Appreciate or Emulate Part 2

As I mentioned yesterday I would normally post all things relating to this weeks Finding Everywhere theme, and how you can Decorate, Celebrate, Titivate and Participate with it, in one post but this weeks photo print perfections have been too numerous to share in one place so here is part 2

To personalise a gift it is not just about what's inside - the anticipation of what treasure lays within is only made all the more special by thoughtful wrapping - here are some of favourite photographic gift wrap ideas

A wedding is all about particular special people - well any celebration for that matter - and photo displays of the people the event is to honour, and in some cases the guests, personalises the event for everyone

Polaroid guest book

Photo wreath

And these just make me smile as they would your guests

Take your pics, print then party.

Appreciate or Emulate

With a photographer as a partner I am never short of a visual feast. Living with great images is truly a joy.

In Monday's Finding Everywhere you would have seen how living with great pics can be taken to new extremes, and onto anything you could imagine, here are some more ideas on how you can take that great image off the camera, computer or phone and bring it into your home and life.

Ordinarily I would also include here ideas on how to Celebrate, Titivate and Participate but this time I have just found too many beautiful images and pin-spirations so decided to break it up.

I am lucky enough to have access to some great pics but like builders houses never being complete we haven't gotten around to hanging many of my partners photos yet - one of the reasons is we need it to be BIG - the bigger the better - and that takes finding the right wall and the right frame and, well, the funds. Soon though we will maximise the prints and I can only hope to achieve something like this.

Below is a selection of interiors that truly sing because of the great photo print on the wall.

If you are feeling even bolder and more cashed up make it even BIGGER - the whole wall in fact.

The serenity created by the first two is something special but this last one is beautifully whimsical and 70's esq. I am regretting the fact that I once lived in a house in my early 20's with a pine forest scene wallpaper in the foyer and didn't take a photo - memories.

Great photos can truly take you places - even in your own home.

Finding Everywhere

In this digital age most of use store our pictures in the virtual zone only, plus the odd favourite one or two on the fridge door, but not these great makers and creators, they have taken their pics anywhere and everywhere for your viewing pleasure.

Finding Everywhere - photo print, image items, pictorial pretties.

1. Art-inspired wooden knobs by Chocolate Creative Homewares with landscape and beach designs
2. Norway Fjord Fogged In Ombre throw pillow cover by Loud Waterfall Photo on etsy
3. Navy Wave Small Canvas Pouch - Dezso by Sara Beltran Tulum available at www.shopstyle.com.au
4. For the lumber jack in your life or in you the Malaka 4 t-shirt from DADADA studio
5. This, believe it or not, is a dress for a doll. When I first saw it I saw just the dress and imagined what a fabulous wedding dress it would make for someone so it really could/should be upscaled. The dolls are more characters than dolls and all are by Le train fantôme
6. Carousel Photography Embroidery Hoop Art by Juillian Audrey Designs on Etsy - I love this application of a photo for framing and may have to give it a try myself.
7. This sweet leaves print bag was featured in the online gallery of Edit, the Woolahra based store of the former editor of Vogue Vogue Living Sharyn Storrier Lyneham
8. Meadow Print Dress girls dress by Next in the UK
9. Red Lake English Romantic Cushion also by Chocolate Creative Homewares
10. Last but oh my word not least Marianne carved french country bed upholstered in dandelion field fabric by Chair Couture

Are any of these your picture perfect?

A vignette or 7

I participated last week in The Interiors Addict's Instagram photo challenge 7 Vignettes.
The idea is a list of themes is published for the first 7 days of each month and you have to create a styled vignette based on that theme and post it to Instagram tagging Interiors Addict and generally also a guest judge - using the hashtag #7vignettes. If your on Instagram I recommend searching the hashtag, you will see lots of great styled pictures from some very creative people - stylists and not.

It's lots of fun and for me it's a chance to practice my styling - especially as I'm not studying or in a position to assist stylists at the moment - the main way you learn the ropes so to speak.

Below are this months themes and my vignettes for each


HANGING

LABELS

TIMBER

COLOURFUL

PORCELAIN/CERAMIC

DINING

TRAVEL

This month the guest judge was The Woodfolk store and they generously gave an overall prize and a prize for each days theme. I am so thrilled to say my Day 6 Dining entry WON! I was so excited to wake up to that news on Thursday morning.

The overall winner was the stylist Boiled Eggs and Soldiers, aka Sam, and what a deserved winner her vignettes were consistently stunning - even her celebration shot - see them all via her Instagram feed http://instagram.com/boiledeggandsoldiers

My lovely prize from The Woodsfolk is an under the sea LoveMae bamboo dinner set - I can't wait until it arrives in the post and see how they impact on toddler dinner time - fingers crossed.

I hope to join in next month too, if time allows, so if you like follow along on Instagram and I will also post my February entries later so you can see those too.

