Thursday 12 December 2013

gifts for boys



Let's face it - boys can be hard to buy for. They don't lust over things like us girls, and they certainly don't have a Pinterest board that we can trawl through for present ideas. (Can you imagine it?) My husband's birthday was a couple of days ago and I got him a bunch of cute little things which I think were a bit more special than a Bunnings voucher (nothing against Bunnings). I thought I'd share this collection in a bid to help you with last minute stocking fillers for your other halves.

Going clockwise from top left:

  • Chin Chin Cook Book. It's our favourite Asian restaurant in Melbourne and they have somehow miraculously agreed to hand over all their secrets. Nick loves to get amongst it in the kitchen so this was perfect. Plus, I get to sample the finished product. 'Win win' I say. 
  • Bandana Pocket Square from Country Road. This was just a cute extra to use as wrapping (see pic below) along with the King of Hearts card which I poked into the present (pure cheese I know).
  • Traditional Cut Throat Shave from Captains of Industry. I did a bit of research to find someone who did it with good reviews and it was definitely worth the effort. He loved it! It's the man-version of getting pampered. This traditional-style 'barber shop' was complete with a 1950s reclining barber chair, hot towel treatment and cool quirky barber. I made this little gift box and 'ticket' for him instead of asking for a daggy gift voucher. Scroll down for a close up.
  • Navy Espadrilles from Country Road. A bit cute and cool for summer.
  • Custom Stamped Leather Key Ring by Marvellous. Gold Coast girl Emily makes a range of beautiful leather goods - all by hand! These key rings are available in lots of leather colours and she will hand stamp any words or message you want on the keyring and it's quite affordable. Scroll down for a close up!

Hope this gives you some good ideas for your sweetheart.

Kimmy

Chin Chin Cook Book - inside. My favourite starter - the Kingfish Sashimi. So good it should be illegal.

I turned a matchbox into a little gift box with a pretend 'ticket' to announce the cut throat shave and haircut that I had booked Nick in for. I drew the little icons then printed and wrapped it around the matchbox. I stuck the ticket to foamcore so it was nice and fat (and filled up the container!) And just to credit the actual barber - he didn't look anything like that.

 The custom leather keyring I had made by Marvellous. This side just has his initials 'NH' and on the other side I had a few secret code letters that stood for the nicknames I have for him.

I wrapped the keyring up with the Country Road pocket square and tucked in a King of Hearts card for a bit of cheese. Did look cute though.

Thursday 5 December 2013

how to pick up hitch hikers and make friends

Emma and Erin of Who Loves That

As you know I recently moved to Geelong and we've been settling in nicely in this pretty little town. The only thing is - I don't know a single soul here! But it's funny the way you can make friends...

Last month my husband Nick and I decided to go to Derby Day races at Flemington. After missing the train to Melbourne (urrghh) we decided to just jump in the car and drive ourselves there (it's just an hour away!). We stopped to grab fuel and noticed a nicely dressed couple at the service station just standing there... the guy told my husband they too had missed the train and asked if they could get a lift to the races with us!!! Haha at least we weren't the only ones!

So we got talking to these stylish 'hitch hikers' and realised that this lovely lady Erin has an interior design/DIY blog! Umm.... well I happen to be an interior design nut and sell art online! Match made. Her website Who Loves That was created with her friend Emma, and these ladies are incredible with what they come up with! Home entertaining and styling ideas as well as super cute DIYs. I was just so chuffed to meet a fellow Geelong resident who was crazy about this stuff like I was!

I've since caught up with Erin and met Emma too. I knew when I saw Emma's shirt 'Hold me closer Tony Danza' that she had great style. Scroll down for a few of my favourite pics off their site but make sure you go and check out their full website here and subscribe to their blog. They have plans to create an online store with a curation of beautiful hand-picked suppliers so keep a look out!

And that concludes my lesson in 'how to pick up hitch hikers and make friends'

Kimmy

DIY chalkboard tray by Who Loves That

DIY painted pots, by Who Loves That

Timber curation by Who Loves That

Story on Mossgreen Tearooms by Who Loves That

Birthday Party Styling by Who Loves That

Christmas Table Styling by Who Loves That



Tuesday 3 December 2013

new product! puppy & polka screen printed teatowels


I'm so excited to finally show you the new product I've been working on - the Dachshund Sleep Study is now a teatowel! I've created a set of two teatowels which pairs the puppies with an organic spot print and together they look super sweet. 

