A new addition

Mr Husband has been away the last couple of weeks travelling in South America. All was well at home until I came across a 20th Century furniture auction here in Sydney. Oh dear...

I am now the proud new owner of a beautiful 1950s three seater leather sofa, a Borge Morgensen sofa. On the slightly more problematic front it means that I need to rearrage our whole living space. Because we rent there isn't really many options available. We have a dining area off the kitchen, and then an odd shaped living area that is dicatated by a sliding door on one wall and the tv plug on another. After pulling things apart for the whole day I am in a vague position to get the new sofa delivered this week. In the mean time I have a lot to clean up, and several images to drool over (and lots of inspiration when I get to the fine tuning part of the reorganising!)

{via Lonny}

{wish you were here blog}

{trad home}

{living etc via Table Tonic}

{via Bryn Alexander}

{via Coco Cozy}

{via The decorista}

Lots of the images that I have included are more to do with the colour of the new couch - which is not well shown in the top photo. It is actually more of a milky coffee colour, not a tan, not a brown and unfortunately not a black. The black couch in the third image is the exact same model as the new purchase. I'm wishing that I had the room for a big shag pile rug, or maybe something more subtle like the antelope rugs I've been noticing lately. I think I had better let the bank account settle down first!

I'll share the rearranging photos soon!

Mrs (spend-a-lot) wife and Ms Lover

xxx

Industrial Chic

Orrick and Company

{House Beautiful via Gramercy}

{Nuevo Estilo}

{Elle Decor}

{via Marcus Design}

I am loving the industrial pieces showing up all over the place lately. Mr Husband loves stuff like this. I'm sure if we didn't rent we would have cogs and wheels hanging from the walls and industrial lighting from the ceiling! I love the quirkiness of it all!

The elle Decor image is a particular favourite, and if I didnt have a little two years olds hands all over everything in every room I would endeavour to have such a whimsical little display!

Picasso is for everyone!

It's been such a crazy week at work - with no rest in sight but I promise I will post about the amazing Picasso exhibition soon. In the mean time I thought I might introduce you to a beautiful book that I grabbed for our daughter while I was there. The story is told through the eyes of a young boy who met Picasso when he was a friend of his mothers. He didn't see him as a famous artist - but as a man who lived in a messy and cluttered home who drew the cows on his farm and used old metal rubbish for his sculptures. If you have children, or are an enthusiast yourself I highly recommend it. You can get it here.

Looking Back

I love it when Australian House and Garden release their Top 50 rooms. I think my favourite part is being introduced to designers I havent come across before. The second thing I love is getting even more inspiration for my dream home, and the third thing I love is to go back to previous years and see if what I liked then still seems relevant now.

This beautiful apartment is designed by Darryl Gordon Designs in East Sydney. I love the muted palate with pops of green, red and blue and the mustard colour wall - Yum!The black walls in the living spaces add a dramatic and sophisticated touch. You can check out more of the Darling Point apartment at Darryl Gordon Design here.

The Table

{The Decorista}

{Elle Decor}

{Dwell}

{Gramercy}

{Ritzy Bee}

{Style Me Pretty}

{Saipua}

{The Zhush}

We are having a small intimate Christmas celebration this year. Mr husband doesn't really go for table dressings, nice dinnerware or anything to do with fine dining. That does not stop me however from setting a nice table and doing my best to entice him into the Christmas spirit. These images don't really scream Christmas, but they do say that someone has put a bit of thought and effort into making a lovely table - and i appreciate that.

Mrs Wife

xxx

Rain

{Porter Design Company}

The weather here is Sydney has been so crazy lately. On Saturday it was over 30 degrees, and now it is pouring with rain (and guess who forgot to take out the garbage?). Last night was hot and sticky in bed and tonight I feel like I may need another cover. Being a good country girl, i never complain about the rain. Living in a drought for the past 15 years or so has made me appreciate every drop. So in honour of a dark and stormy night I offer the following.

{via Gramercy}

{via The Decorista}

{decorpad via the Decorista}

{Domino via everything LEB}

{skonahem via dilly dallas}

{via The Decorista} 

{via Gramercy} 

{via Plush Palate}

Ms Lover of rain
xx

Barbies Dream House

Looking back to the time when I studied architecture and design, I really wish that I had the chance to do something as outrageous as this... Design Barbies dream home. Can you believe it for real??

The American Institute of Architects put out the call earlier this year after Mattel announced its latest "I can be..." an architect barbie. There was several lash outs over Mattels design, you know "why is she pink - whats with the glasses?" type thing, but you have to remember it's a barbie and it's really for children. That said - I would be tempted to get one!

We have Despina Stratigakos and Kelly Hayes McAlonie to thank for the latest doll. Despina, an architectural historian and author of "A Woman's Berlin: Building a Modern City" made a stand in 2007 when she staged her own exhibition of architect Barbie, bemoaning the male domination of licensed architectural practices.

So following the announcment of Architect Barbie, AIA put out the call for Barbies dream home. The winning design by Ting Li and Maja Paklar, showing barbie as a "creative, fashionable, busy and powerful "Malibu dwelling professional.

"The concept of this house reflects exactly who Barbie is in her new profession," reads the project statement.

"She has pledged to build an environmentally sustainable home using the principles set forth by USGBC as well as to stay true to all the needs of a classic California girl!"

The house also includes a computer-controlled centrally located closet to house Architect Barbie's designer clothes, a meditation space for her to relax in, an exercise room for keeping fit, a greenhouse and a landscaped garden for her pets.

Ms Lover (of Architect Barbie!)

xxx