Le'llo

Ikea is the "it" place for crafty cut out ice cube trays. They bring out new ones for each festive season, as well as their standard hearts, stars and the like. I love that Lego has bitten the bullet and are doing their own version - little Lego men floating in your Pimms is too choosy! And if you're going the whole hog and entertaining a few, try whipping the Lego Salt and Pepper grinders out as something different. Those little things always please, and make an interesting convo starter when things get awkward. Available online for $9.99 AUD and $7.99 AUD respectively.

Legomen Ice Cubes

Lego Salt&Pepper Grinders Lego gets cooler with The Cool Hunter

Zing

I love a house filled with art, and this one sure doesn't disappoint. Melbourne artist and Outre Gallery manager Gemma Jones has the most beautiful and eclectic combinations happening in her personal space and I couldn't help but lift these so that I could share her clash-and-smash view of how it all works together. I have a mental fascination with anything that has touches of fluro-luxe combined with pastel so this is like a dream home!

"Shoot" by Richard Lindner


"Bird Filled Sky" by Tim Biskup


"Abstract Paining" by Linda Carol


"Shaggs and Goose" by Rona Green

Milanoooo

It's funny as I look back over the past year, through the history of what was MoHo and what is now my own little space of random mumbles, and see some pretty consistent interests and passion when it comes to certain products. I think that its testament to the fact that I love a simple, straight living environment, spiced up in areas that you wouldn't expect to see. Beautiful armchairs, interesting lighting fixtures, stoneware and cutlery. To most, its idiotic... until you think about the way that you feel and the appreciation, once you are involved (by accident or purpose) in the everyday use of something beautiful.

If I was remotely organised, I would've gotten my smarts together and packed up for some Italian spring, to participate in, and source my own goodness at the Public Design Festival which has just wrapped up in Milano. Instead I'm relying on checking incredibly beautiful product shots that are floating back from the event.

Seletti "Midas" Cutlery
In a time where many wrap sleek silver, or steel into the 'modern' bundle, I love the matte finish gold on these, which actually blends with modern or classic china better than stark silver. And while it may be on point to think that your nan had gold cutlery, combined with a stunning stemless wineglass, candle-low-light and Heston inspired meal, I don't think you can say there is anything old about these.

Carved up naturally

Such a sucker for anything made from natural resource. And in a kitchen, I’m obsessive about the juxtaposition of hard materials vs. soft materials. Nothing beats a singular bare brick wall, the smooth lines of stainless steal, and a timber floor. And then accents like these.

Made from natural charcoal slate quarried from the hills of Pennsylvania USA these beautiful serving boards are a distinctively different way to present finger-lickin’ good crudités to your guests… or as a special way to treat yourself.

Each board is hand shaped, washed and sealed – with the natural character preserved in unfinished edges… which you’d want if your platters were a million years in the making.

I-KeKeKe-A

Not only is it one of our fave places on earth - Scando design, rows and rows of product with white and black labels, all squarish and the like - but Ikea sure does know how to rock out a marketing tactic.

Check out their new "Come into the Closet" microsite. Its true - everyone DOES love a little song and dance to sell a product!

If you're in ol' Sydney-Town head on down to the CarriageWorks (245 Wilson Street Eveleigh NSW 2015 - Corner of Codrington Street) and check out the THE IKEA HOME PROJECT which marks the 30th anniversary of the KLIPPAN sofa. Check out 31 one-off cover designs whipped up by some of Aussies' coolest designers - which are all up for auction (all proceeds go to the Victorian Bushfire Relief effort).

Specials to note include: Agatha Gothe-Snape's, the collaboration between Del Kathryn Barton and the Romance Was Born kids (yo A.P. - shout out!), husband and wife team Lindy Lee and Robert Scott-Mitchell's plus Stewert Russell for Spacecraft.

Masai. I spy.

People often let their eyes wander and catch on colour. A blue sky. A pink flower. A green bottle. A tanned limb. Sometimes, we get touched by the monochromatic, which is so powerful that it takes your breath away.

On a simple, clean, straight lined sofa, we'd like to see these little pups. A silk and linen mix, these Be Still Ikat design cushions make us want to scream with beauty. Ikat (or Ikkat) is an ancient style of weaving that uses a resit dyeing technique (think tie dye) on the materials before they are woven together. The mix of culture and tradition, fused with a modern look attracts us to these beauties.

In some beautiful, crazy way, these cushions are like life. The manufacturing process personifies growth and life, and the beautiful grace of it. The feel - smooth and silky - personifies the natural energy flow that every single person should embody every day to get there. Ikigai.

Spoony

Someone once said (on Facebook) "nothing beats a hard boiled egg". The fact that Marie Claire and Donna Hay both offer full pages to this gastron-erific delight is probably testament to the fact.

Sarah Petherick (Bridge Farm, High Street, Butleigh - Somerset BA6 8SYUK, 01458 850430. E: info@sarahpetherick.co.uk) makes eating eggs beautiful with contemporary, hand carved eggy spoons. Fusing classic design, with a contemporary twist, Pethericks fine arts background shines through. Being totally natural products (horn, bone and rose wood) each piece needs to be treated with special care and attention.

Each eggy spoon also features an egg detail on the end - exactly what you need if you have a specialised instrument for such a fine boiled art.

And to make the experience even MORE special - hook up the beautiful solid rosewood eggcup (with salt bowl). Such a tickle!

Follow your heart and love the pretty

Oh so many special little announcements floating around us at the moment! Babies being born, babies being expected, rings on fingers... its an exciting time and we're so happy that we get to share these special, life changing moments with our beautiful, beautiful friends.

Making these monumental events special for you and your loved one is so important. Adding a little bit of who you are, a personalised touch, into your event will make so many more memories for you. And letting the people around you share in that, only adds to the excitement. Why not let your friends share their hopes, dreams and wishes for you and your future. Some beautiful ways to consider below...

The "Wishes" Book - whether your expecting a baby, celebrating an engagement, a wedding, or even a special birthday why not switch things up with a beautiful art piece that will not only add to the day, but you can keep forever. Perfect for babies first birthday, or even as a wedding centrepiece, have each friend write their hopes for you on a Dandelion and then pop it in the base for a gorg display.



Having tea is so cute and lovely thing to do with the girls. Either relaxed in your lounge room, on a winter night, or out in a sunny field with an icy cold version, the benefits of drinking tea are outstanding. For the next special tea event, or even to make any other day special, get your paws on these Personalised Tea Bags. Each teabag is customized with a label that says the tea-blend date and a monogram. Bless.