Down to the wire

I'd like an old wire basket or tray for my desk. Nothing more, nothing less. Maybe something like pic #1 or pic #2. Now if I could only find one here in Melbourne (or at least Australia!)...

(Images: 1 - Dee Puddy; 2 - Cox & Cox; 3 - Every Eskimo; 4 - 26 Olive Street; 5 - James Merrell; 6 - Design Sponge)

Pretty window display

The last time I was in the city I came across this wonderful shop window display at Pollon Flowers - red painted window frames, bamboo bird cages and birch logs. Unfortunately the shop was closed when I passed by, I must go back another day (check out their website - it has some lovely images on it). Anyway, just thought I'd share this little bit of prettiness with you...

(P.S. Sorry about the reflection in the window - my photography skills suck).

Cushion love

There are lots of cushions out there in homewares land that I really, really like. Spring is just around the corner, so maybe it's time to change things around in the living room with a few new cushions. I love the pink piping on the front cushion in this shot from Marie Claire (but it definitely wouldn't suit my living room)...

Big, bright floral cushions from Acquire Boutique in the US...

Megan Park's Autumn range is lovely - I really like the little black & white cushion...

Her Spring/Summer range is pretty damn gorgeous too...

And just a couple of days ago Lucy over at The Design Files did a lovely post on Be Still soft furnishings. Here's a cute pic of some very nice cushions from her post...

Which is your favourite? And do you have any good tips on where to buy cushions? I'd love to hear.

Eichardt's Private Hotel

If I ever find myself in Queenstown, New Zealand, and flush with money, I know exactly where I'll be resting my head...at Eichardt's Private Hotel...

A public area in the hotel - roomy spaces, cream and black decor, deep leather chairs to sink into...

The house bar, complete with with comfy couches and a roaring fire...

The drawing room - yet another gorgeous fireplace, comfortable chairs, botanical prints etc. Just the place to sit and read the paper or a good book...

The hotel parlour - the off-white timber battened ceiling looks fantastic against the brown walls...

This is one of the cottage suites

And I couldn't resist including a shot of this very dark, gorgeous bathroom that features in one of the other hotel suites...

(Images: Eichardt Private Hotel)

Cute prints

I think these prints by Naomi Murrell are really charming. I can just imagine this pink print in a little girl's room...

(Images: Naomi Murrell)

Monday morning shop post - Bookbinders Design

'Colour can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways' - Oscar Wilde
Bookbinders Design, a stationery business which was founded in Sweden in 2001, has a concept store right here in Melbourne - at 385 Bourke Street, Melbourne. It's currently the only store in Australia. Every time I am in the vicinity I cannot resist popping in to the store to check out the amazing range of cloth bound journals, diaries and photo albums available in an incredible array of colours. They even custom make and emboss journals, diaries etc. for clients. I would love one of their plain cloth bound journals...trouble is, I can't decide what colour I'd like it in because they're all so gorgeous!

Anyway, here's just a small taste of what's available.

A range of jewel-toned filing boxes in different shapes and sizes...

Pretty floral envelopes...

(Images: Bookbinders Design)

No Chintz fabrics

Still searching for just the right fabric for my new window seat in my bedroom...and in my search I've come across some gorgeous fabrics from Sydney store No Chintz (they also have an online store). As you can see, judging from these pictures, I'm looking for a neutral fabric for my little window seat...

If you're an Australian blogger, could you by any chance share with me where you purchase your furnishing fabrics from?

(Images: No Chintz)

African head dresses and hats

I almost simultaneously read the interview about Safari Fusion on the Daily Imprint blog and came across this fabulous African inspired online store in the magazine Real Living. And of course, I just had to go check out the Safari Fusion site. I think the African head dresses and hats that they sell make stunning centrepieces in a room. Check them out...

Beautiful red Zulu Isicholo hats make an incredible wall feature...


And these Bamileke feather head dresses look pretty amazing in each of the following settings...

(Images: Safari Fusion)

Owls

Knowing how much my sister adores owls (she made this gorgeous little creature below with Kaffe Fassett material), I thought that today I'd post some assorted owls for her. Hope you like them Jacky!

A sweet little owl figure from Posh...

A decoupage plate from John Derian...

Metal owl sculptures from Ashes & Milk...

A beautiful owl print as seen on Design Sponge...

A wonderful limited edition print by Australian artist Patrick Christie...

A stainless steel and black wood brooch from Elk Accessories...

An iridescent blue on black journal by Kim Robertson...

Can you spot the little brass owl on the ledge? (Image: Made by Mosey)

Pillow cases from Sunday Morning Designs...