Wednesday 28 March 2012

Step Outside...





These pics are just beautiful - don't you find? A reminder of how the vastness of the outdoors can be shaped into the prettiest of vignettes... Love, love, love the lampshades...

Thank You Bella Mumma...



Just a little shout out to the gorgeous Nikki Yazxhi from Bella Mumma blog for mentioning me in an article she's written for Studio Bambini mag... Do you guys know Bella Mumma? If you haven't seen it, head over there - it's simply gorgeous - the design is heaven - and Nikki's beautiful beauty tips inspire one to reach for the stars when it comes to keeping fit and fabulous... I've know Nikki for yonks - since our magazine days - and she is such a divine gal... Thanks Nikki for the mention - I promise I will make it up your way for lunch soon!!! xxx

Tuesday 27 March 2012

The Angels...



Whilst traveling is a load of fun - I am missing my angels terribly... I loved coming across these pics taken by Prue Ruscoe - of the angels in a photo shoot we produced for Inside Out mag a while ago now... My, how they've grown...

A Martha Moment In Pink...


So you know that I'm heading to see Martha live next week! Yes, I'm going to be a part of the studio audience (along with four other gorgeous gal pals) and I'm just so excited. I've been a fan of Martha since forever - how couldn't you be, I say... Even if you're not into her style or approach to things - it's simply extraordinary what the lady has achieved in one lifetime... Getting things done in this world isn't easy, and she's someone who has managed to make things happen, and shape our aesthetic vernacular in a way that few people can... And, the fact that she's helped to bring craft back into the arena, not only as a very satisfying way to spend ones time, but also as a way of making a living is a gigantic feat... And so for that, I tip my hat...
We've been instructed to wear some spring colours to the taping - no mutes and no busy patterns, which has been tricky for me cause I love my muted tones... Never one to shy away from a challenge though, I headed out to J Crew and got myself some colour - yes, a fluoro pink sweater and peep toe pumps! Too much, you think? Well, one things for sure, I wont be missed!

Monday 26 March 2012

Trims...



I love a trim... In the world of decorating, it's one of the most exciting ways to add oomph and excitement to everything from a cushion, a throw, a lampshade... And visiting a trim store... well what could be more exciting than that... In Australia we're lacking in the trim department don't you find... Although stores such as Spotlight and Lincraft have come a long way in the supply of interesting and beautiful trims, it's still difficult to source the exotic and one of a kind at home... Recently, when hubby was in London I had him traipsing the streets in search of some gorgeous trims... You see, I had a photo shoot on the way and was desperate to get my hands on some trims to use as props... He did well, and managed to secure a tiny bag full of deliciously coloured trims and I was so grateful as they added such a beautiful edge to the photographs... Can you imagine my glee then, when the gorgeous Holly Becker steered me in the direction of M&J Trimming in NYC... Would you believe, in all the times I've been to NYC, I've never visited this gorgeous store... Trim stores are akin to candy stores for me... And I've just spent the better part of two hours scouring the walls for beautiful things... Of course, like candy stores, one can get a little overwhelmed by the choice - the range is huge! But I did come away with a few very special pieces which I'm planning to infuse into a new colour scheme that I have planned for the farmhouse... Well, when I say new colour scheme, I might be stretching things a little far... Note the blues and greens dear friends... I just can't get away from them... So, it's not really a new colour scheme, more a new texture theme... A little rougher and more earthy - with the noted blues and greens as accents... So after two hours - this is what I managed to secure... I can see some gorgeous cushions trimmed in these, can't you? From this pic, you'd never think that it taken me so long to make my choices! Such a piddly array!!! And so, I think I may have to dip my toe back in, before I leave! Just once more! For the fun of it all...

Sunday 25 March 2012

Mellow Yellow...





Yellow is popping up again as a colour for the season... Paired with natural timbers, and a touch of gold and white... It really makes a statement here... These pics are of David Starks range of tableware for West Elm. A little ray of sunshine for your day ahead....

Saturday 24 March 2012

Access All Areas....

Australians love to travel... It's true... The wonderment to behold beyond the pacific blue ocean is a calling for us... It's in our blood... It's part of our DNA... It's who we are... Intrepid travelers... Adventurers.. Those of you who know me here, know well that I love to travel... I love getting out into the world, to feel the vibe and the energy of what's happening 'out there'... I have some favourite places - funnily enough - all cities... London, Paris... But my favourite of all? Well, it's NYC... But as I sit in a high rise apartment on the upper west side (where I'm staying with some friends for the while) - and look out the window... I wonder just why? It's kinda ugly from way up here!

But those of you who have been here will know... It's the beat of the pavement that is so alluring... There's something about the energy here... About the pulse of the place... The ever enduring optimism... The possibility... The hope... It's all here... On the NYC streets... It's a tough place to be sure... It's grey... It's concrete... It's fast... It's furious... And yet, even in the face of this, the people walk to a happy beat...

