Toy room storage and other ideas ...

Oh my gosh!  It's been a week since my last post ... where does the time go?  For those of you that don't know me, I work part-time at a hospital and as such as I see myself like this

I am actually more like this!

I have worked in healthcare for such a long time now that I feel that I am "almost" qualified to treat patients.  Oh well, I'm equally as good at the customer service side of things!

Anyway, this explains some of my recent absence as I have picked up some extra shifts this week in addition to my normal weekend roster.

Back to this Post.  I am always interested in natty ways of storing 'things' that are practical but also have a sense of style and fun.  This led to my discovery of some storage ideas ... mainly based around the use of pots, baskets, shelving and containers in various colours.  Nothing new I know, but I like these ideas!  They are an effective and inexpensive way of keeping things fun ... as well as keeping things tidy.

Colourful storage solutions combined with shelving units

I love these cloth tubs!

But I REALLY LOVE these oilcloth tubs!

For those of us in Adelaide, the Blue Oilcloth looks very similar (if not exactly the same) as the Marimekko oilcloth that can be found at Market Import on King William Rd, Hyde Park.  Hmmmm, maybe I'll have to extend my Ollieboll range to include Oilcloth tubs!  I know a few friends that would be VERY interested ... watch this space ...

Finally, here are some quirky ideas.  Not necessarily my taste but interesting none-the-less!

Baroque Frames/Book Shelves

Anyone for lego storage??

One lump or two?

Do you have any other tips that you'd like to share to inspire others??

Regency Stripes & Hollywood Glamour!

Who doesn't love Regency Stripes and Old Hollywood Glamour?  Here are some gorgeous images to inspire you with.

Isn't this great?  I love the use of prints, photos and the mirror to create interest 

against the regency stripe wallpaper.  It just looks so cosy and inviting.

I'm not too sure about regency stripes in the bathroom but I love the fun of it!

I LOVE this entry hall with it's use of regency stripes and carpeted stairs.  I'm also a lover of some greenery in the home to make it look fresh and inviting.

A touch of Old Hollywood Glamour ... isn't the vibrant green lounge amazing!

Do people really live like this?  I wish I did!

Anyone for camel (coat, that is)?

I love a rainy day when I'm all rugged up inside.  I also love a gorgeous coat when it's time to head outdoors and as much as I don't own a Camel Coat at present, it is on my Things to Buy list.  Here are some tempting images:

Love the shoes, the bag, the coat, the hair etc

and one for the boys ...

Truly beautiful, don't you think?  

The world of wallpaper ...

I live in a 100+ year old home ... with a contemporary/modern extension which includes the kitchen, dining, family room, laundry and play room.


Throughout the process of making decisions on the style of the interior(s) to ensure that the 'new' blended with the 'old' I went through a phase (and am still going through it!) of having a real love for wallpaper.  When I say 'wallpaper', I am not talking about the bright orange mural style reminiscent of my family home as a young child.  As a side note, I must let you know that my Dear Parents STILL HAVE the retro 70's bright orange kitchen wallpaper ... umm, I know that most things eventually come back into fashion but how long should you have to wait?? I am talking about luxurious/timeless pieces of 'art' that may be used to enhance one or more walls within a room.


Many of you would be familiar with Florence Broadhurst an Australian Designer and Businesswoman whos designs captured brilliant geometric and nature-inspired graphics. Recently, a deluxe edition of Her Secret and Extraordinary Lives was published with never seen before interiors and prints of her work.  I just love her designs - bold, beautiful and just so gorgeous within an eclectic setting when combining old and new.

Stunning Florence Broadhurst brocade chairs

I have plenty of wall space for adopting some wallpaper magic, however my main stumbling block is my dear husband.  Maybe I can inspire him with some of these images.

A beautiful toile from Nina Campbell featuring a 1940's park scene

Can't you picture yourself? ... Reclining on the lounge ... 

perhaps reading the latest copy of British Vogue ...

Umm, perhaps that's why the interior of my home looks NOTHING like this.  Who gets time to read British Vogue ... or anything else for that matter!

Now this could work within my bedroom.  A timeless regency stripe and brocade chair.

Perhaps for the time being I'll just continue to drool over wallpaper images such as these. Maybe there will come a time where this may become my reality and not my fantasy. Only time will tell.  I wish that time would hurry up and arrive!

It's all about the ruffle ...

For those of you that DON'T know me, I am a girly-girl ... all about ruffles and frills ... the more ribbons the better etc etc.


I got caught up last night in a frenzy of 'Pinterest pinning' and have started my own folder of "All things Frilly".  Here are some of the simply gorgeous images that I 'pinned' in an attempt to further my obsession of all things pretty:

Beautiful ruffles to rest on ...

This gorgeous Ruffle Tote has been added to my "Must Make" list ...

and then there's this sumptuous layered and be-frilled cake!  

Would it be greedy to have more than one slice??

A step back in time ... rollerskating!

Oh what fun!


My 6 year old daughter had a class Family Fun Day yesterday that took my husband and I back to the 80's.  Yes, we went rollerskating.  Although ... things have changed. Instead of a 'traditional' 4 wheel skate, I was directed towards  an 'in-line' skate (apparently, easier to use).  So all strapped on, off I went ... albeit very slowly ... and very lacking in any type of skill.


Things were going well!  I was moving in the right direction, avoiding everyone else and hadn't had a fall, that is until a littlie appeared in front of me, blocking my path and down I went.  Things went dramatically downhill at this point.  


To my utter horror, I realised that I had no hope of getting back up.  I frantically tried to draw my husband's attention to my predicament, but as he was too busy showing off I went unnoticed.  I wasn't just gracefully sitting on the floor ... I was on ALL FOURS (4-legged-animal-style).  Oh, the embarrassment.  


It was at this time that I contemplated crawling across the 'rink' towards the exit ... would anyone notice?


But as things tend to happen, everything turned around quite quickly and I was rescued by another sympathetic skater who hoisted me (literally) on to my feet so that I could head off on my merry way ... straight to the exit to take those god-damn skates off!


Surely you have an equally embarrassing tale of woe?

 

Fruit Anybody??

Today in Adelaide, it is cold, wet and dreary.  It reminded me of a very special umbrella that I used to own called a 'Tuliplu' (tyoo-li-ploo).  This very special umbrella was from Holland - it was bright green with a big red tulip for a handle.  I LOVED this umbrella.  


In my search today to find a photo of it to share with you all, I came across these delightful YumBRELLA bowls for holding fruit!  I'm not sure if they are still available, however they were created by an english designer by the name of Benjamin Hubert.  I love the colours!

L-O-V-E all things Soft Furnishings ...

I'm a sucker for gorgeous soft furnishings ... I love a good feather-filled cushion aka Laura Ashley.


Recently, my Dear Dad asked me to order him a new Beret (fancy french cap).  Of course, I sourced a tres magnifique (?sp) in Gay Par-eee.  As such, I am now on their Mailing List and today received these pics of some fun Soft Furnishings from Souvenirs of Paris

Fabulous, don't you think??  Miss Amanda from Brown Paper Packages, these are for you x