Vanilla Salon

As I wrote the other day, we have just completed a great job in The James St Precinct. Vanilla Salon is owned and run by Phil and Rodney and they are a hilarious couple with an amazing sense of style and flair.
The brief for the job was a total refit to give the salon a new and exciting look. I can tell you it was looking a little down at the heel and needed some TLC.  Phil and Rodney had a clear view of what they wanted....think Tom Ford Glamour, think gorgeous lighting, think divine accessories, think......Pink Chairs!??!!  The salon was equipped with Pink Chairs and it was too a big a cost to replace them so we had to work them into the project.  The boys also were very strict on budget so it was going to take a lot of initiative and inventiveness on our part.
Natalee was probably 2 weeks into the job working out tiles, paint colour etc when we got a call from Phil saying that it had to be finished in 1 week as Vogue Magazine were going to feature the salon in the magazine!!!

To say the stress levels were at maximum is an understatement!! We had carpenters, painters and tilers all there as quickly as possible and what was going to be a slow and steady job became the fastest turn around Lily G has ever done!! Seriously if it had been a TV show it would have been hysterical....How to flip that Salon sounds good!! Anyway it is all done and The Vogue shoot went brilliantly. Natalee worked her butt off and now we will just wait for The Vogue Magazine to come out so we can see it in print as we sip champagne while getting our hair done at Vanilla Salon!


BEFORE!!!

Big silver and Charcoal stripes had to go

Mismatched papers and no continuity

Storage space needed

Dark carpet and decor making everything oppressive

This was the overall feel of the salon; Dark, Cramped and dated decor

VOILA!!!!! New, Clean, Bright, Glamorous and fresh!!!!

We had beautiful panelling put on the walls to give the space character and mini acorn chandeliers were used alternating with modern globes.

Busy Wednesday

After having a fabulous time at all the trade fairs down in Sydney, it was back to the grindstone this week with lots of finalisations of fabrics and finishes for jobs we have on the go at the moment. We have just finished a gorgeous fit out at Vanilla Hair Salon in James Street in New Farm it looks amazing and I will post before and after's tomorrow.
Today was busy with some deliveries from overseas that we have been waiting on for a very long time, very exciting to open packages for goods you ordered months ago.....almost like seeing them for the first time again. So now we are up to our eyeballs in boxes again, therefore the car park sale is needed even more urgently so we can make room for all the fabulous new pieces! Don't forget if you are in Brisbane it's on the 5th March from 8am!
Today also was a lovely day for me on the shop floor, seeing lots of reps and talking to my delightful customers.
I am always surprised at the amount of people that read my blog. I sometimes Pratter on for ages never actually appreciating that people are actually reading my little ramblings! Well I met a lovely customer today called Judy who said she was "addicted" to my blog and that all her friends at work were as well! That was very flattering and humbling to me. The fact that people take the time to read what I have written is an honor and I have promised her that I will write more often and she will hold me to it....so Judy this blog is for you, hope you enjoy it :) Melinda

Expect Great Things To Happen!!

As you all know it has been a year since I took hold of the reigns here at Lily G.
It has been a year of excitement, creativity, tears, mistakes, growth, a few too many grey hairs and the added joy of an extra 5 kilo's that have decided to join me on my travels!
Similar to the passing of New Year's Eve every year I think anniversaries of any type afford a moment of reflection and resolutions. A perfect time to mend our ways, make lifestyle changes, set goals and acknowledge accomplishments and failings.


With that in mind.....
I have for some time now been pondering some fundamental issues within my business.
I want and have always wanted Lily g to be more of a lifestyle store with a more organic and environmentally sound mission statement.
My big size 10's leave enough of a mark on this earth without my business leaving a hefty one as well.
Sooooo I'm making big changes here at Lily G..... Evolve or perish??? No....But Evolve and Flourish is something that I firmly believe in!!!
So Lily G as you know it is changing; with New Products, a new look and a new vibe.   More user friendly with a better and more interactive website, a fun shopping experience that my clients and customers can have more involvement in and also a highly functioning business that (as much as possible) brings to the consumer a high level of ethical practices, with more responsible purchasing for sustainable practices and a greener shop.
But this does not mean that Lily G is going all Hippie! (not that there's anything wrong with that ) I just think when making a buying or business decision that (where possible) I will make the decision that impacts the least on resources and leaves the least impact on the environment.
We will still keep the intrinsic beauty that Lily G is renowned for, but from now on my purchases will be more ethically motivated.

