Christmas wrap-up

I'm on the home stretch now....as of tomorrow, I'm officially on holidays. And I can't wait! It's been a huge year, albeit an exciting and enjoyable one, but now that it's drawing to a close I realise just how much I'm looking forward to kicking back and relaxing with my family. The pool is sparkling, the house is about to be cleaned top to bottom, and I'm sending the very last of my orders for the year. Just one last little bit of housekeeping: my Etsy store will remain open over the holidays, and orders are more than welcome, but any orders placed after today will not be sent until January 4th.

Right, now that's out of the way, I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Christmas, and I hope 2012 brings all you hope for. Thank you to everyone for making this year so memorable, and I'll be back in the new year with lots of new and exciting things to share. Until then, stay safe, enjoy your holidays, and I'll see you on the other side!

FREE shipping! My last hurrah for the year

As 2011 draws to a close, I'm busily packaging and posting my last orders for the year. So I thought I'd offer one last freebie before I take a break and close up shop for the holidays - FREE shipping on all orders - worldwide!

Now, while I can't guarantee international orders will arrive in time for Christmas, I can guarantee all orders - both local and international - will be sent by the next business day. So if, like me, you still have waayy too much shopping to finish (at last count I'd managed to buy four presents - oops), then head on over to my Etsy store. And if you're buying a gift, just leave me a message at checkout or convo me and I'll be more than happy to send your parcel direct to the recipient...complete with pretty packaging and a greeting from you!

Take it easy, and I'll see you soon,

Tangerine Tango...and friends

I'm sure you all know by now that Pantone has declared Tangerine Tango the colour of the year for 2012. Bold and bright, it's no shrinking violet (pardon the pun), and a little can go a long way. It works beautifully with pink and aqua, and it's found its way into quite a few of my paintings lately. I'm working on this piece at the moment, with more to come.

'Calypso I'

mixed media on canvas

12" x 12" (30cm x 30cm)

tangerine and hot pink - always a killer combo

SOLD

I'll be adding some smaller originals on canvas to my Etsy store in the new year, but if anyone is looking for pieces in time for Christmas, this and its friend (it's part of a small diptych, but is also designed to stand alone) are available now. Feel free to email me if you'd like more information.

I've also just used this fabric for a client in the pink colourway, and paired it with shades of green and aqua - very fresh and summery. But it looks equally lovely in tangy tangerine...

Orange works wonderfully with turquoise too. You may remember how Lauren from Porter Design Company framed my turquoise sea plant paintings with vivid tangerine orange mats for her room in the Stately Homes by the Sea Showhouse:

...and maybe I was ahead of my time - earlier this year, I released a number of my prints in...wait, that's right....Tangerine!

Prints are all available here in my Etsy store.

I think it would make a great addition to any holiday table - even this snippet really makes an impact:

The Lennoxx

..and packs quite a punch in these vibrant bedrooms:

 Architectural Digest

Via

So, are you loving Tangerine Tango, or, like my mum, do you absolutely hate it? Did Pantone get it right? Love to know what you think.

Inside Out

The latest issue of Inside Out magazine has just hit the stands, and one of the homes featured is a lovely white weatherboard in beautiful Palm Beach. It was for sale just recently, and I couldn't wait to get a better look at it in all its glossy glory. If I have a pet peeve, it's a lack of photos in a real estate listing - don't they know how much I love a good stickybeak at pretty houses? Anyway, this house ticks all the boxes as far as I'm concerned - lashings of white inside and out, an artist studio (perfect!), and a self-contained guest wing/teenage retreat - my ideal house. Add to that a killer spot on the Northern Beaches, and it's a hands-down winner.

Loft studio space - to die for

 Open, airy living area, complete with window seat

I really like the breezeway between the main house and the guest wing 

 Luxe bathroom

 Bunkroom

 Probably my fave part (after the studio, of course) - lovely deck with views to the pool 

Love.

Straight to the inspiration file with these. Over the holidays we're getting our ideas together for our rebuild/reno, and these will definitely help with the plan.....along with the other million or so I've gathered over the years. It will be quite hard to distil it down into a design that's just right for us, as there are so many gorgeous options to choose from. I have drawings and plans, sketches and ideas, all of which need to come together. Watch this space for more as it all (hopefully) comes together.



all images courtesy realestate.com.au 
and Prue Ruscoe for Inside Out magazine