Vintage Find

Yesterday Anna took me to some Antique stores around Brisbane. Can you believe that? I get to do that as part of my job?! I could have spent all day amongst the vintage treasures. One piece that caught my eye was this vintage screen. The geometric print reminds me of something Kelly Wearslter would use.

Relax, have a cup of tea

I love tea. Always have, always will. A cup of tea soothes the soul and warms the heart. My obsession with tea began back when I was about 6, and my Dad always asked me to make him a tea in the morning. I was a terrible at it, and after a few sips of his tea here and there I too became a tea lover. A cup of tea can take you to another place. I love to ponder my thoughts with a cup of tea in one hand.

A beautiful place to have tea is at Tlicious at Southbank. They have over 150 varieties of tea, caramel being my absolute favourite. The Tea Centre in the Brisbane Arcade also has some beautiful tea cups and pots, with over 185 tea varieties, mostly imported.

Liberty New Collection

Manzi Stripe

LOVE Liberty's new collection 'MANZI'. The houndstooth is to die for, as is the stripe. Would love to see the stripe on a sofa. As always the picture doesn't do the fabric justice. So if you can, get your hands on it!!

Josh & Louis

You must have a look at this new collection: Josh & Louis. The 'Salon Chairs' above come in 5 different colours, and in my opinion, are beautiful. They are very unusual, and would make a fantastic focal point for a room. Have a look at their website: http://www.joshandlouis.com

Kelly Wearslter

When I started here at Black & Spiro, one of the first things Anna told me about was her favourite interior designer, Kelly Wearstler. She gave me one of her most treasured books, Kelly Wearslter's 'Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style' to have a read of over the weekend. I was amazed by her work, quite suprised actually. I had never seen work like hers before. So sleek, so Hollywood, so out there. I have come to love and appreciate her work already, noticing the little detail in her work more so each week as I learn new things.

It is so unique, so different and I now see why she is such an inspiration to Anna. I didn't even realise I was a fan of Wearstler's work until I found a picture in her book, one which my Mum and I loveee and had already saved and put it in her 'collection' of pictures at home. . It is of the courtyard in the Viceroy Hotel, Santa Monica. I will post a picture of it later this week.

Wearslter's ability to combine perfection and imperfection in the same room is amazing. She also mixes different patterns, colour, shape and texture to create masterpieces.

The quotes in her book are also very inspirational.

"Inside a room I want to be
moved - I want to feel the
drama."

"Instead of settling for less than perfect, I create
something special."

"There is always possibility for
sophisticated spontaneity and the elegance of the unexpected."

Beautiful Words

Thought I would share with you some beautiful words:

"Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth." - Mark Twain

I love this quote. It makes me want to enjoy life, be me, and forget my worries. Sometimes it isn't that simple though!

Inspiration - David Bromley

I love David Bromley. Sally introduced him to me today. I cannot express how much his work inspires me. I want to paint and paint and paint. I haven't felt this inspired in a long while, and it is a fantastic feeling. It makes me want to discover new things, and express my emotions through painting. It makes me feel motivated. I want to go and buy a million blank canvasses....

"I find it interesting to write about my work... I weave through my thoughts and feelings searching for words to parallel the visual. As a presenter of images I express myself through paint and I don't always have a verbal explanation for my outpourings on canvas – perhaps this is why there is some ambiguity in the narrative in my paintings. I don't always like to reveal a definite outcome to the scenarios in my works and prefer the viewer to make their own decision... We all attach different meanings to things based upon our own experiences, opinions and desires. I don't want to eliminate other interesting possibilities..... The sea has its own personality, the horizon itself has romance. You look at it and wonder what lies beyond."

-David Bromley May 1997. Source: http://www.aar.com.au/art/davidbromley.htm

My Work Area

Cole & Son Hexagon wallpaper in ;

Chivasso - Viscose Linen in Tango (fabric for notice board);

Zepel Fabrics, Juliet in Magneta (my chair fabric - this photo does not do this fabric justice, it is much more pink).

When I began at Black & Spiro, Anna suggested to me that my desk area needed a revamp! I could not believe it! She suggested I have some wallpaper, recover my chair and notice board!! I am SO lucky! So I thought I would share with you the very out there wallpaper we chose, the fabric for my chair and the colour of my notice board. And once finished I will post a before and after shot. It is a very interesting mix, but I think it will work. Thank you Black & Spiro!!

Emma Hack

Some more work from body artist, Emma Hack. Amazing. Very inspiring. Can you believe she painted those Broadhurst patterns? Visit www.emmahack.com.au .....