Such a long time since I last blogged so I thought I would cover to new(ish) additions to my home in one hit.
On the left is a Jerger alarm clock that was made in Germany. I love the style of numbers and of course, orange, black and white. How could I resist. It works well too although naturally, needs lots of winding so it tends to stay still. It comes from my favourite store, William Topp.
Yesterday I picked up these lovely, vibrant red bulls. A few nicks here and there where white shows through but they haven't lost any of there power. I did ask if they came with a Matador and the shop assistant didn't seem to think so... I am quite happy that they have left the killing behind them and are out for a bit of a bull-style wrestle.
The red bulls are from a shop in Guildford with some really interesting mid-century finds, attempting to present something a bit different from the other antique stores in that strip. I would love to tell you it's name and link a website however I can't find it on the web at all. It was formally called Curio Wearhouse which I think it may still be called. The number is not correct though so I suggest going to that Guildford antiques strip and I am sure you'll be pleased with what you discover there.
Behind them is a reproduction old-style globe from the late 70's which I have had my entire life. Glows an ambient orange when lit.

Labels: bull, decor, globe, Guildford, my new apartment, orange, red, vintage, William Topp

A few weeks ago at the magazine I work for, we needed a location with a 70s vibe and having just completed painting my walls, I volunteered my living room. I had all sorts of props available but it definitely worked out that less was better. I love that I managed to get one of my Cathrineholm bowls in though. That is the second time my red phone has featured in the magazine as well.

(Above left) Jack was keen to get into the action, he ran under the models skirt numerous times. She was a true professional though, never budging.
(Above right) Poor Lee, our photographer, only just had enough space to get the angle he needed. As it happened, he didn't end up using any studio lights, just the morning light from the open window and intense glow of the lamp my step-dad made in the 60's.

The layout (which is one of my jobs for the mag) as it appeared in West Weekend Magazine, p22, 23 February 21st, 2009.
You might also like to check out more of the work of our photographer, Lee Griffith.

Labels: cat, cathrineholm, green, lamp, Lee Griffith, orange, photography, retro, telephone, The West Australian Newspaper, West Weekend Magazine

I really love the work of Alberto Cerriteño, it's fun and sweet, warm and whimsical.
Check out the website of Alberto Cerriteño, his blog or go straight to his store. Enjoy!

Labels: Alberto Cerriteño, art, birds, brown, illustration, orange, owl, poster, red

As I have an Orange themed house warming party coming up at my place this Saturday night, my eyes have been trained to pick out anything orange and my brain is automatically converting it to how it could be used for the party (eg. orange squeegee-mop: a mohawk for a monster costume). When driving home from Bunnings a flash of orange caught my eye in a pile of unwanted bulk-rubbish, I slammed on my breaks to investigate.
Attached to a very worn and broken wooden lamp stand was a slightly bruised but ultimately awesome large 1970's lamp shade. What a find!
I ripped it away from the lamp stand (which I probably should have grabbed too and attempted to repair) and made a detour to Ikea where I bought this Januari Floor Lamp Base. It's shiny stainless steal (not the terrible matte silver that Ikea do so much of) and I think the combination modern base and retro lamp shade look great.
Now all I need is a couple of orange bean-bags... Hmm...

Labels: furniture, green, ikea, interior, Januari, lamp, my new apartment, orange, red, retro

Karena or Magicjelly is a talented illustrator from Adelaide, South Australia who makes wonderfully retro inspired prints and collages that are definitely worth checking out.
I have my eye on Fox and Flowers. I really love how it seems simple from a distance but as you get closer all the little patterns and details become apparent. The colouring would be perfect for my place too.
Go see Magicjelly at Etsy, on the Australian site Madeit or find out what she is doing on her blog.

Labels: art, Australia, brown, Etsy, fox, illustration, Magicjelly, orange, print, screen printing

Well, the big move is over and I have been loving organising and arranging my stuff in my new apartment. I have about twice as much space to work with and the original 1969 layout, kitchen and embellishments work so well with my modern/retro furnishings and collections.
As an intro to my new place I thought I would bring you one of my favourite pieces which I am using in a new way in my new place. It's a teak and leather telephone table that I picked up from a garage sale for the bargain price of $5. I have had it for a while and it's previous incarnation took the form of a bedside table. The little chair was perfect for sitting on while putting on shoes. But I don't have the space on that side of my bed here so I have used it as a side table next to my leather couch.
The red phone I also picked up from a garage sale, also for about $5 and the lamp, which glows a wonderful rich, warm orange, was made by my step-dad before it was retro. To complete the picture, the cushions I had custom-made by Jamric from Etsy. They cost way more than I had planned on spending but since everything else in the picture was such a bargain, I guess it all balances out in the end.
More snaps of my new place to come!

Labels: black, cushion, decor, Etsy, grey, interior, Jamric, lamp, leather, my new apartment, orange, red, retro, telephone, wood

I know I said I was taking a break from blogging before the big move but this gorgeous owl is a well meaning distraction from packing boxes.
It is by Abby Glassenberg, stands 12.5" tall and incorporates vintage Hawaii fabric that Abby found at a rummage sale. The owl looks like it's going to take a walk along the bench and then fly away, I love it's inquisitive character.
Abby also makes a range of other birds and animals. They are not cheap as a lot of work goes into them but definatly worth checking out to be inspired.
Go see her Abby Glassenberg's web page or her Etsy shop. Chirp chirp!

Labels: Abby Glassenberg, birds, craft, Etsy, orange, owl, red, vintage

UrbanOutfitters have turned trash into treasure with these these recycled metal letters.
There are a variety of styles and colours available and as every one is different, it's a surprise which design you get.
Check them out at UrbanOutfitters.

Labels: alphabet, art, decorart, orange, recycle, UrbanOutfitters

On Saturday, after picking my copy of Mayk, I wandered further up the street only to discover an amazing store called William Topp. A collection of local and international art and craft meet refound objects in a delightful array (including more tea towls from Third Drawer Down!).
Lots to explore, I could easily have walked away with more but all I picked up (this time) was a little orange Catherineholm teapot to add to my collection. I plan to put it away, saving it for after I move house next month. It will be a lovely little house warming present to myself and my new place.

Labels: cathrineholm, decor, kitchen, orange, tea, teapot, William Topp

Idée have developed this amazing little contraption for searching flickr by colour. You can select up to 10 colours from the panel and those colours will be in the set of images that come up. I don't know about practical application but it sure is fun to play with.
Check out Idée Multicolr Search Lab and go crazy!

Labels: colour, flickr, grey, idée, orange, website

I went through a phase about 10 or so years ago of loving images of fish. I drew them, collected them, sculpted them and generally surrounded myself with them. I'm not sure what it was, part was the details: scales, fins, gills etc and also their other-worldly familiarity.
I got over the fish-phase but this cushion, Pescado Pillow by Z Gallerie, could very nearly plunge me back into it. It's true, I am going through more of the-colour-orange thing now, so, in a way, this cushion combines my past and present. Besides, it would look so great with my other cushions (here and here).
Check out Pescado Pillow for yourself.

Labels: cushion, decor, fish, interior, orange, white, Z Gallerie

Looking for something a little different, maybe with autonomous movement and a grin that suggests crushing flesh? Check out General Robots.
There I found this wonderful sheet metal reproduction of Robot Liliput, first made in Japan in 1939. The packaging is also faithfully reproduced, complete with doe-eyed innocent children staring in wonder at the wind-up device.
I'll be adding Robot Liliput to my Christmas list!

Labels: orange, retro, robot, toy, yellow