Pinterest for teens

pritti grafitti and other total teen issues

Some things just dont change - teenagers + torn edged posters + blu tack will always be like, total bffs. A few years ago, my pre-teen daughter asked if she could...inhale...poster her bedroom wall. I like Mylie Cyrus AND Hanna Montana...I do but my achy breaky heart couldn't cope with a sticky, tacky wall so before she had time to flick through Girlfriend I had dynabolted* a Liberty print covered canvas to the wall and said "Sure, great idea...you get the pins and I'll put away the blu-tack"

Now that she is a little older I have taken a keen interest in her wall pinterest, not only content but the amazing design she has thoughtfully created- it's girlie grafitti, a colourful, visual art form for teen interiors. Harry Potter, John Lennon, Skipper & Scooter give new meaning to 'mixed media', blending retro with popular culture. 

Does your teenager have a wall full of posters and a floor full of magazines ?

Care to share? I'm on the hunt for graphic teen walls and would love to feature some teen pinterest on my blog. If you have a clever (aren't they all though?) teenager with an inspiring wall creation then follow the prompts...

1) For inspiration visit Teen Bedroom Decor

2) Take a digital image of your teenagers creation, save as a jpg 

3) Click on and send to info@beautifulsouth.com.au

I'm excited...get clicking and clean up that mess!

ttfn Jo

*Dynabolt: an expansion anchor with an integrated pulldown section for improved fixture clamping.....actually I lied, the husband did the dynabolting

Classic, vintage rooms + trade secrets

The lovely Mr Bishop shares....

Who is Justin Bishop?

I AM AN INTERIOR DESIGNER, a photographer, an illustrator, an author and above all, a Stylist! The majority of my work is based  on residential projects for private clients, however I'm being called upon more and more to work as a commercial stylist in the corporate sector, for visual displays editorial and advertising.

I am known for my timeless aesthetic, my aversion to colour and my dislike of 

decorative trends. I have been called an anti-modernist. I have a passion for classic, vintage style and design! 

What's your decorating style at home?
TIMELESS, TRADITIONAL, TAILORED AND CLASSIC!

I have been influenced by my country ancestral heritage and this comes through heavily in my home decorating style. I believe that style is simple, that it should be only what it needs to be,  nothing more nothing less. I do however, have an obsession with controlled clutter; my hoard of antiques, including many family heirlooms, are displayed in vignettes all around my home. I couldn't live without them. I work mostly with neutral colour schemes which provide the perfect backdrop for all my collections.

Styling tips for when you have guests?
I'M ALL ABOUT CLASSIC STYLING. I entertain as my ancestors may have have done, with cut glass chandeliers sparkling in candlelight, stacks of leather bound books displayed amongst vintage crockery and other historic curiosities to add some eclectic flair and to spark conversation. I tend to avoid flowers and other typical decorations in favour of original pieces and interesting objects that tell a story and create a elegant traditional atmosphere.

Cushion fiend or phobic?
I LOVE CUSHIONS AND ROTATE THEM SEASNALLY - Soft cream linens in summer and heavy corduroy and velvet in winter. I use cushions to build up layers in a room. For me, they should form part of a whole design rather than acting as stand out detail. Cushions should subtly add style to a room, they may add warmth and comfort but should not overpower.

Where do you shop for your furnishings?

I HAVE A FEW REGULAR HAUNTS THAT I CAN'T AVOID. Antique markets are invaluable if you have the time to saunter and sift through the trash, in order to find your treasure! 

Being a designer, in the industry, I am constantly exposed to new products that come up in the retail market. I am always tempted to pick up a great reproduction piece, many of them are gorgeous, however I try to stick to my preference for the old, the time warn and authentic! Using pieces with  history and age, will always add character to a room, adding a genuine sense of timeless style  and classic tradition.

Jo x

Does your home reflect your personality?

Is Balwyn calling?

The dramatic colours of autumn are almost as striking as the architectural street
scape of Balwyn. Tudor manors, with lovely gentle gardens sit sweetly next to
imposing modern minimalists, with rows of graphic greenery and somehow they get along very nicely, who knew?
Homes are such a personality giveaway - I love comfortable, older homes that are a little bit shabby round the edges. I don't own a decent hairbrush but I do have Bissell petwash powerbrush? Clean carpet V sleek do...I think I need to get out more or maybe let the dogs out more?
Do you dress like you decorate?
I also have a theory that women dress like they decorate, I know I do..do you?
Soft edges, a muted lime & linen colour palette, a few modern pieces mixed with my mums standard lamps, sans quilted, bobble shade...add some daisies and a sheepdog and hello Doris Day.