One of the loveliest things for me when visiting NYC is the access you have to extraordinary people... You know from my last post, that I spent a couple of days with Holly Becker and her troupe of talented friends (photographer Debi Treloar and the lovely Daniel)... It's crazy, that after so many years of following her blog (and Debi's work) that I was able to sit with them and chat about life, love and everything in between... What a gift... And through Holly, I met the indefatigable Amy Atlas... A true sweetheart - kind, generous and inspiring... The world of dessert is the ideal place for such a lovely gal to be spending her days... A couple of days later, I went along to hear Alain de Botton speak about his new book, Religion for Atheists (he also wrote Architecture of Happiness amongst other things) up at the 92Y - a small auditorium, filled with only 100 people. Lou Reed was sitting only a couple of rows ahead! Then it was another talk by Deepak Chopra speaking with ecologist Vandana Shiva about the Future of our Food supply... This was held at ABC Homebase - a small space held within ABC Carpet and Home (possibly the most beautiful place in the world)... Next week, I've managed to secure 4 seats at a taping of one of Martha's shows... And I just cant wait for that one. We've been told to wear happy spring colours, and so I'm cracking open my fluro pumps and bright pink J Crew sweater!

It's extraordinary to have such access to so many talented people... But in NYC, it's just the way it is... Creativity abounds here... The most talented people in the world walk the streets the same as everyone else... No matter how well known you are, in NYC, you walk to the same beat as everybody else... I love that there are so many Australians here contributing to the aesthetic vernacular... One such talent is Vanessa Holden (ex creative director at Real Simple, Editor of Martha Stewart mag and now top lady at West Elm) Vanessa, along with an entourage of talented Aussie photographers, stylists, designers, have all been contributing to the look and the feel of things over here... It's great to see our Australian creative point of view can contribute in such a significant way to the global aesthetic... And so, as I spend my days pounding the streets of NYC, I'm gathering inspiration and energy to bring home to Australia - and to infuse into our work at The Little Cottage (in country NSW!)...

Watch out all, as we are preparing to launch our new website - a one stop shop for all of my offerings - the Shannon Fricke Bedlinen range, my new book, workshop dates, plus a showcase of my work to date... Charlotte, my creative offsider has been working at a furious pace to get things looking and working just right... And we are just so close! On the website, we will unveil the beautiful photographs taken for our bedlinen catalogue - of course, photographed by the gorgeous Prue Ruscoe... Plus you will receive up to the minute news through my news and blog page... Of course, you'll be the first to know when we're ready to launch... But for today, a sneeky peek into the website... Just one pic to set the mood...

Sunday 11 March 2012

Escape The Everyday....















Hello my dear friends... Life has been fabulously fun of late - as we've been working on some very exciting new projects at The Little Cottage which are finally coming to fruition! Those of you work in the creative way will know well that it takes time for things to happen... Projects require love and tending over the long haul before they are ready to be set free into the wider world... Well, I have a couple of projects almost ready to fly and I can't wait to tell you more... Watch the blog over the next few weeks to see snippets of my new book (I'm sooo excited about this one!) and also my new range of Shannon Fricke Bedlinen. Yes... Bedlinen! I've been a lover of all things bedlinen for so many years - and so it seemed like a natural place to extend on my product range ( my Free Range ceramics)... We've been working away for the past 12 months to create a range that is EXACTLY as I want it to be - a range that reflects the carefree and inspiring lifestyle that I live and love everyday... So watch this space all - as I'll be posting pics from the photographic campaign (photographed by none other than the tireless Prue Ruscoe at my little studio up at the farm)... But that's not all! Watch this space as - we're putting the finishing touches on the new Shannon Fricke website - a one stop spot for hearing all our news, shopping the range, and booking into our workshop dates. Due to go live beginning of April...

In the meantime, I want to share with a you a recent project that I've been working on close to home - a small hotel refurb in beautiful Byron Bay... I was chuffed and slightly overwhelmed when I was approached to work on the refurb and fit out of what is now known as the Bayshore Bungalows in Byron Bay... An existing site (at north Belongil) - which hadn't been updated since it was first built in the late 70s/80s (think brown brick and pine raking ceilings!)... the Bayshore Bungalows was in desperate need of some tender loving care to bring it up to the now. The brief was to make it fresh, exciting and relevant without losing that wonderful, down-to-earth, been here for years vibe that Byron Bay is famous for... I love a challenge - and what really drew me to this project is the clients desire to 'tread lightly and with respect' for what came before. Of course, it's often easier to knock down and rebuild something that is seen as outdated - but not nearly as fun. The Bayshore Bungalows are quirky buildings (originally brown brick - be inspired those of you with a brown brick bungalow!) with a great feeling - and so the team and I set about giving them some life.
A palette of white walls and neutrals were the ideal backdrop to layer the muted, worn palette of blues and greens that became the essential accents. Been there before details such as sand sieves, oars, ropes and glass buoys give the space a down-to-earth attitude and a wonderful warmth. All topped off with artwork by local artist Potts - and you have a smooth, carefree interior that begs you to stay a little longer.
If you're coming to Byron Bay then check out the Bayshore Bungalows - the location is ideal - far enough out of town to be truly relaxing but close enough to the action of Byron. And Belongil beach (a stroll down the road) is a stretch of paradise... Check out their website here - also worth noting for those of you with a wedding coming up - that the bungalows are attached to the North Byron Events (which is a beautiful wedding location right on the beach).

Check back in everybody as I have more news to tell you! Namely, I'm in NYC - and I had dinner with the gorgeous Holly Becker and Amy Atlas last night!!! Watch this space...

all pics here by Alicia Taylor