Thought-o-the-day: Keeping it real

I don't know about you, but daily I am exposed to beautiful things, places and spaces.

I read blogs, I flick through magazines and I check out instagram feeds (here's mine if you wanna look?) - it's all there for the taking.  A visual feast for the eyeballs and brain to gorge on.  And gorge I do.

Usually it's all fine and it's happy days, but sometimes, just sometimes it's all just too much.  The self-doubt can creep in and you start to feel a little inadequate.  I do and I know that you probably do too.  Perfect vignettes and pretty habitats, preened stylists and picture-perfect environs...

Today, I wanted to say, hey, it's ok.  I wanted to put my hand up and say that I'm human and so are my surrounds.  The power of the styled photograph is an extremely persuasive tool and mostly we are eternally grateful for photoshop and  clever camera angles.  The world would be a pretty ug place without them to be sure, but let's just keep it all in perspective.

Image taken by my neighbour Hanna.

 This is usually how I work - a dog or two in very close proximity, a glass of wine and in odd places thanks to wifi.  At the time of this photo we had taken out the two doors next to the fireplace (see below shot) and were replacing the old ornamental fireplace with a real open fire.  I didn't care that my floors weren't vacumed (with featured HUGE industrial vacum) or even that my fire surround was not in place.  I was just happy to sit and work with dogs, trackies and wine!

Image taken by Larnie Nicolson Photography

This image was taken the day that Larnie and LeeAnn came to photograph me and the house for Your Home and Garden.  I would just like to state that the chances of me sitting on the side of the couch and blogging are slim to none.  It is true that I will blog most places but this was a little tough on the thighs.  What it did do was show you all my pretty Swedish clogs and a great room perspective so that's all that matters really.

Hooray for good photography and clever photographer's everywhere.  It's such a skill.

Happy Monday - love yourself and your home.  It's a no-comparison-zone please.

*This blog post is written just as much for me as for you*

Discovering: Out of the Dark UK

It's lovely to start a Wednesday with a feel good story and this is most absolutely one.

Most of you know that I have a passion for up-cycling old design into new and exciting pieces so when I spotted this charity based organisation in the UK - Out of the Dark, it made me real happy.

They roll this way:

"Out of the Dark is a charitable social enterprise that recycles, restores and revamps salvaged furniture as a means to train, educate and employ young people from disadvantaged backgrounds."

Good sorts.

I must admit I'm a weeney bit jelous of the fact that they can find such designer 'trash' - we in little ol' NZ are hard pushed to find such amazing designer finds.  It never stops me form looking though!  

Look out for a post in the future about up-cycling a piece of your own.  I have had such amazing feedback from my home being in Your home and Garden (NZ) that it calls for a big ol' share.  Don't be shy about sending me your photos too of pieces you have saved from the dust pile - let's be loud and proud!

Colour Story: Your Home and Garden July 2013

Just in case you missed it (it's actually still on sale) here is my colour story for July in Your Home and Garden Magazine.

Brights, bold and bodacious - it's all right there to take your colour clues from.  Take 'em and run I say.  

You likee?

I am particulary loving this shade of green mixed with blues, aquas and yellas.  Mix in some  baby pink and bam - hot flush moment.

Special thanks to Resene for doing some rad matching maneuvers.

Spotted: 'All About Me' by Harlequin Fabrics and Wallpaper

Harlequin Fabrics and Wallpapers UK (brought in my Malcolm Fabrics here in NZ) have brought out a new kids collection that is making me a lot happy.  

This range boasts floral, geometric, stripes and spots.  All my favs right there.

These heady patterns come in good punchy tones as well as the standard girl/boy combo's.  What I do like about this range is that it dosn't have to limited to the junior burger's room.

I could see these geometric patterns/stripes/books/numbers in a kitchen, hallway, or bathroom.  In fact anywhere that needs some vavavoom personality

Quite oft I use children ranges for adult spaces and this range will be no exception!

You can get any of these products through me.  Need a sample cutting or price, then yup - can do that too.  

All images via Harelquin

Visiting: The Flock, Christchurch

I've always been a huge fan of Emma's.  She is the one behind The Flock.

Emma - using that super design eye to spy me in Your Home and Garden .  See some good Harvest Textiles product in the background?  I do.

The one with a good design eye.

I first meet Emma when she opened her first shop in Sumner.   She has always been a massive advocate for New Zealand design as well a well honed ability to snuff out overseas design talent.  She also had car drive through her front window - see here for that story.

She has now moved into a new home at The Tannery and I got to visit the last time I was in Christchurch.

Go see her and tell her I sent you.  Good things will happen - promise.

Meeting: Mark Catley from Mark Catley Design

Oh it was lovely to visit my old city of Christchurch.  

I had lined up quite a few meet and greets but unfortunatly, because of the snow, I missed out on a few so I thought I would do a imaginary summary of what might have been anyway.

Today I talk of Mark from Mark Catley Design.

I was introduced to Mark Catley through Alice Anderson (she's funny) of the cute blog Our Tiny Landscapes.  I had meet Alice at the Bloggers Conference earlier this year and she mentioned that Mark would be a designer that I would like.  She was not wrong.

He's colour, he's geometric, he's design and I like his stuff.

Mark has a refreshing design style that is unique (which is hard in an overexposed visual market) and raw.  He is one talented mo.  Oh and he can do black and white too.

A recent graduate from The Design and Arts College (Christchurch) in Graphic Design he decided that working for the man was not really a viable option and I would agree as he seems to be doing just fine out there solo.

I have a special thang for his cushions and prints.

He was recently a featured seller on Felt and they did a great exposé on him.  Of course you can also buy his products over there too.  Double bonus.

HAPA in the Cashel Mall also stocks some of his wares.

Please go find and support him as he will help to brighten your life and that right there is the truth.

*All the images were stolen from Mark Catley Design Website

Giveaway: Jamie Kay 'Ampersand' Cushion

Woot woot it's giveaway time!

This week I am asking you all to put your names in the proverbial hat for a chance to win a Jamie Kay 'Ampersand' Cushion in your choice of hot pink on white or white on black.

All you need to do to enter is go check out the Jamie Kay website and tell me what your favourite item is.

You can comment below or on my facebook page (or both will double your chances!)

AND for even more enteries you can like both me and Jamie Kay on facebook.  I know - too easy!

This very cool cushion will be the envy of your friends and will add some chicy chic to your space, 'cause as we know cushions are the easiest and fastest way to change up a space and to add colour and pattern!

Image found over here

I will draw this prize this friday the 5th July 2013.  

Special thanks to Jamie from Jamie Kay - you can read her interview here from last week.