The latest issue of Dujour magazine – the Art Issue has some gorgeous editorials, including this beautifully styled and photographed tribute to Frida Kahlo. I covet all of it, the wallpapers, every last scrap of fabric and most definitely, that ickle sombrero.
Styling: Inge de Lange
Photography: Denise Boomkens
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Tagged Art faggotry, Decor, Inspiration, magazines, Photography, Style, Wishlist
Last night we went to the official opening of Melbourne’s newest bar The Emerald Peacock, the latest venture from the people behind The Red Hummingbird (which I’ve been meaning to blog about) and it is absolutely splendid. The Emerald Peacock is on Lonsdale St, near the entrance to Tattersalls Lane. We could smell the fresh lacquer as we walked up the stairs and were greeted by a spectacular and vast venue with plush, opulent interiors – peacock wallpapered walls, ornate furniture and crystal chandeliers, and a DJ on the turntables.
We were served delicious cocktails and tapas, the same fare they’ll be offering, I’m guessing. Apart from the indoors cocktail lounge, the establishment also boasts a sophisticated dining hall with retro wallpaper and a wine cellar to write home about, and my favourite part, a gorgeous rooftop framed by candles with plenty of seating, barstools, benches and ottomans and a second bar so you never have to stumble back downstairs for a drink. Hanging planters, glass lamps, and other little touches complete the picture. And for a third storey rooftop, the view’s pretty decent. Lastly, keeping in with the name and theme, both staircases leading to the bar and the rooftop are covered in peacock murals by artist Bonsai. Oh and good toilets too, with enormous copper washbasins.
The Emerald Peacock is a wonderful, eclectic bar. The rooftop is perfect for these sultry nights bathed by Melbourne city lights and as the weather cools, the velvety insides beckon.
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I had a haircut today. My first one in Melbourne. Apart from in what I call the lost years, I’ve pretty much had variations of the same hairstyle my entire life and that’s okay. I just needed a little snip, some new layers and my fringe trimmed and I decided on Rok Hair in South Yarra. Going to a new salon is always a little unnerving but I was instantly charmed by their great dressing tables.
Large vintage wooden dressers! Each one different and some had the most fantastic grain and rings in the wood, and their mirrors were each unique too. I couldn’t resist asking if I could photograph them.
But interiors aside, my stylist Laura was probably the nicest I’ve ever had (except for my Sarah, nobody is nicer than her <3 <3), she was lovely and interesting to talk to and I felt totally at ease perched before her. I received the best customer service at Rok right from the moment I called to make my appointment to when we said goodbye, and I don’t know, maybe it’s the weight I lost from the cut, but I’ve been walking on air all day.
ROK Hair, First floor, South Yarra Arcade, 101 Toorak Road, South Yarra, VIC. Ph: 9866 6557
Much to my friends’ and housemates’ disdain, for years I incessantly collected and scrapbooked style, design, photography and decor ideas. I found cutting and pasting with real scissors and glue so calming. I was quite literally buried under dozens upon dozens of books brimming with beautiful imagery and while I had to throw them away before I moved to Melbourne, I couldn’t help myself from saving some of the pictures. While I have thousands of inspiring interior/architecture/decor images collected online, these are all print that I point-and-clicked in a hurry so I could keep them.
I love yellow.
The writing on that wall is what Marathi newsprint looks like. I want it in my future studio.
Ditto. I want the colour pencils. Before my dad became a masseuse, he was the creative director of his own ad agency. He had something just like it.
Isn’t this courtyard so lovely? It reminds me of one of my favourite childhood novels, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I’ve always dreamt of having a secret garden to tend to.
All white bedrooms are dreamy. Stark, soft, romantic, girly bliss.
That’s all for now. Best to end in odd numbers. Goodnight!
This is the inspiration for my kitchen decor. It’s a great theme to work with, there are a lot of wonderful utensils and storage solutions in red, black, white, metal, glass and wood. Nothing too restricting and very aesthetically pleasing. I also love how everything is super accessible. Right now I love the red. I have a red kettle, red Tupperware baking sheets and I’m going to get a red KitchenAid sometime this year.
You’d never believe the most charming lunch I’ve ever had was in the Manchester Unity building. You know the one on Swanston by Collins, where the yelling lady’s dresses are always on sale for only $10. Yet tucked in the back is Switchboard, Melbourne’s loveliest and prettiest little café. My friend Mark and I went again yesterday.
Order coffee from the hole in the wall on one side of the arcade then perch yourself in the quaintest little sitting room, complete with a cute selection of magazines and quirky artwork. And there’s additional seating in the alleyway outside.
Flatmates Joe and Hamish who own and run the cafe serve up an simplistic menu using the freshest ingredients – a toastie with artichokes, bocconcini, baby spinach and chilli jam perhaps, an open sandwich called the heartbreaker or my favourite, avocado and fresh lemon on sourdough.
I think they even have cupcakes on the tiered platter sometimes. And their service is always good.
Switchboard Cafe, 11 & 12 Manchester Unity Arcade, 220 Collins St, Melbourne 3000
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Tagged Daily Delicious, Decor, Eat me, Melbourne, Photography, Sheena
For Juhi’s birthday, we went to a beautiful Melbourne bar called Chi Lounge for what can only be described as the most delicious night of conversation and cocktails. Not your average pinacolada and mojito either but yummy concoctions like the honeyed Wasted Bee, lychee Mekong Mist, and custom cocktails and mocktails with Frangelico and absinthe and lemongrass vodka, and strawberries and chocolate and cream.
Bartender Will played the most gorgeous selection of jazz greats and kept this party of four in good spirits.
I coveted Rachel Castle’s range of linen and quirky artwork when I saw them on another blog. And when she left the sweetest comment on mine a few days ago, I knew I had to share her effervescent range with everyone.
She makes the most beautiful handcrafted bedlinen and one off felt embroidered artworks in Sydney with her mum Jillian.
Any Obama fan is a friend of mine.
I want this set of pillows. I would sleep in a pillow fort of them for the rest of my life. Truly.
And she makes lots of use of my all time favourite colour grey and my current favourite, yellow. And her styling is truly superb.
