beautiful home: Januari 2011

Senin, 31 Januari 2011

Be My Valentine.

V-Day is 14 days away and one thing I have leaned over the years is that you can never prepare early enough. Some of you may not know this, but I run a florist in a small rural town. Instead of a One-Man-Band, I am a One-Woman-Florist. Found some fantastic crafts I just had to share with you guys.

Click on the source below the pictures to get the directions.

Enjoy, Heidi

Crescendoh

Martha Stewart

Unknown Origin

Overpacked

I seem to have a rather persistent problem when it comes to packing a suitcase and that is I completely overpack. Every single time I just can't help myself and the worst thing of all is that my carry-on luggage could be compared to everything 20 people would need for a 2 week holiday. It is just ridiculous.

However, after hauling my usual 10 tonnes of so-called 'I can't live without' luggage on a 20 hour flight from Brisbane to New York a few days I ago it was quite humorous to read an article by Amanda Fortini in the New York Times this morning in which she proclaims her obsession with the overpack too.

I was comforted by the fact that she too has packing anxiety and as her friend kindly puts it - 'It's like you're traveling by ocean liner. Will you be accompanied by a porter?' I WISH I could be accompanied by a porter. Usually my husband is around and has in the past helped me lug large seashells in my carry-on luggage from Hawaii and cushion covers, mirrors and a painting from LA but this time it is just me and my carry-on and let me tell you it is exhausting running for a connecting flight with 3 heavy bags. I have vowed and declared that on our return flight next week I will only be bringing 1 bag into the cabin with me and the rest will be checked in. It will be interesting to see how I go.

It is snowing here in New York which is quite amazing as this time last week I was swimming in our pool with Harry and Max in 30 + degrees.

Jumat, 28 Januari 2011

Setting the Standards.

Happy weekend to you all. Heidi

Kamis, 27 Januari 2011

Happy Weekend

Have a fantastic, colourful and happy weekend!

image source unknown

Rabu, 26 Januari 2011

Matchbook

I have been a follower and admirer of Katie Armour's blog, The Neo-Traditionalist for quite sometime. She is always coming up with the most stylish things. So when I found out she was starting an online mag with fellow editors Jane Lilly Warren & Fallon Hogerty I was very excited. Yesterday the girls launched Matchbook which no doubt many of you are already aware of. I was thrilled to be included as above and I loved the interview on Rita Konig. I think they have succeeded in creating something a little different and I can't wait to finish reading their launch issue tonight.

Selasa, 25 Januari 2011

Buring Desire

To feel the warmth, hear the crackle and smell the wood burning of a fire on a cold night. To watch the glowing orange embers fly in to the black sky and then gaze in awe at the spectacular canopy of stars above. Those are a few of my favorite things. Enjoy, Heidi

My Home Ideas

Houzz

Better Homes and Gardens

Found Here

Elle Decor

Senin, 24 Januari 2011

Today

Today I collected together a little group of mismatched, brightly coloured fabrics for some cushions for a client's sofa. I never tire of putting different fabric combinations together and I always try to make sure each client has a different combination so as to keep their look unique to them. Lately I have been so inspired by fashion and the combinations of different fabrics fashion designers have been using in one outfit. I love the way Easton Pearson mixes fabrics and incorporates beading, frilling and special details in their designs. The top image is actually a collection of Easton Pearson dresses from 2008. I like the colour combination used in those 4 dresses and would love to create a room scheme using this image as inspiration.

image 1 - jane roarty stylist

Barnology

I spent my childhood playing in old barns, climbing up the ladders and jumping in the hay. Thank goodness my grandparents had 50 cats, because never once did I ever see a snake, rat, mouse or skunk . I still have a fondness for old barns maybe that is why I cannot resist these images. Enjoy, Heidi

Ross Whitaker-Brides Magazine

Photo by Jessica Zais, styling by Stage Right

Style Me Pretty

Sorry, no origin.

Green Wedding Shoes

Found on Once Wed

Sarah Yates photography

Minggu, 23 Januari 2011

Just a few pictures I love to begin the week...

image 1 via haute rummage, image 2 via julia, image 3 via aged & gilded

Sabtu, 22 Januari 2011

Tea Staining Project - From Tablecloth to Lampshade

I've been digging through the early days of my blog and discovered something.

It appears that I've posted several projects that were in progress, promised to come back with the finished pictures.........and never did. oh so sorry

In my defense, I didn't forget - I just never finished the projects!

Needless to say there are plenty of unfinished things in my house.

I try to complete them, they just never seem to make it to the top of my priority list anymore.

However, I did come across one that I finished that I can share with you now.

You all know my love of all things tea stained.

In my very second blog post, I showed you how to tea stain for yourself.

In that post, I showed you a beautiful tablecloth I found at an antique store.

My intent was simply to tea stain it and use it on a table. Unfortunately, after I put it in the tea to soak, I realized that the previous owner had bleached it heavily. The smell was unmistakeable once it got wet, and I noticed that it was becoming more brittle the longer it soaked.

My heart sank when I pulled it out of the sink and it started coming apart.

Well, not being one to waste anything, I set it aside until I could decide what to use it for.

I decided on a lampshade.
-

And meant to do it right away.
-

But didn't.
-

Story of my life.

But I DID finally make it, and here it is.

This is the tablecloth before - crisp white, but on it's way to pure shabby creamy color.

And here's what I turned it into:

(sorry for the picture quality. took these a while back and my camera battery was going dead)

I raided my craft closet of bird items, keys, and ACEO tags. I made individual fabric embellishments, and then hot glued them to the shade. I then added lots of fun buttons (my signature go-to accessory) and keys, nests, and ribbons.

I made 3 of these and sold 2 of them right away. I love the way they turned out so I thought I'd take one home with me. But, after trying it out in every room of my home, I just can't find the perfect spot for it. Or the perfect lamp base for me. As lovely as it is, it's not fitting the look of my home.

So........

Maybe you love it. And maybe you have the perfect place for it. And maybe you want it for yourself.

I'm selling this one!

If you're interested, let me know.

I sold these in the shop for $69, but I'm selling this last one for $42, plus $8 shipping.

If you want it, I'll load it up on etsy and send you the link.

It's ready to mailed out!

What projects have you started, meant to finish, and never have?

It's time to get those projects completed!

Marianne over at Songbird is hosting her Gitter Done party every week now, so we have a reason to get busy and Gitter DONE!

Doesn't matter how big or small the project as long it's been on your list for a while and you've FINALLY got it done!

Kamis, 20 Januari 2011

Perfect

I have been searching for the perfect blue and white tiles for a wall above a bench in our kitchen and I have found them. Patchwork blue and white tiles....could there be anything more beautiful than this?! And they have used brass taps which I love. A huge thank you to my blogging friend Emily for posting about these.