The Silver LiningArtist Open House Fremantle
Posted on November 13, 2015
Boy oh boy, are we all in for a treat this weekend! Hot on the tails of the Open House Perth, Artist Open House Fremantle is on this Friday through to Sunday.
Seven Fremantle residences (all within walking distance of each other) have been filled with local art and beautifully styled into living, breathing galleries. This unique concept showcases art in the home, so we not only admire it but can better see how it could fit and enrich our own living spaces.
Exciting and new to AOHF is the Styled House, a collaboration with superstar stylist Jo Carmichael. Everything in this house from the art to the textiles to the furniture are for sale. We were lucky enough to be given the chance to have a sneaky preview look of this amazing location. As you can see from our photos, the place is just a dream, an absolutely feast for the eyes and unfastener of purse strings.
Well now you know what your plans this weekend are, start your day off at Ootong & Lincoln, not only serving up its usual tasty fare and coffee but also acting as the AOHF Headquarters this weekend! Be sure to head over to the Artist Open House Fremantle website to find out more details and download a map!
Artist Open House Fremantle / IG @artistopenhousefremantle / Facebook / Friday November 13th to Sunday November 15th
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Little Leaf Co
Posted on April 13, 2015
Of late, I’ve noticed myself walking into department stores or big chain stores and leaving empty handed. No matter how much I like the look of something, the feel of a garment, the colour of an item, there’s something missing. And the more I analyse it, the more I come to understand that what’s missing is a deeper connection to a place, the story behind the products – the feeling that what you’re buying meant something to its maker or curator and that they actually loved making it or selecting it before presenting it to you to take into your own life. Rows and rows of uniformly made objects blur into anonymity as we search for something more “special” that strikes a chord within us.
On entering Little Leaf Co, you are immediately welcomed into Tonia’s not-so-secret secret garden. She loves and adores the space and the plants and pots that inhabit it, you feel her pride, passion and perfectionism as soon as the place envelopes you.
Little Leaf Co sprang into life last December and very quickly caught our eye, drawing us like magpies to shiny whatnots. Having always been a gifted gardener, Tonia decided after working for 18 years with her husband in their still operating construction company to follow her heart and, of course, her green thumbs.
The space is just a dream. A high lofty ceiling with oodles of sunshine houses perfectly imperfect fiddle leaf figs, gnarly monsteras, and highly sought after zebra plants and succulents. It has already in its short life played host to the Perth Creatives’ Summer Table as well as a number of workshops, including handlettering with The Articulate and the art of shibori with Old Grey House.
You’ll find wonderful Angus & Celeste pots and planters to grace your newly purchased greenery (for you will leave with a new pet plant in tow, I guarantee it), and if you’re feeling extra fancy Tonia also has a range of beautiful wire plant stands from Ivy Muse and macrame plant hangers by Mac and More. Little Leaf Co is also one of the few exclusive stockists of Annie Sloan chalk paint should you be in the mood for giving a piece of furniture (or almost anything!) a new lease of life with a lick of this incredible matte paint.
For a new house plant that comes with personalised specialist advice and an extra serving of heart, come to Little Leaf Co! We absolutely adored chatting to Tonia, and our home and lives have been enriched by our meeting.
Little Leaf Co / Shop 4, 496 Marmion St Melville / Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4pm / IG @littleleafco / tonia@littleleafco.com.au
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Arrival Hall
Posted on March 18, 2015
Stare longingly at that Scandinavian homewares website that doesn’t ship to Australia no more – Arrival Hall is here.
With her previous experience in fashion (interning in New York City – hellz yeah!) and an eye honed by travel, Lisa has created and highly curated a space exuding that desirably minimalistic chic aesthetic we all want. Sleek marble pieces nestle and contrast perfectly next to matte home accessories in just-right neutral shades. Yearned for products from Danish labels such as Normann Copenhagen and MENU (Yeeeees!) are in fine company amongst soft felt laptop cases from Italy, a small clothing selection of separates from Korea, and a generous smattering of Australia-found goods too. Lisa’s beautiful and unwavering sense of style is tangible in this store that is clearly her passion project.
Something else that makes Arrival Hall unique is the fact that it is essentially an extension of Lisa and, her husband, Clem’s home, blending and flowing together with natural ease. Browse and enjoy the shop space on the ground floor, give Lexie the dog a friendly pat, then venture up the stairs to be welcomed into the stylish pair’s kitchen and dining area where Clem expertly makes delicious coffees at his Rocket espresso machine. Their warehouse conversion home extends further upwards another two floors and hides away their sleeping spaces and an adorable loft where I can imagine many a Kinfolk and Frankie magazine being read.
I was completely bowled over with admiration by Lisa and Clem’s can-do attitude and supreme talent with power tools when I found out that they made the entire fit out themselves. AND IT’S STUNNING. Can you tell that I’m slightly losing it in awe over here?
