A Spring Afternoon at Home

A spring afternoon in our apartment.  While this photo was taken a few months ago I can't help looking back at it and remembering how warm and cosy it was at home in the afternoon.  Being almost summer by now the sun has moved in the sky and the play of light is not quite as dramatic.  I can't wait for Autumn to come again - just for moments like these.

The Sartorialist

It is so difficult once you walk in to Folio Books to walk out without a purchase, especially if you happen to virtually live across from the store! If money was no object I would buy all the beautiful books in there. However, that being wishful thinking I was content enough to leave yesterday with a copy of Scott Schuman's recently published The Sartorialist based on his cult following blog of the same moniker. So many cool people, so many cool outfits!

Osborne & Little

Our Osborne & Little wallpaper has finally arrived! Can't wait to have it installed and see it properly. We like the simple metallic gold foliage and brightly coloured bird motifs. We wanted something botanical but not floral or too orderly. This has a good balance of repetition and randomness I think!

Missoni at Home

We finally purchased these Missoni cushions we had been obsessing over for months! They are from the Passiflora and Jacaranda ranges. The vibrancy and bold patternation is just gorgeous. We want one more to complete the set but still deciding. They are sitting happily on our recently refurbished lounge suite!

New Prints

Over the weekend Helen and I printed and framed the above photographs which were taken during recent holidays abroad.  The top photograph is of D-Hotel in Namba, Osaka.  Taken from a side street looking up at the rear of the building I was struck by its strong and brutal presence and yet intrigued by its orderly and purposeful composition.  The next is from a temple near Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto; it was winter when we were there and the grounds were lush and cosy.  Kyoto is beautiful, I can't wait to return.  In the middle is a courtyard view of The Datai on Langkawi Island in Malaysia.  If you stay anywhere at Langkawi stay here, it is pricy but is is worth every penny.  The next photograph was taken while cruising around Halong Bay in Vietnam.  This place is spectacular rain or shine.  If you manage to get away from the hordes of tourists it can be quiet, mysterious, somewhat eerie and the perfect place to hide away for a few days.  The bottom image was taken on the porch of Seri Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  One of two buildings in the Carcosa Seri Negara grounds, this hotel is a great place for lunch, dinner or simply for a fine afternoon tea.  We hope to return someday.

Shortbread

Some beautiful photos Anton and Oi Lai sent through to us from when they came over for dinner several weeks ago. Taken with their new camera. Anton's homemade shortbread also, yum!

Lavender Milk

A quick catch up dinner with Ruen before he heads home tomorrow morning. Tammy suggested a quirky Taiwanese restaurant on the Southside. It had a crimson wall covered in photo frames and "Lavender Milk Soup Set" on the menu. We had to try of course. It was interesting and quite tasty really. They had amazing tea blends too!

Jazz Listening

Recent additions to my music collection and on high rotation at the moment... I am particularly enjoying Kurt Elling's Nightmoves album. As well as possessing a very distinct and well trained voice he is able to deliver crafted lyrics for his vocal solos.

Vintage Side Board

Taken in our apartment last week to use for invitations, the primary subject is a dressing table come side board that we inherited.  We removed the mirror to make it a little more usable and plan to mount the mirror elsewhere in our apartment.  The dressing table is part of a three piece set made by my great grandfather as a wedding gift for my great grandmother.  We are very fortunate to be able to give it a new life.  I particularly like the use of Helen's shoes in this composition.

Sports Car

While running around in preparation for our afternoon tea Helen and I happened to come across a pristinely maintained Ford GT. To my amazement, before I had even a chance to pull out my camera, Helen had already made a beeline for it and was happily snapping away. I was suitably impressed.  Somebody has worked tirelessly here.

Current Obsession

I am currently obsessing over these Jonathan Adler Chinese Chippendale chairs. I think it's the combination of the mid-century modern styling, the bamboo chinoiserie motif and my favourite colour du jour turquoise in the image of the dining room above from housebeautiful.com I find so appealing. Considering tracking them down in Brisbane!

Sunday Breakfast

We went way overboard with afternoon tea yesterday - hence this was Sunday breakfast! Pain au chocolat and fresh cream brioche with strawberries and Merlo coffee. Caramel tart, brownies and handmade cookies still to go...

Tea & Mahjong

What lovely weather on Saturday! And a very indulgent afternoon. James and I started the morning with a quick whip around town to Flour Power for their amazing goodies, over to the Broadway Markets for flowers and the most beautiful strawberries, and lastly over to Milton for final touches. We met up with Ruen, Michael and Tammy to see Geneve and Joe's newly arrived baby Jack. Jack is of course gorgeous and sweet. We thought since Geneve and Joe are in a busy period of being new parents and not able to join us, we would take afternoon tea to them! Pain au chocolat and caramel slice all round!

Off home to our little city apartment for refreshments and an afternoon of mahjong madness. We had decided that it would be the best way to catch up with Ruen and Michael who travelled up from Sydney to visit. They brought us the most lovely french macarons from Lindt cafe at Martin Place. An afternoon of sweet treats, tea and many hours of mahjong ensued!