Sarah Richardson, an amazing Designer.

For those of you who have been following for a while, you will know that Sarah Richardson is one of my all time favourite Designers and I have been following her career for many, many years.

The sweet Chania from razamataz has been kind enough to show each stage of her Farmhouse renovation for us mere mortals who can't get this show - that would be me!

I just wanted to show you some of my favourite pieces from this series.

Her kitchen is amazing and now that our kitchen is painted and has hardware, I plan to dress it a little more and this image is laid out like our own kitchen...without all of the style that SR oozes.

I could so see this in our kitchen. Not sure how it would look next to our fire place though.
This is the sort of cupboard conversion we would love in our own bathroom, yep it is still going and we are having trouble getting some replacement boards. Once it is done I will be on the lookout for an old dresser or the like to convert to our vanity. I love the use of the yellow mirror - very cute!


and the yellow tub and curtains. I think I need some curtains....
This bedroom is amazing, but I wont spoil it for you.

You can head to Chania's blog or go to HGTV for a look yourself..or if you are lucky enough, watch.

While you are watching, I will be channelling my inner Sarah to see what I can do in this kitchen of ours =0)

Ness xx
images courtesy of Razamataz and hgtv

A Great Designer...Sarah Richardson

Loving this room from one of my favourite designers, Sarah Richardson. The stone fire place is just stunning, and the lime washed beaded board looks great against the honey coloured wood flooring...but my favourite thing in this room is the pairing of the wing back and the dining chairs. i know this is not a new thing to do, but I just love it and the ones here just go so well with this beach cottage feel.
The view up the hallway catches the gorgeous stone on the surround and the huge sailing boat is such a just piece...a little story to remind you that you are by the sea.
This room is so different to the top two and that is one of things I like about Sarah, her style is very classic and stylish, but she can switch it up to cover just about anything. Sarah's range of furniture is ever evolving and her chaise, shown here, is one piece I could definitely have in our home.

Here is another angle from the room above. Loving the armchairs.

Ness xx

Wonderful White Wonders

Elle Decor

Living in a hot Christmas climate always makes me think of the winter white palette that the north of the world gets to play with at this time of year, and this picture above is a gorgeous reminder of how wonderfully whites and creams work with the festive touches that only this time of year can provide. But, even away from the season you all know that I am totally devoted to the warms white and cream family and these next images, although not Christmas related, show who wonderful they really are at any time of year.
Home Beautiful
White linen covers on sofa's and chairs is always a winner in my book, and a staple to any decorating scheme, along with blue and white china it is an enviable duo. Not to ever forget the tactile and textural wicker - always a friend of these two!

Sarah Richardson
Creamy white kitchen units paired with nickle is another winner, as teamed up here by one of my favourite designers, Sarah Richardson.

Country Living
Now, lets not forget the vintage and antique elements to really set off a white scheme. I have always loved blue mixed in with white and these ticking cushions are a wonderful pairing to all of the vintage artwork on the wall...and the bus roll!

Eric Roth Photography

..but, this is photo is a wonderful example of all of those details I love - Worn wood, wicker, sisal, white cupboards, linen, slipcovers, greenery, vintage lighting, antique/vintage pieces and all within a wonderfully white canvas. All that's needed now is some artwork or prints on the walls.

Is there anyone out there that is as smitten with these things as I am?? or am I just crackers, I am sure there are more of you.

Ness xx

Flags and my office...

From my files - mag no longer in print

What is it about flags that have me hooked? Not sure, but I do know that I would love and old, faded, slightly tattered one to fill my office wall. This US one is fantastic propped against the wall and I have long loved this photo because of this flag in the frame.

This is my office at present and this wall is where I envision the tattered fabric. Being that I am of Scottish heritage (all my family were born there) and Australian (I was the only one born here), I think it would be fitting to have the St Andrews cross and an Aussie flag together...

unknown...sorry!

...or a Union jack which is an amazing design against white walls.
Now, I am not about to start a new redecorating project in my office..although tempting...because I have so much on at the moment, but I have been sitting here thinking 'I really want to change something...anything around!'. The fact I am in here makes sense.

Restoration Hardware
So some other things I would love in here would be some of these little destination signs, which I think I will have a go at myself...
Decorpad

...loads of shelves and white painted floors like we have in our bedroom. The current carpet in here is old and three different brown tones...eew!

