plants make me happy

Post Bunnings Trip - so many pretties I couldn't stop at one!

As I continue to ruffle around my nest in Geelong things are really starting to come together. After much furniture hunting, picture hanging and riddle-solving it's really starting to feel like a home! I'd say the biggest transformation so far would be the addition of plants. There is something about their leafy goodness that really changes a space. I think plants trump all other decor and are quite cheap too.

I've had a walk around my home and taken photos of all our new little friends. I especially love the little plant above on my bedside next to the Sandra Eterovic print I bought recently - looks so mysterious peeking out from behind the bushes! I actually bought this print for the baby's room but I had to have it... pfft look at me stealing from my unborn child. I do have surplus art for the nursery though...

I've had a crush on the 'terrarium' trend for a while now so experimented with potting plants into glassware and just loved the results. I didn't go out and buy anything new - I just repurposed some unused vases and glasses! I don't know if this one below classifies as a terrarium as it's not enclosed in glass but a gold star for effort I say. Most of the plants I've chosen are succulents so I'll be conscious of making sure they get enough sun and take them out for a gathering on the back deck once in a while.

I'll be sure to share the rest of the house with you when it's ready. I have six weeks until my baby is due so there's nothing like a hard deadline to get things hurried along...

Kimmy

My first terrarium effort... I think the gold spray-painted lion really finishes it off! The painting to the right is the result of some of my gouache experimenting.

I love the mixing of plant types!

This little guy is on my desk. I love how you can see the earth and rock through the glass.

I found this plant stand at an antique store in Brisbane and finally found something to go in it! I freaking love that metallic gold pot with hairpin legs.

I placed the entire plastic pot into this antique tin - didn't bother actually repotting it in there.

This plant is actually a 'hanging' plant so his tentacles will surely start to grow down and spill over the bookcase... should look pretty. I picked up the little paper flag at Supergraph a couple of weekends ago.

Looove this gem vessel from Beneath the Sun. Sitting beside it are some maracas we bought in Colombia a couple of years ago.

This gorgeous plant really finished off this corner of the lounge and looks so nice next to this photo I took of a woman in Colombia - she was selling fruit on the street.

Another gold animal - couldn't resist.

This handsome thing sits on our tv cabinet... we chose a glossy plastic pot so it wasn't too heavy... and I don't think you could tell it was plastic at a glance!

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 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

blank canvas

Here it is. Our new home in Brisbane is a lovely Queenslander that's filled with character and potential - a huge contrast to our modern Melbourne apartment!

Right now it's just a blank canvas and we are in desperate need of FURNITURE. We are currently sleeping on a mattress on the floor, and eating dinner on the couch (which we need to get rid of as it's too big!) So it's actually a bit of a disaster zone right now but I'm so excited about styling this home from the ground up. I've been pinning madly and collecting the most inspiring images - I'll be sure to share my ideas with you as we slowly start buying the key pieces of furniture for our home. I'm really channelling a vintage vibe with this home... more of an eclectic, 'well-travelled' vintage that will display all our treasures we've collected from all over the world.

It's been lovely being back in Queensland - the sound of cicadas, the hot, balmy air and the tropical 'resort' feel this town has is just gorgeous. We are really enjoying exploring and discovering the creative little hot spots!

It's going to be a big year full of interior inspiration and creation and I look forward to taking you along for the ride.

I. Can't. Wait.

Kimmy