Photography as A R T

Have you noticed the popularity of photographic art at the moment?

It seems to be a trend popping up in all the Interior mags, as well as on Pinterest, telly reno shows and in professional styling. 

This style of art was peppered throughout the apartments of the last series of The Block and

I quite literally swooned over this piece by Trevor Mein, from Otomys:

Archival Photographic Print titled FridayFiveThirtyEight2008 by Trevor Mein

Unfortunately, I do not have a lazy $4 200 to buy it... *sob*

The print below, Calm Before from The Canvas Workshop, is more pocket friendly at one-tenth of the price though, and makes a similar impact. (I know... but could it suffice whilst saving? LOL)

The latest edition of online magazine, Adore Home showcases some photography from X 20x200 in a serene bedroom by Bonnie Hindmarsh (Three Birds Renovations)

Artwork: Waiting by Ian Baguskas

I think I'm drawn to the blue tones of water, ocean scenes in particular, due to our beach side location.

The Sea by Karla Rosenlund went straight to the top of my wish-list after I first came across this image in Domaine Home.

Limited Edition: The Sea Photographic Print

Of course, photography as art is not limited to this one subject!!! The imagination of the photographer is its only limitation.. Here are some more of my personal favourites:

The Real Estate Stylist: Pink Desert as seen on Reno Rumble

source unknown

Mursi From Mago / Ethiopia by Mario Gerth, 2009

Artwork by Leila Jeffreys

untitled 29/77 by Bill Henson

Eclectic as usual!

What do you think of photography as art in the home?

Are you a fan?

x KL

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BLOCK spoiler! Plans + Pictures

Like my wee expose HERE, I recently learnt that The Block apartments have been put on the market. Whilst the real-estate advertising does not show any images of  areas yet to be broadcast in the television series, (Kitchen and courtyards) they do give a tantalising peep of the exterior of the completed complex. I don't think seeing these will spoil my enjoyment of watching the remaining episodes but, if you feel otherwise....click away now!

The completed exterior of The Block 2015; 27 Darling Street, South Yarra.

 Quite a transformation!

All the advertising campaigns also showed floor plans of the contestant's units. I really liked seeing these as they helped me to 'make sense' of the flow and comparative sizes. I have also provided a link to the four Real Estate agencies employed to market the property. Click to read their sales blurb and see additional images.

UNIT 1: Charlotte and Joshua
Marketed by Hocking Stuart. 

 UNIT 2: Anastasia and Tim
Marketing by Biggin & Scott.

 UNIT 3: Jess and Aiden
Marketed by Gary Peer & Associates.

UNIT 4: Dea and Darren
Selling through Jellis Craig.

Also pictured is the DD's Dining Room which caused them allot of anguish during construction and was not broadcast finished. I think it has been well resolved!

David and I have been regular followers of The Block. We didn't engage with one series but tuned into the reveal episodes. I have mixed feelings for the show as The Triple Threat starts to wind down. The budgets available to the contestants are beyond the reach of the majority of viewers and the expectation / pressure to deliver return on investment is unpleasantly palatable. The contestant's skills and experience seemed unequal this round which made for uncomfortable viewing. Less 'hands-on' and more drama filled than ever, this series only became my viewing choice from lack of an alternative. 

Thoughts?

There's a whisper that the eight level, 34-room octagonal-shaped Hotel Saville in South Yarra has been purchased by the production company of Channel 9’s The Block.

Eight luxe apartments with 360 degree views are a possibility.

Will you watch the next series?

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog.

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

BLOCK Spoiler!

I was surprised to see in the Sydney Morning Herald's Domain today, that one of The Block Triple Threat Challenge apartments had hit the market.  It was overhauled by contestants Josh and Charlotte and more info is available HERE if you're interested in snapping up an affordable piece of The Block TV show.

I wonder if we'll see any more for sale before the episodes containing them are broadcast?

I was excited to get a sneaky peek into the completed unit and don't think seeing these images will spoil my enjoyment of watching the series but, if you feel otherwise....click away now!

The blue-chip located, top-floor unit will be sold unfurnished and is expected to fetch $400 000 +

Here's what the agents, Jellis Craig have to say about it...

18/85 Caroline Street South Yarra

Make a designer debut

The benefits of a just completed renovation are immediately apparent throughout this bright top floor apartment high on South Yarra Hill, moments from Toorak Road, the Yarra River and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Oak floors, reverse cycle heating/cooling and a contemporary kitchen featuring soft closing storage, stone benches and stainless steel appliances complement a living/dining area that delivers appealing dimensions and opens to a balcony with attractive leafy outlooks. Equally pleasant views accompany a double bedroom that accommodates in complete comfort and is served by a fully tiled bathroom finished and fitted with an exceptional sense of style. Off street parking adds to the inner city success of a smart start in property ownership - or a consistently rewarding investment opportunity. 

 I think the unit is gorgeous and the finishes very neutral for any prospective buyer to add their own style, though I think (with the exception of the art - yuck!) the displayed furnishings are spot on! I liked this couple and the winning aired bedroom, so I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in subsequent episodes!

Are you watching this series? 

Thoughts?

x KL 

Thank you for stopping by my blog. 

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

In the frame

I mentioned in a previous post my fascination with framed display boxes.

Everything just looks a bit more 'special' when displayed under a cloche or in one of these cases.

 But it seems I have a bit of a weak spot for all things 'framed' in steel; my first foray into custom design was the steel framed desk (pictured below) that I had made for our previous property.

