I bet you thought I had given up on my blog…..no….just busy with the kids.

When browsing home listings, something I notice are cool lights or lamps, and this is one I’ve fallen for.  The Nautilus Light by Rebecca Asquith, is such a reminder of the beach and holidays and the bach….well – perhaps the posh bach. Anyway, they come in two sizes and three colours and you can get them right here.  They start at NZ$460, which isn’t too bad considering some ‘light features’ cost thousands; plus they ship worldwide.

Homage in Newmarket, Auckland has just had a new shipment of furniture arrive, so go take a look as soon as you can. They have a great range of iconic mid century reproduction furniture, plus a range for your little ones also.  You can download their catalogue here for a look at what’s available and better yet, they are super helpful at making sure you get just the right piece for your home – even if it means taking a couple of pieces home.

If you think birds need a front ‘porch’ light, then this is the birdhouse for you.  The solar-powered birdhouse is made by OOOMS, Dutch designers of products like the weird Twig USB drive.  A solar panel on the roof charges the small interior battery during the day and then at night the perch lights up….cool!  This is also clever as bugs are drawn to light, so they can catch dinner while sitting at their ‘front door’….even cooler! They are sold at Charles & Marie (sold out when I checked), but you can find them for sale at the OOOMS website as well – NZ$165 plus shipping and they ship internationally.  Totally think it’s a must have!

via [NotCot]

Something I had always meant to get for our son’s room was a mobile, and it just didn’t happen.  However I found the 8 Planets which would suit him more now…and even better, each planet glows in the dark.  Julie Firth is the lady who designed it and you can buy it through her website or her Etsy shop with paypal for US$120 (NZ$185).  She ships anywhere in the world – just email for a price.  Click here for more of her Calder inspired mobiles.  

Yes, I have an addiction – it is the store Anthropologie, and although we don’t have it down-under, I still swoon over the seasonal ranges online.  They do ship across Europe and North America, but sadly, down here in Oz and NZ we are forgotten once again; which is actually a good thing or I would really give the credit card a beating!  If you aren’t familiar with their store (everything from clothes and shoes to kitchen and bedroom) go take a look and fall in love with….well…..everything!

This Remuera, Auckland house recently sold around the NZ$5.5m mark.  Whoever ’snapped’ it up must be pretty chuffed, and have a load of wine!  I have cellar envy.  We don’t even have wine in the house right now, so could not imagine what this would look like full.  I love that you can see part of the cellar from the dining area as well (image second row left).  This mighty home has 5 double bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 4 living areas, a home theatre, a games room, a gymnasium, a 1000 bottle wine cellar, a state of the art kitchen with huge butler’s pantry, 3 car garaging, a pool house, an 18 metre gas heated pool, a spa and dedicated utility rooms covering about 800m2.  The house is fully automated to control everything from lighting to irrigation.  Oh, and last – beautiful views through beautiful native trees.  To view more images go here.

images [Open2view.com]

Sooo, this is an uber home if ever I saw one.  Could you imagine waking up and making breakfast in that kitchen.  It’s…..so…..gorgeous, and that’s an understatement.  So the details:  Ultra mod with gorgeous views over KL, it was designed by YTL Design Group in KL and Agence Jouin Manku from Paris, for a wealthy Malaysian family.  

It started out in 2003 and finished in late 2008 – whoa, that’s a long time to wait for a house! The 3000sqm house – COUGH!) can accommodate both private and public functions.  So I guess while you are bathing the kids at one end, your husband could be entertaining royalty at the other. 

The building has nine bedrooms, two family rooms, a family kitchen and a private dining area, a family library, a game room, a study, a public reception area, a formal dining room, a ballroom, chapel, 21 bathrooms, a swimming pool, two guest suites plus indoor private and guest parking.  For more info and images of this wickedly stunning place, check them out here.

images [Roland Halbe]

via [LuxuryLaunches.com]

This has been around a while but I’ve only just discovered it.  The Dahlia light would just look magnificent on almost any wall – oh to have a cool US$3590 (yep, that’s NZ$7800) to pour into a light.  You can actually buy the cheaper and smaller version, at like NZ$1340 but it’s only 6 inches wide!  You can buy it in three sizes at FinnStyle and they ship internationally.   Should we just look at the photos again….ok, let’s just look.

via [Apartment Therapy]

ECC lighting here in Auckland currently have a 75% off sale, of all cool, hip and expensive lighting, plus their great range of furniture.  I had a look the other day and there are some great chairs going for good (better) prices. Still too exey for me though, but go have a look just in case that one chair or lamp is waiting for you that you’ve had your eye on.

