Duck Egg Blue Chairs, Keep Calm and Carry On & Chanel Jade Polish!

I just wanted to show you my new duck egg blue arm-chairs ... I have owned these chairs for 11 years and this is the first time I have recovered them ...... Sugar decided to pop in for the picture which is perfect!

These chairs are so comfortable and I have always loved them hence the recovering! 

I did a piping in white to offset the blue .... and Designer's Guild cushions ...

Then I just wanted to let you know that I am so sorry if I have not replied or commented on everyone's blog but blogger is giving me a very hard time .... I have tried but to no avail apparantly I am "anonymous"!  

 so I won't freak out and break stuff .... rather I will "Stay Calm and Carry On" in the British tradition ....

and in the meantime I could paint my nails in this gorgeous Chanel "Jade" nail polish ..... I don't know how Andrew would take it !!!!!!

..... so I apologise if I have not commented but I will as soon as I can! 

best wishes
M.A. the 2nd

images ~ http://www.alllacqueredup.com/
          ~ http://www.cafepress.com.au/
          ~ http://www.keepcalmandcarryon.com/
and my own.

PARIS ~ SIMPLY IRRESISTABLE!

..... I was invited to a party .... a party in Paris .... I had to leave Versailles to attend a most special friend's party .....

I had to choose a gown and of course, my shoes .....

as you know I love a party and a party in Paris .... simply irresistable!  The girls are all going to be there and I simply could not refuse ..... but we have to be careful because I am not supposed to go out unless it is a royal function ..... Anita promised it would parfait and how right she was ....

of course there must always be Laduree ....

the salon de tea is so beautiful and for me, the quintessential Paris ... 

we must have a beautiful confection with our tea before we fly away with Dior ....

above Paris ..... where we can see below ......

Notredame Cathedral ..... with the gargoyles poised on their bastions .....

and a beautiful courtyard of The Ritz Hotel ...

.... the imposing entrance of "La Orangerie" where Monet's "Water Lilies" lie in an oval of perfection ... of course it is Paris .... 

and Matisse is there in all his grandeur .....

....now night falls on the city of lights .... The Eiffel Tower shimmers in the distance from a balcony of Hotel Georges V.....  I have put on my favourite Coco Chanel perfume and ordered champagne and pink macarons of course ....

and we will have fun in the most romantic, gorgeous city in the world .... where time stops still .... the Paris I see ... is one of beauty....

elegance ... and sophistication ....

always slightly aloof but melts once you say .....

my heart belongs in Paris ....

dearest Anita ... bon nuit my friend and merci for inviting me to your Parisian Dream ......

Lots of love M.A. the 2nd .....

images ~ my own and

http://www.laduree.fr/

http://www.marieantoinette.com/

http://www.dior.com/

http://www.chanel.com/

http://www.fourseasons.com/

http://www.perrier-jouet.com/

Love the Dress, Love the Shoes, Love everything Darling!

This image I found on gorgeous Anita's blog "Castles, Crowns and Cottages" and it is our very own Nicole Kidman looking stunning in that gorgeous dress ensconced on my favourite Louis settee with a basket of my favourite bubbles "Belle Epoque" nestled beside her!  It looks amazing!  I have been so busy with work and Georgiana is doing her eisteddfod and school exams so very hectic!  I thought this image was perfect!

Happy Mother's Day!

Beautiful Mother's Day flowers from my beautiful family ....

Beautiful blooms from the garden I collected ....

including a beautiful bunch of rosemary and one stem of lavender .....

then Georgiana and I baked cupcakes to take to my mum for Mother's Day .....

Happy Mother's Day .....

best wishes

M.A. the 2nd ....

My Studio and New Mood Board!

I just wanted to share with you some pictures of my studio renovations which have been a long time coming .... these are not all of them and it is still not completely finished so this is just a taste!

I have used a beautiful, striking Designer's Guild wallpaper from their new collection on my feature wall ...

Then I have been working on a design for a client for a dining/drawing room and the brief was for French style with a neutral palette and pops of colour.  I am using a beautiful taupe linen which has a silvery finish to it so it is quite formal which is perfect for the tufted sofa.  The salon chairs are also tufted but in a white linen.  The scatter cushions are going to be done in the beautiful silk DG fabric above with trim and then a couple in the pink on the salon chairs .....

I would also like to do the Louis dining chairs in the same fabric as the sofa but with the pink on the back of the medallion ......

The Louis table will have a polished timber parquet top not painted, however, the legs will be done in an antique white ...

Just another of the wallpaper and mirror that I have yet to put up on the wall .....

Beautiful Bathrooms!

Just some gorgeous bathrooms from Architectural Digest for a Friday .... this one by Christopher Noto ... love the drapes ...

This is by Thomas Pheasant ... absolutely adore the oval vaulted ceiling, mosaic marble tiles and flowing free form ....

This stunning bathroom is by Marjorie Shushan and it is breathtaking .... look at the detailed mosaic floor, marble bath and the French doors with its own balcony ....  perfect!  I wonder if Kate's bathroom is like this at the Goring Hotel as she readies for her big day.  Bring on the royal horse-drawn carriage and fairytale wedding! 

Have a wonderful Friday!

best wishes

M.A. the 2nd!

images http://www.architecturaldigest.com/

Easter Cakes, Stunning Flowers and Antiques!

I hope you all had a beautiful Easter ..... Georgiana and I baked these cupcakes for Easter and it was great fun to decorate them. 

I absolutely love the one in the middle with the blue egg ....

These gorgeous flower arrangements were in the foyer of our hotel in Brisbane last week .... stunning!

When I was in Brisbane I also went antique hunting and I found this amazing Louis the 16th canape .... I have not seen one like it and in such good condition ....  I have been looking at pieces for clients but oh dear, I tend to fall in love with special pieces and their magic and their story .....

and it wouldn't be a post from me without our Marie Antoinette  fix ......

look at that tray of divine pastries!

I also came across this vase which is one of a pair .... absolutely gorgeous colourings

I hope you all have had a peaceful, restful Easter and enjoyed precious time with your family and friends ..... we certainly did although Andrew was on call and Alex is away filming but we still had a wonderful special time ..... Georgiana had two Easter Egg hunts so she was very happy!
my best wishes always
M.A. the 2nd