Wedding Bells…

Back from holidays and ready to share my latest project; the wedding of Mr & Mrs Hurley.

I had the pleasure of working with The Bride (Paula) in the six months leading up to the big day.
On my first meeting with Paula she had explained that there were many guests travelling interstate and she wanted to be able to relax and enjoy the day and time with family and friends and needed help putting together the pieces for the big day.

The date, the venue, the dress, the bridesmaid dresses were all sorted.
It was a Cup Eve wedding at The Middle Brighton Baths, a gorgeous venue with a beautiful view of the water and neutral tones throughout. It was a cocktail style wedding and the Bride and Groom wanted lots of dancing, complete with a station of ‘dancing shoes’, a lolly bar as their thank you to guests and comfortable seating that allowed everyone to mingle.
Paula’s styling inspiration was an arrangement she saw at a cafe (below).

With this in mind I created a classic look for the perfect day…

The Lolly Bar and ‘Dancing Shoes’ added a fun element to the event…

It was important to maximise the great view and keep things comfortable for guests outside…

It was a pleasure to work with this great couple and see them beaming on the day of the wedding. I hope it was a great start to an even better marriage.

Michaela Fox featured this wedding on her wonderful blog Not Another Slippery Dip.

For any Wedding Planning, Styling or ‘On the day’ coordination for the DIY Brides, please get in touch via lovingpottering@gmail.com or 0421 487 220.

All flowers and styling arranged by Loving Pottering
Furniture by Dann Event Hire

Holiday shopping…

Officially my new favourite store… pity it’s in Byron Bay!

Owned by local artist Jai Vasicek. Stocking his colorful crosses, wall tiles and textile collaborations as well as other beautiful wares to suit the modern and eclectic home.

Well worth a visit… in the mean time check out AHOY TRADER online or on Facebook.

Photo Source: www.ahoytrader.com

All that glitters is GOLD!

Fashion and jewellery trends have been celebrating all things gold and rose gold for a while now and this seems to be creeping into the Interiors and Events world.

Gorgeous inspiration for indoors, outdoors and entertaining…

Here are some of my ‘golden finds’…

1. Moroccan Pouffe – Gold | Design Studio Home
2. Metallic Bags | UASHMAMA
3. Pots by Pop & Scott | Hunt & Bow
4. Painting, Paradiso – Rose Calavera | Fenton & Fenton
5. Golden Spots Lolly Bags | Poppies for Grace
6. Gold Foil Heart Cushion by Max & Me Homewares | Down that Little Lane
7. Eclectic Vessel by Tom Dixon Bash | Safari Living

I’m back!

I’m back… few exciting things were happening and therefore I was MIA. I got engaged (yay!), planning a client’s wedding, trying to plan my own wedding (much harder than I would have thought), working with a great graphic designer on some branding for Loving Pottering, and most importantly enjoying my little boy who is almost ONE, eeek!

The blog has been on hold, but I have loads of decorating and events inspiration to share in the coming weeks.

What I have been working on at the moment is ideas for my son’s first birthday. At one, Oliver is crawling, trying to walk, feeding himself (some of the time) saying Dad, Bye-Bye, Duck, Mum, Nan and Ta (In that order).

I was having a terrible time trying to think of a ‘theme’ and as my partner pointed out… he likes Ducks (hell – he said Duck before Mum!). So ‘DUCKS’ it is!

Here is the mood board for Ollie’s 1st Birthday Party…

1. Duck Invite from Etsy – Little Apples Design
2. Rubber Duck Bath Toy from Target
3. Baby Blue and Yellow Paper Straws from Etsy – The Pink Picker
4. Polka Dot Bunting from For the Love of Bunting
5. Swimming Duck T-Shirt from Etsy – Critter Jitters
6. Five Little Ducks print from HAZYprints via Down That Little Lane
7. Confetti balloon kit from Poppies for Grace

Cushions under $50…

When decorating or updating the style of your living room or bedroom I find cushions an inexpensive way to do so. When comparing the cost of a brand new couch, bed, rug or coffee table – cushions can update the room or be easily changed when your tastes change.

I have cushions that have cost me $3 and the most expensive one was $95. What is ‘in style’ always ends up being replicated by chain stores, which means cheaper prices for the same look. Here is a selection of cushions under $50 from chain stores and a great online store I have found.

Freedom
Price Range of selection $39.95 – $29.95 (on sale now…$31.40 – $9.95)

IKEA
Some Ikea cushions are sold as covers and you have to buy the insert; howver the covers below are $10 – $12 and an insert will set you back $4.99. The most expensive one below is, top right and this is only $16.99!