What's your style? 

If you had to pick a famous personality that reflects your dress & decor style who or what would it be?  C'mon humour me, I would love to hear your theory.

Fast track to success, write down your goals

My first story in print

I DON'T GET A LOT RIGHT...

I'm directionally challenged, my counting up isn't that good and if you need to be at the right venue for an U14 soccer match or on a flight home from a weekend away in the same month you departed, then I'm not your first port of call.

However what I do very well is set long term goals. Set goals AND somehow manage to achieve them? If only I could do that with my finances, but that's the downside of having a brain that leans heavily to the functional, not political, right.

Two years ago I decided that a long term goal was to have more creative control over my editorial submissions to lifestyle magazines ie. style the images AND write the story, so I enrolled in an online writing course with the Sydney Writers Centre with the very clever Valerie Khoo. Course completed and a few months later all my BIG ideas seem to vanish....or so I thought?

Winter maybe cold in the Ranges but it has been very kind to me thanks to the Yarra Valley & Ranges magazine. Two submissions accepted and published!

Country Gate posts images + captions

Maple Muse images + story (1,000 words, what I even counted up!)

Thank you Valerie and Yarra Valley & Ranges.

The Winter edition of the YV&R mag is in newsagents NOW!

ttfn Jo

Visit Melbourne, the HQ of culture

Melbourne...more culture than a petrie dish

Beetling through the myriad of Melbourne laneways, on route to a gallery was a refreshing tonic, sans gin. Every little boutique on Flinders lane sang their siren song and it was impossible not to be washed up against their perfectly coiffured windows. The petite Pollon, beautifully framed within an arch of St Pauls Cathedral was impossible to ignore, so I didn't. 

The stunning view of Flinders Street station was taken from the windows of the Stephen McLaughlan Gallery, which is located on the 8th floor of the blousy but still beautiful Nicholas Building within the Cathedral Arcade. The building is brimming with artist studios and designers and is worth a visit just to wander through the buttery tiled corridors and ride in the attendant operated lattice clad lift -  reminiscent of Miss Phryne Fisher murder mysteries circa 1928!

Next time you visit the beautiful souths HQ (Melbourne) be sure to visit Pollon, Stephen McLaughlan and the fabulous boutiques in the Cathedral Arcade

Pollon Flowers | Shop 1/199 Flinders Lane | Melb | 9663 8232

ttfn Jo

Vintage decor + neutral palette

 

 

Life without colour, almost

Justins charming weatherboard is a vintage Ralph Lauren bower of neutral tones. Autumnal accents are used sparingly, as colour has a short life and like a classic B/W movie this home is timeless. Vintage dark timber furntiure, walnut & black stained floors, hand mixed white for the walls and soft autumn tones create an ageless beauty with heart and character.

styling

We styled the home using a collection of white flowers, rustic silver trays,
stacks of white crockery and some crumpled paper for the wire basket in the study and little else. Most of the pieces I bought along for the shoot were sourced from Provincial Home Living, which was just perfect for Justins decor.

I love this home, enjoy

PS. Stay posted for an exclusive interview and some styling tricks from 
Mr Timeless and traditional, Justin Bishop

photography Armelle Habib 
 

ttfn Jo x

 

A motherhood issue

"No-one told me that from the 

moment I became a parent I'd have my

heart walking around outside my body"

Chantelle Ellem "Motherhood"

INTRODUCING A FABULOUS NEW eBOOK | ANTHOLOGY

"Things they didn't tell you about parenting"   

Written, designed & illustrated by very clever blogging parents

ALL FUNDS RAISED GO TO FOUNDATION 18

Helping to improve the quality of life of orphaned and underprivileged children

from toddlers to infinity and beyond

Being a mum changes everything. Of course some of us are more prepared than others. I was completely overwhelmed when my redheaded bundle arrived and I'm still looking for clues. What I knew about family was less than zero and everything I ever learned about motherhooding was generally over a latte after school drop off.

This beautifully written and illustrated ebook is a collection of personal experiences but be warned don't read it after 6pm on a friday with a glass of pinot grigio- projectile tears are not good for laptop screens.

Whatever you do make sure you do read it..it's a wonderful read and it's for a good cause. For more info please visit Things they didnt tell you

...and how about that cover design and those illustrations, blimey!!

ttfn Jox