lilyg

Big Sale Starts Tomorrow

2012-01-24T08:09:00.000+10:00

Don't forget our Once A Year Clearance Sale starts tomorrow!! We are clearing out many one off beautiful pieces to make way for our new arrivals.
Sale continues across the store until all cleared.
10% - 50% off with some pieces even discounted lower.
First in gets the best bargains.
Starts tomorrow 9 am

I'm going to be a few days

2012-01-11T11:26:00.000+10:00

Sorry bloggies, I'm tardy with my in depth dissection of the 'House'. Staff illness at the store has meant my free time has been a tad compromised. Will be back in a day or so with all the nitty gritty.
Cheers

Melinda

Diane Keaton and Something's Gotta Give!

2012-01-09T09:05:00.000+10:00

I'm reading Diane Keaton's autobiography at the moment; the book is called 'Then Again'. I'm really enjoying it. She is such a creative force.
It is in reality a book co-written by her and her mother. A telling of Diane's experiences growing up as compared to her mother's (who kept extensive journals) and how her mother's unfulfilled creative needs were a catalyst in driving Diane into performing and becoming a movie star. Very beautiful story about a mother and daughter and I highly recommend it.

Interesting fact; she first started wearing hat's because she didn't think she was pretty enough and wanted to hide her face. ?? I think she is stunning!

So while reading Diane Keaton's book it got me to thinking about Diane Keaton's movie's and of course that got me thinking about my all time favourite "House movie" Something's Gotta Give'. We all agree that the real star (no offence Diane and Jack) of the movie is the stunning Hampton's beach house where she lives and writes.....Truly her writing nook alone made my little eyes glow green with envy.

I became obsessed with not so much 'The House' but the ideal of the house; here was this independent,
successful woman and she lived in this stunning home where she had a sanctuary to respite from the chaos of the city and potter and create. Loved IT!!!

(After watching that movie I decided I would own my obsession properly and make a dedicated sojourn to The Hampton's once a year. So every year I head there after a retail stop in NYC and seriously stalk the houses. It is an Obsession and there has been attempted intervention. Enough said.)

Anywaaay...
We all love the interiors of this house (even though it only a stage set) and I have been asked many times by clients to replicate this look for them.
The Hampton's aesthetic is perennial and stands the test of time, especially when you want to make smart decisions once.

Sooooo over the last couple of days my grey matter got into overdrive (hard on a weekend I'll tell you!!)
And I have decided that over the coming week I am going to break down 'The House'
Each room will be dissected and we will go over furniture options and alternatives to achieve 'The Look'.
Paint pallet, fabric choices and furniture options. I am THAT dedicated...I hope my real clients are understanding.
We'll all be having 'The Hampton's' feel in no time.

Then after Diane I might move onto Meryl and 'It's Complicated'
Any other movie Houses you love???

Happy Anniversary Stuart!!

2012-01-07T15:34:00.000+10:00

When I was a teenager growing up in Brisbane in the 80's, I went to a small private school in the bayside suburb of Wynnum (Moreton Bay Girls College). Every Friday after school we would catch the train into Brisbane City and head for the shops. Our destination (other than the cinema's and loitering outside Hungry Jack's to flirt with the Churchie boys) was any boutique that stocked Stuart Membery's clothing. Every bobbed haired, polo shirt wearing girl would run as fast as their deck shoes would carry them to procure themselves a shirt, skirt or dress bearing the distinctive S.M label. Stuart Membery clothing was youthful, fresh and colourful and we all wanted it.

Classic Navy

His tartan collection Oh how I loved it. A young Rachael Hunter.

This year Stuart Membery is celebrating 30 years in the design business; these day's his main passion is his furniture range and architecture. If you have not seen his divine range go here.

I recently travelled to Bali and dropped into the stunning Balinese Oasis that he calls home. It was amazing to meet someone that I have admired since I was a teenager.
I found him to be charming, energetic and buoyed happily by the success of his range.
For someone whose design career has endured for three decades he was refreshingly un-jaded.
His furniture is classic, beautiful and of the quality you would expect from a driven perfectionist.
I would love to see Stuart Membery pieces at Lily G, wouldn't you???

Happy Anniversary Stuart!!!

Some of the pieces in the Stuart Membery range.

Stunning cane settee and soft furnishing

Finally!!!

2012-01-06T13:43:00.000+10:00

Elle Decor has declared Navy Blue 2012's new neutral.

No more beige or black, it's Navy that will be featuring prominently in decorating schemes everywhere.
I think we here at Lily G have been inspired by Navy forever.
We love blue's in every hue but Navy will always be our colour de jour!!
And with Tanngerine Tango being Pantone's colour of 2012, we have a vibrant, exciting and slightly retro combinations to look forward to.
Embrace Navy today!

Diane Von Furstenberg

Ridgecrest Love Seat

Ginger Jars

Ralph Lauren Fabric

Tangerine Tango

Our star Navy

Love the Rug

Elegant head dining chairs

Blue kitchen wouldn't show up any 5 year old sticky marks

We can source side tables like these and love the wallpaper

Teamed with Orange gingham gorgeous

So fresh

Now you know what to do with all those pesky Hermes boxes lying around. . Yeah right

Quadrille Fabric on curtains lightens everything

Iman Fabrics for Unique

2012-01-05T14:54:00.000+10:00

A rich and exotic range of fabrics has been developed by Iman for Unique Fabrics.

We have our waterfalls out on the floor and clients are loving them. The colour's are so rich and saturated. Iman is such a classically beautiful and stunning lady.

We can't wait to use the peacock fabric we have. Watch this space to find out what we do.

Happy Days

2012-01-02T08:48:00.000+10:00

Oh, sorry I was a bit maudlin yesterday. I get that way on New Year's Day....all Phoenix rising from the ashes type stuff.
I have sooo much to be thankful for so I don't want anyone to think I'm not happy with all my many blessings.
My two boys and I just got back from Bali a week ago. Just mummy and her two little boys.
We had such a gorgeous time and I learnt that once they put down their games they really are growing up to be great little men.

Harry so protective of his little brother Emerson. It was lovely to watch. Also both of them so protective of their mummy, so cute.

We stayed at The Elephant Safari Park Lodge outside Ubud for the second week. The look on the boy's faces when an elephant came to collect us to take us to dinner!!

I highly recommend taking your kids here if you are in Bali it is amazing. The elephants are so well cared for and the grounds are spectacular.

What is Harry sitting on?

Hold on Harry!!

And Up we go!!! He loved this!!

Everyday we helped scrub them down and feed them.

The boys enjoyed it so much.

Harry and Emerson and their relaxed lady Nobby

Did Some reading on the holiday. These are some of the book's I was reading....

Water for elephants

by Sara Gruen

Very fitting seeing where we were. A very beautifully written book

Then I read Sara Gruen's other book Ape House which was good as well.

And because I was in Bali and it was topical I read the new book about Schapell Corby and her father.

Very, very interesting.

What books can you recommend at the moment???

Somethings Got to Give

2012-01-01T10:20:00.000+10:00

Well here we are, the first day of a shiny new year.

OK I know 2011 has been a very hard year for many people, me included.

I have watched my business nearly go under in the flood and endured terrible personal loss while Queenslanders stood still in heartache as these water's seemingly consumed any chance of hope or happiness for the start of 2011.

My business, my optimism and my trust in others was heavily compromised through hurtful betrayals from people that I put my naive belief in.

I have watched my son Harry deal with his autism and have his little heart hurt over and over again from kids and their lack of understanding and plain cruelty.

The Global Financial Crisis, online shopping and the plain lack of consumer confidence has meant a very tough year for anyone in retail and I have watched MANY business's go under.

I have had friends go through terrible losses and their lives torn apart personally and professionally.

Basically this year turned out on whole to be a bit of a annus horribilis

So NO 2011 is not going to be missed.

BUT.....2012 is about getting up, dusting ourselves off and moving forward.

As long as we help each other and have hope 2012 will be the best year ever.

"Expect Great Things; Attempt Great Things" -William Carey, 1792

New Years Eve Wishes

2011-12-31T09:02:00.000+10:00

New Year's Eve has always been a time for reflection.
Pondering the past year and what has or hasn't been achieved.
Looking forward to the oncoming year and making the resolve to follow through with the changes we would like to make in ourselves, family, lifestyle etc.

