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| images my own |
I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful spring day too
Claudia xo
Landscape Architecture and Interior Design
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
home sweet home
I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful spring day too
Claudia xo
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
vintage map
Finally feeling better today after three days of hellish headaches courtesy of a head cold - there is light at the end of the tunnel, yes there is! Running on neurofen is not ideal and definitely not pretty either (dark circles under the eyes and eyes that, well...can barely stay open can be some of the issues one may be confronted with when taking too many pills) Today though it's a different story, the sun is out, it's warmer and I am on the mend...
A few days ago I was looking for ideas for artwork and although I am always inspired by nature and talented artists in general lately it's been a little bit on the slow side for me. When that happens I start looking around, going to galleries, reading books and so on. In my quest for inspiration I stumbled upon an amazing book. It's a vintage maps book which used to be my dad's. As a child I remember being very fascinated by it, I used to study it for hours and admire all the different maps and colours and try to memorise all the names. Today I've decided to take one out and frame it. I've chosen Italy of course. Being so far away from my country can be frustrating at times and the idea of having a vintage map of "It" somewhere at home makes me happy so I thought "why not?" And even though the distance is the same, walking past the familiar "boot" is a bit of thrill everytime.
And here it is...
It fits perfectly in an ikea "ribba" frame. Some of my italian books sit beside it, I call it "my italian corner", I like it.
How about you? Do you have a special corner at home that you have made your own?
Have a wonderful day everyone.
Catch up soon,
Claudia xo
A few days ago I was looking for ideas for artwork and although I am always inspired by nature and talented artists in general lately it's been a little bit on the slow side for me. When that happens I start looking around, going to galleries, reading books and so on. In my quest for inspiration I stumbled upon an amazing book. It's a vintage maps book which used to be my dad's. As a child I remember being very fascinated by it, I used to study it for hours and admire all the different maps and colours and try to memorise all the names. Today I've decided to take one out and frame it. I've chosen Italy of course. Being so far away from my country can be frustrating at times and the idea of having a vintage map of "It" somewhere at home makes me happy so I thought "why not?" And even though the distance is the same, walking past the familiar "boot" is a bit of thrill everytime.
And here it is...
It fits perfectly in an ikea "ribba" frame. Some of my italian books sit beside it, I call it "my italian corner", I like it.
How about you? Do you have a special corner at home that you have made your own?
Have a wonderful day everyone.
Catch up soon,
Claudia xo
Friday, September 14, 2012
artist in residence
This beautiful Melbourne home belongs to artist Adriane Strampp.
To me it personifies perfection on many levels with its high ceilings, stunning floorboards, floor to ceiling windows, fantastic artwork and so much more...this home tells a story and that is what it's all about...love it!
See more and read more about it here
Have a great weekend
Claudia xo
Thursday, September 13, 2012
A day in the life / finding the good balance
Talking about good balance could be pretty painful for a working mother. How do you find the good balance between career and family? Is there a rule, a procedure? Is it supposed to be easy or hard? Why do other women seem to be handling the situation perfectly while I'm struggling through the whole thing? Will I ever find the answers? Here's a typical week day of mine...
Set my alarm for 6am this morning and when it went off it was painful...Got up at 6.20, had a shower, washed my hair and put my "usual" everyday clothes on which is normally jeans and top. When I go to the kitchen Lucas is already there fully dressed in his school uniform and eating breakfast (dream child!). His older sister Izzy on the other end still upstairs in her room - which isn't very much of a surprise to be honest as she is always the last one out the door (why? well, in her defence, she's 17) I go upstairs, knock on her door, open it and there she is sitting at her desk studying for her exam. (Izzy is doing her end of year 11 exams) She is still wearing her comfy house clothes. She greets me with a smile. As her music plays in the background she announces that her pdhpe exam is scheduled for 12.30pm today and that therefore she does not need to catch the early train. "Great" I say. Now I know why she is smiling. She'll get a lift to school and she'll get to drive the car (she's a learner) and add more hours to her log book. I don't mind that as she's quite a good little driver now and plus I get to be driven around which is very rare these days. I go back downstairs and drive Lucas to the station. Back home and Georgia, my youngest, is having breakfast and trying to finish her homework (doesn't happen very often that she finishes it off in the morning but this week we ran out of time...yep!), when she's done I help her to get dressed for school and I pack her lunch. Meanwhile Izzy is ready to go too and so we are out the door quick. Izzy drives. We drop Georgia off first then Izzy drives herself to school, when we get there we say good-bye and I wish her good luck for the exam. Back home I find a pretty untidy kitchen which puts me in a bad mood almost instantly but I keep going. I go to my office, shut the door and try to get on with my day. The next four hours or so are a blur. If I'm driving around after lunch I'll be constantly looking at the time worrying that I will not get back in time to pick Georgia up. Am I insane? Maybe so. I write myself a to do list every week and try and stick to it but sometimes I fail miserably!
