Endless Inspiration

The Californian Bungalow

2012-02-15T00:09:00.005+13:00

I thought it might be fun to show you a flat that I rented last year, that I furnished on a shoe string budget.

All before photo show the previous tenants possessions

Before - Living Room

after

after - looks a bit empty, needs an area rug and art work, that came later

a painting canvas drop cloth covers a old battered, but very comfy rocking chair

before - dining (a great table & chairs and fun to have the piano)

after - a more minimalist version

table set with vintage poole china

Before - Kitchen

Kitchen - after (I just had to take the wooden shelves down, they really bugged me)

Before - the veranda bedroom

After - the veranda bedroom (a change of curtains and of course white bedlinen)

After - the veranda bedroom (pretty dresser borrowed from friends)

After - looking into the veranda bedroom

Before - the front bedroom

After - front bedroom, with change of bed orientation

Before - Bathroom

After - Bathroom (its amazing what a few well chosen accessories will do for a room)

Happy ♥ Day

2012-02-14T22:43:00.001+13:00

image source unknown

Sending lots of love out into the world :)

Blow me away

2012-01-24T11:47:00.000+13:00

I have just discovered these incredible images using the newly created process of Cinemagraphs, a static image with movement within it.

and this...

A Cinemagraph is an image that contains within itself a living moment that allows a glimpse of time to be experienced and preserved endlessly.

Just extraordinary, compelling and quite beautiful!

All images via Cinemagraphs.com and thanks to the lovely B of Simply B Blog for the heads up :)

Beautiful Images by Debi Treloar

2012-01-21T14:35:00.000+13:00

Her work is well known in blogland, the images will probably look familiar, but perhaps you didn't know who the photographer was or that they are taken by the same person.

love this room - sigh

It's an incredible talent that can make the everyday into art - well done Debi, I recommend a browse through her beautiful website.

Venice Beach Eco Cottages

2012-01-17T11:03:00.000+13:00

These beautiful holiday cottages used to be crack dens of all things, but with an amazing transformation from green interior designer Kelly La Plante, they now each have their own individual character, a world way from their previous lives.

each of the one bedroom cottages was restored from the ground up, using earth friendly, organic & repurposed materials

first cottage is Papa Hemingway

with a great masculine rustic theme

All the building materials were sustainable and non-toxic, low VOC paint, linens & mattresses are organic and all the cleaning supplies are natural. The three cottages have a water filtration system and are powered by solar panels on the roof. I like it!

next is Aunt Zoe's place, with a kitchy 50's feel

love this retro oven!

the cottages are so close together, but still pretty little outside spaces have been created

The cottages are a dream come true and beloved art project for the owners, an environmental economist and an actor/artist.

and finally Le Bebe

with a 60's Parisian feel (Designer Kelly Le Plante)

beautiful images by photographer Eric Staudenmaier

Want to see more, click here

Lovely new book

2012-01-15T15:25:00.001+13:00

Just found out that amazing stylist Selina Lake is releasing a new book Home Spun Style

YUM loving the look of the cover, great use of colour & pattern

Its definitely on my wish list as soon as its released!

My favourite kitchens

2012-01-13T14:23:00.000+13:00

I have had a call of help from my lovely friend Jannelle of Heart Felt blog to help her with her kitchen renovation. I'm so excited my mind is buzzing with ideas! I just had to share some of my all time fav kitchens with you :)

In picking these kitchens I have realised they fall into three main catagories:

Country Simplicity

Isn't this stone bench & butlers sink incredible
image source unknown

Country chic, lovely big drawers with half moon handles
image source unknown

love the colour at the back of the cupboards, makes everything pop
image source unknown

these sliding cupboards are a triumph
image source unknown

everything is working here, a beautiful juxtaposition of styles & textures
image source unknown

wonderful mix of built ins & freestanding pieces gives this kitchen such character
image via Living Etc

A cleverly disguised range hood becomes a beautiful kitchen feature
image source unknown

Subway tiles add great texture & colour pops in cupboards is a great touch
image via house beautiful

I'm a sucker for a cool white/grey marble top
image via urban grace interiors

love the mediterranean feel of this simple s& very chic kitchen
image source unknown

beautiful simple & stylish - lovely cupboard colour
image via Little Green Paint Co

White & wood! Love the tongue & groove walls + the butlers sink
image source unknown

Beautiful simple kitchen lovely table & chairs
image via plain english kitchens

I like this kitchen so much I had to feature it twice!
image via plain english kitchens

another simple beauty from Plain English Kitchens

Elegant Modern

Great use of simple shelving & beautiful accessories
image source unknown

stunning simple chic, with an amazing marble table & classic wishbone chairs
image source unknown

an incredible copper island bench, makes this kitchen into a work of art
image via Head over heels blog

simple, modern chic, you would need to be very tidy but I think it would be worth it!
Beautiful light from the skylight above.
image via Desire to inspire

Classic styling in a modern industrial setting works beautifully
image via plain english kitchens

this kitchen perfectly illustrates that simple can be very stylish & great accessories go along way
image via Space for inspiration

Vintage Pretty

Such a sweet kitchen, great use of inexpensive open shelves for display
image source unknown

The pretty aqua bench top is a lovely contrast against the white & the pops of colour add alot of fun
image via Living Etc

Clever use of colour - the wall colour in the hall becomes the floor & table colour in an otherwise white space - lovely
image source Country Living

A pretty & inexpensive kitchen is so pretty with colour & vintage accessories
image via Country Homes

The same kitchen is simple & quiet with less
image via Country Living

Had my first kitchen consultation with Jannelle last night, we made great progress & have come up with some exciting solutions; watch this space for more updates!