The top 10 Researched New Years Eve Resolutions are as follows:
1. Spend more time with family and friends
2 Fit in some personal fitness
3. Tame the bulge
4. Quite smoking
5. Enjoy life more
6. Quit drinking
7. Get out of debt
8. Learn something new
9. Help others
10. Get organised

Well I'm not sure what your new years resolutions will be but there's about 5 on that list which are going to be on mine. Don't smoke so at least I'm off the hook for that one.
Number 10 is basically my number 1, because I believe once I get my shizz together I'll be able to do 1, 2 & 5 more easily.

Are you getting frocked up tonight and hitting the town??
I had planned to have a little paartay but I've landed in a fluey heap and am no good to man nor beast.
So have some bubbles for me tonight and I will see you in next year!!!!
BTW 2012 is going to ROCK!!!

If I was going out I would be wearing sparkly stuff....Gold or Silver

Or lots of embellishment

And drinking Champagne ( I wish they would bring back champagne saucers)

Peep toe, sling back and sparkles Yes Please!!

What are your new years resolutions??

Inspiration for a new job

2011-12-29T16:54:00.000+10:00

I have a beautiful new client who is a bit of a celebrity and lives in the hinterland of Byron Bay.
She and her husband are very busy in their job's and they have a gorgeous baby girl.
Their house sits on high in the hinterland and has magnificant views of the coastline and Ocean and they live in a virtual paradise.
The problem is that their home is a big mix of many styles having been renovated several times, the last one being about 10 years ago.
Think Ski Chalet meets Brady bunch home with a good old big timber deck tacked on.
The bottom floor is below ground level so there isn't much natural light coming through and the main room is in an attic annex but again with amazing views.
These clients are delightful and young and have the adventurous spirit that is needed when taking a big leap of faith. I am thinking Key West meets Retro beach house. Lot's of white base and pops of acid colour.
It is in very early stages and will take a lot of work re renovating and ripping out cabinetry, new kitchen etc. But like an overly excited puppy I can't contain myself.
Here are some shots that are giving me inspiration for this particular job. Some of these spaces may only have a small essence of what I am going towards, but it is the first start of the process.
Most of these gorgeous images are from Coastal living...love, love, love.

Click to enlarge and love the wallpaper in the bathroom

What I am loving at the moment.

2011-12-29T14:28:00.000+10:00

Number 1 As this year comes to an end I am arming myself with all the arsenal I need to get my butt off the lounge and out into the world of personal fitness. I know, I know, WE all say it every year, but this year I mean it. I'm 42 in June and I've got to move it move it, before I can't find it, find it!!

Now my biggest issue is procrastination...you know the way it goes ...I haven't got anything organised, I don't have an outfit to wear, I can't possibly exercise today as it's a slightly azure blue sky not a sky blue sky etc etc.

So I eradicated all of these issues and have acquired the new gym membership and have left strict instructions with said gym to harass me if I am a no show.

I have the new trainers (as my dog ate my last ones...really he did!!) they came with the new membership so bonus on that issue.

And I have bought the prerequisite new gym outfit.

So that brings me to my first thing I am loving at the moment....

I am loving that Lululemon has opened at the local Westfield at Carindale. They have brilliant Yoga and gym wear and I was waiting and waiting for them to open in Australia. I have always been a big fan and regularly shopped there when in Santa Monica in The States.

Here is what I have purchased for that ummm transitional stage....hides the bad bits and lets you move. Fabric is so comfortable like wearing pj's.

Nice baggy top over built in crop Yay!!

Very sucky in fabric holds it all up and in.

The pants have got great waist bands that are nice and high. So I'm set for excercise come 2nd of Jan!

Number 2 One of my bestest friends and comrade in arms Sonya Driver has been very clever and invented Australia's first Organic tan. I have known her for many years and she has had many ups and downs, but she has persevered and made her a dream a reality. Her product Eco Tan has gone international and she is an inspiration.
The colour makes me feel and look a lot healthier without all the mysterious nasty chemical contents that other self tanners have. Smells lovely, goes on like moisturiser and we can't keep up with demand at the shop.

Number 3 I am always loving Atlantic Pacific blog. She has quirky style and I wish I could look as groomed and well put together as her one day.

Number 4 In February is the annual Designer Bloggers' Conference in LA. I am going!!!

I am definitely loving that!!

Other things I'm loving at the moment are
5. My ipad 2....kicks 1's butt
6. Inspirational, creative women that I am surrounded by.
7. My Children are always my favourite things of course but at the moment they are xtra fabulous.
8. The fact that 2012 is going to be bigger and better for everyone.
9. All my friends and family that have stuck by me and listened and encouraged through some very tough times.
10. All my fabulous clients that have inevitably become good friends.

What are you loving at the moment???

Socially Excited!!

2011-12-09T17:30:00.000+10:00

Well..well..well what a socially actioned pack week it has been. Is everyone contemplating de-tox as much as I am at the moment??
In the light of the day, sitting here at work, I have to question the complete disregard my impulse synapses have for my poor old liver. Those pushy Von Economo cells (these are the cells in our brain that make us seek social interaction) are also to blame.
I am presently consuming water at a massive rate and eating my good sulphur rich foods to bolster my abused liver's function as much as possible. The sad story is it will just have to hang in there for a couple Von Economo cell fuelled weeks more and then it can have some r & r.

The unbridled frivolity all started last week at the Calexico fashion parade at Brunswick Social in The Valley. So much fun and so many positively charged people all dressed up and happy.
Being given lots of drinks and lots of steamed dumplings (which are delicious) is always a good way to start an evening in my books. So we stood around chatting and eating, eating and chatting. The fashion parade commenced. Beautiful long, lithesomely limbed girls came strutting out stalking up and down the catwalk looking impossibly young and a little bit more than hungry. I did feel bad, watching them (obviously ravenous) walking through a throng of people eating unashamedly their body weight in Dim Sum. I for one am always pro food so I can safely say was shovelling delicious steamed morsels into my mouth at an alarming rate...At one point one of them spotted my food mid air and I thought the wee waif would float down and try and wrangle it from me. She would have been up for a fight I tell you.
During the course of the parade I spotted a shoe that caught my attention away from the food, beverages and the socialising. A beautiful pair of platform Alexandre Birman's elegantly holding up one of the models. It was love at first site. They would be mine.

Gorgeous girl, gorgeous frock and that painting across the eyes...that's my new look.

Beautiful, but eyeing off some food as you can see

This lovely creature is the one that started my shoe obsession. There they are on her feet begging me to take them home. Mind you I'm 5'10 and in these I hit 6"2...tall girls can have nice shoes too!!

The New Shoe Alexandre Birman is a clever man.

Me and my gorgeous friend Jacqueline...real girls with real drinks. Actually, she is too thin and pretty to be my friend so may have go Jac sorry.

So after Calexico event I kept a low profile on the weekend, mainly sleeping on lounge, being jumped on by offspring and floating on pool bed. All very low stress and low impact.

So this week has just flown by. It's been Industry Christmas parties and socially significant occasions amped by 100.

This week I have attended the following:

The gorgeous girls from Ivy & Piper put on a little soiree for all of us Bloggers in Brisbane Town (which I must say was very girly and special) and it was great to catch up to Anna from Black & Spiro, Robin from Magnolia Interiors, Lauren from Rilo and Judy who I bought Lily G off way back when.

The girls from Ivy & Piper have a stunning show room and everyone frocked up like ladies.

I had just been doing a big install all afternoon so I threw on my Megan Park jacket and that was as good as it got with me.

This is not me....that is my jacket.

Wednesday is a blur I think I worked.

Thursday my gorgeous generous and always helping everyone else in the world friend

Nim invited me to her personal Louis Vuitton morning tea.

Nim (who works tirelessly for many many causes and can buy as much Louis Vuitton as she likes because she deserves it) invited a few girls to accompany her to a personal morning tea held at Louis Vuitton in the mall.

It was a lovely morning in anyone's standard and anyone coming at me at 10.30 in the a.m with a Magnum of Veuve is a friend of mine for life.

We went through the art of scarf tying and lots of other very girly useful stuff and then proceeded to make big (dreaming) wish lists for partners, husbands or benevolent bank managers to consider when Christmas shopping for us.

I bought myself my own Christmas gift which was a gorgeous gold pair of the Lily Louis Glasses.

I think they were also speaking to me...and yes I have seen a doctor about this condition.

Many people have asked me over the last two years why I didn't change the name of the store when I bought it, many thought I should have. Lily was my great grandmothers name and my great grandfather was George so I don't mess with the messages the universe gives me, i.e buy shoes and buy sunglasses.

The Ladies

Part of my wish list..
The new season Louis Vuitton shoes will be in Australia next year.
They are whispering sweet nothings. My bank balance is containing sweet nothing.

