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

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.

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?

my bookshelf space

The entry to our home in Norman Park, Brisbane.

Yes, I know it's been so long since my last post - the last couple of months for me has been seriously crazy! I ended up leaving my fulltime job as I was basically working there every waking moment and had no time for my art and blog. So I'm back... I'm catching up on my art orders and loving being able to dedicate all my time into growing this business again.

I just wanted to share with you my little bookshelf space. It is just in the entryway of our home so it was important to me to have a nice quirky first impression. After discovering the Woolloongabba Antique Centre soon after we moved here we have found so many pieces for our home - including this bookshelf which was the perfect size for the space! I love the retro feel and colour of the timber. Scroll down for more pics and a few more details on what treasures I have used to make up this space.

Kimmy :)

I'm totally in love with this 'Devil's Ivy' plant - it brings such a pop of colour to the space, especially in the glossy black pot. 'The Book of Skulls' is an illustrated book I bought at The Design Files Open House in Melbourne - I don't usually go for skulls but was just mesmerised by this book! The African wood carving is actually a bookend and was given to me by my Aunty Phine who travelled in Africa over 40 years ago.

The framed art is actually the menu of my favourite restaurant in Melbourne, Chin Chin! Their branding is so fun - these were the paper 'place mats' with the menu on the opposite side. Now that we live in Brisbane it's nice to have these little reminders of Melbourne around the house... even if it does have me dreaming of kingfish sashimi and caramelised pork...

The old highway sign is from the Woolloongabba Antique Centre (of course), the 'N' and 'K' wood letters are vintage stamps we picked up at the Brooklyn Flea earlier this year (see my Brooklyn post) and the tiny fern looks super-cute sitting on the ledge bringing some life into the space. 

This is weird looking head is a 'Daruma' doll - a Japanese good luck symbol. I bought it at an antique store in Melbourne and was intrigued by the story - being that every year these heads are made from paper mache and the eyes first start off as two circles. Then someone colours the black circle inside one eye and makes a wish or 'goal' for that year and leaves the doll in their house - then every time they pass by and see this doll they notice the one eye missing and they are reminded of their goal the need to achieve. Once their goal or wish comes true they fill in the other eye. They then start the process again the following year! Seeing as this doll has two eyes I can assume that someone's wish came true. You can read more about these dolls here.

I love finding things from nature that you can put in the house as decoration!

Absolutely adore this pineapple bookend I bought at the Brooklyn Flea. It's very happy here holding up my favourite books including 'Find and Keep' by Beci Orpin.

These lovely shoes are now more for decoration than wearing... they are so uncomfortable! Need to toughen up and wear them in soon as they are too cute to just sit there on display.

We bought these maracas on our trip to South America last year and I'm not too sure where to display them yet. We picked them up in the seaside town of Santa Marta, Colombia. See my blog post here on that beautiful adventure.

my little art space

My little art desk where I fill my art orders and play with new drawings and paintings. I love the industrial stool my husband found for me at the Woolloongabba Antique Centre! It's handy as I don't spend a lot of time at this desk as it's for filling orders and for playing - it's easy to get in and out of.

I'm still fiddling with the arrangement and framing choice of this bunch but this is where I'm at. Art from left to right, top to bottom: Vintage Apple print from the Brooklyn Flea, white with three customisable 'Texture of Morocco' in 'silk green', white with three 'Botanical Fruit' in 'colour scheme 4', four hearts prints, one of my own, not for sale but thinking about it..., white with three 'Organic Spots', Hand-made gocco 'Bear' print by Beci Orpin, bottom left is a photo I took in Cartagena (see more photos here), and lastly the 'Love Something' two colour hand-pulled screenprint I did at a course last year... still thinking about whether to sell this one as I have an edition of ten lying around!

Just some botanicals I'm playing with. I want to add a bit more intensity to this watercolour.

My botanical drawing - not sure what to do with it yet... maybe watercolour or maybe just pen and ink!

My office isn't complete without a dachshund lounging around. This is my little Honey who likes plush surfaces for napping. This chair I actually bought as a pair for $130 and they are in great condition. My desk is around the corner to the left but I don't even have an office chair yet so will share that space at a later date! I love the old casement windows that let so much natural light in.

Oh Honey Bunny. We bought the springbox skin back from Africa a few years ago.

The photobooth pic is from our wedding day! 

I do quite like the sweet little heart print - should I add it to my online store?

So I hope you like my space thus far - I still have to get an office chair for my other desk where the laptop magic happens, I've just carefully shot in a direction which cuts out the chaos that it currently is!

Will share more of my home soon

Kimmy

shop love: scout house

Welcome to Scout House - the beautiful little store that calls me inside every time I'm strolling around St Kilda. At first glance you may assume it is a quirky antique store but look closer and you'll see a heavenly mix of old and new items that are full of whimsy and character.

This beautifully curated store is the work of owner Orlando Mesiti who opened Scout House two years ago. He expressed his inspiration for authentic everyday objects, Australian design, reclaiming and reusing, handmade and craft. "Home is so important to me."

Scout House is a treasure trove of new and antique furniture, ornaments, cushions, textiles and art. When sourcing items for Scout House, Orlando explains there are no rules. "I like authentic makers, original products, timber and ceramic. Beautiful authentic textiles. Quality. Anti mass production." In three words Orlando describes Scout House as rustic, eclectic and original. This passion for authenticity and originality means there is something special about every item.

So whether you are strolling around St Kilda or have to tram it from the north side - Scout House is definitely worth a visit. You can find them at 125 Grey Street, St Kilda. If you don't live in Melbourne don't despair, you can forage through all their lovely pieces and buy online at www.scouthouse.com.au

I hope you enjoy this store as much as I do
Kimmy