Inspired by Blue

I always get excited when my issue of Inside out arrives, definately my favorite magazine - this morning the new July/August issue landed on my desk and my day has been taken over thinking of gorgeous, deep, sensual blues. A lovely way to start the week, I think I might go home and redecorate tonight! I love the shots above of this small but very special inner Melbourne residence, designed by the very talented (and super lovely) Hamish Guthrie, that has been shortlisted as a finalist for the 2011 Houses Awards! Good luck I think it is a winner, from the the light filled bedroom which features the most stunning raw Bluestone wall and American oak floors - to the open living area featuring a very cute Urchin Pouf, the original knitted pouf by Christien Meindertsma , huge steel doors and one super special floor of poured contrete with bluestone aggregate chips. It's shots like this that make we want to renovate again!

Escape to the Country

Yesterday I was lucky enough to meet Victoria Carey, the Editor of the beautiful Country Style magazine, and told her of my desire for her very aspirational magazine - hubby and I, like alot of city dwellers,  have been talking up the idea of moving to the country and renovating a historic manor - I have visions of dark moody bluestone at the front and maybe a contemporary glass extension at the rear overlooking green valleys and the biggest trees ive ever seen... one day maybe? At the moment I can continue my dream by reading Country Style each month and today i'm inspired by the above shots from the the Home life blog - there is a little bit of French Country in all of us im sure.  

Living Etc June issue

Beautiful bold use of colour in the above shots from the latest Living Etc - June issue, I love them all but I especially love, love, love the dip dyed yellow tablecloth in the first shot - entitled modern country. I've been dreaming of moving to the country lately - a historic house built of bluestones with an awfully modern extension on acres of veggie gardens and a wonderful view - we can all dream :) x

Bride to be - Top five trends in table style

The new issue of Bride to Be magazine, which I used to poor over when I was planning our Wedding, has styled the above Top five trends in table settings - Winter White meets Slate, Cape cod escape, The new romantics, Orange crush. I think these are all great and hard to pick a favorite but I am inspired by The new romantics the best at the moment - beautiful Grey with soft taupe and raw wood, and finished with stunning plums in the flowers. I feel another dinner party coming on! 

Home Beautiful June issue

Shopping for dinner last night I came across the latest June Issue of Home Beautiful that has just hit the shelves and look what I found - a Design Profile on little old me! Thank you Anna Koorey that made my night! 

Food styling

The AURA team where pretty excited this season (especially me) to have on board the very talented Claire Flynn - food stylist extraordinaire for our recent shoot. I thought I would share a few behind the scenes shot of Claire's glorious food that was used to prop our brand new Tablelinen collection. I can't wait for the new range to arrive and to share all of the beautiful shots with you, and maybe if Claire is kind enough, a few recipes as well! 

Needless to say we were not hungry this day of the shoot! Claire's advice on roasting veggies is to lay them on baking paper - saves alot of washing up!

Is there such a thing as too much Chocolate Flan? I think there might have been for me - but gosh it was beautiful, imagine it topped with hazelnut's and cream hmmmmm. Below the amazing Chicken Pie that Hubby and I ate for dinner, perfect winter warmer food. I had to try to reinvent the Pastry top after we gave back the stunning copper cookware on loan, so I will definately be asking for the recipe on this as my pastry certainly didnt cut the mustard! 

And what a good week it was!

It's been a busy couple of weeks in the AURA office organising our next shoot and last week we had a fantastic time shooting our new Spring/Summer 2011 collection - I love our photoshoots, the pleasure of working with a team of very talented people to make our new designs come to life! Lots of love and emotion goes into the designing of our ranges and it is wonderful to have a team of people that understand that passion and feel it too!

 

The hours of work that goes into a photoshoot before the shoot and during the shoot is amazing. The most exciting part for me is when each shot is being set up and then that final look through the camera and the sigh of wonder at the beautiful creation that has been made. And I promised I wouldn't put the team photo :( but you know who you all are - thanks for such a wonderful job team - you rock x x 

Beechworth and Beyond

Our little relaxing hideaway in the country, above and below shots of our lovely Colby Cottage just out of Beechworth last week - I miss it already. Back to the city and all I want to do is read Country Style and think about starting a veggie garden. We cooked wonderful breakfasts on the beautiful little old stove and reclined on the well worn sofa in the sun. I am sure that I would love to live in the Country - just have to convince the husband! The weather looks abit wild - thank god for the open fire! 

Below is the very elegant Spa at Beechworth, I just loved the inside decor, including sheer curtains tinted copper and matching metallic hints in the tiles, and then outside the trees where on show with their fabulous Autumn tones, such a wonderful time to visit and try my first Kodo Rock massage! I would totally recommend it if you have never had one before.

We met some very inspiring people on our trip to Beechworth, including the Morris family at their organic and biodynamic winery Pennyweight, it was wonderful to meet people who are so passionate about their products and we happily went home with a stunning bottle of Riesling and Muscat. I did feel rather jealous of their incredible property above. And below the local Church that I was rather keen on renovating! And yes it was for sale :)