Recycled driftwood Christmas tree

If you are looking for an alternative to the traditional Christmas tree or going away and need a portable tree how about these eco-friendly tree options.

image via All about you

Just gather a few pieces of driftwood and create your tree. Instructions to create this lovely tree can be found at All about you.

Alternatively you can purchase these from Folksy and Karen Miller of Devon Driftwood Designs.

image via Folksy

image via Devon Driftwood Designs

What a great idea for a coastal Christmas holiday or beachside holiday home. This now gives me some time to find enough drift wood for next year. Have fun.

Balinese beach house :: Noosa, Qld, Australia

In keeping with a coastal Christmas and looking for places to stay I would like to show you this amazing place that my family and I stayed at a few years back when I got married. I am unable to take credit for finding this house as it was presented to us by our wedding planner Kim from Events of Noosa, after requesting a house that would suit all our requirements and a place where we could hear and see the beach from...

Now I know it has a Balinese theme, which after arriving from England was amazing for us newbie's to Australia, but what attracted us to stay was the design of the pole home and its amazing location to Sunshine Beach.

To this day I still remember the thunderous sound of the waves crashing against the beach below echoing throughout the house. Just amazing!

images via Richardson & Wrench

The house is perfect for entertaining with two ocean view decks and a huge split level open plan living area. The white washed timber floor boards, high pitched ceilings and exposed timber beams really do give you that magical coastal interior feel.

Its location is nestled in the hillside above Sunshine Beach and can be booked through Richardson & Wrench in Noosa.

If you have any favourite costal properties or retreats you have stayed at I would love to hear about them. Have fun.

Christmas decoration ideas :: By the beach

It's been a mad few days preparing for Christmas. We shall be staying by the beach and with lots of things still to gather, purchase and prepare for I have selected a few images for Christmas decorating ideas to keep me inspired.

image via a beach cottage

images via the white company, costal living & pinterest 

Have fun.

Bathroom lighting ideas :: Moroccan and Turkish lamps

The holidays are now here and so I have a little extra time to spend on finishing things off around my own home. Tasks for this week include finding a reclaimed vanity unit and some mood lighting ideas for the bathroom.

In keeping with the Christmas spirit and looking for mood lighting for relaxing in the bathroom I am considering hanging a Moroccan or Turkish light. We have quite high ceilings so there should be enough space to hang a lamp and the light, shadows and colour cast should look great on the walls.

After a little searching I have found a few lamps that I quite like...

white wave design, just moroccan, this next, palmyra design & lush lighting

I have also remembered that I have a few lamps from Turkey in storage under the house that I purchased once in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul a few years ago. I will have to search for those and see what condition that are still in. Have fun.

Rae's on Wategos :: Byron Bay, NSW, Australia

My Father has now arrived safely from a rather chilly English climate which marks the start of my Christmas Holiday... Yipeee.

I am looking forward to showing my Father around Queensland and New South Wales incuding Sydney and so I have been researching places to visit and stay during December and January.

One of my favorite areas to visit from Brisbane is the Byron Bay area and beautiful Wategos beach. The beach is set in a small cove with Mount Warning (a great trek) and Julian Rocks (a great dive site) in the distance.

Set slightly back from the beach is a beautiful eclectic spa retreat called Rae's on Wategos. I have had the pleasure to dine here a few times but have never stayed as yet.

The architecture and interiors can best be described as an eclectic mix of Mediterranean, Moroccan and Asia influences and details. Each room is individually styled with a mix of courtyards, gardens terraces and balconies overlooking the beach.

The rooms have a mix of Moroccan tiled floors, built-in seating and tables, rattan chairs, beautiful timber four poster beds with linen drapes, eclectic furniture and lighting and an assortment of ceramic plant pots.

Rae's on Wategos

Byron Bay images

One day I hope to stay at this beautiful retreat... Have fun.

Hand printed organic fabrics :: Thea & Sami

It has been a mad weekend as we are sorting out our house in preparation for Christmas and the arrival of my father who is coming to stay with us. So what better time than to sort out our guest bedroom.

A few weeks back I met up with Thea from Thea & Sami at her amazing screen printing and design studio. Thea & Sami create hand printed natural and organic fabrics and homewares products.

I fell in love with these natural linen peacock cushions. As the national bird of India they reminded me of my past travels through Rajasthan and North India. They now have a new home in our guest bedroom.

Thea they look wonderful. Thank you...

Green T. House :: Beijing, China

I know I have strayed from Australia here but I am a keen tea drinker and I have stumbled upon the Green T. House and Spa in Beijing. Created by artist, entrepreneur and tea lover JinR, the Green T. House is a "tea experience". A creative and relaxing community in a natural, simple and elegantly designed interior that mixes together dining, music, art, spa and minimalist architecture alongside the traditional tea ceremony.

images via Green T House

There is a delightful mix of pure finishes and natural materials like bleached timber, limestone and crafted doors and screens alongside JinR's artwork and beautifully restored furniture.

Being a tea drinker living in a coffee drinking country I would love to see a tea and spa concept like this over here. It seems like a wonderful place to escape to for rest, relaxation, inspiration and restoration of traditions that are in danger of being lost in our fast paced lives. This one is definitely on my list of visits. Have fun.