The Cut

It seems quite fashionable at the moment to use laser cut metal in house design and as I was looking into this I found the most amazing variety of uses from gates and screens through to lights and wall hangings.... The question is - is this just a fad or a new way of integrating texture and pattern in an unusual and longstanding way?

Unusual Inspiration

Obviously the house is going to be one of my top priorities however the main focus of my excitement at the moment seems to be the holiday. I adore travel - love holidays and the whole idea of finding a new place fills me with such joy its amazing.

As I'm researching hotels around Europe (and maybe America) I'm finding the most wonderful inspiration for our house.

This is a hotel called 41 in London and it has this wonderful "Old Boys Club" feel to it ... the black and white tile floor is to die for, the wood used is lovely and the way they use bold colours and animal prints without making it loud and obscene is totally priceless.

How different is this to the Arabian pictures I showed you yesterday - travel around the world, even in design and you get a whole different atmosphere.

Romancing Arabia

I will tell you a secret, when I was an emotion filled teenager the idea of being swept off to a romantic Arabian paradise was one of those wonderful fantasies I had until I realised the my tall dark and handsome sheik was most probably an middle aged man with three wives... not quite the ideal I was after.

However when it comes to adding a bit of drama and romance to a room the whole Arabian design style still pushes all my buttons. I personally don't know if I'm brave enough to go through and create a space like this I certainly love the idea. The romance of another destination is very hard to deny and if you are brave enough, why not add that to your home?

Drama and Delight

Well I have good news and I have bad news.

Lets start with the bad so we can end on a good note - this is a letter I just had to send to the builder after a harrowing Friday Evening Phone Call

On Friday the footings on my house were poured and I only found out about this because our lovely neighbour on the right hand side (facing the block) with the shed called in tears on Friday night because the builders had destroyed her block and car.

Apparently when the concreter’s arrived on site to pour the slab they did the unthinkable and parked the concrete truck on their block (I don’t see and issue with this but wait it gets better) Then when they were leaving and the cleaned the truck they poured all the excess concrete on their block. The owner was very upset because “up until now the block has been perfect and its taken them quite a while to get it looking clean and tidy and we come in and just ruin it”. Ok I get this; we do need to clean up the concrete … but wait it gets better. Neighbours husband then drives through the wet concrete getting it all over their car and then instead of being a smart little husband and hosing it off he goes inside and it sets on the car.

So I was hoping that when you had time you could arrange for someone to go around and clean up the concrete off their block. I went down and had a look and its not very pretty and probably was unnecessary but I understand that this does happen. I have attached a picture just to show you the start of all the drama.

If you can let me know when this will be cleaned up I would appreciate it so I can make sure to tell the owner if she happens to call again.

I was also hoping you could ask our supervisor if he can get all the contractors to park across the road (Lawn Bowls and plenty of parking) Instead of in front of their block because if I get another late Friday phone call I am very likely to turn to drink….

Now for the good news and I bet you have guessed it - I have a slab! YAY - Bring on brickwork.

The "Pop"

When people try something a little bit different and it just captures you and draws you in it absolutely 100% takes my breath away.

These spaces all use totally different ways of capturing your attention but my favorite is bright rich looking colours contrasting with fairly neutral spaces. The idea of having a beige or cream or even tan coloured room and then totally transforming it by adding "Pops" of colour may sound like an cliched old design trick but my god does it pack a punch!

Natural Beauty

I think at times we are so besotted with new and shiny we lose sight of just how beautiful and understatedly elegant "natural" can be.

Admittedly its like comparing apples with oranges but im sure we can all incorporate the artless peacefulness of natural materials into our home without compromising on style?

The Drought Has Broken

So you may be aware (I certainly complain about it enough) but darling hubby declared an all out holiday ban for the length of the build so we can be smart and reasonable and put all our money into the house.

Let me tell you ... it has been 6 months of no holidays, no planning, no dreaming of somewhere new but now the drought is over ... and I didn't do anything.

Hubby has decided it was a stupid ban and I was allowed to book a holiday.

His only stipulation was that it had to be somewhere we haven't been before. My mind was spinning, so many options, so much to consider.

Anyways - hubby at work was talking to "the boys"

Hubby "We are going on a holiday - my wife said I can pick where ever I want to go"

Boys "Oh yeah, have you decided where you want to go"

Hubby " I have always wanted to go to America"

Boys "Cool - America is great you will love it - so your going to America"

Hubby "Nope - we are going to Europe"

????

See I have never really been a fan on America - its just not on my list and until yesterday I really didn't realise it was on hubby's list. So in my head my saying ANYWHERE was fine because most place we both wanted to go. Europe was my number one pick and I honestly thought this is where he would pick to go... it really surprised me when the good old USA was top of his list!

So we are at a deadlock ... and I really want to be a good wife and just say - hey honey lets go to America and to be honest any holiday is a good holiday but with the US I really dont have any idea where to start, what do I want to see? Where do I want to go?... the deal is I am going to try and convince myself of all the wonderful reasons to visit America starting with these amazingly pretty pictures.