Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!  We are off on a little holiday and will be returning in the first week of the new year.  I am super excited about 2011.  It will be a year of new beginnings, exciting business plans and much much more.   See you then!

House + Heath

House Industries and Heath Ceramics.  Two of my favourites together!  Oh how I wish I was in LA this December.

Le Pixel

We have the doors.  We don't yet have the deck.  However we have cleared the outdoor space so that it's much more inviting and somewhere we actually want to hang out.   We'll be needing a little bit of shade over the coming summer (that's if it actually stops raining and gets hot), and I quite like the idea of a feature umbrella to add a splash of graphic colour.   These pixelated umbrellas by Basil Bangs are quite cool...

Or.....a good dose of '60's black and white with this little Oeke number:

Maybe I'll put them on my Christmas wishlist, and we'll see what Santa brings....

RetroModern

I just stumbled across this great Australian company, RetroModern.  The premise is they source vintage pieces of furniture and give them a loving update.  Don't they look awesome!

Based in both Adelaide and Melbourne, these guys are happy to deliver Australia wide.  You can even pick an original piece and have it customised to your liking.  Doesn't get any better than that.

"retromodern brings classic retro style & design into modern interiors. We source, restore and prolong the life of retro furniture. 

retromodern specialises in the restoration and alteration of  sideboards, buffets and chest of draws. However we purchase and restore many other retro items that appeal to us as collectors.  

Our approach to these items is unique and has become very popular. The demand for retro items is growing and it has become increasingly difficult to find the right piece. We aim to broaden that search by restoring old unwanted items and turning them into something fantastic!  Items that can transform a room!  

We turn a unrestored piece of furniture into your specific design. Choose from one of our unrestored pieces or send us a photo of your mid century find for a quote. Each is restored and altered to bring out the best possible appearance. Retaining a timeless appearance, they are tomorrow's antiques and this is what makes them special.

Items that look new but retain their vintage style, design and feel. "

all images RetroModern

Mark Tuckey

It seems everywhere I look, Mark Tuckey's name pops up.  Whenever I flick through a design magazine or blog and spy something I like the look of, there it is.   Mark Tuckey.   

"At Mark Tuckey we design, make and sell solid timber furniture. We have showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne with an ever-changing collection of over 300 cutting edge and modern classic designs. We sell everything from chairs, tables and cabinets, to beds, storage and outdoor furniture, from new and recycled, predominantly Australian timbers - all made in our Melbourne workshop by our team of 15 experienced furniture makers."

I'm also completely in love with Mark Tuckey's home, as featured in InsideOut some time ago:

images via Mark Tuckey and Inside Out

Cheeky Treats

How cute are these new goodies from Jonathan Adler?

And they're in!

A year after completing the renovation of our kitchen, we have just had our beautiful bi-fold doors installed.   Just in time for summer!  We were hoping to have the new deck built before Christmas too, with visions of a summery Australian celebration outdoors.......  Alas the funds have dried up for the time being, so that will have to wait until the new year. 

Bi-folds doors closed

We chose a local company called Ryleho to manufacture and install our doors.  They are completely custom made using Western Red Cedar.   After much research, I kept coming back to Ryleho as their product is so well resolved and definitely the best in regard to quality.   

Bi-fold doors open

 The bi-folds have a retractable fly-screen built into the frame of the door that you wouldn't even know was there when they are folded away (see the thin black lines on the very left and very right hand sides of the doors? They are more apparent in the first image).  The sliding mechanism of both the fly screens and the doors themselves is super smooth and whisper quiet.  The glass is all double glazed.  All of these things added up to paying a decent amount for the doors, but my philosophy is that when it comes to major items like these, you really get what you pay for.  You need to spend money on the things that really matter.

Doors open with roll-out fly screens closed

Now I just need to get busy staining them.  I quite like the colour they are now, so maybe just a sealant?  And I am yet to decide whether to stain/seal them on the outside, or paint them charcoal grey, as I am with the rest of the exterior windows of the house....?

Marnie Gilder

Lucy at The Design Files recently profiled artist Marnie Gilder and I was immediately drawn to her work.  The simple colours and organic shapes really appeal to me.  Another thing to add to my wishlist for Christmas!

All images Marnie Gilder

Stella Cove

Stella Cove creates beach wear for girls and the women who love them.  I love them!  And whilst I might not be ready to don one of those teensy teeny weeny little bikinis myself, I'm loving the little girls stuff.

Wings Kaftan

Grey Embroidered Dress

Blue Embroidered Dress

Pollen cover up

B.Holiday

Lady Madonna

Madame B.

Pollen Midnight

Rio

Ruby Red

Wing

Stella Cove is a US site that are happy to ship internationally.  With the Aussie dollar so strong, I say let's shop up!

All images Stella Cove