Tonight is dinner with friends...I will be drinking mineral water and trying not to fall over in my new Alexandre Birman's enjoy your weekend.
Melinda

Putting Monday Blue's in The Pink!!

2011-12-05T14:15:00.000+10:00

Mmm Monday. No thankyou. I have so much trouble with the first day of the week.
Laying in bed every Sunday night, brain in overdrive obsessing over all the things to be done.
Then here sitting here at work trying to get through the mountain of paperwork, logistics and purchasing that are my tasks to do on a Monday.
So I have come over to my lovely blog for a wee bit of procrastination. I am posting some pretty pics to take my mind of all the uninspiring account and book keeping to be done.
Enjoy

Photo's from shoot

2011-11-17T17:21:00.000+10:00

Here are a few of the (professional) shots from the photo shoot we did for my home with Catherine Shields and Simon Kenny.

Our French Bulldog Bon Bon was very adamant he should feature in many shots.

I wish I could say they were looking at a book. Nope, Ipad.

Emerson & Harry

Not ever this clean in reality

Lovely Kerry from Driftwood Interiors painted me this gorgeous butterfly to go with my colour scheme.
Doesn't my Dash & Albert Rug look just perfect for here.

We were all on our best behaviour!

My favourite piece in my home sits above the console in the entrance. My grandmothers silk hand painted cherubs.

Have you got your Eco Tan?

2011-11-14T14:02:00.000+10:00

Going to get hotter soon. Are you ready?
To help in the heat we have some divine new products coming through.
On the shelves now is Eco Tan
My gorgeous friend Sonya Driver has produced the first 100% certified organic self tanner.
It is fabulous and is being stocken and used at Versace day spa and Gwinganna. This tan should be used by anyone that doesn't want to put all the nasties that are in normal self tanners or spray tans onto their bodies (do your research you will be shocked)
We are stocking it as part of our move towards more natural and organic and sustainable products.
Beautifull smelling and gorgeous colour, it available now.

Also coming soon are our beautiful Turkish Hammamas towels/sarongs. They are so pretty.

Next in these stunning vintage fabric beach towels. All brilliant colours and stunning patterns.
Taking the blah out of the normal beach towel this is a beautiful quality towel to take with you on your holiday.

So bring on Summer we're ready here at Lily g..

Gorgeous spaces!

2011-11-08T17:24:00.000+10:00

What beautiful weather we are having! Just perfect.
The smell of summer is in the air and

Christmas is looming. Lily G is packed full of gorgeous decorations and gift ideas.
So it's time to start the planning...

Christmas. LONG, long summer holidays. Trying to entertain little ones for 2 months. Not get bankrupted in the process!!! These are all pertinent problems to parents everywhere.

I'm not the most nature loving girl in the world, only because I'm a tad lazy when on holidays and prefer being horizontal by a pool than putting up things, which are hard and complicated......but..... I have decided to take the boys CAMPING for the Xmas holidays.

Of course I'm not talking about pitching a (questionably) water proof tent or anything so hard core. No, I'm going to rent myself one of those little camper vans and stake a claim somewhere fabulously natural (with fabulous shower facilities) close to a cute and quaint town (with a good book shop and nice selection at the bottle shop) and have a slow life holiday.

I have these halcyon memories of when I was little girl and we would all pack up the car and head off for one ridiculously far away camping ground after another, packed with kids, grandparents, bikes, food etc all packed head high and with much strategic planning by my dad.

No dvd players, ipods, ipads or iPhone. The only entertainment we depended on back then was something called i-deas!!
We had to use our imaginations which manifested into endless games of I spy and fighting with each other until our parents were driven mad!
So with new plan in mind, I have been googling like a good information hungry consumer and instead of finding camper vans I came upon hundreds of sites for Glamping.
Glamping is a huge growth industry for time poor, exhausted 'want to get back to nature but not quite that much thank you very much' types like myself

If you don't have kiddies and the thought of 'roughing" it in the bush is too much, I'm telling you embrace Glamping.

It all looks so 'Out of Africa' and glamorous might have to give it a whirl next time I outsource the kiddies to grandparents.
Here is some inspiration....not a sausage and bread on paper plate in sight

What one apparently wears Glamping

A must no R.I.D here

Don't forget your Hermes Pippa folding chairs or you might have to sit on who know's what?!

What do you mean impractical??!

Prada of course

Your typical lanterns. These are of course from Ralph Lauren.

Happy holiday planning.

3 Houses in 2 Days

2011-10-27T19:56:00.000+10:00

Phew what a week!! Absolutely exhausted. All the hard work myself and my team have been putting in this year is definitely paying off and we had a very busy but fun time photographing 3 houses for upcoming magazines. The ever talented and lovely team of Catherine Shields and Simon Kenny came up from Sydney and we spent 2 days styling and shooting some gorgeous houses. My house was also being shot which was really hard because you're always your own worst critic.

Here are some shots of some rooms in my house that I styled to the eyeballs!! Also loving my new mirror it is divine and my new favourite thing...if you need one in your life just let me know you won't regret it. ps sorry about quality all done on phone. Will let you see other pics once the mags are out....if I can wait that long. Off to Melbourne tomorrow for some sourcing of a new label (very exciting) and visiting another supplier. Have a great weekend xx

Melinda

look at the amazing Dash & Albert Rug from Winton House available at Lily G

My new Sunburst mirror....hello my beauty

I pulled this room together (with the help of my lovely work room) in 5 days aahhhh!!!

New rugs available through Lily G all patchworked hide

Joe Vinks tables, Dash & Albert rug and Kerri Ship original love my new look lounge room.

Week off!?? What week off

2011-10-10T15:55:00.000+10:00

Well we are well and truly back in the swing of things. Byron was of course beautiful and it was a lovely evening at the Byron on Byron/Vogue Living dinner. Food was divine, table settings stunning, the mutual admiration society between V.L and Gerry Harvey well and truly apparent...I wish I had Mr Harvey's advertising dollars and maybe I would get some big fat advertorials in Vogue Living (oops don't be snippity Melinda!!)
Annnnyyywaaaay So all relaxation came to hault last Sunday when poor Harry fell off trampoline and spent the last day of the hol's horizontal on sofa and up at emergency. Boys will be boys.

On a bright note his special ed co-ordinator emailed me yesterday to tell me all the girls in his class were helping him carry his books and walk down stairs (flirty boy apparently)

So back to work: had marvelous night on Tuesday when we held a combined cocktail event with Claire Aristides from Claire Aristides Fine Jewels. I will be stocking her absolutely stunning Rings and earrings and can't wait to get my own little order on my finger!!

All the rings are stunning quality and exclusive to Lily-G. Think big Cocktail glamour rings with the most gorgeous earrings to match.

Come in and choose yours and we'll send Santa a little hint ha ha!

Claire & Me.

Oohh which colour which cut??? You can choose.

Mini Manicures given on the night. Kim Pryor here being pampered

Beautiful Clients

Gorgeous!!!

Michelle Moss, Me and Renee Hughes

Monica De larco & me

Carla Haddan, Claire Aristides and Me.

Amaya Brookman, Me, Nim Allan

Beautiful Friends and Clients Jacqui Gregory, Tracy Madden & Liz Murrihy

Fatten me up!!

2011-09-23T12:23:00.000+10:00

Off to Byron Bay for a week with my darling offspring. We are renting a cute little beach house and just de-stressing and parring back on life, lots of books, beaches and board games.
So in the name of family unity (and mummy's sanity) I have banned the following with the 2 delights of my life.
1.Fighting! I know I dream.
2. Nagging. Do NOT repeatedly plead with mummy nine hundred & ninety nine times to turn around and get electronic brain draining games which is huge catalyst for aforementioned fighting.
3. ANYTHING that is not conducive to me having a rest,. especially stopping at any money depleting establishment that incorporates the word "WORLD" into it's branding.

I know this all sounds a wee bit selfish and old school but my kiddies need to turn down the sound and turn up the imagination these holidays and mummy needs to enjoy some slow life movement with them, not chase them around hopped up on preservatives.

But before the boys and I do that I am going to enjoy a few days at The Byron on Byron resort eating yummy food at The Vogue Living event that is being held there.
I will keep a report and let you know if it is as good as I hope it will be. I mean read this, sounds impressive right?? I'm not eating today so I can make a big (but civilised) piggy of myself tonight!!

The 2011 Vogue Living Champagne Dinner, in association with the Champagne Bureau, will be held on Friday 23 September.This is the most prestigious event on the annual Byron at Byron culinary calendar.