So I have set myself goals and have a few steps to take to kick Lily G into the 21st Century.

First step: hold One of The Massive Car Park Sales that Lily G is famous for. So stay tuned and I will give you more info soon. If you are not on our mailing list get on our web site at www.lilyg.com.au to register. I will also be posting some of the divine items we are putting on sale in the following weeks.

Second step: moving my Interior Design department down stairs and letting our customers interact with the decorating/design department. Promote the beautiful and ever expanding range of organic and environmentally conscious fabrics that are being produced. Show case ethically motivated products that help sustain local villagers and craft people. Motivate wholesaler by my purchasing power to consider environmentally friendly products. Well try any way :)

 Third step: Ask for advise from the most important factor in this business.....You!!! What ethical practices to you admire? What do you want from your shopping experience? How can we improve your Lily G experience?

O.K that's probably more than enough for now, got to keep some things under my belt. Keep tuned for the amazing changes and Expect Great Things To Happen!!!

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has" Margaret Mead


Have a great day
Melinda

Happy Birthday Harry and Happy 1st Anniversary to me!!!

Today is My son Harry's birthday he is 8!!! I can't believe how quickly the time has passed.

And today it is 1 year to the day since I took over at Lily G. I have learnt so much and enjoyed myself every step of the way! Over the year I have had so many positive and up lifting experiences with the most lovely clients and customers.
It is always hard taking over a business and there is always going to be the enevitable comparisons between the old owner and the new. I can only say what a wonderful and positive journey it has been for me. I look forward to many more years and many more blogs in the future.
We have so many lovely jobs on the go at the moment and we have been lucky enough to be noticed by several magazines (which will also be out soon).
So for everyone that has supported, believed and promoted me. Thank You
And for everyone else...x

New York State of Mind

Me Hanging in Central Park.

Have bike will shop!!

Here's Natalee Waiting for the Jitney to take us back to NYC

I often get asked about our thrilling trip to New York that we took last year. Natalee and I had 2 fabulous weeks in New York City and East Hampton's which consisted of serious work (that's for you Mr Tax Man )  some great Interior Stalking and plenty of high end cultural immersion (Well we met Bradley Cooper!!!) One of the main reasons we went was to etch out a rough itinerary for The New York/Hampton's trip we want to develop as a yearly trip for Lily G Clients. We have already been inundated with interest and it seems a big girly trip to The Big Apple and The Hampton's is just what You ladies want!! Husbands/Kids not invited (sorry) but if we are going to go it's going to be serious girl bonding and shopping and star spotting (I seem to have a knack for that :)) eating and shoe obsessing trip!!! We will be touring through some of the most gorgeous Hampton's homes and staying and eating at all the secret little places that tourists never get to see!!

So while thinking about this endeavour (which will hopefully take place August this year) I was looking at the photo's from the trip and came across the photo's of The Maidstone Hotel  a lovely boutique hotel with the most fabulous interiors, it is whimsical with a happy saturation of Scandinavian influence in the way of Josef Frank fabrics. I have tried to source this amazing fabric in Australia and may have to ship it over because I love love love it!!

!

The front steps of The Maidstone.

This is the cosiest little space in real life. Sheep skin, Cow skin, it's all happening here.

Of course Ingrid Bergman adorns the Powder Room. Shrine to The Swedish Actress

Love these chairs....

More of Josef Frank's fabric from High Heeled foot in the door

This Too Shall Pass.....But while it last's......

I have so much to talk about at the moment. So many things that have transpired in my life (both personally and professionally) since my last blog. I have been through the full gamut of emotions and boy has it been one strange and heartbreaking ride. So many tragedies from the flood devastation so much show of courage and human compassion., The community bonds that have been indelibly formed from this surreal occurrence. Brisbane is not a town that experiences much adversity we are quite blessed with little or no hiccups in our happily sun filled existence. But it is in the face of adversity and hardship that people's true worth is revealed.

Personally I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of people that were once merely acquaintances and their show of support and compassion ensures that they have now become trusted and  deeply appreciated friends.

