Colour makes me happy

Do you also think we need them in Australia??

(hopefully soon )

Southern Highlands Stunner

I received an email from one of my blog readers, Ali, who has the most drop-dead gorgeous home in the Southern Highlands of NSW. In fact, it's so stunning, it's just been featured on The House of Turquoise, and I was only too happy to share all the pics with you all.

'Summerfield' is set on 1.2 acres with spectacular views of the surrounding meadows. But it's best if I let the photos do the talking, so take a look:

 love the artwork in this room ;)

As it happens, Ali's lovely home is now for sale, and you can get all the details over here. If only I was in the market for a country retreat - this would be absolutely perfect.

By the way, I'll be back tomorrow with all the details of the project I mentioned here - see you then!

I now have a MadeIt shop!

As well as my new Etsy store, I've also just opened a brand-new MadeIt shop.

MadeIt is an online buying and selling destination showcasing Australian artists, craftspeople and designers, and I love the idea of appealing to both international and Australian shoppers alike with a combination of storefronts and websites. Over the coming weeks, I'll be adding more items to both sites, and I'll also be featuring some works exclusively, so keep an eye on my Facebook page for all the updates. And if that's not enough, paintings won't be the only things on offer (yep, another teaser!), there will be insider sales and special offers as well, so stay tuned!

To kick off the new store, I've listed these prints:

 'Dynasty in Ming'

'Ming in Indigo'

'Chinoiserie in Green'

So pop on over, I'd love to see you there!

In the meantime, I'll leave you with a little reminder of a project I've been working on - remember this?

I'll reveal all next week - catch you then!

'Kellie's Vase'

As most of you are already aware, the lovely Kellie from Ada and Darcy has just opened her brand new shop, Ada and Darcy, which is full of the most beautiful homewares. When I was browsing through, I came across a gorgeous cloisonne vase, and thought it would be the perfect subject for a new painting. Take a look at 'Kellie's Vase':

...and the original inspiration:

courtesy Ada and Darcy

As you can see, I've used a little creative license and altered the design, but I think the original piece is just gorgeous. If you haven't already, head on over to Ada and Darcy to check out the beautiful pieces on offer. Just keep your credit card handy - you're going to need it!

My weekend project

I've been working on a little project for a while now, and as it involves quite a bit of mental concentration, I really need to be in the mood for it to work - at least, without much ranting, raving, and gnashing of teeth. In spite of really enjoying maths at school, I've come to realise that I have the kind of brain that trashes any sort of technical knowledge (quadratic equations and calculus anyone?) if not used frequently enough. Ask me for any sort of trivial fact, and it's no problem at all. Phone numbers of my primary school friends - easy. In fact, almost any phone number at all seems to be indelibly etched into my brain for some strange reason - but that's another story. Anyway, as my project involves much measuring and planning to look just perfect, I think I'll take my time, which, for me, is no mean feat. Patience is so not my strong point. So for now, you know what's coming - the dreaded teaser:

via style court

via desire to inspire

via martha stewart

via stylecourt

source unknown

via domino magazine courtesy houzz

So, that's my weekend. What do you have planned?

How They Do It In GB

this could be fun DIY project

 

Please visit  Taylor Howes for more work of Gail Tailor and Karen Howes

Can I do it? My biggest challenge yet!

So, my dilemma is this - can I take a tired, outdated relic, albeit with good bones and great location, and inject at least a few of my favourite style elements? Or is it just too hard? I think I can, but you know, those doubting Thomases' are sometimes hard to ignore. 

Ok, here's a bit of background info. I live in a dark brick, 70's/80's style home, but what I really want is this:

And I have to say, it doesn't help when I'm surrounded by super-stylish examples of my blog friends' gorgeous homes, that, of course, are in exactly the style I love:

Beach-chic perfection - handiwork of the gorgeous Judy of Verandah House

of course, many of you will already be familiar with the lovely A-M's home - need I say more?

...and oh my, Sharnel's home is as gorgeous as she is!

I've had so many people tell me to knock it down and start again, but in this financial climate it seems so wasteful and irresponsible to demolish a perfectly good home in the pursuit of the right 'look'. Now don't get me wrong, many of the above examples are far beyond what I have in mind for my home, but you get the idea. My brilliant solution (to my mind anyway) of covering our ugly brick with weatherboard is met with howls of protest and scorn from every male I've been foolish enough to mention it to. Is it really that silly an idea? I can't see the problem, and I don't believe that rendering is the only remedy. I think a combination of render and weatherboard could look great, but as it's a little out of the box, I'm finding it hard to garner much support.

So it's over to you, my stylin' friends - what do you think? Could it work? Do you have any other ideas for me - if so, I'm all ears. And I'm going to print out all your fabulous ideas and brandish them as proof, whenever I'm met with resistance. 

You know, I'm almost tempted to give it a go myself on my art studio........I'm sure my husband has another work trip organised in just a few weeks......!!

Have a great day everyone,