Internationally loved Chef Warren Turnbull, of Sydney’s two hatted Restaurant Assiette in Surry Hills, will prepare a lavish five course French degustation matched with five of the world’s finest Champagnes.

This is the fourth consecutive Vogue Living Champagne Dinner to be held at The Byron at Byron and guests can expect yet another spectacular dining event.
Have a great weekend

Melinda

Concept for new client

2011-09-17T08:58:00.000+10:00

Busy bee's here doing lot's of beautiful spaces.
Here's a few inspiration shots and pieces I am using in a new home at Camp Hill.
Doing our signature caribbean feel, with a mix. Think Ernest Hemingway and India Hicks.
It will look divine and even better the clients are such lovely people who agree with all my concepts!! THat's the best!!

The open plan living area

Using this console

love this feel

Outdoor area

Have a great weekend.

Bits n Pieces

2011-09-04T09:34:00.000+10:00

Well the dreaded flu/virus/epidemic has finally lifted from my house and all asunder seem healthy and relatively happy...hmm knock on wood.

Been super busy with many a decorating job and fine tuning our beautiful cafe. I have been overwhelmed at the amazing response from clients and new customers about the coffee shop, I feel that it has really filled a void in the coffee shop arena. We have ladies come in and sit for big long chats with their friends and there is no hustle or bustle just a lovely respite from the outside world.
Decorating front: I have done a beautiful fresh spring window this week and all our new stock is coming in waves. You have told me you want blue & white and now the shop is full. I have new coral coming in next week and lots of beautiful one off pieces and all my oddities that I love so much.

Very exciting news I have a lovely client who is a wee bit of a celebrity and will be doing her gorgeous home down in Byron Bay....more on that at a later date.
Don't you just love spring ?!? I for one am feeling totally re-energised!! My lovely shop looks amazing and people are popping in after a winter hibernation. Give me a call at Lily G if you want to re-energise your home.

Lots of blue & white and gorgeous temple jars

I am working on my new website at the moment so keep tuned.

It's all in the way you wear it!!!

2011-08-09T14:43:00.000+10:00

Our new L'avion 'Fashion City' scarves have arrived and are stunning!!! We are all fighting over which one is the most beautiful. I (predictably) am besotted with the New York scarf, and because I lived in Japan for 4 years am loving the Tokyo one as well. But they are all stunning!!!
All the L'avion scarves are 100% silk and have the most vibrant and beautiful colours. Designed by very stylish and clever Jo Scahill and Illustrated by internationally renowned Australian couture artist Kerrie Hess, these scarves are a must have for any fashion conscious girl.
I have always loved the classically chic look that wearing a scarf gives a girl. Teamed with some dark glasses you have immediate style.
With the L'avion scarves you have the extra advantage of wearing art. The only issue is which city are you??
N.Y, Paris, London or maybe Melbourne??
Maybe like me you are all of them depending on your mood?

Melbourne

Paris

New York

London

Tokyo

Sydney

Featured in this months Vogue

Gorgeous Packaging

Kerrie's Book soon available at Lily G

The style Queen's always knew how to 'present' a scarf.
Ladies and their scarves.

Audrey

Jackie

Grace

Grace in 'To Catch a Thief'

A stylish mummy

Lots of good advice

Coffee shop opened today!!!

2011-08-01T18:30:00.000+10:00

Hmmmm not a great idea to have a shop full of pastries, cakes and cookies. Lily G coffee shop is NOW open for business. The shop looks beautiful and the food is delicious, and I'm in trouble big time!!!
I'm not usually one for the sweet treats but when blood sugar drops around 3pm Uh Oh!!!
Very proud of the work we have done. Staff are fantastic and my brother's have been amazing in helping me. Here are just some small shots of the coffee shop and the rest of the store. Have a lovely night/day depending on your location.

Love my bright botanical prints with my Thibaut wallpaper

Gorgeous aged chairs and vintage sofa

Shop shot

Lilly. P at Lily.G

2011-07-20T17:24:00.000+10:00

Very excited to announce that we now have Lilly Pulitzer fabric available at Lily G!!
So bright and happy and perfect to take away those winter blues.
Here is a small sample of what will be available. Can't wait!!!!

Concept room using L.P fabrics. So bright and happy

Going Grey!!!

2011-07-19T11:06:00.000+10:00

Sorry haven't blogged for a while. End of financial year, stock take and school holidays have left me in a fragile state. Ahhh there's nothing like a stock take to get you reaching for the Gin & Tonics in the evening!!! Seriously it all looks so beautiful in the shop, but it's a pain in the butt to count!
So all that done with and a new shiny financial year ahead I have been putting my adult ADD to good use and have decided that Lily G needs a Coffee Shop. Now!! So me being me, I have been out sourcing the perfect coffee, the perfect cakes and perfect bits and pieces. It is all in the last stages and we are doing a soft opening on Monday 25th of July....I know!! next week!! Crazy aren't I?!?
We are serving Blue Sky coffee which is roasted here in Brisbane and is owned by two overachieving doctors who love food, coffee and wine (I know!! isn't being a doctor enough??) They make gorgeous, creamy coffee that is so smooth and helps this little chicken sing through the day. Our cakes and open sandwiches are sourced from a chef that makes everything from scratch with organic eggs, milk and lots of love invested into each morsel.
Hope everyone that lives local can come in and say hello and try out our new venture.
By the way I am currently sitting in the hairdressers while blogging. The grey hair is starting to win the territorial battle over my head and I can't just pull it out now or I would be bald in a week!!

On that subject here are some beautiful images of a different and decidedly more elegant display of grey.

Candia Fisher

from House of Turquoise

Gorgeous Catherine Martin Rug, wallpaper and fabric. Rug available at Lily g

montage from Live, breath decor

Add caption

Our Winner!!

2011-07-06T17:56:00.000+10:00

Judith, me and her husband picking up the beautiful rug.

Congratulations to Dianne Judith Cairns!!! Our very worthy recipient of the beautiful rug that Sarah from Winton House has generously donated for our give away. Judith came into see me to pick up her rug and she was soooo happy and has had such a tough time of it. I am very happy to be able to help someone so deserving. Everyone else who entered thankyou for your time and effort and remember if you want a beautiful Dash & Albert Rug have a look on Winton House's website and you can order from us.

Judiths' entry

Gorgeous New Stock Available

2011-07-01T09:52:00.000+10:00

Look at all these beautiful pieces available at Lily G. We have been ordering up a storm and are so excited with all our new and beautiful products. Especially love my vintage fabric 3 seater chair which is taking pride and place in the shop. We also have an amazing vintage french school map that is a bit of star at the moment.
So New Financial year and new things in store for Lily G!!!! I am not a girl that can rest on my laurels I always like to push the boundaries and try new things for myself and my business. So stay tuned as we take Lily G to the next level and feature more Interior Decor jobs and more gorgeous events and products in store. I am taking the new intake of Interior Decorating workshops for July 16th ring up to book in. These have been very successful and a lot of fun.
Remember:
We can ship anywhere in Australia so put in an order if you see something you love.

Available in Store NOW!!!

Coming next week 2 Only BE QUICK!!!! They are to die for!!!

Wooden carved bed head just stunning!

Dash & Albert Gorgeous!!!!

This amazing table with stunning carved legs and reclaimed wood. Available at Lily G NOW.

Vintage chandelier

This is one of my favourites.

Coming in a week only 2 Green & 2 White be quick!!

Gorgeous Platinum cushion with diamante button available in many jewel colours

Also available in white in Store NOW!!!

Arriving in a week 2 available

Gorgeous coffee table love the detailing

Last Days

2011-06-27T10:50:00.000+10:00

Last days for the Winton House DASH & ALBERT Rug give away. Now this rug is worth over $500.00 so I want you to all get excited and write to either Sarah or myself why you NEED this rug in your home. It is gorgeous Blue & White stripe and would look great in any style of home. I'm feeling generous and so is Sarah from Winton House so come on write to us either here (my blog) or here or here but need to hear from you!!! Have a great week. Rug is a great 182 x 274 so a nice big size.

Birthday Girl

2011-06-22T17:02:00.000+10:00

Well there goes another birthday!!
Quite rude actually how it insists on showing up year after year being all confrontational, reminding me that I'm not 25 anymore.

I hope to have a balanced life by the time I'm here.

I Remember being a kid and loving when birthdays came around, the anticipation of presents, getting to be a year older and a big girl....well why does it have to change?? I'm embracing my 40's and loving it...really I am, it's just that life just seems to be getting more complicated, more time poor and more stressful the older I get...and if that could just stop everything would be fabulous.

