Chesterfields, Love or not?

A conversation about Chesterfield sofas a couple of nights ago has gotten me thinking further about them. Whether we love them or we don't. Really to me, it's a matter of where you see them. They can easily go from super daggy to extraordinary.

Is it my favourite sofa ever...? I'm not sure, but there is something attractive about them, the old worn leather ones that have had many years of seating and dozing on. There's a rustic appeal about them that I love but they must be seen in a completely different setting than a typical cigar room or an old mansion to display all their charms. Diamonds in the rough. They will shine in modern settings mixed with furniture from different areas and a few well place eccentric objects... Best thing is you can choose a sustainable option by buying a pre-loved one. It was a bizarre coincidence seeing some typical examples on TDF's post yesterday and I thought they may be worth a mention then... 

Top two pics via TDF's, middle from one of my favorite photographer Ditte Isager, 4th via  and 5th via

Distressed leather look

A selection of furniture items bearing the distressed leather look or simply bearing signs of age! Top is the very recognisable Arne Jacobsen Egg chair, second: great picture (from Henrik Bonnevier) and styling found on 79 Ideas blog , then leather armchair from Truck Furniture in Japan and last, another famous one, is the BKF Butterfly chair.

1-2-3-4-5... Vintage selects

Yes by now "Vintage" should be overrated but I think this is more than a waning fad, like possibly Antlers and Fluoro colours, (which I think are great, don't get me wrong). The word is certainly overused and many times for items that aren't actually "Vintage". As I have found on the net, "vintage" relates to furniture that is about 30-100 years old (anything beyond that should be called Antique). However the item should also be a representation of the prevalent style of an era. So anything old is not necessarily "vintage". As you would have noticed if you follow the blog, the subject comes back quite often. Yes I love it, as many others do. I think every home should have a piece or more. Not only they add to the aesthetic of an interior but they balance anything that would be more modern and also, well it's green/sustainable, it's recycling, and if you are lucky or smart, it can be cheap too. I have just come across this great Vintage shop Dusty Deco in Stockholm (unfortunately not whilst travelling). Great range of items and well displayed on their website too. 

Kitsch in Collingwood... Brunch at Bluebird.

Going through a few furniture shops yesterday in Collingwood, looking for breakfast bar stools, my friend Sonna and I (needing an early break) stumbled across this sweet little café on Johnston Street, east from Smith Street. Not much going yet in that area but a few quirky shops are starting to appear. 

At Bluebird, some little plastic soldiers hanging from the door frame welcome you as you come in. No waiting to get our coffee and they were really good ones. The menu is simple with a few variation of (perfect) poached eggs on fresh bread, avocado "smash", chorizo, mushrooms, feta, banana bread, muesli... it's all there. We decided we would have to come back to work our way down the list, it all looked so delicious and we weren't disappointed by our choices. But beside the amazing food, friendly and quick service, this is another one of these place that makes Melbourne. As a foodie and a designer, I love these cafés. Some super kitsch picture frames decorate the walls (check their twitter wall too!), recycled glass bottles for water, vintage desk lamps and chairs, recycled counter top and the fake grass bunny take the seriousness out of the place. But there is still great attention to details with the menu, the quality of the food, the cute logo and these beautiful tulips throughout the place. If you are in the area, take a walk away from the Smith Street crowd, you won't be disappointed. 

Rugs with old charms - Private 0204

Last year in September I visited Maison & Objets in Paris. Such a massive trade fair and I think the one that happens in January (which I am hoping to go to next year) is even bigger! Those who have been lucky to go to the Milan Fair this month would know how exhausting these European fairs can be. BUT. It's visually stimulating, brain tingling, jaw dropping, so inspiring!

One of the company I absolutely fell in love with was Prïvate 02 04. They produce beautiful hand made vintage hemp kilim rugs with a... "wash-wash" finish (that's how they call it). They are all unique, of course being vintage and come from the Anatolian Plateau in Turkey (it's here). The process is to have them washed in the sea and then dried on the beach and re-vitalised... The result is just stunning, a worn out look, which could be perfect in so many interiors. Easy mix with "industrial/urban" furniture, perfect with mid century modern pieces, even with some antique pieces...

More than the look, it was the feel that really got me, really soft and supple, great texture. Being a major fan of linen, these are like an over-sized type. Heaven!!

I only recently realised that HUB was a distributor, so guess where my next trip in the city will be...

Shades of Green - Vintage Glass

I find Etsy such a good resource for these Vintage objects that can sometimes cost a small fortune in Australia. Especially if sourced from "fashionable" second hand or Vintage shops. Since these little gems have become so popular, they are getting harder to find and even Opp shops tend to now overprice them... But if don't want to go around looking for a real little treasure, Etsy is the place.

