Saturday, October 31, 2009

Sibella Court




Yesterday I went to the launch of Sibella Court's interiors book etcetera etc. at her shop The Society Inc in Paddington, Sydney. If you haven't heard of her you can read an interview with her here. The book is gorgeous with literally a handmade feel, and I got a cool cloth bag and bookmark with it.

The aspects I admire most about her style are her attention to detail and the way she uses things which could be described as 'ordinary', like string, stamps, feathers or paper to make beautiful still life arrangements. The objects in her shop and styling shoots have a pre-loved feel and the patina of age. Her style reminds me a lot of Ann Shore, whose London shop Story I attempted to visit in London last year. She writes very eloquently on her aesthetic and where it comes from. I'd just like to share an excerpt from her book:

'[T]he patina of age gives so many things - fabric, furniture and paper, tableware and ceramics, wood and metal - unique textural and colour markings. Look at the way a silver tea set tarnishes or the linen on a hardback book fades in the sun. Feel the crumbling paint on a second-hand chair or the smooth handle on an old hammer. These imperfections are hard to mass-produce and the marks of age tell a story of a life lived'.

The book itself is an objet d'art, like her shop and her magazine shoots. To me Sibella epitomises an aesthetic which is not a 'cookie-cutter' style nor can it be found fully-formed in design magazines, but is original, heartfelt and the result of much thought. I also see it as ethical as it respects other cultures, traditions and creatures, valuing what would often otherwise be overlooked.

Images of Sibella's book are courtesy of The Design Files post.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Lucky Find

I've been so busy working lately that I haven't been to an Op Shop for about three months. Prior to that I'd had a couple of months without finding anything and was a bit disheartened. So imagine my delight when I called in earlier this week and found this cute little table for the princely sum of $15:

When I arrived home I was asked where I was planning to put it (I seem to have a plethora of similar tables already) and I replied that that was not the point. I've learnt that a found object always finds a home if you love it.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

More Rough Stuff

I'm sorry but I can't keep away from this topic. I stumbled across this site and found this amazing eye candy, such as Cy Twombly's apartment ( it explains his paintings so well):


Axel Vervoordt (I love this guy):



And Francois Halard always makes me happy:




Hopefully these images explain why I have not been able to buy an Australian design magazine all year because of what I term largely manufactured, characterless dwellings which require money but little imagination and have no sense of history. There, I've said it.

Images courtesy of this site.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Boatshed Alert

I just went to the newsagent and found a copy of the 2010 Country Style Diary:


And you'll never guess what was in the December section: Our boatshed, from a story that came out in the December 2008 issue of Australian Country Style, back when I was in the midst of my year-long blogging hiatus:


Very 'Christmassy' and yet somehow 'Australian' at the same time:



When I'm not so snowed under with work, I'll post some images from the magazine story itself.

Images courtesy of Australian Country Style

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Tres Chic

Recently, I found myself curious about the new Rachel Ashwell book, 'Shabby Chic Interiors: My Rooms, Treasures, and Trinkets'. Curious to the point of buying a copy! This bedroom draws me back time and time again when I need to contemplate a 'quiet place':


I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but the paleness and those creased curtains speak to me:


I like the robust rusticity of this unit:


And even though I can't afford one, chandeliers capture my attention every time:


I love this green:


This dining room is not too shabby:


And I wouldn't say no to this bathroom:


I can't explain the pull that these pale washed-out linens and chipped painted surfaces have for me except to say that about ten years ago when I was going through a rough patch, I used to go to a bookshop and surreptitiously peruse a copy of the original 'Shabby Chic'. Before I could afford to buy it, when I needed to go to a happy place I'd hide in the corner and drink in the images and immediately feel better. Fortunately, my life took a turn for the better but the images I used to return to time and time again to have been etched into my memory.

Images courtey of "Shabby Chic Interiors: My Rooms, Treasures and Trinkets' by Rachel Ashwell
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