This modern women stuff and having it all is all well and good but I definitely have to work on the life/work balance because at present it is all tipped over onto the work side of life.
What do you all do to put balance back in your life??? I need some hints.
P.S Don't forget the Dash & Albert Rug give away that Sarah from Winton House has generously donated!!! Valued over $500.00 just comment on Lily G facebook and let me know why you need a fabulous Dash & Albert Blue & white stripe rug.

More pics

2011-06-16T21:58:00.000+10:00

Here are some clearer photo's of The Wellington Point Job.

Hope everyone is having a great week.

Queensland Homes & Dash & Albert giveaway!!!

2011-06-16T08:33:00.000+10:00

Love this relaxed look so perfect for Queensland

Winter Edition Qld Homes

Formal sitting area. I am going to try and get better photo's that show all the colours.

Existing dining suite given a new life with stunning linen

Lily G is lucky enough to have TWO jobs featured in QLD Homes Winter edition.

The first home featured was a big beautiful home out on Wellington Point on the bay. This house had stood empty for 10 years. It had been bought by some overseas investors who never ended up living in it. It was our job to breathe some life into it and make it a home. Starting from scratch and with the bay views as an inspiration, the transformation has been breathtaking to say the least. The home is very big with many different living areas and our brief was to keep a cohesive flow moving throughout the home.
There is a formal living and dining area as well as casual living areas and outside undercover for entertaining. The clients liked washed muted tones and natural finishes, so there was lots of soft apple greens and duck egg blues.
We are up to the bedroom stage so lots of fun in store for us. Stay posted.

The other job was our (now) well known job at West End. When it featured in Women's Weekly I can't begin to tell you what an amazing response it evoked in our clients. QLD Homes were very enthusiastic to show case this amazing and beautiful home again.

This chair in many different variations of fabric has become our signature chair.

The quintessential Hamptons aesthetic we all love.

PS don't forget the Giveaway Dash & Albert rug worth over $500 to giveaway when you leave comment on facebook about why you would love to win a dash & albert blue Awning rug!!! This rug is gorgeous!! Ends June 30th!

Somethings Got To Give Giveaway!!!

2011-06-13T10:23:00.000+10:00

Here is the fabulous Give Away that I have been promising!!! My lovely Bloggy friend and Business owner of WINTON HOUSE Sarah has generously offered to give away (to a lucky person) the very handsome BLUE AWNING rug. Her company is the importer to the fantastic Dash & Albert rugs that I have been raving about. Think Dianne Keaton's gorgeous Hamptons' Home in Somethings gotta give with that amazing stripe Durrie rug!! Or Meg Braffs beautiful interiors!! Well now you can have your very own!! We have had so many inquiries about these fabulous rugs and can't wait to show you them in more of our interior photo's.

To Win this amazing rug all you need to do is sign up to follow Lily G and Winton House and leave a comment on my facebook on why you need a Dash & Albert rug in your home. I will announce the winner of the rug (which is valued at $~~200.00~~) by the end of June!!!

Happy writing!! sorry price was incorrect that was U.S price the Australian price is $525.00

PS We will only be able to ship to Australia because of the size....sorry all my international friends.

Blue Awning stripe rug

Close up

Other Colours available from Lily G

Dash & Albert Rug in Meg Braff's Interior Work

Was listening to 80's hits in my car (as you do) and came across this gem....Oh the memories!!! Enjoy

Decorator Work Shop

2011-06-12T13:16:00.000+10:00

Well I held my first decorator ~~Sweat~~ I mean Work shop yesterday! I was a nervous wreck!
But what a fun day!! Met lovely lovely ladies who knew more about my blog than I did and we all sat and had a big natter and laugh. Being of the technically challenged type (and using a power point thingy for the first time) there were some technical hiccups that happily didn't cause too much damage.
I apparently can Talk non stop for 2 hours about decorating!! Who would have thought!! Then break for coffee and macaroons and yummy open sandwiches and then talked for another hour!! Poor ladies think they were quite relieved when the mood board came out and they were able to just cut and paste in the old fashioned sense. After all the decorating fun they had a little shop and left with big smiles on their faces and I came home and got wined up and watched September Edition about Anna Wintour Bliss!!!
Long Weekend here hope you all enjoy the break!!!

p.s Just wanted you to feast your eyes on this gorgeous rug!!! The colours are amazing and I'm hoping to use it in a little girls room I'm doing at the moment.
It is a Dash & Albert rug and the whole range is available at Lily G. My lovely friend Sarah is lucky enough to be the agent here in Australia. Her blog Winton House is so gorgeous and she lives in Bowral one of my favourite places in NSW. Tomorrow I will unveil my new give away which is soooo amazing and Sarah has had a big hand in it too!!

Bedroom concept

2011-06-03T13:42:00.000+10:00

Have just got the go ahead on this lovely bedroom for some clients.
We started with a chandelier (that is making it's way up the coast as we speak) and radiated out from there. I have gone with a muted gold/platinum Cartier sort of combination.
Originally the accent colour was going to be pink but had to butch it up a tad, so added duck egg blue and nixed the pink.

Love love Catherine Martin's gorgeous rugs so have used it as the centre piece of the whole room. Just need to do up the window seating and the curtains and we are good to go!!

Blue option.

We are super busy with many lovely jobs so sorry if you haven't heard from me in a while. Another client of ours house has been completed and it looks amazing. Stay tuned for lots more internals of the furniture selections.

door was bright blue originally

painted steps black and added stair runner

Gorgeous mix of mirrors which is a great idea for that void in between

enjoy the photo's

Come be creative with me!!

2011-05-24T16:32:00.000+10:00

Do you have a flair for decorating but don't know how to apply it in a practical manner??
Have you got a space in your house that needs a lift but just not sure how to achieve the look you are after?? Well at Lily g we have the answer...
For the month of June (and longer if enough souls are keen) I will be holding Decorating classes in the Design Room every Saturday from the 4th Of June.

The day will consist of Introduction to Decorating with discussions about design principles an analysis of prominent interior decorators and their styles, a breakdown of famous rooms and why they work, talking about trends and different decorating styles. After Coffee and afternoon tea everyone gets to create an individual colour and mood board for a selected room in their home.
It will be a great girly day with lots of gorgeous fabric swatches and colour selections, we will be looking at wallpapers, all soft furnishing options as well as touching on some hard finishes.
It will be fabulous way for you to get your inner Decorator out.

Contact us at Lily g to book your spot now or book for yourself and friends...maximum 10 people per day with discounts for bookings for groups over 5 ....so get some friends together and sort THAT pesky room out that you just can't bring together.

Info:
$150.00 for the day
From 12pm until 4pm
Afternoon Tea provided as well as all materials and with finished product to take home.
$50 of Class price redeemable in Lily G store on day.
Hope to see you there.
Call us at Lily G to book your day.
07 32179662

Why did the decorator pick that spindle chair??

How come this room is soooo gorgeous??

Does this room work or not???

All these to be learnt at The Lily G Decorator Day!!

Music Monday!!Astrid Gilberto 'It may as well be spring'

2011-05-23T07:08:00.000+10:00

This is one of my favourite artists....Astrid Gilberto. Famous for Girl from Ipanema. I love this song it is a contented song...

In the Trenches'

2011-05-22T19:49:00.000+10:00

Well it's cooling down here in Australia...and for us Queenslanders that usually means we throw a cardigan on top of our usual outfits. ....BORING!!!!
This year I'm taking it up a notch. I am tired of not having the weather to wear all the other gorgeous heavy woollen jackets on offer, so this year I have decided I will don a trench coat as my coat Du jour.
In Europe and The U.S Trench coats are usually a Tran-seasonal spring purchase. But here in Australia I think it is absolutely fine to use it as Winter attire.
I bought myself a gorgeous (saved the pennies over some time I can tell you) Ralph Lauren trench last year. I love it to bits and so I will wear it always, if just to justify the expense.

The Trench Coat has been a solid staple for decades and in the last 2 years has seen a massive push to the forefront of all the major fashion houses.
Of course the classic and enduring Burberry's trench is in the lead with some stunning examples coming from Burberry Prorsum. Burberry have even launched a web site called 'The Art Of The Trench' Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist ) shot 100's of people in all major cities of the world wearing their Burberry's trench. Go here to see it.

Trench coats have also co-starred along side many a Hollywood legend, as the coat itself is a understated classic piece of attire which adds a touch of class to anyone that wears it and it just oozes mystery. So here is an ode to The Trench Coat....

