Flower People

Want to see more and learn more about artist Harrison Howard? Head on over to Peak of Chic as she has the full scoop. I absolutely LOVE his work and am finding it a little hard to select a favourite!! Thanks for the introduction POC! BTW - Harrison's work is available for purchase on his website.

Drop In And Visit.

I figure if we live here then Moondoggie can't hurt himself if he falls over in the yard ... although he'll probably get frostbite!

This house makes me feel very serene. I'm not usually a fan of winter but I love the blue sky and the white snow, with those gorgoeus stark tree trunks. I'm a huge fan of a white house, I'd paint all houses white if I could. I'd love to see what this house looks like in summer.

A Pretty Garden Party

This is so beautiful I couldn't resist posting it. I originally found the image on Brilliant Asylum who originally found it on Decor Amor - as BA said it looks like it's been torn out, folded and put away for safe keeping and was most probably from a 10 year old Martha Stewart mag! Love the old bentwood chairs (aren't they such a classic piece) and the tree is simply divine lit up so beautifully with hanging candle jars!

Birthday and a Boutique!

First off, can everyone wish my hubby, honey, lovebug a HAPPY BIRTHDAY?! It's his birthday today and how did we celebrate? Work! Yay! haha. Actually, Matt accompanied me to Portland yesterday to take care of some twigs & honey business and we did what any other normal adults without supervision/newlyweds would do. We woke up late, ate cold pizza for breakfast at 11:00 and finished with strawberry ice cream. You know, if you can, why not?

Among things to take care of in Portland yesterday, I am so happy to announce that the exclusive twigs & honey collection for the English Dept. is now available! If you are interested in these pieces, stop by The English Dept. in downtown Portland, OR. While you are there, coo at everything in the shop and say hi to the talented Elizabeth Dye. Yesterday, I dropped off 1 headband, 1 hairwrap/belt/armband, and 5 floral hair pieces. To all those nearby that frequent the shop, enjoy! If you'd like to know more, get in touch with the English Dept. or yours truly.

Today, I've been busy working on custom orders, and poor Matt was stuck playing Wii as I was busy sewing and cutting. I did manage to run to the store to buy a pre-made cake. I know, I know! I should have baked it! I normally do, but I was just too busy and would rather he have his cake and eat it than no cake, and no cake eating! mmmm.... and who wouldn't love Cookies and Cream Chocolate Cake?

Thank you Elizabeth (again!) and Happy Birthday Matt!

Today I Love...

I love this little mirrored stool covered in Imperial Trellis from C. Bell - wouldn't it be beautiful used as a dressing table stool!

Waiting For D.H.S.

He has fractured the radius and the ulna on THE OTHER ARM!!!!
How the hell does that happen???
He has been out of plaster for 1 WEEK!!!
I would understand if it was the same arm as the break is still to harden.
And how do you trip over in grass and break both bones???
Falling down stairs, jumping off the balcony, riding a bike, all understandable ways to break your arm. Running in your grandparents back garden is not.
By the way he has plaster from hand to shoulder once again.
FUUUCK!!

Bugger!!!!

This weekend Surfer Boy took the kids down to the beach house while I worked at the shop.

The kids have had a ball playing with their cousins and Surfer Boy has been competing in the Boardriders comp, while I have, of course, spent a lovely 2 days watching DVDs, having the girls over and generally feeling 10 years younger. That was until 10 minutes ago!

You may remember I posted about Moondoggie breaking his arm. We went and had the plaster removed the day before the holidays which was perfect timing, and after 6 weeks he has been relishing having the use of both arms again.

Surfer Boy has just rung me to say they are on their way home but... they have stopped off at Geelong Hospital because he thinks Moondoggie may have broken his arm again!!!!!

Pardon my language in advance but ...FUUUCK!!!

Stay tuned...

Photo shoot :: coming soon!

I just had to gush about some truly fantastic people we are so fortunate to know and work with!

We recently (yesterday) had a photo shoot for the twigs & honey pieces and came away with some amazing photos. I'll be posting about this more in the coming weeks, but wanted to thank Paul Rich Studio & Elizabeth Dye!! Paul, his lovely wife Holly, and the ridiculously charming and gorgeous Elizabeth Dye were such good sports and so utterly sweet throughout the day despite 30 degree weather, sleet and rain coming at us sideways, wind, curious onlookers, the occasional security guard, you name it! THANK YOU!

More on this later.....
Please visit Elizabeth Dye's site for some visually delicious work!
Also visit the talented Holly Andres to view some extraordinary artwork.
And of course, as I post everywhere and can't say enough good things about them, visit Paul Rich Studio for some absolutely breathtaking wedding photography.

Happy Weekend!!

