David Bromley - Auction of the century

I felt incredibly privileged to visit David Bromley's South Yarra Studio (along with a high proportion of Melbourne) last week for a preview of the works he had for sale through Leonard Joel. After viewing online and selecting everything I aspired to own I went along to have a look in person, only to work out that most things where 3 times the size that I thought. I could not have imagined how large, let alone amazing, the space could be!

The balcony overlooking Chapel St, if only I had looked up one of those times I drove down Chapel St! Below Baby Grand Piano anyone? I would rather like one of these for Ellis House.....

After coming to terms with the fact that I was not going to be the new owner of any original David Bromleys this week I turned my thoughts to the lighting. I loved the way he had put together Chandeliers mixed with industrial lighting mixed with Dutch and Moroccan lanterns, all joined with looped flex across the beautiful ceilings.

And below my exciting purchases, I now have four beautiful glass Dutch lanterns which will be pride of place at the country abode! 

And one very special "Portrait of an academic" I have already began trying to work out the story of this amazing mans past and his life story!

Ellis House inspiration for the day.

Its official I am addicted to Pinterest! I could look at it for hours for wonderful inspiration for AURA and for Ellis House, our soon to be country retreat in Kyneton! I love this shot above, it's sophisticated, classically modern and well slightly European. Will this be my country look? Mixed shades of wood, beautiful mottled greys and stunning chandeliers - hmm I could think of worse looks :)
And below I found this great idea for a bathroom window treatment of using a linen table runner as a curtain - from a cool 50s house for sale.

I have found such gorgeous shots of bathroom renovations, but I am instantly relaxed looking at this shot above, I love the soft sage walls with vintage white trim, the wooden furniture and the rust curtains. Oh how I dream of lying in a Bath with a view! 

Ellis House

So not long now and we will be spending our weekends relaxing in the Country (well hardly relaxing, more like painting, gardening and decorating) and I can't wait! So over the past few weeks as well as trying to nut out the perfect paint colours, I have been busy out and about sourcing wonderful finds for the house. It is amazing what you can find when you start looking! As well as many other things I have been looking for the perfect dining table which will seat 8 for the last couple of months. We really wanted a simply styled French Farmhouse table, with character and history. I found a fantastic 19th Century English table 3 weeks ago, and wasn't sure so let it go - but it was passed in at auction so I tried my hand at auction bidding this week and I am now the very proud owner of a wonderful table with loads of history, which as it happens matches my gorgeous antique Japanese stool.

A Melbourne Gem harnesses Feng Shui

Shot by the incredibly talented Sharyn Cairns and Styled by the Guru himself Glen Proebstel - Houzz has featured my very own house on their website titled "A Melbourne Gem harnesses Feng Shui" 
loving the title!

Ellis and her husband met with a feng shui expert before they moved into their house. "She told us that the place had a great feeling, that it was a happy place. But she also pointed out the changes we needed to make, like changing door-opening directions and moving doors, so that we could keep the good energy," says Ellis. 

Head over to their website if you would like to see more. Thank you Houzz!

Celebrations

This is gorgeous - makes me think of so many amazing ideas we could have done on our wedding day - but our day was perfect - this can be for someone else's special day :)

My first purchase for Ellis House!

Mum and I headed up to Olinda in Mount Dandenong today, I used to live in Olinda years ago and I remember how beautiful it was going home to the country (I forgot about the rain and fog, gosh it was cold). After many hours of internet searching I have made my first purchase for the new Country house. Here are my beautiful "Coral" (the now colour!) Louis arm chairs, gorgeous oversized wicker basket and cool old style original print. I'm thinking Coral and Linen with soft French Grey and a beautiful Chandelier for Bedroom 3. We are heading up to the house tomorrow for a couple of hours of measuring - fun times ahead :)