It Started Here...

Wow....I am exhausted

and happy!

The Niche Design Market was a success. The whole process has been a wonderful learning experience for the next one I will attend in November.

After all of the hard work making it all, the fun begun

....on our dining room table.

This where I set up the stall the day before to make sure it all laid out well and I hadn't forgot anything (see, there I am taking the photo in the mirror). I took the photo and that way had a reference as to where it all went to save time- and it did. It only took about 35 mins.

Here it is set up on day 2 of the market.

My wonderful friend, Joelee came with me and helped for both days and was a great help.

We ate loads of cupcakes from the Cupcake Fairy who was across from us and drank loads of Lattes!

I had such a good time playing with the display and loved how my little bird house came up.

All of the packaging for Marley & Lockyer is made from hand made, hand cut paper by Joelee and it looked amazing against the white clay and my white/linen covers.

If you would like to contact Joelee about handmade, recycled packaging or papers you can contact me and I will pass you on =0)

The whole display was based around this new collection which is full of vintage linens and my own screen print designs. So there were alot of old papers to wrap boxes for displays.

One was even from the old phone book!

...recycle, recycle

Loads of great comments from it all and lots of sales and wholesale enquiries which was lovely too.

Ooo! There's Joelee in the background!

The covers went well and I didn't have that many to come home with me either =0)

This is Lauren from Leaves & Stems and her arrangements are amazing!

I bought a gorgeous Hydrangea based one from here and was surprised when she gave me 2 bunches of flowers at the end of the stall.

Thanks Lauren, love your work!

Just across from me was Sophie and her beautiful jewelry label, That Vintage.

Sophie gave me one of her lovely lace wrapped wooden bangles.

Thanks Soph!

This amazing piece of paper art was by the beautiful label Hideyo who make gorgeous origami pieces.

This one is more of a statement piece and is under a hand blown French cloche

...stunning!

Pili Pala had so many pieces that I wanted, but settled for a cute pendant with an old Penny farthing bike.

The letterbox brooch here nearly came with me too!

Behind me was What Katie Did Next with her amazing jewelry. Those black and white rings are even better in real life. The depth of each piece is gorgeous!!

Loving the argyle sock monkey from Haylo.

I didn't get alot of time to look at other stalls as my own stall was busy alot.

I will be adding some of the new items to the Etsy Store as soon as I have had a few days off for a rest.

As you can see I had a ball, as did the other stall holders and was very privileged to have been in amongst so many creative souls and supporting St Giles which is a wonderful cause helping disabled children and their families.

Thanks you to everyone who stopped by, said hi and supported M&L and this event

...and to all of you who support from all over the world!

Winner, Award, Autumn & Sneak Peak....

Today is officially the last day of Summer here in the Land Down Under.

I am not one to say 'oh' or anything like that. The thought of getting into longer sleeves, light scarves and getting the throw rugs out puts a spring in my step.

I am looking forward to re-lighting our big ol kitchen fire (see above) also.

So I have been thinking of other ways to introduce warmth into our home and found these beauties...

via sweet paul

An amazing knitted lampshade.

Although I don't think having it turned on would not make my hover about it waiting for a small fire to start...loving the bottle though.

via sraige

I know this doesn't go with warming up the home, but I just love it so much

and maybe it could hold some magazines by the sofa.

via anthropology
And who wouldn't want to curl up under a throw like this? Perfect colour too.

With the thought of cooler weather I have finally had the chance to get cracking on new cushion designs and came up with this...

marley & lockyer
Vintage Botanical images on linen.
In this new range is Vintage Bird prints too...I am in love with these.

But lets get on to the giveaway winner. Dah, da da dah

Sissie from Sissies Shabby Cottage =0)

I still cant get the random.org generator thing to paste onto my blog so if you know, please inform me...I'm hopeless!!

Oh, and I was given the Stylish Blogger Award again by the ever so gorgeous and uber talented Kelly McGuill from O so D.

How sweet of you Kelly. I wont bore you again though with 7 things about me as I only done it a few posts back. thank you Kelly and thank you to each of you who entered the giveaway, blogged about it, posted on your sidebars, joined FB and this Blog...you are all so wonderful =0)

I will be having another giveaway soon.

Ness xx

Handmade Living Gift...

not gloating at all but,

I WON this amazing book over at My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia!!!!

Miss Kristin has drawn my name as the winner and I couldn't be more pleased.

As I am not very lucky when it comes to giveaways, I never expect to win and usually just leave a comment in the giveaway posts as a supportive sort of thing...but I won.

For those of you that don't know of this book it is a must have/get. Tania McCartney is a fellow Aussie and creative that has a loyal following of crafty people who find lots of inspiration from this amazing Woman. Not only is this book full of gorgeous images, but it has loads of amazing things to make and I can not wait to get it. I have recently joined as a follower of Tania's blog and have been enjoying reading it of late.

To find out more about this book head over to Kristin's blog to see more.

Thanks Kristin...what a Christmas gift =0)

Ness xx

oh by the way, what do you think of the new logo at the top? It is the new shop logo. I wanted it to have a simple look and seeing I love old typewriter fonts so much, thought this would be fitting.