Our Wellington Workshop!

2012-01-07T21:15:00.000+13:00

Just a little bit excited to be asked by the amazing HANDMADE event to run a workshop! Handmade is a festival celebrating beautiful and creative things. A creative and inspiring event featuring 80 different activities, learn from expert and passionate teachers in a workshop environment. The beauty of Handmade is you can come to one activity or as many as you like, depending on your available time and budget.

The lovely Stella owner of Lennox Design Studio and I will be flexing our interior design muscles with a great workshop.

The no fuss approach to home & floral styling

Learn hands on simple flower arranging techniques and interior design tips to transform your home with ease, working with what you already love & own.

There are two opportunities to participate in our workshop.

Saturday 2 June, 2.15pm – 4.15pm

Sunday 3 June, 2.15pm – 4.15pm

Come and join us at HANDMADE 2012, 2-3 June at Te Papa, Wellington.

To book and more information hop over to HANDMADE

Trending Now

2012-01-03T21:02:00.002+13:00

I am loving the new Chevron trend, clean simple & versatile!

From ohthelovelythings.blogspot.com

From urbanoutfitters.com

From decor8blog.com

From urbanoutfitters.com

catlinwilsondesign.blogspot.com

From designsponge.com

apartmenttheraphy.com

From urbanoutfitters.com

from the wonderful world of etsy.com somewhere!

From thesweetestoccasion.com

image unknown

From 6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com

tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com

From roost-home.blogspot.com

From hakunaa-mattata.tumblr.com

From designsponge.com

From apartmenttherapy.com

jillrosenwald.com

From thecakeblog.com

From beklina.com

From chiccheapnursery.com

Orlando Bloom visited my store hope & glory

2011-12-31T13:30:00.000+13:00

It was a very exciting day on Thursday, when the rather gorgeous Orlando Bloom

his stunning wife Miranda Kerr

and their adorable baby Flynn visited my store hope & glory

What a beautiful family and a really nice guy. Orlando said he thought loved the shop and thought it was very cool! WOW - thanks Orlando :)

He pointed a handmade blanket cushion with the GREYTOWN written on it to Miranda and said it would look good in their Malibu house - fabulous. I played it cool and tried not to act too star struck, but now I wish I'd got a photo of them in the store. Never mind Orlando is filming on the Hobbit at the moment and they are living in Wellington, so who knows they may come back :)

***UPDATE***

We made the local paper :)

Check out the article here

I've decided to get back on board :)

2011-12-29T14:35:00.003+13:00

I missed all my lovely bloggie friends and followers too much!

So Endless Inspiration is back in business - YAY :)

When I worked in London for interior designer John Stefanidis one of my colleagues was the lovely Carole King of Dear Designer Blog. Carole and a few of her talented friends have created my new favourite online magazine Heart Home.

Such a great read and all online, free! Packed full of gorgeousness and inspiration. I thought I would share with you my favourite images from the most recent issue.

Quick easy & effective display, I love stacking vintage books with pretty covers

A lovely floral bed cover gives a pretty vintage feel to a simple bedroom

Don't hide your beautiful clothes & accessories away, display them to enjoy them more

Chic movable storage is always useful

simple flowers look great in simple bottles & jars

Fill empty frames with a mood board of interesting objet - an inexpensive way to add interest to any space

a heavenly work space is easily made with a table & vintage book shelf

Plates on the wall, plates on the wall, plates on the wall - is one of my favourite mantra

A simple beautiful kitchen - I love the combination of white cupboards, timber top, white subway tiles & gray wall

An upholstered bedhead really finishes off a bed beautifully

painted floor boards, scrubbed pine dresser & soft gray walls - stunning

a classic & chic bathroom, brought to life with an incredible vintage mirror

A stunning Edwardian fireplace looks very handsome painted black

have fun theming art & displays

I really think you can never have to many pretty jugs

Love the interesting layers on the wall, contrasting beautifully with the white wall & textured timber stairs

Great contrast of colour, texture & pattern - the teal walls sing

Don't be afraid to layer different tones of the same colour, they work beautifully

Heart Home Magazine

Hello! I need your advice???

2011-12-28T12:11:00.000+13:00

I'm thinking perhaps I was a little rash to give up my Endless Inspiration blog...... I have a blog for my shop hope & glory and have set up a site for my interior design - Vanya Wilkinson Design & Interiors. But perhaps instead of creating a new inspiration blog on the VW Design site, I should just have a link to Endless Inspiration and keep it going? Then I don't have to start all over again, I can hang onto my lovely followers and keep in better touch with the lovely friends who I have made through this site??!!?? Or does it just get too confusing????

All feedback gratefully received - many thanks!

