State of flux

I've been meaning to share this clip for a while.  It's Moby talking about L.A. Architecture. Watching these images make me long for Sunset Boulevard, palm trees and Santa Monica Pier. I'm lucky enough to have been to some amazing corners of the globe but no place has stolen my heart like Los Angeles.  I think of LA all the time. I honestly do.  I think about all the fun I've had there and when I can go back.

Take a moment to watch this and maybe you'll get what I mean.

Not long.  We'll be back.

J xx

The latest.

Hiya!  I'm awarding myself the title of Laziest Blogger for 2013.  I've been so caught up with selling the house and obsessing over the decorating scheme for the new house that the ole blog has been at the very bottom of the list.  I've also developed a weird new obsession with Jamie Oliver's 15 minutes Meals (the tv series).  I've started watching it saying things like 'I could so do that' and 'we need to make some of those' and today I even committed to buying a bottle of black bean sauce to make homemade burgers!!!  In my defence I also have a job and a 2 year old that wakes with the birds so my life isn't all furniture shopping and tv!

So, we move in 2 weeks.  We finally have a SOLD sign out the front and we're down to the basics inside.  We ended up with multiple offers on our house and great feedback on our decor and presentation. This whole process hasn't been without drama and to cut a very long and stressful story short we accepted an offer from a buyer but ended up having to terminate their Contract.  I've never been so physically affected by stress in my life.  Hives, chest pain, no sleep...I swear I have aged 10 years in the last 30 days.  Anyway, the bit that matters is that we have a new buyer who gets to live here and call this place home in 2 weeks time.  I hope he loves it. I suspect he will.

So...now for the pretty pictures bit.  

I got this coffee table for the Formal Lounge in the new digs.

And this chevron rug in grey...

And 2 of these simple Studio Sofa's from Freedom.

In keeping with the simple understated look I'm going for in the new house I got this framed vintage travel poster from OzDesign. I love it.

And I'm dead keen on this Formosa Lamp from OzDesign....Santa???

The new house is a late 1930's with a new extension at the back.  In the original part of the house the plaster work is to die for and the colour scheme is black, white and grey so I plan to build on that and add pops of colour (see above mentioned lamp). 

So many exciting things to look forward to and blog about.  

Jxx

Scrap that! New plan.

Firstly, apologies for being the longest time ever since I have posted but things have been busy....crazy busy in fact.  I'll cut to the chase, you know all those architectural plans we spent 5 months working on? The ones I spent countless hours tweaking, researching, measuring and generally obsessing over?  Well, they are finished...and going to the new owner of our house!  That's right, we sold our house.

In true Joydee fashion I fell head over heels deeply in love with a late 1930's bungalow that came up for sale not far from where we already live.  It was safe to say I was a goner.  Fortunately Mr Whoa Nelly was bitten by the same love bug and in the space of a week we had a contract, our house was on the market, we had the first Open House and we are now sold. I'm crediting our swift and successful sale to several things, living in a great suburb (Holland Park represent!!), being the lucky owners of a very pretty 1950's home that anyone would be proud to call their own and last but definitely not least...this whole transaction has been overseen by the most professional, knowledgable and expert Real Estate Agent I have ever met.

Here are some of the pics of our house that went online as part of the marketing.  The photographer did a fantastic job.  Photo credit to Studiolane Photography.

We haven't gone unconditional on the contracts yet but all is on track for a move in early December.  The sorting and decluttering has begun.  And of course, the design concept for our new home is well underway.  That's a whole other post!!

I can't wait to share the journey of designing our new home.  Watch this space.

Jxx

PS: That brown lounge...bleh!  Maybe I can arrange for it to fall off the back of the moving truck.
  

These are a few of my favourite things...this week.

Apologies for being so slow getting a new post up.  I've been brimming with ideas but busy with...life! So, quick update on the extension.  Had another long meeting with the Architect last week.  To be honest I always come away with more questions than resolutions but we're close. I hope.  How on earth do the Grand Designs people do it??  I take my hat off to those brave enough to build dream homes. In my research I've come across a few fun bits and pieces...cop a load of this gear!

I fell deeply in love with this pineapple lamp from Oz Design. 

I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of 'stuff' in store that I'd have gladly taken home.

