Pocket Size

Having grown up in a tiny house and lived in a variety of cubby holes in London, it’s fair to say I have spent most of my life in very small houses. Apart from the obvious nuances – lack of privacy, lack of storage, lack of space, there is a genuine comfort and cosiness that exists between those four walls. I think even if money was no object for me, I’d likely go for the small and pretty, rather than than the palatial mansion. If you ever needed convincing, take a look at this little pocket-sized (540 square foot) home on Sauvie Island, an agricultural island on the Columbia River 15 minutes north of Portland.  My Pinterest boards are no stranger to several of these rooms but I had yet to see the whole house, laid out in all it’s beauty. Abundant light, clever storage, open plan rooms – they’ve thought just about everything to get that feeling of space and comfort. Read more about it here…

Images via Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

The Changing Colours of the Ocean

That ocean. It’s become our favourite television programme. We can sit transfixed for great lengths of time, just watching it be. On a day like today, it’s a deep navy colour, interspersed with frothy white horses as the wind works it’s menace. Yesterday it was as smooth as glass, almost blindingly bright when the sun popped up behind it. And on Tuesday, just before another storm, it was so dark and angry that it looked almost black, and remained that way for 3 days straight. It’s changing colours and patterns has left me curious to know more about it. For those who share my curiosity, this article explains the colour and changes far better than I could.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Summer Ready

I'm losing the battle to have a perfect summer haven on our balcony. For whatever reason, our little suburb of Sydney has bore the brunt of the spring storms. Plant pots are repeatedly smashed, soil then turns to mud and everything is covered in a fine layer of building dust from the development next door - oh and should I mention the colony of moths that have taken up residence in every nook and cranny and scare the bejeezus out of me when I water the plants. But I continue to persevere - every Saturday I plump the outside cushions, sweep the dust and try (in vain) to rescue the plants I continue to viciously murder with my black thumbs. In a perfect world, it would look a little something like this...

Summer Ready by meghan174 featuring garden flower pots

Weishäupl rectangular outdoor umbrella
$820 - connox.com

OKA all weather patio furniture
$840 - okadirect.com

Outdoor garden furniture
homedecorators.com

Authentics garden flower pot
$110 - madeindesign.co.uk

Garden Trading herb garden planter
$88 - amara.com

Garden Trading outside wall light
$72 - design55online.co.uk

CB2 outdoor string party light
cb2.com

ModCloth Nautical Maritime for a Picnic Plate Set
modcloth.com

HAY polka dot home decor
$110 - connox.com

Off white furniture
laylagrayce.com

Unplug, Switch Off

Living on the beach has helped alleviate the general angst and stress that comes naturally from city life. Despite our new laid back lives, there is no escaping apartment living, endless traffic jams and overcrowded shopping malls. There is nothing better than hopping in the car, finding that secluded cottage hidden amongst the trees (sans mobile phone reception) and just switching off for the weekend. 

Images | Wishful Thinking

The Mighty Clog

I may or may not have a problem with purchasing excessive footwear. It’s a mild addiction that I am sure many of you can relate to. Care to indulge it with me? If so, then stick around because I am posting some eye candy of my new favourite obsession – clogs. I’ve been swooning over many a pair, but specifically, I am coveting these pretties from Free People

And just because I couldn’t resist it. It’s a wall of clogs!

Backyard Adventures

When we received news that our Australian visas were granted last year, the first (of many) major worries was where the hell would we stay when we got there. We knew almost nobody, had never visited before, were jobless and had few precious dollars in the bank account. Many evenings of fraught research later, we came across a little studio above a garage in Maroubra on Airbnb. This little studio quite literally saved our bacon. Being affordable, close to the city for commuting to interviews and hosts with insider knowledge gave us the best possible start to our new lives in Sydney. Airbnb is now my first stop when we need somewhere to stay. Your choice is endless, your options are affordable and in my experience, your hosts are always friendly. If you have never used it before, I urge you to give it a go. If you need any motivation, take a look at this cute little 60s camper located in the Nashville backyard of J. Wes.

Here is the listing on Airbnb – but I found the original post here on Remodelista