Pay a visit to Arrival Hall to find that elusive piece you’ve been looking for to spruce up your home. Or just come by to enjoy the light, space and smell of coffee. Or even just for doggie cuddling time. It’s all of the above for me.
Arrival Hall / 2 Saunders St East Perth / Tuesday to Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 1:30pm-5:30pm / Instagram @arrival_hall / lisa@arrivalhall.com.au
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Takeawei
Posted on May 26, 2014
We stumbled across a collection of these cute-as-pie ceramics during a visit to Mr Sparrow. Every single piece as adorable as the next, it’s an absolute miracle that I left the shop with just the polka dot wombat planter in my happy possession. Next in line? To continue along a theme, it’ll probably be the bigger version with the paint-splattered ears. Yes you. I’m comin’ for you.
Chela Edmunds is the talented person behind Takeawei who manages to inject so much personality into these ceramic works. Currently based in a studio in North Melbourne, you can find her online store here.
For us Perthians, Takeawei is exclusively stocked at Mr Sparrow in Subiaco. Get them before I do.
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Meet Jelena – Mr Sparrow
Posted on March 12, 2014
A few weeks ago we went and paid a visit to Jelena, the owner and keen-eyed curator of Mr Sparrow. Mr Sparrow is conveniently located in Subiaco and is one of my absolute go-to stores for many, many reasons. It simply, practically and beautifully always has the answer to my present-buying woes! Overflowing with irresistible gift ideas for the home and garden, I never leave this place empty-handed. *danger danger!* It was so great to meet Jelena after a long and unrequited Instagram love affair…
Hello hello! Yes, I’m completely obsessed by your shop and stalk you on almost every form of social media known to mankind. *awkward smile* What’s the story behind Mr Sparrow?
I’ve always wanted to own a shop of my own, filled with beautiful things that I love. I was looking for a way to do something creatively inclined whilst doing my GP training in 2012, when the opportunity to own Mr Sparrow came up! The previous owner of Mr Sparrow was looking to move over east, and I leapt at the chance to do something different, and fulfil my dreams of wanting to own my own shop! Plus it was a bonus that I already owned half of the pieces in the shop myself, being a long time supporter of Mr Sparrow when it was under Anna’s ownership. It was really daunting at first and many thoughts of uncertainty went through my mind like, “We’re new, will people like us?”, “Will anyone come to our shop?”. But I bit the bullet at the end of 2012 and have had a lot of fun growing this store since!
We renovated the store in October 2013 which breathed new life into this little place. It’s been a blast!
Where do you source your collection of goods from?
I source things from all over the world – places include Japan, Finland, the United States and, of course, Australia! I keep my eye out for unique pieces that no one else in Perth stocks, and am particularly excited by the chance to collaborate with creatives to come up with exclusive Mr-Sparrow-only products! For example, my Bridget Bodenham x Mr Sparrow ceramic planters – I just love them!
And what inspires you?
I’m generally inspired by my travels, near and far, always looking out for beautiful products along the way. I’m also a big fan of Instagram! One of the biggest challenges in owning a store is continually finding fresh, new things and in the right balance.
So you own a shop AND you’re training in General Practice. How do you balance both sides of your work life? I’m envious!
It isn’t always easy balancing the medical side with the business/creative one, however I’m loving the balance of these two at the moment. I’m currently taking a break from General Practice training to focus on the business – and to be honest, I’m loving the day to day of running the business. I’m also keeping myself busy studying a Masters of Public Health, and doing some other work as well. (Sarah almost falls over at this point – she barely remembers to brush her teeth before rushing out the door to work each day!). But Mr Sparrow most definitely still has a firm and very special place in my life! Life as a doctor very easily becomes all-encompassing so it’s super important to me to maintain a balance.
We talked on for more than an hour, mostly about life and how to do it best. It was a fantastic chance for myself and Jinn to meet a fellow medic who had successfully burst out of the “doctor stereotype”, and fulfilled and expressed her other more creative side, something I personally find very difficult to do at times. Jelena is a great encouragement and role model to us both, with her big heart, clear vision, lateral thinking and, of course, superb taste.
Make sure you pop by to see Jelena or visit her online store! Be sure to check out my favourites – Bridget Bodenham ceramics, Emily Green necklaces, Kip & Co bedding, and jewellery by the WA Fashion award winner, Alister Yiap.
Mr Sparrow / Shop 3, 223 Bagot Rd, Subiaco / Online store / Facebook / info@mrsparrow.com.au
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New year, new wall!
Posted on January 14, 2013
With the advent of the new year, there is no better time to spruce up a tired looking wall. We experienced a considerable influx into our mini (but growing!) collection of art and prints during our quest to visit as many museums and flea markets as we could on our trip to New York last year. We bought so many, we still haven’t gotten around to framing them all!
