Mother's Day; Present perfection...

It's not brain science but it has still taken me awhile to 'get it'. . .

I'm talking about organising the perfect Mother's Day present.

My mail box, email, pinterest, and blog feeds are all chock full of suggestions ATM that I always eagerly devour but likewise, always finish reading feeling disappointed. 

 I don't have a fashionista, cordon bleu, green-thumbed mum. She does not travel the world nor redecorate her abode each season. She does not wear makeup. Perfume gives her a headache.

She is, quite simply, a wonderful Mum and a Nana extraordinaire. 

An accomplishment that I can only aspire to.

 Oh, and she has a pretty awesome side-kick too!

In the past, I've bought Mum stuff for Mother's Day. Lots and lots of stuff.
When i analyse it, they were things I wanted, or things I had and I wanted her to have too.
Everything from diamonds to microwaves... and she was grateful, but...

I finally 'get it'. 

On Mother's Day I'm going to be at Mums.
For lunch or, maybe dinner.
Nothing fancy.
We'll just be.
Together.

The perfect Mother's Day.

x KL

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ANZAC Day

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!

My Luxe Lust List...# 5 : Leopard Print

Somewhat of a decorating and fashion 'staple', Leopard Print trends come and go but rarely evaporate entirely.  Like my post on fur throws, it is a subject that is very black and white for most people. You either l o v e  or loathe it!

I've been a lover of Leopard print ever since I can remember.

I have fond memories of stroking my Aunt's Leopard coat and snuggling into her cushions when visiting her home. To me it was very glamorous but also a tiny bit wild and exotic. Themes I still relate to and gravitate towards, today.

Who didn't have an leopard-coat-clad Aunt in the 1960s ?

Throughout my 50 years on this earth, I have owned an enormous variety of leopard printed items.

Fashion wise, I've sported coats, anoraks, pants, kaftans, skirts, ball gowns, dresses, shirts, tees, suits, shoes, pyjamas, lingerie, belts, handbags, luggage, leggings, hats, hair accessories, sunglasses, swimmers, gloves, gumboots, an iPhone case and ...  scarves. Whew!

 

On the home front I've owned innumerable cushions, chairs, bed linen, towels, glassware, napkins, frames, candles, votives, vases, art work and one spectacular door mat!

 I don't think there has ever been a time when I haven't owned something Leopard!

Half of the secret to success in using this bold print is in the quality of the design. There's Leopard print and, then there's Leopard Print. Ascertaining the difference is essential! 

Keeping the look classy is key!

The other half of the secret is knowing when and where to use it. The older I get, the more I prefer it as an accent in interiors or as an accessory. A tiny bit goes a long way!

So why have I decided to post about this lust-worthy design today?

Because I've been obsessing, really OBSESSING over these two images....

O.M.G.! I am just am in love with that fabric!

Countless hours have been wasted enjoyed tracking it down to just two possibilities:

Braemore Jamil Natural OR Scalamandre Leopardo Silk Velvet

As I cannot find any Australian references to these, my research has been limited to international blogs or U.S. / U.K. web sites. The unanimous agreement seems to be that they are visually indistinguishable but hugely different in feel, quality and price. The Scalamandre being the ants-pants.

I found two Etsy retailers who sell cushion covers made in the Jamil fabric and I've tracked down some Leopardo being sold by the yard online, so I could consider having them made in this too.
Another wee, but delicious project!

What do you think? 

Are you a Leopard Print lover?

Where would you consider / have you used this print?

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. 
 You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!

A palette load of problems

 You may remember waaay back in January when I was happy dancing about purchasing some french pattern travertine for our four deck areas?

For some unbeknown reason, this very expensive purchase had become a nightmare.

After paying for the in-stock product and arranging for its collection, we were told that our large order couldn't be filled as they had double sold the stock at hand. Oops!

Accidents happen, so we patiently waited two months for a new shipment.

We paid a further $700 for transportation of the six tonne of stone last week and were disappointed when the scheduled delivery was a no -show. A few phone calls later, I was told that the palettes had 'shifted' on the truck and could no longer be safely unloaded. They were returned to the transport company for re-stacking and we received the stone a few days later.