Vanya

The end of a journey, the beginning of a new

2011-05-07T13:58:00.000+12:00

image via quote a gentleman

I have been a blogger now for nearly three years, amazing how times flies and how much as changed since I started. I have left my interior design job in London, where I lived for 7 1/2 years and moved back to New Zealand, back to the rural area of the Wairarapa, where I grew up and have not lived for over 20 years! Set up a shop of my own, hope & glory, doing free lance design and finding my feet in a country I have not lived in for nearly a decade; its been a trip I tell ya!!

image via quote a gentleman

Now that I am running my own businesses, not only its busy, busy, but also I am juggling three blogs, facebook and twitter business accounts; sadly none of them get the attention they deserve and I feel like I have become a very bad blog mother to my dear Endless Inspiration. So I have decided to amalgamate all three blogs into one - hope & glory

Endless Inspiration will still be here, but I won't be updating it, all the lovely inspiration you have enjoyed here will now be over at h&g - interiors, architecture, art, decoration & display, colour, fabric, photography, travels, craft and all the amazing things that inspire me; plus all the goings on at the store! It will be great to have everything all together and amalgamate this journey. Really hope you can join me, I would love it if you can follow the hope & glory link and sign up to be a follower :)

image via buss buss

Thank you so much for all your incredible enthusiasm and support all these years, its been amazing to meet so many great people from all around the world and to know there are so many like minded souls in the world - YOU ROCK :)

image via here

Hope to see you really soon!

had to show you this!

2011-05-05T16:09:00.000+12:00

my lovely friend Jo of Brown Paper String Blog is a very stylish kiwi girl based in London. She knows how much I LOVED Princess Diana when I was a child, I even had Diana & Charles paper dolls that my aunt sent from London. I use to play with them all the time, so my brother knew if he wanted to be really mean to me, the best way to do it was to do something terrible to the paper dolls - he did, he cut them and all the clothes to shreds! Oh I was so distraught, in the end my mother had to ask my aunt to send over another set, phew!

I still have them packed away somewhere, cut out and well loved. I went for a little search on the internet and found some lovely person on flickr who still has them untouched in the book - WOW that is restraint.

It was amazing looking through the different dresses (I wasn't really interested in Charles at all - poor Charles) it felt like yesterday, I know them all so well. I also obsessively cut out pics of Diana from magazines and made endless scrap books, all through my childhood through to my teens......!

the cover, they both look blushed within an inch of their lives

rather racy under wear for Diana, loving the socks on Charles!

Diana's rather controversial pre-wedding evening dress it showed too my cleavage
for the royal family to approve of!

the requisite Sloany country clothes

the day clothes

I totally remember her wearing this blue dress, was in it OZ?

the gorgeous evening gowns

I ADORED this emerald green dress, still do!

and of course THE dress

Armed with this knowledge, Jo knew exactly the right present to send for my birthday in March

yip you guessed it, William & Kate paper dolls!

Kate's underwear is a bit more appropriate than Diana's

nice boxers Will ;)

all the important dresses are here, the engagement sapphire blue

the simple and beautiful pink evening dress

loving the pink wellies

and of course the big day

a last minute promotion saw Will's uniform change to red

the artist best guess of what Kate might wear, not bad

and here they are in my shop in all their glory :)

Thanks Jo they have been much admired!

The BIG day has finally arrived!

2011-04-29T12:52:00.000+12:00

Do wish I was in London to enjoy it, however I'll be living my 1981 Princess fantasies via the big TV screen at my friends house with lashings of Pimms!

image here

How will you be celebrating??

Pimms'o'clock anyone? ;)

Born to Stitch!

2011-04-26T14:43:00.000+12:00

Have just discovered these fab embroidery transfer kits, definitely not your everyday kit - these rock!

found here

Queen of the Screen

2011-03-26T10:41:00.000+13:00

Elizabeth Taylor, hard to imagine a world without her, but thanks to her huge body of work, lucky for us we don't have to.

She has been touted as a style icon, I think this is true; she didn't always get it right, but when she did - WOW phenomenal!!

Stunning - RIP Liz you are a legend!

H&M does it again!

2011-01-24T15:37:00.000+13:00

When I lived in London, so many of my wardrobes staples came from H&M; inexpensive and fashion/trend led it was a great place to shop, I miss it! Even now back in NZ people always ask me where I got certain pieces of clothing and the answer is invariably 'H&M'.

So you can imagine my excitment when I heard they had launched a homeware collection!!! Thanks to my lovely friend & ex-collegue Carole of Dear Designers blog, for giving me the heads up!

I have just been trawling through the H&M home site to bring you my fav's & must haves.

From Earthy Chic

cushion

duvet cover

cushion

tea towel

table runner

paper napkins

To Pretty & Flowery

pretty tea towel

would dearly love this door mat outside my shop!

another pretty tea towel

and shower curtain!

throw

lace table cloth

and quirky/fun

cushion

duvet cover

cushion

and another fabulous cushion

I was really impressed with the website, its really well set out and anything you click on it gives you the co-ordinates or relating products which is really helpful.

So go check it out and if you are UK based and buy something, let me know so I can live vicariously through you!!! :)

H&M Home

Royal Wedding on a Plate

2011-01-15T15:34:00.000+13:00

Can't believe there is a royal wedding just around the corner! I was a HUGE Princess Diana fan as a child

image via the telegraph

the woman could even look stunning in a pretty dodgy jumper! Now that is style. I made scrap books of her images, had paper dolls of her and Charles (even with the wedding dress) and speaking of the wedding of course I watched the WHOLE thing on TV. As an eight year old it was a fairy tale fantasty come true.

And now 30 years later (god can it REALLY be that long......) its happening all over again.

image

its very exciting, not so much for me as the first time round, but I would still love to back in London for the build-up and buzz of it all.