I am not a writer. I do love words and don't mind a ramble. But the Floods have been written about over and over. I will be forever moved from the experience and I know I didn't even get near the surface of seeing what my fellow Queenslanders have been through. But I deeply hurt for them and I have donated what I can and will continue to support financially and emotionally where I am able. So time for me to move on with out guilt at feeling frivolous.....

Lily G is featured in the Interiors Section of Women's Weekly this month. We are very thrilled and excited to see our work in such a long loved and esteemed magazine (I know my mum is thrilled !!! ha ha ha)
Thank You to the lovely and talented Catherine Shields for featuring the Azzopardi's beautiful home and to Simon Kenny from Content Agencies for the fabulous photo's. We aim to create lovely relaxed and elegant homes for our clients. My love of blue's and crisp clean white with touches of the industrial are very much present in this job. West End was inundated with water during the flood but thank goodness Bernadette and Rogers home was not in the firing line (as it where). For full pictures go here.
But here are a few from the job...I have posted a few before but my amateurish photography is nothing compared to Simon's professional skill.

P.S Thank You to A-M for her lovely comment on our last blog. I know she particularly has been through the Gauntlet and back a few too many times lately and wish her all the best.

The Generosity of spirit.

Toowoomba is in total devastation as I write this other surrounding areas are evacuating due to flash flood warnings. An 8 metre Wall of water rushed through a modern, fully infastructured town and totally wiped out buildings, cars and washed people away in an instant!! My heart breaks to see and hear all the loss and despair that the families in that area are going through. Children as always are the most at risk and I cry for the poor mummy's that have lost their little ones. This is sooo close to home and as I sit in the warm safety of my own house I am proud to say that Stacey Sullaphen from Sunny Mummy has rallied the troops (so to speak) and raised $1000.00 last night in support of the Flood Relief  with not too much effort. She is hoping the surge of support will continue and I am encouraging everyone to dig a little in hope of helping these terribly traumatised families. You can find Sunny Mummy on face book and go and join her amazingly fabulous site for Mothers here www.sunnymummy.com.au/ She is also donating a portion of new memberships to the Flood Relief.

There is also a number to call from Qld Gov 1800 219 028. It is times like these that I feel truly rich, when I can give. x Take Care

P.S If any one know's where to get Sand Bags...Apparently my shop is likely to go under today!!!

Colour My World

Well I have arrived back from our family fusion Xmas in Japan. We had a lovely cultural journey and have returned with many happy memories. My boys saw their first snow and relished in bombing mummy with snow balls and making the ubiquitous snow man. Nothing makes a mother happier than when her children are happy. Nothing makes a mother more stressed than when her children want to take a closer look at a speeding bullet train!!! Or when her four year old refuses to eat anything for 2 weeks apart from

Rice with Soy Sauce!! They trained with Ninjas, ate with Sumo's, said Konichiwa to a Japanese speaking Mickey Mouse and came back to Australia hopefully a tad more culturally aware.

Mummy on the other hand is a wee bit exhausted and is now ready for HER holiday. But it is my first day back at work and the rain is pelting down.. Very grey and dreary so decided to post some of Mary McDonald's beautiful happy work because her use of colour, scale and quirky mix of the unexpected always fills me with awe and puts a smile on my face.

Here is some gorgeous colour to brighten your day.

  

This instantly cheers me up. So pretty.

 Love the Pink with the Zebra stripe and the Chinoise mirror Gorgeous!







 Stripes, florals, scale is fabulous, lovely lines. This room is amazing. 
















So Fresh for a formal room. Mary McDonald's is definitely courageous with her colours.

 Bold and I think could perhaps become a little tiring on the eyes but that fabulous ottoman just breaks it all up perfectly. 

