still life photography

These are some of the items I bought at that car boot sale way back in June - finally got around to creating some still life around the house (actually they are all shot in my bedroom where I have an original mantelpiece). Both my grandmothers' china features in the shots too. I learnt how tricky the lighting is - need to work on that one!
Edit: I have added a filter to the photos (2nd of each) which makes them much more interesting!

lovely photo

I love the outfit and styling in this image. The lady in the photo is top food stylist Deborah Kaloper, photographed by talented Australian photographer, Sharyn Cairns. I found this image on The Design Files in the interview with Deb Kaloper. Everything from the deep ink blue in the shirt Deb's wearing to the entire styling of the shot and the depth and quality of this image are amazing.

chequered tile floors

This is something I've been saving to fill the gaps in my blogging routine. Chequered tile floors! They look good in almost any style of kitchen (or hallway) and really give a lift to the space. My fav is 2 down, with the green walls.

top 3 apartment therapy

cocozy

country living

unknown

eric roth

houzz

lettered cottage

living etc

design sponge

robert polidori

country living

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

I finally made it there today, with only 3 days to go until it closes for this year. It was the first time I've gone to the Summer Exhibition, and I felt I should go, as there's always such a big deal about it in the media. As it is an open submission exhibition, there's a wide mix of styles and disciplines from emerging and established artists, including Academicians themselves. It was good to finally go. I hope to see Sargent and the Sea there too, before it ends.

gorgeous garden design

We have finally laid new grass in our backyard (for the third time since moving here 5 years ago) with a new path and widened flower beds for me to fill with whatever I feel like! With my head full of gardening ideas, I love this from Firmdale's Kit Kemp and Bloomsbury Flowers.

(words and images from firmdale):
'Firmdale Hotels have received a SILVER GRENFELL award for their POTTING SHED DREAM.  Firmdale Hotels was asked to create a stand at this years CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW along with Bloomsbury Flowers who create all of the floral displays for each of the London Firmdale Hotels. The brief was an Afternoon Tea Extravaganza. The display was created by Kit Kemp, Design Director/owner of Firmdale Hotels in collaboration with Stephen Wicks and Mark Welford of Bloomsbury Flowers. Imagine you have invited your great uncle to tea at your country house and after a long walk in the garden you find yourself in the potting shed where afternoon tea is served.'

colourful rooms

Sorry I haven't been around these last couple of weeks - I had almost decided to completely abandon my blog as I just couldn't find any inspiration to blog about.... luckily my lack of inspiration was short lived! But to keep myself sane I'll probably blog less frequently than before - there are just too many other things I need to focus on, including painting without distraction.

Anyway, enough of the self-interest... these colourful rooms are from the September issue of Living etc. I think I may need to subscribe to that magazine!