So to get you in the swing, check out some of the most fabulous wedding souvenir china on the market.

this is my fav :)

thanks to the Creative Review Blog for hooking me up!

White Christmas - Last Christmas

2010-12-30T16:46:00.001+13:00

I have always loved Wham's Last Christmas song & video

I have dreamed for years of having a White Christmas, but to date not had one, in my mind it always looked like the Last Christmas Vid :)

Now I have found the perfect place to have my Last Christmas, White Christmas moment, thanks to the lovely Mrs French at Bliss Blog for giving me the heads up!


isn't it fabulous, I know its not a trad log cabin, but I think if Wham was to do a remake today, they would totally go pod!

imagine a cosy rugged up picnic with lashings of hot chocolate

this is as close as I could possibly get to camping ;)

everything looks so cosy & stylish - love it

then why not take a winter wonderland walk to the restaurant

this would be a great spot for the dinner scene

then ski back to the pod

the weather outside maybe frightful, but inside mmmmm delightful

To keep dreaming further and book your next White Christmas,

check out the White Pod.....ahh one day!

I'm sure George would approve :)

Merry Christmas

2010-12-28T15:11:00.000+13:00

image Martha Stewart

Hope you are having a wonderful relaxing time with your nearest & dearest :)

I had a perfect kiwi Christmas, hot sunny day, eating outdoors in a beautiful garden, looking over a picturesque farm - lovely!

Birthday Giveaway WINNER

2010-12-12T16:25:00.000+13:00

Thanks to all my lovely followers who have made the last three years of blogging such a great, international adventure! I have loved every minute of it and your support, encouragement, kindness and enthusiasm have been amazing - THANK YOU :)

The winner of the sparkly purse is ............

.......lovely follower number 63 - Yvette Inufio, congratulations Yvette!

Yvette has the most gorgeous blog Morning Light in my Room, showcasing her incredibly beautiful photography; she is really one talented woman.

I love her work so much I bought one of her prints last year - divine.

I've emailed you Yvette, as soon I hear back from you with your address this little beauty will be winging its way to you :)

Real Estate, real estate

2010-12-01T18:36:00.000+13:00

oh how I love looking at other peoples houses :) I'm the sort that likes to go for walks at dusk when people have their lights on but not closed their curtains, just so I can have a good look at their houses - that is not as creepy as it sounds....! ;)

How is this for a great project


the pink palace

I'd love to know what is in that bag, a sewing machine or typewriter? Fabulous!

all the bedrooms are painted this colour

cute kitchen

its obviously been someones pride and joy

Click here to see more of this treasure

.............................................

how is this for a tardis!

this is the front - very sweet

this is the side!

and back, extraordinary.

the interior is not to my taste but still worth a look

hope & glory December Giveway Goodness

2010-12-01T00:00:00.010+13:00

This month's hope & glory giveaway is also from the lovely peps at Scrumptious Productions.

A pair of rather fabulous black and white cameo stud earrings. A great twist on the classic cameo brooch.

All you have to do to be into win these beauties is to already be or become a follower hope & glory - simple! Click here to be into win

The winner will be drawn at random and announced on the 15th of December, will happily post anywhere in the world.

Good luck!

drum roll please.....

2010-11-30T21:12:00.001+13:00

..... for all of you lovely people that popped over to my shop hope & glory's blog and signed up for the mailing list, we have a winner for the fab folk necklace.

Congratulations Philippa Salem, thanks so much for joining the mailing list :) I'll email you to get your postal details.

Don't despair if you didn't win this time, there is a December giveway at hope & glory starting tomorrow! So check back to be in the draw for that and thanks so much for joining the mailing list, I really appreciate it!

Plus don't forget the Endless Inspiration sparkly sequin purse giveway to my lovely followers here

Bloggin Birthday

2010-11-29T09:38:00.002+13:00

Being married to the shop as I am, I completely forgot Endless Inspiration's 2nd Birthday way back in September, what a bad mother I am!!

image found here

So to make it up for my slackness, I'm giving Endless three cakes and you the present!

this very cute sparkly sequin purse - perfect xmas party bling

As a thank you to all my lovely followers, this draw is just reserved for you. So leave a comment on this post and you are in to win this little beauty.

The lucky winner will be announced 10th December, giving you plenty of time for lots of xmas parties :)

last days of the giveway.....

2010-11-24T14:47:00.000+13:00

If you haven't already done so, pop over to hope & glory, sign up to the mailing list and be into win this very cool necklace!

you have till 30th of Nov......

Crawled Out of The Sea

2010-11-23T16:45:00.002+13:00

I am totally and utterly listening on repeat, constantly singing in my head, obsessed with this fantastic song by Laura Marling

Shakespeare & Austen on Facebook

2010-11-21T15:33:00.002+13:00

This is killingly funny - I love it!

read the rest here

LOVING this too

found here

more gold to be found here

JANE EYRE!!!

2010-11-21T14:42:00.002+13:00

Oh I do love a good Jane Austen (whoops I mean Charlotte Bronte of course, you knew what I meant!!! ;), movie and Jane Eyre is def one of my fav's.

How good does this look!!!

due for release March 2011, probably later in NZ. Oh I wait with bated breath!

Cath Up your Life!

2010-11-20T19:32:00.012+13:00

I wish I'd bought up a whole shopful of Cath Kidston when I lived in the UK - sigh. However I can enjoy her fantastic London home whenever I want thanks to the lovely people at Lonny - how kind :)

So without further ado, welcome to Cath's place!

