Its all coming up Roses!

I adore Roses, especially old fashioned roses such as Albertine and all the David Austin roses. Next month is the Parnell Rose Festival and I will be heading off with my camera to share their roses with you. I am also excited about showcasing two private Auckland cottage gardens that have previously featured in NZ Magazines. These gardens are crammed in every corner with beautiful old fashioned roses and English flowers such as Hollyhocks, delphiniums, foxgloves and many other English delights. 


My new house unfortunately has the tiniest garden imaginable, hardly bigger than a postage stamp and so the only claim to roses are two standard icebergs that flank my rear patio.  I've been watching my roses closely for their first buds but not close enough it seems.  I noticed that one rose was glossy and healthy with lots of new shoots whereas the other seemed to be sparse and straggly. On closer inspection I discovered all the new shoots had and were being munched on by tiny little "green fly". Its taken a lot of persistence but finally I have managed to get on top of the little critters and  slowly my rose is recovering from its Green fly beating, I am sure though that they will not be a patch on the ones I will see at the Rose Festival next week.


Today It's all about Roses so I have sourced some lovely products fitting for my "Rose" theme to share with readers today.

I couldn't resist this image and can imagine this pretty romantic table setting for a bridal shower - image source via pinterest.

These sweet Rose gift tags US$3.25 for 3, are available from Creative Visions an etsy shop specialising in French and vintage inspired paper goods.




Watercolour Rose Print Prom Dress made by Dig for Victory - 99.00 (UK Pounds) size can be made to order from Folksy

These gorgeous Arabella  antique Rose cushions in duck egg, 38.00 (British Pounds) are available from Peacock Blue,. Also available in cream.

Rosenholm rose pink throw pillow embroidered linen - Designers Guild US165.00.

This gorgeous throw pillow combines embroidered roses and soft vibrant coloured linen edged with beautiful cross stitched detailing. 100% plain linen reverse.

shabby Chic Rose cushion - US$17.90 from Little Joobie Boo

Fabric by Prestigious textiles of Yorkshire - US$34.00 for a pair (16" x 16") from Sally Lucas

 

1. Boxed Roses set of 2 mugs -  NZ$39.99 from Ezi buy on line.

2. Rose Bathroom Set (tumbler, soap pump and soap dish) -  NZ$99.99 also from Ezibuy.

Rose Portugese soap -  NZ$20 from Romantique a gorgeous shop in Auckland full of all things French from furnishings to giftware. I  bought a lovely little heart shaped French script box from thier Newmarket shop I used in my bedroom makeover.

The Rose products above will soon be available at Wallace Cotton. You can visit their website and add as a favourite, and they will email you when they arrive.  They also have a sweet little peg bag in the same delightful rose fabric.

Smell the sweet Roses!

Lee x

I apologise to my readers who have signed up for email notifications and not received  them this  week. There appears to be a temporary malfunction I am trying to resolve. Meanwhile please check my blog daily for new posts. I endeavour to post daily.  Thank you for your patience.

Bedroom Makeover - French Cottage Look

Well, the sun finally showed its face Friday, I wanted to get the photos completed of my bedroom makeover so I dived in while the going was good. The light wasn't  perfect but without professional equipment or waiting till mid Summer,  I had to make the most of the natural light.  I easily took well over 150 shots (am I a pedantic perfectionist?), thank goodness for digital cameras! Although I have to repeat I am disappointed with the light.

Colours above are not quite true, the fabric for the Roman blind is more beige than grey.

The pair of weathered French shutters are from Yvonne Saunders Antiques.  Because they were only 500m wide I chose to have a space between to create better balance to the Queen size bed. Originally I was going to use an old door behind the bed but the bedroom is not large and I fell in love with the colour of the shutters. The great thing is if decide to change the look of the room, I can simply get the shutters stripped back to the natural wood.

All bed linen is Wallace Cotton the floral quilt and Euro pillows are Paridiso at Wallace Cotton.

The Paradiso quilt creates a cottage look to the room and compliments the shutters perfectly. If I'd wanted to give the illusion of more space, then I'd choose all white bedlinen with a little blue brought in with Euro pillows and scatter pillows. However, I have gone for a cosy, cottage look and Paradiso was perfect. 

I took advantage of the space between the shutters and hung a wall sconce for added interest.  However, I could have left it bare or added a pair of small vertically hung prints. Now looking at this photo it is a little out of kilter so I will have to move it a fraction.

The white seersucker duvet cover and pillowslips in cotton percale are  also Wallace Cotton.

The Roman blinds are beige and white linen.

White seersucker adds texture.

The Lamps are white washed with a natural beige linen shade that tone with the Roman blinds. 

I love the crackled candlestick holder, it reminds me of pretty birds eggs. The pretty cup and saucer are Royal Albert and part of a miss-matched collection of cups and saucers my mother gave me.  I saw a set recently very similar to this and it was $170 for a cup, saucer and plate!! Maybe I should be displaying it behind glass rather than drinking out of it.

