Bright and breezy

Yesterday, I shared a snippet of the first painting in my new 'Interior Portraits' series. As promised, here's the full picture:

'Interior Portrait'

watercolour on paper

210mm x 297mm

You're probably thinking this is a bit of a departure from my recent paintings, and you'd be right. But that's what I love most about art; I can indulge in all my design loves, without hammering a nail or spending a fortune on new furniture. If I'm loving orange, it turns up in my art. In the mood for soft, dreamy blues? Paint it. Beach, boho, traditional, moroccan - straight onto canvas. Which suits my fickle nature down to the ground. This piece is also a case of art imitating art - the abstract canvas in this painting is actually a large piece I'm working on for a client, so it managed to make an appearance here as well. 

The original inspiration for this painting came from a room I've long admired, designed by none other than Brisbane's own Anna Spiro. It's been stashed away in my inspiration folder for ages, and I love the use of bright colour, stunning artwork, and of course, a crisp white background to showcase each unique piece in all its glory.

 what can I say - love it!

The best part of this style is that I can incorporate favourite pieces into the painting. Chairs, sofas, cushions, wallpaper - the sky's the limit. My inspiration folder is full of possibilities - here are just a few:

Maybe you have the perfect piece for my next painting? I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Mixing it up

I don't know about you, but I find I'm drawn to many different decorating styles, making it hard to commit to just one. One day I'm lusting after Atlanta Bartlett's serene white rooms, full of chippy, shabby but oh-so-chic vintage pieces, and the next I'm coveting the whole beachy, Ralph Lauren/Cape Cod/Hamptons vibe.....I'm nothing if not fickle! But you know, who says you have to choose just one look? I love the fact that interiors have evolved so much in recent times, probably due in no small part to a little phenomenon called blogging, which means we're spoiled for choice when it comes to gorgeous, inspirational images of every style imaginable. Nowdays, anything goes, and for me most beautiful homes are those that truly reflect the taste and personality of those living there.

I really love the juxtoposition of traditional, vintage furniture, married with an eclectic piece of art. And it seems I'm not alone. If you take a look at these images from my files, you'll see that there's always a quirky element, a touch of the unexpected. You'll probably recognise many of these pics, some of which have been hugely popular in the blogosphere, which only confirms my theory - a good room can become a great room if you add even one unique piece.

unsure of the source - sorry- but I love the hit of turquoise in this otherwise traditional room

realestate.com.au

davidduncanlivingston.com

These next few rooms are the work of the supremely talented Anna Spiro. She's the master of combining an eclectic mix of furniture with injections of bright colour, to create uniquely beautiful spaces.

absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com

houseandgarden.com.au

cocorepublic.com

phoebe howard

This is the work of two fabulous local girls, leibowitzandmclachlan.com

So, what do you think? Do you like a mix of old and new, a touch of the quirky and unexpected, or do you think you should stick to the same style? Love to know what you think.

Oh, and on the subject of art (how's that for a sneaky little segue!?!) don't forget to enter my giveaway of an original painting of the winner's choice. You've gotta be in it to win it, so get cracking!

Fiddle dee dee

Morning lovelies,

So, I have this fetish at the moment for indoor greenery. Orchids have always been a staple, but I'm thinking a little bigger. Actually much bigger. You see, a sweet friend of mine gave me a fiddle-leaf fig, which I'd been lusting over for ages. And then I saw them everywhere.  I love that they're equally at home in a relaxed beach setting or in a hip mid-century interior. Now, I know indoor plants fell out of favour, and with good reason. I blame it on an overdose of maidenhair ferns. But what do you think? Yay or nay? Here are a few examples to give you food for thought.

 from here

from here

from here

and how delicious is that table cloth?

here

here

chloe warner via here

here

Have a great day

Flotsam and Jetsam

My heart skips a beat when I see a truly loved home. As far as I'm concerned, the best homes are the ones with soul and personality. Little bits and pieces gathered here and there, the flotsam and jetsam of a life well-lived, and quirky snippets and keepsakes are what elevates a home from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Perfect imperfection.

I don't quite know what to make of this, but I did tell you to expect the unexpected!

 

 

  

all images by Simon Kenny via content-agency

So, what's your favourite piece that makes your house uniquely you? I'd love to know what it is you cherish - maybe you've brought something back from a great holiday, or is it a family treasure handed down from a loved one? If you want to go one further and send me a photo, I'll do a follow-up post featuring your treasures in all their glory. Ooh, this could be fun!