At Home With Country - C&R's Book Review and a winner!!!

I am so honoured to have been asked by Christina Strutt and her wonderful crew to review her 5th book, At Home With Country. I did feel very nervous doing this, a a little like I was handing in a paper at school (except everyone gets to read it not just the Teacher!). So, when the beautiful book arrive the other day and I managed to pry it from my Mum's hands, I sat with pen and paper and started to write. Then it struck me, what was I doing, this book is amazing!!

Christina was a Stylist at Vogue before starting her very successful fabric company Cabbages & Roses!!! This book doesn't need a review, it speaks for itself.

So, I just immersed myself in it, coffee and cake in hand and soaked up every beautiful country image...this is where I stopped...and thought.
I love country, and so many people say they are 'over it' and it has been done to death...yeah, the mass produced country style with ducks in hats and mice and wheat in the kitchen etc...not this country style - THIS will never die or be done to death. The real country home is full of comfortable, beautiful, practical pieces. Lived in, loved in crumpled, washable fabrics - you know the stuff....and Christina has shown this perfectly. Not only is this book a journey through gorgeous homes, but different styles of homes all with a 'real country' feel. It is a look that can fit anywhere, from an 11th century home to a loft in Manhattan, a house boat to a English cottage...and when done well, will never date.

This brand is stunning regardless!

The whole way through you are taken on a visual journey with the C&R's range of stunning fabrics and shown how versatile florals, stripes and checks can be.
I loved that there are references with each home as to the name of the fabric, and a sample section at the back to see the ranges together and how they all work together.

The homes Christina has selected are beautiful and this one called "Bridgehampton Cottage" shows the C&R's fabric so well. The white walls give the fabric center stage and it goes so well with the antiques and quirky vignettes.
This is what being at home with country should be about. Casual, yet thoughtful arrangements that will be moved frequently, nothing that is overly precious and all having a function.
I was extremely happy to see that my favourite designer Tricia Foley's Manhattan Loft and her equally stunning Long Island home made an appearance. I also loved the Langton range of fabrics she has used in both homes.

As my scanner was playing up I couldn't get an image of the Paris Rose fabric Tricia used on this sofa in her loft, but you will just have to buy the book and see for yourself as well as Christina's stunning and so homely "Brook Cottage", where the Cabbages & Roses label was started. Her amazing tent is something to be bookmarked for future reference and the first time I had ever seen her tent was also the first time I had seen the C&R's fabric.
If you are looking for an inspiring book, something to look at over and over again, then At Home With Country will not disappoint - I promise you! =0)

Thank you so much for letting me review your book Christina, I LOVE it!
{all photos by Edina Van Der Wyck for Cico Books}

NOW TO THE GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!

let's get straight to it!

According to Random.org, the winner of the fabulous shopper tote and amazing scented candle, both by Cabbages & Roses is.....

http://thewickerhouse.blogspot.com

Congratulations Emily. If you could send me an email with your details please, I will get your goodies out to you =0)
...and thank you to all who entered.

Ness xx

Guest Blogger, Cristina Strutt...and a GIVEAWAY!

Today I have something special to share with you all. The amazing Christina Strutt from Cabbages & Roses has been kind enough to do a guest post on my blog, share some tips on decorating and also sponsor a beautiful GIVEAWAY for you all!!!

Take it away Christina!

------------------------------------------
DEAR NESS,
I WAS THRILLED THAT YOU ASKED CABBAGES & ROSES TO MAKE
AN ENTRY FOR YOUR BLOG. HERE ARE 10 SMALL TIPS THAT WILL
HOPEFULLY MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE:
1. FAIL TO PLAN IS TO PLAN TO FAIL. DO WHAT PROFESSIONAL
DECORATORS DO AND MAKE A BOARD WITH PAINT COLOURS,
FABRICS, FLOOR COVERINGS AND FURNITURE PLAN.

2. GET SAMPLE POTS OF PAINT COLOURS AND PAINT AREAS IN
THE DARKEST PART OF THE ROOM AND IN THE LIGHTEST THE
COLOUR WILL VARY GREATLY, SO MAKE SURE IT WORKS
EVERYWHERE NOT JUST BY THE WINDOW.

3. IF YOU DON'T ABSOLUTELY ADORE THE PAINT COLOUR -
CHANGE IT - YOU WILL NOT LEARN TO LOVE IT/LIVE WITH IT - IT
WILL ANNOY YOU UNTIL IT IS CHANGED, AND BETTER TO
CHANGE IT WHILST THE FURNITURE IS OUT OF THE WAY RATHER
THAN WHEN YOU HAVE PUT THE ROOM BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.

4. PERIODICALLY RE ARRANGE YOUR TREASURES - PUT THEM IN
DIFFERENT ROOMS OR SETTINGS - I FIND THIS INSPIRES ME AND IS
A CHEAP WAY TO GET A NEW ROOM.

5. FLEA MARKETS AND ANTIQUES FAIRS ARE HEAVEN FOR
ANYONE DECORATING A HOME. ONE MANS TREASURE IS
ANOTHER MANS JUNK SO THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM TO
MANOEUVRE ON THE PRICE.

