Inspiration for mum's place...

Beginning with Anna Spiro, her stunning stradbroke island residence is one of the main inspirations behind the design of my mum's new home.

My mother has some wonderful furniture and accent pieces she's had forever and we still feel they are timeless and fitting for her plantation caribbean/beach shack home :)

My mothers timeless pieces include cane/bamboo chairs and etageres. Chinoiserie chests, mirrors and beautiful blue and white porcelain.

(coastal style)

The canvas for mum's place will be white walls, including white painted bricks and white lime wash floors. Her livingroom is small therefore there was only room for one large statement piece which she chose to be a sumptuous chocolate leather sofa. Her tv unit is a simple white ikea bookshelf turned on it's side and filled with books, magazines, dvds, cd's and a few nik naks.


(coastal style)


We're definitely looking out to buy some fish on a rope to hang just outside lol



(coastal style)

The colour scheme for mum's bedroom will be blue and white and again as it's a small room it will be very simple with an oyster light, chunky white venetains and my favourite of all her collected paintings hanging over her bed.



(?)

Her kitchen wont have alot of cupboards, instead opting for open shelves, freestanding appliances and her gorgeous tiled farmhouse table my grandfather built, taking centre stage at the heart of the room. This will become a multifunctional piece as it will serve as the main preparation area as well as the eating area.

(locations via desire to inspire)

My white chippy iron bed I had as a child will be the main piece in the 2nd bedroom.

(next 3, Jane Coslick designs)

The following are some more images that have offered us some ideas.

(House To Home)

(House Beautiful)

(Freedom)

Although too contemporary for my personal taste, my mum purchased the 3 1/2 seat domino sofa from Freedom for her livingroom. I have to say it's very comfortable and my son says it's a dream to sleep on haha.

(Freedom)

This piece I think would be ideal for the small wall next to her shower. Again, as she will only have the undersink storage cupboard she could fill this unit with just about everything she could need.......and also not need ;)

Construction starts on Feburary 19th! Can't wait :)

My Family On Australia Day

I'm a week late I know but didn't get a chance to upload these earlier. Last tuesday was Australia Day and we had a wonderful family BBQ at my mum's new place. I have an extremely talented photographer brother in law and I had to show off his pics of the day :)

My girl Soph :)


My boy Will :)

My baby nephew Logan :)

My big nephew Zach :)

Pool fun with Zachy and his dad :)

My mama :)

The food and beverages were heavenly :)

My brother in laws Scott and Rique and my sister Sarah :)

Awwww it was too much for some ;)

On another small note my son started highschool (middle school) last thursday and I'm still trying to come to terms with it hahaha :)

How did he get so big so fast?

Will and his best mate Bailey :)

I know this post is completely design unrelated but I couldn't help but show off my beautiful family. They mean the world to me :)

Spiritual & Inspirational Sunday January 30, 2010

Welcome to my Spiritual & Inspirational Sunday post. For over twenty-five years I have collected various spiritual and inspirational quotes and messages. My hope is that when you read these, you will pause and reflect. Perhaps you will share this post with a friend who just so happens to be in need of reading what I am sharing today.

One of my all time favorite Christmas gifts was a book given to me this past Christmas by my son’s family titled Interior Wisdom by Leah Richardson. Because of the shape, size, and weight of the gift it was obvious I had received a book. Oh how I love books! With great anticipation, I unwrapped my gift to find a lovely design book. On the cover was a beautiful dining room which begged me to look inside.

As I thumbed through the pages I saw many photos of interiors and interior design elements. Then, I noticed the scripture. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Proverb 3:4-5  As I began reading the scripture, I noticed there were also inspirational words. I flipped back to the book jacket to read the overview of the book. “…she shares the ways her spiritual walk influences her design, offers beloved verses that have inspired her work and includes a centering prayer (she has a prayer at the beginning of each chapter which is titled “Pray with me…”) to help the reader understand how important it is to include God’s wisdom in the design of our homes and our hearts.” (I love that she included the word hearts).  I pause for a moment and think to myself, “gosh this book is right up my alley!”

Next I turned a few pages to read about the author. In “A Note from Leah,” she shares her journey which began when she was feeling devastated after being fired from her job in corporate America. This led her back to school to pursue a degree in Interior Design. At the time of her firing, Leah did not realize it was God’s sovereign hand at work. Though in the years to come, it became very clear which she explains in Interior Wisdom.

Reading her book jacket, I learned that besides her interior design business, Leah also lectures with Leah Richardson Ministries.

Two of my favorite scriptures in her book- Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.”  Hebrews 3:4 “For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.” Don’t you think these are both so appropriate for anyone designing and building of a home!

One of my favorite quotes is “Excess encumbers our life more than enhancing it.”

Blessings.  …susan

A lovely quote and a lovely thought....

Rachel Ashwell - Shabby Chic.

Spiritual & Inspirational Sunday January 17, 2010

Welcome to my Spiritual & Inspirational Sunday post. For over twenty-five years I have collected various spiritual and inspirational quotes and messages. My hope is that when you read these, you will pause and reflect. Perhaps you will share this post with a friend who just so happens to be in need of reading what I am sharing today.

Better health by losing weight, diet, and exercise seems to be a common new year’s resolution.  Blessings.  …susan

“You are what you eat.” Gillian McKeith

There are a lot of things in life I cannot control but I can control what I put in my mouth. Unknown

“If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself. “ Groucho Marx

“I am saving that rocker for the day when I feel as old as I really am. “Eisenhower

You stomach shouldn’t be a waist basket. Unknown

A moment on the lips is a lifetime on the hips. Unknown

“Our bodies are our gardens-our wills are our gardeners.”  William Shakespeare

“No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change.” Bill Phillips

God Bless the people of Haiti!

White will be the colour of my year...

(At home with white)

I know some of you maybe thinking booooring but after living in a home with dark timber furniture and dark timber floors for so many years I'm dying to lighten things up for a change.

(Jacqueline Adams antiques)

Mum feels the same. She has dark furniture too that she's had forever and although she can't part with most of it she's going to lighten up her surroundings as much as she can too.

(Mari Eriksson)

My place already has a white tiled floor throughout most of it and white walls. The kitchen and main bathroom are also white. I just need to make a few modifications :)

(Sharyn Cairns)

I'd like to buy white furniture for my front living and dining room but of course my accents will have to include my favourite muted palette.

The front rooms will be soft and feminine and the back family room, although still with white floors and walls will also include hues of charcoal, french grey, red in winter and blue in summer.

There is also a garage conversion, now a rumpus for the kids and that is the only room I plan to darken a little to make it more cosy and comfy. A brooding teenage retreat haha.

Of course, will this all be completed by the end of the year? probably not hehe but It's definitely a work in progress that will keep me focused and inspired throughout :)

Redesigned architecture website and blog

We've launched our new website at Motionspace Architecture + Design PLLC and a new Seattle Architecture Blog. There's also a new Seattle architecture projects gallery with a number of new projects to peruse. Take a look and let us know what you think!