If I get my way and I can downsize

my house on the bay for something

smaller closer to the city I will be able

to finally buy my dream 'beach shack'

Nothing grand or over the top (budget won't allow it anyway)

I just want a little house that we can fix up

and spend the weekends in. Bare floors, high

ceilings and big verandahs with lots of lush green

and hopefully a sniff of the ocean (not expecting views ha!)

These pictures are mainly from a beach house from

the site Coastal living, and I think they are a

fabulous example of the fun you can have when decorating a

a little beach shack. The colour pallet is one that

has always inspired me. Pristine white with fabulous teal, aqua and green

accents. Fun, childlike fabrics and clean fresh lines.....all beautifully

executed and all do-able on a small budget..hunting for all the

accessories would be half the fun.

If you were driving past lily-g last night and looked in you would have been witness to the most impractical moving team in the history of furniture manoeuvring!!!! Me (with my ineffectual muscles) and my lovely friend Tanya with the help of her sister Lisa were attempting to move a very large and ridiculously heavy buffet into the other side of the shop. There were many pauses for strength building glasses of Cloudy Bay and team building laughter but alas it proved too heavy and way too funny. Thank you to the lovely man out with his wife on a walk who came in and took charge and moved it while his fabulous wife had a twilight shop :) Oohh the glamour!! p.s bet he won't walk past our way again at night.

I know I might seem a little

obsessed with bedrooms at

the moment, but with a new

business to run and two small

little boys...sleep seems to be

becoming an obsession. I like

elements in all these bedrooms.

Definitely the last one with

the white bamboo four poster

would be a haven of heavenly

snugness. Which one suits your

sleep fantasy?? They are all

different but all appealing in

their own right.

Love how the bold print on the

floor just packs a clean punch

amongst all that feminine billowy white.

I love this room from Velvet and Linen it is such a great use of space and such an inviting area to sit and have chats with friends. Love how the television is no where to be seen and that the chairs are all positioned for conversation and not for watching t.v I'll take watching the fire any day. Love the corner where she has collected pieces more so for their shape and the contrast of tones and textures than for any purpose. The balance is lovely.

New Instore

Stunning new pieces due to arrive in store, with Easter not far away now is the time to start thinking of decorating your table. I'm loving the wiener cake stands perfect for placing individual cup cakes or part of your Easter egg display. We can organise to send direct to you email us at lilyg1@bigpond.com

An update

Had Harry's bday party on Saturday, and of course mummy went crazy over the top on all things Hawaiian for the luau theme, just can't seem to do things in a sane and measured way...I have some deep neurosis when it comes to any type of entertaining in my home. Everything has to be perfection and matchy matchy and themed (crazy) just adds 10 times the workload... but I do love that moment when I stand back and see how lovely everything looks and there is something about a perfectly presented table that makes me strangely contented (I know, I know!!) Anyway it was a fabulous day even when some rude guests actually had the NERVE to move things around and EAT!! my beautifully organised food (nearly slapped some hands ha ha) The day was a success and I was very proud of my big 7 year old. Sharnel from http://www.thecupcakecompany.blogspot.com did a gorgeous job on Harry's little surfer cupcakes :) On a non neurosis note had absolutely fantastic time in Sydney yesterday running all over the Eastern Suburbs with Judy looking at gorgeous things and buying some fabulous pieces for lily-g. I can't wait for it all to arrive at the store!!! I am madly loving all the absolutely gorgeous fabrics I saw from Designer Guilds new collection today.... I went a tad overboard and bought a sinful amount of their amazing sample books (oops!!) Aahh well a girl must shop. Turning the upstairs mezzanine level into something new and exciting...I see all that space and I just have to fill it with beautiful things. I will be posting lots of photo's and inspirational pieces to keep you all up to date and would love to see what you all think of my ideas as they blossom. xxx ps here's some clues

Well!!! What a learning curve the last couple of weeks have been! Firstly I have been truly humbled by the warm and open welcome that I have received from all the Lily G customers, and wholesalers, it has made such a difference and what could have been a bumpy ride has instead turned into a brilliant one (except maybe the lawyers... they seem to create a huge fun vacuum wherever they go), but other than the legal handbrakes, all has gone fabulously!! I mean, I know how dedicated the Lily. G client base is...I know that I am in terrible trouble from all you lovely ladies out there if I err from our "Look" I have truly big shoes to fill and I'm sitting here with a big cold glass of N.Z Sauv Blanc in hand feeling very confident in my ability to continue to bring to you all the gorgeous furniture, fabrics, home wares and amazing things that makes us all soooo happy!! So stay tuned.....we've finished the first furniture fair have 2 more to go and then the end result will be a brand spanking new layout and absolutely too many fabulous pieces and gorgeous special little treasures that the shop will be bursting at the seams. I have a few secret plans afoot as well so keep checking in and have a laugh at my expense as I navigate through all the minefields that lay ahead and try and keep the bank at bay!! ha ha! p.s my technical ability will improve expedentially... so tonight it's just a few words of thanks and soon I will add in lots of lovely pics. xx

Bedroom love

If you are like me and retreat to your bedroom to escape from all the demands of being a mum, wife, cook, cleaner and all round miracle worker, burrowing down into crisp freshly laundered sheets with big fat pillows and a fabulously intoxicating book is sometimes the greatest pleasure in the world and with all this rain about it is even more heavenly. I love, love, love a great bedroom...I think it is a true reflection of your own individual style. We are turning our Mezzanine level into a Boudoir with a gorgeous french en suite and I can't wait to fill it with all the most beautiful bathroom products, linens and towels... This bedroom has that cozy look of line dried sheets, fresh flowers and some happy light filtering in.....I can see myself there waiting for a lovely cup of tea and some breakfast in bed (ha!) more like the kids to come and jump all over me and eat it all one me :)

Have a great week-end

See you Monday for lots of great new posts, I'm really starting to get the hang of blogging and I'm looking forward to visiting all the great blogs out there. Next week is my first buying trip (Can't wait!!!) we are going down to Sydney, visiting suppliers and of course attending Design and Decoration perhaps breakfast at Bills and shopping in Woollarah just to finish off a great few days!