Cath's so glad you could make it - look she and Stanley are waiting for you just inside the gate!

first come into the kitchen

CK has prepared a lovely lunch for you - pretty, pretty, pretty

and the view to the garden is not bad either


wasn't that delicious! We'll just stack up the dishes, I know you're anxious for the guided tour

have a browse around the library

books, what books?! Its all about the pom poms

We'll just breeze through the gracious drawing room

admiring the details

if you need the throne room, Stanley can show you the way

if you are one of those nosy guests who look inside cupboards - Cath is ready for you

lets rest awhile

and then head upstairs

I know you wish you were staying

especially in this very pretty guest room

and the heavenly bathroom

with the handbasin tucked into this lovely cabinet - isn't she clever!

pretty towels waiting for you

lets face it, who wouldn't want to wallow in this glorious bath tub

your could even bring you best CK accessories

well maybe next time, if you're very good! :)

My lovely store hope & glory is very proud to be stockists of the Cath's divine range of hand and body products - good on ya Cath.

GIVE AWAY GOODNESS!

2010-11-03T18:33:00.000+13:00

I have realised that I've been very remiss in my blogging career as I have never had a give way! I don't know how that came about, but I am determind to remedy it!

So as a little incentive to sign up to my new shop - hope & glory's mailing list, I thought a little bribery goes along way ;)

I'm give away this great summer accessory from the lovely people at Scrumptious Productions. Wooden disk painted and clear coated with a long chain, relaxed, funky and fabulous.

Hop over to hope & glory join the mailing list, (the box on the left hand side is where you pop in your details) and bingo, you are in to win! The lucky winner will be drawn at random and notified at the end of November. If you want the chance to enter twice, just put a post on your blog about this draw with a link to hope & glory and let me know by email.

Best of luck!

Vanya

'tis the season.....

2010-11-01T12:53:00.001+13:00

.....for peonies - hurray!

image source unknown

One of my favourite seasons - Liliac - as just finished, beautiful, heavenly fragrant and all too fleeting.

image source unknown

image thanks Martha

image source unknown

image unknown

image brown paper design

image project wedding

ahhhh can't you just smell them from there. For most of the season I had a gorgeous big bunch on my desk at the shop - divine.

image unknown

and so now its peony season, happy days! As I love them SO much, I'm now selling them instore at weekends, so if you're in Martinborough, pop in for a lovely bunch to enjoy at home. The season starts with the richer, darker colours and then later come the soft pinks and whites - lovely to have an arch of beautiful colours to look forward to!

image unknown

I love this idea with the frame, very fabulous

image unknown

image project wedding

image unknown

We are so lucky to have such gorgeousness grown right here in the Wairarapa. I'm now selling locally grown peonies in my shop hope & glory. I plan to have seasonal flowers in the shop year round, so if you grow or know someone who does contact me! Its so lovely to have fresh flowers filling the store - HEAVEN.

Vintage Humour

2010-10-28T14:20:00.000+13:00

h&g is now stocking the Anne Taintor range of vintage humour products, such fun.

From magnets, coasters, to nail files and lip balm - classic vintage ladies teamed up with spot on today's humour.

doesn't she looks like Alison Holst's twin!

I had to get this as I SO don't do camping!

Each lovely lady, was a 'real' person and I love that their back story is celebrated on the Anne Taintor website.

"Susann Shaw arrived in New York City in 1937 at age 17 with no money and an eagerness to prove herself. She had been raised in boarding schools and, while she lacked the support of a family, she was intelligent and hard-working. She found a room at the YWCA and a job in a secretarial pool. She remembers the City then as being so bright and lively and clean.
Susann’s fellow secretaries urged her to become a model; she assumed they were just trying to be nice to her! But on June 27, 1938, the very day Susann was married, her new husband drove her to the Fifth Avenue address of the John Robert Powers Modeling Agency and asked his young bride to go up and try her luck. Unassuming Susann was easily discouraged by the haughty receptionist, but when she was halfway back out the door she heard a man’s voice: “Hey you! Miss! Wait!” Although, as Susann recalls, she had been brought up to ignore the calls of strange men something made her turn around......"
To read the rest of Susann's story click here

Great day for a white wedding

2010-10-07T16:58:00.000+13:00

Weddings are big business in the Wairarapa, alot of couples decide to have their big day here, often in one of the many lovely wineries in the area. To this end, I've been thinking what do I have in my shop hope & glory that would make great, useful and beautiful wedding presents...... I have a definite lack is the conclusion I've come to.

image hello friend

So I would love your help! What did you get for your wedding that was, beautiful, useful or your favourite?

