I have such an eye for lattice/trellis patterns at the moment. I think in general I like patterns that make me look at the negative space as well. I’m very aware that all my selections today are cushions and this is because my vintage fabric cushion cover that I blogged about in January 2008, has had a sad demise. Cushions have to made of tough stuff to survive in our house and vintage fabric by it’s nature has been pre-loved and this one started to fray and then developed very large holes. So now I’m on the lookout for something new and I just keep seeing lattice.

My lattice cushion finds are all via etsy, clockwise from top left: Pair of 2 Decorative Pillows – Moroccan Quatrefoil Lattice Pillows – 18 inch – Navy Blue by Willa Skye Home Accessories – Interior Design, Trellis Modern Geometric Designer Pillow 20×20 Yellow / Navy blue / White Accent Throw Cushion Cover by Whitlock & Co, Mid Century Modern – Hollywood Regency Imperial Trellis Style Fabric Cushion Cover Blue & White by Vibe Home Designer Pillows and Fabrics, Decorative Pillow Cover. 18 x 18. Green. Cream. Trellis. Indoor / Outdoor. Accent Pillow by BethDanielleDesigns

My Mum used to say that she’d often have a colour in her eye – meaning that for a short period of time she was attracted to a single colour. I suffer from the same problem but with me it’s always a pattern and this week it’s been snowflakes – they are everywhere I look! I know that Christmas is around the corner but for us that means the middle of summer – so not a snowflake in sight. So to get it out of my system I thought I would go in search of some snowflakes. Is it snowing where you are? Maybe I can live vicariously.

My snowflake finds are all via Etsy, clockwise from top left: 5 Porcelain winter white & pearl snowflake ornaments by Lanique Home, Snowflake Cross Stitch Kit by Sewingseed,  Paper Garland – Christmas Snowflakes by Art’s Delight, Recycled Lasercut Snowflake Gift Tags by Sophia Victoria Joy

I love pears – their taste, their shape and the multitude of colours. Have I said that before? I love their big fat bottoms and the way they never really sit upright – they kind of find a lean of their own like they’re lounging in a sofa after Christmas day lunch. I chose a business name with pear in it just so I could have a pear in my logo – now do you get how much I love them?

There is so much pear goodness out there, here’s a few I found (clockwise from top left): Green Light Pear Coasters . Beverage Drink Pastel Peridot Lime Leaves Vegan Decor Crochet Fruit Collection – Set of 4 by Mari Martin, Yellow Pear – Photographic fine art Print by Broomhill Pictures, Provence style metal wire Pears by Yoola, Fabric craft pears from Kidspot – template and instructions courtesy of Handmade Living

On the way home from yoga on Tuesdays we pass a lighting store. I really think these stores should be open at night – the best time to showcase their wares. I am like a moth to flame with it comes to pretty lights – of course the one that glimmers the most catches my eye,  like the chandeliers. I really love the shape of chandeliers – there’s something very feminine about them. I love how ornate they can be and for the longest time I really wanted one in my bathroom – totally impractical I know. Fortunately (or not) our bathrooms are not big enough to house a chandelier and we have quite low ceilings so I don’t know if a chandelier would even work in our house, although I’m sure I could accommodate one (or all) of my truly lovely finds. When we get back from Denmark I really have to consider lighting in our house – ideas anyone? Bedrooms, dining room and lounge all need new lights and I’m not sure where to start.

My beautiful hand-crafted chandeliers are clockwise from top left: Jumbo Bubble Chandelier by Pelle, Rectangular Mule Deer Chandelier by Antler Stuff,  Mason Jar Chandelier – 3 Tier – Eco Friendly Rustic Wedding by Boots N Gus, Claire de Lune Chandelier Acrylic (5 arms) Clear by Accent

Today I sat and wrote a card to a friend – there was no occasion. The card seemed to speak to me and I know how much she’ll love receiving it. How often do you do that these days? How much do you love receiving handwritten notes? I remember some years ago (early days of the internet) a friend who was singing the praises of email as her sister was having a long distance relationship that was being kept alive via instantaneous electronic notes. It was her mother who pointed out that there would be no history of love letters and when I think of that comment it still makes me a little sad. Fortunately for me, my (sometimes long distance) romance with the cyclist was pre internet and I have every letter he’s every written me.

There is value put on the handwritten word – go and read Letters of Note to be awed by correspondence. Oh, and send a handwritten card to a friend – you know it will make them smile.

My handwritten finds are all via etsy, clockwise from top left: Make Haste- Pride and Prejudice Mug by Brookish Handmade Goods, Hope is the Thing With Feathers Ring – Emily Dickinson by lisa hopkins design, Red Butterfly on Handwritten Script Pillow by Word Garden, I LOVE YOU – Deluxe 8×10 inch print — handwritten with love by the love shop

I have been catching up on my Real Living reading in the past couple of weeks now that I have no uni assignments. I’m so taken with the colour that some people inject into their decor but I’m still not sure I could join them. I love colour and I use it a lot in quilts and cushions but have not thought to branch out to furniture. The closest thing I have to colourful is the red slipcover sofa and armchair that came over with us from Atlanta… although it’s faded so much that it now looks pink!

