Showcasing shells

If you have read my blog before, you might know that I'm mad about shells. Love 'em! Just about every room in my house has at least one shell.

To me, they are a miracle of nature, pure perfection, and I look in wonder and awe at their shapes and colours, from the tiniest to the biggest.

I love seeing how others have put out their shell collections and today I've picked out my absolute favourite images.

The image above would have to be one of my favourite images. Ever. Full stop. I can look at this image over and over. I just love everything about it - from the humble painted white cupboard with those fabulous draw pulls. The wire basket on top. The glass bottles, the collection of cute little wicker baskets And then there's the shells and the coral. The look is artful, yet uncontrived. I just want to pick up this cupboard and place it in my house.

This next image, below is a little more formal, but so beautiful. I'm a book lover from way back, so I love the way they've mixed the books with the shells and coral and other tidbits.

Here's a closer look.

Here, below is another humble cupboard with all the aspects I love - books, shells, coral, antique glass bottles. So sweet.

Ooh look, can you see a pattern?

Uh, huh.

Now here's a display of simplicity - the beauty of the shells speak for themselves, and things always look good in threes.

How about these fantastic follised shells below? Simply stunning! This vignette is from the home of the incredibly talented Atlanta Bartlett, stylist and author of At Home With White and The Relaxed Home (I own both) and more. In fact it seems she has a new book coming out next month! For more pictures of Atlanta's home click here.

Images 1 an old Country Home magazine 2 & 3 Simon Kenny 4 & 5 Better Homes and Gardens 6 Belle magazine 7 Living Etc

I hope these images make you as happy as they make me!

Best wishes,

How to fill a blank wall

If you've read my blog before, you might recall the picture of my study. Unfortunately it isn't quite as clean as this right at the moment, but that's besides the point! The point is, I want to fill the wall above it - it is completely bare and rather dull and needs something to make it more interesting.

I really do have a thing for black and white photos - friends, family, more artistic shots. And I love when they are casually propped up on ledge, just like in these pictures.
Love the combination of black and white frames in this elegant photo. The frames are all different heights but they go so beautifully well together.

A single ledge, or double?

Or how about a triple. What I love here is the metal shelving - gives it a little edge. But unfortunately I haven't seen anything like this in my neck of the woods. If anyone has seen something like this in Adelaide, please let me know!

Ikea has little shelves with a lip. I'm not sure how sturdy they are at holding up photos, but at less than $8 a pop I'm willing to give it a try. So stay tuned!

Images 1 mine 2 Villa Hemmet 3 - 5 unknown