I ordered this fab original painting from Temple & Webster. I love the colour, the subject is kinda fun and it will be perfect in my all-white kitchen.  Did I mention that a new kitchen is now part of the extension? I'm excited but I have a feeling my fancy pants kitchen may come at a cost (the pool...ouch). 

I'm liking the vintage inspired travel posters from Freedom too.  

At $99 framed I think they add a nice pop.

And, of course, I love everything that comes out of the Kip & Co camp.

I'm looking forward to the release of the 2014 Ikea Catalogue so I can touch and feel this sofa.  I love the colour and think it would be fun in my lounge room. 

I really need to get 'handsy' with it first though before I can declare love. 

This is my flamingo lamp.  Do you love it? I got it at WAC (Woolloongabba Antique Centre).

I intend to spend any down time I have this week (and in all reality next week and probably the week after that) finalising the last details of the extension and to start collating all my ideas into story boards.  

Enjoy your week.

J xx 

 

Palm Springs

It's my fave place on the planet so far.  It's relaxation and coolness personified. I woke up thinking about The States this morning...the fact that Andrew was listening to the LA traffic report most likely had something to do with it. He has also been randomly emailing holidays snaps to me at work all week. I think this family is way overdue for a great holiday to the old U.S of A.

In the meantime let's take a slow Saturday morning to celebrate Palm Springs and all it's mid century old school hollywood glam for a moment. Because I can't find the right words to describe that feeling of desert heat mixed with perfect architecture, gardens, Country Clubs and people who play tennis and lunch...I'll give you a visual feast to set the tone.

The fire pit at The Parker.

Pale pink perfection.

The mountains really are that close you feel like you can touch them.

Maybe I could get myself a couple of butterfly chairs for out by the pool. Bit of Palm Springs at home?

We're off to do the grocery shopping and other non glam activities this morning. No fire pits or cocktails for us...maybe later!

J xx

Option B...The Pavilion

Now, where were we? Designs concepts.  We met with the Architect last week and he pitched 4 different concepts to us.  The one I was invested in (going up) turns out is a pretty expensive option with minimum bang for our buck.  And considering it will pretty much come back to the buck we discounted that idea very early on.  I do believe the conversation went something like this...
Me: I'm not sure I like that.
Architect: Good.  You're not meant to.
Me: Ok. Next.
Honestly, its a creative match made in heaven. So after a week of chewing it over and laying awake at night (that's me...no one else) and a lot of time spent standing in the back yard trying to imagine it all we think we have settled on Option B. AKA...The Pavilion!

Nick has designed a Pavilion that comes off the back corner of the existing house.  It involves opening up the existing kitchen (oh well, I'll just have to get a new kitchen...ho hum) and turning the lower part of the deck into a courtyard.  The pavilion will house a study, laundry and storage in a bi-fold cupboard style, and a master suite with dressing room and ensuite. The master will be accessed by a hallway that will be all glass looking out onto the courtyard.  Once we revisit our brief with this concept I will share some of the drawings.

I've been cruising the net for inspiration and have come up with a few gems.  It's funny, I have a kitchen to redesign and an ensuite to put together yet I can't seem to get past the arm chairs for the Master Suite. To be honest, it's all a little overwhelming. #firstworldproblems

I'm loving the Origami Coffee Table from West Elm for the sitting area in the Master Site.

I'm crazy in love with the Shibori quilt set also from West Elm.

I'm picturing an all white bedroom scheme with the only colour coming from this bedding and 

some well chosen pieces of art.

I found this lovely on eBay. Too far away and too expensive but this would be great under the TV also in the Master. Thinking this could be a good little building project for the Mister!!

Great styling in this pic too.  Kudos to the eBay seller.

The new kitchen design involves a bench seating area.  I'm in love with these metal bar stools from Freedom. They are kinda cool...and surprisingly comfortable.  They are also currently on sale.  Bet when it comes to actually buying them I won't be able to get my hands on them. #againwiththefirstworldproblems

These pendant lights (also on sale and also from Freedom) are the kind of natural/quiet piece I'm wanting for the bedroom and robe. 

Oh, did I mention raked ceilings in the Master??? Feast your eyes on my inspiration...

Our finish won't be as rustic as this but the concept is very similar.  Calm, all white, open raked ceiling, french doors opening to the yard. I can imagine escaping to this peaceful space when the rest of the house gets crazy. Not a piece of Lego in sight!!

Enjoy your week and thanks again for following along. I don't get to this blog as often as I'd like but I really enjoy it here. 