Another week has passed us by so quickly. I have been working on a big installation this week at an inner city apartment which we have been completely refurbishing. I must say I am completely exhausted as are all the girls at Black & Spiro as they have all been working so hard with me to get everything done. We still have a lot more to finish off over the coming weeks and I am every excited about getting it finished. I hope you all have a lovely weekend and to Av, Mel & Sal I hope you have a lovely and RESTFUL weekend because you all deserve it!! Happy Weekend to all!!

Image via Monique B's photostream @ Flickr

A Pretty Little Cottage

I love this gorgeous little White timber cottage which has just gone on the market around the corner from where I live. Every time I go to the supermarket I drive past this house and I have always loved it and then just last week I drove past it and there was a for sale sign out the front of it. Unfortunately this house will have to be someone else's as we just bought our house late last year and we are about to embark on a large renovation and I know it is going to be beautiful but I love this house too! My poor husband married me knowing I had an obsession with pretty houses and I think he almost has a heart attack whenever I call him saying "Oh Honey, you know that pretty house which I have loved forever and ever it's just gone on the market......etc. etc. etc." Does anyone else out there have an obsession with pretty houses and searching on realestate.com because let me tell you I almost think I have a severe problem!!!

Boutonniere line :: new twigs & honey creations

A few weeks ago, I got a most fabulous request from a bride who had just received her custom twigs & honey hair piece. She asked me if I could create the boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen (7 total)! It was impeccable timing, as I was planning to dive into boutonnieres for quite sometime. Since I had been so busy with custom hair pieces, I never had a good chance, but thanks to a sweet bride's request, I'm pleased to announce the addition of the twigs & honey boutonniere line! This particular order was and is designed around the bride's hair piece. I am currently working on completing the set, but check my Etsy shop every once and a while to see the latest additions. I'm so excited about this set! Also soon to be listed in my Etsy shop, several larger bridal party sets (5 to 8 piece orders), requests from brides of all different tastes. You won't want to miss seeing these larger, coordinated pieces for some inspiration on pulling together your overall wedding day looks. By the way, the individual in the photos below is actually Matt and not me this time. I shamelessly asked my better half to "model" the new boutonniere line, if you were wondering. :)

And Talking Of Windsor...

Windsor Smith's Kitchen

And while I'm on the subject of Windsor Smith I just have to post these updated images (thanks to Style Court) of my favourite kitchen in the whole wide world which Windsor designed for her own home....I know I've posted it before but it's like Chloe Sevigny's hallway...both are are in my all time top 10 favourite rooms file and whenever I see these pictures I sigh and look for ages and ages and ages and ages!! I don't think I will ever tire of seeing these rooms!!

BTW - for my Australian readers if you are interested we stock those beautiful white reproduction Chippendale chairs which Windsor has used in her kitchen above at Black & Spiro and we also sell the KW wallpaper as seen in Chloe's hallway below at Black & Spiro too!!

Chloe Sevigny's Hallway

Image 1 courtesy of Style Court, Image 2 via Windsor Smith, Image 3 via House & Garden

Mismatched Style

Peter Dunham images courtesy of Domino Magazine

The thing I really like about this room by U.S. Interior Designer Peter Dunham is that it is mismatched and looks lived in and even though he has used collections of things some people wouldn't dream of putting together it works and it creates a sense of personal style. Don't get me wrong there are some things in this room that I personally would never have in my own room but that's the point and that's what mismatched style is all about. Bringing together interesting fabrics, textures, furniture styles and accessories in one area or one room is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful and clever Interior Decorating styles. Anyone can pull together a range of plain linens and matching furniture pieces and in the right place I believe this look can be very stylish. However, bringing personality into a room and most importantly finding your client's personality and being able to create a room for your client which exudes their personal style is what only a very good Interior Designer/Decorator can do. What are your thoughts? What Interior Decorating style do you like? Who is your favourite Interior Designer/Decorator?

Windsor Smith Image Courtesy of Style Court

Another U.S. Designer who does this look so well is Windsor Smith as visable in the lounge room she created in her own home in the above image.

I'm So Excited

Let me tell you why....

You may remember a couple of posts ago I was having a whinge about Surfer Boy and I having completely different viewing habits - well thanks to the magic of blogging, all my problems are solved.

I rang my parents last night to check in after the Easter break, and during the conversation Dad mentioned that he had a small flat screen TV/DVD that they had bought for their big camping trip last year and had hardly used. He says it is cluttering up their house and could I do him a favour and use it at our place!!!!

Apparently Mum has been reading my blog and passed on my TV frustration to Dad.

In true parental style they are pretending that I would be helping them out to try and cover up the fact that they are, and always have been SUPER GENEROUS.

They are also very sneaky and realise that Surfer Boy can hardly complain when he is doing his in-laws a FAVOUR!!

So this mornings job is to drive to Port Melbourne and relieve my parents of the clutter in their house, poor me!

WOO HOO!!!

Drop In And Visit.

This week I'm loving this house in Huntington, New York.