I had them hand screen printed locally in Melbourne on beautiful 75% linen 25% cotton teatowels that soften beautifully with every wash. They measure a generous 500x700mm and would also look cute framed!

The teatowel pack is now available online in my Etsy store here - don't delay if you'd like to gift these to someone (or yourself) in time for Christmas!

Kimmy







Wednesday 27 November 2013

the design files open house 2013


Over the weekend I had the pleasure of going to The Design Files Open House! 

This home... OH!!! It's the epitome of Melbourne with it's loft-style space, tonnes of natural light, timber floors and a mixture of painted and exposed brick walls. Basically... my dream home. It was styled head to toe by Lucy Feagins who has curated (once again) the very best art and home decor items by fantastic Australian brands. Everything in the home was for sale... but the home itself wasn't unfortunately! One day... 

I couldn't take the best pictures as it was packed with people as you can see! But pop over to the Design Files blog to see the full professional photo shoot. Also go and check out the actual Design Files Open House website to pour over their amazing suppliers. The art is so divine! And so inspiring!!!

Kimmy


I was so mesmerised by these portraits by Sandra Eterovic. View her Etsy store here.


And I finally got my hands on an Emily Green necklace! View a great story about how she hand makes every bead on this Design Files story or check out her website here.


Friday 22 November 2013

new etsy photography

'Mediterranean Tiles' from the Fragments collection. Size 'A2' displayed.


I've been VERY busy this week taking new photos for my white with three etsy store! I just really wanted to give my store a total refresh before Christmas and display a better range of the sizes and colours I have available. It was no easy task - it's taken me all week but I'm happy with the result! Here are a few of my favourites, but head to my store to check them all out.

I also have an exciting new home decor item in the pipeline which will be available soon... stay tuned!

Kimmy


'Banana Plant' botanical drawing. Colour 'grass' size 'A3' displayed. 
(You can get this in any colour you want!) 

'Botanical Fruit' art print. Colour 'stone' size 'A4' displayed. 
(You can get this in any colour you want!) 

'Droplets' art print. Colour 'tiffany' size 'A2' displayed. 
(You can get this in any colour you want!)

'Rainforest Canopy' from the Fragments collection. Size 'A2' displayed.

These are from my 'Geometric' range which come in four different colour schemes. Pictured is the 'Circles' in size 'A2' and 'Triangles' in size 'A4 both in 'colour scheme four'.

These are from my 'Texture of Morocco' range which you can order in any colour you want! Pictured is the 'Texture of Morocco 2' in colour 'summer pink' size 'A2' and 'Texture of Morocco 3' in colour 'crayon purple' size 'A4'.


Most of my prints are available in a custom colour of your choice - here is my colour palette but you can also specify ANY colour if you have something specific in mind!

Thursday 14 November 2013

making a nest in geelong


Well... I'm here! Nick and I moved in to our cute little cottage in Geelong two weeks ago and it's been a little chaotic getting everything unpacked but the boxes have finally disappeared. We have a long way to go in really finessing all the knick-knackery and styling but for now it works! Just thought I'd share a few pics of the entry way and office which is now fully functioning with my printer being set up... I've shipped out quite a few of my white with three etsy orders now so that makes me feel right at home.

The weather is a tad different to Brisbane being a balmy 12deg at the moment (in the middle of November) but I must admit the cool weather is still a novelty to me. A novelty which didn't wear off even through two Melbourne winters... but we'll see how long that lasts...

Kimmy




I love the windows in the main bedroom and how the light comes across my new Kip & Co velvet bedspread (which is crying out for some nice cushions to adorn it). I have bought some new pillowcases from West Elm though which I can't wait to bust out.


Beyond the entryway is a nice-sized nook where the office lives.


The puppies sleep next to my desk and only move to change sleeping postion. Or to bolt to the kitchen if they hear me open tupperware.



The bookshelf is set up and there is a big blank wall that is desperate for some art. We are just renting but thankfully our real estate agents said to go nuts hanging anything anywhere as currently there are only two picture hooks in the entire house!!


Sneak peek of a little project I'm working on with my photography from South America last year... This photo was taken in Cartagena, Colombia... I get lost in this photo studying the streets and people.


Lots of art waiting to be hung!


Couldn't resist grabbing this snap of me in the mirror to show off my little belly. I'm 18 weeks now. Please don't mind the bed hair and tracksuit pants... the Marimekko top kind of makes up for it though?

