.
Portia
.
Hey APJ,
Do you ever read something that may or may not be related to anything in your life particularly and suddenly you feel as if this writer has taken an iron to the wrinkly thinking in your head and smoothed it out in one fell swoop? So that happened for me this week. I have been following, and reading, Design Sponge for years. It’s a great drop in design blog that feels so unpretentious and sensible, while still bringing me mind blowing ideas in a short burst of inspiration.
Actually, I think these guys are the ones who took me out of trying to create Belle, Vogue Living and IKEA rooms. They helped me to understand that the things in my home have to work for my very specific mindset and life. Hardly an earth shattering epiphany, and ultimately a very first world problem, but it has made decorating my space infinitely easier.
You might notice below that Jin is sleeping in our bed. I had to sneak in and get this shot while he was snoring his heart out.
It has allowed me to really think about my eclectic mix of new, old, gifted, collected & hand me down and then how I can best fit it all into a home. Especially now that I’m sharing that home with an equal contender and pets.
Sorry for the light reflections.
TBH though Jin is happy as long as he has a huge TV with as many channel choices and extras as possible, a big comfortable couch with a table of some sort in front for food, a good mattress on the bed, functioning kitchen and a compact, easy clean bathroom. He has brought a few art pieces on our travels that adorn walls and has loads of kitchen gadgets but seriously, he would be happy in a bachelor flat with bed for couch.
Jin built me the coat rack and photo rail in our hallway. Our combined family, closest friends and a couple of superstar autographs welcome you to our home. I love it so much.
This is just some of the stuff we have hanging on the walls. They date from the 1960s and my parents choices to 21st century. It’s mainly Australian but there are a Liz Zorn, Dali and Greg Spalenka from overseas, among others.
Anyway, the reason I’m telling you all this is so you can go check this piece in Design Sponge. It will take you about 5 minutes to read and could well change the way you live. Or not……
You’re welcome,
Portia xx
Australian Perfume Junkies 
My basic rule of decorating is that if you love the art/furniture/decoration then it will work in the house! 🙂 Enjoying looking through Design Sponge. They did an article on a Seattle restaurant (Bar Sajor) which had the most beautiful interior. My dream condo interior would like something like this 🙂
LikeLike
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it ElizabethC,
It’s a simple daily dose of beauty.
I’ll go find that piece.
Portia xx
LikeLike
Thanks for this Portia!
LikeLike
Ooohh! I really like the picture rail, coat peg combo Jin built. He’s so talented. Didn’t he once make you a cabinet or set of shelves for your perfumes? How’s he doing these days? Sending you both, some more love.
This is a great article. I have a very lived in house. My father-in-law used to say that if someone was bothered by your messy house, then they didn’t have to visit. Love and miss that man every day.
Also had one interior designer tell me I shouldn’t paint my walls any color other than shades of white, cream or ivory because I would get tired of the color after a while. Almost 15 years later, I’m finally thinking of changing all the different non-white colors I painted this house.
LikeLike
Hey Tatiana,
The picture & coat rail is a wonder of modern design. Jin is a superstar in that department. Yes, he built me the PERFECT sized cupboard for my frag collection (back then, now I need another, he he he)
Yeah, almost all property we have is 1/2 Hogsbristle walls and 1/8 Hogsbristle doors with white ceilings. We have so much on the walls that a colour would only interfere.
Jin is currently in cocoon mode. He’s been working, TV watching, sleeping and eating. I’m trying to get him out and about but it’s an uphill battle. He will be fine though, this is all part of his healing.
Thanks for asking.
Portia xx
LikeLike
I love that you have a partner who does/makes stuff for you. I used to have one of those but not any more and i miss his input etc. 😦 Anyhow that’s a beautiful empty gilt frame in the bedroom. You have urged me to go looking in the Yard shop to see if i can find a lovely item like that and group some frames and photos together. thanks! Its always nice to get ideas from others. x
LikeLike
Hey Pats,
Yeah, Jin is worth his weight in gilt.
That frame was from a Palace in India. We sadly got to the most famous of the Jaipur onsellers shops the week after Richard Gere had cleaned them out and it was the ONLY thing left that I loved. It’s really special and getting it back to Australia was a complete nightmare.
Glad to help.
Portia xxx
LikeLike