A Warm GC Welcome

I know I've been missing in action - last week was spent with my family in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast in Australia. It was an amazing holiday in a spectacular part of the world. It was all about the kids, so we did the theme parks, cuddled koalas, patted the kangaroos, and hit the beaches.

I left everything but my phone at home, and any internet access was few and far between. But you know you have the best job when you miss work while on holiday! It was brilliant quality family time, but I was craving some interior goodness. I did find inspiration in our tropical surroundings, in the tiles at Chocolateria San Churro (that place was dangerous!), and even managed to squeeze in a quick shopping trip to Black & Spiro - heaven! It's nice to come home though, even when the temperature's a good 10 degrees colder. I look forward to bringing you some great posts this week and catching up on all things interior.

A Home Made of Memories

I got so much enjoyment from the sneak peek into Paige Morse's home on Design*Sponge, and reading her story, I knew I wanted to share some of those images. Paige is an interior, prop & wardrobe stylist, and an art director, so she spends most of her days executing other people's visions. For this reason it's very important to have a home that is a true representation of her own personal style.

Like me, Paige is a textile fanatic, and loves colour and pattern. Her home is filled with textiles and furnishings that she's collected on her travels. One beautiful sofa is covered in vintage kilim rugs, topped with a throw from Mexico and cusions from India. Another is a hand-me-down from her mother and Paige has re-covered it in gorgeous blue velvet. Everything tells a story.

Paige loves to create little vignettes using treasured pieces that are filled with memories.

The kitchen is a replica of Paige's grandmother's kitchen, which is perfect for the period of the home. Key to creating that feel was the cast iron sink and wall-mounted tap.

I especially love Paige's explanation of her bedroom, painted black in rebellion (she always wanted a black bedroom as a teenager but was never allowed). "My house is so filled with colour, sometimes I need a little reprieve," says Paige. "This is pretty much my version of simple, because I usually prefer a lot more pattern and colour. But if you look closely, it's all still there. Just subtle and quiet versions of my favourites".

Photography by Lauren Logan

Click here to read the full article and see more of Paige's beautiful home.

Introducing Colour

After some recent blog posts with beautiful subdued colour palettes, I thought I'd better let you know that I haven't lost my love of vibrant colour. Here are some examples of how you can inject some brightness into your home in a less conventional way.

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Lots of people paint their front door, but how many paint it bright magenta?! It looks stunning alongside the bougainvillea.

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These owners took it to a whole new level when they painted their garage door in a pinwheel pattern.

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Keep your creative juices flowing on the inside of your house. A painted pattern on the wall replaces the need for art.

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How about a shot of intense block colour in your curtains?! The sheer fabric allows the light to filter through softening the effect.

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A simple stick found on your walk, or in your garden, can be turned into a piece of art with the help of some brightly coloured yarn.

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Painting individual floorboards is yet another unique way to introduce colour into your home. I hope you've been inspired by one or more of these creative ideas. Which is your favourite?