Caribbean Coastal Chic

I just wanted to share a lovely project I have been working on at the coast .....

My lovely clients are originally from Trinidad and they wanted to remember their island home ....

so for their coastal apartment we went with a caribbean style .. with palm tree lampbases, Waverley "Coral" cushions,  Designers Guild stripe wallpaper and the most beautiful artwork by Kerri Shipp of www.driftwoodinteriors.com.au

 with the coral being framed in floating glass so that the wallpaper would show through ..... my friend Dee helped me hang the artwork yesterday and it looks so beautiful ...

it makes me feel like sitting under a palm tree!  Have a great week!

Chocolate Sour Cream Cake ........

Just a quick post to show you the delicious Chocolate Sour Cream cake that I bought back with me from our trip to Brisbane .... this gorgeous cake is from Jocelyn's Provisions and one of my favourite haunts...

so we had a little cup of tea, some chicken and rocket sandwiches and "the cake"!  I know it is a Tuesday and we should be working but just sometimes it is nice to say I will take this hour and I will enjoy this time ....... the cake had to go back in the fridge for later as we certainly could not partake of it all!  So my lovely friend, Tonya, had bought the beautiful Charbonnel chocolates hiding under the glass dome!

that then leads to this beautiful fabric which I have been working on for Tonya and it is such a stunning piece from Designer's Guild ..... I also have done a wallpaper for my friend Becky in the gold and white .... the urns are so French and so divine ....

.... another friend of mine, Dee, who is an art gallery curator is currently working on a fabulous exhibition which involves artwork of tea-cups, silver sugar bowls, wedding cakes and lots more ...... she has asked me to organize some beautiful cushions and drops for the exhibition ....

and then after I pulled the washing off the line after a big day .... this beautiful rose was there waiting to be picked and stand elegantly beside my blue ginger jar in the kitchen ....

have a wonderful week .....

Happy Easter!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE ~  Georgiana and I were lucky enough to share a "Mad Hatter's High Tea" at The Stamford Plaza in Brisbane with her cousins!   

The table settings were exquisite and the mad hatter himself couldn't have done a better job ..... there were tick tock clock cupcakes, white chocolate rabbits, sandwiches the colour of pink and green .... toadstool macaroons,  pink lemonade and sparkling champagne ...... delicious tea .... a perfect setting for a high tea!

Georgiana and I waiting for her cousins .....

I forgot to mention this little delicate morsel .... pink fairy floss covering the most delicious caramel creme brulee .....

                               
                            Georgiana and cousin Elizabeth sharing a chicken sandwich and a giggle ......

I hope you all had a beautiful and special Easter with your family and friends because they are the most cherished of all!

"Craig Waddell" ~ The Australian Modern Day Monet!

"His work is exquisite" ..... Craig Waddell, an Australian artist, whose talent makes me think of a modern day master, has an uncanny way of bringing the subject to life through his medium ..... I have just had the privilege of acquiring this beautiful oil on linen piece called "Magnolia" and she has reached her home nestled in amongst the drapes of  the coronet ....

This piece has a life of it's own and I feel like I want to reach out and pick the bloom and put it in a vase ... such is the ability of the artist to convey a life .... the texture of the painting is incredible .... thick, rich oils delicately layered on a linen base .....

I found this piece through Edwina Corlette Gallery in Brisbane and Edwina was amazing in her communication with me as I bought this piece without seeing it ... but I knew it would be perfect.  Edwina described it as "raspberry ripple ice-cream" and so it was!

Craig's work is a must see and though most of these works from his collections have been sold there are still a few left and he also has a new collection which he is launching ....

the richness, the depth and the genius of his work is outstanding! 

www.craigwaddell.com

www.edwinacorlette.com

"Delicious, Divine and Delectable ~ Delizie"

Delicious, Divine and Delectable ..... a perfect description for a local restaurant of ours that brings a little piece of Europe to Rockhampton, Queensland .....

I recently had the pleasure of dining at "Delizie" and it is heaven .... John and Gianni cast a magic spell which makes you feel like you could be anywhere ....

John removes the cover of the sweetest treats ....

this function had an Australian theme with a touch of France .... the macarons were flavoured "vegemite" and "ovaltine" ..... two iconic Aussie favourites... I was a little apprehensive but John insisted that I must imbibe before reaching a verdict.  Stunning ... absolutely stunning the vegemite macaron was delicately flavoured with our favourite yeast extract and was a perfect  partner to the sauvignon blanc ..... savoury and then follow with an ovaltine creation ... sweet, but not overly so, and perfect ...

and here is the gorgeous Tilly who always knows  a good macaron .... enjoy

Congratulations John and Gianni .....  you have created a little piece of heaven for us ...

On Eagle's Wings

It has been a very sad week for our family ..... Andrew's Dad, Captain John Russell, passed away last Wednesday after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease .... John is pictured above holding Georgiana as a baby...

John had just had his 80th Birthday.... a truly "gentle man"

Rest in Peace John, you were a remarkable and humble man who loved his family above all else .... we know God will carry you on eagle's wings ... with our love and greatest respect always...

Andrew, Frances, Alexander, Dominic and Georgiana ...

Sunday Afternoon ~ Christopher Farr and Vogue Living

It is Sunday afternoon here and it is very overcast and grey ..... so I thought a little pop of pink would be perfect .... I have just had these Christopher Farr cushions and lampshades done for our bedroom and they are so beautiful ....

Then I am just loving these pages in the latest Vogue Living Australia .... fabric and wallpaper on the left by Thibaut and then this gorgeous image of luxury textures .... all the roses are divine .... and the green is so fresh ....

I hope you have a beautiful Sunday .....

love M.A. the 2nd

Kimono Blossom ~ New Designer's Guild!

This is the beautiful new collection from Designer's Guild called "Kimono Blossom" .... it is gorgeous with painterly designs and a fresh palette ....

I just love the sofa with the checks and the white back and the rug ...... stunning ....

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone ...... wishing you all a gorgeous evening filled with love and laughter ..... I just had to show you the gorgeous new collection for Louis Vuitton ..... the colours are exquisite ....

I hope you get to eat some of these ..... Marie Antoinette style ......

and maybe open something like this .....

or eat some delicious Laduree .....

or sample a little of everything with your love ....

and definitely savour a sip of this and toast what makes the world go round ...... 

Happy Valentine's Day .... and all my love to my valentine, Andrew ....

best wishes M.A. the 2nd .....

Hollywood Regency Style "Pied-a-terre"

Keeping on my theme of Hollywood ..... this stunning apartment is owned and designed by the very talented Melissa Warner of "Masucco Warner Miller".  Melissa calls it her L.A. "Pied-a-terre".

The colours, the lightness, the textures and patterns .... everything is gorgeous!  I especially love the tufted sofa and mirrored coffee table.....

absolutely exquisite ..... the contrast of dark flooring and white painted furniture with the relief inlay front ...

perfect breakfast setting ....

perfect vignette ......

images from http://www.housebeautiful.com/

interior designer melissa warner of http://www.massuccowarnermiller.com/