Adairs
Price Range of selection $49.95 – $39.95 (on sale now…$34.95 – $19.95)

I have come across a great online store called ‘Down that Little Lane’. This is a one-stop online shop for unique gifts and beautiful homewares. You can filter by room, product and/or price which makes it really easy to find what you need. The below selection ranges from $49 – $25… worth a look.

Cushion love

I am a self confessed cushion addict… I have worked out that in my house I have 17 cushions. Now – they are not all on display… I have 3 that were so cheap they had to be bought and 2 that are on standby for when my six and a half month old is big enough for a bed and at least 4 that aren’t in rotation at the moment and will probably be replaced with new covers eventually! Yep, I love cushions.

What is so good about them? They can change the look and feel of a room and can be an inexpensive update for the Living Room or Bedroom… of course that depends on which cushions you are buying!

Thought I would take a look at the hot brands right now and how diverse their ranges are to suit almost any taste…

The DAN300 Group
Price Range: $59.95 – $120

bonnie and neil
Price Range: $125 – $155

Kip & Co
Price Range: $38 – $79

Pony Rider
Price Range: $54 – $129

Lumiere Art + Co.
Price Range: $120 – $130
The great thing about these beautiful cushions is you almost get 2 for 1. The top line shows the front of the cushion and the bottom line shows the back (left to right).

Next post… great cushions under $50!

Call in the decorator (part 2)…

This project was put on hold as we have a revision in budget and needs/wants.
The budget has doubled and is now $600. This still means no new couches but allows for the next big purchase…

TASK #2 COFFEE TABLE

My friend is drawn to the the ‘modern’ and/or ‘industrial’ style. Industrial in particular has become really popular and brands know they can charge for it! I have managed to come accross the odd bargain limiting myself to the $200 mark…

Left to Right

Top Row: IKEA, PS2012 Side Tables, from $49.99 each; IKEA, PS2012 Coffee Table – Dark Turquoise or White, RRP $59; Matt Blatt, Palette Round Table – various colours, RRP $92

Middle Row: ebay, Industrial Style Coffee Tables, Current Bid $101; Freedom, Stockholm Coffee Table – Oak/White, RRP $199; By Designs, Tavolo Coffee Table, RRP $249

Bottom Row: Living Styles, Osaka Coffee Table, $199; Milan Direct, Industrial Coffee Table – Iron, RRP $229; Matt Blatt, Replica Eames Coffee Table – Walnut, $229

At this stage the winner is the great Ebay find… hopefully we can get it for around $110 max and still have a decent amount left to play with for soft furnishings, storage, wall hangings and a few fun decorative pieces!

Loving this right now!

This is on my birthday wishlist!

A beautiful throw from Country Road that I can’t stop dreaming about.
$149.95 if you are interested and currently 25% off there knitted throws and bed linen until 12th May.
I sound like an ad – but their Homewares are so gorgeous right now, I have asked everyone I know for CR vouchers!

Under my umbrella…

As I have said before… I love Autumn, love Winter fashion and well… I got to thinking about the humble umbrella. Rihanna thought they were worth a song, I definitely think they are worth a post!

A few years ago my Mum bought me one while ‘Garage Sailing’ (yes we call it that). It was a $3, cute, polka dot, navy and white umbrella that I still proudly use. I have often given umbrella’s as gifts to my Autumn or Winter baby friends as they are handy, not something you would spend your own cash on and if cute enough… you won’t forget to leave home without it!

Some online finds if you are after something a little bit special…

Gina and May

Everyday Umbrella

Oroton

ASOS

Topshop

Worth a click… many more designs to brighten up your day!

Call in the decorator…

A friend of mine is just about to move into her own place after years of share houses. A modern, brand new, two bedroom apartment with a great open plan living area and terrace with views of Melbourne. She has to make do with the furniture she already has, mainly eBay and Gumtree finds from over 3 years ago, but her taste has now changed – this is where I come in!

Over the next few weeks I will be helping her to find her style and create a home she is proud to live in with a limited budget. At this stage we have $300 in the kitty…

Task #1 REVAMP THE COUCH

Couches currently…

Dream couch…

Omega 2 Piece Lounge Suite, Harvey Norman, $2999

The current couches are comfy and considering there is no budget for a new couch and re-upholstering costs a fortune – my suggestion is to find a couch cover. Believe it or not there are some great finds that aren’t from the 90’s shabby chic days – here are some I have stumbled across that suit the couches I am working with…

Stretch Vintage Crosshatch in Chocolate, Sure Fit, $129.99

Ektorp cover, IKEA, depending on fabric from $69 to $319

House & Home Stretch Sofa Cover in Charcoal, Big W, $69

It may not look like much now but this is just step one in revamping the couches. Results to come…