Kim's personal links
MY FAVOURITE DECOR SHOPS IN OTTAWA
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kitchen remodel in my last house
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my twin sister's mostly kid's rooms decor blog
The library rules. No not "ssshhh no talking". I mean this amazing library rules! The house too. The book lined shelves provide transition between the old house and the new extension, screening the open plan living areas from the hallway and front door. Black, white and wood, my favourite combo, are accentuated by the polished concrete floor and occasional burst of colour. By Melbourne based design atelier Techné.
I was sent a book recently that I am really excited to share with you all. It is the creation of one of my favourite stylists/designers - Shannon Fricke, and one of my favourite photographers - Prue Ruscoe. (That alone had me sold!) It's called How to Decorate, and Shannon was inspired by the decorating workshops she holds in her cottage studio in New South Wales, Australia that are all about embracing creativity and the basics on how to develop beautiful spaces in your home. Her tips are designed for decor enthusiasts of all kinds, but particularly novices who are hesitant on where to start. From creating your concept (so important!), shaping your backdrop, using colour, choosing fabrics, she touches on all the important areas that are crucial to the creation of a fabulous space. Not only is this book completely useful and my copy is bound to become dog-eared, the spaces featured inside are dreamy and inspirational. You can get your copy on sale from Potter Style.
Rethink: the way you live by Amanda Talbot . Photos – Mikkel Vang. Published by Murdoch Books.
Day after day Kim and I bring you inspirational and aspirational homes. At times I wonder if we are peddling an unsustainable dream. The vast majority of us will not live in a large house, on a large block of land with interiors outfitted with a large amount of money. High end is not the real end for most of us. And there is nothing wrong with that. Most o f us will live in apartments. We will share bedrooms and facilities. We will not have $450 a drop wallpaper or even brand new furniture. But we will all strive to create family homes that are beautiful and sustainable and real. In fact it is liberating to know that throwing money at a house isn't necessarily the way to go or grow.
Rethink: the way you live by Amanda Talbot. Photos – Mikkel Vang. Published by Murdoch Books.
Amanda Talbot is an internationally renowned authority on interiors, style and design. She has worked for some of the biggest decor magazines and design firms on the planet. Think British ELLE Decoration and Livingetc to IKEA and WGSN. She's a trend forecaster and the author of Rethink: The way you live. Published by Murdock Books in 2012, and know in its second reprint, the book explores and celebrates the way people are starting to live, to redesign and redefine what they need to live well (and well informed). Homes are were we live and create, where we struggle and strive, where we love and where we celebrate. Ritual, dreams and design. But Rethink: The way you live isn't a dry and crusty manifesto. Amanda travelled with Copenhagen based photographer Mikkel Vang to Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Paris, London, New York, Japan, and Australia to document global design trends within our homes and our communities. What resulted is a book of inspiring ideas and gorgeous images. A little subversive don't you think? Beauty and brains and bucket loads of reality. Having already struck a cord with readers in the UK and Australia, Amanda's view needs to be read by a wider audience. It's inspiring. So if you can't find it in your bookstore there is always Amazon ;)
Rethink: the way you live by Amanda Talbot. Photos – Mikkel Vang. Published by Murdoch Books. 
Rethink: the way you live by Amanda Talbot. Photos – Mikkel Vang. Published by Murdoch Books.
Rethink: the way you live by Amanda Talbot. Photos – Mikkel Vang. Published by Murdoch Books.
A 2-story bookcase would be a dream come true. I'd never have to throw out a shelter mag or book ever again, and a place to display every knick knack I have stashed in the basement. *sigh*
Graphic photography as artwork, and a stunning statement chandelier. YES!!!
via Kevin Dumais
A library in the bedroom or is that sleeping in the library? A perfectly sexy setting if books are your fetish. Interior design by Andrew Waller of Mr Waller.
Wed, 4 Sep 2013