6. WHEN LOOKING FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PIECE OF FURNITURE AT
A FLEA MARKET, IMAGINE IT PAINTED WHITE - THIS WILL BRING A
PIECE FROM HEAVY 1940'S TO 21ST CENTURY SHABBY CHIC IN AN
INSTANT.

7. FLOORING SHOULD BE A NEUTRAL AND AS NATURAL AS YOU
CAN AFFORD. ALTHOUGH A LAMINATE WOOD FLOORING IS
CHEAPER THAN THE REAL THING, IT WONT LAST OR AGE AS WELL
AS REAL WOODEN FLOORBOARDS.

8. IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO RE DECORATE A ROOM AS WELL
AS YOU WOULD LIKE, PAINT IT WHITE. A CLEAN WHITE ROOM IS
A BLANK CANVAS WHICH CAN BE LEFT STARK AND MODERN
AND MINIMALIST, OR COSIED UP WITH FURNITURE, RUGS AND
PAINTINGS.

9. WHEN INVESTING IN ANYTHING FOR THE HOME BE IT FABRIC
FOR DRAPES, OR A PIECE OF FURNITURE ASK YOURSELF WILL I
LOVE THIS UNTIL I DIE CAN I HAVE IT IN FRONT OF MY EYES FOR
THE REST OF MY LIFE AND STILL LOVE IT IF THE ANSWER IS YES THEN
GO FOR IT.

10. HAVE FUN

XXC

---------------------------------------------------------

Thank you so much Christina for guest blogging for me. Your images are gorgeous and your advice priceless!

GIVEAWAY TIME =0)

Christina has been kind enough to offer one reader a gorgeous scented Cabbages & Roses candle, which comes in a beautifully labeled glass jar and box, and also a lovely shopper tote in the beautiful Cabbages & Roses fabric, Hatley in Cherise.

All you have to do is leave a comment and if you would like another entry head over to the lovely Cabbages & Roses blog and leave a comment there - simple!...just let me know in your comment.

The giveaway will be drawn on Monday 5th July, Australian time.
Ness xx

Thanks to Kathrine and Suzie to for all of your help, and of course Christina xx

Perfectly Complicated!

I know the set from any of Nancy Meyer's films have been blogged about many times over, but I am just smitten by the design of The Bakery, which is the store owned by Meryl Streep's character Jane.

I have drawn so many versions of my dream store from this set design which was created by Meyers, Production Designer Jon Hutman and of course the uber talented Set Designer, Beth Rubino who has worked on many of Meyers' masterpieces. Maybe this is why I fell in love with this set in an instant. Beth is amazing!
Could you just imagine your local greengrocer/bakery to be this chic and perfect?
Oh, I wish!
To see more amazing shots from this movie and many of the other gorgeous Nancy Meyers films just visit Cote De Texas. Joni has really gone into extraordinary detail with loads of info and mouth watering, overly inspiring images.
Ness xx

Constantly Inspired By Tricia Foley

As you know by now Tricia Foley is my all time favourite Designer and inspiration. I just adore her style and Tricia's work has influenced my own work over the years. I am always stopping by her site to see what beauty she has been working on and was blown away by this Irish Country Home which was a recent project for her.

I am loving this wall of vintage maps and the little trunk with 'Dublin' on it...how fitting!

...but this room is just stunning!

You amaze me constantly Tricia. There are so many more photos of this gorgeous home so if you would like to see more please stop by Tricia's site (you probably already have by now).

And for even more inspiration you can view Tricia's 3 blogs

In The Country

The Perfect Thing

The White List

Enjoy them, they are equally beautiful =0)

Ness xx

A Storage Wish

coastal living

Storage has always been an issue for us and on top of my list for our new home will be storage. We never had a problem in our kitchen with storage, just the bedrooms...I just couldn't help but show you this kitchen. I love the drawers everywhere - and the bead board walls!!
Tricia Foley
I love this storage solution in this Laundry room designed by the fabulous Tricia Foley. It amazing and oh so chic too!

Sarah Richardson Designs

...and although I am not overly into open

shelving in the kitchen (we ripped ours out when we re lined the kitchen as it always looked wrong and I was sick of dusting them!), but I am liking this shelving system in Sarah's farmhouse.

So while I continue moving furniture about our house this weekend and getting the rooms ready to out the house on the market, I will be thinking about the 'list' for the next home we buy. Hopefully I can show you what I have been up to.

Ness xx

SO Interesting....

The amazing Atlanta Bartlett has just released her new 'Look Book' for her store Pale & Interesting. It just evokes Spring and even though we here in Australia are into our Autumn, I can still pick out some images that could have been made with our climate in mind too.

Lets have a peek...
This group is giving me loads of inspiration for the Miners Cottage makeover. As my client is a Man, I am loving the industrial feel of that light as well as the leather sofa...and the cupboard is just amazing. I have some hooks on an old palette board like the one shown to go in the kitchen of the cottage.

The pressed tin had me immediately and I love the rust showing through. I don't think there is anything in Atlanta's Look Book that I didn't like.

Judge for yourself HERE.

Ness xx

all images via Pale & Interesting