Many thanks in advance :)

Manuel Canovas - Pergola

2010-09-28T16:57:00.001+13:00

As many of you know in my past life in London, one of my jobs was managing the trade showroom of Colefax & Fowler at the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre. It really fed my love of textiles, working with such gorgeous brands as Colefax & Fowler, Jane Churchill, Larsen and Manuel Canovas; all of which are part of the Colefax Group. I have started stocking Colefax Group Fabrics at my shop hope & glory, which I'm really excited about. Had a really lovely customer in yesterday, Michelle, we were chatting fabric, cushions, blogs, interiors etc etc. Michelle being the motivated girl that she is makes new cushions every season for her sofa, now that is dedication, I salute you Michelle! She told me about a blog Ada & Darcy that she follows and how she fell in love with a cushion featured and she was desperately trying to find a fabric similar. Michelle mentioned that the design was a pergola and it had pinks, turquoise and limes in it.

images via Ada & Darcy blog

As soon as I saw these images I knew instantly that it was Manuel Canovas Pergola. This is a fantastic large scale print with a number of colourways, it was available as a velvet, shown on the cushion is the cotton.

via taj housing

via anne ginger

I don't have Michelle's details, but she did take my endless inspiration and my hope & glory blog addresses, so I'm hoping that she will see this post and 'if you do Michelle, according to my price list this is not a current fabric, but I'm making enquiries to see if I can get it in for you!

Best wishes

Vanya

Happy Heartfelt Birthday

2010-09-21T17:43:00.002+12:00

A BIG happy birthday to the lovely Jannelle of Heartfelt blog.

I popped by her place today to say hi and she told me it was her birthday! If I have known I would have brought her something spoily. We had a cuppa, raspberry slice, a potter round the garden and chatted shed conversion potential - the perfect afternoon really.

Jannelle is a super talented thrifter, crafter and inspiring mum of three. Her fabulous blog is a great window to her world and work. Heartfelt is one of my most favourite blogs and always a joy to check out; growing up in the Wairarapa never looked so good!

Lovely to see you today Jannelle, hope you get some quality birthday time after the kids have gone to bed ;)

Bathing in Bath

2010-09-20T17:36:00.003+12:00

just a wee continuation of the Bath wander we had not so long ago, no trip to Bath is complete without seeing the place that Bath was named after, well at least once.

I give you the Roman Baths


sadly you can no longer swim in the baths, who really wants to see a whole bunch of tourists wallowing around in there

Bath first established as a spa resort with the Latin name, Aquae Sulis, meaning "the waters of Sulis" by the Romans in AD 43

They built baths and a temple on the surrounding hills of Bath in the valley of the river Avon around hot springs, which are the only ones naturally occurring in the United Kingdom.

obligatory tourist shot!

Roman Life Guards?!

if you fancy a dip, you can go to the new baths, Aquae Sulis, which has a fantastic huge thermal pool on its roof

Much later, Bath became popular as a spa resort during the Georgian era, which led to a major expansion that left a heritage of exemplary Georgian architecture crafted from Bath Limestone.

To see this superb Georgian Architecture check out my previous Bath post

h&g spring/summer inspiration

2010-09-14T17:46:00.002+12:00

image source unknown

image source

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image source house & garden mag

just a little taste of what is inspiring me for the upcoming seasons at my shop
hope & glory

click here to see more :)

HAPPY NZ FATHERS DAY

2010-09-05T16:30:00.000+12:00

my then 26 year old Dad and me, nearly one I think.
he must have been thinking, "what on earth do I do with this"
and, "this will be expensive!"

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY POPS :)

The drinks are on me

2010-09-04T18:00:00.000+12:00

We are toasting the arrival of Southern Hemisphere spring - hooray!!!


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surely it will be warm enough soon for pineapple cooler outside?!

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swimming and lounging by the pool with colourful mocktails

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well at least flouncing around the fields in warmth and comfort?

no? well a girl can dream!

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at least colourful soda is a year round treat - YAY

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in the meantime, grab a glass from the rake (I know great right) and name your poison

image via brabourne farm

choose your mixer

image via sf girl

have a couple

image from Lonny Mag

sit back, grab a book and relax, summer's just around the corner

Memories...

2010-09-01T17:40:00.000+12:00

'...like the corners of my mind, misty water colour memories of the way we were. Scattered pictures.....' well you know the rest :)

After spending a long, cold, wet winter in the Wairarapa and not having the luxury of travelling, has made me think of how lucky I've been to visit some of the fabulous places I have. So its time for a wee walk down memory lane (with or with out Barbra Streisand, I'll let you chose)

One of my favorite places in the UK is Bath, I used to have the use of a fantastic apartment down there on weekends, it was just off the Circus, fabulous location. As I spent quite alot of time there, this post is not about all the big famous monuments (except maybe the cathedral, but the slightly tucked away, more everyday Bath)

So here is my little wander down memory 'Bath' lane - enjoy

of course Bath wouldn't be Bath without its grand Georgian Architecture

but its lovely to have these little gems hidden away to humanise the grandness

wouldn't it be charming to live here

or here!

I just don't know if you can beat an English garden in May - heavenly

lets stroll into town

admire the cathedral

splendid

stairway to heaven?

lets avoid the tourist and tuck into this pretty side chapel


and admire the skill of the stonemasons who can be extremely proud of this ceiling

just encase you wanted an overview of what you've been wandering around

circus on the right, the crescent on the left


image source

I wish I could say that the last image was taken by me, but no. I use to wake sometimes to the hot air balloons heading over the top of the apartment; wish I had done it now.

Lap Love

2010-08-29T17:25:00.000+12:00

Oh my goodness, I just saw this on This is Glamorous and nearly died!

Wooden lap top cases, too fab-u-lous

how supremely gorgeous

oh my goodness, I REALLY need one of these in my life!

