Christmas

Hi everyone, I decorated one of my existing clients home for Christmas today. I wanted to create a natural look with warmth and texture. We kept the colour scheme to red, white, silver and neutral so it wasn't overwhelming. As much as I love a bit of bling - I felt the need to be restrained and I'm really pleased with the results. Simple and elegant - do you agree?

All photos by me

Sharing a link to Interiors Addict Blog

Hi everyone, its been a while since I have posted some pretty pictures. I wanted to share a link with you today to Jen Bishop's Interiors Addict Blog.

Jen is currently on her honeymoon and I was one of the lucky ones who submitted a guest blog that was published. I am super excited about the opportunity to write and have it published on such an important blog. So a big THANK YOU to Jen for the opportunity.

Please take a read

How to Create Your Own Wabi Sabi Interior

By Jodie Carter

If you haven’t heard of Wabi Sabi before, in simple terms it is translated from Japanese into ‘a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete… a beauty of things modest and humble… a beauty of things unconventional”. Originally, the words Wabi Sabi were not used together as they do have quite different meanings. Wabi has come to mean simple, unmaterialistic, humble and in tune with nature. Whereas Sabi means ‘The bloom of time’ such as that beautiful patina of weathered grey wood or aged copper. Nowadays people just use them as one and the term is quite well known around the world.

                                          Image from homelife.com.au: Cherry Cottage in Tasmania – Photography by Jared Fowler 

I truly believe this is a valid concept for our times. As we become more aware of the environment and sustainability of our planet, then Wabi Sabi becomes even more important. Not only is it better for our planet to embrace some of our existing pieces but it is quite on trend in interiors today. You will find well known designers and stylists such as Sibella Court successfully using aged items in their designs to great effect.

Wabi Sabi is not actually a design style as such – but rather a mindset of a commitment to using and embracing the less than perfect. Living modestly and learning to be happy with what you have.

Image from homelife.com.au: Wentworth Falls Cottage – photography by Sharyn Cairns

Therefore it doesn’t really matter if you’re looking to create an industrial feel, a loft style apartment or a Hamptons retreat, the Wabi Sabi mindset is an additional tool that is not only good for the environment, its good for your soul and your back pocket.

Dig out your grandma’s tea set, use the basket with the frayed handle, display that beautiful bowl with the chip and hang an old frame you found in the garage. My favourite decorating tool is old hardcover books. Nothing beats the frayed edge and the lovely muted colours and beautiful old typeset.

Even a very modern minimalist design can embrace Wabi Sabi. Cracked un-rendered concrete walls look great with a vintage leather chair and a super sleek modern sofa. The mix of softened aged patinas against sleek modern minimalist décor works really well.

Image from homelife.com.au: Tasmanian Country Home – photography by Sharyn Cairns

It is very important not to use Wabi Sabi as an excuse for a messy or dirty environment though. It does not go so far as to encompass an unmade bed, dirty surfaces, or just plain laziness. It shows the love and care you put into your home. It is never slovenly or messy. Cleanliness implies respect and that is very important for a Wabi Sabi aesthetic.

I hope these inspirational images give you ideas for your own home. You don’t have to spend any money on it, go through your cupboards, raid your grandparents’ and start thinking about ways to bring some Wabi Sabi into your life. It’s good for the soul and good for the environment. Love what you have right now!

Image from Homelife.com.au: Vintage Country House – photography by Michael Wee

Tasmanian Country Home

Hi everyone, how is your week going? I've been busy finalising designs for my latest clients, but thought it would be time for a breather to clear my head. You get so engrossed in new designs and they really take over your head space. While I was looking through some styling ideas in my Pinterest page I came across one of these images below. I decided to investigate it further to see where it came from and discovered some more of this beautiful Tasmanian home on homelife.com.au.

It is just the sort of country home I would love to live in someday. Its relaxed and has such a lovely lived in feel to it. Bright and airy with a beautiful garden to complement, it really is quite special.

all images via Homelife

Spring is in the Air

Wow, the first day of Spring is here! I love it, the sun is shining and the weather is just perfect for spending time outdoors. I put all the cushions back on my outdoor lounge yesterday and enjoyed a cup of tea and flipping through a mag. So its time to start thinking about decorating those outdoor spaces and creating your own little hideaway to while away some beautiful weekend hours.

You just need to find a little shady spot, big enough for a chair or some floor cushions and start creating. Add in some coloured cushions, dreamy floaty fabric maybe hanging from a tree, lanterns, a little side table for drinks, a rug, potplant (if you're on a balcony) and maybe space to share with someone else.

You dont have to spend a lot of money to do this either - go through the cupboards and see what you have at home. Dig out that old chair from the garage and give it a coat of paint or just throw some coloured cushions on it. Even a little old stool can be used as a side table - or a milk crate with some magazines stacked on top. A cute entrance mat could be used as a mini rug on a balcony and of course a few potplants for greenry.

Here's some lovely photos to give you inspiration - have fun!

photo credits - all via my pinterest page - with credits to Style by Emily Henderson, The Syle Files, Design Sponge, Heltenkelthosmig

Art Display

Happy Monday!! Gosh I haven't posted a blog for a while. Sorry, it is has been busy here with 2 new jobs taking up all my time. So even though I have a million other things to do at the moment, I'm going to sneak in a blog post!

Knowing how to display your art and even what to display as art can be a bit tricky. Probably the thing I see most often is small artworks on big walls - so they are very out of proportion and then artwork that is hung so high you cannot actually see it. A lot of people will move into a new home and just hang thier art on all the existing hooks in the home. Which really doesn't work. I have to admit though, I've been guilty of it in the past - especially when I was renting.

Now there are some great picture hanging products available from 3M - so there is no excuse not to hang your art and have some fun with it. Unless of course it weighs a ton - then I suggest you bring out the big guns - cordless drills and someone who knows how to use one!!

Here's some great images of artwork displayed in a variety of ways. I think its a matter of having a bit of fun with it - don't take it too seriously. Mix and match, hang unexpected pieces in unexpected places and go bold!!

images are all from my Pinterest Art Page - with credits to The Zhush, Design Sponge, French By Design,

Working at Home

Welcome to another week! I hope you all had a great weekend. I have been super busy working and meeting new clients. It seems that as the weather warms up people are starting to get motivated about decorating and even thinking about Christmas!! Which  is great news for me as I have been itching to get stuck into some new projects.

I love love love what I do and I'm so thankful for my lovely clients that keep me busy with regular decorating and design needs. But there is nothing quite like the excitement of making a start on a new project - searching for a whole bunch of wonderful new pieces and solving decorating dilemnas - it makes me feel good.

I last posted images on Home Offices back in February this year - so I hope its not too soon to post some more. Because I work from home, I love seeing what other people do with thier home offices. And of course it just so happens one of my new jobs incorporates a home office design. So a bit of inspiration to get me thinking and hopefully give you some lovely ideas of simples things you can do at home.

Its amazing what a difference a few simple things such as a coloured chair, cushion, fun lamp, wallpaper and crazy artwork can bring to you work space. So have fun with it!!

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 , 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15