Thursday 10 October 2013

my home - the final tour

Entry to our Norman Park home.

Well it's been a crazy year for me (to say the least) with busily filling my white with three art orders, running my freelance design business, working as a senior creative for a period of time earlier this year AND now throw in the 'you're moving to Geelong' factor! We just moved to Brisbane from Melbourne in January this year so it's taken quite a while for my husband Nick and I to settle in and get the house the way we like it... and now Nick's work is taking us across the country yet again! (This time to stay for a while thank goodness!)

Amongst all this we have been trying to get pregnant and after some highs and awful lows in our journey we are so happy to announce that we are expecting our first baby! So much happening... so much excitement.

Our pregnancy announcement photo taken by my talented sister Katie of Sweet Mary Photography. The cameo necklace is my mother's which Dad gave to her when they were engaged which she wore on her wedding day.

I will be sad to leave Brisbane though. I hadn't shared much of my home with you as it's taken us this long to get it to a point we're happy with! (Keep in mind we had to fully furnish it from the ground up - we came with nothing!). So I thought I'd better give you the tour of our home before our lovely things get packed into boxes next week. Our home in Geelong is a gorgeous little renovated cottage and I can't wait to share that with you once we settle in!

I am also working on some exciting new products which will be housed under a new label and website... more details will come over the next couple of months.

Kimmy

My office which is constantly transforming. This is where I fill my white with three art orders!

My office - I do most of my work behind the computer and love sitting in my new office chair. It's an Eames Replica from Milan Direct. The genuine sheepskin rug on the chair is from Ikea.

One of my prized possessions is this Beci Orpin collage art print (top) - hand signed! Also on my desk are a few watercolours I've been playing with... I'm still learning...

I love all the windows and natural light.

The holy Epson Fine Art Printer where I produce all my white with three prints! All orders are printed on demand so people can easily pick custom colours at no extra charge. Framed is my 'Lots of Sleepy Dachshunds' print in 'navy'. 


A few vintage goodies I picked up on our recent trip to Melbourne including a French keyring.

I love displaying herbs around the home as they last for ages! When in the water long enough they throw roots so it's nice to have living plants scattered around.

Love this 'Hektar' lamp from Ikea. The industrial side table is from the Woolloongabba Antique Centre (I'll miss that place!). The tall glass dome will remain empty until I find something that will fit in it!

I got this pair from an antique store for $120. Solid timber and newly covered in lush velvet. The giant rosary beads is from our trip to South America. The cushions are from Freedom.

Coffee table and side table from Freedom (though the plain timber one with the plant on it actually belongs to a nest of three - the other two tables we are using temporarily as bedsides!) The art above the couch was a splurge in South America - an original print by Guayasamin. We have named her Bruna.

Again - displaying herbs in a little vase! This one is Thai basil. The big woven tray was given to me by my father who works in Papua New Guinea. The white 'gem' vase with the fern is from Beneath the Sun.

Our bedroom - it's a bit underdone having only bought our bed and bedspread a few weeks ago... the bedspread is from Kip & Co - now I just need some of their amazing sheets and pillowcases to display! The bed is suffering from serious 'under-cushioning' at the moment. 

Our dresser is another Woolloongabba Antique Centre find. The framed art is one of my Fragments 'Garden View' prints.

A small part of my bottle collection (I'm slightly obsessed with bottles). The books and postcard are antique.

It took Nick and I ages to decide what to buy as a dining setting! We ate off our laps on the couch for MONTHS. I'm so glad we took our time as we are so happy with our decision! The table is from Freedom and the chairs are Bentwood Replicas from Matt Blatt.

I like to leave random things around that I've collected in our travels - like this newspaper from Japan! It just reminds me of how special all our adventures have been.

The guest room - bed and bedspread is from Ikea. The chair 'bedside' is from the Woolloongabba Antique Centre.

The print above the bed is one of my Banana Botanical prints in 'golden honey'.

Another Woolloongabba Antique Centre find - this 'Games for the Family' book is filled with gorgeous family activites!!

This mirror was carted all over South America in our luggage and somehow made it home unscathed! I loved it because it was so 'South American'. This plant stand was something I had been hunting for so long and guess where I found it... at the Woolloongabba Antique Centre! Now it just needs a pretty fern to crown it.

Honey and Rio have loved living here and I hope they like their new home in Geelong as much. Our herb garden is in the background which provides me endless 'foliage' to decorate the home... and sometimes to actually use in cooking!