Kate's flowers

These are some lovely arrangements by a very talented floral artist Kate Litchfield for a TV shoot of a project near Thredbo. The steel box container looked fabulous with the steel bench top. The fragrance of the jonquils were perfect for transforming the house from a building site to a home.

The flowers in the second shot combined grey foliage with lichen coated branches in the arrangement to give rustic appeal. The dresser was found by the client and was previously a shop fitting. The reclaimed french oak table was commissioned by Cottle House for the room and wishbone chairs completed the look.

The bottom shot included gum leaves with soft, pale, pink, old fashioned roses. All arrangements looked stunning in position and my photography does not do them justice.

More bedheads

This simply padded and piped bedhead adds a tailored touch to this bedroom by David Lawrence.

Buttoned bed heads create a furniture piece of importance in the bedroom. They create structure and substance in a room often considered more soft and feminine.

Pad your head

I love everything about this bedroom The taupe and pale blue colour scheme. The toile bedhead and matching valance. The painted striped walls and the upholstered blue ottomans. Restful, pretty and with interest.

via Meg Braff

via Toby Fairlie

Similar colours are used in all three bedrooms however padded bed heads need not always give a traditional appearance. The choice of fabric and style of the bed head can create different moods. A padded bed head with a matching valance gives a beautifully finished look to any bedroom.They are are great way to add colour and pattern without swamping the whole room in it. Needless to say, I am a big fan.

Rustic glamour

Maison cote est

via cote de texas

There is something stunning when simple rustic furniture is mixed with an unexpected touch of glamour like these chandeliers. I particularly like the top image with the primitive wood stool and brick floor . Enjoy your weekend, I'm really looking forward to mine. Sally-Annx

A cosy fire

via Flamant

What better way to end a chilly Winter's day than to find your place beside a cosy fire place? I love the way the stacking of wood is as important to the overall design as the rest of the interior. The visual display of a collection of old fire dogs in the last photograph is an interesting touch.

My favourite things

This image has all the elements I love in a room. Large mirrors, chandeliers and a contrasting mix of rustic, casual combined with glamour. Via cote de texas

New projects

The post office, living room.

loft bedroom

I have just spent two days working on projects in Thredbo and close by. The snap shots taken today were in a property built by Sonjia Schatzle near Thredbo. Sonja is a very inspirational woman to work with and no challenge is too big. She has an incredible eye and has designed and owner built this house herself. It's a one of a kind ski chalet catering for up to 18 guests. She has used recycled building materials with a neutral colour palette. Furnishings are an eclectic combination of contemporary and more traditional pieces.

Blue sky Sunday

I love the way the zebra hide ottoman has been added to this pretty, classic sitting room as a strong accent. It shows animal hide can be used in more feminine interiors to great effect. Enjoy your Sunday!

What a hide!

The use of animal hide in decorating seems to be expanding into an accessory used in a wide range of applications. Whether used as a floor rug or to upholster chairs, sofas or ottomans, animal hide creates a stunning effect as seen in these images.

images via windsor smith and griege

Have a lovely weekend. Sally-Annx

Warm up with orange

After a week of neutral postings I though it was time for some colour. It's amazing how the smallest touch can add interest to a lovely neutral scheme. The orange throw rug is just enough to lift this room. We have similar one's in wool and cashmere in store at Cottle House. Come in and see our extensive range.

Orange studded bed heads with black and white geometric cushions create a visual impact as seen in the latest online Lonny magazine.
A touch of orange in this cushion is just enough colour to pick up a neutral contemporary scheme. The zebra rug adds striking contrast.

Being a bow girl at heart I loved this bow detail on this pretty orange dress as seen on the gorgeous Anna Spiro's blog. Warm enough to cheer the coolest of Winter days.

More antlers

The antler detailing is used as lighting in this divine kitchen by Belgium designers Flamant. I love the way this room is dressed as a living space, not just a utility one. The cane sofas near the window and lamps on benches make this room look truly inviting.

Hunting lodge chic

Antlers are the perfect theme for mountain style decorating, creating wonderful details in lighting, decoration, linen and door hardware

Antlers create a beautiful centre piece for this rustic table

Oilcloth for the table via remodellista

These horn door handles looked fabulous in Daylesford Organic's London store. I felt a bit weird photographing details in the ladies room, but they were too good to miss.

Happy hunting, Sally-Annx

Lights on

I find it so hard to find interesting lighting. I love the warmth of these copper pendants as seen in Modern Pantry London via remodellista. Horsey coat hooks are great too, I have similar one's due in my shop Cottle House any day.

A new pond in progress

As you can see we have had a frenzy of activity going on here over the long weekend. Our lovely smooth green lawn you see at the beginning of my blog has been excavated, leveled and a circular hole has been dug to prepare for a new pond.

The land previously sloped away from the top lawn. New top soil has been brought in to create a flat level for the new pond. Stone steps will be built to transition down to this new level.

It's amazing what a difference it makes. Although quite messy I can appreciate the effect these design changes will make. I am looking forward to seeing it green again, which could take a while.

sometimes big machinery is needed to do the job!

The hole is complete, now for the rock work and pond building to begin. Some how I feel the hard part has not started yet. Will keep you posted with the progress.

Snow white

First dustings of snow have been seen for the season which have inspired a white theme. I love the way this textured timber bed head, and cosy throw rug add character and warmth to a white bedroom.

image via Canadian house and garden

So simple, a touch of twig and wenge stained floor boards add interest to a plain white interior. Probably not great around teenage boys.

Tongue and groove walls, loose covered sofas, bare timber boards and a simple arrangement of branches prove a stunning interior need not be complicated.

Daylesford Organic

As it's the Queen's birthday long weekend, I thought I'd do an English posting.

One of my favourite stores I have ever seen is Daylesford organic in the UK. In fact they have several. I stalked every one of then. If I could have moved in I would have. The farm shop was my favourite in Gloucestershire.

I thought we'd never find it. We drove around and around tiny country lanes in the hunt for this gorgeous place and it did not disappoint. Passing elegant young ladies on their beautifully groomed ponies we finally arrived.

The understated elegance of Daylesford is an absolute treat. Simple furniture, beautifully presented organic produce and homewares, delightful staff, all set in the gorgeous English countryside. An experience not to be missed!

Happy long weekend,

Sally-Annx

And so to bed

A gorgeous simple bedroom by some of my favourite Belgian designers Flamant

Flamant

via this is glamorous

What could be more appealing after playing with colour and pattern all day in my shop, than these simple, timeless bedrooms?

Parterre Garden

A before shot of the old clay tennis court after the fence had been taken down.

We are currently in the process of renovating an old country garden on our property. We have employed Paul Bangay for the design work and are thrilled with the results as they are unfolding. This is a view of the old tennis court which is being converted to a French parterre garden. It will be filled with English box, French lavender, cat mint and old fashioned rugusa roses. As with all jobs we have undertaken to carry out Paul's master plan, they have been larger than we realised. The base of this court was solid rock and excavators were needed to dig through the hard base to prepare the garden beds. Over the old clay base we have laid a local gravel to match the drive. I say we, in fact my Husband does all the gardening in our family.

We began our renovating over 4 years ago and although each stage has been a massive undertaking we feel it is really starting to take shape. I will keep you posted with our progress as it develops.

Mirror your space

my bathroom (2 x mirrored framed panels + 1x framed panel)

my kitchen (mirrors instead of splash back)

my living room (mirror above fireplace)

Decorpad

Casa sugar

Citified

I am a great fan of mirrors, they are a great decorating tool for enlarging a space and giving the wow factor, especially when used on a large scale.