E-Zine Inspiration

E-Zine Issue 2 Cover Photo - Melinda Crockett-Maples

"What inspires me? books, magazines,
random things like someone's outfit,
confident women, other
creative people, and so much more!”

VERONICA
Shoppe Owner, Petunia’s Place
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5331844

"What adorns the board inspires me daily."

ERIKA MCPHERSON POWELL
Owner/Designer, Urban Grace Interiors
http://urbangrace.com/

“Old things, looking at things from a new perspective, people who aren't afraid to do it differently, imperfection."

CORI KINDRED
Artist/Blogger/Shoppe Owner
http://www.corikindred.com/

" Being around environments, objects and fabrics
that have an abundance of
color."

MICHELLE RUIZ
Author, Cher Ami
http://cheramibird.blogspot.com/

I absolutely LOVE the monthly inspiration E-Zine provides compiled by the very creative Erin over at Design For Mankind. All of the issues so far have been jam packed with beautiful photographs and quotes. I thought I'd share some of my favourite ones so far as above (I've been meaning to do this for a while now)! Thanks Erin for providing us with this beautiful online inspiration. I very much look forward to issue 4!

Happy Weekend!!

I'm signing off a day early this week as it is a public holiday here tomorrow for ANZAC day. I'm off to the beach again with my little family. I leave you with this beautiful picture of a 50 year old Wisteria tree via House Beautiful. See you next week!!

Wedding Inspiration

I'm not about to become obsessed with weddings at ABT even though I absolutely love seeing wedding images, inspirations and ideas on my favourite wedding devoted blogs such as Snippet & Ink , Style Me Pretty , Toast & Tables and Elizabeth Anne Designs. So you don't have to worry I will definitely leave it up to these lovely ladies to inspire us on the wedding side of things but these beautiful images by Mallory Samson just made me smile. This wedding is in Nantucket and wow I don't think there's much else I can say except this is 'Absolutely Beautiful'!!

A Beautiful Bouquet

What a beautiful wedding bouquet via Mallory Samson Photography via Snippet & Ink!

A Pretty Bedroom

I love this pretty bedroom - a mix of vintage furniture and lots of soft pretty colours. As the article states, the bed is actually metal but is painted to look like bentwood. A French Provencal cabinet and a Swedish writing table both serve as bedside tables. Flower paintings by late Australian Artist Justin O'Brian sit on each side table. I LOVE this room. Click on image to enlarge.

Image taken from Australian Vogue Living Sept/Oct 2006

Another Thank you!

Today is turning out to be Thank you Day!! I would also like to thank Mrs Potter for the lovely post she did on Black & Spiro this week. Mrs Potter lives in Melbourne and actually visited Black & Spiro while she was in Queensland a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately I wasn't there to meet her but she took lots of photos so head on over to her blog to check them out!! Thanks also for the lovely gift you left me Mrs P! Click HERE to read the post.

Image via Icklemissus' photos at Flickr

Soft & Serene

Australian rug designer and importer Robyn Cosgrove's New South Wales Southern Highlands retreat is so pretty, graceful and serene. I particularly love her all white attic bedroom with the touch of pale pink which she says was inspired by the pale Savonnerie-design carpet from Romania. I also love the pink and white rhododendrons which frame the driveway and the white cottage - such a pretty and welcoming entry to this lovely home. Images via Australian Vogue Living.

Pretty Vintage Art

A pretty cluster of vintage paintings in Australian Fashion Designer, Alannah Hill's home via Australian Vogue Living caught my eye today as I was flicking through old magazines in my library at Black & Spiro. I thought I'd share it with you above.

Thank you!

Flowers by Melbourne Florist Pollon

A little thank you to Holly {Decor8} for the lovely mention in her post today over at Real Simple. It's so lovely to have been included in her daily reads list. Decor8 continues to inspire so many people all over the world. Holly's passion for the design industry and her energetic spirit is evident on a daily basis with her wonderful posts not only at Decor8 but also now at Real Simple. Thank you once more Holly for your interest in Absolutely Beautiful Things!!

A Pretty {Kitchen} Collection

A collection of pretty French metal tea pots and coffee pots creates a gorgeous focal point in this kitchen via House Beautiful.

Blog Browsing

After being away for a few days I had a lot of blog browsing to catch up on. One post which I really loved was by Habitually Chic on Ralph Lauren. She has featured lots of beautiful pictures of his Bedford, New York home. It is definitely worth a click of your mouse in Habitually Chic's direction. After I read the post this morning I actually emailed this picture above of his pool and pool house to my mum and as I said in the email to her my house is literally the size of his pool house and in actual fact it reminds me very much of my little house but of course without the huge grounds and huge pool and huge house just nearby!!

More Kitchen Love!!

Do tell me if you are tiring of my 'Kitchen Love' posts but I just keep on finding such beautiful images I feel I need to share with you! These ones above are from House Beautiful. Enjoy!

Vignette Perfection!

I love this beautiful vignette via House Beautiful. Such a great collection of things and so beautifully put together!

By The Seaside

Look at this beautiful historic piece of federation architecture by the seaside in Sorrento, Victoria currently for sale via realestate.com. So beautiful!!

I'm heading to the beach for a few days with my son as it is school holidays here. I'll be back early next week. Bye for now!!

Fabulous Find of the Week!

I wish I had a spot to put this gorgeous girl! An original 1930s French poster advertising the official tour of the Parisian Folies-Bergère cabaret. Such beautiful vibrant colours! Snap it up at Miguel Meirelles.

Recycle - Old Is New Again

I love to recycle old pieces of furniture by recovering them in a gorgeous fabric, re-staining or repainting the legs and even changing some of the detailing like I have on the above chair. I decided to replace the gathered arm detail on this chair with face and piping detail - a little less fussy. Before you buy a new piece of furniture consider updating an old piece as I think it adds a little bit of difference to your home and the best thing of all is that you are bringing life back into an old piece which you may have otherwise disposed of.

Today I Love...

Here are some beautiful images from Shoot Factory...more white backgrounds with sumptuous 'things' hung on walls and placed on old bits of furniture!

Simply Pretty

Such a pretty image from Living Etc. I love the old white painted chest of drawers and the collection of special things on display. The old mannequin proves to be a great idea for hanging jewellery and accessories on and I just love the beautiful fresh flowers. So pretty!!

India Hicks

I never tire of seeing India's absolutely beautiful house so I thought I'd post these fresh images as featured in Domino. Clear evidence that white on white on white with bursts of colour here and there, mixing of furniture styles and collections of special things on display truly works!! Enjoy!!

Photo by Miguel Flores-ViannaJune/July 2007 as featured in Domino magazine

There Are No Rules...

I know Drew Barrymore's Flower Films 'un-offices' (decorated by Ruthie Sommers) have been featured by lots of other bloggers over the last couple of weeks but I just had to post this little snippet of the article which I loved...

When asked about her favorite piece in the office, Barrymore says, "I believe you can combine anything. I feel there are no rules."

Definitely a woman after my own heart!!

Photo by Stewart Shining April 2008 as featured in Domino Magazine