House envy

Have been suffering from a mad case of house envy recently due to far much time spent on the internet looking for house-fix  inspirations.  Stumbled across this place online today designed by California-based designer and developer Steve Hermann (via http://www.contemporist.com) and have fallen deeply in lust, it's pretty pretty.

Its interior is probably decked out in a way that's a little too minimal for my tastes, but there's nothing wrong with a big white flat house and a lush green lawn (especially if you have a big garage to hide all the hunny's bikes in underneath so we don't have to look at them/trip over them in the hall any more).


The landscaping is especially lovely, although keeping our teeny patch of lawn mowed is a nightmare so I can't imagine what the maintenance on a bohemoth like this would be.


I'm not usually big on houses that end up looking like museums, but give me a big white slab and a fancy lawn any day.

Ikea, den of temptation and torture

Ok, so we need some things for the new house (insert massive groan from boyfriend here).  Well, the house isn't technically new as it has been about 6 months now but hey, who's counting.  Things are coming together pretty well but we do need some help with the finishing touches like the cushion department and so far, my search has only led to overpriced divine things and hideous, hideous affordable things (yes spotlight, I'm talking to you).

The solution, of course is DIY and the place to go, of course, is the den of doom, Ikea .  I have an odd relationship with Ikea .  One part lust to two parts torture.  There's no feeling like the exhaustion after an Ikea run, but it's so so lovely to get home with the lovely white and shiny things that didn't break the bank.

So, here it it, the fabric from Ikea that will soon be 'pillowed' for Le House.  Everyone will probably hate this, but I think it's divine.  Big, graphic bulldogs in navy - done.Number 2 is the "Charlotta Block"...I'm thinking a big collection of mish-mashed prints will work well as long as they all belong to the same colour family (hate that term).

Lastly, the great origami print.  It's a little hard to see in this pic but so great in real life.  

I like these fabrics and it's all well and good to take on a little craft project at home, but what I want to know is WHY THE HECK IS IT SO EXPENSIVE TO BUY PRE MADE CUSHIONS FOR MY SOFA.

Ok, the cushion rant is over.

If you can't own them, coast them.

Just a little post today to show off the lovely Eames coasters that we are currently enjoying at the new house.  We don't quite have the budget for the actual chairs yet, but these lovely things brought back from a recent trip to MOMA in New York will do very nicely for now.  Perfect for a mid afternoon gin & tonic...

Dinosaur watch - oh so wrong?

I have a dilemma.  I've found a watch that I think is great, but borders on being absolutely wrong.  It's so wrong, it's wonderful.  It is, of course, an ebay find.  I always find myself a bit confused when it comes to ebay purchasing.  I guess this is what happens when you search 'Dinosaur: Jewellery'.  Decisions, decisions...the clock is ticking! (pun intended)

LIMEDROP

Although I've been aware of their work for a while now, it's only been in the past few months that I've become obsessed by the work of Nathan and Clea from Limedrop.  I placed my order for their Autumn/Winter 2010 pieces last week and I'm DYING for them to arrive. It's a great range full of chunky knits, velvet and digital prints of cloud on silk.  Sounds like a bit of a mish-mash, but it totally works.  Visiting their new store in the GPO (Melbourne) this week, I stocked up on some of their great jewellery, including this 'hare head' ring.  It's so great!! I have a feeling that gold is going to make a huge comeback in my wardrobe this summer.

ARNSDORF - the perfect belt

I've loved the work of Jade from ARNSDORF for a while now.  She's had such a distinct style since the inception of the brand, and it's been a real pleasure to watch it develop.  I was lucky enough last week to be the very happy recipient of one of her beautiful leather belts as a gift and I've barely taken it off since!  I've also had the chance to take a sneak peek at the Autumn/Winter 2010 collection and it's more of the same...great, clever, luxe pieces that will do serious damage to the wallet.  You can see ARNSDORF product at http://arnsdorf.swappler.com/ and also shop online!

Vladi Rapaport Skull Chair

Today I have fallen very much in love with this moulded plywood chair by Vladi Rapaport.   The perfect balance of wit and style...you wouldn't even know it was a skull shape unless you looked closely!  The curve of the wood is just so beautiful.  Minimal, classic, complex all at once.  Now all I need to do is find the money to buy it and a place to put it.