I am on my way to hit the hay, but before I do so, I wanted to check that you had all seen artist ann wood’s insanely inspiring home/studio over at design*sponge. It comes complete with a shipwreck on a rolling, frothy sea of antique wedding gowns. I am flipping out!!

Girl’s got my number.

Well, she doesn’t actually, but if I were at a party I’d give it to her and hope with all my heart that she’d invite me round for a cup of tea. Check out the full post of images and captions here. And then check out Ann’s awesome work here.

xx

Oh boy, it’ll be sweet dreams for me tonight!!

………………………………………………………….

Oh did I say in my last post that stockists will be revealed in this post? I meant the next one, after I get a night of sleep. sleeeeeeeeeeeeep.

i love this mag! inside out is most definitely in my top 5 absolute favourite interior magazines, for so many reasons. I shall attempt to list as many as possible here for you now:

• it features homes of REAL people – artists, shop owners, farmers, and sure there is the odd celebrity but they’re real celebrities – you know, the ones that feel like they could be your neighbours, or that you went to school with (ok I did grow up on the northern beaches of sydney after all, home to many an aussie socialite).

• the layout is STUNNING. and unique! it never fails to be beautiful throughout every single issue.

• it is filled with fabulous ideas for your own nest – there is always a great range of stockists to peruse, including plenty of web shops and suppliers from all over the world – the style team reach far and wide to find interesting homewares across the globe.

• it is a really creative magazine – always pushing the style boundaries to the very edge, but never going over it. They have crafty ideas here and there that aren’t too difficult but are super stylish and sophisticated.

… how is that to start with?

many of you have revealed to me in the last few days that you are looking for a magazine to ‘replace’ domino (although it can never be replaced! but there is a hole in out nesting hearts, i know). Well, may I suggest inside out for you: It’s by no means the same, but for me it really fits the hole rather snuggly and you might find it will too.

Yes the magazine is based in Australia, but why would that stop you?

Australia is filled with talent, and alot of it is packaged neatly in inside out! And like I said, the style team reach far and wide so it’s not all about Australian homes. In fact, the story I have decided to feature is set in Tuscany, Italy. A couple decided to pack up their corporate lives and renovate a 12th-century farmhouse, just an hours drive from Florence. I think many of us dream of doing this, and I think this couple did it so perfectly, filling their home with found objects and insisting on natural materials and finishes throughout. The walls are coated in sand and lime while the pine floors are finished al-natural with beeswax. The spaces are real, authentic, and full of life. I adore the pop of colour throughout – the use of red and blue hint at (the owner)Karin’s Dutch heritage.

The vegetable and herb garden is organic, and even the lake! which is called a biolago – a naturally filtered lake especially for swimming.

I’ll leave you in peace and let you take a wander through some of the spaces now…

All the photographs for this article are by Mark Seelen, with words, styling and production by Marc Heldens.

At the end of each home story inside out create a section called “in detail” (as above) to show where you can buy similar items, or items inspired by the home decor. Many magazines do this, and it is one of my favourite features of this particular magazine, as well as marie claire maison.

So, what else can I tell you that’s fab about inside out ?

Well, how about the fact that they just started their own blog! so welcome to the blogosphere inside out. also, their latest issue looks awesome – just read the editor’s letter here, and check out what’s inside here.

but most of all, what I am dying to share with you is this: if you subscribe to inside out right now, you can go in the draw to win a luxury holiday trip to PARIS…

How unreal is that? I only just read about it myself on their website, and I thought I just have to tell you! Click here to read all the fabulous details (like business class tickets + spending money), and here to read the terms and conditions, and here to subscribe!

Ok, I must eat now, it’s dinner time. But I do hope you consider subscribing to this beautiful magazine.

xx

PS again, I think I should be in sales! and again, I am not employed by inside out in case you thought my sales pitch was that good. I’ve never worked for them actually, boo hoo!! perhaps one day when i’m not so far away.

PPS one more thing – if you love this farmhouse as much as I do I have something to tell you… you can stay there!! Here is the link, filled with more beautiful photos, maps and information. Enjoy.

peachey from purple bottle sent this to me today, in light of my absolute favourite interior magazine series. i just had to share it with all of you too. thank you peachey!

now on with the series… hmm, which magazine am i going to showcase next? any guesses?

…another favourite magazine for me is marie claire maison. it’s full of inspiration and i love reading the stories. Somehow the french know how to whisk me away in the most romantic of ways, and marie claire maison does just that – taking me far away and then bringing me back with a bundle of new ideas for my own home projects.

I adore the selection of homes featured in each issue – marie claire maison finds the most incredible abodes, tucked away in the most remote parts of the world. This particular dwelling I’m sharing with you today is on a picturesque lake in Finland called Saimaa. The home is owned by Ritva Puotila (who makes exquisite textile installations). Furnished in the gentlest of ways with vintage and handmade Finnish furniture and textiles, Ritva’s home is breathtaking…

The article’s writer, Marion Bley, calls it a modern day summer home for the Robinson’s, with only the bare necessities – there is no electricity, and no hot water. There is however, a separate dwelling for bathing, which is down by the water’s edge…

Marion writes (something like this), “like the tableware, glassware and linen, the furniture, though sparse, has been chosen for it’s beauty and simplicity…”

……………………………..

This article featured in the July/August 2007 issue.
……………………………..

all photographs by ingalill snitt.

……………………………..

click here to be whisked away to the marie claire maison website. if you don’t read french no problem, just click away and you’ll be sure to stumble across some beautiful rooms that are sure to inspire!

xx

I simply must start my absolute favourite interior magazine line up with Vogue Living. Yes, perhaps it’s the Aussie in me but still, after years of perusing plenty of bookstore shelves around the world, no matter where I happen to be, it is a copy of Vogue Living that I’m carrying out the door, eager to sit down with a cup of tea (or verre de vin, depending on the time of day) and flip through the pages to take a peek inside some of the world’s most inspiring homes.

Pulling one story out of Vogue Living for this series is quite difficult… The publication recently celebrated it’s 40th birthday!! But having said that, one story in particular has always stood out in my mind so this is the one I will share with you today. This is a spread that I think was featured in the September 2005 issue (but don’t quote me on that!). It is the home of David and Nicole Page, founders of the very cool davidmetnicole. It was shot by Jonny Valiant, and I’m quite sure it was written and produced by Andrea Campos. Enjoy…

…I love that dining room! So simple, so eclectic, and so authentic…

Isn’t that a beautiful home? I love its rawness, and realness. It’s sophisticated but completely loose, honest and stylish. And there are so many style ideas in there- the japanese paper lanterns combined with long strands of black velvet ribbon; the empty frame overflowing with family snaps; the pinned velvet curtains in the doorways; the waxy fireplace; and the beautiful bed.

above cover shots by Petrina Tinslay

Editor David Clark has a discerning eye for inspiring interiors. The chosen feature stories are always a reflection of the times without being stuck in trends or style phases, nor is the publication always focused on homes with designer labels (I love that!). But to me what is most apparent, is that each issue is always one step ahead of the trends, and that’s definitely one of the reasons why I find myself drawn to it time and time again.

So! If you are not already an avid reader of Vogue Living, it’s never too late to become one…

+ click here to take a peak inside the latest issue of Vogue Living, featuring the above home, filled with found treasures.

+ click here to buy a subscription.

xx

PS Man, I’m thinking I missed my calling… should I be in sales or what?!!

PPS Disclaimer: I’m not employed by Vogue Living, in case you thought my sales pitch was that good.