flow. That way each sign takes on a new personality depending on what and where it is hung. The collections of small drawers are also scattered throughout the house as well.
If you buy what you love and it relates to you or your family, it will work...just don't have everything out at the one time in the one space.

Try and collect items that have a similar tone, from the same period maybe or of the same topic. Like these old Dog prints in a sepia tone. They are all framed in a similar sized frame, which have a similar tone to them. The little dog on the table is the same natural tone too, which makes it all relate. You could have botanical prints from the same artist, old text from a Theatre or old yard sticks...the possibilities are endless.

Here are some more of the signs from the owners collections. These are all related to the kitchen and make a great feature of an otherwise unused wall and also soften the pine panelling. Notice that they are all the same type of lettering and all white with black.

The queen of editing a collection would have to be Atlanta Bartlett. Here she has used shells of the same type and tone to create a very chic grouping. I know that a lot of collectors think that every piece should be displayed, but...if you put say half or more of it away and change it around all the time, I guarantee you will look at it more and more people will notice your collections instead of secretly thinking...."this place is a dust magnet"...you know you all do!

Some kitchen collections can be used as art like the pie tins on the wall above the oven, the white ironstone pitchers, which you could have some blooms in too- or some antique silver cutlery, or natural coloured hand thrown plate collections. They don't necessarily have to be kept in the kitchen either...I have even seen a collection of well grouped soup tureen lids (all white ironstone) which were hung above the toilet!! Looked great though.

I love this collection of old washing boards...and because they are above eye level the masses of them doesn't overwhelm you like they would if they were on a lower shelf. I actually noticed the sign first and the old pie safe, then I seen the boards. They all relate through the tin, wood and age...and the fact it is the right room for them. Old prints from washing powder or soap ads would work well in here too.

Here you can see that this owner has loads of collections, but it is all related in tone and size and she has been very careful with the way they are featured and the amounts that are on show at any one time.

You want to make you collections seem full, not cluttered and to add some personality to the space...not to choke it and make it look trashy. So, if you have a collection, take everything down look at it from a designers eye and group by colour, type, size etc...then place one thing back at a time, stand back and look at it become a stylish display...and don't be afraid to put some away for a while. Trust me it works wonders!!!

Ness xx

all photos from Country Home except #4, Atlanta Bartlett

Simple Things...

Days before IT (information technology) were soooo easy I think. I am having a huge problem uploading photos from my camera to my computer and cant figure out why. I did however manage these few...

Some simple and beautiful things from home I love. A vintage piece from an old Irish linen pillowcase, my little linen cross stitched heart pillow... natural twine which I use each day and a lovely old key.

I have recently bought off Etsy these little tags that I think are so cute and the old style bottles were purchased from a beautiful store in Oatlands. I love making little displays with all of the treasures that I find....especially if they are simply and beautiful.

Hopefully my software/computer sorts itself out soon...I'm over it! Ness xx