Humphrey Bogart in his ubiquitous trench from Casablanca

Bridgett Bardot

Central Park en-trenched

Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's

Alexa Chung

One of my personal favourites the Burberry Prosrum knotted skirt

Kate Moss

Kate Middleton with her (NOW) famously sold out Burberry Trench

Military

Emma Watson is gorgeous as The Face of Burberry Prosrum

Colourful trench

How cute is this???

Classic Cindy Crawford

Renee in Red

Demi being demure

My dream trench!!!

Which trench coat style are you???

On line shopping

2011-05-21T12:06:00.000+10:00

So online shop is moving forward...despite best intentions it is a large undertaking and I must say trying to interior decorate, run retail, do an online shop and be a mummy and get more than 4 hours sleep a night is becoming quite a challenge.

Apologies to all my clients that have been waiting so long but we have the stock compiled and we are ready to go...any day now...

It is a sign of the times and cannot be ignored so Lily g is on line.......as god is my witness ha ha.

We will have lots of classic Lily g items for sale and lots of one off's and specials.

Here are just a few little snippets from the photo session last week.

My talented staff member Mia styled the shoot and took the photo's. I think it looks beautiful.

A small preview....

Stone butterfly on Katherine Rally Fabrics all available from Lily g

Gorgeous glamorous cushions with diamante centre available in lots of colours

hand beaded napkin rings and trinket boxes and carved dragonflies

Coconut scoops, stone soap dishes and lots of beautiful organic textures.

Coconut husk tea lantern gorgeous

Beautiful glassware from Lily g shop on line

beautifully detailed cakes stand with etched glass

These lovely candle sticks are amazing value

Cut glass cake stand. Classic!

Shell beaded boxes in chocolate brown and cream, Coconut husk teal lights, Moroccan tea light holders, oil infusers, scarves and cushions

Our beautiful bone inlaid coasters come in mixed 1/2 dozen stunning!!

Coconut husk beaded clutch in bone, silver, gold and natural

Hope you have a great weekend.

I am still nursing residual hangover from The HH lunch on Wednesday. Everyone looked amazing and $150,000 was raised for Breast cancer screening machines at The Wesley. YAY!!

This was my outfit for the day....Every now and again a girl can splurge!!

My shoe choice for the day....YSL Gipsy heel (but in brown). Very high and quite a numbing experience after 8 hours :)
but worth it I love them!! Find yours at JEAN BROWN

Dress choice for the day Akira Isogawa shift. I like the colour and the detail...texture, texture, texture!!

Myself, Tracy Madden (middle) & her beautiful sister Donna (I am giantess in these heels). If you don't already know, Tracy wrote the fantastic book 'The Essential Ingredient Love' it's a great read. Get yours at Lily g Now!!!

My Healthy glow by my gorgeous friend Sonya and Australia's first Certified organic Eco Tan.

http://www.australianhairandbeauty.com/health.html

and hair by my lovely hairdresser Yuto at Vanilla Salon

All endorsements are due to the fact that the economy has been quite bad as we all know and I think everyone deserves recognition and support as much as possible..Plus I love stuff!!

Inspiration Board

2011-05-16T23:13:00.001+10:00

Doing a clients home at the moment on the river. The house was built approximately 15 years ago and is of the Tuscan aesthetic. It is now a little dated and my client is ready to say goodbye to the Yellow facade and give it a big face lift, so with a little bit of imagination and some handy men we are changing it into the gorgeous Caribbean inspired dream home my client has always wanted.
She has lots of existing pieces that I am incorporating into the scheme (with some much needed paint jobs) and her amazing river side position means half my job is done already by the fantastic views...all I have to do is bring the blues and greens inside!!!

Love Blue & Green together with lots of white.
Natural flooring always a good thing.

Ralph Lauren does it always so well....

Client has some existing Javanese pieces that are being revamped

These cushions from Lily G will go in perfectly

Putting in Tripod Lamps

This shot is inspiration for her deck ares

My mood board for her job.

Music Monday!!Vivaldi:The Four Seasons: Pachelbel: Canon

2011-05-16T08:07:00.000+10:00

Sunflowers from the Eagle Farm Markets...so happy

This boy is amazing!!! This his own arrangement! Ahhh to be that talented!!

Morrocon Wedding blankets

2011-05-15T15:35:00.000+10:00

Sorry that there were no posts for a week....I had Blogger problems, was busier than a headless chicken, had too many non-blog related jobs to be done....the list goes on! But am back and have heaps of things to talk about.

I did a little piece for The Courier Mail (our daily paper) last Saturday. I was asked to talk about trends and which trends looked like they were here to stay. I talked about Up cycling and Global style which are (as we all know) two very strong influences. Then we talked about the "Nesting trend" and how people are staying in and want more quality pieces for their home, things that will last the distance. Even younger clients are looking for good quality not just in-expensive.

It was a lovely opportunity for me and want to thank Ainsley Pavey from The Courier Mail. Big bunch of Alba Roses coming your way Ainsley!! A few miss-quotes are forgiven....Caribbean aesthetics/British Colonial can not be confused with Chinoise but we were rushing and it was a telephone interview.

Here at Lily g we have always loved the ethnic influences that have come out of Turkey, Pakistan, Northern Africa and India and we are delighted to see they have cemented themselves into mainstream design and decorating. Ikat and Suzani are obviously here to stay for quite some time, but now we are seeing them in brighter and less traditional colour ways:- Acid greens and yellows, melon pinks and bright Mediterranean blue. I am also madly in love with anything Moroccan, the rugs and especially the wedding blankets have infiltrated more than a few interior decorators jobs of late and I lust after them for the following reasons...A) because I love anything with a bit of bling and because the texture and romantic notion of a "Wedding" blanket forces me to want one now!!! I mean come on!! Wedding blanket how lovely is that!!

I am also in love with all the bright colours that are taking people out of their comfort zones. The GFC can be held partially responsible for the surge of bright, fantastical and happy colours coming through. Anytime there has been a financial crisis around the world the design and decorating trends go boldly into glorious colour, it cheers us up and gives us a bit of sunshine. So embrace your Doris Day yellow!!
Expect it to stay around a good while yet.
For you totally married to the subtle hues and the calmness of the Belgian aesthetic (made universally famous through retailers like Restoration Hardware) then you can always add a bit of colour to a neutral palette it is the easiest thing in the world.

Anna Spiro has been doing bright colours in such a beautiful, quirky way for ever!! One can't help but be influenced by her and (I'm not afraid to admit) she has inspired me to be braver when using colour. I can't help (as well) to notice that her influence can be seen around blogville both here locally and designers abroad.

Designers that were once confirmed beige, taupe and white girls are now embracing colour like it's their new best friend!! I think imitation is a form of flattery but we all need to put our own twist on things.

Personally I have a love for all things Caribbean, British Colonial and have always loved the gorgeous aesthetic of Moroccan decor (Marrakesh is a big travel must-do for me!!) When I first took over Lily G it was full of French Country and even though I do love the serenity of it all that washed oak and taupe linen personally my interior decorating style leans more to the left of centre, a bit quirkier and love a more exotic feel to surroundings (probably due to my 10 years of travelling around the world and too watching White Mischief and Out of Africa one too many times) and when I first went into the Long Bar at Raffles in Singapore it was love at first sight!! So now Lily G is full of Rattan, Temple Jars, Tiffin boxes, Turkish bath products, Shells, camper style furniture and much more of MY style.

The Long Bar Raffles Hotel Singapore

Anyway speaking of quirk and colour here are some gorgeous photo's of the new range of Lily Pulitzer's furniture.

I first discovered her pretty clothing range in The Hampton's a couple of years back. Very fresh and joyful.

Her furniture pieces like her clothes are happy bright and very colourful. Enjoy your weekend The weather is amazing!!

I am also posting gorgeous Moroccan Wedding blanket photo's (I want one now!) I am sourcing them as we speak so if you are like me and have a burning desire for your very own wedding blanket email us at the shop or give us a call.

Greek Key hole fabric still strong

Great way to show sample fabrics and we want those stools!

Naive art is big bright and colourful

...

Lily Pulitzer fashion range.... love this dress

Love

The object of my desire...The Moroccan Wedding Blanket

Typical Girly afternoon drinks!

P.S

Our fashion parade went fantastically well for The C&K Kindy there were 150 ladies that attended and they all received Lily G vouchers and have been shopping up a storm all week!! The White Label Noba range is to die for and so well priced!! Designer Tracey Watkins is sooo clever! Well done Tracey! And thank you to the gorgeous Anna Stokes for organising it all.