These Gardenia heart shaped soaps came in their own little draw string bag. The antique silver sweet dish is a family heirloom and belonged to my grandmother.

These stainless steel tripod tables were originally purchased for my living room, however, they work well as bedside tables. Keeping it simple can sometimes prove best alongside a focal point such as the shutters.

The cross is a recent find in a lovely little shop called Distinctive Linens in St Heliers, Auckland. 

I love the black/grey weathered appearance of the cross, it compliments the shutters beautifully. I feel solid black would have been a little too harsh.

I bought this lovely little box to put beside my bed to drop my earrings in at night. I loved the french writing.  It was only NZ$12 from Romantique a NZ shop full of beautiful accessories and furniture from France.

The Before shot is prior to buying the house, a black and white theme with grey roller blinds. However the white walls and woodwork had a pink undertone which I wanted to do away with so I had the walls repainted 1/4 parchment and  the woodwork Alabaster both Resene colours.  I repositioned my own bed to face the smaller window.  The bedroom is actually wider than it appears in the first photo.




Addendum: March 2012
Since I originally posted my makeover, I have been thrilled to receive a "Rooms award" from Better Homes & Gardens.

PS....Makes note for a better camera for Christmas!
 and a helpful  hint...  if photos are taking a long time to load then download Google Chrome it's much faster than Internet Explorer and great to work with.

Lovely French Style Furniture and update on next weeks bedroom makeover.

I'm excited that next week my bedroom makeover should be complete and all going well if the "Hangman" turns up Wednesday to hang my shutters above my bed, and I'm not concussed by them falling off the wall while sleeping, it's just a matter of getting everything in place for my shoot.  Wallace Cotton are kindly loaning bedlinen for the shoot so excited about showcasing their products and using them to enhance and tie the look together.

Keeping with the theme, Today I've sourced some gorgeous French style furniture for my readers.  First a company based in the USA, Painted Cottage, a small company with a showroom and studio in Collingswood, New Jersey. Their showroom is filled to the brim with vintage finds including these gorgeous pieces below that would fit perfectly into a romantic French style bedroom. Painted Cottage sell from their  Etsy store but also have a website at Painted Cottage Studio.

The other furniture is from a New Zealand company called French Touch who have a wide range of French style furniture such as Louis, Florentine, Wicker, Chateau,  Elegance, Romance and Perle.  Each range having its own specific style. I have chosen some pieces from French Touch's Chateau range as I love their distressed but natural wood appearance.  French Touch have a huge range of products from bedroom, dining and living room to accessories. They also have "Specials" from time to time which can be viewed on their website.

I encourage you to check out both stores, all the links are highlighted.

Painted Cottage Aqua Chic Romance Bed US$995.00

Painted Cottage Shabby Aqua Chic Romance Dresser - US$825

Painted Cottage Chic Shabby Dove Grey Queen Romance Bed - US$1,095.00

    

Vintage Painted Cottage Shabby Aqua Romantic Dresser 0 US$525.00

Chateau range sofa NZ$2,990 from French Touch, New Zealand

Chateau 6 draw sideboard - NZ$1,690.00  from French Touch, New 
Zealand 

Chateau Range Set of 2 fluted chairs from French Touch - NZ$740.00 (pair)

I will leave you with a gorgeous French style kitchen to get your artistic mind racing! My next makeover I am planning is a few changes to a modern kitchen to give it that French Look without actually having to put in a new kitchen and spending a fortune.

                                                                Source: ceciliarosslee.blogspot.com via Lee on Pinterest

                                

                                              Have a great day

                                            Lee x

Colour Inspiration - Duck Egg Blue

My mother had the most exquisite perfume bottle given to her by my Godfather many years ago, I have never seen anything quite so beautiful. The delicate, porcelain blue speckled egg with its little solid silver screw on lid sits proudly on her dressing table. Although the egg is a copy of a blackbirds egg, it's  the classic "duck egg blue" I adore. I am sorry I don't have a photo of it to share with you today but promise to get one tomorrow and add it to this post because it truly is a thing of beauty and when I inherit it I will cherish it forever.  I do, however, have a collection of images for you in varying shades of  blue. Hopefully these photos inspire you to find a place in your home to add a little of this colour whether it be a throw on your bed, accent pillows, a vase or even a photo frame. I am excited to be using this blue as an accent in my own "soon to be featured" bedroom.

Duck Eggs - The inspiration for the colour

photo source - unfortunately I cannot find this shot again, please if this belongs to you, email me and I will credit correctly.