There were meant to be six palettes; we received five. We were told this was due to the way they were re-loaded. There are quite a few damaged / broken pieces but we are told that is to be expected.

But upon counting the 'sets' we are 10 square metres short. W T F ! ! !

The delivery company will not take responsibility (they claim the palettes were inferior and delivered all the stone), nor will the stone supplier as the product was re-packaged. 

So we're left with a major headache and shortfall!

We also wont know how much of the stone is unusable due to breakage until it is unpacked....God knows when! I am so upset by this and keep wondering how it could have been avoided.

I guess it's just going to have to be our 'bad luck' story....

x KL

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My NEW Dining Table....*

A recent yard clean up unearthed this massive Oregon beam (THE Plank*!) salvaged from a house demolition eons ago. We had completely forgotten about its existence as it was literally 'buried' amongst building crap supplies! Before heaving it onto Dumpy (our truck) to go to the tip, David asked me why we had ever kept it. (Davey's a hoarder but occasionally 'lets go' and culls like a madman!) I couldn't remember but as a fellow hoarder (except I rarely cull; LOL) I quickly eyed off that baby's size....

A tape measure confirmed that my silent prayer had been answered.

We were staring out our new dining room table!

Some background info: We already own several tables, all of which have made appearances in previous properties. We did not want / could not afford to buy a new one for this house!

The largest we have is pictured above, in it's unexpanded form; an antique Kauri Pine, Edwardian Banquet table. Extended it seats ten comfortably, twelve at a squeeze. I quite like the contrast between the old table and contemporary chairs but I still have misgivings on the size appropriateness for this build.

 Those misgivings were started when we stored my daughter's eight seater table for a short time in our proposed dining space. Posted about HERE and seen above. 

It looked Incy. Wincy. Eeeek!

Enter THE PLANK*! 

At 6 metres long and 100 mm thick, I should be able to get it re-milled to make four 300 x 3000 x 50 mm thick pieces, perfect to biscuit together to give me a 1200 x 3000 mm table top! I'm thinking of sandblasting the top and waxing it a-la Mark Tuckey style. And remember my coffee table project? It is still waiting for a top but it will be my inspiration for a custom made base. Kinda like these... 

Don't hold your breath....but stay tuned!

* THE PLANK (1967) is simply British humour at it's best. Written & directed by the late Eric Sykes, with a cast of well known actors in their early days....well worth the watch....

Link HERE.

You're W e l c  o m e !

x KL

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Bits & Bobs; random stuff

My girlfriend J phoned a few days ago looking for some bedding advice and after her call I thought I'd do a quick reconnaissance of the latest offerings from around the traps. I stumbled upon this textural delight from Kip & Co; scrumptious dark grey velvet....perfect for winter don't you think? The other colours offered are divine too; burnt orange, teal, cantaloupe and fuchsia. Yum!

David and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary on Tuesday. Neither of us felt like going out mid week so I offered to cook a gourmet, candle-lit dinner at home. David's request? Sausages, peas, mash & gravy. W.T.F....

We've had some exciting deliveries here this week. Boring visually, but those metal sheets above will complete the two front veranda roofs and gutters! Hooray!

 And these unbelievably heavy channel thingies below, are for the frame less glass hand rails.

Thought I'd start investigating flooring options for the master en suite. Fell in love with these hexagonal Calcutta marble mosaics which typically require me to sell a child to obtain. Maybe I should stick with the same 400 x 400 mm size tile I've used in the other bathrooms ? ? ?

I could use the hex as a feature under the shaving cabinet and in the bath niche. Thoughts?

 I bought this wire wrapped-glass-based lamp eons ago for the family room. I unpacked it and popped it into position but it just looks wrong. So much for forward planning. Humph.
Might look better in the playroom....

  

School Holidays have begun here today. Yay! And I've got a stash of magazines (print and digital form) to read with lazy cups of tea in bed...he he! For the first time, I've bought H & G in digital format for my iPad. I hate piles of magazines lying around making me feel guilty! Hopefully, when my subscriptions expire, I'll read all my faves this way instead.

