WALES, WALTS, King Ferns and Concrete Parrots

Oops! Five months have just accidentally slipped by without me updating the Old Girl. We've been busy doing lots of things, house-related and not. Tomorrow some electricians will be here and they'll be connecting the power to the downstairs rooms. So excited! Power points will go on, lights will go up, it's going to be a revolution! It seems like we've been shuffling around down there in the dark forever and this will suddenly make things a lot more civilised.
I have started working full-time. I know! It's actually been a lot easier than I thought it would be. I enjoy getting dressed up and going off into the world, although as I friend of mine says, it's only been a month.
I've been wearing heels, clothes that actually have some shape. I do my hair every morning and paint my face like a geisha. I work as a writer for a property investment company. I love what I do, although sometimes I feel everyone around me is talking Dutch; dividends, unlisted trusts, asset realisations, WALEs and WALTs, everything is an acronym. I'll get a handle on it eventually.
I refuse to feel guilty for working. I'm not here all the time for my daughters, but I think it's also important to set a good example for them. I want them to grow up and have careers and interests of their own. I think it will be very important particularly for their generation. I don't think girls their age are necessarily going to want to grow up 'and get married and have children'.
Already, with my own friends and colleagues, I know so many women who are in their 40s and single by choice. It really isn't unusual anymore. 
Here's a concrete parrot I bought at Woolloongabba Antiques recently. For twenty clams I couldn't in all honesty leave the little sweetie behind. Isn't he adorable. He's happiness-inducing.

 Speaking of which, I was reading recently that Retail Therapy is a real thing, and buying stuff will make you happy, so there. I knew that all along, but some people were doubters.

My mother grew me this king fern from when it was nothing more than a baby frond. It's been in my care for about three weeks and so far, so good. It's very refreshing to have some greenery around. I hope I can maintain the round-the-clock care that ferns demand.
Tomorrow my sisters and I are surprising our mother for her birthday with tickets to see Dolly Parton. I'd love to see Dolly, but only if I could click my fingers and have her sing to me in my own lounge room. I'm not one for large car parks and crowds, all those things involved with seeing live concerts.

A friend gave me this vintage flamingo tin for Christmas. She got it on-line from the US. I love it. I was talking to another friend about decorating motifs. She's got a sixth sense when it comes to this sort of thing. She's been onto flamingos for years, and pineapples and about six months ago she predicted the onset of toucans, which has now come to bear......just wait, you'll notice them everywhere now.
My older daughter is 10 this year which means the secondary schools all need the proper paperwork and applications filled out for year 7 in 2017. She has already been accepted into one school and to secure that place we now have to pay a $1000 non refundable deposit by the end of February. Meanwhile, we are waiting to hear from another school, however, that won't be until the end of March. This means we'll have to pay the deposit at the first school, just in case the second one doesn't come through - it's quite the racket.
The girls have just chosen the colours for their bedrooms. Peaches chose a baby soft pink, or at least that's what we thought. On the walls it's more vile fairy floss, but anyway, we can work with it. She's been banned from putting anything else pink in her room though.
Mims is half painted, it's a lovely quiet, rich cream colour.

Out in the main room.....

....we're not having much clarity with the colour, despite hauling every visitor we get in front of the colour swatch wall and demanding they pick one.

Maybe I should throw a dart.
Is Shapelle out yet?

A Study in Black and White

While we are on the subject of The Classics, let's take a moment to enjoy the majesty that is BLACK AND WHITE.

I have been reading this book lately by Celerie Kemble.

A Study in the Classics

Remember when I posted a photo of this beautiful house, and some of you pointed out that it is actually in Rockhampton. As I've said many times, I grew up in Rockhampton. It's a town that usually makes the news for all the wrong reasons, but it actually has some ridiculously beautiful old Queenslanders, so many in fact that some of them are sitting in a state of decay.
This one however, Cooloola, is quite the opposite. It is the picture of perfection, and I've now had permission of the owner to show you the inside.

Let's skirt around the outside a tad more first.

This house is a perfect example of why some bits and pieces are considered classic. They just work, they're beauitful and they don't go out of fashion. Take that timber planter box at the front door,for example. That style of planter is at the front door of many a fancy address on Park Avenue in New York.

I recently bought a white Didier Parakian dress. Five minutes after I put it on, I had spilt make up on the front of it. I could never live in a house like this, but I take great delight in looking upon it.

It's all in the details.....

There's a young lady in the house. This is her quarters.

What more can you wish for than a pink bath tub?

A study in blue.

This is what life in the tropical north should look like.

Rhythm and symmetry. So reassuring.

Excuse me. Pineapples.

In case you're wondering, and I'm positively sure you are, this is the lady responsible for this big pile of wonderful.
Frances Russell, wife, mother of three, interior decorator, designer. I imageine Frances' home is a tomato sauce/soy sauce/red wine free zone.

If you're needing any decorator services, go to www.francesfussellinteriors.com.au
You can also read Frances' blog at www.beautifulinteriorsand18thcenturystyle.blogspot.com

Thanks again Frances!

Who's a pretty boy?

Look at this beautiful cockatoo I have been babysitting. He's about to go into the shop, but I'm going to miss him like the deserts miss the rain (to quote Ace of Base). He's not only gorgeous but so darn versatile, you can read by him, look at him and sit next to him as I have been doing for the past 24 hours. He looks great during the day....

and at night...

If you're interested in him (shameless advertising I know), click here.
In other news, I'm concerned Peaches may grow up to join the army. This is how I found her bed this morning when I got up.

She's five you know, and I could bounce a coin on this thing.
Hands up if you voted for Campbell Newman? Hmm, I thought so, no one seems to be owning up to that.
Talk about civil unrest. It's interesting times.

Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Each year in New York a house or apartment is chosen to be decorated by a variety of designers, and money is raised through entry to see it, which goes to the Kips Bay Girls Club (or something?). The house is called the Kips Bay Decorator Show House and the 2012 one has just been unveiled.

I've found it almost impossible to steal photos of it, but they have been released on the New York Times website and you can see it here.

There's a whole story on it and a slideshow. If you can't find the link to the slideshow, click here. I've done all the hard work for you.

Since I couldn't show you the current rooms, below are some from previous years. Upscale NYC interiors are so different to ours in the Antipodes. These are utterly glamorous.

I love this blue below, especially with the olive and gold tones.

I find this room a bit ott, but if I were an Upper East Side waspy social butterfly, I could definitely do it.

Bathrooms are well represented.

I love this room. It's cosy and classic.

Love this interpretation of mid century style.

Here it is again.

Every New York penthouse needs a terrace.

I think this room can't quite decide what to do.

Love this outdoor area. Grey and natural timbers really do it for me.

This room is super glamorous, love all the classic pieces; wingback chair, topiary, basket chandelier, chesterfields, pedestal table, etc.

I love the comfy formality of this room too, with a bit of pink thrown in for good measure.

Kitchen. Looks familiar.

There's nothing like an understated bedroom for a good nights sleep.

Interesting, isn't it? Have a look at this year's rooms if you have the time. Beautiful.