Birds in glass jars

I'm not one for stuffed birds...

But how enchanting are these bird prints in glassed jars?

Via Martha Stewart

So easy ... and avoids the exorbitant cost of framing these days.

If you're putting antique prints, might be worthwhile to toss in the jars one of those water-sucking little pallets of silica...

Maybe if you're planning on using vintage prints, make a photocopy of them... that way you still keep your prints out of the destructive elements of moisture and sun...

I also think this could work with ANY prints. A project to come soon to see how this works out!

My new wardrobe!

A few weeks ago, it all came to a head. I was fed up. Could NOT take it any longer.

FED UP.

I forced-bundled husband and his sister and her husband into the car and we braved Ikea on the weekend (which is a stupid idea cos it's soooo crowded). We had to get something better RIGHT THERE AND THEN. I was FED UP.

For almost six months the three of us (husband, 4 year old and myself) were forced to store towels, linen and clothes in a ridiculously inadequate antique wardrobe. This chunky piece takes up so much room and offers not much in return. And remember...? Every piece in this 40.5m2 (440 sq.f) place has to count for itself.



Now I'm a sensible girl.

I'd love to have shelves and shelves for my shoe collection, like Paula Abdul;



but I don't have shelves and shelves and I don't collect shoes.

Would sure be fabulous to have Carrie's old walk in robe:



But again, no space. I love walk in robes though. Or walk through robes. It's a must have.

What about devoting an entire room to dressing and putting the daily face on?

Image from Elle Decor

A ottoman, a table, a mirror, shelves, large windows... how divine!

What about devoting a space just for my husband's gear?



Maybe one day!

What about an entire room dedicated to my collection of sunglasses?

Elton John's sunglass collection

I'd love to have an Ikea solution just for my clothes



But I need to share (for now!) with husband and Hannah.

What about to-die-for wallpaper lining this luxury-space?



But I had been researching wardrobe organisation for months before we actually went to Ikea. Have a look at what I kept for inspiration:

I did find a treasure trove in Martha Stewart (any surprise!?)... And the below are some of my favourite solutions:


I so wanted the Pax wardrobe accessories. I even asked my super-handy brother in law if he could amend it to fit the Elga, but it was a no-go (Ikea purposely make the Elga not fit the Pax accessories).

But I might be able to get a large but shallow box, hang some gliders and fit them with acrylic or coloured boxes to fit... for my belts, husband's ties, scarves etc etc.





I found these boot hangers très chic (although I only have one pair of boots!). When we move to our own home, I'm going to get these!!! (And more boots!)



Now this I am going to do. Attaching wooden dividers to the shelves to avoid messy shelves (which is very very very prone in this family.)



Here's a handy guide for which clothes to hang and which ones to fold... I am going to the cheapie-store to get some padded hangers!



I love this wardrobe organisation. So beautiful. Inspirational!

In short:
1. Start with a clean-out
2. Keep only what belongs (no suitcases, vacuum cleaners and sports equipment). If possible, store coats in a hall closet or on hooks in the mudroom or entryway.




3. Figure out the best configuration for your needs, judging from how many pieces of jackets/tops/pants/dresses you have.
4. Be flexible: Keep in mind that your wardrobe will change with the seasons and over time.



The best tips from Martha Stewart's Tips for Organizing Your Closets

1. Divide the closet into zones, and use three short rods rather than a single long one. Hang dresses, robes, and coats from one high rod; hang blouses and short items from another high rod, and skirts and folded slacks from a low rod below.
2. Group clothes by colour.
3. Make sure shelves are adjustable, (thanks, Ikea!).
4. Clean garments before storing them for the season. Sugar stains (such as wine) can set and spread over time.
5. Remove dry-cleaning bags, which trap moisture; use fabric bags instead.
6. Don't store wool or silk in airtight containers (they need to breathe).
7. Never let mothballs touch clothing; hang them in old socks or hosiery. If you suspect moth infestation, dry-clean clothes, and wash closet with mild soap and water.

I normally like to hang everything but these sweater boxes are very very very chic! (And neat). Maybe for the permanent-home solution.



Meanwhile, Martha Stewart recommends using the drycleaner's method: Fold sweater shoulder to shoulder and then drape over the bar of a sturdy wooden hanger.

Maybe I'll ditch all the non-pink items in our wardrobe:



Jump over to Willowbook Park on how to create the perfect gentleman's wardrobe. It's such an entertaining and enlightening read!



I wonder if that means on the other side of the bedroom above is the ladies' side.

Our Solution

I really wanted the Pax with all the trimmings... but since this small space will only contain our sanity for at MOST a year more, we decided to save the big spend for a more permanent home. We settled for the Elga.



Doors? Maybe... maybe not. For now I'm so enjoying having space for all our clothes. I'm so enjoying not missing the highly impractical previous wardrobe.

Brambly Hedge on Etsy

If you've read my blog for a longer period, you'd realise I love specific children's books. I collect vintage children books on little houses and little mice ... my largest collection being Beatrix Potter, Brambly Hedge and of course, the wonderful House by Mouse by George Mendoza.



Etsy seller Ella from Jerusalem contacted me with her cutest little Brambly Hedge characters on Etsy.

Some of my favourite images from Jill Barklem's books are Dusty and Poppy's flour and dairy farms. Remember them?



