A bare all decision...

hi!

I am facing a decision here. Our wicker blind in the kitchen broke - again!

It has been happening alot of late and I am getting to the point where I just don't want to fix it anymore.

Here is where the decision comes in.

Do I....

spied at Willow Decor
...just take them off and have a bare window??

The only problem I have with a bare window is that in the Summer (which isn't to far away here in Australia)the sun is blinding until about midday.

I do love bare kitchen windows.

country living

Like this one. Our outlook from the window is over the driveway and our 'paddock', not very exciting. I am thinking of just leaving the white side up, which I can still pull over for privacy in the evening and for the sun.


coastal style living
I have always loved wicker blinds and was so happy to finally have them up in our home, but I find that with the very strong Aussie sun that the cords get really brittle...hence the breakage!
So, do you see my dilemma?


here is the kitchen with the blinds up and the white side drapes.

Do I just take them off and 'bare all' or do I persevere and fix the cord AGAIN?

What do you think?

Ness xx

Coastal Beauty...

Digging through the inspiration photos is always something I enjoy doing. Deleting things as I go that don't apply at the moment is like having a huge Spring clean out.

While I was looking I found these stunners. This one above was from Steve Giannetti, this man can design!! (thanks A-M for the fix up). I am loving the loving the light fittings and the silver accents in this room. Of course the Hydrangeas fit right in!
I always enjoy visiting Karnas Hus. This blog is full of coastal chic and this room is beautiful.
I especially love the curtain fabric and the cushions on the white sofa. The addition of white Geraniums is perfect for this room. It reminds me of a wonderful Summer beach holiday.

The always beautiful Whiteport, which is full of lovely things has given me loads of inspiration today though. I am loving the stripe cushions and I have recently purchased some gorgeous French General stripe in a similar colourway which I am hoping to turn into covers very soon. Over the last few weeks I have been thinking of using our big wicker trunk as a coffee table for a change (and to stop the boys dive bombing the sofa from the coffee table!) and this image has made my mind up that I am going to give it a try.

I had hoped to show you the finished kitchen island today, but instead we spent the weekend digging up the back yard with a burst water main and chasing up plumbers...joy! It is coming, I promise =0)
Ness xx

Loving...Wishing...

Not only is this blog my visual journal for projects, homes and beautiful design that I love, but it is also a great place to advertise a wish list of sorts. Great for family wanting to know what to buy me for Birthday, Christmas, Mothers Day etc. It is also a wish list to keep me on track of details I truly love and the following are items I am totally smitten with.

Like this stunning print above from one of my favourite haunts, The Vintage Rose. This has been made and framed to Amanda's design and it is just perfect.

Also from The Vintage Rose are these beautiful wicker hampers. Amanda has just posted these images and I haven't been in to her store for a little while, so I really need to make a trip in there.
It was funny though, I have been on the lookout for something just like this and I was starting to give up on finding anything I really loved...this is it!
Amanda is hosting 'Winter Evening' in her store here in Launceston and is inviting anyone who would like to attend.
Visit The Vintage Rose for more details and to swoon over her store and home.

Then there is this from Whiteport, which I think is the prettiest thing I have seen this week!

Ness xx

Coastal - my way...

via Willow Decor

Right now I am loving this simple coastal style, and I don't love it to the letter though. Just elements of it, thrown in with basic elements from my own style. So I have gone through my files and found some beautiful images that explain what it is I love about this.

Obviously I love the clean, pale base of either white or linen walls and slip covered sofas...

unknown

but also loads of white linens and ticking stripes. I love to mix antique linens with new linens, but they all have to have that clean, unfussy look to them - like above.

via Oliveaux
I still love a little a sophistication thrown in there too and this shot is just beautiful. Botanicals, great lighting and some wood thrown in. It just depends on the space and if it needs darker, smooth wood or scrubby wood - I love either.

Pottery Barn

And of course wicker and sisal mixed with painted white wood. This is what I would like to out into place in our home. Now I am just deciding on what to get rid of and what will work!

A virtual yard sale may be in order!!

Ness xx

Whiteport, New England Style

I have always loved New England style, and have a huge amount of images in my files of this decorating style, so I thought I would show you how they all tie in with the beautiful Australian store, Whiteport. I was recently contacted by the delightful Jennifer McCabe asking me to let you all know of the wonderful discount Whiteport is offering at the moment. If you go to the homepage and leave your email details to subscribe, you will receive 20% off your next purchase!!! Well you will see how this ties in to the New England style....