Wairarapa Winter

2010-08-21T19:23:00.001+12:00

its been a long cold winter here in the Rapa, not quite cold like the last London winter, but without central heating it sure feels like it!

its been frosty

the balls are glass not frost ;)

there's been alot of snow on the hills

we do need the temperature to warm up

but at least now, finally we have some signs of spring

as my lovely French friend Nadine would say 'sanks god for zat'!

well said Nadine :)

Get your Gold on!

2010-07-25T16:24:00.001+12:00

Make winter glow with a touch of the gold stuff.

image source this is glamorous

whether you do splashes of gold

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or hints of gold

image la maison boheme

imagehttp://studiohousedesign.blogspot.com/ studio house design

gold warms up where ever it goes

image vincente wolf

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be it the frame

image source this is glamorous

or what's in the frame

image lenin imports

image source this is glamorous

try going subtle


image pure home style

or why not on everything!

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gold works well in a traditional setting

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as it does in contemporary

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Why not fabric in your living room

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or in your bedroom

image vincente wolf

or on your handbag

image red direct

or even on you

image this is glamorous

how ever you do it, don't forget to sparkle!

image beth retro

H & G

2010-07-10T08:59:00.002+12:00

Hope & Glory (my shop!) still wrapping my brain around that; well the blog has had a mini makeover, major make over to come, my very talented and lovely graphic designer friend is working her magic - so exciting! But in the meantime I've done a re-jig and freshen up, which is an improvement I think, so check it out and let me know your thoughts. Comments on H&G are now open to all, weirdly it was set to only followers before, so I do apologise, v annoying I'm sure.

Thought I'd give you a quick round up of some of the lovelies that have recently rolled in the door.....


Hiliarious Babushka Skipping ropes + friends and the cute apple card sets

gorgeous glamorous 70's gold dessert glasses

sparkly glasses & crystal bowls

great new range of jewellery

beautiful cards by the very talented NZ artist Rochelle Andrews

not new but on a rolling rotation all the wonderful fabrics I bought back from the U.K with me

and yes there is Cath Kidston hand & body products - can you imagine my excitement!!!

and how pretty do they look - swoon

To see more mooch over to Hope & Glory

Have a great weekend!

Winter Warmers

2010-07-05T10:49:00.000+12:00

Just cos its mid winter and chilly on this side of the world, doesn't mean we can't rug up stylishly!

rich and inviting, coffee sacks are def cool

green can be warm, warming it up with velvet and wood, I have green on two walls at the shop, I love it

rockin' the plaid, I have a similar one on my bed at the moment

what can't a plaid blanket do? Plus a fabulous head board helps :)

not just the fire, but the books make the room feel cosy - I adore the colours

imagine staying in this bedroom - wonderful

as a rule I don't do camping, but I could do this!

keep cosy!

Blooming in Winter

2010-06-18T16:07:00.000+12:00

Well this is my first New Zealand winter for eight years and apart from the rain, rain, rain and lack of central heating (that is a blog post in its self!) I think I have been surviving quite well. What makes it easier I think than a U.K winter, so far is its not quite as cold (apart from inside without central heating....) but also alot of the New Zealand native trees and plants are evergreen; this makes things feel more alive and cheerful.

I have been feeling a pang, looking at the blog posts of the Northern Hemisphere spring/summer and all the glorious flowers, but I figure, just cause its winter doesn't mean you can't have flowers in your life - thank you fabric & wallpaper!

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source Rose Tarlow

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source Alan Jensen

source Blue Bell Grey

source Cath Kidston

source via Dress Design Decor

source Home & Garden

source Ethan Ollie

source House to Home

Source Sanderson

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source T Mag

Making Winter Glorious

2010-06-18T14:41:00.000+12:00

Finally the rain has stopped, three weeks was quite enough! The sun is shining and everyone is feeling alot happier for it. What better way to brighten up a winter day than the gorgeous work of Diane Massey-Molloy, now available at Hope & Glory!

loving it? See more at Hope & Glory

Yummy Jewellery at Hope & Glory

2010-06-17T16:55:00.000+12:00

Hop over to H&G and check out the Scrumptious new range of jewellery I've just received;

using new & vintage to create a unique range, I'm rockin' the granny chic :)

HOP HERE

HOPE & GLORY IS OPEN!!!!

2010-06-07T09:24:00.000+12:00

Opened on Saturday!

here is a teaser, pop over to Hope & Glory to see more

Hope & Glory

2010-06-02T13:26:00.001+12:00

Hi there

Sorry its all been rather quiet on the inspiration front of late, I have been beavering away on a new project that has been keeping me rather busy; I am opening a store in Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand. As ya do :)

I was going to pop back to the U.K for their summer and work, then come back to NZ and set up the shop in November, but the perfect premises came up so I thought, why not!

Here is the building

The Old Station Hotel was relocated from Masterton 30kms away about 10 years ago, its on the main st and right next to the very popular wine centre

Hope & Glory has the down stairs area, it was a real estate office hence the pics in the window. The HIDEOUS sign in going today - hooray!

Cute side window under the veranda. The whole building desperately needs repainting, which I'm told will happen in the near future. In the mean time I have been given permission to paint my windows and doors, however it has been raining for the last week and half so that will have to wait till next week unfortunately.

the interior - before, door to rather grand communal hall and stairs

looking out the front and side windows, LOTS of painting has happen since this was taken, nearly there - thank god, I have calluses on my calluses!

the nasty fluro's have gone, love the tongue & groove wooden ceiling, oh but what a hell of a thing to paint, especially with a 3.8m high stud height

After photos coming soon, stay tuned......

