Fjall :: Falls Creek, Victoria, Australia

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to stay in Falls Creek and do some skiing which is one of my favourite outdoor activities.

As I am always on the hunt for unique places to stay I could not help myself to tell you about Fjall Ski Lodge in Falls Creek. This luxury alpine lodge with interiors designed by Hecker, Phelan & Guthrie brings a strong sense of nature and the outdoors inside with a subtle reference to the Scandinavian interior design style. 

Their palette uses a mix of oak timber floors, custom designed oak timber joinery softened with a palette of charcoal, white, black and pale grey fabrics and upholstery. They also keep to an Australian made focus with their beds and ottomans made by Jardan.

images by Peter Bennetts

These rooms certainly provide a sense of calm and balance reflecting the landscape that surrounds this lodge. If you are interested in staying at Falls Creek for your next Ski holiday, click here for further details on the Fjall Ski Lodge. Have fun.

Small bathroom design ideas :: Vessel basins

I am still looking for a recyled bathroom vanity unit but in the mean time I have stumbled across these lovely vessel basins. These basins sit entirely above counter and can make an attractive detail to any small bathroom. We are all used to the white ceramic variety but they can also be made from bamboo, copper or stone (travertine or marble).

These are just a few that I have found recently.

bamboo basin image via stone forest

image via decorfair

images via colours of Mexico

images via china sink & treasures of old Mexico

I may now have to revise my previous white china selection as these are so full of character. Have fun.

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Balinese day spa :: Ikatan Day Spa, Noosa, Qld, Australia

One of the many things that I love about my work as an interior designer is that I get the opportunity to research unique places and experiences.

One of my favorite locations to travel through and research is Bali. Back in England I use to dream of travelling to tropical Bali and now that I live in Australia Bali is in easy reach. I found the culture, the people and the places I stayed truly amazing.

So can you image my surprise when I discovered a small piece of Bali within a two hour drive from Brisbane. A few years back when I was looking for a venue for my wedding I discovered Ikatan Balinese Day Spa located just outside Noosa.

Ikatan is an authentic Balinese day spa offering body treatments with natural ingredients and massages in pavilions and villlas set within mature tropical private gardens.

The style of architecture is very similar to the spa environment you will find in Bali. Even the interior decoration, cushions, fabrics, timber bowls, garden decor, doors and window frames have all been imported direct form Bali.

images courtesy of Ikatan

I believe the experience is truly authentic and the closest I have experienced to Balinese body treatments and massages outside of Bali.

If you are looking for a wedding venue or a place to escape to for a few hours I can highly recommend Ikatan. All you need to do is book in and leave your children and mobiles behind! Have fun.

Searching for tiles & small basins

The hunt for bathroom tiles and small hand basins has begun...

I am looking for small tiles to balance a larger tile size for the small bathroom. Using small tiles balanced with a larger tile can add an extra detail to a room size which does not allow much space to add many details. 

I have also decided on a slim oval hand basin to sit on a recycled vanity unit and will be going to look around Brisbane's reclaim yards tomorrow for a piece of furniture that can be used for the vanity and also provide some much needed storage. Have fun.

Small bathroom design ideas

This week I will be starting on the design of what I consider to be one of the hardest rooms to design in the home, a bathroom. It is not a large bathroom but a very small bathroom. These rooms can be quite complex.

This bathroom needs to have more storage space, a bath and shower and appear larger than it is! The room also needs to be feel comfortable and not too cold, a space to enjoy a good soak in a bath.

I have started with looking for a few inspirational images and styles that will suit this type of bathroom.

image via phorm interiors

image via better living through design 

Have fun.

Abseiling :: Mt Tinbeerwah, Nr Noosa, Queensland

Have ever wondered what and an Interior Designer gets up to when they are not designing?

Well I will let you into a little secret. My husband and I set off very earlier this morning for a 2 hr drive to Mt Tinbeerwah near Noosa. Here we joined Jane from Adventures Around Brisbane for a full day of abseiling from the top of Mt Tinbeerwah. Now I am fine with rock climbing but have never been too overjoyed with abseiling. However, with fantastic views of the Sunshine Coast and expert guidance and tuition from Jane all my fears passed away. I can honestly say that jumping off 20m, 35m and then 50m cliff faces was an amazing experience!

Its quite hard to appreciate the height from these photos but trust me it was high!

Thank you so much Joe, Joanne, Tracey and Megan for a truly amazing birthday present. Loved it... A fantastic day :)

Dickebusch :: Patonga, NSW, Australia

I have had my eye on staying at this lovely weatherboard beach house cottage in Patonga for some time now as I was inspired by the use of restored, collectable and unique designed furniture.

Situated 80 minutes north of Sydney in the quiet fishing village of Patonga this cottage has been lovingly restored by a couple who own their own furniture and design company called Koskela.

Their brief was to create a beach house with warmth, texture and a lived-in vibe.

A warm feel has been created by using recycled timber floor boards, exposing the existing ceiling beams and using an old recycled timber shop counter to create an additional kitchen bench.

images courtesy of Koskela & photographer Anson Smart

Instead of buying from a furniture showroom, the Koskela team created unique pieces of furniture specifically to suit their beach house, like these hand-woven cane light fittings above the dining area. Natural fabrics like jute and linen were chosen for the cushions, upholstery and curtains.

If you fancy staying in this beautiful beach side cottage click here for booking details. 

What is your favourite beach side cottage? Have fun.