Bookshelves

Why does a well styled bookshelf look as though it occurred naturally.......thank goodness for this tutorial here , it is from the lovely blog below.

Little Green Notebook with fantastic "how to guides"




Betsy Burnham via Decor Demon

 

House Beautiful

Lonny

M Designs via La Dolce Vita

Kelly Klein via Habitually Chic

Martensen via Desire to Inspire

Lonny via The Lennoxx

And check out the "hints and tips" section at The Lennoxx, what a great find this website is!
I am now on a mission to find other ideas for styling a bookshelf (especially considering I have a wall of bookshelves downstairs that need some serious attention). Vignettes and tablescapes should be next I think.

Ciao
Sonnee

Beginning of Inspiration Board

Here is the beginning of my inspiration board, soon to be, wall.  I have been keeping this trellis wallpaper for over a year now.  I have been trying to find the perfect thing to do with it.....line the cork inspiration board with it.....done.  These are some images that i have acquired lately, they are waiting patiently to be framed and to go on a cluster wall above our old brick pizza oven (beside the timber mirror that I painted bright yellow).  At this rate, if I don't start to get these framed there will be a mountain of them sitting around as they seem to be multiplying by the day.

Favourite wall paper that has been neglected for over 12 months.....purchased from Black & Spiro

Image from eBay purchase.....love her spotty bikinis!

Image from Inside Out Magazine's latest issue & 50's pin up girl eBay collectors card

Anna Spiro's chair by Anne Harwell from annechovie.etsy.com

Beautiful!  From Kerry Shipp of Driftwood Interiors

Image from Inside Out Magazine.....I need more magazines!

eBay purchase from (I will get back to you).  Love the tulle skirt!

Ciao

Sonnee

Today & Tomorrow

Today, I have to apologise for the lack of images of my ginger jars, seems the camera, me and just the right amount of light are not getting along.  I think this will have to be a job for the Easter break.  Today, my lovely sister and I enjoyed a gorgeous coffee and some raspberry crumble at, the newest edition to Latrobe Terrace at Paddington, Hamptons Home Living here .  I met Tania and Luke, the owners of Hamptons Home Living, you can find Tania at http://hamptonshomeliving.blogspot.com/.  What a gorgeous store!!!  For a long time now, I have been searching for the perfect store....... full to the brim with gorgeous items/linen/garden/candles/home eye candy........ with an adjoining coffee shop....hmmmm I'm in heaven (and it includes a view of the city off the back deck).  Tania is a delight and I am in awe of any woman in business (especially a wife and husband team).  I know they will make you feel very welcome, so please make sure you drop in and enjoy the fabulous coffee and browse through the shop.  I can assure you, you won't leave empty handed, I didn't.

Today's purchase...Candles from Hamptons Home Living...Ecoya Pink Champagne, Ecoya Sweet Pea & Jasmine and Ecoya Lotus Flower candles...the house is smelling Divine! 


Tomorrow, I intend on starting my inspiration board (which I fear will turn into an inspiration wall).  To start with today though, I am adoring Kelly Wearstler.  Loads of colour......check out her site here for some more colour.

Images from http://www.kellywearstler.com/

http://www.kellywearstler.com/

Ciao

Sonnee

I Heart Blue and White

My birthday was on boxing day, my lovely sisters and mum gave me a stunning blue and white gift (actually 2 large matching lamp bases).  I have a gorgeous collection of blue and white ginger jars, jugs and vases.  I adore the patterned blue and white.  They proudly sit on my mantle piece and I am often caught looking up and admiring them.  I have finally found the perfect spot at home for the lamps, phew!  They have been sitting around waiting for just the right lamp shade to be added.  I am still undecided about what fabric to get the lamp shades made out of but I know that it will have lovely bright colours, so for now, the bases have crisp white shades.  I am very excited to have my talented photographer brother in law come over on Sunday to take some professional photos of the house, including the blue and white collection (I have been meaning to do this for some time).  I will post some of the snaps of my favourite items from home after I get them done on the weekend.  Until then.......I love Stuart Membery's blue and white lamp bases.  Actually, I really love this entire image, to check out more go to www.stuartmemberyhomecollection.blogspot.com/  I had the absolute pleasure of meeting him last year at Black & Spiro's opening of the new shop.  His style is so fresh and makes me want to relax and take in the beauty.  Would also love a huge bunch of pink lillies somewhere in the shot.





www.stuartmemberyhomecollection.blogspot.com/ 


And this with the stunning bright flowers (and of course the blue and white drum)

http://www.stylehome.com/

Ciao

Sonnee

Baby Chicks & 2 other very clever Chicks

My day started out very well this morning with my number 2 son beaming at his recovery from his recent illness just in enough time to make the last day of kindy for the week.....you see, today is the day the baby chickens will be hatching!  The look on his face lights up my day when ever I look at the photo below.  This is my wonderful son Astroboy (as he likes to be called).  He is often found zooming around the house in just his underpants, socks and sandshoes ("because THAT is what Astroboy wears mum").  Welcome to the world little chicks.



Astroboy and the new kindy chickens.....Easter is almost here.

Another cute Astro Boy (image from Table Tonic)
 

Now, to the 2 other very clever Chicks.......Trudi & Erica!   From http://www.hardtofind.com.au/ , which is "an Australian shopping website featuring beautifully designed, hand-crafted, unique products — homewares, gorgeous gifts, kids' stuff and accessories — that are not easily sourced elsewhere"

Trudie & Erica from http://www.hardtofind.com.au/

http://www.hardtofind.com.au/  e-brochure

They have the most divine things.  Perfect for me to add to my unique client gifts.  At the moment, I send an in house chef to my clients homes as a way of conveying my thank you for their support.  The chef we use is far and beyond anyone I have ever meet.....which is no surprise really, given I am surrounded by exceptional people that always strive to deliver above and beyond any expectation.  I think hartofind will be a perfect gift offering to my clients also.

Ciao

Sonnee

Getting Started

http://www.ivyandpiper.com.au/

Well, it has been too long in getting to this point BUT now that I am here (even if everything isn't perfect) I am delighted to be launching the blog today. I am very naive when it comes to blogging, so please bear with me.  I have started this blog as a way of collecting my thoughts and wading through where I find myself at this particular point and also as a reference point for the things I adore.  I have for some time enjoyed readying my favourite blogs, mostly around interior design and decorating and have fallen in love with the blogging world (it really is a world of its own).  As I am a women in business, I wanted to firstly show my support and total enthusiasm for 2 other very special women in business.....my talented sister Melanie Parker and her equally talented business partner Elizabeth Raptis.  Their 3rd issue of their interior design magazine, Ivy & Piper,  The Fashion Issue, can be found at www.ivyandpiper.com.au  It is a fantastic emagazine full to the brim with gorgeous items, articles and industry heavy weights.  Well done girls, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the mag!!

Ciao


Sonnee