A slice of boudoir heaven...

If I were Samantha the good witch and could wiggle my nose and create the ultimate boudoir for myself this pretty much would be it!

Claudia Strassers The Paris Apartment book was first published 16 years ago, but to me it NEVER gets old. I've mentioned on many occasions this book has been my bed companion for a long time and even travelled with me to Europe as I couldn't bear to part with it. Pages 74 and 75 are almost permanently open on my dressing table and often when passing I find myself wishing I could dive into those glossy pages.

(please click images to enlarge)

I love absolutely everything about this room, from the parquetry floors to the 12 foot high ceilings, The recessed shelving for books and treasures complete with pelmet framing. The sheepskin rugs, the painted Louis furniture, the tufted tub chairs, the silk sumptuous fabrics, the turquoise vases and the grand sparkling chandelier! I know swags and tails in most bedrooms can look completely over the top but in a room this grand how could you have anything less? Ok perhaps I would hide the speakers.

This room is feminine and sexy and romantic but without being sickly girly. I think a man might even enjoy sleeping there ;)

As a studio apartment it triples as a living room, bedroom and office. I adore the use of the three seperate spaces with the sumptuous inviting bed taking centre stage.

Oh I need to find me a tall set of drawers like that!

I thought I'd finish with another one of my favourite images from Claudia's book. Would you feast your eyes on this treasure trove?! You would have to call security to force me to leave such a place. It actually reminds me alot of Vintage Glamour in Enmore, Sydney. I could spend hours rummaging through that store :)

If you haven't already bought this book you are missing out! It truly is a slice of heaven :)

The Paris Apartment book

The Paris Apartment blog

p.s I received an email today from one of my idols that lifted me to new heights......Thank you so very much! :)

For the love of the Sweeds...

A few sundays ago my family and I took a day trip out to a wonderful part of Sydney called The Blue Mountains. It's one of my favourite places to visit, especially during winter. The air is so crisp and the autumn colours still present on the foliage is beautiful. It's a very old part of Sydney about a 3 hour drive inland from the coast. It has so much character with it's quaint cottages and shops and lets not forget the breathtaking expansive mountains and parklands.

While visiting one of the most exquisite shops - Maison Montage - in a little town called Leura I was lucky enough to finally grab a copy of this enchanting book - Swedish Interiors.

I know most of you probably already own this heavenly gem but I wanted to post a few of my favourite inspirational images from it's glossy pages.





please click image to enlarge

my sincerest apologies for my dodgy scanning.

This room is usually a little more contemporary for my taste but can you imagine the wonderful parties one could host in a setting like this? An abundance of candles and mood lighting, complementary music, dancing and comfortable conversation surrounding that crackling fire.....It's a little bit awesome don't you think? :)

I've also made some new Swedish blogging friends I'm excited about...

Splendid Willow - A Sweed living in America

^^ I am sooooooo in love with this room! *sigh*

strömgatan4 inredning - Sweden

Wabi & Sabi - Sweden

Stop by and say G'day, they have some STUNNING images!

p.s HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO MY AMERICAN PALS! :)

Just checking in :)

Hello friends!!! I'm still alive haha ;) Firstly, I just want to thank you all for your truly lovely comments and emails, I'm completely blown away by the warmth and love you've shown me. Who'd a thought my little blog could lead me to such amazing people and make wonderful new friends.

Anyway, enough of the emotional moment *wipes tear*, I just had to swing by and brag about my newest love. Thanks to PM K. Rudd and his stimulus package I bought myself a new book recently that left me gasping for breath. Inspirations from France and Italy by Betty Lou Phillips is truly the most magnificently breathtaking book I've ever laid eyes on. I have quite an extensive design book collection. Not as big as Joni's of course ;) but I'm still quite proud of it, and this one now sits as my very favourite. It's going to be hard to find a book to top this one.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves ;)



I desperately want a pastel map of Paris to frame for my office. I'll have to check out Ebay.

