Look at the floor...

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a 'thing' for parquetry or polished wood floors. Craftmanship coupled with pure functionality. Unlike carpet or sometimes even tiles they don't seem to date, no matter what era they belong to.

St Paddy's Green

As it is St Paddy's day I can't not celebrate by showing MORE of my green loves. Green is such a friendly calm colour, maybe that's why I like it.

Obsession, addiction...?

My family are only a hair's breadth off staging a full scale intervention. I have a ridiculous love of vintage and antiques. When you boil it down, what I actually love is craftsmanship and items of beauty that were created when there was time to give attention to the minute details. See a couple of purchases above. My secretary tells me I'm 'tinny' which means I have good luck jagging bargains. Who knows. Right time and these items usually choose me. Above is a vintage french bergere armchair and two Hepplewhite parlour chairs which I have just purchased. Ah joy. Sigh, intervention imminent...

A Spanish Mission apartment...

Well it is with some sadness that we put the family apartment up for sale. Time to move on to new ventures. This beautiful apartment at Craigston has been a happy home for me and one that is such a beautiful design that antiques fit it perfectly. I hope we find new owners who love it as we did.

Outdoor bliss...

As it's the weekend I'm contemplating the peace and calm you can experience sitting in an outdoor setting in lovely outdoor furnishings and surroundings. The first picture is from Franco Zefferelli's home in Italy in the 70s. Timeless...

Mental health break - lovely sparklies

Well dear friends today I'm having a TERRIBLE day. One of grumpy grumpiness and imperfections and annoyances all around. I've stopped momentarily to amuse myself with interesting collectibles I'd rather look at than an old computer screen. Out with hate and in with love!

Russian Dowry Chest

Well friends, it is with a heavy heart that I'm downsizing from a lovely apartment to one that is much smaller. It's sad because I will have to sell some of my bigger antiques which are much loved and I sweated and toiled to save up for them. This Russian Dowry chest comes from the Urals in Russia, it was brought to Brisbane by an importer who shipped in a container of this kind of furniture and I never saw it again. They were made from Baltic Pine (like this one) for brides to store their wedding dowry of fabrics, and this one is unique because it has a candle box to store the beeswax candles. The patina on the top is lovely because it shows the borer marks and the bumps and scratches. It is from the 1870s (approximately) and has a hidden drawer at the bottom. It is 1.08cms wide and 66cms deep and 89cms high. There's deep storage once you lift the lid 45cms deep to be exact. Please contact me if you're interested in buying this wonderful old piece of folk furniture.

Green

I've exhausted the whole pink theme so now it's time to share my favourite colour of all time - green. Kelly green, mint, olive - you name it, I love it. I am currently doing up my new terrace, and green will feature big time.

Pink Dancing Nymphs

I saw this Shelley cup,saucer and plate and realised why I love pink, black and white so much. This pattern is called 'Dancing Nymphs'. Dancing Nymphs indeed!

Struttin' like a peacock

You know what? I can remember as a child being told peacock feathers and peacocks were bad luck. Well...I'm going to flout convention and put it out there. I love peacocks real and ornamental. Go on...chastise me if you must. But really, they are quite beautiful.

In the Pink...for a little longer

Some other inspirations of places and fabrics which make me feel good inside. I mean what's not to love?

Give me some PINK love....

Fuschia, cerise, hot pink, powder pink...all kinds of pinks are beautiful. I think that pink is losing its girly image and people are beginning to use it in interiors more often these days.

Bom Bom - a very chic inspiration

This lovely Bichon Frise belongs to my sister and his name is Bom Bom. This means good, good in Portuguese and he is a happy, neurotic and very loving doggy. He loves the good things in life like me! Comfortable furniture, delicious food, to be well groomed and to get out and about and see new things.