With our Denmark trip all organised I’m now thinking ahead to when we return and setting myself some projects – like decorating. I went searching wall decals on etsy and found myself more drawn to the furniture – I’m loving the bold yellow chairs, I’m pretty sure I could accommodate the mustard yellow sofa and blue and green together in the same room – awesome – although my mother would be horrified. Do you own colourful furniture?

My colourful interiors (and their decals) are all via etsy, from top left: Modern Damask Tree- item 30032 by Byrdie Graphics, Vinyl Wall Sticker Decal Art – Heading South by Urban Walls, Decal Coffee Cafe, Caffe, Le Cafe Vinyl Graphic by Empire City Studios, Birch Tree Forest w/ Birds – Removable Vinyl Wall Art Decal by Wall Definition

UPDATE: Byrdie Graphics – is kindly offering 15% off their gorgeous decals to my readers – use the code blogger15 at checkout! How cool is that?

p.s. look very closely at the birds behind the yellow chair – can you spot anything amiss?

My brain has been filled with pattern ideas for the last week. While reading with the Jolly Monkey last night I found myself studying the colours, line widths and repititons of his striped quilt cover. I really love stripes – I’m not sure why that is. I have a good friend who hates stripes! What about you? Are you a fan of the stripe?

My gorgeous stripey finds are all from etsy and they are clockwise from top left: Joules women ballet flats custom made house shoes Orange linen with multicolor stripes – made to measure by LaLa Shoes, MAIA zippered clutch in rich red corduroy with purple, pink and turquoise stripes by Loddelina Bags and more, iPad 1 or 2 Cover Case – Water Resistant Neoprene Padded Protective Sleeve – Drawing room multi stripe by Kimoley Bags, REGENCY STRIPE RED Cotton Cushion Cover 45 x 45 cm (18 inch) by Be Still

It happens a few times a year – this overwhelming nostalgia for Japan. I get such a yearning to drink ocha and eat mochi and once more ride my bike around Nagoya-jo park. I’m not sure why it happens but I feel that Japan shall evermore be part of who I am. I spent three years there in total but my first year was as a very naive high school student. Imagine a young girl straight out of the protective world of boarding school suddenly navigating school and life in a big city and co-ed day school! I miss it – a lot. I hope not too long from now I can take my boys to see the land of the rising sun and maybe impress on them how important it was to me.

My Japanese finds are all from Etsy (and from Japan), they are clockwise from top left: Kawaii Cute Japanese Ring – Tea And Roll Cake by  SouZou Creations, Cute Japanese stamp – The traditional pattern by Karaku, Ideas of Using Masking Tapes – Japanese Craft Book by Pomadour’s Craft Cafe,  DIY Sashiko Embroidery Kit: City Tote by Sake Puppets

Yes it’s that time of year again! The Tour de France is now a week in, which loosely translates to I haven’t had a single conversation with the cyclist that hasn’t involved the dissection of each stage, points, jerseys, teams, accidents and GC standings. It sounds like the month of dread but to be honest I too am a fan of le Tour especially the sunflowers, castles and the antics of the spectators. It’s taken me a few years to work out the tactics employed in cycling so I will defy anyone who thinks it’s dull. I say Vive le Tour and let’s celebrate all things France – what do you think?

My le Tour finds are clockwise from top left: Vintage Yellow Recycled Bike Clock by 1.by.liz, Vive le Tour – Tour de France Cycling Decal by Slaps, Tour de France Inspired Bike Chain Bracelet by Beach BMX Designs,  Le Tour de France – Fine Art Photograph (partial) by Aaron Huniu Photography

I love doors and not just because they are functional. I’m very drawn to imagery of doors and like to contemplate what is behind then – maybe that’s the charm they hold for me.

When I was at art school we had to do a collaborative stage design project that started with a door and I argued my little heart out to have French doors – the whole idea of throwing open the doors and making an entrance was, well, very dramatic and appealing to me. I won that argument and got a good grade which was probably more for my powers of persuasion than the final stage design.

I also love wreaths – it’s not something that’s done very often in Australia except maybe at Christmas. I used to love it in North America how so many houses had different wreaths for the different seasons, it’s such a nice tradition. What’s on your door? I would love to know.

My door finds are from top: What lay beyond magnet and Endless passage magnet by Memories Created, Gnome doors, fairy doors, faerie doors, elf doors 9 inch by Nothin’ But Wood, Cream, Peach and Olive Pip Berry Wreath by Silk N Lights