 I love lighting options in this style too...the left one was recently featured on the reality show The Block, whilst I have purchased two of the right design for our dining area.

These Kubus by Lassen, bowls and candlesticks in black or copper are gorgeous!

 And a black Hay Tray Table is high on my wish-list....*sigh*

It seems that there are a multitude of objects in this style about at the moment...

Lanterns anyone?

 

My DIY coffee table project (which is still sans top) is another commitment I've made to this style.

Last week, I popped into my local Freedom store and came across the CBD table range.

The side tables in black were reduced from $210 each to $45!

 (Get your skates on if you want some too!)

 I grabbed a pair with the intention of switching the simple glass tops for marble to match the proposed top of my coffee table but atm the glass looks fine. I think they'd make excellent bedside tables too if you were tight on space. . .

x KL

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

A Christmas Interlude....

 I am definitely feeling the Christmas Spirit...but, after a day of wrapping presents and writing Christmas cards (...that's a job-and-a-half!), I took a wee break and caught up on some favourite interior blogs. It was really nice to have a visual rest from sparkle, OTT decorating and same-ness!

So...here's a Question. What do these eight images have in common?

 They're images via  Domaine Home and all are rental properties.

The style in each is quite different but in every one, I found something to Oooh about! 

Here's my 'discovery' tour....

In one post, I found all these bits and pieces that are currently on my 'lust list'!

Ran away from Christmas chores before school ended too and had my hair coloured, a mani / pedi, eye-brow fix etc...a mini me-tune up! LOL!

Back to reality again now...and onto sorting out the Christmas feast options!

x KL

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christmas wrap-up!

Well, I've wrapped my first Christmas gift for 2013! Woo Hoo!

The stunning paper is from The Wrapping Paper Company, which I promise to tell you more about later. I wanted to test the wrapping and hide this pressie pronto. It's for a girlfriend and I'm SO excited with it.

Every year I have 'hit' & 'miss' gifts. Some people are just easy to buy for or a stroke of genius occurs and the perfect present materialises. Other people (mostly males!) are much more difficult and, ashamed as I am to admit it, often receive a present bought in haste desperation!

Does this happen to you?

Anywho, two of my girlfriends get Da bomb - gift wise this year. I think they peep this here bloggy so I'll share after the big day....but I can tell you now about THE wrapping! LOL!

It all started with the idea of re-introducing a decade-old banishment of gold into my interiors.

Adding it to this year's Christmas theme was par for the course. Then I found those Karen Walker spotted mugs and napkins at Myer. *sigh*

Which led me to thinking about Christmas Wrap and my aversion to the tiny-quantity, put-your-finger-through-it types on offer for a gazillion bucks. Grrr. Many a Christmas Eve the last presents wrapped were done so in a kaleidoscope of previous-year's remnants! Eeeek!

So I went on a gold paper hunt and guess what? Zilch! (Prediction: Gold will be huge Xmas 2014!)

Enter my super-hero: Mr Google!

The Brown Trading Co. provided some gorgeous gold, confetti and trellis wrap inspiration. But with a big family, buying it per sheet was a bit exy. Then I stumbled upon the aforementioned site of The Wrapping Paper Company.

Images used with permission: The Wrapping Paper Company

These guys do it all from design to print; wrapping papers, gift tags, belli-bands and gift seals. All Australian made too! Especially designed for Retailers, Online Businesses & Corporate bulk complimentary gift wrapping, this Wholesale Priced website has prices that include GST and Delivery Australia Wide. The minimum order value is $100.

After agonising over the plethora of options, I chose a gold highlighted design called Japanese Blossom Red because both my daughters are returning to Japan for another holiday in February and because it is suitable for use all year through. I also purchased a plain gloss white as a year-round go-to!

Having now received and tested the paper, I will vouch for it's high quality!

I'll note here that this is not a sponsored post: I'm too little for that. I just am enthusiastic about this product and like sharing with others my good finds! 

And I'm reassured that those last-minute, hastily bought and wrapped gifts will look fantastic this year!!!!

 Yee Ha!

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+. 

 Join this site via Google Friend's Connect so I can follow you too!

Christmas Theming....

I've made a final decision for my Christmas theme this year; White + Silver + Gold.

It wasn't really a conscious thought process, more an organic one, an acknowledgment that I was constantly being drawn to images and products in black and white tones with metalics! 

Like these....

When the latest issue of Real Living Magazine materialised in my letterbox sporting these colours on it's cover (row three, middle), it cemented the idea!

I'd love to use my Black Christmas Tree again (circa 2010) but after the children's (yes, the adult ones too) horrēre and previously documented tantrums, I'll use the traditional green version as a base this season. So, here's where my plans are at ATM:

1. This sparkly silver tree from a small local store in Terrigal will be the table centre-piece decorated with crystal, gold and white.

2. I'll get the first use (of many) from recently purchased West Elm gold cutlery.

3. The tree base in #1 is icky so I'm planning on hiding it in a large Uashmama gold / white bag.

4.5.6. Designer, Karen Walker home wares for Myer!!! GORGEOUS! Just thinking about serving a scrumptious desert in these gold-rimmed champagne coupes. ? Gold, confetti spotted napkins are a definite, whilst the polka dot mugs would be perfect Christmas morning scene-setters (perhaps from Santa?)!

It's S' 24th birthday tomorrow and we will celebrate it with her this weekend. I'm hoping I can convince the troups, when gathered, to help with the tree decoration too....wish me luck!

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. 

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+. 

 Join this site via Google Friend's Connect so I can follow you too!