What's Cooking In Kitchen Design

Bear Hill Interiors

Dunlin Home Australia

Marco Meneguzzi

Orrick and Company

Via Traditional Home

Via Traditional Home

Via Cote de Texas

Lucinda Loya Interiors

Via Traditional Home

The heart of any home is undoubtedly the kitchen.  When selling your home, it's a critical element of what buyers will base their decision on.  When considering your renovation or building budget, the kitchen should be given the lion's share and the most thorough planning.  If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will know that my style is definitely traditional so most of the pictures I have featured here are that style.  I've thrown in a picture of a Lucinda Loya kitchen just because I love the creativity of the chain link bar stools. 

Although not totally traditional, I'm totally, crazy in love with the Dunlin Stanley kitchen with copper pendants.  It's just simply stunning and a fantastic example of how you can mix styles effectively.  The Bear Hill interiors kitchen is a wonderful illustration of how using an interior designer for your kitchen can give you a unique kitchen that will definitely improve the value of your home.  The bold use of colour and contrast with the wood is so effective and not something that you will find in any display home kitchen.  I'm a sucker for a banquette and I will have to find a way to incorporate one into my next home.  Tell me who doesn't want to sit in one when you go to a restaurant? 

Another trend in kitchens and bathrooms is to use antiques pieces of furniture repurposed as a kitchen sink, island bench or vanity.  The character bought buy using these pieces means that your kitchen is going to ooze with character and designer style.  I love the picture of the kitchen I have posted via Traditional Home where they have used an antique buffet as an island bench and sink.  This kitchen is divine and the amazing skylight roof and antique lighting finish off this spectacular design.

Let's talk splashbacks!  Marble has always been a favourite and the Marco Meneguzzi kitchen certainly shows why so many people love it.  I also love the circular tile design on the last Traditional Home kitchen I have featured.  Simple and stunning.

I hope that you enjoyed this instalment of my love affair with kitchens!  I'm sure to post some more pictures soon.

Today's Crush

One Kings Lane

With life being so busy right now, I thought I'd introduce quick little bites of what I'm loving which will be called Today's Crush.  This metal chevron stripe waste bucket from One Kings Lane is just divine and a great way to incorporate a trend with out breaking the bank.  It's stylish elegant and on my shopping list!  Have a great day xx

Chalet Chic

From top left: Hexagonal Mirror, One King's Lane; Dandelion Wallpaper in Cocoa, Porter's Paints; Kenroy Boothbay Steel Pendant, Design Craft; Square Ribbed Metal Mirror, One King's Lane; Nairobi Dusk Wallpaper in Granite, Porter's Paints; Winter Houses Book by Charlotte Moss; Qualitas New York Beeswax Candles in Lavender; Vintage Lund F.I.S skis, Genessee River Trading Co.; Palmer Ottoman, Safaveih; Basketweave Leather Log Holder, Olive & King; Plaid & Canvas Leather Trunk, One King's Lane; Helen Black Velvet Lamp, Safaveih; Metal Globe on Wood Tripod, One King's Lane; Lynx Throw in Camel, Tourance 

Image via One Kings Lane

Zermatt Peak via Luxury Chalet Collection

Tivoli Lodge, Davos via Luxury Chalet Collection

White Pearl, Val D'Isere via Luxury Chalet Collection

Des Drus, Chamonix via Luxury Chalet Collection

Well it's been blistering hot here for the past couple of days and I can't think of a better way of cooling down than looking at some serious chalet chic.  In addition, my friend Louise and I were chatting today and began our planning for a New Zealand skiing holiday this year.  I love a great winter holiday - in fact my husband and I went to Whistler Blackcomb in Canada for our honeymoon and it was the most magical, romantic place I have ever been to.  I must confess that where we usually stay at Mt Hotham looks nothing like these places, but every time I'm there I find myself daydreaming of what I could do with the place!  I love the warmth, texture and rustic nature of chalet chic.  I also find it a bit of fun.  Sheridan have launched some faux animal fur accessories with their Autumn Winter 2012 collection, so if you feel like some chalet chic at your place this winter, take a leaf out of these seriously stylish places and mix up wood, metal and faux animal fur for a sophisticated chalet look.

Bathroom Beauties

Cath Kidston

Nina Campbell

Kelly Hoppen

All images are via House to Home

It's been a while since I've posted some bathroom inspiration so enjoy these fabulous designs.  I'm loving the Cath Kidston one with the bronze freestanding bath and amazing wallpaper.  All of these bathroom designs are very different but what I like about all of them is how they have wow factor.  The clever use of colour, fabric, shapes, lighting and material finishes mean that these bathrooms are far from average.  When designing your new bathroom, take some inspiration from these and don't be afraid to add some impact.