P.S.S

Our 3rd shipment of White Temple jars are selling out again so if you were wanting these come in and secure yours today!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2011-05-08T13:59:00.000+10:00

Happy Mother's Day......whatever YOUR family looks like!! Mother's rock!!

We take everything the world throws at us and stand as a shield in front of our children. So whether you're a stay at home mummy, working mummy, daddy that does the mummy-ing, grandmother or foster mum....enjoy your day YOU deserve it!!!

United parenting

" Mother is the name for God...on the lips and hearts of all children." The Crow

See you bright and shiny for 'Music Monday' tomorrow....now what are you all in the mood for tomorrow?? Any requests??

Speaking of Mothers!!

2011-05-06T07:30:00.000+10:00

Yes here is another one that is going into the India Hicks, Aerin Lauder file of impossibly fabulous!!!

Natalie Vodianova has 3 Kids! Amazing Modelling career, British aristocracy husband, is a philanthropist and helps ensure disadvantaged children in Russia have play grounds!! and apparently has the smarts (learnt English in only 3 months!!) OH well!! Off to find my Target slippers my feet are cold!!

Mother's Day Sale!!!

2011-05-05T13:52:00.000+10:00

On Saturday we are having a brilliant 1 day only Mother's day sale. All our homewares, floor stock furniture and Gifts are 20% off across the board!!!
There will be free giftwrapping and lots of gorgeous bargains to be had!!!
Napery
Lamps
Cushions,
Bed linen,
Candles,
Photo Frames,
Come in and get something for yourself and your lovely mum!!
And don't forget we are launching our new Winter range of White Label Noba!!! Shipment has been a tad late so it will be available Saturday!!! We are soooo excited!

Run out of Suboo Summer Stock 50% off

Georgeous Blue plates and Platters

Drum Stools in various colours

Paper Mache Morrocan Eggs

Divine Coconut husk clutch purse in gold and silver

Raffia and Bling Clutch

Two only large Pendant light Stunning!!

Lot's of gorgeous French Soy Candles

Cuttlery

Cute tea light holders or just for pretty daisy's

Love this string dispenser

Another Tea light holder

Make breakfast a treat with these lovely boiled egg cups and holders

This can be a soap dish, jewellery dish

Door stops

French wire basket

Meg Braff Love!!!

2011-05-03T07:09:00.001+10:00

Stalking housebeautiful (as we do) and have to say this house that Meg Braff decorated leaves me a little breathless!!! The client is a mother of 3!! Oh to have so many beautiful fabrics around my two little distruction missiles!! I would have to say Meg Braff is getting up there as one of my favourites. Her rooms always have a sense of youthfulness and fun about them....and of course the touches of chinoiserie (which is always a bonus in my books) Enjoy!!

Big (room) coveting happening!!

Love the retro 60's influence

Love everything!! Especially the coral fabric and the big tree. It thought I was sick of sun mirrors...I was wrong!!!

Best staircase rail ever!!

Up coming Events and Music Monday!

2011-05-02T09:39:00.000+10:00

Lily G is involved with two very worthwhile events in the next fortnight.
The first one is The Wynnum C&K Kindy Fundraiser at The Wynnum Manly Trailer Boat Club this Friday night (6th May). Lily G is sponsoring the night there will be give aways, silent auctions and table styling and a fashion parade. The fashion parade will be showcasing the fantastic new White Label Noba Winter range which Lily g is receiving in shop THIS WEEK!!!
Now I know we sold out our summer range very quickly so if you want to reserve your pieces you need to come in A.S.A.P. We receive the range Wednesday and will be ready to take orders on Thursday.
The range is fantastic all part of an entire capsule look of mix and match pieces...You can never stop at just one piece!! Luxury silks, velvets and divine natural fibres in Milk, Latte and Black. All size ranges from petite to plus sizing. Very excited because that sorts out the winter wardrobe dilemma for me!!
With lots of pieces to layer and mix and match it's all now really easy. Perfect!!

My lovely friend Anna

Definately getting this shawl it's divine!!

Oh and This one!!

The second and most important event we are involved in is The Helen Hackett Big Wednesday Lunch. The day is held once a year and is paramount in raising money for a much needed High quality digital Mammography unit at The Wesley Breast Clinic. It promises to be a huge day of great food, great company and like minded people gathering for a very very important and critical cause. Read more here. So if you want to come along and help raise money for the very important call and have a fabulous day out contact Carla Haddan (her details are below).

Music Monday...If you are feeling like you have no energy here's something to get you up and out of your chair!!! This women is a LEGEND and she is still doing this at 70.
This is for my friend Sonya.

Piggy goes to Market!!

2011-05-01T08:06:00.000+10:00

Off to the Eagle Farm Markets today to stock up on goodies...Then going to run the gauntlet at the Caxton St Seafood festival!!

Before I go I just wanted to share the new Anthropologie catalogue with you all! Ohh doesn't it inspire you to want to get on an air plane to start an adventure somewhere exotic (of course we would be impeccably dressed in an oh so casually hip way (but without the mosquito's). Oh Anthropologie when will you come to Australia???

first spied on American Gypsy Living

Also of course we would be travelling in style like this.....

But the unfortunate reality would probably be this!!

p.s Winners of the 3 remaining Mary Mcdonald Allure of Style Giveaway
were
Always Dreaming
Regatta Beach Shack
Hope Island home and living
So Amanda, Simone & Karyn you need to watch your letter box (once we get your details) and get ready to receive your beautiful books.

Another amazing give away planned for next month (unbelievable one!!) so stay tuned.. Have a great weekend.

Yesterday's Winner!

2011-04-27T12:43:00.000+10:00

Well we put names in a hat to be fair and the winner is Jenny from The Five Year Project So congratulations Jenny and we will be contacting you to get your address!
But don't forget that today we are going to give another one away. So that's one book down and 3 more to go until Friday 29th.
So start following and leave a comment you have all day today to win Mary Mcdonald's Allure of Style

We have some more exciting give aways in the pipe line so stay tuned.

Don't forget Lily G's Allure of Style Give Away!!!

2011-04-26T15:19:00.000+10:00

Every day starting today I will give away Mary Mcdonald's 'Allure Of Style' until this Friday!!!

Comment and follow Lily g blog and I will pick one bloggy a day for the next 4 days!! Yay!! Everyday I will draw a name and contact them and send them this stunning book!!!

Music Monday!!

2011-04-25T09:56:00.000+10:00

Little Jackson Boundy my gorgeous Nephew

A tad late today....reading in bed, drinking coffee and eating a yummy apple and cinnamon muffins straight out of the oven (Bliss!!)
Hope you all had a happy Easter. Mine has been a bit traumatic with my little 4 year old nephew Jack being taken to hospital at 4 am Saturday night after suffering a seizure. He is under observation and cat scans have been clear so we are all able to breathe a little easier now. He woke up quite grumpy Sunday morning wanting to know where his Easter Eggs where!!!
I am not religious per say (more the spiritual type) but I was having a serious word or two to The Powers that be on Sat morning I can tell you.
So being Easter and Anzac day and to all the people out there that might need some uplifting right now here is another very favourite of mine. It is from the Coen Brothers movie Oh Brother where art thou with George Clooney. I also love this clip because of simple but strong sentiment of the old photo's. And love love love Alison Krauss. Enjoy!!!

Happy Easter

2011-04-21T10:50:00.000+10:00

Well we are heading up to Noosa for the long...long weekend. Cannot wait!!! Visiting all the gorgeous shops, having yummy breakfast on the board walk and of course eating at Sails and sleeeeping in!!! Hopefully :)

Hope you all have a restful and family filled Easter break. See you bright and sparkly on the other side.

Sweet Sixteen

2011-04-20T07:37:00.000+10:00

Am in the midst of doing a gorgeous bedroom for a lovely 16 year old girl. This is some of the pieces from the mood board I created. We are doing french decadence...love doing rooms for the younger people as I get to go a little crazy and creative. Will post the end result in a few weeks. Also go over to our other Blog at lily g homes to see some of the other jobs we have been up to.

Some Sari gold

Some fun animal print as trim and accessories

Oscar Wilde wallpaper

Lots of fun frames to create interest and happiness.

Music Monday!!

2011-04-18T06:45:00.000+10:00

OK so if you have never heard of Leonard Cohen you must listen to this man!! He is well into his 70's now and we went and saw him in concert last year. The man hasn't any grandiose stage show, no pyrotechnics, no gimmicks, just 3 hours of unadulterated, mesmerising talent with back up singers and his band.
He is the coolest of cool with his fedora and his grace and charm.....love all of his songs and had a very very hard time picking just one!! He is a poet and a philosopher on life and spent' 10 years in a Zen Monastery during his career which is still going strong today. Just push Watch on You Tube. Then be sure to listen to Hallelujah, Bird on a Wire, If it be your will and all of his others (don't forget to full screen it and turn your sound on ;) ....... Happy Monday hope you all had a great weekend x

Clone me now!!

