I bought a daybed!!

(click to enlarge)

Today I just had to show off my newest purchase. I'd been looking on Ebay and such for a new bed for Soph and I couldn't believe my luck when I saw a picture and ad at my local supermarket for this reproduction french iron daybed at a bargin price. Selfishly I have wanted one for the longest time and thank god my little Sophierella loves it as much as me. It's alot higher than her previous bed and she calls it her princess bed :)

I ADORE all the scrolls and I love that when she grows out of it I can have a buttoned french style mattress (sorry I don't know the proper name for it) made like the one pictured below and use it either indoors or outdoors.

(image courtesy of Robin Stubbert via The Laurel Hedge)

Thank you so much Brookie for helping me today set the bed and the room up for her. She got such a surprise :)

YAY I won! hehe ;)

I was fortunate enough to receive my first blog award today by the oh so fabulous Daisy from Daisy Pink Cupcake! Thank you so kindly for considering me to be a brillante webblog :)

I'd like to pass on the love to 7 of my favourites...

1, Cote de Texas

2, Country French Antiques

3, Jules Sand Castle

4, Gail McCormack

5, Lily-G

6, The Paris Apartment

7, Le Petit Cabinet de Curiosities

The rules state you are supposed to keep passing the award on to 7 blogs but put it this way, I wont be offended if you don't ;)

A love dedication to Aubusson tapestry...

(Melissa Levinson @ 1stdibs)

Ok so lets tick the checklist....My favourite elements of what I consider to be the perfect home consist of a piece of tufted furniture, the colour duck/robins egg blue, a beautiful bathroom, flea market finds, forged iron and now to add to my love dedication list - Aubusson tapestries!

As it's sunday and I'm just too darn lazy to retype it in my own words, here I have copied and pasted a brief description of the history of Aubusson and it's AMAZING weavings ;)

The history of tapestry weaving is continuous. In the 5th cent. A.D. and in the centuries immediately afterward, monasteries and convents were the centers of the craft. By the 15th cent., tapestry weaving had reached a high degree of perfection, and from this century date many great Gothic sets rich with gold thread. A fine specimen is the set of Burgundian Sacraments; a late 15th-century example of a verdure background is the Lady and the Unicorn set (Musée de Cluny). Fine weaving was done at Beauvais in the mid-17th cent. Weavers at Aubusson, France, began in the 16th cent. to make a textile that was gradually improved. The baroque style dominated the 17th cent.; the rococo and classical styles appeared in the 18th cent. Fine examples were woven from the cartoons of François Boucher, who worked both for the Beauvais and the Gobelins looms. The history of the tapestries from the Aubusson regions were well-known for its tapestry and carpets, which have been famous throughout the world since the 14th Century. Its origins were born with the arrival of weavers from Flanders, who took refuge in Aubusson around 1580. There is a famous collection of Aubusson tapestries at Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. The style of the tapestries produced have changed with the centuries, from scenes of green landscapes through to hunting scenes. In the 17th Century, the Aubusson and Felletin workshops were given "Royal Appointment" status. A down turn in fortunes came after the French revolution and the arrival of wallpaper. However tapestry made something of a comeback during the 30's, with artists such as Cocteau, Dufy, Dali Braque, Calder, Picasso being invited to Aubusson to express themselves through the medium of wool. Aubusson Tapestry still thrives today, preserving a range of traditional skills.

(Porchlight interiors)

When it comes to formal living rooms this heavenly space designed and owned by Hayley Hayes an Interior Stylist and blog author from Brisbane (featured in Australian Home Beautiful magazine oct 06) is pure perfection. I absolutely adore the ornate pasterwork on the ceilings, the neutral walls and louis style furniture, the scattered Rachel Ashwell cushions, the contrasting dark timber floors and of course the piece de resistance, that - too die for - aubusson rug!

From this photo it looks like the background on the rug is blue but in the magazine it looks more cream. Which ever colour, it's stunning!

(Antiques on old plank road @ 1stdibs)

(Jacqueline Adams Antiques @ 1stdibs)

Oooh as much as I LOVE that pillow I also love that louis settee!

(Marcoz @ flickr)

You may well have noticed I have a penchant for aubusson tapestries in PINK! ;)

Who wouldn't love this gorgeous hall runner?

(PrettyPetals @ flickr)

(Manhattan Rug Warehouse)

After mentioning my affection for pink rugs this duck egg blue rug took my breath away. I have to have it!! lol

(Lifestyle Antiques)

An antique pair of pink silk and aubusson feature cushions - Let us pray! ;)

(Kathleen Rhea of The House Of Rhea)

(Hollyhock @ 1stdibs)

How adorable is this little stool? Well for a measly $3,800 US it can be YOURS! hehe

(Candice Olsen via Cote de Texas)

(The House That A-M built and AtticMag)

I currently have 6 gorgeous aubusson cushions but no rug as yet. They are all packed in storage awaiting their special day when they can be displayed and admired in the room they so royally deserve.

If any of you have a piece of aubusson tapestry please email me the link to your pics cause I would LOVE to see them :)

One of my favourite places in the whole world...