Happy New Year

I am writing this blog from Nargano Japan. Sitting in a cosy hotel in front of a blazing fire as snow falls outside in bucket loads. It is a virtual Winter Wonderland here and I half expect the characters of Narnia to appear from behind the pine trees it looks so surreal. 
The last couple of weeks rushed by in a blur and due to Xmas Sale, 2nd sons mysterious illness, finalising sale of the house and trying to find a place to live, I haven:t had time to wish everyone a merry Xmas....and now here it is New Years Eve already!!!
What a year for myself and nearly everyone I know. I:m sure if I was into the significance of numbers 2010 would surely be a year that represents change, evolution, creativity and upheaval.
This year I have achieved so much and learnt many lessons good and bad, I have met so many wonderful and talented women who with a generosity of spirit and heart have helped me navigate through the stressful territory of small business and  made me feel welcome in a industry that I love.
I hope that 2011 brings every ones dreams into reality and is a year that will be bigger and better than the last. But I know that as women (not being sexist but it is from the only point of view I know) we have so much pressure from society and most of all from ourselves to be these super beings and I for one feel compelled to run around a million miles an hour just to achieve what I need to in an average day. So now as the year draws to an end I have found myself a little world worn and weary at having to be all and have all.  I feel a slow life movement coming and encourage all the you creative, driven, achieving women out there to join me and be kind to yourselves and sit for a little longer, let the house stay messy for a couple of hours more, talk to your friends for a few more minutes, have that extra coffee and just enjoy the slow moments.
Happy New Year!!!

Christmas Shopping Tonight

Tonight Lily G is hosting it's VIP shopping night. We have been working our not so petite butts off getting the store into an environment of sparkly gorgeousness. I am also showcasing all our new Samantha Wills jewellery, Aliss & Ena jewellery and have transformed my sale room back into a show room for the unveiling tonight of Judy from Verandah House's fabulous range of furniture. I changed the wallpaper a couple of weeks back and it is gorgeous. It is a Thibaut paper and I am such a huge fan of there beautiful product.  So fingers crossed all going well I will be posting lots of photo's in the next coming days of our lovely Christmas soiree. P.S if you live locally and wish to attend contact the store I'm sure we have enough

Champagne xxx  Just mention the blog and we'll add you to the list.

From G. P Baker to Thibaut in a blink of an eye.

My lovely Thibaut

And So This Is Christmas....

The Frenetic pace of the Xmas Season has started officially this week.

Xmas Carols,  Xmas Concerts, Xmas Pageants, Xmas Break-ups and Xmas Parties are all  jettisoning towards us like an overzealous, madly cheerful Staff member at A Club Med Resort. You know the ones that  force you to participate and to be a "JOINER" when all you want to do is rest by the pool and marvel at your cleverness for making it through another year of School drop offs and "logistical life balancing" while still managing to read a few good books, fit in something culturally beneficial to your own personal growth and manage to excercise (hahahahah!! yeah right!)

But the onslaught is here. So many events, so many school functions, so many work commitments and ALL taking place within the insane time frame of a couple of weeks and every invitation, event and function is deemed equally IMPORTANT and therefore equally UNAVOIDABLE!!

It IS tempting at times to stick heads blissfully in the sand and wait for it all to pass, but we don't... because we love Xmas. We don't want to forgo the euphoric feeling of joy, the displays of human kindness, the joy of giving and spending time with loved ones. There are many reasons we love Xmas. But for me it has always and will always be about the TRIFLE!! mmmmm

It's just that it all happens at once, and in such a gleeful manic frenzy that it can be quite a shock to the ol' system. After a year of (comparatively) social restraint suddenly it's on us....BAMM !!!!Full-Frontal Social Interaction!!!  And (if you are) like me and are quite shy normally, this time of year (when catapulted headfirst into festive obligation) can make us end up feeling like a little Deer caught in the proverbial Christmas Headlights. 

We become stunned with over consumption and social interaction and our much abused internal organs rebel after being forced (in the name of merriment) to filter a years quota of alcohol in one binge-fuelled month. We navigate through December a little dazed and confused and inevitably stagger from one festive event to the other not quite sure what the objective for the evening is. Socialising, being charming, witty and (fingers crossed) always nearly appropriate is the goal and above all... hopefully..hopefully.... remembering that Son's Xmas concert is ALWAYS a  DRY event!! Aaaah but under the weight of a burgeoning social calender who can blame Us for getting a little confused. 

So as you go forth into "The Silly Season" (how apt!) I have found some lovely Xmas jobs that The Doyenne of Style and Taste Martha Stewart has on her "To Do" list. My To do list has only 1 item.....

1. Don't go insane!!!

Click here for Martha's must do's Worth a giggle!!!!

http://mymerrychristmas.com/2005/martha.shtml

Sale on Today!!!

