Inspiration and Perspiration

My work is a mix of inspiration and perspiration. In the past weeks, perspiration has won out and I have not had much time to be inspired to blog. As a bit of a treat I bought the fall (halloween) issue of Martha Stewart Living ( we get it a month later here in Australia) and I just thought it was great.

There was a fab industrial style house reno in Texas, a spooky but beautiful story on Victoriana style plus a spread on how to decorate with dark colours. It was the best issue of Martha I have seen yet.

I love it when inspiration breaks a week of heavy workload and here are some of my breakthrough images. I hope they speak to you too.

P.S. I couldn't believe the orange industrial shelving. I have had the same thing supporting my bathroom vanity basin for the past 4 years and many visitors, parents especially, have wondered why we haven't got around to replacing it yet. "When are you going to get a 'proper' vanity?" is the usual question. Thanks Martha, if its good enough for you....

Gazebos

My outdoor gazebo finally fell down in a strong wind recently. It is the middle of winter here but I figure now is the time to start planning for its replacement. Here are some lovely examples of what is possible. Should I go all white and light or rustic and floral?

Planning The New Laundry

My new/old church hall has a small annex which will house the laundry, scullery and a small bathroom. As these will be the first rooms to be renovated I have to make some design decisions asap.
One of my favourite laundries is in Jenny Larsen's Brisbane house, the photo of which did not make the cut in the article I did for Real Living last year. Love the dark grey cabinets with butler's sink and the wicker baskets hung on the wall.
The sink shot is from Martha Stewart's basement laundry. She is the go-to girl for tips on setting up a laundry, is she not?
I like the look of open shelves above the bench, too and the boarded cupboard doors echo the wall linings in the main room of the building.
BTW I must admit that doing the laundry is the only household chore I really enjoy doing so I was happy to discover that one of the best views from the new building is from the laundry door out over the paddocks to the mountain, framed by a giant conifer.

Not So Mellow Yellow

Have just returned from 2 days of the walking marathon that is the biannual trade fair. Buyers flock to 3 venues to see hundreds of wholesalers' wares set out in countless aisles. Sorry if I sound exhausted.

One colour that made the whole process bearable was the odd splash of cheery yellow. I am loving yellow as an accent or teamed with deep grey for a more up-to-date look.

The best use of yellow and grey I've seen lately is in the home of J. Crew's Jenna Lyons. She is not a fan of pastels in kids rooms so painted her son's walls a deep grey and the ceiling in yellow and white stripes.

The kitchen shot shows how you can update a room with coloured accessories.