Well I'm back from my short break with my mum and the kids on Sydney's central coast. I feel so blessed to have this wonderful home in my family for us to share and enjoy. My parents and grandparents built this home almost 30 years ago and my grandparents lived there for 25yrs till their passing. Now it's used as a holiday house by my extended family.


My Pa was a "jack of all trades" and he made the tumbling water feature and planted the garden. Beautiful agapanthus and daisy's bloom in the spring. The plaque reads "grandpa's garden".

He also built all the timber work for the house including the pillars and crisscrossed balcony.


The interiors are very basic but comfortable and most of it is still as it was while my GP's resided.

^^This is bedroom 3

^^This is bedroom 4 or the nursery.

Sophie sitting on the bank of the lake sketching a duck.

This is the back of the house at sunset.

Sunset over the lake.

I HAD to mention, during our time away we got the chance to see Mamma Mia. It was BRILLIANT! I couldn't help dancing and singing in my chair like the dork I am lol. If you haven't seen it yet GO NOW! lol ;)

^^ My favourite scene

I ADORED the bohemian interiors of Villa Donna hehe. I have decided I am completely obsessed with aqua walls and shutters and they featured in abundance in this movie.

^^ Colin Firth = YUM! ;)

Another day was spent at the beach only 2mins away. The temperature was only around 20 degrees celcius but the sky was crystal clear, the sun was shining, the sand was clean and soft and the water was sparkling blue. I was wearing yoga pants and a hoody but the kids headed straight for the water - crazy kids!

^^The fortress

^^Emu Sophie

They insisted the water was warm, I wasn't convinced lol.

^^Aussie boy Will :)

For other posts and pics of my holiday home click here

http://villaanna.blogspot.com/2008/01/good-times.html

http://villaanna.blogspot.com/2008/01/lake-house.html

Anyways I'm happy to be back on deck and catch up on all my favourite blogs. I've missed you!

Time for a little R&R...

(painting by Jane Scott at Artscapes)

I just wanted to mention I'm heading up the coast with the family to our holiday home on the lake for a week. We are heading into the second week of the kids winter school break and although it's not the time of year to go swimming I still have plenty off activities planned including fishing, bike riding, kite flying and I'm busting to take my mum and daughter to see the movie 'Mamma Mia' :)

Of course it wont be all fun and games, I have plenty of assignments to work on but fortunately I enjoy them immensely.

Take care blogging pals and see you soon.

Anna xox

Ooh I have found an Aussie beauty...

Often I love to browse through the Aussie realestate site not necessarily looking to buy a new home but to sticky beek into other peoples homes - especially ones that I can't afford lol.

So many times I search and search and feel myself repeating "contemporary, contemporary, contemporary", but one area of my state of NSW never fails me with finding the traditional home I dream about. You've often heard me talk about the area of The Southern Highlands aka The Wingecarribbee Region. Founded 150 years ago by John Oxley a famous explorer of the early colony was granted 2400 acres from the Governor for his services.

This region is about 640 metres above sea level and is one of the last remaining traditional English areas of NSW with it's cottages and manors, an abundance of stone churches and beautiful English established gardens.

Living here you would have the best of both worlds. Only 1 1/2 hours from Sydney centre you have the convenience of jumping on the freeway or the train for a day on the harbour or you are far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the hectic city and can enjoy clean country air and perhaps even spot a star in the night sky - or a billion :)

ALOT of wealthy Sydney siders have their weekenders around this area but I'd personally love to live the Wingecarribbee lifestyle all year round.


This stunning home in Burradoo is a classic example of what I would buy or build if "serious coin" ever comes my way lol.

The listing states - “Chartwell” is a large and glamorous 3 / 4 bedroom character home, superbly renovated and designed in a casual ‘Ralph Lauren’ style, and sited on a generous 6,739m²• Within these grounds there is also a substantial 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom brick and tile guest house, every bit as chic as the main residence!• Tranquil established gardens and sweeping lawns in blue ribbon position opposite a golf course. Room for court & pool.• Perfect set up for extended families or a great weekender.• Genuine vendors offering these two stunning houses complete with designer furnishings if required.


An enchanting courtyard complete with pergola, climbing roses or bougainvillaea, terracotta pots and french doors is ever so important.

Look at that gorgeous oversized stone fireplace!

A stunning open plan kitchen/dining with plenty of natural surfaces such as stone counter tops, floorboards and exposed timber beams.

Another comfortable and spacious living area off the kitchen with another fireplace. It's gets extremely cold there hence the need for adequate heating.

LOVE the aqua painted door frames!

A beautiful spacious and neutral bedroom.

Perhaps the doorway into the guest quarters? I love the entry to a courtyard at the opposite end.

Another beautiful living area with another beautiful stone fireplace. Perhaps again in the guest quarters.

Dreamy arched french doors leading into another meals area.

And yet another living space/tv or kids playroom off the meals area.

I LOVE this boys room with the sweet wooden soldier and boat ornaments on the sidetable. My son has this exact bedding on his bed minus the dragonfly pillowcases.

Mastersuite with soaring ceilings!

And check out this - too die for - parents retreat/conservtory.

Incredible sprawling established gardens.

So what do you think? Do you love it as much as me? This home should be photographed for a magazine. I'd love to know who the designer was or if the owners built and decorated themselves.