1. Antique Bottle from Scroungebird 2. Danish Mod Green Glass Candle Holders from VintageModernandMore 3. Green Candle holders from PatinaMarket 4. Farmhouse French jars from FrenchCountryLife 5. Antique Flask from ThreeTangerines 6. Dansk IHQ Vases from Modfolk 7. Bottle from AlliStrange 8. Emerald Jars from Nellie Fellow 9. Vintage George Washington Bottle from CoolandBeautiful

These are a few of my favourite things - Series #2

If you have missed the first of the "favourite things" series you can check it out here... Today is the release part #2 and I am introducing Sonna:

1. Where is the item coming from, does it have a story and why do you like it?

This came from an unknown second hand shop on Smith Street for $35 and it was one of a pair. It belonged to a friend of mine who carried it from the shop on the tram and back home where he was living in Parkville. When he left to go globe trotting he gifted it to me, and I have always had it close to me, usually in my bedroom as a reading chair, or more realistically a clothes horse. Coincidentally, he called only a couple of weeks ago, and amongst the chit chat, he asked me about that chair. He still regrets not getting the pair. For those who know me and this friend, they would know he is the antithesis of permanence so I was a bit amazed that he still talked about it. I like it because it's very unassuming, but homey and inviting. It reminds me of a time when people read books and listened to the radio instead of watching tv and surfing the net.

2. What is your profession?

Field technical specialist, cardiac medical devices - supporting sales, implants, and follow up for pacemakers and internal defibrillators.

3.Tell me what piece of furniture you would love to have?

A great big pendant lamp for reading. In Timber.


We looked for quite a few lighting options with Sonna but there wasn't many floor lamps which fitted the above brief. Which make me think... could there be a gap in the (Australian) market?! Luckily going through my brochures from last year's Maison&Objet in Paris I found this one below for her... BUT no distributors in Australia (yet).

4. Why would you love to own this item?

V. cool!! Kinda tongue in cheek made me laugh. Quite like it!
It also looks like it would be at home in a campsite, which suits me just fine!

Sonna and the Vintage Chair

Denver Floor Lamp from Refuge-Megeve

Special credit to Sharon @Stylisti for Sonna's picture above.

Vintage Shop in Fitzroy

I recently discovered a new Vintage shop on Johnston St, Fitzroy: Used pty. ltd. I spotted the colourful baskets hanging off the awning a  few weeks ago but had ran of of time to stop. So, since I was around there again last week-end I just had to go in and investigate. I am so glad I did. First there is the smell of burnishing oil when you come in, which took me back in the days I used to spend many hours in a workshop, but then there is a world of original items, all of them in such good condition (including a pair of 100 years old ladies shoes, never worn). On top of that the owners Helen and Paul are absolutely lovely and their adorable dogs Macy and Neville (pictured above) add to the friendliness of the place. If you love vintage and are in the area, it is worth the visit.

Visit to Camberwell market looking for a vintage treasure

Another trip to Camberwell market and always plenty to peruse or just look at. Admittedly I was hoping to find a small treasure to work on as a "found object" project with my friend Roni. Alas... not to be. We found plenty other things to buy but most where too nice to modify, or too big, too small etc... At least it was a beautiful day for strolling through the market and always enjoyable to take a few inspiring snaps...

Couple of miniature chairs... or a huge rooster? 

I am in my colour phase...

All below items are from Trish Hunter Finds...

More colours...

Inside Trish Hunter's Caravan... a small world of cute and kitsch coexisting!

Orange Geometry

Geometry was never my favourite subject at school.... but when it comes in colour and on a rug, clock or on fabric, it's different story. 
Also as we get closer to winter, we will soon see a lot more of these rusty orange tones settling in around us. Bring them home now and give your interiors a warm and inviting touch before the weather turns bleak. 

Always on top of my list... Beautiful Vintage Kilims from Loom Rugs

Love the colours on this print from Luke Furniture 

George Nelson clock from Vitra

Big fan of colourful posters, plenty of choice at Vintage Posters

A great range of fabrics and homewares from Australian Designer Julie Paterson at Cloth Fabrics

Objects to warm you up...

I was looking through the window at this gloomy weather and thought these beautiful vintage wooden objects would be just perfect to warm up the heart of a home... even better when you can use them too. I find Etsy to be a great resource for these. Here are a few favourites...

Beautiful in-tray... I could do with one them to organise my desk... would tidying up warm me up? From Mascara Jones

Talking about that... Desk organiser from Tracy F.

A nice shape on these candle stick hoders. Candle light is nice and warm... From 86 ForTheHome

Old fashioned thermometer From C and G Bayne. Talking about temperature, what happened this week??

A nice hot coffee would help... freshly grinded with this vintage piece. From Lorand

Milk and Sugar... From Cris Morgan 

and a few cute house pets. From tearinguphouses