This little hint of a dining room screams 'casual chic', and New England. Pale floors, loads of white and natural wood and washable cotton everywhere. Don't you just want to move in? Me to!

This is the porch of Jennifer's home. Not only is she super stylish, she is a bargain hunter...like me. This setting she bought off Ebay for a small price, re covered in white and voila! Stylish outdoor setting.

Her bathroom is just gorgeous and has been in my head recently while I ponder our bathroom reno. White with black accents and white washed wood...how can you go wrong?

This cushion would look lovely on a plump white sofa over looking the ocean. It is available from Whiteport. I want some. My Sister will too!!

You know I want this all white ginger jar from Whiteport!

Imagine a group of these mixed in with blue and white ones...ahhh.

Not only is the store beautiful, Jennifer's blog is lovely too. She has a liking for a Designer I admire, Vincent Wolf.

Whiteport's range of lotions and potions look good enough to eat, especially sitting on these waffle towels....in white!

I can just imagine all of these in a New England style home, and with a fire place that is simply beautiful, you could stay all year round.

The only thing that is missing from the photo above is a vintage look wicker basket full of kindling, like these from Shabby Homestyles...

...and a bowl full of these gorgeous little white pebbles from Mondo Cherry. They remind me of the ones from Somethings Gotta Give...but cuter.

I don't think it would be a New England home without a flag and a lighthouse. I love the fact that the light house is white and not that over done red stripe kind.

..and would all these things make sense if there wasn't somewhere to kick off your sandy shoes and plonk down for an evening by candle light, the sound of waves and the ocean breeze sending you to sleep while someone else done the cooking...absolutely not!

For great ideas visit Jennifer and her team at Whiteport.
Ness xx
other photos via New England Lifestyle...ta!

My Virtual Beach House...

As some of you know I am consulting on a beach house makeover that is underway. While I have been digging through files of images for inspiration to suit the owners needs, I have been wondering if we were to ever get a little, or big beach house, what would be the elements that I would want. So, I thought I would take you on a virtual tour through my head to my perfect beach house from front door to back...

I would imagine it to be either faded grey shingles or white board on the outside, with wide verandas and a few dormer windows to really take advantage of the sea breeze...a wildflower meadow would be wonderful also.

As you enter, you would be welcomed by a small feature table with a simple, but beautiful mirror over it, to check your beach hair for foreign objects! Simple black and white photos of Summers past would adorn the wall. Definitely white washed floors for carefree living throughout.

This beach house will be used all year, and I imagine the feel in winter to be still stylish, yet filled with lots of touchy fabrics in colours that mimic the palette of the ocean surroundings, sand, pebble, white and hints of black. Of course there would be a crackling fire to listen to as wonderful background noise to accompany the waves rolling in.
Come Summer time, we would welcome it in by throwing the doors open, putting away the quilts and pulling out aquas, faded blues and greens and picking the wild flowers from our field which has come to life.

An all white kitchen that has some interesting features will be a pleasure to cook in. Bin pull handles on the drawers and small knobs for the doors in a brushed aluminium, loads of wicker baskets, wicker blinds and hints of fresh blue and white china here and there.

Just off the kitchen, a little sitting area or breakfast nook to take in the ocean life while you ponder the Sunday papers and have your fresh fruit and muesli would be sublime.
A wonderfully fresh beaded board bathroom, with either reclaimed flagstone flooring or lime washed wood would be perfect for sandy feet to be cleaned. Loads of wicker and simple finishes everywhere else remind you of where you are.

Still, I can't go past a white claw foot to soak a long days swimming away.

In my vision, Mason and Declan share a room (they have there own in reality). It will have a feature wall behind there beds of faded, vintage style maps, loads of navy blue and white, more wicker and simple white linen. These beds are divine.

I must admit, our own bedroom is what I could imagine here in this virtual beach house. Except there would boat oars above the bed or a really peaceful and calm beach painting with straw colour grass swaying in the foreground.

My perfect outdoor room. Imagine having carefree Bar-b-ques and a glass of wine out here? I would take out the can lights (down lights) and just have hurricane lamps, candles and a white washed chandelier in this space.

..and what beach house would be complete with it's own boat ramp?

So, now I have made my wish list, I just have to wish to the beach house god's to grant me this exact home!!

Ness xx
images - 1.unknown, 2.Atlanta Bartlett, 3.Janie Hirsch, 4.BH&G, 5.Oliveaux, 6.Notebook, 7.BH&G, 8.All Things Blue, 9.Pottery Barn, 10.Ness Lockyer, 11.Porchlight Interiors (I think), 12. House Beautiful

Lovelies and 6 things....

