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 

 

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. 

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

Behold the bargain!!!

Wanna see my bargain buy of the year!? Yep, big call but I am so confident I'm prepared to call it mid year (until the next bargain rolls around of course).  Since my big boy is at Prep this year I thought it was timely to get him a desk for homework and a bit of crafty action. I have been scouring my usual haunts looking for vintage gems to no avail. That is until I found this retro World Map desk on eBay. And you will never guess how much I paid for it? $36. Is that not the deal of all deals?

I'm totally digging it. I still have to find the right chair. I think I'll order the same chair we're using for my friends Play Room project.

Its a classic chair and it's only $69 from Matt Blatt.

My other little find for the week was a stool from Freedom. It retails for $149 but I got it in the sale section of my local store for the bargain basement price of $59. I have used it for a bedside table in my big boys bedroom.

See!! Cool, huh?

I am loving mustard at the mo.

Have a great week.

J xx