I'm planning on revamping the garden room, infact its going to be our Inspiration room of Fabulous new season looks, always ever changing and more Interior Design focused, thats just one of the exciting changes that Judy and I are working on.

Have a great week-end

Melinda x

Image from Velvet and Linen, gorgeous bathroom one of our favorites.

It is so hard to source beautiful bathroom furniture so we are on the look out for anything that inspires us. I came across the most fabulous bathroom console.. it is to die for so that will be in store in a couple of weeks we have also found some amazing hand made bath oils, soaps and candles. Will be available soon in store and on line.

Whenever I go to the states I'm always amazed at the access they all have to well made beautiful things..I want that for lily-g, unique pieces of quality and great craftsmanship. The hunt continues.....

xx

New Lighting

We are always on the hunt for new lighting and part of our new collection arrived in store today. We can order the same lamps in smaller sizes for clustering in groups above kitchen benches or the largest lamp hanging in a special location in your home.

Email: lilyg1@bigpond.com for all enquires.

An Update

Lots of exciting news at Lily-g! We have a fabulous new owner and to my relief shares in the Lily-g vision, she has fabulous taste and style and I find her enthusiasm and plans for lily-g very exciting to say the least. She has already worked on several Interior jobs and has wowed me!! of course our very talented Lauren will be contining her work at lily-g.

We have already started our buying and I must admit girls how I'm going to miss the shopping, thankfully Melinda is letting me tag along for the fun, she's letting me go gently!

Well my news is that I am retiring from decorating and retail but working on a very new and exciting venture. To our Lily-g customers my presence will still be there as Melinda and I work together to bring lots of fabulous products, inspiring interiors and in store events to lily-g.

All future posts will be from Melinda, Jo and Lauren with guest posts too!

The picture I posted above is from the Interiors of Bella Casa, we love the classic style!

In store now

We were very excited to get our new range of hand block printed tablecloths, cushions, napkins and accessories in store this week, the burst of summer colour is stunning and proving to be very popular not just because its so affordable but its unique and very gorgeous!

Caribbean Style

Tom Scheerer is on my list of favourite designers and I just love this caribbean inspired home he created in Florida, visit more photos of his home on the house beautiful magazine website.

Hot Summers Day

I love verandah's. The bigger the better. Living in Queensland I think it is an essential part of our laid back culture.

We are getting in the most stunning cane pieces in at Lily-g and transforming the 'Garden Room' into a light filled gorgeous ode to India Hicks, Ralph Lauren and our tropical life style. Think lots of light, textures and natural finishes with splashes of vibrant coral colours. I am very excited!!

Happy New Year

After a long needed break I'm back and full of energy ready to tackle 2010 and what an exciting year ahead! I though I would start with some inspiration from Jill Brinson home in Atlanta, who says you cant have a country home in the city!

Inspiration

I found this image in my file showing open plan living hamptons style! Don't you just love the kitchen too!

Have a great week

I have a lovely day off with my daughter today, we putting up our Xmas tree and doing a little bit of baking, hope you all have great week x

p.s I just love this image, the open plan design, the VJ pillars and the bookcase surrounding the fireplace, gorgeous!

Bali Life

This months House and Garden features Stuart Membery's home in Bali. This would have to be my all time favourite style (very India Hicks!) lots of books, relaxed sofa's, interesting cane pieces, gorgeous just love it, girls go and buy this months H&G you will be drooling!

What's Inspiring me

When my business is sold maybe just maybe I will find the time to organize my shoes like this, dust free, covered by a gorgeous drape but still giving you a peek at the jimmy choo's! minus the chair! I'm just drooling over the mirror mantle piece!

Taking your curtains close to the ceiling is my favourite look, sisal rugs on dark floors lots of white! love the windows wow!

If you have a large room I'm loving placing furniture with more than one sitting area. Still inspiring me is simple elegant interiors that don't scream over done, but still remain interesting and clever! love, love, love this room! my inspiration for my next home .

Again dark floors and stark white walls and touches of gold (minus the mirror yuk)

black and white sketches in elegant frames, simple curtains and touches of gold!

All white bathrooms with furniture pieces

Xmas Fever

Sorry for being so slack with my posts lately, the rush is on to finish our interior jobs, keeping the boxes unpacked and the shelves full of lots of xmas goodies! Over the next few weeks my blog will be filled with gift ideas for Xmas and table inspiration and all things Xmas and fun!

I'm putting up my tree this year and my theme is green,silvers and antique golds. The grown up xmas table will be in greens but the kids table is going to be hot pink and red combination which will be stunning but more on that soon!

New in store

As fast as new stock arrives it then leaves just as quick, so I had to post our gorgeous cane lounge which has been sold. The good news is we have more arriving soon with matching arm chairs. Available in dark chocolate cane, grey pepper or lime wash and with custom designed upholstery, suitable for indoors and outdoors, we can help select the right piece for your home.

Swing Away

This is the swing I would love to hang from my huge fig tree in the country