Over at Inhabitat I came across these great solar blinds.  I bet if these go into production, the dude who designed these will be as rich as the paper clip guy!  It was an entry into the Greener Gadgets Design Competition, called Blight. They soak up the sunlight during the day and give it back as light at night.  I would definitely get a few sets – they may be easier to clean than my wooden ones.

Ooh err, I have his Floral brocade wallpaper from Habitat that I adore on my dining room wall…at least I think this is the same guy.  Anyway take a look at his house which is showcased in the latest Elle Decor. What a symphony of happy brightness.  Take a look at a few more images right here.

via [NotCot.org]

These are so pretty.  I am imagining a few scattered around my outdoor table this BBQ season at dusk….they would surely be a conversation starter.  Etched from thin sheets of stainless steel, detailed with beautiful patterns, the candle is suspended on an internal metal shelf. Get them right here for AUD$50 online or see the stockists page where you can buy them right here in New Zealand, in Australia and almost anywhere else.  

I was browsing through Habitat’s online catalogue and oohhed and aahhed over these colourful candle holders.  Ever since we had our son, I stopped using candles for his safety and haven’t got back to it. These inspire me to have all four, collected in the centre of our table with different coloured candles burning in them.  They come in several heights, starting at £9.00 and £15.00 for the blue fluted holder. You can’t get them here in NZ much to my disappointment – (at the store that stocks some Habitat stuff) – but of course for you lucky ones in the United Kingdom, just pop into your nearest store and these will be on your dinner table before the evening meal.  Aren’t they stunning!

Don’t you hate those nights when you are looking for a friends house in the dark and cannot see the number on the fence, mailbox or house – well, this idea will fix that.  The Solar Powered house number charges the LED’s that light up at dusk and turn off at dusk.  There are a lot of different kinds out there if you google it – even a selection on ebay, but some are just too ugly for words – however, I thought this one was not bad looking.  Give it to your friends as a ‘Sunday night at your house roast dinner gift’ instead of bringing the wine!

I was flicking through the June edition of Home Beautiful at a friends house and this picture inspired this post. The birds nest lamp shade is gorgeous and organic and hip all at the same time.  You can get it from this Melbourne store and they have a great selection of lamps in all shades of earthy browns. Download the PDF catalogue and enjoy the array of designs.

image [Home Beautiful]

Mmmm.  Those colours just have to kick start your inspiration!  Found at mini style, the chandeliers  are aimed at the little people in our lives – but one in my sewing room would be very welcome!  Made in the traditional chandelier style, this 5 armed beauty hangs 27cm deep.  Best part is you can buy it right here at this great childrens lifestyle boutique for AU$80.

post by Kathryn

We don’t have an Ikea in New Zealand.  I get quite envious of people who can drop into their local Ikea and purchase something cheap and groovy as I had to find a very good friend in Australia to bring my desk over for me.  Recently I have spotted their summer collection that is available in the US – Sommar, with the greatest colours and designs I hope this range arrives in Australia soon.. their gardening bags are so cheery.  I could use them for so many other uses…..beach gear, the lego, the train set, and of course gardening. They are cheap at US$2.99 each, so bring on Summer for Ikea Australia!  Click here to see the full range. 

Wow – this would have to be the one of my favourite homes of all time.  The amount of glass and green forest, the pool, the privacy – did I mention the glass?  And did you see the fireplace – swoon!   Arthur Casas designed this home for himself, the exterior finished in Cumaru wood panelling with the intention of bringing the outside in, and blending with it’s surroundings, built in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The folks over at Modern Residential Design have a collection of stunning photos that are a must see.  

via [Modern Residential Design]