Hope your planning a relaxing Easter break...

x KL 

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Desperately seeking answers....a colour quandry

 Today was spent doing more painting....and finally the last of the upstairs ceilings are finished. Phew!
I have been told by 'the boss' David, that I am NEVER to design a house with these style of ceilings again. LOL. ATM, I don't think I want to design a house again, EVER.

 The time to commit to the wall colour has now arrived.
They are currently undercoated in un-tinted white which is very cold and stark. I'll paint most of the walls in the same white I've chosen elsewhere in the house; Dulux Natural White (ceilings are 25% strength). I want to break up the cavernous open plan area upstairs by adding charcoal features (Dulux Domino) and also to tie with downstairs.
It's just the where to start / stop issue that's making me nervous!

 Feature walls look best when used to highlight a single wall with no openings and paint starts and stops in internal corners. I'm wanting the feature walls here to be dark to recede them and to delineate the hall as a separate entity to the large lounge room.
I'm happy that the contrast achieves this in the renderings above.

 I also want some WOW factor when looking up the stairwell from the entry, to the main living above, so had planned that shallow recess to be dark too...

See the little nib wall on the right, above. According to 'ideal plan' it should be white but does that look odd? Unbalanced? Help!

And is it too much ?

 I had envisaged the end wall (with the two windows) and seen below, to be charcoal too. Eeeek!
I am SO overcome with indecision!

Some more deets: The floors are to be a wide plank, light to mid toned oak. The kitchen charcoal with a white island. A large dark hued carpet square will be inserted into the lounge room where there will be white slip-covered sofas. All of those dark walls will have substantially sized artwork on them.

Here's a plan, the RED lines showing where I'm considering using the dark wall colour.

I would dearly like your input on this...and be forever grateful!
...if you've never commented before,
or do so regularly,  
PLEASE share your thoughts!

x KL 

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seasoned reasoning: designer mills

I don't know about you, but I love to experience good aesthetic design in everyday objects.

It makes the mundane feel more special somehow. 

If I need a new kettle for example, I'll research the design options along with practicality because it's an item that is highly visible in my kitchen, used multiple times a day and needs to earn it's place, being on show. (Best ones I found can be seen HERE) 

I'd like to buy a pair of really nice Salt & Pepper Mills using this same criteria.
We've lived sans salt for just over ten years due to dietry restrictions initiated by David's Ménière's disease. His condition is well managed at the moment and watching MKR has encouraged me to revisit seasoning. Just a little.

Anywho, here are my favourite options that tick all form, function and feel boxes:

  Collective Tools designed by Antonio Citterio & Glen Oliver Löw. Iittala

 Alfredo Mills designed by Alfredo Haberli. Georg Jensen

Left: Y-Grinder by Joseph Joseph

Right: Tree Grinder designed by Vagnby & Ejje. Nuance

Left: Queen Chin Grinders designed by Giovannoni Stefano.  Alessi

Right: Salt & Pepper Mills designed by Michael Graves. Alessi.

 

Bottle Mills Designed by Norm Architects for Menu.

 Tete-a-Tete designed by Stefan Holm.

Craft Mills by Normann Copenhagen

Plus Salt and Pepper Mills designed by Norway Says. Muuto

I think I like the last two sets best. Although the Georg Jensen ones are very beautiful too.

Do you have any recommendations?

x KL

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baby blue

After my post HERE showcasing my favourite online finds for little girls, I had a pang of remorse. Little boys are equally fun to buy for!

So here's my current faves for little boys blue...

1. Ubabub Pod Cot from BabyRoo. This converts to a junior bed too!

 2. More Sheridan Baby goodness.

3. Hard to Find has some perfect gift items, like these suede Louie boots.
4. Frank cushion from Country Road
5. Cheeky Little Soles cowboy boots from Hard To Find. Yee Har!
6. Castle velvet pom pom cushion. A perfect piece of sunshine.

x KL

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My Luxe Lust List.... # 4 : Fur Throws

Well this one's guaranteed to divide the masses!

But it's definitely on my Luxe wish-list whether real or good quality faux.

And there is no better time to drool over the decorating possibilities of these scrumptious throws than now as we head into cooler weather.

 

 

Opinion?

x KL

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You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback! 

If you enjoy my ramblings, perhaps consider following by Email, Bloglovin' or Google+. 

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