Sarah Richardson
And to finish -linen and white covered books to fill the shelves. To think this all started with a photo of a flag!!.....
Ness xx

Living by Sarah Richardson

Sarah Richardson has been one of my favourite Designers for a very long time. Her attention to detail and ability to bring a warm and very chic space together seems effortless. I especially love her range of furniture and how she creates little spots to read and relax.
This room is just lovely. The detail on the linen chairs is beautiful. I miss that I can't watch her show on TV anymore...it was one of my favourites!!
Sarah has really created the ideal coastal living room here. She always seems to get the colour right and doesn't go too over the top with it all.

I must say though, I do love her calming spaces as well - like this little seating nook in a bedroom. For more on this very talented Designer - visit HERE.

All photos via Sarah Richardson Design

Ness xx

My Perfect Office...

image - Sarah Richardson

Would have some sort of fantastic meeting corner with feature

wallpapered wall and Chandelier...

Image - Kimberly Seldon, via Lily G

A gorgeous colour scheme, great detailed desk and loads of shelves...

image - Sarah Richardson
Linen and white covered books with Calligraphy writing (which I would do myself)
so I can see what I am looking for...


image - Giannetti Home

Absolutely would have to have the 'Charlie Chair'...thanks Brooke! In white...


image - via White And Wander

Three lights over my work area in either clear glass like this, or milk glass...

image - Unknown

Some very dramatic paintings of my favourite decorating elements,

Chandelier and Louis Chair, side by side...

image - Weatherstrong
And ultimately, it would be housed in something like this. Except, I would have a bank of French Doors where those front windows are, loads of lavender and European Box Hedges, and daisies around..ahhh, to dream.

Ness xx

For the love of the soak...

image-design inc

New Country Style

image-Mabley Handler

image-Sarah Richardson

As some of you know, we have a claw foot bath. We painted it white on the outside to dickie-it up...shame about the inside! It is so old (1908) and worn that the cast iron is starting to show through. We have looked into having it restored, but because it is so old and the real deal no one will move it without us paying them a small mortgage......oh well, I do dream of a long bubble filled soak xx

My love of White

image: Country Home

I am still so in love with white. Even after all the funky designs and fabrics I have come across on my search for the perfect things to fill our store, I just always come back to the comfort of white. I think that it is a refuge from all the colour I am surrounded by through my work, a time-out from in all. When I am in a white room I can totally shut off and think of new inspiring creations.

image:Somethings Gotta Give

Although this room is yellow, the white buffet and hutch tones it all down...and how can you argue with it when it is from THE MOVIE

image: unknown

I love the casual style of this starting to rust bucket and the showy Hydrangeas. I love these flowers (esp in white) and have them along our picket fence at the front of the house. A mixture of white, pink and blue. They seem to turn whatever colour they feel like!

image: Sarah Richardson

This room is totally me. Somewhere to recharge after a day of Mummy duties and the shop. A big window to watch the world go by and not to think. I would love a chaise. Linen slipcovers would be my fabric of choice with a big feather cushion/pillow and a vintage white linen neckroll.

image:Sarah Richardson
I love these French doors with a view to the garden. One day!
The duck egg blue dinner service goes so well with all of the white. Sarah at her best. See the panelling on the counter to the left? That is what I want on the shop counter.

Hope everyone is well and thanks to all the lovely emails and comments. Ness xx

I Wish, I wish...

I wish I had a Living room as beautiful as this. As our boys are still in the jam hand stage we have only dared put chalk white below the chair rails! When they are a bit older I will hit Mic up again to re-do this area all white (fingers crosses he thinks it is a fab idea).

I love the curtains in this room which would do so well here in winter in Tas to keep the heat in the room (we just have Austrian blinds at present). I don't think there is anything that I do not like come to think of it.

The 2nd pic is of Sarah Richardson's office!!! I would move into this space I am thinking it is too good for an office, although I guess when you are there so much the space would need to be gorgeous. I just love her sense of colour and design, love it!

Hope you are all well and thank you those that have replied via email and the comments, it is lovely to meet you all.

Ness xx

Fav Designer #2

Hi,

Today I am going to tell you about my other fave Designer, Sarah Richardson. I love her work, she has such a sophisticated approach to design without being fussy. She uses simple lines and lovely natural shades and always creates somewhere you could totally imagine living. You will see alot of her work as she influences me enormously.

Nessa xx

PS- Thanks to Courtney at Style Court for the mention on her blogroll...cheers!