I have set up a rather basic blog to start me off and will graduate to something a bit more fancy soon, with a real logo :)

http://www.hopeglorynz.com/

I have BIG plans for the shop, but starting small and evolving. I would love you to join me on this new big exciting and scary adventure!!!

this weeks winner is.....

2010-05-26T09:55:00.000+12:00

Still London....... however in second place is the City of Sails

AUCKLAND!!!!

I'm absolutely thrilled that kiwi's are loving my blog - good on ya :)

Heart Felt

2010-05-26T09:45:00.001+12:00

I had the pleasure of visiting the fabulous Janelle, from Heart Felt last week, we had afternoon tea at their new house in Greytown. So nice to chat, look around the house, see all the treasures Janelle has cleverly found being the master thrifter that she is!

If your not familiar or a follower of Heart Felt, I highly recommend it. Janelle blogs about the adventures her gorgeous kids get up to living in the Wairarapa, New Zealand. Let me introduce....

Charlie

Sadie

Oscar

Apart from being a Mum of three, Librarian, master thrifter, Janelle is an awesome crafter - upcycling children's knitted items.

Hats

cosy woolie trousers

cute jumpers

Check out all of Janelle's fabulous wares on here Felt site and Etsy

Hope your having a great week!

this weeks winner is.....

2010-05-16T15:30:00.001+12:00

Still London, (8 million people can't be wrong, not that I'm suggesting that's how many visitors I had on my site....maybe one day!) but closely following in second place is..............

TORONTO!!!

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What a beautiful city, I do hope to visit some day.

Thank you Canada, glad you could stop by

My London Studio Apartment

2010-05-15T16:26:00.004+12:00

Reading all the wonderful blogs I do, it has made me really appreciate 'real' interiors, as much as I ADORE a beautifully styled room, there is something fascinating about seeing how 'real' people live; especially before and afters!. As I have never owned my own house/flat/apartment/hovel of my own, (that in its self is an interior designers version of chinese water torture) it has made me inventive when it comes to putting my own stamp on the many rental properties I have lived in over the years. You have to work that much harder, to work around or with things that are really not your taste, but still make it feel like its your home.

Although its not the most inventive I have been in my rental life, I thought you might enjoy seeing my last flat in London, the small but perfectly formed studio flat - before and after photos........ be kind ;)

Du Cane Court Balham, the original plans

Du Cane Court is an Art Deco apartment block on Balham High Road, Balham, South West London.
A distinctive local landmark, it was opened in 1937, with 676 apartments, is the largest privately owned block of flats under one roof in Europe. It is so distinctive (at least from the air) that it was reputedly used as a navigational landmark by German pilots bombing London during the second world war. It was a popular place to live for many music hall stars in the 1930s and '40s and boasted a social club, on the top floor, before the area was converted into flats. My flat was part of the old Social Club.

Du Cane Court now, my flat was on the top of the stepped section

half of the second to top 'step' was my roof terrace, one of only two large terraces in the whole building

BEFORE: looking from the sleeping area towards living & terrace

AFTER: I moved the dining into the middle of the room & put living in the corner, it was a great spot to stash all my excess fabric collection.......!

BEFORE: the kitchen, the green tiles really didn't do it for me, but you work with what you have

AFTER: I managed to squeeze ALOT into that tiny kitchen. Rockin' the Cath Kidston teatowel

AFTER: the utensils sat in an old glass jar & the fruit bowl, next to the pot plants, was also clear glass, great for not taking up too much visual space in a tight spot

BEFORE: sleeping area to living

BEFORE: very attractive shelving unit (NOT) I did get permission to paint, but never got round to it

BEFORE: Whole back wall of wardrobes with cupboards above, my saving grace

AFTER: I covered the shelving unit with a beige stripe cotton, perfect for disguising the ugly shelves and back of stereo and books


AFTER: the amount of stuff I managed to shoe horn into those cupboards was a miracle!


BEFORE: front door to the left

AFTER: kitchen to the right, bathroom door next to wardrobe on right

BEFORE: bathroom

AFTER: not a huge change, but the voile curtain gave me much more privacy

BEFORE: was dining, now.....

AFTER: living, this is where I used to sit to blog, hence the mac. The armchair is one of the few pieces of furniture I shipped back to NZ with me. I found it looking battered and sad, got it fixed and reupholstered, its now my fav piece! P.S: The main curtains were not my choice....

AFTER: I put up the printed voile at the window, privacy, peace & calm (apart from the traffic noise!!!)

AFTER: winter cosiness

BEFORE: living/dining to front door

AFTER: not the greatest image, the book shelf got V full with all my china finds....but cosy

AFTER: looking through from the roof terrace


AFTER: living to terrace, indoor/outdoor flow was great

BEFORE: roof terrace

Enjoy the great views from the terrace

Can you see Canary Wharf in the background?

can you see the Gherkin Building in the back ground?

Thanks for visiting, do call again I'll put the kettle on :)

past posts about life in the studio flat here
and here

And the winner is.......

2010-05-07T13:54:00.000+12:00

LONDON

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I have recently become a wee bit obsessed with Google Analytic's, I know it took me awhile to discover it..... It's been so interesting to see where in the world the lovely people who read my blog live. This week the most readers are from London, my second home - thanks guys & girls it means alot! :)

Who will it be next week........? Stayed tuned to find out!