Modern House Minimalist Design

On a dull, wet, Auckland Spring day I tried to get some photos of my Christmas mantelpiece.  I'm not so happy with the image results, still waiting for that elusive upgrade camera, "I know, ya..ya.. you have heard this before". However, yet another Christmas I have had to make do with my point and shoot, so please excuse the fact that I don't have a wide angle lens, and I had to work in poor light.  I am a perfectionist at heart and would rather wait until I have that perfect camera, but I realise, if I wait for perfection, my readers would too. I am thankful for photo enhancement to add some light to the images, although I may have over done it slightly. I wanted this years mantel to reflect nature and elegance, and to include items of mine and my mothers. For nature, I chose Orchids, I adore them and they flower for such a long time, I knew they would see Christmas and New Year too. My pair of porcelain Cheetahs complimented the white orchids and the...

This week has been a long week of back and forth to mums, still sorting out but also sanding and painting. The house is really starting to look refreshed, I'm replacing old floral wallpapers with a fresh, clean neutral paint, Resene Ricecake, and painting mouldings, skirting and ceilings in alabaster. I used these colours for my own home too. These neutral whites with a touch of warmth help create a sense of  light and space and are perfect background for hanging artworks.  I'm still struggling parting with a lot of mums possessions but this week made a break through sending 5 more huge bags of clothing to the Mercy Hospice shop as Mercy were so wonderful to both of us the past few years, without their help I don't know what I would have done. I also have two bags for the SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Mum loved animals and I know she will have felt good about contributing to this worthy cause too. Consequently this week to prepare this post I'v...

Lots of inspiration this week starting with a tour writer/artist/blogger/entrepreneur Jen Ramos fabulous Las Vegas home at her blog "Made by Girl" ... A rug can subtly blend in with its surroundings making it more cosy under foot, or make an artists statement such as the one above. Interior designer Lisa Ferguson of Decor Mentor  has put together a fab post on tips for buying the perfect rug, room size, shape, colour etc, check it out at   Layla Grayce. A delicious Fall recipe.... A lovely, rustic desert from Jenny Steffens Hobick -  Raspberry and Blackberry Crostata  using store bought crust/pastry. And for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere with warmer days on the horizon.... . A thirst quenching lavender lemonade from a delightful blog discovery,   "With a Grateful Prayer".   Please visit Lorraine's blog for her recipe  to make this refreshing twist on home-made lemonade. And now for a little "vintage" up...

Fellow blogger Kifus of  Inspiring Interiors , shared this beautiful home on her blog this week. This fabulous 15th Century home is inspired by nature.... See the original post and images "here" . A sneak peek at "Hazed" the new Kiwi on line Indie Mag... I love Cush & Nooks blog and regularly receive Vic's inspirational design posts. This week I was excited to see a new on-line magazine,  "Hazed"  mentioned in Vic's  latest post .  Hazed Magazine is devoted to NZ Indie products... there's lots of ideas, recipes and inspiration, so pop over and read the inaugural issue "here" . What about a handle with a difference.... A cute idea from  "Country Living ". A short time ago I posted an idea of my own for up-cycling vintage cups and saucers into mini cake stands . You can see the post and step by step instructions "here" Upcyled glassware creating some lovely cloche's - See "here" for instructions. ...