Decorating With Ladders :: In The Bathroom

I am now looking at the fun decorative part of my bathroom renovation and have always wanted to incorporate ladders in a bathroom. 

They are great a piece of furniture that can be both practical and decorative, act as storage for towels or as a simple towel rack. 

Easy to find, cheap to recycle and they make a nice decorative DIY project. 

I am just loving these below...

images from Pinterest, Remodelvista & Pottery Barn

I just have to find space for them...

Have fun.

Bathroom Design Ideas :: Basins & Sinks

My bathroom is a little on the small side to accommodate this collection of floor mounted and counter top sinks and basins.

However they are still lovely to look at.

I love these... such a pure design!

images from Neutra

This bathroom collection by Neutra perfectly incorporates nature with modern bathroom fixtures. The combination of the stone and the Kauri wood creates a harmonious balance of calm and relaxation for any bathroom.

I will have to purchase a home with a larger bathroom next time just so that I can install one of these freestanding stone basins.

Have fun.

Richard Branson's Makepeace Private Island :: Noosa River, Australia

If you ever wished to stay on one of Richard Branson's Islands now you can!

A little bit piece of Bali has just arrived nearer to home in Richard Branson's Makepeace Private Island here on the Noosa River in Queensland.

The island accommodates up to 22 guests with a mixture of accommodation ranging from private Balinese Bures (Villa's), a Bali House and a Boat House. 

Each building is detailed in a traditional Balinese style.

This bath looks like it has been hand carved from Indonesia stone. 

All buildings have been designed and constructed in Bali and then reassembled on the island. This retains the Balinese traditional building style and supports both the local Balinese and Australian builders.

Also all furnishings, sculptures, antiques and lighting are one off original pieces sourced from throughout Bali, Java and Indonesia. That would have been a fantastic research and shopping excursion for someone!

images via Makepeace Island

You have to admire the traditional timber detailing.

Have a great weekend.

Bathroom design ideas :: Lighting & details

Back onto my bathroom renovation this week. Seems like it has been ages but I can only fit this little reno in between my client's projects.

I was looking for some tiling ideas when I stumbled across this bathroom design by Ara Design Studio. They have soften what could have been another clinical bathroom with the use of feature lighting, rectangle tiles and bevelled mirror panels.

Images from Ara Design & Vogue Living

The combination of the little vintage Japanese lantern and the non-rectified glazed terracotta tiles creates a soft feel to room whilst the use of mirrors gives the illusion that the room is much bigger and lighter. 

Great character bathroom!

Have fun.

Fjall :: Falls Creek, Victoria, Australia

It is always the way that the year you do not plan for a ski holiday is the season of perfect snow! 


In celebration of a great year for Australia's ski resorts I would like to tell you about Fjall Ski Lodge in Falls Creek. For those of you that have been following me from last year would know that I had the opportunity to stay in Falls Creek and view some of their lovely lodges.


This luxury alpine lodge with interiors designed by Hecker, Phelan & Guthrie brings a strong sense of nature and the outdoors inside with a subtle reference to the Scandinavian interior design style. 

Their palette uses a mix of oak timber floors, custom designed oak timber joinery softened with a palette of charcoal, white, black and pale grey fabrics and upholstery. They also keep to an Australian made focus with their beds and ottomans made by Jardan.

images by Peter Bennetts

These rooms certainly provide a sense of calm and balance reflecting the landscape that surrounds this lodge. If you are interested in staying at Falls Creek for your next Ski holiday, click here for further details on the Fjall Ski Lodge. 


Have fun.

Kitchen & Dining Room Furniture Ideas :: Timber Stools

What if we could create a beautiful piece of furniture from a forest weed? 

A local Queensland furniture designer has done just that.

Designed by a local Queenslander Darcy Clarke, these stools are made from Champor Laural timber and fully recyclable plastic (moulded from the timber stool). These simple stools have a natural honest charm reminiscent of camp fire logs. 

They also come in a variety of colours and can work in a wide range of situations like kitchen stools, dining room seats and outdoor furniture. 

I love the timber with the yellow stools!

images from darcyclarke

Also there is no need to worry about the source of the timber because in SE Queensland, Champor Laural is classed as a weed, and is threatening the native blue gums which is home to our Koalas.

You can see more of Darcy's designs at darcyclarke.com

Have fun.

Alcheringa :: Lamington NP, Queensland

It's now mid winter here in South East Queensland and contrary to the perception of a hot sub-tropical climate it can get really cold here. 

So this time of year my thoughts go to sunny decks, outside hot tubs and cosy wood fire burners. 

One place that springs to mind that I have been trying to get a booking for a while is Alcheringa in Lamington National Park.

This retreat is an Architect designed house of rock, timber and glass which overlooks the stunning Numinbah & Coomera Valleys below.

With the use of timber cladding, filtered sunlight and a cosy fireplace this home creates a feeling of warmth, peace and tranquility which makes you leave the city life behind and feel the real meaning of a mountain retreat.

images from Alcheringa

I have been told that from the Master bedroom you can even wake up to see the clouds below you and with the massive deck and spa overlooking the forest, you can really feel like you are at one with nature!

Not a bad location for just a few hours outside Brisbane!

Have fun.

Kitchen & Dining Room Design Ideas :: Stools

A few weeks back I was looking for some timber stools for a dinning room table and now I have found some matching timber stools perfect for an island kitchen bench or bar area.

These timber stools are by Danish designer Erik Buch and manufactured by Preben Schou. 

images above from Great Dane Furniture

images from homelife and photographer Sam McAdam 

They come in a range of leather, fabric and timber combinations. My favourite would have to be the lime green leather seat and dark or light timber base...

If you fancy a splurge they can be purchased in Australia from Great Dane Furniture.

There are replicas on the market but if want your stool to last I would invest a little bit more in an original. 

Have fun.