The White House Daylesford...

Hello again :) I know it's been ages since my last blog I sincerely apologise for that. I hope you're all well :) I've moved house and I'm currently busy renovating and decorating my new bedroom. I'll post pics when I'm finished if it turns out how I picture it in my mind hehe. The look I am trying to achieve is inspired from Claudia Strasser's The Paris Apartment book. Needlessly to say I am going to town with the girly goodness! ;)

The reason for this blog is I received my copy of the july/august issue of Vogue Living and I was so thrilled to finally see the stunning weekend cottage of one of my favourite designers, Mz Lyn Gardener.

6 months ago, after featuring her gorgeous home and vintage store, Empire Vintage in Melbourne, I received an unexpected, lovely email from Mz Gardener telling me the exciting news of her new country cottage she was renovating at the time.

This cosy weekender is very different from her girly chic warehouse apartment I'm sure you're all familiar with and adore as much as I do, but equally as beautiful. Mz Gardener has successfully catered for both sexes by going for a more industrial vintage look. Most of the items were purchased either at flea markets or salvage stores.

The library has one wall covered in a handpainted wallpaper by Deborah Browness, depicting rows of books. A very clever use of a small space.

I especially love the kitchen with it's open timber shelves and blackboard wall.

No Gardener home would be complete without her signature clawfoot bath :)

Simple but very enticing. I love those white shutters!

An old garden shed was converted to seperate guest room.

I absolutely love it! It's the perfect mix of city meets country and old meets new. I'll definitely be adding The White House Daylesford to my list of places to stay. Thank you Lyn for creating such a treasure for us to enjoy :)

For more information on the renovation and beautiful pics you can visit Mz Gardener's website or buy the July/August issue of Australian Vogue Living magazine.

I'm back.......kinda sorta :)

Hellllllllllooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! *group hugs* How is everyone?! I have missed you all so much!

I took a little more time off my blog than I had originally planned but I guess I needed to. It's been a really hot summer and the kids and I have been keeping ourselves quite entertained. Back and forth to the lake house, family reunions, visiting old friends, catching up on all the latest movies and basically enjoying the non routine way of life the summer break brings.

So I gotta know, who has read the Twilight series?! I got completely sucked into this magical world of vampires and warewolves the past couple of weeks and even enjoyed the movie. This saga has been HUGE down under to say the least and I must say it was quite an enjoyable and easy read. The last book was a little "out there" though lol.

Thumbing through the january issue of Instyle magazine I came across a photoshoot with the cast of Twilight and as goodlooking as the cast is I couldn't help but swoon over the sets! The location and props were stunning. They reminded me of that eclectic restaurant set up at the recent food and wine festival I attended last november.

I LOVE the shabby chesterfield, the birdcage, the aubusson pillow, the empire chairs? and the zebra rug - Genius!

Also in the magazine was a 5 page spread on my new favourite hair salon - Brad Ngata in Pailings Lane.

Mr Ngata recently hosted a high tea in his salon and I LOVED the images. Wish I'd been invited! pffft ;)

Look at those Louis chairs?! They almost left me breathless! I MUST have some chairs just like them!

Oh my looooord I have ALOT to catch up on! I hope you are all well!

(please click images to enlarge)

The New Shabby Chic...

Mz Ashwell has a new California home!

From Romantic Country magazine - After twenty years, Rachel remains faithful to the gently rumpled beauty and easy elegance that made her style a household name. "The look is still based on the aesthetics of comfort, function, and the union of great design with casual ease, but today's Shabby Chic decor is less layered and more tailored," she explains. "Though I still love furniture with timeworn patina I have learned to appreciate the authenticity if weathered wood in it's natural state." These changes are evident throughout her inviting home.

Although I dislike Shabby Chic prices I can't ignore my love for the style. When my great room is built, complete with French doors and a private enclosed courtyard, I too will keep the windows and doors curtain free to maximise the light and space.

For Aussies, romantic country magazine is on the expensive side especially for it's size but with a 10 page spread on this inspiring home I couldn't resist.

The thing I love about Mz Ashwell's homes and style is how unpretentious it looks, however when you see the prices of her wares you almost faint lol. Truth is, any budget can create this look and have a very classy home.


I love all the vintage art displayed sporatically throughout the house and of course the mish mashed chairs.



(please click to enlarge)


Very exciting!, I just recently purchased a dressing table kinda sorta similar to this on ebay - more about that another time.