Fancy Pants and Perfect Saturdays

I think I am currently in the midst of the perfect Saturday...it's cold and rainy and I've had what can only be described as a mega-nap.  Oh, did I mention I have a chicken curry doing it's thang in the slow cooker at this point? Martha who?

So, down to the important stuff.  We have an architect!  We met with Nick over a week ago and it became apparent very quickly that he was our man.  So, we are working on a Feasibility Study and Schematic Drawings to turn our house into a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with the all important 2 living rooms.  Honestly, having my own lounge room and a separate bathroom to the boys is totes Fancy Pants to me. We have had all the measuring done and have another meeting with Nick next week to take a peak at the first designs.  It's crazy exciting.

Of course my head is filled with details of furnishings and flooring options, windows, lighting, the perfect rug etc etc.  Our 4th bedroom will be dressed as a study.  This may come as news to my husband but I'm thinking that this room will be mine...ALL MINE!!! I'd love to kit it out with some of my fave pieces, I have an antique wardrobe and shipping trunk that would be perfect for the space.  I'm thinking of teaming it with a bright modern rug and a great desk and some shelves to house all my design books and STUFF.  Again with the whole getting ahead of myself thing.

Maybe some fun wallpaper??

Inevitably it will end up with a vintage vibe being that it will be inhabited by a bowerbird...me!

I like the white and gold.

Totally impractical but I had to share this fun pic.

All pics courtesy of Pinterest.

And I NEED these pendants for the Master Bedroom.

I think I may use these as my 'jumping off point'.

I stole that line from Sarah Richardson (Canadian designer...google her, she's good).

In other non 'building the extension of my dreams' news I have 2 very dear friends both due to have babies in the coming weeks.  I've been very studious on the internet finding fun quirky gifts to welcome the new folks to the world...Exhibit A.

Pants a la funky!

Have a great week and keep yourselves nice...and gluten free.

Joydee

So...

We didn't buy the house on Yuletide Street.  The numbers just didn't stack up.  Whilst I'm a bit bummed it did force us to look at our options and it was a great opportunity to look at what we already have and remember all the reasons why I love my house:
Great (yet sometimes colourful) neighbourhood
Close to school and the shops
Big block with landscaped yard
And a little but well loved house that we have poured our heart and soul into.

So...we have an architect coming next week to talk extensions! I'm thinking upstairs, Parents Retreat, then turning our existing master bedroom into a family room for the boys. I have homework this weekend that involves getting my priority list sorted and looking at internal stairs and juliet balconies and so forth. Best homework assignment ever. I'll keep you posted.  Oh, and the pool will be included in the master plan.  If we're going to take the roof off our house and build up then Andrew will barely notice the hole being dug in the ground.

Here is a glimpse into my inspiration:

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

I want built in cabinetry in my dressing room/wardrobe and...

Fun pendant lighting!

I'm really liking this photo from Penny Farthing Design House.

It reminds me of LA. 

I could easily find a home for Frank the Flamingo...also from Penny Farthing.

Frank could be strategically placed at the top of the stairs. 

He's fancy!

It's only taken me 2 hours to get this post written.  I've managed to change nappies, make various forms of breakfasts foods, let 2 cups of tea go cold but here it is.  It's crude, perhaps a little rushed but now that I have downloaded the contents of my brain I can get on with the washing and prepping for the afternoon tea we're having here for my family this arv.  It's all happening in downtown Holland Park!!

  

Strange days indeed!

It's been a weird one.  I tell ya. My day started with the usual school drop off and plans to do general things of awesomeness etc and ended with me questioning every theory I had on raising my boys. Being that my blog is about decor and design and not about parenting, the Education System and/or smug fools that think they know better...I will keep this short.  Someone who holds a very influential position in my eldest Sons life made a decision that I deemed was not in his best interests.  I questioned it. They didn't like it and reacted in a completely unexpected manner. It totally discombobulated me (God, I love that word). I chewed it over, sweated on it and generally let it take over and this afternoon I went back to talk it out and came away knowing two things.  1. you can't teach old fools, new fools or any other kind of fools new tricks, old tricks or anything else for that matter and 2. who knew my kid was a maths genius!!

So...back to business.

Laguiole Cutlery is the bomb!!

Best place to get it is from Peters of Kensington.

I love every last thing in this image.

There is nothing about it that I don't completely love.