A thing I do pretty well (I think) is to organise the kids stuff in advance, things like: dance/sports bag, sports clothes and school uniform have got to be ready the night before or in the morning it's the end of the world! Same thing with books and readers, not to mention my biggest nightmare: notes (always a note to return)! They have to go back to school the next day(or never), for me it's just too easy to forget so I'll get them done straight away and that way I'm ahead of myself and happy! Then there's the next issue: quality time with the kids. When they are little of course it's fairly easy as we are alway with them but when they are teenagers it becomes a little bit more complicated to find the time to sit down with them and have a proper chat. So I came up with a rule (ah!) and it's simple; we sit for dinner together at least twice a week and we meet at the local coffee shop one afternoon a week - when everyone is free - for us it's Thursday arvo, I have tea, they have a milkshake, they are happy and chatty at that time and I get to catch up on all the goss, it's great! It's the highlight of my week and I would not miss is for the world. That is what's important isn't it? So who cares if dinner is not ready in time sometimes or if I'm too exhausted to take the dog for a walk? If the washing stays in the machine for a day or two before moving to the washing line (!!) and my ironing seats there for a week (maybe two?...) before it gets done? I mean who does the world think I am? Wonder woman?
For Heaven's sake, I'm only human! So please if you have a secret, if you have found the good balance, please, please be kind and...share!
(Some great tips on how to juggle career and family here)
Claudia xo
Set my alarm for 6am this morning and when it went off it was painful...Got up at 6.20, had a shower, washed my hair and put my "usual" everyday clothes on which is normally jeans and top. When I go to the kitchen Lucas is already there fully dressed in his school uniform and eating breakfast (dream child!). His older sister Izzy on the other end still upstairs in her room - which isn't very much of a surprise to be honest as she is always the last one out the door (why? well, in her defence, she's 17) I go upstairs, knock on her door, open it and there she is sitting at her desk studying for her exam. (Izzy is doing her end of year 11 exams) She is still wearing her comfy house clothes. She greets me with a smile. As her music plays in the background she announces that her pdhpe exam is scheduled for 12.30pm today and that therefore she does not need to catch the early train. "Great" I say. Now I know why she is smiling. She'll get a lift to school and she'll get to drive the car (she's a learner) and add more hours to her log book. I don't mind that as she's quite a good little driver now and plus I get to be driven around which is very rare these days. I go back downstairs and drive Lucas to the station. Back home and Georgia, my youngest, is having breakfast and trying to finish her homework (doesn't happen very often that she finishes it off in the morning but this week we ran out of time...yep!), when she's done I help her to get dressed for school and I pack her lunch. Meanwhile Izzy is ready to go too and so we are out the door quick. Izzy drives. We drop Georgia off first then Izzy drives herself to school, when we get there we say good-bye and I wish her good luck for the exam. Back home I find a pretty untidy kitchen which puts me in a bad mood almost instantly but I keep going. I go to my office, shut the door and try to get on with my day. The next four hours or so are a blur. If I'm driving around after lunch I'll be constantly looking at the time worrying that I will not get back in time to pick Georgia up. Am I insane? Maybe so. I write myself a to do list every week and try and stick to it but sometimes I fail miserably!
