First Impressions

What's in a first impression.....EVERYTHING!

I have a dilemma, my front door.  

 I love my front door, painted black with an vintage American eagle knocker and a large centred brass knob.

The problem is the wire door which hasn't been replaced yet.  I hate wire security/screen doors they take away from the beauty of an entrance.  Yes, they're very practical offering security from flies and baddies and let a breeze through, which I do love but finding the right one........well, that's the problem!

If you've got any ideas, I'm up for listening!  

Highland Hellebores

Hellebores the Winter Rose 

It's nearly Hellebore time again, local nurseries have their Hellebore signs out and they'll be flowering in a month or two.  They're the perfect winter flower and look wonderful in cottage gardens, under established trees, actually anywhere in my books and that includes a vase!  I love Betty Ranicar in her white splendour, Picotees with their petal edges perfectly coloured and of course Anemone Centred with their ruffle of short petals around the stamens. 

The bloke in the photo above is my brother and he's actually a grower/propagator of these beauties, importing many of his original seeds from the UK.  Josh has doubles, picotees, anemone centred and a large range of colours.  I've watched him carefully cross pollinating, cheesecloth bagging the flowers to collect seeds, re-potting, it's a labour of love!  

If you'd like to know about his upcoming Hellebore Sale, drop me a line and I'll email you the dates.  Naturally, it's first in best dressed, with the blacks and yellows selling out fast!

Bonaventure - Savannah GA

 Fans of 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' must pay a visit to the now famous Bonaventure Cemetery, it's filled with obelisks and columns and dense shrubbery and moss-draped trees.  

This cemetery lies on the grounds of what was once a great oak-shaded plantation, built by Col. John Mulryne.  In the late 1700s the mansion caught fire during a formal dinner party.  The host lead the guests into the garden, where they settled in to finish eating while the house burned to the ground.  After dinner the host and guests threw their crystal glasses against the trunk of an old oak tree.  It is said that on still nights you can still hear the laughter and the crashing of the crystal. - from Frommer's Savannah

Now I don't know about the hearing the crystal crashing but I do know that I absolutely loved the architectural and sculptural beautiful of Bonaventure.  I can only hope that the people that are laid to rest in Bonaventure,  had just has wonderful life as their grand head stones would have you believe they did!

Love this Image

I love this image and I just had to share it!

Thanks French Essence

Garden Swing

This gorgeous swing is what children's dreams are made of and it encapsulates everything I want for Isabella's childhood memories.   We were blessed to have wonderful neighbours in Fort Worth, the Klutz family, who made Isabella a swing before we returned from the USA.

Now, not everyone is as fortunate as you've been with neighbours but the wonderful thing is that Ivy House has these divine bespoke swings on there website. Yes, right here in Australia!

So visit the Ivy House website or call Jacqueline on 02)4862 5204

www.ivyhouse.com.au

Made of select grade blackbutt, one of Australia's most durable and beautiful hard woods, and hand carved with your own choice of message.

This swing makes a wonderful christening present - a life long treasure - with the child's name and date of birth carved into it. However, the simple pleasure of a swing remains in all of us and makes this a much appreciated, personalised gift for many occasions; a wedding, anniversary, special birthday or a new home.

Please carefully enter in the box below your choice of message to be carved. Maximum of 23 letters or numbers. Please call if you have any questions or would like to discuss an option.

The swing comes with hand-spliced natural fibre ropes 4m long.

Dash & Albert's - Yacht Stripe

            

 

These fabulous fun coloured Dash & Albert striped woven cotton rugs are available in Australia in 4 sizes

60 x 90cm, 76 x 243cm., 76 x 365cm & 182 x 274cm 

Of course we're able to get them in, in other sizes just drop us a line and we'll special order one in for you

They're available throughout Australia, name a suburb and we'll name a store!

Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake should keep this rug in tip top condition.  Small woven cotton rugs may be handwashed in cold water.  For large woven cotton area rugs, Dash & Albert recommend professional cleaning only.  Please don't machine wash, bleach or tumble dry.

Autumns Past

Vail Village, Colorado

Aspen Trees in Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado

Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - Elk bugling in the Meadows

Hancock Shaker Village 

Hancock Shaker Village, Hancock, Massachusetts

West Cornwall, Connecticut

              

Woodbury, Connecticut

These are times I'll never forget and there is something very special about a 

northern hemisphere autumn and winter.  All the holiday celebrations make it super special!

Blue & White Tiles

House to Home

Absolutely Beautiful Things

 Monet's Kitchen

Morrocan Tiles

Elvas, Portugal - Travel Pod

Crest Panel from Aeria, Woollahra 

Portuguese tile work - TravelPod

               

Aeria, Woollahra 


I'm asking myself,
'Why is there no blue & white tiles in the house?'
I've posted before about blue & white, it's crisp, clean and a classic.
So, if I ever decide to rip out the kitchen counters and replace them and the tile work
I'll be visiting Aeria in Woollahra, for my splashback, no glass for me!

Dash & Albert's - Pond, Marina & Negril

            

These fabulous Dash & Albert Indoor/Outdoor rugs are available throughout Australia, 

drop me a line and I'll direct you to your nearest retailer.  I totally understand that shopping can be retail therapy and to me its a tactile, look, touch and feel experience.

They are truly a rug for all seasons. Made of superheroic polypropylene, the indoor/outdoor area rugs are terrific for high-traffic areas and muddy messes. Scrubbable, bleachable and UV-treated for outdoor use, this collection of woven rugs can stand up to all that you dish out. 

Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake should keep your rug in shipshape condition. All polypropylene area rugs are hoseable, scrubbable and bleachable. Air dry only. Please do not machine wash or tumble dry.