I am so proud of my very talented and very lovely friend Virginia Reid who won the artsCape bienniel 2010 local artists prize.Watching her Diving Bell evolve over the last few months to its final state and then seeing it hanging amongst other sculptures on the Clarkes beach reserve was so inspiring.Virginia's work was inspired by her childhood fascination with shells and an early memory of embedding shells into plaster of Paris with her mother.Diving Bell was created with shells,fishing net,galvanized steel,silicon and endless hours of dedicated work.The layering of all those thousands of shells symbolises the bounty of the sea.Such a beautiful piece of art,Thanks Virginia.

This has got to be my ideal verandah-outside,but inside.What I love most about it is the mix and match of it all.The African,Moroccan and Indian fabrics just bounce off each other so well and make this space SO inviting.The plants,the rug the curtains-its just WOW.

 I am loving the colours in this gorgeous mediterranean home.The browns,pinks and yellows with the antique encaustic tiled wall as a focal point all harmonise so well together.A totally unique style and so colourful in comparison to the atypical white washed homes of that area.Not that I don't love the white washed abodes of the mediterranean, I am just appreciating the change and the way the colours work so well.The Moorish tiled bar with the encaustic tiles as a backdrop look so funky.I have always been one to layer different patterns together-just to add another dimension to life!

If I HAD to go on a holiday right now I would fly straight to Barcelona,stroll up and down Las Ramblas,slowly work my way around the weekend antique markets and then drive north to a small fishing village,put my feet up and relax.I would look at renting an old rustic house and enjoy tortilla and sangria around a quaint character filled table as shown in this beautiful image I found.The old blue French doors with the yellow daisies are all that is needed to bring this space alive.The filtered light streaming through the window,the chandelier and the antique tiled floor all work together to make this rustic spanish kitchen so welcoming. Maybe next year.

The May/June edition of Coast and Country Living has featured Kate Manning Interiors and her use of " stylish eco friendly materials and products for a healthy home ".

The scheme shows examples of how to create an eco friendly home with natural window coverings,textiles and flooring.The black and white scheme Kate has put together is sharp and contemporary and at the same time having low impact on the planet-has to feel good all round.  

I just came across this amazing image of women preparing food in the courtyard of their home in Marrakesh, Morocco.I love the depth and sharpness of the cubic floor design against the women and their preparation tables.The tile design is almost hypnotic and calming despite being very busy.The gorgeous mosaic tiled table top also manages to stand out without distraction from its background.I just love when you can put differing designs together and they work.Actually,each element in this image is seen clearly.I think the cubic tiles are a stunning and dramatic design and could work so well in either an ethnic or traditionally styled home.I am expecting an arrival of this design in the next 2 weeks.Please keep an eye on my gallery.

Together with the Porters paint Chilli coloured walls,and the thick black carpet,the Mustard Clover design reproduction tiles look amazing.The landing to this amazing penthouse apartment has just been complete and the look is dramatic,exotic and very interesting. Instinctively,you want to go upstairs, with an entrance like that you should have great expectations. You wont be disappointed as the dramatic,sharp style continues throughout the luxurious apartment.The landing and the entrance has set the scene.