A thing I do pretty well (I think) is to organise the kids stuff in advance, things like: dance/sports bag, sports clothes and school uniform have got to be ready the night before or in the morning it's the end of the world! Same thing with books and readers, not to mention my biggest nightmare: notes (always a note to return)! They have to go back to school the next day(or never), for me it's just too easy to forget so I'll get them done straight away and that way I'm ahead of myself and happy! Then there's the next issue: quality time with the kids. When they are little of course it's fairly easy as we are alway with them but when they are teenagers it becomes a little bit more complicated to find the time to sit down with them and have a proper chat. So I came up with a rule (ah!) and it's simple; we sit for dinner together at least twice a week and we meet at the local coffee shop one afternoon a week - when everyone is free - for us it's Thursday arvo, I have tea, they have a milkshake, they are happy and chatty at that time and I get to catch up on all the goss, it's great! It's the highlight of my week and I would not miss is for the world. That is what's important isn't it? So who cares if dinner is not ready in time sometimes or if I'm too exhausted to take the dog for a walk? If the washing stays in the machine for a day or two before moving to the washing line (!!) and my ironing seats there for a week (maybe two?...) before it gets done? I mean who does the world think I am? Wonder woman?
For Heaven's sake, I'm only human! So please if you have a secret, if you have found the good balance, please, please be kind and...share!
(Some great tips on how to juggle career and family here)
Claudia xo
Monday, September 10, 2012
Inspire me Monday / Fabulous acrylic
Today I am inspired by all things acrylic.
I am fascinated by the amazing array of quality acrylic products that today are available on the market.
What I like about acrylic is its versatility, it mixes well with both contemporary and more traditional interiors and adds a fresh, cool touch to any room. I like to use a bit of acrylic in my interiors when/if I can, it's fun!
For me it all started (again) with the new Alexandra von Furstenberg acrylic furniture range (oh so stylish!) and the acrylic furniture range by Emmanuelle Moureaux, have you checked them out yet? Have a look here and here
Here is a small taste
 |
| acrylic table by emmanuelle moureaux |
 |
| fearless tray in red by Alexandra von Furstenberg. Buy it here |
Introducing acrylic furniture in a more traditional, sophisticated interior can be fun and very rewarding for the modern designer. Example below is perfect
And of course the ever so popular ghost chairs and stools are always in fashion. They look fantastic with ornate wall panels and more classical features, don't you think?
Check out Philip Stark's complete range here
When teamed up with contemporary architectural features, acrylic furniture brings an element of funkiness and edginess to the room, would you agree?
images 1,3,4,5 pinterest 2, peters of kensington
Have a fantastic week!
Catch up soon,
Claudia xo
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Sydney home / play + style
These gorgeous Sydney home has it all: fun, colour, style, interesting collections, beautiful designer furniture and a lot more...here's a taste...
Gorgeous isn't it?
Read more about it here
All images The design files
Have a great night
catch up soon :)
Claudia xo
Gorgeous isn't it?
Read more about it here
All images The design files
Have a great night
catch up soon :)
Claudia xo
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Spring finds
Spring is here! I am loving the Table Tonic online store at the moment and am about to order two of these grey zig zag cushions for our TV room...can't wait to put my hands on them!
Gorgeous, aren't they? Oh and I love this little beauty too...
Nice hey? If you love it too buy it here.
And check out Lou's new arrivals online...especially the calf hair clutch...mmm...I so want!
And speaking of gorgeous...you must check out the new sorbet collection by Dinosaur Designs (if you haven't yet), its colours and shapes are just to die for...here's a taste, judge for yourself...
What did I tell you? Divine, aren't they?
Before I go I must also tell you about a gorgeous article on Louise Bell of Table Tonic on Lifestyled. You must go check it out now, I've read it ten times already and still going back for more...I just can't get enough of both pics and words! I love Louise's style, she makes everything look just perfect. Get inspired and enjoy!
Have a fantastic week everyone
Catch up soon,
Claudia xo
Nice hey? If you love it too buy it here.
And check out Lou's new arrivals online...especially the calf hair clutch...mmm...I so want!
And speaking of gorgeous...you must check out the new sorbet collection by Dinosaur Designs (if you haven't yet), its colours and shapes are just to die for...here's a taste, judge for yourself...
What did I tell you? Divine, aren't they?
Before I go I must also tell you about a gorgeous article on Louise Bell of Table Tonic on Lifestyled. You must go check it out now, I've read it ten times already and still going back for more...I just can't get enough of both pics and words! I love Louise's style, she makes everything look just perfect. Get inspired and enjoy!
Have a fantastic week everyone
Catch up soon,
Claudia xo
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