Going all girly

One thing I've noticed since I started reading interior blogs is that many bloggers comment that they find it hard to stick to the one style. I guess looking at those gorgeous pictures all the time, it is easy for us to become swayed. And it is good to be swayed - just a little - you don't want your style to stay fixed, otherwise it can become boring and predictable. But there's a fine line - you don't want to be crazy about mid century modern one week, shabby chic the next, unless you have a lot of time and money on your hands to go changing your decor all the time.

So why did I bring this up? Because I must confess that I too am one of those bloggers that finds it hard to stick to one style. You see most times I'm happily ensconced in a world of simple, natural, neutral interiors (although they can veer from quite modern, to very vintage), but then I see these lovely, girly, refreshing pictures, and I'm tempted to adopt a more feminine style of decorating. However, I haven't been blown too far off course - all these photos still have a lovely simplicity about them that I find very appealing.

Starting with...pink blossoms and the most gorgeous looking pink tins of tea I've ever seen

Selina Lake via Desire to Inspire


A new chair for my bedroom perhaps? Love the silver, a departure from the usual gold

Richard Birch

Pretty pretty colours

Cox and Cox

Lovely copper bath and a feminine chandelier

Polly Wreford

Dressing table perfection

Graham and Green

Mint julep cups with pink roses....

Pom Pom Interiors



Gorgeous, glamourous daybed

Stassi Design



Pretty, snowy white femininity, with touches of pink and gold

Stassi Design

A closeup of the mirror, with its lovely old patina

Stassi Design

And what feminine room is complete without some roses?

Polly Wreford

I wouldn't go girly in my whole house, I'm far too practical for that. But a little touch of femininity in the bedroom never goes astray....perhaps I'll go redecorate my boudoir now....

It's Furniture Week at Mignonne ~ 1/27 - 2/3 ~ 30% Off!

We've devoted the week to furniture here at Mignonne. Starting with 30% OFF all furniture in the store. Consult with us to see how a few key pieces can transform your look. Learn more about our new, re-purposed and vintage furniture.

Also, find out more about Mignonne's Custom Furniture Design services which are available to match and create just the right ambiance for any room, any theme, any season ...

Searching out a shady spot

Please excuse me if I'm not totally coherent in this post, I think my brain is melting. We continue to have extreme, record breaking heat here in the southern parts of Australia. Even tram lines and train tracks have buckled in the heat, causing huge delays for poor commuters. There's been rolling black outs and many of the traffic lights have been out, so I had a rather hairy ride picking my son up from school! Thankfully my son's classroom is airconditioned, and he's a hardy little fella anyway. He started a new school this week, and so far it has been going brilliantly - he loves his teacher and he's made friends, so I have my fingers crossed that this continues.

So while this scorching heat continues, I'm seeking out pictures that look cool. Today I've chosen verandahs. Now in my dream home that I hope to build one day, I would love a big verandah that wraps around the whole house, or most of it anyway, so you can chase the shade all day by moving from one side of the house to another. Here are some pictures of verandahs that make me swoon (and not from the heat!)

There's so many things to love about this verandah - the white painted floors, the exposed beams, the black shutters, the gorgeous exterior light, the swing (what's a verandah without a swing?), the green green plants (cooling!) and some stars! I love stars.


More exposed beams, more shutters, wicker furniture (love it), and a fantastic sweeping view of the ocean. What more could you ask for? Maybe a Pimms and lemonade (nix the cucumber).

Ok, so I'm cheating here, this is more of a pergola and deck, but the effect is the same -somewhere shady to chill out and daydream

This verandah has a cute outdoor setting and some lovely lanterns for when dusk settles into evening

I love the simplicity of this one. I've had this picture for years. Love the masses of french doors leading out to the verandah

This one is mighty fine....more exposed beams, more wicker, somewhere to play cards or have a meal, and somewhere to put your feet up. Take me there now.

Images 1 unknown, 2 unknown, 3 pia jane bijerk, 4 unknown, 5 home beautiful, 6 homes and gardens

One day maybe I'll have my verandah!

Ok, my lovely blogger friends, stay cool if you live down here and stay warm if you live up there!

Design Styles: DISPLAY IT !!

The definition of display? To show or exhibit; to make visible; to give special prominence to by choice, size or type. We are showing you different type of cabinets for display so you may give your loved items that special place in your home. Display cabinets come in all sizes, colors and price ranges. You may find a great piece at a flea market or even at your local discount store. Or you may want to look for that special piece from across the globe. Whatever your styles or needs, there are cabinets for display for every home, in every color and in every style. The above cabinet is from Sherrill Furniture. More eye candy below.

Oly - The Elizabeth Glass Cabinet has a mirrored back and comes in antique white, chalk (shown) or dark brown.
Hickory White - This cabinet is from the Metropolitan Classics Collection and comes in multiple finishes.
Hooker Furniture - This cabinet is from the Seven Seas Collection and comes in distressed white with a sage finished back.
Ikea - Talk about value! This cabinet is made of hardwoods and comes in red, black or pine.
Hekman - This bookcase is from the new Arts & Crafts Collection. It has sliding doors with a mission finish on oak.
American Drew - Great value furniture. Camden Black with sliding doors and glass shelves.
Sarreid - Armoire #23135 - Faux bamboo made from pine and elm with a carved pediment.

