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!

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 :)

Painted Mirrors

I've been inspired by painted mirrors over the Easter break, here's a couple of gorgeous ones I found. Loving the yellow pop above, I could do this (hmm well I think I can) from here. And the super large white beauty below from here. I am now searching ebay for that perfect piece to paint there looks like some good projects out there.

Jaipur visit

When we arrived home from India this trip I actually wondered if there was any possibility that I would be lucky enough, or brave enough, to ever live in such a marvellous, mysterious, yet confronting country. With every trip I see more and learn more. I am fortunate enough to visit India twice a year and this must have been about my 30th trip! But this trip was different, I travelled with Jess, our Aura Sales and Product Co-ordinator. What a fabulous trip we had, the excitement of seeing the very first samples of our new Spring/Summer 2013 collection being hand crocheted, printed and woven right in front of us. We travelled to Delhi & Bangalore and also to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan where I have only been once before on holiday with my husband around 7 years ago!

Entering into the old city in Jaipur (founded in 1727) through the gates is always an emotional experience, immediately inspired , this is a city like no other! Jaipur is known as "The Pink City" and the locals are required to repaint their houses a terracotta colour to ensure it stays pink! We had a great visit to the City Palace to see some jaw dropping hand carving and painting!

Then off to the Johri Bazaar, this gentleman was very happy (we believe because he totally over charged me - oh well :) after walking around the back streets lost for a while it was worth the assistance! Johri is full of Jewellery and textiles as well as amazing colours and smells!

Some hard bargining was done with these 2 fella's and we ended up with 3 beautiful cutwork coverlets to take home at a great price, hand wash all the way I'm afraid! Chai anyone!

  Our amazing rooms at The Royal Heritage Haveli above and below! 

 

We were lucky enough to watch hand knotted rugs and block printing - what an art! Such beautiful work and the colours just shone in the sun!

Now that we are home we are looking forward to receiving all of our beautiful new samples for our next AURA collection! And I will definitely be returning to Rajasthan...

Monday to do lists!

Monday morning - so much to do! Loving this to do list from Ferm Living - this would be great for the AURA office, even comes with it's own chalk!

Yellow inspiration

Working on our next collection and today I feel very inspired by the yellow in these shots above from this lovely blog here. Adding abit of sunshine to a very bleak Melbourne day..

Table settings for the weekend!

Above these lovely shots of tableware by Trine Thorsen are inspiring me today - loving the top shot especially with the yellow hints mixed back with purples, gold and black - thats my kind of table setting! 

My Heart Wanders

I struggle to read, I want to read, but I just struggle in my day to day life to put the time aside for reading. But being ill this week (and through the long weekend- not great!) has given me time to read Pia Jane Bijkerk's lovely book "My Heart Wanders" - I was actually visiting a bike shop a couple of weeks ago and it happened to be across the road from the very lovely Scarlet Jones, where I managed to buy a Matta dupatta scarf that I have always admired and this lovely signed copy of Pia's book.

Pia's book was very easy to read, I loved the opening of the book in which she described being at a fork in the road, one way lead to her normal everyday life, the other to a new exciting but somewhat scary adventure. An adventure that we should all at least consider for ourselves one day. A very honest rendition of her life moving around with her family and then by herself, a pleasure to read and admire the lovely shots all taken by Pia.

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

Spring Summer 2011 range release!

A Sneak Peek behind the curtain at Spring/Summer's range release!

Its been a long week of range showings for our new Spring/Summer 2011 collection to buyers, with great feedback it has been worth the effort we have all put in! Every 6 months for 2 weeks we dress the showroom with new and exciting products to show to our Australian buyers and international distributors. Luckily this season we have Easter in the middle for a well deserved break. I'm looking forward to heading off to Beechworth for 5 days of rest and relaxation, shopping and eating! Looking forward to sharing some fabulous finds with you next week! 

Hanging Baskets - are there any cool ones???

Amazing climbing plant Trellis from Terrace Outdoor Living. 

Now heres a couple of lovely hanging baskets. 

Or go all the way and spend the cash on this unique and fabulous macrame hanging basket, found some interested versions on macrame hanging baskets on Etzy....like this quite cute one below which is a hand woven hanging wall or door basket.!

The craze of indoor plants has hit me, my lovely mother in law has given me a Hoya plant and I have been wondering where and what to get to make it look cool? Its not that easy finding good looking hanging pots I tell you! I have found many a website/blog that tells you how to make these adorable flash backs from the 60's like this one here - Make a wild hanging basket- but not so many on how to actually buy something that doesnt look like its out of granny's fernery or that you cant put fruit in, although the red vintage tiered wire hanging fruit basket above is pretty cute.