Birthday Celebrations

Ikea Napkins, glass, serving tray and fabric, Pitcher from Michael Aram

I got a facebook message from a friend yesterday about our annual birthday celebration get together.  February is a crazy time in my life with three family birthdays and two friend's birthdays all in the same week!  So although it's only half way through January, it's time to start thinking about February festivities as I have to be organised.  I was strolling the aisles of Ikea yesterday and was inspired by the purple and white striped napkins and voila, I had a jumping off point (as Sarah Richardson would say) for the scheme for my birthday lunch.  The purple glasses were an easy addition, especially at $1.95 each, and I couldn't go past the cute purple serving trays.  I loved the black and white striped fabric that I found in the fabric area which I am going to use for table cloths.  Throw in some gorgeous hydrangea flowers, matching seating and an elegant Michael Aram pitcher and the table is set for a lovely afternoon tea with my girlfriends where we will drink pink champagne and eat sandwiches and cakes while we have a long overdue laugh and catch up. 

Orange and Grey

It's been a while since my last post as working full time has left me with little time to play (boo hoo!!).  With all the hype of Christmas and clearance sales now behind me, I feel like I need a recharge and what better way to do it than with colour.  I love orange for the instant uplifting feeling you get from this happy colour.  I like to tone it with grey for a sophisticated palate.  It's officially New Year's Eve now and I still have a lot of packing to do for my trip to Venus Bay to join my boys for a well earned break, so it's good bye for now and I wish you all a happy new year - may all your dreams come true in 2012 (make sure you dream big - if you don't ask, you won't get!) xx

Celebrated Style gets a Liebster Award

The Liebster Blog Award is given to up-and-coming bloggers.

 Liebster is a German word meaning "dear, or valued, from the verb -lieber- (to love)". It's because of this very description that I was so honoured and overwhelmed to receive a nomination for this award from Allumer*Decor which is a seriously amazing blog with the most gorgeous pictures.  Allumer*Decor just oozes style and I'm so grateful that someone so chic thought of me - thank you!!!  If you have not checked out her blog, don't delay one second. To keep this award going, each recipient must recognize five deserving blogs who have less than two-hundred followers.Here are the rules . .
1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog.
2. Choose five new blogs to nominate and let them know by leaving a comment.
3. Request that the chosen blogs pass the Award on to their favorite five. 

4. Copy and paste the award on your blog post.

I'm so excited to share with you, my top 5 blogs:

1. Gold Chalk

This is a seriously trendy blog with up to the minute interiors from Australian stylist Kylie Tyrrell.  This girl is going places fast so don't miss out on her wonderful posts.

2. Luisa Design

Stylish fashion and interiors abound.  This is a lovely blog filled with lots of inspiration and beautiful products.

3. The Bright Life

Upbeat, chatty and fun.  I love this blog for its colour and positivity.  It's a visual feast.

4. The Modern Sophisticate

Gorgeous images and a blog that definitely lives up to its name.  This blog is chic and glamorous.

5. A Room With A View

Besides having a fabulous name (one of my favourite films!), this blog is full of wonderful interiors ideas and concepts.  It's creative and inspiring.

Congratulations to all receiving a Leibster today - you are all very worthy of it! xx

My Last Three Assignments for The Year

Collage Board

Drawing Board



Digital Board



These are my last three mood boards for school this year.  Yippee - time for a break!  The assignment was to represent an interiors scheme through three different types of mood boards, collage, drawing and digital.  My inspiration for the scheme was the peacock feathers which feature in the colour scheme with the gorgeous blues and greens and through the repeated circular shapes in the sunburst mirror and side table detail.  The accent colours are gold and orange which lend a formality and some glamour to the scheme.  This was my first attempt at drawing and I've always said I'm not a natural drawer, but I did have lots of fun giving it a go.  My next subject is drawing and I'm looking forward to learning how to sketch a scheme - watch this space!

A Sneaky Purchase For Me

I also got these lovely lanterns yesterday for me.  I think they will be gorgeous in summer, providing some twinkling light as long luxurious lunches stretch into the night.  They were an absolute bargain from Bed Bath n Table thanks to the 20% discount they were offering, I got both of them for $48.  I think they are such an inexpensive way to jazz up our outdoor area.  I've temporarily hung them with some ribbon, but I'm heading to Bunnings today to see if I can pick up some cheap chain and hooks to hang them with.

Any Excuse To Purchase

Doncaster Westfield had a Christmas shopping event on yesterday where every store was offering discounts, so not being one to miss a sale or a chance to purchase, I raced down there and finally started my Christmas shopping.  I picked up this Cotton House quilt cover and Sheridan cushions for my parents (I hope you're not reading this post mum!) from David Jones.  It will go perfectly with their light olive green and mocha scheme.  I also saw a fabulous print at Target in navy blue that would suit the room, but unfortunately the budget would only go so far (that means Alex would have a heart attack if I spent another cent!).