Margaret Lord "A guide to furnishing the Australian home" (1944)

Have a look at this book I recently picked up for $2 from a book fair- "A guide to furnishing the Australian home" written by Interior designer Margaret Lord in 1944. This book is described as the first Australian monograph of interior design.

It seams like the decorating style is almost still current today - just look at the illustrations and colour selections. (click on Image to view larger).

And in case you were interested a little about the author Margaret Lord Via: Powerhouse Museum:

This is a photograph of Margaret Florence Lord (1908 – 1976) – a precursor of interior design in Australia. It was taken in Lord’s flat in Potts Point by a prominent Sydney photographer Laurence Le Guay in 1944, the same year she published her first book Interior Decoration. A Guide to Furnishing the Australian Home.

The content of the book comprised of notes originally prepared for a correspondence course for service personnel organised by the Army Education. The overwhelming popularity of the course led to the publication of the book which is now considered the first Australian monograph on interior design. She published two other books, an autobiography titled A Decorator’s World: living with art and international design in 1969 and Interior Decoration in Practice in 1971 and also wrote numerous articles for magazines such as Australian Home Beautiful and The Home.

According to Lord

“interior decoration is a civilised art with a primitive appeal; it strikes deep down to the fundamental instinct of home-making which is inherent in all of us. This instinct needs direction and education if we are to satisfy our natural desire for surroundings that provide both for our need of comfort and our love of beauty”

(Lord 1944, p.1). 

Interiors designed by Margaret Lord include Sydney University Union, the Shell Company’s Carrington Street building, Johnston and Johnston’s factory at Botany, Australian Glass Manufacturers’ factory at Waterloo, Wrigley’s Ltd building at Rosebery, the Sydney Club, the Memorial Hall at Shore, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, and the ships Monowai, Manoora and Kanimbla.

The Powerhouse Museum’s extensive archive of the designer consists of diaries, photographs, guidebooks and notes regarding her travels, scrapbooks, news cuttings, typescripts of speeches, broadcasts, articles, and more.

I think I have a new Idol- Oh and what a Betty!

Jewel Box bathroom inspiration....

Jewel box bathroom inspiration! To achieve this luxe look you need is a few key pieces:
1. A great wall finish with paint/ wallpaper or grasscloth.
2. A statement mirror.
3. A beautiful chandelier light ceiling or wall mounted (or both).
4. Dress with fresh flowers!

 PS: Is it just me? How good does the colour combination of White, Grey, Pink & Gloss black look together!

 Via houzz

Via houzz

Via: Emily A Clark

Via: Houzz

Via: Isabella & max rooms

The Chevron love affair...over for me

I love Chevron.... but unfortunately I have seen a little too much of it over the past year, the images are sending me a little batty.

Mine is probably a rather unpopular opinion....sooo I ask do you Chevron? Yes? or No?.

New artwork - Driftwood Interiors

Kerri Shipp of Drifwood interiors has begun a brand new series of interiors portraits, available as original watercolour artwork or fine art prints.

Before it hit the shop I had asked if the original was available for purchase, I instantly fell in love with "Anna's Atelier" The first piece of the series. The artwork is based on a beautiful room designed by Anna Spiro, who is famous for her use of bold colour. The 'Interior Portraits' series features gorgeous interiors based on rooms designed by today's most talented interior designers, and other's born solely from imagination.

The above is Inspired by this gorgeous room (below) from Anna Spiro of black & spiro

The painting arrived beautifully wrapped and perfectly timed on our wedding anniversary day.

It went straight up on the feature wall & love it to bits! 

I would love to purchase a few more as I am considering a 3 x 2 arrangement of the large frames.

Here are a few other pictures from the series that I am dreaming of (Pictured linked to Etsy listing)

Such beautiful work! Stay up to date with the new paintings through Kerri's blog:

Driftwood interiors

Christchurch earthquake

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Christchurch and all the family's who have been affected by the deadly earthquake that hit the beautiful New Zealand city on 22.2.11. 

It was today exactly one year ago that the Mr & I started our New Zealand honeymoon holiday in Christchurch, we have so many fond memories of the city & hope to return as soon as we can. 

You can see the dome in the picture above? That is the Regent theatre where we watched a movie. 

Below: Before and after

 The beautiful bell tower of the Christchurch cathedral

Below: Before and after

Thoughts and prayers that everyone is found safe and well & Christchurch can rebuild from this disaster.

To London, To London.....

Mum suggested Firmdale- Haymarket hotel for our trip to London later in the year...... Ahhhhh Yes please! Each room is individually designed by the hotel owner and developer extraordinaire Kit Kemp (I do believe I have a new idol to worship). Via the Luxury travel bible

The Profile: The self-taught Kit Kemp is the co-founder of Firmdale hotels with her husband Tim. Together they have produced a string of boutique hotels known for their style and originality. She was awarded the Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year for 2008.

 

The Style: "Hotels should be living things, not stuffy institutions", say the Kemps. Kit Kemp's style can be described as having an 'English eccentric look'. Drawing upon the world around her for inspiration, Kit doesn't work to a particular formula when designing her slightly quirky interiors. Each of her boutique hotel interiors can be recognized as an individual work of art. However, there is a link between each of Kemp's hotels. Look out for bold prints, eye catching colours and fabulous attention to detail - the small portrait on the wall or a painted pattern on a bedside cabinet.

After seeing the sights of London (and visiting my friends Bridget & Al) mum & I will be heading to Paris!. This will be my first time to Europe so I am super excited, not so excited about the 24 hour flight though!!!

Any good recommendation of things to do in London OR hotels to stay in Paris? The agenda for the trip will be museums, shopping and eating all mixed together with lots of sightseeing!

The woman who can't sit still....

True came home on Friday evening to find me half way through changing our lounge room around, don't you just love a woman who can't sit still... and a man who tries not complain & joins in the crazy-ness. 

So happy with the result as you get to check out the great nail head trim on the black velvet chairs! Next on the list of things to do is purchase a long enough TV cord in white LOL.  

Anniversary day wrap up:
I made a delicious Tapas for dinner of oysters Kirkpatrick, Creamy garlic prawns, Chorizo and grilled haloumi and Tzatziki  followed by the cutting of the wedding cake! We were sufficiently full after that small mountain of food. 

Thankyou soooooooo much for all of your well wishes yesterday!!