Well, how enchanting are Ella's Dusty and Poppy? Perfect for a little girl :)



And what about Ella's happy Peter Rabbit from the Beatrix Potter characters?



Such the perfect gift for a baby shower! Jump over to Ella's Etsy store!

Chinese Chippendale Chairs

My husband today exclaimed in disdain at a set of Chinese Chippendale Chairs I am eyeing:

"When I see that, I think old, crusty Asian dining rooms. Bleh."

I'm sure Darling, if you saw this, yes, I'd agree, crusty on the side:



You can tell, can't you, that he is NOT in any way into interior design? If he was, he'd seen the plethora of these chairs in tres' chic rooms in blogland.

So this post is for him: Darling these chairs are not crusty (with a little loving and attention)!

Foyer: Set from Nanny Diaries

Dining room: Sherill Canet

The Chinese Chippendale chairs that have come back into vogue of recent are pared-down interpretations of real antique Chinese chairs. Dining chairs in China in the 1700s would have been heavy, chunky, ornate rosewood pieces. Garden chairs were fashioned from bamboo and cane.

Dining room: Sherill Canet

With Orientalism happening in the 1700s, chinoiserie started appearing in artwork, fabric, wallpaper, furniture. Mid-18th-century furnishings were so fancy and ubiquitous that in 1756, one waspish observer wrote, "Every chair in an apartment, the frames of [looking] glasses and tables must be Chinese: the walls covered with Chinese paper filled with figures which resemble nothing in God's creation, and which a prudent nation would prohibit for the sake of pregnant women."

Dining room: Thibaut Wallpapers

Thomas Chippendale started to marry the two (rosewood and bamboo) in the mid 1700s with his classically English pieces. These normally slender chairs are characterized by its pagoda motifs in the fretwork particularly on the back and the brackets beneath the seat rail.

Image from Jonathan Adler

Dining room: Elle Decor

Dining room: Elle Decor

Dining room: Mudrick

Still crusty, Darling?

Interior love: My Super Ex-Girlfriend

I know, I know, this is a 2006 movie... but it was aired on TV recently and I did enjoy re-surveying G-Girl's super white apartment.

Uma Thurman plays Jenny Johnson, a lady with super powers. Ms Johnson lives in a gorgeously appointed apartment. It's super white, super glossy... just the type of apartment that would not faze a superhero's efforts to clean and polish.

I don't remember blogland going all goo-goo-ga-ga over super white living spaces in 2006. My Super Ex-Girlfriend came off quite avant garde for me, with its all white and blond wood feel.


Every surface is white! Ceiling, walls, floors... even some of the chairs. As befitting an art gallery owner, the apartment's only wall decor are these classically framed prints and photos. G-Girl is very no-nonsense, no-gray-shades, black and white. And this is reflected in her apartment. Very little fuss, very little ruffles. The frames are not ornate... and the large white space between frame and actual photograph, again highlighting this side to G-Girl.

But what a glorious idea for artwork! Simple super-slim picture shelves almost on every wall. Course, my artwork will be way coloured!


No furry rug, no fancy heart (or any) cushions... But luxuriously appointment pieces of furniture...

Don't you love the coffee table to the right? I have been looking forever for a vintage giant wooden spool drum (for electrical and phone wiring) to use as a coffee table. This sort of mirrors the spool shape.

Strong, stark black frames for windows, no luxurious cascade of velvet or lace. It's just this flowy chiffon type fabric that flits about beautifully with her super-fast movements.


I love the different materials and finishes used in her living space. We have wood, leather, wool/linen, brocade, chiffon, wrought iron, brass, gilt...


Another view of the living/lounge area. A very formal seating arrangement, light pinkish lounge chairs. But so beautifully put!


Not too sure how practical it is to have that deep buttoned white long ottoman by the heater, but it does look so good there. Uma's character does move it to another spot later in the movie.

I also really heart that art deco blond wood side table to Luke Wilson's left.


A peek into her bedroom zone via this all white hallway. No glimpses of kitchen or bathroom, but just large window after window with chiffon after chiffon curtains billowing around. And at the end of this hallway is her bedroom. No doors for G-Girl!


At night. You can see the same white hallway. The night sky is camouflaged by the same chiffon curtains... so much so it still looks like daytime!

A few candles, more casual seating arrangement, and the place becomes warmer, friendly, softer.


You know, the more and more I see it in pics and experience in my home, the more I want to eschew overhead lighting and just use lamps. I love the vintage lucite lamp. Pity they cost a motza here in Australia...

Here's a better look into the bedroom area. Now the pictures on the walls have more colours, are more curvy. Now the space has some feminine touches, like the bunch of happy yellow lilies and ornate table.


Uma Thurman is not my favourite beauty in Hollywood, but in this shot, she looks exquisite. And see the side table? And lilies? Her grey and white throw?


Ah. Here in the "heart" of the apartment, we get to the "heart" of the character. And she is indeed soft, mushy and feminine. Her bedroom is full of curves and softer lines. Hardly anything is with strong, defined lines. And while it is predominantly white, there are other colours: blues, greens, taupes, yellows.


As Jenny Johnson disappears off into the closet/bathroom area to change into G-Girl, we see the first non-white room. It's aqua!


Again, more feminine touches, quite a bit of flowers/greenery... I love this room. It's messy, it's girly...

All in all, I so enjoyed these scenes and wish there were way, way, way more glimpses into G-Girl's apartment.