Lacoste

While in Lacoste in June, I went to the old castle which is now owned by Pierre Cardin.  There are a few rooms open to the public and they are filled with lovely and unique antiques.  Apparently Pierre Cardin renovated the castle so he could make it his home. It was such a pleasure to take a look around - and the views, wow! No wonder he decided to live there.

Louise Body wallpaper

I came across an article on Louise Body wallpaper while flicking from Easy Living magazine on the weekend. I love this wallpaper that looks like tiles, it is so cleverly designed. I wish I had somewhere I could put it in my house. There are so many interesting and unique designs on her website (http://www.louisebody.com/) and they ship to New Zealand!

Cross-Back Chair

When this picture popped up in my inbox this morning, my first reaction was to have gut-wrenching pangs for summertime. Then I thought - what a cool chair! It is called the Cross Back Dining Chair and can be found on Terrain.
Pictures borrowed from Terrain website/email newsletter.

Les Carmes

In-keeping with my previous post, while in France we stayed in a lovely French villa in the countryside called Les Carmes. This place epitomises the rustic french dream and is decorated accordingly - with replica antiques, authentic woven carpets, stone, wrought iron, buttermilk coloured walls, sheer drapes and floral cushions.  Highly recommended to all travelling through the Luberon region.

Canvas strap shelf

While in Provence, I came across this little shop in the Luberon which sold
canvas straps which you fasten to the wall, add a plank of wood and voila you
have a shelf! I thought they were a simple, yet very practical idea so I bought
two sets for the kitchen. My husband out them up on the weekend and they look
great!

Holiday cottage in Maine

There was a great holiday cottage featured in Houzz newsletter which caught my eye.  It is from Hunting Island in Maine and I love how the light and airy interiors contrast with the harsh landscape and roughness of the building. There is something so interesting about the glass shower box against the rock walls and I love the tree branch used on the stair case.  I find that sometimes with cottages like this the interiors are very dark and gloomy with mahogany woods and red tones, but this scheme is almost french countryside chic.
The house was designed by Knickerbocker Group (architects) and photos taken by Darren Setlow and borrowed from Houzz.

more headboards

I am feeling very inspired by the headboard I made in the weekend, I think I might have to make another one. I found this picture and think it would be cool to have a go at making something like this next.  Just have to figure out where to buy the studs from, spotlight maybe?

Homemade headboard

I was very productive yesterday and made someting I have wanted to make for ages, but never got around to it - until now! I made a fabric headboard for my bedroom. It is made from a piece of mdf, foam, fabric and buttons and took about 2 -3 hours to make. It looks fabulous and was well worth the effort. I followed direction from http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/01/diy-simple-tufted-headboard/ for each step of the process, but once I got going it was really simple. Probably cost me about $80 all up and looks much more expensive than that! I can't wait to do one for the spare room.

Martine's

Martine's was a little cafe down the road from my hotel (La Belle Juilette)  in Paris.  It was such a cute little place with a really relaxed vibe. Martine was very helpful to us non-native speakers and we really enjoyed our lunch there. I loved the art work on the wall and the little odds and ends on the book shelves. The fresh flowers gave the cafe a homely feel. There are two rooms, one downstairs and one upstairs - but I didn't get to see the upstairs! On Martine's website, she describes the spaces as "Two rooms, two atmospheres: pop and soul in the main room, loungy and peaceful". If you are ever in the Latin Quartier go in for a piece of yummy traditional quiche! (Pictures property of Martines)

http://www.martines-paris.com/

Fernandez & Wells

Sorry for the long absence, I have been off travelling around the world on my honeymoon! I thought I would be able to post as I go, but turns out issues with flash and my ipad stopped me.  Now I have lots of interesting places from all over to share.  I'll start with Fernandez & Wells in London. I went to Fernandez & Wells after reading about it on Remodelista (there's a surprise!) It's a lovely little cafe with a great atmosphere - calm with lots of white(not unlike an art gallery space - which is fitting because it is a cafe attached to Somerset House). I very much enjoyed my flat white and a piece of cake.