Well I am making way for some gorgeous NEW pieces that are due in next week. So today we are having a Massive clearance sale in our Carribean room. Come in and take advantage of Lily-G's Pre-Xmas Sale and save some money before Xmas!!
Linen, Home-Wares, Cushions, Lamps and Furniture Pieces all 10 - 30% off!!
Our New Room will be show cased next week!! Stay tuned.

What does not kill us makes us stronger.

This week started on a rather dire note. So much despair and tragedy happening out there in blog land.
It is hard to know what to say to people you care about in their hour of heartbreak. All anyone can do is show empathy and compassion and feel humbled at the frailty of life and the inconsistencies of the human condition.
We are living in a fast paced world where we are subjected to disaster and gross injustices on a daily basis, but it is always so shocking and horrible when it is happening to people we know and love. I try and take some time to thank the powers that have kept my children happy, my family healthy and my world spinning everyday with little or no hardship. We are all blessed to live in a country so free and devoid of the massive atrocities that others witness in their daily lives. So as we go about our daily lives lets remember that we never know what our neighbours or friends are going through when they close their doors at night, so we should try and be patient and understanding to all the various idiosyncrasies that challenge us in our daily encounters.
Melinda x

PS on a nice note Thank You to Keren from The Brown Trading Company for casting Lily g under the limelight on their new and fabulous blog. We love their Bungalow products and she and her brother Gavin are the loveliest people.

Realestate reality

So I'm sitting here in the wee hours of the morning (well early for this little duck anyway). Looking out at the gorgeous view from my office at home. I live in a little Bay area of Birkdale and from my home you can see Moreton, Green and as my boys call it "Mud Island" The views are spectacular and relaxing and the smell is a mix of the brine from the bay and Jasmine that is all along my back wall. I love it. But we are moving.
This home was never my choice. It is a big, concrete structure with little character features within. But it fit the bill for our Brady bunch family. My partner has 3 teenagers, I have 2 little people and we needed something big and broad and all encompassing to contain the dynamics of a blended family. 
I (as I mentioned) never particularly liked the house, I love character and charm and cornices and gorgeous balustrading (as we all do) but slowly over the last 3 years my monolithic girl has grown on me. The location, the breezes, the Caribbean feel of the palm trees has won me over and like an unappreciated friend I will miss her when she is gone.
We have sold and we have to decide what our next step is going to be. I would love to build but this is not so easy. I have the builders, designers, architects at my disposal, but there are two major obstacles in my way...Time and the availability of suitable land.
So I am a-hunting for that holy grail of real estate...a double block (with views) in Bulimba!!! I can hear you laughing!  But I am stalking the streets and I am quite a determined bunny.

But the present reality is I have approx 2 months to pack, move, rent, run my business, attend plethora of Xmas activities, organise trip to Japan (having a fusion Xmas) have Xmas extravaganza of some sort at Lily G, be present and not neurotic mummy and not scare partner with manic hysteria!!! and all whilst mourning the loss of my big white behemoth home that I have grown to love.

Wish me luck!!!! ANY TIPS on how to keep it all together (other than wine) and what are you signing up for that you know is going to take you to the brink??? Because you know that like Mother Nature; Women abhor a vacuum.
Not for me the sedate life. When it looks like I have too much on my plate I just head right back up to the proverbial buffet and load up!!!

 My lovely palm trees

Xmas at Lily G (First wave)

We spent the weekend xmas-ing the store, and with champagne and some yummy dinner brought to us by my lovely partner Michael we had a very happy and productive night!!
This week starts Lily g Thursday night trading... so that you can avoid those crowds in the bulk shopping arena's. Let husbands know that you have a wish list and then send them down to us. No stress on the sanity and we will even wrap it for him!!

 Our Xmas Nook....We have done the tree in Pink, Gold and silver with the cutest white birds.

 Our First Xmas is all glamour and shine. We will also be doing Jewell colours in the coming weeks.

Our Xmas table is very Festive and has a lovely Home made feel.

 Our Centre pieces are divine. We can do the same ones or similar for your colour scheme.

 Raspberry and White against the lovely taupe background very fresh.

 Let the silly season begin!!!!