Cool me down now

I'm feeling kind of wilted at the moment. You see, we've had the hottest day here in Adelaide in 70 years, reaching a blistering 45.5 degrees Celsius (113.9 f). Even the airconditioning is struggling. We are not alone - the state of Victoria is sweltering too. So what else to do but look at some fabulous pictures to divert my attention?

How glamorous is this place? Love the white curtains billowing in the cool breeze, ahhh

More billowy white curtains. Waiter please bring me a lemon lime and bitters while I recline on this seat with a good book

And more...how divine is this...think I might go for a cooling dip

Although this little poolhouse with its day bed is rather lovely too, and so close to the pool...

You can never go past a pool that melts into the horizon, especially when the horizon is as good as this...

All this gliding through the pool has left me a little tired, so I think I'll take a nap now, here

or here.

Ok, I'm feeling a little cooler now. Hope you are feeling comfortable, where ever you happen to be in this world.

Images 1 decortherapia, 2 house beautiful, 3 terry pommett, 4 living etc, 5 jason busch, 6 & 7 villa aquamare

Holly Wach, Mignonne Featured Artist

We are so pleased to have the unique and feminine work of Holly Wach available at Mignonne!

Holly was born in St Louis, Missouri in 1971 and that is where the normal Mid-western upbringing ends. Her parents being restless souls moved around from town to town until settling in Stuart Florida. Her mom an artist and dad a storyteller created a household filled with creativity and tails of adventure. Her parents have now joined forces to craft a successful chain of children’s books. With the support of two such creative influences she couldn’t help dream of adventure and far away places.

Growing up in a quiet beach town supplied the perfect setting to sit back, dream and draw. After High school she was off. She traveled to Europe, South and Central America, Asia, and back. All the time she was filling journals with images and stories. She took a break from traveling to attend college at the University of North Florida. Where, she received her BFA in Painting. Then, she was off again until landing in New York City where she received her MFA in Painting at the New York Academy of Art. New York provided the opportunity to study under and view some of the most important figures in the contemporary art world. She has recently switched coasts to Oakland, California where she devotes all of her time to making art and exploring a new place.

We are featuring original works, prints and cards of images by Holly Wach. We have a selection from her "Ink Ladies" and "Lions" to choose from.

Her Ink Ladies images evoke another era of vintage erotica, tastefully rendered. The Ink Lions reflect the many sides of this magnificent 'king of the jungle'.

Stop by and check out these wonderful pieces for yourself.

Little snapshots of my home

Phewee! It reached something like 41 degrees today (106 degrees F). Hot hot hot. Thank goodness for airconditioning. As Millie from the Laurel Hedge said, it is going to stay like this pretty much all week here in Adelaide, so I will be going into hibernation!

Today I thought I would show you the shells I have in my home. I like shells. In fact, I love shells. Maybe I'm even a little obsessed by them....you be the judge....

Here is a collection of bleached shells. I love their pristine, white beauty. I've grouped a mix of shell types together on an antique pewter plate

Here's more bleached shells, in a glass jar. I love the particular shape of these ones

One single conch shell is all you need when it is this big

Various shells mixed in with some scented candles in a rustic wooden bowl. It looks lovely lit up at night.

Another cluster of shells in a wooden pedestal. I love all the colours, textures and patterns of these particular shells, all jumbled together

Polished, pearl-like shells in my bathroom against my tumbled marble feature mosaics

Another polished shell, this time in the hallway. When they are this big, all you need is one for impact

And another in my bedroom

Oh and lastly, one in my living room

So if you haven't guessed by now, shells are a passion! I have them in just about every room in my house. Most of them I have bought on various holidays in Queensland, so not only do I find them beautiful to look at, but they also remind me of special times in lovely places. Some of my smaller ones in my pedestal bowl I was lucky enough to find along beaches in Adelaide, especially my favourite beach at Port Willunga.

Thank you for taking the time to view these little snapshots of my home.

Wine country

In honour of it being Australia Day today, I thought I would show you a pretty little piece of it, which is about one and a half hours from my doorstep...the Clare Valley.



I went up to the Clare Valley this weekend, to pick up my new car (yay!). The Clare Valley is wine country, known for its Rieslings. There's many lovely wineries to visit, some of which are in beautiful old stone buildings, such as this.

Or this

The scenery is quite lovely

There's some antique shops to poke around in


And some good restaurants and cafes, including the Citadel, where I was lucky enough to have lunch. Great food and a stunning vista from the verandah where we dined. Their bowls of rosemary roast potatoes with garlic aioli are so good. And the weather was perfect as we sat there sipping our local wine, looking out across the vines, the pencil pines and the gently rolling hills.

They regularly hold outdoor movie sessions on these lawns, including one coming up with a greek mezze and lamb on the spit dinner...yum!

And then I got to drive my fab new car home and give it a good run! Truly a lovely day.

I hope you enjoyed your weekend, whatever you got up to.