Loving...

Today I am doing a happy dance that it's Friday! So to end the week I thought I would share a few of the images I have scanned for my files from the latest Vogue Living Magazine. This rates as one of my favourite editions of Vogue for sometime because there are just so many beautiful homes featured in it including the renovation of this Sydney Mission-style apartment.....Ax

Moroccan Inspiration

One of the things I love the most about travel is the inspiration I get from my surroundings and the emotions it evokes. The details in architecture and design of the buildings in many of the places I have visited are always inspiring; the shapes, patterns, textures and colours. Although I have never been to Morocco, it is on my list of places I would like to experience someday soon!

A Ryad in Marrakech with its large scale rooms and patio's....

Beautiful textiles and colours....

wonderful detail of the hand made tiles....

{Images via lark-about}

London...

I am slowly coming back to reality after my trip, although reading Vicki's fabulous posts this week about Paris has not helped cure my bad case of wanderlust! Part of my recent trip was spent three wonderful days in London where I stayed at a little hotel, The Cranley in Kensington. So as requested here are some more images from my trip!

The first day I had in London there was heavy rain which did not stop all day! Returning to the hotel wet and cold (my umbrella provided little protection, but that didn't stop me!), it was lovely to be welcomed by the beautiful fire. The hotel serves tea and scones each afternoon so I spent the next hour sitting in the hotel lounge warming up enjoying afternoon tea in 'my' quintessentially English surroundings.

I took this picture the following morning from my hotel room where the day was completely opposite to the previous one; a rare sunny English winter day! I adore all the terrace homes in the streets surrounding the hotel.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend....Ax

Paris shopping...

Like any girl who visits Paris, a day or two shopping is essential and I always include a visit to the French children's boutique Bonpoint in St Germain to buy something for my daughter. Even if you do not have a little person to buy for this store is worth visiting at least once just for the building and styling alone! Just like everything in Paris, it is so gorgeous...

...I love the floor!

Bonpoint

{Photos by Oliveaux}

Back home & still thinking of Paris!

I have been at home for a few days now recovering from my wonderful trip and slowly getting back into the routine of the different time zone! I ended my trip in Paris where I spent time at Maison Objet and then was able to have a few days enjoying Paris....although I have visited Paris many times before, her beauty and magic never disappoints! Like all francophiles out there, I am already dreaming of my next trip!

I thought I would leave you with some of the pictures I took of my trip for the weekend...I love the architecture and gardens of the 'Petit Trianon' at Versailles. One is easily captivated by the decadent world of Marie Antoinette she made in this home a gift to her from her husband, King Louis XVI. This is the place where she danced, gambled, dabbled in horticulture and bought two pairs of shoes a week!

....the grand entrance

....the music room

....beautiful details

...the bedroom

....the kitchen

...front courtyard

...beautiful winter garden

Have a wonderful weekend....Ax

Winter Wonderland

Just thought I would send you a postcard from Frankfurt. I took this photo from my hotel room this evening - the Christmas lights are still up and with all the snow around at the moment it is truly magical (and cold!)....this lovely hotel is built around the original Gothic style home which was constructed in 1904 for an influential banking family.

Au Revoir

"Paris is always a good idea" Sabrina

I have returned from our beach holiday to unpack my summer clothes and re-packed tonight for the cold European winter. I am flying to Frankfurt tomorrow!! I am then heading over to London for a few days and finally spending a week in Paris....I am so excited! I will be catching up with some of my suppliers and seeing lots of new things for Oliveaux. I shall hopefully be able to share some photo's with you along the way, so until then, au revoir.

Merry Christmas...

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

I love Christmas and the time we get to spend with family. We are going to my Mum & Dad's and my brothers and sisters at the beach for the next week. Included in our 'Clan' are five beautiful energetic little ones all under 4 years old, who will be eagerly waiting to open Aunty Amanda's wonderful presents (I am sure their parents will be equally as delighted with my selection!).

It has been such a pleasure getting to know so many of you this year and all the great friendships made. Thank you all so much and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Wishing you and your loved ones many blessings this Christmas....Axx

Black + White...

Another fabulous kitchen....I could spend the day cooking for Christmas in this space! I love the addition of the sitting area which was added by reconfiguring the laundry space and the little built-in desk. Knocking out the laundry also provided the space to accommodate an island bench.

The black and white statement continues with the striped fabric on the breakfast banquette and I love the aluminium custom made table. My dream kitchen would have a butlers pantry and this one tucked around the corner would do me just fine!

{via traditional home}

One week to go....

A magical entryway lined with candles welcomes guests....I love the simplicity of it! With only one week to go until Christmas I have to admit that I am not completely organised. Can you believe its only a week away? Am I the only one not organised?

I love decorations hanging from a chandelier.

Have a happy Friday!!

{Images via Homes & Gardens}

Thank you....

I was so excited to find that OLIVEAUX was named as one of "50 of the world's best design blogs" by the UK Times Online yesterday. To be included amongst some of my favourite blogs was such an honour.

You can see the full list here.

Summer veranda...

This week I have been working on outdoor spaces for two different clients so I thought I would share this beautiful porch with you. Hope you are having a lovely day!

{image via country living}

Bloggers Unite for Pencils of Promise Day

Several bloggers are coming together in a collaborative effort spearheaded by Paloma Contreras of La Dolce Vita, in order to make a difference for a very deserving charity. Pencils of Promise is a wonderful 501(c)(3) organization based in New York, that partners with local communities and organizations to build schools of early-stage education in developing nations for some of the world’s most impoverished and undereducated children. Sadly, there are more than 75 million children in this terrible situation worldwide.

Last December, the Pencils of Promise team visited a small village in Laos and by July 2009, they had built a new school for the village children who started attending classes on September 1st. This month, Pencils of Promise will be opening their third school and they hope to open the doors to education for more children in 2010.

In the spirit of the holiday season, we are asking for your help today on behalf of these children. Just think of the enormous impact we could have if each person who reads this post donates just $1.00. If you are willing and able to give more (35.00 buys shelves for a classroom, $50 provides pencils for one year, $100 provides a teacher’s salary for three months and so on), it would be greatly appreciated. We are in the midst of the giving season and hope that you will find it in your heart to make a donation to this worthy cause today just click here.

Inner courtyard....

I am doing a happy dance that it is now Friday evening and I can put my feet up and relax! It has been hot here in Brisbane this week so just looking at these images makes me feel cooler. Isn't this a lovely courtyard? I have always wanted an inner courtyard, like on many of the old French or Italian houses.

I would enjoy setting this table and spending the summer afternoon over a long lunch with family or friends.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! Ax

{Images via Elle Deco}