Beautiful Weather

The weather on the Yorke Peninsula has been absolutley beautiful this week!

I love opening up the french doors and letting the fresh air in.

Have a wonderful weekend all!

Sydney

Once again, sorry for the time between posts. It seems my New Post toolbar has decided to stop loading forever! I have changed back to the old version and here I am!

Last Friday we set off to Sydney for four fantastic days.

Friday afternoon involved a spot of shopping followed by a delicious dinner with friends.

Saturday Paul and I parted ways and after a dodgy cab ride I arrived at the amazing Coco Republic Design School - to attend the Masterclass Colour for Interiors

(whilst Paul cruised the harbour in a tinny!)

It was everything I had expected and more. The purpose built classroom was the perfect setting to learn about colour perception and attributes and to complete mood boards and total colour schemes.

Whilst I already knew a lot of the 'theory' of the course from my previous studies it was a great experience to be in working classroom, with a brilliant teacher so experienced in the field. We completed practical tasks with the facilities and materials required all on hand. I also had the opportunity to meet some wonderful and interesting people.

I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone!

Of course the visit to Coco would not be complete without a visit to the showroom, which was totally stunning!!!

Saturday night we dined at Bel Mondo at The Rocks. The atmosphere, view, service and 5 course degustation with matching wines was amazing and the perfect dinner experience with my favourite dish of the night being Chef Andy Balls Sauteed Scallops with nicoise vegetables, roast capsicum puree & mizuna leaf. Favourite wine if the night was the 2009 Patina, Scandalous Riesling, Orange NSW.

Sunday Paul ran the 14km City To Surf. Somewhat harder than the City to Bay with its challenging hills! The 85,000 people atmosphere was exciting and gave a huge sense of community spirit. With over $3 500 000 raised for charity every participant should be proud.

Lunch at The Italian Village Sunday afternoon was just what my runner needed with its beautiful waterfront location and harbour views.

Monday Morning we walked from the City to Bills at Darlinghurst. The corn fritters were out of this world!!!

Later we caught the ferry over to Manly on the 18 degree sunny day it was the perfect end to our Sydney long weekend.

The Garden - Before and After

November 2005

November 2010

May 2006

Today

September 2007

Today

November 2005

November 2010

November 2010

Rose Garden 2010

2011 - still very much a work in progress!!!

Now my garden is in no way finished but sometimes it is good to reflect on all you have done.

The older parts of our garden are approximately 5 years old, other parts only a few years old.

When we built our house there was next to nothing surrounding it. We started by planting hedges and trees to get the basic structure of the garden established.

I drew a plan for our garden one bored day whilst we were living in the UK for a short while. The house was not built at this stage but the plans were drawn and I knew the placement of the house in the yard.

Surprisingly the plan has not changed!

What has changed are the plants used. It has been a case of a little trial and error as I am not used to the soil and climate here. My principal is lots of mass plantings, not lots of variety, hedges for structure, lots of lawn and trees.

I am excited to see what the garden looks like in another 5 years!

Coco Republic Design School

Sorry for the lack of posts but it seems my toolbar decided to stop loading AGAIN!

That along with phone issues has technology letting me down a little lately, not good when you are so used to it and need it to run your online business.

I am delighted to be heading over to Sydney in a few weeks time for 3 glorious days.

Friday will be shopping and drinks with friends.

Saturday I will be attending the Coco Republic Design School for the Colour for Interiors Masterclass. I can't wait to think outside the square and lean something new

(most of you know my house has a lack of colour!!).

Sunday my husband is running in the City to Surf and raising money for my beautiful niece Charlotte who suffers from a condition that has left her with low vision. The Royal Society for the Blind is currently working with her to help make her life a little easier.

If you wish to make a donation head to

http://www.fundraise.city2surf.com.au/paul_linke_4

Monday this farmers wife will head back to life on the farm!

I haven't been to Sydney for a few years so  would also love to hear about any

special places to go for dinner etc.

Hope you are all having a great week, the weather here is gorgeous!

Decorating Workshop

In collaboration with Felicity Baj of Linen Press Interiors, The White Shed held it's first decorating workshop a few weeks ago!

The event was held in my home and attended by 14 fabulous girls who had free reign of my house and all of the items in The White Shed to style to there delight.

The day started with a glass of bubbles and morning tea in my dining room.

Each lady bought a picture of their favourite room from a magazine and we discussed an area they were looking for ideas on how to style.

We styled sideboards and ottomans using some basic principles of design.

They also put together colour schemes thinking outside of the square and using improvisation.

Felicity also bought a beautiful range of fabrics with her and gave ideas on how to be inventive and different with upholstery.

A BIG thank you to Felicity for making the trip over from Adelaide and for the huge effort she put in to the day. Also to the always amazing Kelly Dyett for taking these beautiful images.

For those of you who missed out this time, don't worry this was only the first of many so you will have the opportunity to attend our next workshop!

For more details please email me.

In the Shed Today

Working in 'the shed' today.

Looking forward to meeting a few of my online customers who have made the trek over to the

Yorke Peninsula to see me and my store!

It is a little chilly here but luckily my workman has bought in  the gas heater for me.

Black Board Stakes

A big thankyou to Janette from My Sweet Prints for her post on my Black Board Stakes.

Happy to report that they are now back in stock and available along with some other new goodies

(still a lot more to come)  in my shop.

Hanging a new chandelier in the shed today, unpacking stock and reshuffling the shed before friends come over for a roast tonight.

Special Time

Just took a few days 'off' to spend with my special little boys during school holidays.

Always hard when you work on your own in your own business but it just has to be done!

Action packed with Cars Movie, Birthday Party & Train Ride, Tram Ride, Visiting Family and Friends and a session of Theatre Bugs!

I did have to do a little work whilst away though. Ordered a huge amount of beautiful new stock and also my Christmas range, yes silver and white.........again!

Hope everybody else is enjoying the school holidays.