Current book obsession

Not only am I obsessed with home decorating and design magazines, I also love books dedicated to the same subject. I have quite a few at home, and also have a rather large 'wishlist' of more that I want to buy.

I love finding a quiet moment to pick out a favourite home decorating book out of my collection, then poring over the pictures and being inspired by the design.

Here are some beautiful pictures from one my very favourite books, Coastal Style.










The book has many interior and exterior images of seaside homes.

I just love this idea below....a group of white feathers loosely bound by an old rope.

I wonder if this painting is an old thriftshop lucky find....

What a great way to show a collection of beach pebbles. Sea glass would look fantastic too.

Coral and shells in a large glass jar....be still my beating heart!

This little boat looks like its sailed around the world a few times....

If you like these photos, you should stop what you are doing right now and go buy this book! It is filled with so many more beautiful images. The photography is by the talented Paul Massey, whose own beautiful home I posted recently, here.

Best wishes,

Just a little bit beachy

Cluster of shells.....chunks of coral.....some little sea urchins.....they bring a little bit of beachiness and casualness to a room.

Here's some favourite pictures.

1 Anne Naumann 2 via Lilly g 3 Paul Massey 4 All posters 5 & 6 Country Home 7 Better Homes and Gardens

Have a happy day!

Best wishes,

Showcasing shells

If you have read my blog before, you might know that I'm mad about shells. Love 'em! Just about every room in my house has at least one shell.

To me, they are a miracle of nature, pure perfection, and I look in wonder and awe at their shapes and colours, from the tiniest to the biggest.

I love seeing how others have put out their shell collections and today I've picked out my absolute favourite images.

The image above would have to be one of my favourite images. Ever. Full stop. I can look at this image over and over. I just love everything about it - from the humble painted white cupboard with those fabulous draw pulls. The wire basket on top. The glass bottles, the collection of cute little wicker baskets And then there's the shells and the coral. The look is artful, yet uncontrived. I just want to pick up this cupboard and place it in my house.

This next image, below is a little more formal, but so beautiful. I'm a book lover from way back, so I love the way they've mixed the books with the shells and coral and other tidbits.

Here's a closer look.

Here, below is another humble cupboard with all the aspects I love - books, shells, coral, antique glass bottles. So sweet.

Ooh look, can you see a pattern?

Uh, huh.

Now here's a display of simplicity - the beauty of the shells speak for themselves, and things always look good in threes.

How about these fantastic follised shells below? Simply stunning! This vignette is from the home of the incredibly talented Atlanta Bartlett, stylist and author of At Home With White and The Relaxed Home (I own both) and more. In fact it seems she has a new book coming out next month! For more pictures of Atlanta's home click here.

Images 1 an old Country Home magazine 2 & 3 Simon Kenny 4 & 5 Better Homes and Gardens 6 Belle magazine 7 Living Etc

I hope these images make you as happy as they make me!

Best wishes,

Little snapshots of my home

Phewee! It reached something like 41 degrees today (106 degrees F). Hot hot hot. Thank goodness for airconditioning. As Millie from the Laurel Hedge said, it is going to stay like this pretty much all week here in Adelaide, so I will be going into hibernation!

Today I thought I would show you the shells I have in my home. I like shells. In fact, I love shells. Maybe I'm even a little obsessed by them....you be the judge....

Here is a collection of bleached shells. I love their pristine, white beauty. I've grouped a mix of shell types together on an antique pewter plate

Here's more bleached shells, in a glass jar. I love the particular shape of these ones

One single conch shell is all you need when it is this big

Various shells mixed in with some scented candles in a rustic wooden bowl. It looks lovely lit up at night.

Another cluster of shells in a wooden pedestal. I love all the colours, textures and patterns of these particular shells, all jumbled together

Polished, pearl-like shells in my bathroom against my tumbled marble feature mosaics

Another polished shell, this time in the hallway. When they are this big, all you need is one for impact

And another in my bedroom

Oh and lastly, one in my living room

So if you haven't guessed by now, shells are a passion! I have them in just about every room in my house. Most of them I have bought on various holidays in Queensland, so not only do I find them beautiful to look at, but they also remind me of special times in lovely places. Some of my smaller ones in my pedestal bowl I was lucky enough to find along beaches in Adelaide, especially my favourite beach at Port Willunga.

Thank you for taking the time to view these little snapshots of my home.