2011-04-15T19:59:00.000+10:00

This is my french bulldog Bon Bon he looks how I feel!!

Phew what a week!!! Ever had one of those days when you are just chasing your tail and can't get anything done because there is too much to be done!! When you wish that there were a couple of you to absorb the extra work needed doing!! This week has been massive and we have been go go go from morning to night. This week (we had) in no particular order..........another magazine photo shoot...... many new consults......lot's of follow ups for our clients and the store has been crazy busy with clients loving our new look to a point where I'm now really low on stock again, trying hard to keep stock levels up but luckily lot's of lovely things still arriving daily. My whole new shipment of coral nearly all gone!! My staff and I have been run off our little feet trying to make all our clients dreams come true and we are pooped! Today I was in Pullenvale and Kenmore, Natalee was at the Gold Coast and Mia was at Wellington Point with Bella holding the fort in store...Talk about travelling Wilburys. But we are loving it and it is never boring or a chore when you are doing what you are passionate about. But. Seriously. Tired. And it has been a long semester for school and am really looking forward to a break next week for Easter.
Let me see what else is happening............

As I type this I am doing the final add ons to the Lily g on-line shop which will ( I promise) be up and running by the end of Easter. We have a lot of amazing new products to sell on line and more to come in the future.

The new White Label winter range will be launched soon with a fashion parade and wardrobe consultation on the night. We are also sourcing more labels which are absolutely stunning and lots of exciting new jewellery pieces .

Our New York trip is back in the pipe line. I was considering postponing it due to the terrible start to this year....floods, cyclones, earthquakes and tsunami's have left everyone so worn out and it is only April!!! But we have still had so much interest that we have (with the help of our travel agents) nearly got it all priced out and the itinerary nutted out. So watch this space.... and let us know if you are interested because we only have limited spaces.

We are sponsoring many events in the coming months and have been busy building our list of wholesalers that are Eco aware. Up cycling is one of our primary concerns and we have just fitted out our whole shop with smart globes and recycled paper just for starters. I have achieved most of my new plan for the beginning of the year.
Our consult space is well and truly down stairs now and it has made a huge difference in the way our clients see the business.
So there you have a brief over view......now you know why I'm a wee bit tired :) Anyway just thought I would catch you up and keep you all in the loop.
It is up up up for Lily g and we have only just started!!

Music Monday!

2011-04-11T06:37:00.000+10:00

Here is my choice for Music Monday. Wow the week has just flown by!! This one if for all the romantics out there....I am a huge sucker for tragic love stories. This is Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush (legend!!) with film clip from the 1992 movie with Ralf Feinnes & Juliette Binoche. Gorgeous song, Great Movie and Brilliant book which I have personally read too many times to count. Ahhhh Heathcliffe the quintessential brooding bad boy.

Eagle Farm Markets

2011-04-10T13:41:00.000+10:00

It was the launch of Eagle Farm Markets today. We got up bright & early and headed down to see what was on offer. We were not disappointed!! I would have to say that they are the best markets I have been to in Brisbane. The location, the produce and the atmosphere was something I have only experienced overseas. It had a vibrancy and energy that was fabulous. So many delicious stalls and the fruit & veg was just divine. The bakery section was out of this world with all the cakes having that home made vibe and plenty of options for gluten free. We had hot buckets of fabulous Colombian coffee and bought all our meat, cheese, fruit and produce for the week. Marinated olives, mushrooms, Organic lamb, pork, beef and plenty of fresh seafood. The Majority of the produce market is located under the huge Fig Trees outside The St Leger grandstand. The hot breads and bakery items, deli section and many more inside the beautiful building. We will be going there from now on as it has the charm and personality of an intimate Village Market. Every Sunday at Eagle Farm Racecourse.

The huge Fig Tree's offer lovely shade

Family run business and delicious coffee as well

Hmmmm??? Diet just gone out the window.

Serious Trouble here

And here

I know I was loitering around the cakes a fare bit.

My Iris's I brought home.

Aerin Lauder has my life!!!

2011-04-08T07:50:00.001+10:00

All images from Habitually Chic and before that lots of stylish magazines.

Seriously!!! She's beautiful, talented, familied up to the eyeballs (practically American Royalty), has never ending gorgeous cosmetic products to play with and seems really lovely and is a mummy and does heaps of charity work and good deeds!!! Aaahhh!! Just was over at Habitually Chic and was drooling over all the exquisite rooms this women has the choice to languish in! I try not to get envious of anyone but me be a bright green right now!! Oh and seeing she has some spare time she's launching her own range. Everything from decor items, perfume and jewellery. Right she is going into the folder where I put India Hicks (the too good to be a mere mortal female folder) I'm off to eat a celery stalk!! ps I googled 'Aerin Lauder looking crap' and was told to take my un-American thoughts somewhere else!!
Now where is my ball gown!!

Introducing some new Stock!!

2011-04-06T21:47:00.000+10:00

Here are some little pics of the stock in store at the moment. Just arrived our beautiful new rug it was delivered on Monday and we sold it on Tuesday. We will be stocking a whole range of Hampton's style stripe rugs. Truly these rugs are To Die For. Gorgeous saturation of colours and so kid friendly! I dare your kids to destroy them. These rugs can take whatever you throw at them...and then a light shake or a hose off and they are good to go. They are great in high traffic areas and are sooo stylish I have already quoted 1/2 a dozen jobs using them.

Here's a photo of our first Hampton's rug from the new range we have sourced and available at Lily g. It is so beautiful....but this one is gone. My client wouldn't even wait for the next shipment (which is only 3 weeks away) she took the floor stock. Mind you I love a decisive woman...and this lady has style!

My new display shelf!! It is now full of our prettiest pieces. Looks so fresh. I have been after one of these for a long time. Don't you love hunting for that special piece and then when you find it it's even better than you hoped for. We have had so many comments about it and I am now searching for more for my clients.

Particularly liking our little panthers and our new beautiful lamp shades and accessories.

Here is the whole look. The cabinet is Vintage Chinese and it just has the most beautiful jade colour on the doors.

The Rug again, with our new Temple jars and our Big Drum side table which I'm particularly eyeing off for my lounge room. Adds such a great silhouette.

Beautiful new baskets. I have already taken two home for a new laundry baskets in the boys rooms.

Our little ode to Out of Africa...The drum stool, our horn scoops, all our beautiful pony skin purses and stunning tan leather jewellery boxes and what about the hurricane lamp with the leather strapping!!!

This is the star of our new bath and skin care range. This little soap has a cult following down south. One shop sells 30 000 of these babies every year!!! I have been using mine for a month and I am hooked!!! Huge Olive Oil content and leaves your skin clean and fresh as though you have just stepped out from having a beautiful facial....not drying, can even use as shampoo for sensitive scalp! It is amazing!! Not the prettiest soap in the world can't even be classed as a soap in the true sense of the word. Definitely no nasty chemicals or perfumes. Just natural and pure and beautiful.

Some more colours available at Lily G. To view whole range contact us. Can you see any of these on your floor?? They go up to 2700 x 3000.

Suzanne Tucker's Guest room featured in Elle Decor Feb 11 with Dash & Albert Rug on floor

Loving a Little Leopard!!

2011-04-06T06:54:00.000+10:00

Leopard print is all over the runways and has long been a favourite for all the top Interior Designers. Fashion and Interiors are becoming more and more in sync. Use your leopard skin sparingly to avoid going down that slippery slope of looking too.....umm tacky!! But am definitely getting myself a scarf or two and would love a couple of cushions to put in lily-g

Balmain

Stunning Balmain Smoking Jacket!!!

Oh the Gloves as a scarf!!! Would you??

Gorgeous and Bo Ho

Transferred onto the street

YSL 1986

Riding anyone??? No one wears gum boots as good as Kate Moss

Louis Vuitton Print Scarf....Yes Please!! Definitely getting me one of these!

Gorgeous!!

Philip Stark Chair

Forget about the chairs.....How about that light fitting!!!! Can't see any of my clients requesting a glass sailing ship anytime soon!!! How to source??

Love this chair!!!

Just an accent

Aerin Lauder and her amazing leopard skin sofa!! Anyone have any leopard skin in their home??

When good leopard goes bad..........