I would sit on the porch and watch the world pass by my gate.

When I move in the first thing I will do is re surface that utilitarian driveway. Such a house deserves a softer entry.
I wonder what it looks like inside...

Interior Paintings By Janet Hill

Thank you for all of the lovely emails I received over the Easter weekend! It was so lovely to hear from each and every one of you. One of the emails I received was from talented artist Janet Hill asking me to have a look at her paintings on her blog The Evening Picture. I was delighted when I looked through Janet's blog to discover her beautiful interior paintings. Here are a few of my favourites...all sold but I'll definitely be keeping an eye on Janet's work as she posts it on her blog and at her Etsy shop.

Shop Update :: Bella :: Firefly Enlightened

Finally! I've listed another piece in my Etsy shop, Bella. Most of the materials for this piece are displayed in the previous post, back when it was just a heap of fabric and lace. ;) Yes, Eviez... something blue (from a previous comment)!


Also, Happy Easter! I recently stopped by my favorite Salem, OR shop, The Arbor, to hand pick a nice Easter gift. I snapped some photos of some carefully placed critters that are going to bring some sunshine to someone's day!

Work in progress..... shop update

Just a little peak into a work in progress for the new Firefly Enlightened Collection for twigs & honey. I should be making some good progress by tonight and hope to post it before tomorrow, but we shall see!

Bunny Love

Usually I'm all about this at Easter....

But I couldn't resist this....

Hope everyone has a safe and very happy Easter. See you in a few days.
Jen

Happy Easter

A very cute Easter painting by Liza Hirst called "Leftovers From Easter". Wow - I can't imagine there being any leftovers from Easter in our house!! I hope you all have a lovely Easter break. I'll be back posting next Tuesday. Bye for now...

Inspiration Collage

And just in case you thought I'd lost my love for pink after last week's collage - here is this week's Pink/White/Charcoal Inspiration Collage.

Photos from top (left to right) - 1 - Room by Tom Scheerer, 2 - Fabric from Purl Soho, 3 - Creed Perfume, 4 - Fabric from Black & Spiro, 5 - Note cards by Alicia Paulson, 6 - India Hicks via Style court, 7 - My Bedroom, 8 - Grandiflora by Saskia Havekes, 9 - Flickr, 10 - Fabric from Purl Soho, 11 - Chanel Ballet Flats, 12 - Aman Resorts, 13 - Skull & Crossbone Note cards from Vivre, 14 - Hermes Blanket - 15 - Fabric from Purl Soho, 16 - Black & Spiro Display

shake that boody! :: Fabulous blog!

A great new blog to talk about! shake that boody! The sweet Judy (Boody) of shake that boody! blog has posted a fabulous piece on twigs & honey. She is a self proclaimed "cupcake makin' machine", so any of you with a sweet tooth out there should stop by her blog and drool. She makes the most darling cupcakes... love all the colors! Check out all her cupcake fabulousness at hey, cupcake! These cupcakes are just not normal I tell you!!! They are too cute to be normal. I want some... mmmmm. I also spied a few photos of "Boody" speckled throughout her blog. Boody, you are such a doll! Thank you for the support.

Photo credits: hey, cupcake!

Coastal Style

Another wonderful book to add to the wish list which we now have in at Black & Spiro is Coastal Style. The book features lots of beautiful beach house pictures and also a few pictures of India Hicks' Harbour Island house.

Black & Spiro Today

Here is a picture of a small display at the back of our showroom at Black & Spiro which I took today. The blue mother of pearl inlay chest just arrived in store yesterday!

Special Words

Last year for my 30th Birthday my friend Annie gave me this card which struck a cord with me. I kept the card and recently had it framed to hang in a cluster of other pieces in my office which we are currently redecorating. I think this is a wonderful way to remember a card someone special has given you.

Portraits - A Book To Covet!

A special edition (hard cover) book to add to my wish list - Portraits de la Renaissance by Nathalie Mandel (an Assouline book).

A Vignette @ Home

Here is a little vignette I recently put together at home comprising of a small Nick Olsen painting, some old turquoise vases, a little hand painted Indian box and one of a set of 3 little birds which one of my lovely clients gave me for Christmas last year. Special little things continue to brighten my day when I look at them arranged in vignettes around the house.

So Pretty!!

Talented Artist Anne Harwell recently posted about Liza Hirst's pieces of art. I absolutely LOVED this one (top image). I also LOVED seeing the circa 1950's portrait of Anne Harwell's grandmother Lulu Harwell which she has teamed up with one of her gorgeous chair paintings as above. Wouldn't it be lovely to have a portrait of your very own grandmother!

Find Of The Week

A rare 19th Century French Oak small Butterfly shaped table from Miguel Meirelles - this is my find for this week! Wouldn't it be adorable as a bedside table in a little girl's bedroom!!