I'm a design fanatic, and am always trying to make the spaces around me more beautiful. Some may not understand why I feel the need to be constantly redecorating, or why I get secretly excited when a plant dies which allows me to plant another! For me, a beautiful visual is like a delicious food!
Once I have created a new beautiful space, I feel like I have made a new beautiful space within myself.
Not only that, creating things is just good for the soul.
Here just a little snap of my favourite part of my space right now.
It has been the most amazing year at my Ecocentric Pop Up stall at Three Ropes Espresso. Parramatta City Council is making over the city and the laneway cafe has just closed.
The exciting news is that the amazing guys of the Circa group will be having me at their super cool cafe Smith on Batman Walk, Parramatta!
I'll be there from 8am - 3pm every Friday!
Check out the map to find me!
I was so happy to have Matt Carroll, better known as Hortiman visit my pop-up stall at Three Ropes in Parramatta! I love being at my stall and speaking to people from all walks to life, but a visit from the one of the leaders in the horticulture industry was really special.
For anyone who hasn't visited my stall, I am at Three Ropes Espresso cafe from 7am-2pm every Friday.
Anyone who love plants, gardening, and horticulture in general, please follow Hortiman on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram!
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| The inspiring home of Diane and Mischka, featuring the artwork of Charly Wrencher |
Last week I visited the beautiful home of my friend Diane and her cat Mischka for the first time. I first met Diane at the Rozelle Markets in Sydney, where she bought the chain of hearts Kokedama hanger, and later found out that she had begun making her own Kokedama! I was so impressed simply had to see the home of this creative woman.
The moment I walked in to her Balmain apartment, I could not stop smiling. Every wall and corner was decorated with the most incredibly beautiful and eclectic pieces, which together built a perfectly warm and whimsical style.
I am actually kicking myself for not taking a photo with Diane in it, as the style of her home is reflected in her fashion style! I'd explain it as fun, bohemian, and feminine.
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| Arwork by Charly Wrencher |
The kokedama are displayed on plates and bowls, and bring a real quirkiness and softness to the spaces.
Diane has collected art pieces from around the world. One of her favourite artists (and friend) Charly Wrencher, is based on the North Coast of NSW, and is responsible for many artworks in Diane's home, including the gorgeous large scale landscape in the living area. His works bring a beautiful texture, and sense of nature to the spaces, and helps to tell the story of Diane's life.
Thank you Diane for showing me your home. It has inspired me greatly!
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| Artwork by Charly Wrencher |
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| Rozelle Market fun! |
Rozelle Markets was so much fun on the 9th of February. It may have only been Ecocentric's 2nd ever market but it is starting to feel pretty natural!
Thanks to everyone who came along, especially to my dear friend Aimee who was my Ecocentric assistant for the day!
Some of the products included: kokedama hangers, handmade concrete planters of all shapes, hebel planters and candles, ceramic hangers, moss necklaces, succulent picture frames, and succulent hearts!
Feel free to contact me about any of these items as I make to order!
My obsession with concrete continues!
This little grey and gold gem was an experiment on making moulds out of cardboard. I am still finding the process of of using concrete really exciting and waiting for it to 'go off' makes me as impatient as a child!
Geometric planters are all the rage at the moment and I think this one came out having a sort of industrial elegance. I think I may try to do a collection of planters similar to this.
This item will be for sale at the Rozelle Markets in Sydney this Sunday the 9th of Feburary.
See you there my Ecocentric friends!
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| Tealight candle holders |
I've been experimenting Hebel, an incredible aerated concrete product. You can cut it, sculpt it, sand it... just about anything! The only downfall I can find is that it's quite brittle. I've made a pot out of hebel and out of the off-cuts I made these geometric candle holders!
I love their texture, and when they are lit, it shows even more in the little shadows it creates. These will be available at my next market stall, and already I'm wishing I could keep them!
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| My new sofa and custom cushions |
If anyone has ever gone sofa shopping you would know that they are EXPENSIVE and after days of bargain hunting I still couldn't find anything I liked that was in my price range. I was feeling very sorry for myself and just when I was going to give up on the whole idea I remembered one of my biggest beliefs:
a lack of money is no excuse for a lack of style...
... and this applies to anything. I must admit, money makes it easier to get something beautiful and if you have ever shopped with someone with a lot of money, it is very different (not gawking at spending $1000's on the smallest of items). However if you're creative and smart, and are prepared to put in some time and effort, you can have beautiful things too (not to mention the connection you will have them because you made or modified them yourself!)
I jumped on to Gumtree and found this second hand 3 piece block lounge that had the potential to be the fun comfy lounge I've always dreamed of! They cost $100 which was a bargain, even with the modifications I was planning to make. These included making big bolster cushions to run along the back of each section, and making another modular ottoman element that can be used as a chaise. The ottoman will be a future project, but the pillows have been finally completed!
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This fabulous fabric which will completely free
my colour scheme! |
In an attempt to save money and recycle, I cut open an old feather mattress topper to use the down to fill these giant cushions I had designed (which was the messiest process ever and I'm still finding feathers in surprising places!). I bought feather proof fabric called Japara to make the cushions out of and then a cotton drill with zippers for the cushion covers so I can chuck them in the wash.
I plan to make cushion covers every so often so I can change them as often as a my creative heart does!
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There is something lovely about a bolster cushion.
Who wants to be square? Seriously! |
That's something else I found interesting about lounges : people kept telling me that lounges are a long term investment so you fork out the money and keep it until you need a new one. I have too many creative whims to stick with a lounge for 10 years!
I have been having so much fun moving all the pieces around, and can't wait to have one more piece to play with once I've made the chaise. It is just all so fun, and fun is always good. Oh and I christened them yesterday... laid on them and read/slept for an entire day which is incredibly unlike me!
This project has left me really inspired, so to anyone out there feeling constrained by cost, get creative!
The inspiring home of Diane and Mischka, featuring the artwork of Charly Wrencher Last week I visited the beautiful home of my frien...
It has been the most amazing year at my Ecocentric Pop Up stall at Three Ropes Espresso. Parramatta City Council is making over the city...
I'm a design fanatic, and am always trying to make the spaces around me more beautiful. Some may not understand why I feel the need t...
Pop-Up stall at Three Ropes Espresso Parramatta, Sydney. I can't tell people enough how much I love where I live and I now have e...
Years ago I was lucky enough to work on a planting plan for an incredible architecturally designed home in Lane Cove, NSW. I worked with t...
I have had the most incredible weekend exploring our beautiful Parramatta River thanks to winning a glamping adventure on Cockatoo Island! ...
The Ecocentric domain name has changed! For years I've been wanting a better ( a lot less long and without letters doubled up) domain...
Rozelle Market fun! Rozelle Markets was so much fun on the 9th of February. It may have only been Ecocentric's 2nd ever market b...