I'm sure there will be many celebratory events on this weekend for my American pals and down under on the east coast we are mean't to have a beautiful sunny weekend. Get out and about and live it up!!!

Anna xox.

Rachel Riley and Caroline Arber Photography...

The August issue of Country Living UK featured an absolutely stunning French country home owned by clothes designer Rachel Riley.

From the magazine - With it's quirky turrets and rococo orangerie, framed by formal gardens, leafy apple orchards and seemingly endless fields, clothes designer Rachel Riley's 16th-century chateau on the borders of the Loire Valley is the quintessential fairytale castle.

That it is! I LOVE the pastel hues, floral fabrics, gilt furniture and that oversize stone fireplace!

That is my dream living room right there. I would even decorate it almost identically :)

(pic 1 & 3 courtesy of frolic)

All the dreamy photographs of this home were taken by another wonderful discovery - Caroline Arber.

Discovering her website was such a treat. With a range of subjects such as Interiors, Lifestyle, Food and Flowers she really knows how to capture such beauty and warmth in even the simplest things in life.

Following are a few favourite images of her work, Enjoy! :)

Caroline Arber Photography

Tis the season to glam it up!

It would seem I'm not the only one going through a "glamour" phase at the moment. This morning I woke to a very exciting trend alert email from thehome.com exclaiming Feminine glamour is all the rage. We don't mean cute cottage frills, we're talking sophistication and opulence with sumptuous fabrics, trims and beads, embroidery and family heirlooms. "Everything at the moment seems to have a skirt, a tuft or a pleat", and I LOVE IT!

Stepping out for the day I then discovered the september 08 issue of Romantic Homes magazine has a front page feature on vintage glamour and 77 ways to get the look. Needless to say I went away with this tucked under my arm ;)

Sitting back in front of my computer, the front page of my new mag reminded me of a shop in Sydney I ADORE and visit everytime I'm in the area.

From the website - Specialising in chandeliers, "Vintage Glamour" offer a diverse selection of vintage and rare antique chandeliers which can be seen in both stores, mainly from France, Italy, Spain, Eastern Europe, and the middle east. Our antique furniture range consists of Original French and European armoires and beds, Louis chairs, French architectural pieces, as well as italian toleware & florentine furniture.

Vintage Glamour and their new sister store Parisian Flair are run by a husband and wife team, Maritza and Paul. Two lovely people who are always willing to go above and beyond with any inquiry or request you may have.

Unfortunately I'm not yet in a financial position to furnish my whole house with their exquisite wares however I have bought some gorgeous boudoir chairs and accessories for my daughters room from this heavenly store.

Following are just a few examples of the ultimate in glamour and luxury Vintage Glamour has to offer.

This will be my next bed however I'd prefer plain painted timber.

I reeeeally want one of these too-die-for venetain mirrored dressing tables!

Even some of their smallest items are treasures to be cherished.

I also LOVE this custom made French style lettering.

For more eye candy please visit their website and extensive range of opulent goodness.

Vintage Glamour

Embrace your feminine side and have a lovely weekend :)

Margot Montgomery...

Picking up the latest issue of my favourite Aussie magazine "Country Home Ideas" I discovered a designer I'd never heard of but immediately fell in love with her style.

I adore the muted tones throughout her home in Paddington, Sydney.

From the magazine - The atmosphere Margot creates in her own place is reminiscent of homes in the French countryside - Provence perhaps. "France and Italy are my favourites countries to visit, and whatever I buy wherever I go, I never worry about where I am going to put it. If I like it, I get it" she admits, "and then I think about that later".

Sadly I possess the same impulsive tendencies without Margots budget lol.

A sweet cottage kitchen - nothing fancy, very simply but ever so lovely!

CHI - When she refurbishes a house, she always has the walls freshly painted, but with colour that's rubbed in to give them a patina. All of her rooms are painted with soft tints so one room blends with the next.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this bathroom!!! the simplicity, the elegance, so perfect.

I have to say Ms Montgomery's style reminds me alot of Jessica McClintok. So utterly soft and feminine without force.

CHI - There is a clear freshness in Margot's decorating and she maintains it's the 'ingredients' like natural fabrics such as silk and linen, shutters, soft light and fresh flowers that help create "That somewhere special to come home to".

I apologise my scanned pictures aren't of better quality but I just had to share this wonderful designer and her heavenly home with you :)