When you’ve got so much to choose from, it’s always best to make a “draft” and lay everything out on the floor first so you can get an idea of what it’s going to look like on the wall. We chose a collection of bits and pieces picked up along our travels (spot our Oh! My God! I Miss You! print by Nara from MoMA, or our Kabuki-style man from Kyoto for example), some art prints from our favourites Outre Gallery and Society6, as well as a bunch of photos that are precious to us. Personalise your wall – each one of the pieces up there has a special meaning attached to it.
Another handy tip is we use Command 3M picture hanging strips (from Bunnings!) so you don’t have the mess, hassle or permanency that happens when you hammer a nail into the wall! Perfect for renters, plus also good if you stuff up! Just pull it off and start again!
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She’s always buzzin’ just like…
Posted on January 11, 2013
This summer I just can’t get enough of these neon pops of colour. You can wear them in combinations especially in mix-and-match prints, or just add some pizzazz to a monochromatic outfit (neon yellow looks red hot with black and white!). I’m loving these colours on lips and nails at the moment, and here are a few ways you can add neon to your wardrobe and home.
***1. Preen neon chartreuse lace dress, 2. Bianca Green print, 3. Ettika neon wrap bracelet, 4. Nicka watermelon wood necklace, 5. Mimco spliced leather bag, 6. CoastalMoss rhinoceros planter, 7. Mimco nail polish here and here
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The procrastinator’s Christmas gift guide!
Posted on December 19, 2012
If you’re like me, you’ve done it again and left all your Christmas shopping to the very last minute! If you’re from Perth, these products are all either found in stores locally, or at least in Australia with the possibility for delivery prior to Christmas Eve. Eeks, that’s cutting it close…! Take a look – there’s something here for any lovely lady in your life, from stylish homemaker, chic fashionista, arts and craft enthusiast, and even the tech savvy babe!
Wish me luck! Still have to buy presents for my dad and my husband – guys are always the most difficult!
***1. Gorman Night Sky top, 2. Bananagrams from Toys ‘R’ Us, 3. Marimekko teapot from Angelucci 20th Century, 4. Printed tea towel from Kikki-K, 5. Neon bow earrings by The Bunny, 6. Hardwood iPhone 4/4S/5 cover by A Skulk Of Foxes, 7. Alphabet rubber stamps from Remedy
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The shoot before the storm…Part #1
Posted on November 29, 2012
Last Saturday I had the opportunity to do a photoshoot with the very talented Mr Steven Chew! Steven is a lifestyle and portrait photographer based in Perth, Western Australia (he also does a mean wedding shoot and dabbles in film, and when I say dabbles I mean rocks it!).
Check out his facebook site here and tumblr here!
The photos were taken out and about our home and we only had about an hour to shoot as a sudden unexpected storm blew up (I hear there were hailstones in some areas!). Despite the approaching dark grey clouds in the horizon, we had a fun day, and the garden enjoyed its bonus watering! (Both from myself and the storm! Better be getting some mega strawberries now…)
I’ll hopefully be collaborating with Steven on something a bit different in the near future (just you wait!), but in the meantime part #2 will be up next week featuring the second “costume change”. Who knew my garden could look so good? Must be a good photographer – that’s mad skillz…But Steven’s way of not only capturing the light but also the heart and story behind the person is what makes his photography stand out. Look out for more work anon!
***What I’m wearing – bird print t-shirt by Design Tshirts Store graniph (I reckon this is pretty cute) via Pigeonhole, Bambi print shorts by Sretsis (check out their amazing cherry print current collection here), cheap-o yellow sandals from the Ladies’ Market in Hong Kong (*sigh* aren’t these nice…), amazing sexy gardening gloves via Bunnings (yeah Bunnings! Seriously almost as bad as Sephora for its deceptive money-sucking abilities)
***What he’s wearing – dark blue V-neck t-shirt by Silent Theory via SqueakyTees, dark brown shorts by St Goliath also via SqueakyTees
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Bits and bobs + Happy weekend!
Posted on November 23, 2012
Just some random pics of the stuff that’s been going down this week.
1. Adding to our polaroid/instax wall
2. Trying to eat healthy – it’s mango season!
3. Decorating our house – prints from here and here, LOVE statue from MoMA store (no longer available!), vintage Polaroid camera from ebay
4. Lime tree baby in our garden
5. Happy bee-day Jinn! Crazy birthday candle for Jinn’s birthday from NYC that “flowered” into a mini firework and then spun around and played “Happy birthday” – nonstop. Until we destroyed it.
6. Mr Fleabag (now deflea-ed and glowing resplendently in the sun)
The Silver Lining 
