Thursday, September 30, 2010

A little corner at home...









Just a small snapshot of a corner in my home.

My latest thrift store find has taken pride of place overflowing with cottage flowers from the garden. I found the gorgeous Danish Greengate floral jug in a thrift store in Auckland.  The old soft drink crates I posted about last week and the old pine vintage hall table got the white treatment.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Sailing from Brisbane to Perth






I have been sent these photos from someone very close to me who has nearly completed sailing from Brisbane to Perth around the 'Top End' of Australia. These are a few images of what they saw and I thought I would share with you.

Apparently there were an amazing amount of sea snakes in some parts of the West Coast seas and those waves were not the largest...but as for that sunset, I think it is just stunning.


Monday, September 27, 2010

This morning...
















This is what is blooming in my garden this morning. Stepping outside the front door and this is what I am greeted with.

How can one not be inspired by this natural beauty?

Friday, September 24, 2010

Vintage and Handmade


Fabulous French Fabrics




Lovely Linens



1940's Barkcloth Beauties






Ravishing Roses



My Handmade Soap


All will be revealed next week. Have a fantastic weekend everyone.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Blog Help Grrrrrrr!!



I am tearing my hair out like this young chap as I try to fix my blog. The template in blogger will not revert back to the original as it usually does. I was just trying to change it a little.

What is a girl to do?  Anyone else had this problem?

Update: Thanks to Anna from Cornflake I was able to retrieve the older version. Thanks for all emails and comments. They are so much appreciated. Thankyou.


This morning...

...at my house...












I picked some flowers from my garden this morning and added my thrifty vintage finds; an old wooden soft drink box, small old glass bottles, a gorgeous vintage basket and french blue hand painted wooden egg cups...the scrolly planter once held a huge outdoor candle.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The Awnings Are Coming!




Every year the passion fruit vine and the jasmine creeps up on the deck and becomes, well, unruly. I don't have the heart to cut it back until it has provided us with the sweetest fruit and the most divine scent of jasmine.










This time though I will have to cut it down for good....The awnings are coming!

They will look something like this...




These awnings will have multi-stops so that they can be moved up and down and stopped where required. That's what the man said!

They will cut out the glare and the afternoon summer sun, and stop my bright cushions from fading....I hope.

I also discovered that passion fruit vines are wonderful or making wreaths for Christmas ( I really didn't want to say that word). The vines are supple and very pliable enough when green and will twist easily. I particularly love the curly tendrils and tend to leave them on.  I have begun one as you can see in the photo. Wait a couple of weeks until it dries out, spray paint it, then attach vintage crystals from old chandeliers, old baubles, ribbons - just about anything that you want really.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Magnolias for Monday...
















Just caught the tail end of the Magnolia season in Auckland last week. These spectacular blooms were everywhere! I love the way they maintain their attractive colour right to the end of their blooming season.

Don't seem to see any around in my neighbourhood. That's probably why I was rather taken by their stunning presence in many, many gardens and on the pavements in the city.

Friday, September 17, 2010

This is the Adirondeck...








...chair that Diann made from scratch. Her pride and joy on her gorgeous deck. Notice the little chap on the railing just casually keeping an eye on things?



Hope your weekend is fabulous!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Tour of a Grand Auckland Villa

Thought you would like to have a quick tour through Maria's home she shares  with her gorgeous family, in Auckland.

This grand old home was built in the early 1900's and has been extensively renovated with an additional upper level at the rear. A very tasteful renovation has retained original features whilst incorporating this home into an open and family friendly space.





A stunning feature in a second downstairs bathroom off the hallway - a little recessed tiled nook and the hand basin is a stunning silver salad bowl.




The enormous family bathroom is downstairs and features the stained glass window over the claw bath and a working fireplace!









This is hubby's shed at the rear of the property.




I hope you enjoyed your tour of this amazing home. Thanks Maria!