Addendum: Photo of my mothers antique porcelain perfume bottle with hallmarked silver lid.

photo source - decorpad.com

My whole house is neutral paintwork in Resene Ricecake and Resene 1/4 parchment but after seeing the gorgeous colour of this hallway I wish I actually had some colour in my house. The bonus I guess for me is using accessories to bring colour in, I can always change or add to my accessories but it's expensive to change paint.  Nevertheless, I love the colour of this hall.

photo source - remodelista.com

Don't you just love this old table and gorgeous blue bowls. The overall look is soft, fresh and definitely uncontrived. 

photo source - ZsaZsa Bellagio.blogspot.com

I adore this blue commode, available at Frenchy Furniture, Balham South London. They can be emailed at info@frenchyfurniture.com  

photo - Wallace Cotton

This vintage, soft blue botanical print from Wallace Cotton is gorgeous. The lamps and the verdigris planter make a bold but balanced statement to the softer look of this setting. This pretty bedlinen is a new arrival at Wallace Cotton, Paradiso Quilt NZ$129.90 - NZ$189.90. European pillowcase in Paradiso, NZ$29.90. oxford Pillowcase NZ$24.90

Paradiso rectangle cushion - NZ$39.90

 I have just noticed, coincidentally, my "links" reflect my love of this blue.

If you’r having a “blue” day, cheer yourself up

By bringing some duck egg blue into your home!

Lee x

Duvet Covers - crinkly linen and fresh crisp cotton

Known for it's coolness in Summer and warmth in Winter 100% linen is quickly becoming a popular choice for duvet covers, the new pre washed soft linen is just so beautiful. The crinkled unmade look of  linen  is perfect for the French country look of my bedroom makeover.  An added bonus is the fact that linen duvets are meant to look slightly crinkled and I absolutely loathe ironing. Recently my husband flew back from Abu Dhabi for a couple of weeks, he went to iron a shirt and discovered I didn't possess an ironing board. Since returning to NZ and not having the luxury of a maid,  I've discovered the tumble drier seems to do a good job of knocking out those creases if you whip them out of the tumbler in the last five minutes (with the exception of cotton bed sheets of course). My husband was obviously not  impressed when I told him my solution as the next day he marched in with an oversized ironing board under his arm... Shhh! don't tell him but its still sitting propped up in my laundry in its original plastic wrapping.

A while ago I started to look around Auckland to see what I could find in the way of linen duvet covers. One shop I found in Parnell had some beautiful ones made in Italy but prices started at NZ$800!!", rolls eyes"! The downside of Linen is its price and as I can't justify NZ$800 for a duvet, I returned home to "let my fingers do the searching", (old Yellow Pages slogan, but this time referring to my "keyboard").  However, I'm aware that not everyone likes crinkles in their bed linen and some prefer the starched look of hotel sheets, so have included some beautiful duvets in 100% cotton, sourced from the UK, NZ and the USA. All of these can be purchased on line with International shipping. 

Samples of linen I received from Lovely Home Idea a small business based in Europe. The left and middle samples are 100% linen, the last one on the right is 50% linen/cotton so a little bit softer.  

50% linen/Cotton Queen size Duvet cover in sand brown  from Lovely Home Idea - US$155.00 plus shipping.

 

Queen size duvet from Lovely Home Idea in 100% natural linen, pearly white - US$155.00 plus shipping.


Lovely Home Idea also have tablecloths, towels and baby ideas so worth popping over to their Etsy store to see their other  items.

Indira 100% cotton Duvet cover set from Wallace Cotton - NZ$99.00 -$169.00

I think Indira is lovely and if I was looking at a pattern I think this would be it. It has a crisp, fresh appearance, especially against the white shutters.

Tess Duvet cover in elegant washed grey linen with ruffled trim - NZ$329.90 - $399.90 from  Wallace Cotton. I can certainly imagine myself lazing with a book in this bed on a Saturday morning.

Wallace Cotton are a popular NZ store who stock homeware, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and clothing. They are a New Zealand company with stores in Newmarket, Takapuna and Wellington. But don't panic you can order from their on line store if you are not close to a shop.

If your in the UK, don't forget your rate of exchange is good so prices can be competitive even ordering from the other side of the Pacific.

Pearl emroidered duvet cover and sham from Pottery Barn - Queen size NZ$129.30, King size NZ$168.50. In the new easy care cotton that is said to emerge from the drier smooth (Could this be for me!). Shipping excluded.

Classic Stripe 400 thread easy care cotton duvet and sham in sandlewood from Pottery Barn - Queen size NZ$168.50, King Size NZ$194.60 excluding shipping 

This 400 count Egyptian Cotton Duvet cover is from The Linen Cupboard, Yorkshire, UK and costs UK Sterling 50.00 for a King size which is a very competitive price.  Shipping within the UK is Sterling 5.95.

Further designs can be seen at The Linen Cupboard website.  The Linen Cupboard specialise in hard to find bed linen so if your bed is an unusual size they may well be able to help you. 

Its 11.55pm, Clocks have gone forward an hour in NZ.

The All Blacks won against France and I have finally finished this post so its off to bed for me! 

Lee x