Anchor wallpaper.  Ahh, yes please!

And since today was partially ruined by 'Smugsy Malone' I counteracted all the negativity with a big dose of Neon Trees.  I love these cats...and discovered today that Tyler Glenn is on Insta.  Who isn't!

A semi-cryptic blog post coupled with some great decor eye candy some good beats is all the therapy this gal needs.  It's getting dark, the chickens are all back in the nest and I'm about to fire up the new ethanol burning fireplace and start dinner.  It sounds all very 'Suzie Homemaker' but keep in mind I am wearing K Mart pants, the boys will inevitably crack into a huge fight at any moment and I can't  cook.

Bye for now.

Joydee xx

Love on Yuletide

The thing about writing a blog is that it's a journal that everyone who has internet access can read.  I put my own brand of ridiculousness out there then look back and realise I need to be held accountable for some of my more serious 'crimes against sanity'.  Take for example my New Years post...I came away all inspired about living simply and resisting the unnecessary and at a quick glance I realise I have purchased no less than 21 new scatter cushions since January!! 21!! Perhaps 'unnecessary' is an interpretive term...anyone prepared to buy that? No? Guilty as charged I'm a lover of stuff.

So it seems that I have fallen in love this week. It's a love of a deep 'can't stop thinking about you' kind. Every minute has been consumed with thoughts of her. The things we could do together. The memories we could make. She is a 1920's Queenslander in Yuletide Street.  She sits on a huge 911 squares and in her current state could only be described as 'ugly beautiful'. Be careful looking at these images...you may lose your heart and/or your mind.

Isn't she spectacular??

I get the feeling she was well loved.

Look at those internal french doors.

And if this were to become mine those floors would be staying.

I have decorated this beauty over and over in my mind and we only 'met' 48 hours ago. She isn't far from where we currently live and is situated in a pocket of divine character homes on large inner city blocks.  They are taking offers in the High $700k. I have always dreamt of a sprawling old home like this one. I'm not saying she's "the one" but she comes pretty damn close.  Let's hope my heart doesn't go to developers. 

And if the Real Estate planets aligned and she were to be ours the first thing I'd do would be to get a fab couch from Ruby Star Traders to go in the Entry Foyer.  I'd add a few hot pink and orange throw cushions (because clearly I don't have enough cushions) to offer a nice warm welcome.

We're off to another wedding today.  That's 2 in 2 weeks.  Too much fun!

Happy Weekend!

Joydee

Pinetastic Birthday Book Bonanza

Morning! You know those 'windows of time' I have referred to in the past, well, I have one now so it's time to get my post on. Big week.  Went to an Ah-mazing wedding up at Noosa last weekend.  One of the best weddings ever. Helps when the Bride is one of those fabulous creatures that wouldn't look out of place atop her own cake!  Congrats Fi and Dave.

In other newsworthy information I managed to turn 36 this week without too much trauma.  There were gifts, cake, birthday cards, brownies, books, catch ups, coffee dates and dinners.  Its been a great week and a reminder that I'm lucky to be surrounded by so many great people. I really do have the best friends in the bizz.

Oh, and as for my Top 5 birthday bits list from last post....2 from 5.  Not bad!  I got the Kate Spade book and the pretty piney from 'Miss Jones'. It was a book bonanza of a week.  So many great design books to read and be inspired by... now just to get a few of those 'windows' to read them!

Anyone remember that awesome patchwork chair I got from Far Pavilions last year?  I waited 5 months for it to arrive and it lasted exactly that long. 5 months before it started to come apart at the seams. I get it, I feel like that myself at times but it had to go back for a refund.  I couldn't risk a replacement, this isn't the kind of house where fragile fits in.  So I went in a different direction and replaced it with this...

The Astrid chair in Lemongrass from Freedom.

I also got these Stockholm nesting tables.

And the Remix cushion...and because Freedom had a sale on I still had $130 left over from the purchase of the original chair.

In all fairness though Far Pavs customer service was excellent and never once questioned my need for a refund.  Why is it that I'm often surprised by good service? Did I just turn into an old person who expects people in customer service roles to be helpful? Well, I am 36 I suppose.

Now, who else is totes in lurve with Bruno Mars? Hip Latino can sing! Click the link and enjoy a bit of swag from the man himself. 

Please excuse the 'rude word' at the start!

Happy Week Ahead xx