Bookshelf Bonanza!

I have a friend who is in a constant struggle with her black expedit (ikea) bookcase & making it look 'right'. I thought id give her some 'bookcase styling' inspiration!.I think one of the problems might be that it looks a bit empty! Clearly from all these shots filling it up is the way to go!

via i suwanee

Fill it up with books & magazines stacked both horizontally & vertically. I also really like the idea of attaching wall lights for a really rich & elegant look! You can get some like these from Ikea for next to nothing!

Via Apartment therapy

Add a ladder for interest...or some yellow doors...

via Design Sponge

Make the shelves different sizes & add a mirror & 'atifacts'

Via Domino Magazine

Stack all the books horizontally...and add items sitting ontop of the stacks!

Via Elle Decor

OR go all vertical & colourful!

Via I Suwanee

More exapmles of books + artifacts!

Via I Suwanee

If you dont have a lot of books how about filling it up with stacks of magazines?

Via I Suwanee

ok, i just like this one for the colour!

Via I Suwanee

Colour coding your books!

  The dark colour here gives it a ery luxurious feel!

These are all stacked vertically for a uniform look

loooove this! This bookcase has been made into a reading area with a glam side table, great chair, a hide & a pendant light! Bookshelf warm fuzzies!

via Kelly Green

Display your books front on for a library/display look!

Another personal favorite!

Via My Ideal Home

floor to ceiling = total wow factor!

Via Plush Palate

Another reading area - shelf  + chair + pendant = love!

Via Kelly Green

Ok not books but how divine are the colours!

Hope this has helped you Emma! Maybe you can share a photo of the finished product once you have styled her up!?

Cool blog find! La Boom!

I seriously love it when i find a new blog i cant tear myself away from! My latest find is the tumblr blog La Boom! Here is a taste of what you can find over there...and just for fun i have picked all the pink'ish stuff!

All Images from La Boom

Introducing Mr Stripey!...(My zebra rug...)

You might remember a few weeks ago i puchased this zebra (on cow hide!) on ebay (from this store if you want one! http://stores.ebay.com.au/more-cowhides-rugs-leathers-pillows/Store-Home.html

Well it arrived yesterday (took 2.5 weeks to arrive from Miami to Sydney) and was only $230 USD...oh & that means also only $230 AUD! Woohoo for the US dollar! So...here he is! Mr Stripey at my joint!

hmmm looking very black & white in here...

might need some new cushions now!

ooohh ariel shot! Yes i stood ontop of the lounge to take this!

Meanwhile, the old rug, this cool freedom galaxy silk look shag rug now needs a new home of its own & i have listed it on ebay - love the cycle of ebay & i think its great to pass on your old stuff rather than chuck it (what a waste!) Anyone in sydney in the market for a stylish rug check it out! Its only 1 year old & still in freedom for $600 & ive listed it for $170 http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140473177024&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Oh & one more cool thing to finish off the week!

One of my readers Lisa sent me a picture of this inspiration board she's mader herself all with pictures from Once Daily Chic! How cool is that! Its exactly why i started this blog so its made my day....maybe even week! Here is is!

The most divine apartment!

Today i just had to share this GORGEOUS girly apartment i saw over on Bazaar of Serendipity today.

Designed by canadian company The Cross Design - which i hear from one of my canadian friends is an amaaaazing homewares store that also offers a design service! I think its not only really girly but has an element of 'toughness' to it aswell!

I love the octopus artwork, that pink stuuded chair & the chandelier which happens to be almost identical to the one i just put up in our bedroom! Actually i also love the colour of that wall in the bedroom, the coral all over the place & the mirrored furniture..and the dark floors...ok ok i love it all!

Wednesday wisdom - the stressed edition!

Am having quite a frazzled week & need to keep reminding myself of this..

Due to the reason causing me to be 'frazzled', I need to throw myself into my 'solo' work & get out there & promote myself! Thankyou for all your great feedback on the kitchen - means the world to me! xx

New kitchen pendant!

The pendant light in our kitchen has been broken for months & i FINALLY decided on a new one & had it put up this morning! Thought is share a piccie! A nice clean white sphere - looks great!

....AND we also had the chandelier put up in the bedroom!

ill take some photos of that tonight!

The Big Reveal! The Kitchen 'After'!

FINALLY! The long awaited finished product of the kitchen redesign & renovation i have been working on for clients Sue & Kim, fabulous cooks who have been suffering in their old kitchen for over 10 years! 

'Before'

'After' 

We worked around the existing doors & windows but added more bench space by punching into the wall on the right & moving the cooktop, oven & coffee machine over there.

One of the couples gorgeous asian pieces we relocated to the kitchen!

'Before'

'After'

A huge french door fridge replaced the small white fridge.

The random blue walls were painted in Dulux 'Peplum' quarter strength to match the cabinet work

A Caesarstone benchtop in 'Ginger' was put in with returns to the floor & an overhang to create a breakfast bar with classic stools

'Before'

'After'

We did away with the small table & covered up the timber wall with a 40cm deep wall to wall pantry with recessed handles for a sleek look & an open central module perfect for the tv & some of their extensive cookbook collection! A new stainless steel microwave was located under the bench to leave the bench top free of clutter!

'Before'

'After'

The original cork floor was ripped up & the floorboards stained to match the rest of the house

'Before'

'After'

We used brushed stainless steel square handles to match the finish of the appliances & the style of the fridge handles. 

One of Kims gorgeous rugs he brought back from turkey really sets the room off! The rangehood is built into the wall cupboards above the cooktop & we used LED under cabinet lights which not only look great but mean you will never have to change a bulb (LED's last forever!)

The fabulous 900 wide freestanding Ilve cooktop & oven.

The splashback starfire glass in the same colour as the cabinets

 & last but not least my smiling happy clients Sue & Kim! 

Why i love what i do!

 Speaking of which, for those of you who didn't know, this IS what i do! Im a Sydney based interior architect & do everything from full house plans to bathrooms, kitchens,a laundry, or custom joinery & wardrobes! This year i have launched my own business (Sally Rhys-Jones Interior Architecture) so if your in need of a reno big or samll dont hesitate to contact me!