seren'dipitous online shopping!

I've found an aesthetic soul-mate in Aaron Bourne of Harold's Finishing Touches.

 After 'discovering' him via Jen Bishop of The Interiors Addict in 2012, there's been little need for trawling the Internet for special pieces that pique my interest. No sore feet and disappointment in the local store offerings either!

Except for the faux bovine skull, all the items below are from his online store - it's a good thing (for my wallet) I don't live near enough to pop into his physical one!

Another serendipitous online find was the replica Constellation Map - Explorer; Compass to The Southern Sky, below right. Not a bad representation of the Thomas O'Brien map featured in the Elle Decor image, below left. Thank you Mimosa Lane for the tip off!

 I'm also excited to have secured the charcoal linen King bedhead I wanted for our new main bedroom. Dilema I posted about HERE, resolved! Yee Ha! 

Can you believe we're well past the half way mark of 2013?! 

Someone mentioned Christmas to me the other day. *shudder* 

Don't know about you, but I feel like I'm in some kind of space- time warp continuum where everything is sped up! Wish it would slow down so I could disembark! LOL!

x KL 

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Out & About

 I took myself for a peep at Domayne and Freedom stores yesterday.

They are just starting to unpack new season stock and I was looking for a birthday pressie for a friend.

Both stores featured lots of bright colours in furnishings, home wares and outdoor items. It seems that fashion's colour blocking trend is spilling over to interior design too.

  I quite like a small injection of colour and easily changeable accessories can provide that. I loved both these cushions and bought the one pictured below right. It taps into the Retro Poster trend too without the commitment to price or precious wall space.

  Thankfully both stores also showcased more monochromatic and eclectic displays that I loved.

 I adored the stag headed silverware in Domayne and this stacking bookcase in Freedom called Spine, pictured below left. It's a similar design to one I've had on my wish list from Top 3 by Design (Stak pictured below right) but much more affordable. Yay!

I'd seen these aged parquetry pieces before....I'm thinking for the family room which will be floored in the same marble as our bathrooms (below) but in a 600 mm square size. Maybe. ?

I always am drawn to coral pieces that are real, painted or in print form. Those above left are from Domayne, top right, Freedom. Gorgeous!

Spotted these glossy black faux bamboo chairs. So lovely but very flimsy and wobbly to sit on. Still loving mirror bedsides too. *Sigh*

 Am totally high-fiving myself for bringing one of these shell lanterns home from Bali.
$20 AUD + rewiring cost beats $280 in Domayne any day!

Purchased this poly resin faux antiquity. At $45, it's a reasonably priced stand-in for the real thing that we were unable to afford in Bali. *Sob*.
 (I still dream of saving enough to bring her home!)
And I got this cute mat for the girl's bathroom too.

I was quite happy with my three little purchases and then remembered my friend's birthday. Oops. Looks like I'll be shopping again tomorrow! LOL!
Have you been shopping lately? Spied anything new and exciting where you are?

x KL

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Industrial / Retro Chic!

Industrial  / Retro Chic seems to be everywhere at the moment. Half of The Block contestants have incorporated it (Josh / Jenna and Katrina / Aimee) and it seems every interiors magazine features at least one home in this style too. In fact Real Living magazine seems to feature this approach almost exclusively. You know when a trend is totally having its moment when stores like Freedom heavily invest in pieces they'll be showcasing for up to a year! So... am I being influenced to change decor direction again? Yep, you bet! I'll try to incorporate some funky Vintage posters to the eclectic mix I think! What are your thoughts... are you tempted to dip a toe in this old new direction too?

L.O.V.E. Katrina and Aimee's "Scaffold" dining table! Original and fantastic!

I so want Josh and Jenna's 'Salon des ensembliers' Vintage poster by Knoll!

Xavier Pauchard Tolix stools, replica or real seen at The Block, Top 3 by Design, Freedom.... EVERYWHERE!!!!!

Not sure of source but definitely 'my cup of tea'!

Freedom's Summer Collection 2011 showcases this new direction

Real Living Magazine features this style heavily.

x KL

Spare time... for art????

My youngest has returned to school today and my older girls will resume their university studies in the near future. I really adore being home with them all but I don't seem to get much done. Instead we have jimmy-jam days, movie outings and cake cooking sessions.
As our building and decorating budget is tight, I have often painted canvases myself to 'fill - in' an expanse of wall or just as decoration. Sometimes I have been able to splurge, but rarely. If I ever had 'spare' cash it would definitely be spent on art. And travel. And.... more art!  Like this :

Norman Lindsay Lithograph 'The Anklet'

'Surface' by Martine Emdur - TOP of my wish list!

A David Bromley Original. Photo courtesy of Capocchi

Whilst waiting for my Lotto win I might start actioning some canvases for the upstairs, unfinished rooms. I'm going to paint over this one I did for the last house and do something black & white or maybe a union jack?!

This is a Vivienne Westwood rug mounted as art. Drool!!!!

And my baby boy at 9 needs something more mature. I'm thinking maybe a spot of graffiti?

OK for a newborn - six year old. Definitely past its due date!

This is actually wall paper but it gave me the idea.

 It might be too 'old' for him though! Framed Vintage posters of his favourite movies might be better!

Not the best down load. But I'm sure you get the idea!

X KL