Purple Haze....or is it maroon?

©Kara Rosenlund

Do you find that once you are attracted to a colour it just starts popping up all over the place? Last year I was mad about burnt orange (I still am), before that it was duck egg blue...just as a high lighting colour, nothing mad, just a dash.

I think I have entered a new chapter. It seems this purple / magenta hue has found me, otherwise known as maroon. (Doesn't sound very exciting does it, echoes of school uniforms and football teams).

This has come as a complete surprise. I was having some quiet time last night reading Keith Richards' autobiography (gotta love Keef) and I was admiring the purple/magenta flowers on the coffee table, when I jolted and looked down at my new trousers... yup... you guessed it, maroon! It has started! (Thank goodness football season is over).

Hope to see you tomorrow at Travelling Wares at the Powerhouse Farmers Market! Ill be the one wearing the maroon... what colour will you be wearing?

K xx

Sea Shells by the Sea Shore

©Kara Rosenlund

Yesterday was a public holiday here in Brisbane and to be honest it is taking me a little while to get back up to speed (hence my late post!). Anyway, I spent the day with Timothy O at a near by beach (aka mudflat, it is Brisbane after all) collecting sea shells while he rode his new bike around.

I wasn't always into collecting sea shells, I was obsessed when I was younger, then as I got older I thought it was a bit over done and really not my style. Then a few years ago I went a bit sea shell mad. Along my journeys I would be smuggling shells and coral from all over the world.... and naturally also getting them confiscated at airports all over the world too... you win some you lose some.

I think the key to collecting sea shells or really any collection is having the right vessel to house or display them in. I keep my sea shells and coral and bones in an an old marble mortar and another collection in a large disused sieve.

I love a good collection; a little peep hole into someone's intricacies.

K xx

Blue Sneak Peek

©Kara Rosenlund

Well here you have it, the gorgeous Blue and White sneak peek. We have pieces from all over the globe including Denmark, Italy and England.

Vibrant and fresh, blue and white is so completely timeless.

**Note Timothy O's heirloom tomatoes in the second shot, we are having our own little tomato feast at the moment; I love this time of year!

More to come soon!

K x

Skull Friday!

©Kara Rosenlund

Just a quick post to say hope you all have a fantastic weekend! I have a busy one planned, with an exciting themed event I'm styling on Saturday. I'll have to share that with you next week!

I found this skull yesterday - what do you think? I love animal bones, skulls, antlers, hides, tortoise shells, just can't get enough of the natural form really.

Better dash, I have so much to share with you next week, if you are a fan of blue and white china watch out! I have found some beautiful pieces!

K xxx

Time Capsule

You may remember that the week before last I mentioned that I was off on a buying trip here. Well, this was one of my fabulous finds! A sweet 19th Century petite stool with cabriole legs - a real find!

This style of stool would of been traditionally placed in the bedroom, however the way I like to work when decorating or styling a room is to really mix pieces up and use them for diverse purposes. I think this would be perfect in a living room for additional seating when entertaining or to place a pile of your favourite books on.

The beauty with quality pieces of furniture is that most of the time they tend to be timeless, it is the fabrics and finishes that date. This little stool had clearly had a facelift some time ago and is in need of another one. So, off with the bottle green fabric and hello original dainty floral! I love seeing what fabrics were previously used; a little capsule in time! I'll keep you updated with the new fabric I chose to cover it with!

** UPDATE: our little stool has just been purchased. Thank you lovely client!

Deep Ocean

Just looking at this colour way reminds me of the calm of the ocean; deep blue seas, white little boats, salty air. Can't wait to use this combination later in the week; think I should get my espadrilles out! Happy Monday!

Milkie White

One of my all time favourite things to do is to go treasure hunting in thrift shops. I do approach it like a sport and I do tend to take it a tad seriously apparently; there are rules, strict colour codes, objects of desire, route maps and there are even 'lucky charm' favourite car parks in each of my regular op shops to wish me luck upon embarking.

Just yesterday I came across a little handful/armful of delights; white vintage glazed china. I just can't get enough of it (as you can see from the above image); I love the crazing and the delicate unique creaminess of each piece.

A friendly fellow treasure hunter approached me to compliment my selection, she told me that if I wanted to strengthen the pieces to soak them in hot milk for a few hours.

I love ol' world kitchen tales

vR x

La Dolce Vita

© Italian Country Interiors

La Dolce Vita, the sweet life indeed! This would have to be filed under one of my 'All Time Favourite Shots'. I love the colour palette (of course), though beyond that I love the large bold chandelier balancing the decorative over head balustrade. I'm not usually a chandelier kinda girl, though I am loving this particular one. It fills the space perfectly, giving the room a good sense of proportion and depth. Even if you were to remove all the furniture and just leave the chandelier the space would still feel luxurious!

vR x

Glassybaby!

©Glassybaby

I may be telling you something you already know... Glassybaby.... Have you heard of them? I hadn't until recently and have been blown away by the power and positive message of these little glass vessels known as Glassybabies!

These lovely little glass blown cups have been designed to illuminate candle light through a multitude of different unique colours. They were first created by Lee Rhodes, a three time cancer survivor who began selling them out of her Seattle garage in 1998.

It is huge business today making almost US$2.5 million in profit with 10% of all proceeds going to cancer charities. View this great video to understand the full story.

In the words of Glassybaby

"Glassybaby are useful in many ways, however their real use is to lift bad moods and loneliness. Their warm and coloured light flickers like we do everyday. Glassybaby serves as a metaphor to symbolise hope, they are humble in spirit but not in beauty. What ever your mood, a Glassybaby can keep your home inviting and full of spirit."

They give warmth to a cold day, a calm token of peace in the busy world.

vR x

Plaster of Paris

via The Sage City

Happy Friday All!

Have a great weekend!

Thought I would leave you with this feminine burst of pink and burnt orange!

Don't you just love the unexpected addition of the plaster roses on the wall!

vR x

Back to Nature

Choosing colour palettes can be a difficult and overwhelming experience when it comes time to painting the interior of a home let alone furnishing it. When deciding upon a new colour direction I always start with what is most real and honest - nature. Nature offers soothing solutions for colour palettes and colour directions for the inside of your home. I have often taken in a bundle of seashells or feathers into the paint shop in search of the perfect colour way. It is truly breathtaking when you take the time to allow yourself to appreciate the way nature combines and balances textures, colour and pattern all on the one animal... Nature really is the best interior decorator, fashion designer and stylist out there!

vR x

Out of Africa!

image via shootspaces

African JuJu Hats add such depth to interior spaces. Their vibrancy, feathered texture and size demand that they are seen and definitely heard! They are available in Australia through Safari Fusion!

vR x

Hello Monday

Happy Monday! Not sure about you, though I have no idea where the weekend went! I thought we would start the week off to a zingy fresh start with a vibrant burst of yellow! Who ever said Yellow was Mellow?

vR x