As you may be aware, I am always looking for inspiration, beautiful things and possible supplies. So, I have been looking through some of the new finds I have stored in my Computer and thought I would show you these beauties...

De beaux souvenirs

I think these whimsical wire creations are just lovely.

Hand made in France, and some come with the little lights!!!

Comtoirfamile

These stunning wicker lined baskets I am sending out mental wishes for . It would make a superb laundry basket.

Comtoirfamile
...along with these stunning cushions for an outdoor space would be lovely.

Flax and Spindle
These cushions are just beautiful. I especially adore this hot air balloon one, which reminds me of a lovely old vintage advertisement. Their Postcard cushions are just as lovely. Now, I have been asked to tell you 6 things about me by the lovely Lee from Glimpse Of Style. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get to it Lee!

I am not very interesting, here goes....

1. I am the only one in our family born in Australia and with blue eyes.....I wonder where the Milk Man lived when I was conceived! =0

2. I have always hated Op Shops/ Second Hand stores and used to whinge at Mum not to take me with her. Now I love them, the hunt and the feel of satisfaction when you get a bargain. Like today I bought 2 lounge chairs that need recovering for $10 ea for Mics slot car room!!!

3. I am a ring FANATIC! Seriously, I have more rings than I have fingers and toes, and the chunkier the better! I only wear one at a time though.

4. I would love a black Lexus, or failing that, a BWM 308i (I think)...black too! or a Mini with a St Andrews cross on top...hehe

5. I am about to embark on a major decorating move...stay tuned!!!

6. I hate feet! really...don't like them, handy, but ugly!

Sorry, I told you I'm not interesting.
Ness xx

Cafe dreams for Cab...

My dear Sister Caroline (Cab, the eldest one who is moving here near me) has had a dream for a Cafe of her own for some time now. She was planning to have it in the grand building below, that was also going to be the premises my own little shop. We have been working out details of what will be the overall feel of this Restaurant Cafe for a year now, waiting with baited breath to see if it will eventuate here or not. I have the interior completely mapped out in my head and on paper and wanted to share some ideas....

This would be the entrance for Cab's Cafe (my shop is the mirror image) which can also be accessed by double doors to the left (Theatre entrance).

This was taken some time ago...but it doesn't look much different outside yet. It is the original Theatre from the gold rush years when our little town was the biggest in Tasmania. It is being restored to house a scaled down version of a picture theatre, restaurant, shop and office space. I picture twisted pines in tall pots to welcome diners....

Martha Stewart
..and gorgeous white and cafe latte coloured serving pieces all housed in glass covered glass shelving units...


Martha Stewart

...a functional coffee station, that is also pleasing to the eye, with more open shelving. The shelves would be glass though. (I nearly choked when I seen this kitchen as it is pretty much what I had in my sketches). It would also include the name of the Cafe in one of the bigger shelves 'floating' on glass backed with a chocolate colour...


Villa Maison
Coffee would be served on silver trays in chunky white mugs...


Villa Maison

...to tables laid with wicker accessories and crisp white linen...

We both had the idea of a really indulgent and comfortable coffee area, for those who just want a coffee, feeding Mothers, elderly and anyone who just wanted to chill out. I can not think of a better way to do that than on a feather filled Queen Anne Sofa along with a big wide squat coffee table.


Martha Stewart
...there would be a raised bench near the coffee counter for those who want to read the paper and wait for there order to go perched on linen covered stools with chocolate coloured legs. In this space there will also be a small retail space in a warm wood shelving unit and this one below always comes up as the ultimate to display Cab's gorgeous range of organic products...

via Lily G
This just screams vintage and sums up the old building lovely.

via - Lily G
Now I haven't forgot about the kitchen area. As some of it can be seen from the dining area, I think it should be just as beautiful. Although there won't be cupboard doors like this (not practical), there will be a big island for preparing food and a light fixture like this will not only be gorgeous...it is much better than working under some horrid, headache inducing fluorescent light (there will be some just not here). I love the fact that this light fixture is so wide that it can still house the amount of light bulbs needed to create enough light to meet standards and so she doesn't chop off a finger!!! I also think there should be a tile type picture display that can be wiped off for hygiene.

Martha Stewart
This is a similar layout to the island and benches and as she will have a huge walk in freezer, some doors like this would be heaven...but I think it will be glass :(

Martha Stewart
Now after all of the diners have gone, dishes have been placed through the washer, wouldn't it be nice to wipe down your counters and wash your hands of the night in a beautiful Belfast Sink like this?....Now let's hope it all happens so I can bring it to life!

Ness xx