I'm still currently trying to sell this apple green colour scheme to a client for her formal lounge. She still not budging grrrrr hehe :)

It's hard to see in my poor scanned pic but the Gracie handpainted Chinoiserie wallpaper in this foyer is too. die. for! *sigh*

Please click the images to enlarge!

I practically squealed with delight at this kitchen! Those bar stools immediately reminded me of Gaynor Groome's, owner of Sydney store Shades Of Pale, kitchen. One of my all time favourites. And an aqua ceiling??! Absolutely stunning!

Again, GORGEOUS!!! I'll never tire of monogrammes.

This picture is probably one of my very favourites in the book. Everything about this image is perfect!

OK what is it with me and Green and Yellow at the moment? Hmmm.

I hope you're all doing well. I'm going to do my best to catch up on what EVERYONE has been up to. I've missed you like crazy, you have no idea.

Inspirations from France and Italy.

I'm back.......kinda sorta :)

Hellllllllllooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! *group hugs* How is everyone?! I have missed you all so much!

I took a little more time off my blog than I had originally planned but I guess I needed to. It's been a really hot summer and the kids and I have been keeping ourselves quite entertained. Back and forth to the lake house, family reunions, visiting old friends, catching up on all the latest movies and basically enjoying the non routine way of life the summer break brings.

So I gotta know, who has read the Twilight series?! I got completely sucked into this magical world of vampires and warewolves the past couple of weeks and even enjoyed the movie. This saga has been HUGE down under to say the least and I must say it was quite an enjoyable and easy read. The last book was a little "out there" though lol.

Thumbing through the january issue of Instyle magazine I came across a photoshoot with the cast of Twilight and as goodlooking as the cast is I couldn't help but swoon over the sets! The location and props were stunning. They reminded me of that eclectic restaurant set up at the recent food and wine festival I attended last november.

I LOVE the shabby chesterfield, the birdcage, the aubusson pillow, the empire chairs? and the zebra rug - Genius!

Also in the magazine was a 5 page spread on my new favourite hair salon - Brad Ngata in Pailings Lane.

Mr Ngata recently hosted a high tea in his salon and I LOVED the images. Wish I'd been invited! pffft ;)

Look at those Louis chairs?! They almost left me breathless! I MUST have some chairs just like them!

Oh my looooord I have ALOT to catch up on! I hope you are all well!

(please click images to enlarge)

New Book Alert and a Christmas giveaway!

Aussies, Hear ye! Hear ye! A fabulous new book has just arrived on the market that ALL Aussie francophiles should own. This beautiful handbook is filled with all the French food, wine and design places you need to know about to live your best French life in Australia.

With an abundance of glorious colour photo's, this book will become your new bible. This book would also make a wonderful gift for travellers.

If you have a French based buisness in Australia and you'd like to be featured in future copies you can email your details here!

Once again sincerest apologies for my poor photography but the images in this book are divine.





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To coincide with the worldwide release of "Australia" as well as being the season of giving I thought I'd put together a little package to give away with a distinctly Aussie flavour :)



Australian Vintage Living by Bronnie Masefau is definately a favourite, the large glossy photo's are filled with colour and detail.



This book is filled with wonderful vintage inspiration.




Mz Masefau's home is absolutely beautiful.

Plenty of eye candy for the girly girl in all of us.

I also thought I'd include a very popular stocking filler for most country loving Aussie's, The Australian Country Style calender 2009.

The images are simple and beautiful. This calender wont be a bold statement but a subtle sweet accent.

Of course I'm definately including a copy of this new fabulous book.

And for a little added extra I thought I'd throw in this little sweet Koala Christmas ornament

He's tiny but he looks real! Well I think so anyway lol.




No matter whether you are in Australia or Siberia if you would like to win these wonderful items just leave a comment with a link to your blog and I'll draw a name out of a hat on sunday.

GOOD LUCK!



p.s Happy Thanksgiving my American blogging pals!

pp.s Brooke, I received my bottle of Cote Bastide bubble bath the other day and that evening enjoyed the best soak of my life :) Thank you!