Bathroom hunting.......

I have been scouring lots of bathroom mags, web pages and anything I can really get my hands on to try and decide on a concept for my bathroom project. I visited here and plan to visit here to get the run down on tiles. I've got an image in my mind, I'm thinking sunken bathtub, timber storage, mirrored cabinets and natural stone of some sort. Here are some pictures that I thought were quite inspiring for different reasons.

Images courtesy of Zuster, Reece and House and Garden.

school update

it was back to school last night and I was so pleased to see that my assignment was there waiting for me, I did really well, it is an ongoing assessment, so the final mark will not be known until the end of semester, but at least I am on the right track and it was really reassuring to know that....

I also put forth my first cut draft on the bathroom project. I have my client brief and the space I need to work with. My client is a family of five with three children under seven (sounding familiar???). Now I need to source the products and supplies to get the bathroom started.....stay tuned.

my place

who would have thought that taking still life photos would be so hard, maybe it is the camera??? - I have to admit that this is not really my forte, it was really hard work, but what I do really love is the way the colours work together, these photos talk to me without saying any words - not sure if that makes any sense to you but it does to me.
And credit where credit is due, the lovely quilts in these shots were a joint effort by myself and my very lovely and crafty friend Lisa, she has this ability to make quilts come alive and I feel very lucky to have some of her work to call my own.

school update

I'm not going to mention my assignment, other than to say it has not returned to its rightful owner - there is always next week!

Bathroom Project, is underway - this is worth 50% of my total mark and so it is pretty important I get it right. I am working on my client brief and will fill you in once complete, but I think I am leaning towards a modern space with clean lines, warmth and light. Ideally I would like to use natural stone on the floor and walls(to the ceiling),and keeping with the rest of the house, I would like to introduce some floating timber cabinetry, but I will have to wait and see if that works in with the $12k budget......stay tuned.

Galarie Montmartre

I've added this Favor vintage poster to my wish list. I fell in love with it, thinking it would be a perfect addition to a little girls room. Galarie Montmarte's showroom in Fitzroy is such a lovely place to visit and browse (only browsing, I promise!). If you have a thing for vintage posters like me then wonder into their shop, and even if you don't wonder in for some inspiration.
Galarie Montmartre
rear 197b Brunswick street
Fitzroy
(enter via moor street)

And since the weekend is just about here, you must visit here when you get a chance, perfect for a couple of girlie's or even a family lunch, the wood fire pizza's are to die for and the wine is not bad too!

i can feel some crafting coming on......

it feels like forever since I have been crafting, I was mad about it for so long and really have not felt the desire to get back into it, but that all changed on Friday, I was shopping (and drinking lots of coffee) down Rawthdowne Street and found this great store - Belki, and inside the store was this little stamping set( and so many other lust items) - it was my idea of heaven, needless to say, it now has a new home.
If you get a chance stop by Belki for yourself - 631 Rathdowne street, Carlton North - sorry no web page.

Insight two

The very lovely and creative Tracie Ellis has been kind enough to share a little bit about herself with me (and you!),even though she is about to jet off to the UK and US to meet up with her overseas buyers. Hope you enjoy this insight, I know I have.

1. Describe your average day.
I read all my emails in bed before I get up – drives my husband crazy – he wishes the iphone was never invented. Then when I get to the office my day consists of working on various areas of AURA whether its selling, designing, marketing or buying, we have just finished our Spring Summer 2010 photo shoot so we are busy getting ready to present to Media and buyers here and overseas, I am off to the US and UK next week so we are working on everything for me to take on my trip.

2. Best thing about your job.
Working in a small team, we are all very passionate and proud of our brand and my work is my hobby I love it.



3. Creatively – who do you admire?
Donna Karen, Paul Smith, Kate Spade, the wonderful team at Toast UK and most of all my very talented mother.

4. Are you living your dream?
Yes but always thought it would be a great experience to live and work overseas – New York mainly but as I get older I’m not sure this will ever happen I seem to be just as happy at home.


5. What are you currently passionate about?
Developing our new Spring/Summer 2010 range, its an exciting year for us as AURA turns 10! And we’re venturing beyond the bedroom, and creating a new collection of kaftans, tunics, scarves, towels and table linen, using beautiful details and hand screen printed fabrics, all very exciting for us.


6. Five words that best describe your decorating style.
Black
Green
Mid-century
Modern
Moody

7. Style or Comfort?
A bit of both – I would like to say style but I think I'm comfort - my assistant tells me I should wear the high heels I buy not keep them in the cupboard.

8. Best piece of advice.
Try to live the dream – my mother always wanted to be an artist and everyone told her it was ridiculous – so I did it, probably as much for her as for me.


9. In your opinion, what makes a House a Home?
Lots of Love & good spaces for everyone, a special place that you want to go home too. As well as being able to share your home with friends and family.


10. Favourite places to visit locally.
Toscanos
The essential ingredient – I love to cook and I am constantly buying lovely things to help us cook!
Leos – our cool little local supermarket
Gertrude St Fitzroy – there are some great small fashion stores and our favourite restaurants in Gertrude St – this is where we head to on most Friday nights and Saturdays - as we have to go back to get the car!

quick school update.

no assignment again! this is getting very silly now - I am a little over this, she claims she is very busy - I bet she is, but does she not realise she has one very new student waiting anxiously for her results!!!!One can only hope it will be this week.

school update

well I arrived at school last night and was hoping to see the fruits of my labour, but no, Julia did not finish marking all the assignments, so we have to wait another week. I am most anxious to see how I did, but patience is a virtue!

We are going Environmentally Friendly (isn't everyone) next week, with each student having to present a 4-5 page document on an "Eco Friendly Interior Product" - my choice - Cork Flooring, I've sourced some samples and I'm ready to go,and just in case you didn't know, here's a little bit about CORK!

Cork flooring is environmentally friendly and a renewable resource. The cork oak tree is not destroyed when harvested but rather the bark is trimmed from the tree every 9 years, leaving the tree and the forest undamaged. Its not unusual to have a 200 year old tree still producing cork bark. Cork flooring is actually made from the waste of the cork wine stopper manufacturing process, so cork flooring is a recycled product.

Inspiration - Amy Butler's Studio!

Last year Lisa and I went to the Amy Butler "up close and personal event" at the Sofitel. She really is a very down to earth and lovely person. It was good to hear her speak about her very humble beginnings and see her gorgeous studio and house. It was also interesting to hear where she takes her inspiration from, mostly native fauna, whilst she was here, she was spending lots of time at our very own "Botanical Gardens. It got me thinking, where does inspiration come from?
I think anywhere and everywhere - just keep your eyes open.