a growing fondness for lace…
Posted in interiors March 28th, 2009 by piablog

The Dutch, I’ve noticed, have a thing for lace. I, on the other hand, have never had a thing for lace.

But I must say I’m beginning to develop a fondness for it in the home, if used carefully and considerately. I like the lace story photographed above by Dutch photographer Erik van Lokven (who is also the photographer of Yvette’s delish pork belly recipe now in the (blog)house kitchen). I would be very happy to soak in that tub and then doze in that bed, surrounded by all that soft, pretty lace-ness.

Hmm, now how to combine my island living leanings with my new love for lace? oooh i love a challenge!

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9:17pm: i’ve just re-read this post – have you noticed I sway between including myself as aDutchie, and then not (as above), when convenient? And this weekend, thanks to the soccer/football, Amsterdam has been taken over by the Scots. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so many Scots in kilts in all my life. But due to their presence, it appears I’ve become a proud Scotswoman! because in recent months i’ve worked out i’m more scottish then anything else.

I thought you might find that interesting. or not.

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9:24pm I was proud until I just saw a bunch of drunken Scots making absolute fools of themselves a moment ago…

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9:26pm ok, I suppose this is why I should be on twitter, right?

guest quarters: another beautiful post by riley
Posted in artists, interiors March 28th, 2009 by piablog

Riley’s next guest post is up! And includes some gorgeous photos of her home. Click here for the full post. Thank you Riley. xx

the coolest kitchen ever…
Posted in interiors, photographers March 26th, 2009 by piablog

How perfectly dreamy is this kitchen? It’s real, it’s raw, it’s authentic, and just so cool. It feels like island living to me, I adore it!

Photographed by William Geddes (whose portfolio is full of the good stuff).

PS speaking of kitchens, Yvette has just posted her next recipe right here in the (blog)house kitchen! Oh it’s a goodie. It’s SUCH a goodie. Go check it out.

interior inspiration, island style…
Posted in interiors, photographers March 25th, 2009 by piablog

Photo credits, clockwise from top right: Anson Smart, bed – source unknown, Michelle Young (styled by me. that was such a fun shoot!), David Matheson (beautiful shutters), Paul Massey

Photo credits from top left: interior design by Jaya Ibrahim from Island Style (from the sadly missed All Things Bright and Beautiful), Paul Massey, Anson Smart(the chair on the wharf), more from Jaya Ibrahim, and the boy sleeping on daybed is from Ingalill Smitt

stunning bed, photographed by Jared Fowler, represented by Contacts. First spotted on the beautiful brabourne farm. I would happily rest in this bed after writing on that desk I mentioned earlier

From top to bottom: Anson Smart, Michelle Young and Anson Smart.

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Be sure to click on all the credit links above because there is plenty more inspiration to be found.
I do hope you’ve enjoyed my island living moodboard! No doubt this will not be the last.

xx

PS oh sofia, great idea! here are some waves, just as you requested in your comment a moment ago. please click on the play button and enjoy…

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(click here for the original source of this soundscape)

island life…
Posted in books, interiors March 25th, 2009 by piablog

Many years ago as I was perusing the impressively crammed shelf dedicated to interior decorating at my favourite local bookstore (which is Bookoccino’s in Avalon, Sydney, Australia), I came across India Hicks Island Life. And i felt ‘the buzz’. You know the feeling, as you open a book for the first time at a random page and are immediately struck by the structure and style and composition of an interior setting. Then you slowly lift to the next page, and the next and the next and your belly flips and you simply must have this book. Back then the book had just arrived on bookshelves around the world, so it was at top dollar. But I could not walk out without it…

images courtesy of india hicks, island living

Sure it’s fantastical, after all it is a book about a home (or rather a series of houses) dotted along the shoreline of a Caribbean island, nestled amongst coconut palms and pineapple trees, with ocean views from every window (dream on!!). BUT India’s style is so relaxed and natural that her settings can be translated into the simplest and most ordinary of abodes. So how does she do this? Well, let me tell you! It’s because her focus is on the found, collected, and loved (as opposed to new, flashy, and trendy). None of her spaces reflect the ostentatious inclination that you’d expect, and I have no doubt this is why her book has become so popular over the years.

One of my favourite pieces among her incredible collection of homewares is this desk which sits inconspicuously at the top of a staircase between doorways…

photography by David Loftus

Glorious, non? Writing away the hours at this desk would be rather marvelous. Certainly after having taken a wander along the shoreline, sand between the toes and lungs full of fresh sea air.

I’ve always been inspired by nature as you know, so it’s only natural that my interior impulses lean toward island living. As a result I thought I’d moodboard my interior inspiration, island style, in the next post. But first, here is a song that will surely get you in the mood… mojito, anyone?