One of the first blogs I ever started following was Anna Spiro's Absolutely Beautiful Things. If you know Anna's work, or just take a look through her gorgeous blog, you can see why I love her style - layers of colour, pattern, and interiors with depth and soul. She introduced me to ginger jars, and I fell firmly in love with them, particularly the blue and white ones. They look beautiful filled with bright flowers (especially my favourite peonies), or clustered together in a group.
I've found a beautiful beach abode in Santa Barbara, Southern California, that I would happily call home. It's owner, Gina Tolleson (Miss World 1990), has filled it with gorgeous treasure that she's collected on her travels to India, Morocco, South America, Bali and Africa. She shares the home with her three sons - Carter, 16 years old, Luca, 8 years, and Tiago, 7 years.
I love the exotic, relaxed vibe this home exudes. The white walls and floors are the perfect backdrop for the layers of pattern and colour. Now that the boys are a bit older, interior designer Amanda Masters has been helping Gina make a few changes. They successfully mix Gina's global finds with modern and mid century pieces that tie in with the home's architecture.
A bird's-nest tower that's visible from the beach is Gina's special space to meditate, enjoy a glass of wine, and look at the ocean - no kids allowed! I think all parents should have a tower room like that ;)
Luca and Tiago's room is a really fun space that continues the global theme.
Gina's favourite space (and mine) is an outdoor room that open onto the courtyard. A 40th birthday trip to Rajasthan inspired her to paint the wall hot pink. Along with a bamboo lounger laden with cushions, and Balinese umbrellas, the vibrant colour creates a fabulous setting for a dinner party or cocktail evening.
I love the mix of the wooden outdoor table from India with the new wire chairs. To me this home is the perfect blend of beauty and tranquility, that's what I love!
I'm sorry about the late blog post today. I'm still on major catch-up mode after a week in Aussie last week, and school holidays just aren't helping! It was a slight shock to arrive back from temperatures of 27°C to a more chilly 16°C last weekend, but today is a beautiful Spring day in Hawke's Bay, and with daylight savings giving us longer days, it makes me excited about what's to come.
I put some time aside this morning to read the latest Spring edition of Adore magazine, and that certainly helped improve my mood. The photos I've chosen from this issue epitomise my idea of Spring and Summer living - gorgeous colour and pattern, lots of global influences, and entertaining, including a fantastic spread on places to visit in Bali.
If you love Adore magazine as much as I do, you should pop over to their Pozible page and pledge to help Loni produce an annual printed copy of the magazine. It will feature favourite homes from all of the 2014 online magazines plus a few new homes photographed specially for the annual edition. As well it will showcase the latest in homewares, product trends and store/designer profiles. I've just pledged my support by pre-ordering one copy, and it only cost $24, including shipping. Your credit card doesn't get charged until they reach their target, and with only a few days to go, Loni needs your support.
