Happy Father's Day!

To all dads - have a wonderful day!

x KL

Chandeliers and wishful thinking!

My Coco Republic love and inspiration - the chandelier's addition to the 'wish list'! Approx $5K

As I have often harped on about, I love many different decorating styles and 'my' aesthetic is constantly evolving! Our current house is structurally quite contemporary and minimal but I can not discard my penchant for classic styling. I also have to accommodate our furnishings from past houses which include items of Balinese, Chinese, French Provincial, Mexican, African / ethnic and Australian antique origin! (Another post to be sure!)

I really lurve a sparkly chandelier and have already incorporated one into my laundry / kitchenette downstairs (sort of by default!).  Pictured below, it was purchased to be part of my second daughter's 'boudouir' but my hubby decided to usurp my decorating authority and install ceiling fans to the bedrooms so.... much to her disappointment, I commandeered it for the laundry / kitchenette. It will hopefully add to the sexy 'bar' effect  when we open the big bi-fold windows to the entertaining deck when guests are over!

Purchased from Freedom Furniture for a bedroom @ $399 and re-purposed in the laundry!

The chandelier interest started quite a few years ago, before the first sod was turned on this project and when I was busy drawing 'what-about' sketches on anything that would hold my ideas at that moment! Upon spying a magnificent example at Coco Republic (pictured first, above), I broached the idea with hubby and was quite shocked at his reaction! Normally very open to my ideas, or at least willing to discuss their merit (with illustrations provided by Mwa), he was absolute in his negativity with a very big, resolute NO! Over the last 6 months though he has mellowed (? Been nagged into submission) and I have found more beautiful and more fiscally plausible options.

I had done a 'deal' for this 8 light fitting for $1600 when hubby said NO. It is now priced @ $3299 at Domayne!

 I thought I'd share with you a beauty that I discovered today. I accompanied a friend to a medical appointment in Sydney and we found time (of course!) to have a quick squizz en route at favourite shops! I snapped this : Sparkly; tick! Price-point: tripple ticks!!! Now - just to convince hubby!

Recollections 12 light fitting $849!

I have a few new followers too! Thank you so much for joining me. I'm not sure where we're headed but I appreciate your faith in me, my blog, and my existing readers that it's worth tagging along for the ride!

x KL

Muted Monochrome

More photos of my favourite monochromatic palette. Black + White. There are many individual elements that I can 'borrow' for my house. I love the floating platforms that create shelves, seating, stairs and bath. I love the vertical bookcase niche in the bedroom. And, I love the art. This apartment is Donna Karans and you can see more of it here.

x KL

Black, white and well read!

'D Residence' by Shareen Joel Design

I do have such a great love of black and white at the moment. And just as I decide 100%, definitely, absolutely and without a shadow of a doubt that our kitchen will be black (and white), I find these images! This stunning house has interiors designed by Shareen Joel of Sharleen Joel Design. It was shortlisted in the Australian Interior Awards 2011 and has made me stop and reconsider again! I would call this kitchen white (and black)! Isn't it stunning?

 I read an article about this project in the second edition of the digital magazine Est which I thoroughly enjoyed and which started my search for more information about Sharleen and her aesthetic. The Design Files posted a fantastic interview with Shareen late last year, and Jo from Desire to Inspire has featured her diverse talents too. Im so taken with the unpretentious detailing in this project, particularly evident in the joinery, the understated use of colour, simplicity of design and minimal yet classic feel.

For me, this house is perfection!

Courtesy of Est magazine

Oh to have the budget to simply employ her to give my place her magic touch!

Check out her web site here for more outstanding, drool worthy examples of her multi faceted design!

P.S: I'm loving Est magazine too. If you haven't seen it before, check it out below - Australian and highly recommended by Mwa! Did you notice that I taught myself how to make links!!!! Yee Ha!!!

Est magazine # 2

x KL

I've gone all mushy!

When scrolling through all my pictures of the last house, I came across these. My littlest man-of-the-house is now 9. How time flies! Here he has lined up three tiny teddy chairs for him and his furry friends to sit on to watch TV together. How thoughtful. So cute!!!! It's lucky I'm too old to do anything with this gooey, lumpy, heart bursting, clucky feeling!!! Have a lovely weekend!

x KL