White Rules in a Modern Farmhouse

Sometimes a home needs no explanation, it simply speaks for itself and this chic farmhouse does it so elegantly.

A South African Home With French Flair - See inside this lovely home, decorated in French country style

At first glance, you could easily mistake this pretty cottage for a home in France, however, this French inspired home is actually located in South Africa. I did try to trace it back to its original source to find out more information, unfortunately the link was broken, so all I know is its location. It is clear to see however, by its French influence that the owners love this style.

Home Inspiration No. 1/2014 - Recipes, DIY & Interiors

I mentioned in my New Years post, I plan to stay on a strict gluten free diet in the future. Often gluten free substitutes can be a little bland, so I am looking out for tasty gluten free recipes and sharing a couple of cookie recipes I discovered this week. I also spotted some inspiring DIY homeware and a few gorgeous white interiors. 

Links to instructions and recipes can be found below the images.

Above: Delicious, chewy gluten free chocolate chip cookies...recipe at Anders Ruff

Gooey, Dark Chocolate Fudge Cookies.....Recipe & image by Emily K

 I love these dip dyed stools, spotted at Lady Inspiration

DIY cement coasters and tea lights..... Instructions at My Life Box

White interiors can appear a little stark, it is important therefore to soften them. Natural wood, linens, a little pattern and colour by way of small prints can help soften the appearance of a white room. These inspiring white interiors below are all beautifully balanced, and far from stark...

Image sources 1|2|3|4

Next week I am excited to be sharing my first interior photo shoot, a traditional NZ bungalow with a European style interior. 

If you enjoy this style of post and you want to see lots more lovely recipe, DIY and interiors from last year, please visit my 'Weekly Inspiration Posts'.

Lee oxo

Sharing this post at the following blog parties

I should be Mopping the Floor
Alderberry Hill

The Dedicated House

A Stroll Thru Life

DIY Showoff

Savvy Southern Style

Not Just A Housewife

No Minimalist Here

The Real Housewives of Riverton

Stylist/Photographer Paulina Arcklin and her latest shoot for Tutze store

I've decided I have been spending  a little too much time writing 'long' posts lately, so this post will be short and sweet. Sweet is definitely Paulina Arcklin, originally from Finland and now based in Amsterdam, Paulina is a stylist and photographer who loves to mix white with touches of grey and black. Paulina quotes her own style as... "A mix of new and industrial and now also a little bit ethnic, with white and a little bit of grey and black." Recently Paulina ran a workshop at Tutze Store and took these fabulous shots below. Tutze Store have many lovely products so you might want to pop over and do a little window shopping. I think Paulina's clever styling and photography showcase their products wonderfully don't you.

 I love this overdyed rug

 The black and white pots are gorgeous

The black heart prints are really effective

I keep seeing desk lamps everywhere - this one is a little different to the ones  I have seen in NZ stores.

 Those gorgeous pots again

I wish I could see this store first hand, its so beautiful

If you have time definitely pop over to Paulina's website or visit her Facebook page to see more fabulous photos.

All images above are copyright to Paulina, please do not alter her images in any way. Copyright information is available on Paulina's blog.

Contemporary Beach House

I am not a minimalist at heart, I also like to bring some colour and pattern into my home, however should I happen to own a beach house like the one below in Clifton, Cape Town,  I am pretty sure I could happily live there without changing too much. 

Images Source: jjlocations

Swedish Style Interior - White & Bright

Sharing a white, bright, stylish apartment in Sweden.  White walls and vaulted ceilings always create an immense feeling of space and are fabulous for showing off artwork. Unlike some white interiors appearing rather clinical, the designer has added personality and warmth by adding the Persian rug with its rich colours and pattern.. The accent cushions, aged leather pouffe (footstool), and other leather furnishings balance the overall look.  Who would have thought, stacked magazines and a medley of pictures could end up a stylish corner (image 3). This lovely interior has personality and order, and for me is a winner!

Image source:  Alvhem Makleri & Interior

Hope you all had a lovely week, praying our windy NZ weather will go away and Spring sunshine abound.

White, Bright and Shabby Chic Part 1

You either "love it or loathe it!", shabby chic look that is. However, with this house even if its not your style, I guarantee there is at least one image you'll love.  As there's lots of images I want to share with you, this post will be in two parts with part two Friday.  

This three storey Georgian town house is situated in a small walled garden. I love the white painted wooden floors in the living area, these also work well in coastal interiors. I also like the kitchen cabinets, especially those chunky handles they help give it that "solid feeling", there is nothing worse than flimsy kitchen handles. Would love to hear what you like about this home?

dont forget to come back Friday to see more images and details of this unique home.

A little more shabby chic...

Shabby Chic with touches of blue

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I Should Be Mopping the Floor

Lee oxo

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Poppy 

Its snowing - white Interiors

Well, what can I say but Wow!, it snowed in Auckland yesterday, apparently the first time for 79 years. I was sitting at my desk working when I saw what first appeared to be small hail stones. However, they were not falling heavy like hail but drifting down slowly, next minute the drifts increased  and suddenly I realised it was snowing in Mission Bay, Auckland.  I was literally astounded but smiled and rushed for my camera.  Unfortunately the snow melted as soon as it touched any surface and my photos are sadly not clear enough to post on my blog. I have decided however, to keep with the "white" theme today and posting some inspiring white interiors with a little touch of colour to some of them.

 white on white

 greys on white - love the framed photos on the wall, I intend to do similar in my hall with the prints I purchased from Faux Kiss

I love the country classic look of this room - searching for a similar coffee table for my living room

white with a touch of "natural"

white with a touch of shabby chic - The Peony, my favourite flower attracted me to this room