Finding Everywhere

The power of pastel is all pervasive at the moment.

Here is a pretty pop of pastel colour for your delight.

1. Lark Store Large Ceramic Milk Bottle in 6 pastel shades
2. An old but amazing easter tea cake post by Bakers Royale. Easter was when I first caught the pastel bug - there is something so right about Easter and the delicate pastel tones.
3. One White Sundays timber block necklace via madeit.com.au
4. DDSLL GirlsStore three colour leather clutch via Etsy
5. POAST's violet pastel mini German Half timbered house also via Etsy.
6. Scout Table lamp from Urban Outfitters
7. Thank you cotton favour bags in pastel pink by Misiu from Down That Little Lane store. They come in a pack of 12.
8. The multicoloured pastel triangles of Ferm Living are back again this week - but this time it's their Spear trays
9. Wall fixture Klimoppe with origami paper lamp Moth in pink with a pastel yellow cord by Studio Snowpuppe via their Etsy store - there are 4 cord colours and 9 shade colours to chose from!
10. Nordic Night Rug from lightly.com.au



Pastel is a little tricky for me, it's not my usual thing as I generally prefer the bold and the beautiful, but the way pastels have been shown in styling and design circles lately, in a breathtakingly beautifully layered way, I have caught the pastel bug too.

There are no better examples in my opinion than these magificently styled and photographed images from photographer Jonas von der Hude in collaboration with Bettina Eulenburg for Better Living.

Sigh!

A painterly apartment

I have long been a fan of design blog Yellowtrace - part of my morning ritual involves a check of my inbox to see what new inspiring goodness they have to offer. Rarely disappointed, today I was utterly compelled to share it with you.

Upon seeing this apartment I was in interior's heaven - but it also instantly made me think of something.

I have decided that if the 17th century dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, he of the Girl with a Pearl Earring fame, had been a modern interior designer this is the apartment he would give us.

A selection of Vermeer

Then

The most amazing Old Chalet Refurbishment by Bergdorf & Nick Ruef // Bernese Oberland, Switzerland, as seen on Yellowtrace today, stunningly photographed by Martin Guggisberg.

What do you think?
Do you think living here would feel as enveloping as the faded and delicately colourful charm of a Vermeer painting?

There are many more beautiful photos of the apartment - make sure you check them out.
http://www.yellowtrace.com.au/2013/04/30/old-chalet-refurbishment-by-bergdorf-bernese-oberland-switzerland/

Scissors - So Styled_ish

Scissors are a stylists best friend it seems (note to self).

Not only are they a handy little tool but they are the perfect form to give life to many a vignette or display - here is but a few lovely examples of style me happy images that made the cut

Found Friday

I am shamelessly enamoured with colour - if I see it I must have it. And not a specific colour or range of colours but any unexpected, inspiring or unique combination. It matters not the item in question, whether I need it or have a plan for it, if the colour catches my eye (and the price is right) the colour comes home with me. That is why I could never live in an all white or pared back space even though I admire it and dream of maybe holidaying somewhere like that.

One of my recent finds, via my sister, is the blog and online magazine Covet Garden. While they technically outdo me of a future job as a stylist and decorator I enjoy what they do. This issue they feature one such pared back home and I am impressed by it and the discipline it would take while knowing it could never be mine. Page 21 is a particular favourite - the hallway they feature is so soft I imagined the calm and gently wakeful feeling of walking into it first thing in the morning. Check it out here and if you like subscribe (as long as you continue to love homes that have been styled and decorated too).

Back to my colour obsession here are my Friday Finds.

A family of colour

A suitcase for toys - oh the puzzles that will call this home

A crochet blanky - I told you it doesn't matter if I need it, or how many I have - it's the colour

A riot of colour collection of children's coathangers - These are the ultimate in eye candy without a cause - for now - they are too pretty not to find a use for them

A collection of dishes of delectable colour especially when combined

A little dish - for poaching? now at home on my desk as an organiser

A pair of chinese enamel bowls

They are also joining a family - this large one, perched on a cute street find stool,  is currently my towel storage in the absence of a linen cupboard 

Another find this week is the phone app Instagram. I know I am a little late to it for some, to be honest I was resisting another thing that would have my head in my phone all the time. For those who aren't familiar it is a way of sharing photos where you can follow and like pics from others much like other social networking sites or apps. It comes with filters that can make your images appear retro for example. While I was right to assume it would have my head in my phone I was wrong to resist - it's so much fun and I am loving how it is making me see my world differently searching for subject matter. 

If you are on Instagram you can follow me @findanddandy if you so chose but if you are not you can see a mini updated feed of my shots right here on my blog. Just for a taste here are my 5 favourite shots so far.

I would love to hear what you have found this week, especially how it has coloured your life - or if you are on Instagram send me your user name so I can check out your pics too.

Happy weekend finding