Bondville: Chantal Vincent art, cards and stamps

Bondville: Chantal Vincent art, cards and stamps

Children's Deco.... Something special for the wall

Searching for fun things for Rowan's room 

See my cushion featured in 'Shop4Kids'

At home in Nanna and Poppa's big house

Cookoo inspired heaven!
 

Woodland fawn print in Aqua

I have been slowly creating a room for Rowan in the big house as we have fondly nicknamed Nan and Poppa's house and over the last 6 months I have been rummaging through op shops and auction houses, thumbing through magazines and surfing the net looking for fun things to decorate his room in a style that is quirky and bright that I am hoping he will love.

On a trip to Japan I found these fabulously retro printed fabrics just like little flour sacks, with cute little 50's style pictures.   Cushions covers perfect!   One for Rowan's room!  And a big surprise they were featured in the latest children's style bible Shop4Kids.  These fun, safe and comfy cushions are now available at my online store Rowantree Designs .  They have been such a hit. I know of a few lurking happily around a some little people's rooms in the inner west of Sydney.

Whilst thumbing through Shop4Kids I spied this Oh so cute Nordic inspired clock designed by 

Jo Melrose.  Jo is a designer and artist from Melbourne and Jo creates beautifully designed laser cut clocks wall hangings, prints and recycled greeting cards all in eco friendly materials.  I just fell in love with this cookoo inspired clock and Jo is happy to custom color....hmmm.. definitely turquoise.  Boys love turquoise don't they!  I could not resist the purchase of this little fawn print for Mathilda. 

Baby Designer Style. Lovely little cardi's and vintage inspired smocks

Lovely Little Cardi's

Two very cute cardigans in Coral and Rose

LOVE the Moss Stitch detail and the pocket is heavenly cute!  One of my vintage inspired fabrics for the cooler months ahead.

I could not wait to share with you Rowantree Designs new range of gorgeous 100% cotton cardigans for baby's and toddlers.  The cardigan is a style must have for Autumn /Winter. Don't you just love the Moss Stitch trim and heavenly cute little pocket.  I have styled it here with the ever so sweet little Hazy Jane smock dress, which is one of my favourite little dresses and is available in sizes 00 to 2 years. 




Cardigans arrive late March, sorry I could not get them here before the Paddington Mathilda's Market, but they will be available online as soon as they hit my studio.


I am madly working on my Autumn/winter collection and I can't wait until my fabric arrives and clears customs, which should be early next week.  The Rowantree Baby collection has a definite Oliver Twist feel, think, little urchin smock dress with pearl and covered buttons and hand dyed coton lace.


OOh gush gush, I just love designing baby clothes.

A Bed Time Story

Visiting family in New Zealand last year I first saw the Miyo Baby Hammock in action.  One very tired and cranky baby was gently lulled to sleep in only minutes.  Not only did I love the idea of a baby gently swinging to sleep so cozily, I fell in love with the architecturally designed wooden hanging stand.  What a beautiful piece for any nursery and home.  Thank you Sarah and Gregory and the gifted Miyo team for perfecting this beautiful sleeping space for babies.

To my great surprise when I was setting up my Rowantree Design shop front at Mathilda's Market at the Paddington Town Hall last year.  I spotted the Hammocks being set up a few stops down.  I was so excited as we were expecting  baby Rowan and this would be the perfect sleeping space for him in our home.  The lovely and chatty Emma, the Australian distributor for the product  was happy to answer all our questions.  My hubby was too excited as himself a Kiwi was very chuffed to be purchasing a product designed in New Zealand.


As I sit here in my home office, Rowan is gently sleeping in his Myio Baby Hammock.  He sleeps more soundly and longer, and I am very comfortable knowing that he is cool, snug and safe.

Available in Australia at 'Counting Sheep Co'.

Sweet Dreams

MiGi Pinwheel Scatter Rug

How excited was I today when I was scrolling through one of my favourite blogs 'Everything Turquoise' I spotted my favourite handsome hound sitting on the MiGi Pinwheel Scatter Rug. 

If you're a turquoise lover like me this  is a blogsite to keep your eye on!

Valentine Inspirations

When I think of Valentine's day I think love, Paris with it's very own symbol of love the Eiffel Tower, hearts, all objects in shades of pink and red, I think of love letters and poems written with such heartfelt emotion and desire. 

One of my favourite love quotes from the movie 'When Harry met Sally'  always drives me to mush!

"I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible"

 My Valentine purchases and thoughts in images.

Vintage buttons I found in my studio

Dreaming of Paris and here we are

Valentine's card to write your love messages in

I love these nature inspried cards I didn't know which one to choose so I gave him both produced by 'Earth Greetings' these cards are eco-friendly and are made from post consumer recycled paper. Check out this beautiful range of cards and other beautiful paper things

Vivienne Westwood  Mini Me shoes for Tots! Ooh La La!

I purchased a pair of these stunning little bubble gum smelling shoes which available in different colours at Space Furniture 

Vintage Charm Bracelet. Designs by Chastity

I purchased this little darling for Baby Matilda on Etsy

Shoes for Baby Holly

Tickle me pink! I found these precious little Japanese inspired softies on Madeit perfect for Baby Holly

Ah!  Sweet William

This beautiful artwork is a Valentine's present to me.  I found it on Lovely Sweet William blog spot isn't it divine.  So special, dreamy and full of love.

I have bought other prints and illustrations from Sweet William at various markets in Melbourne and in Sydney, I just can't find the wall space to hang them.  I love to give them as gifts!

Happy Valentine's Day

Animal Alphabet

I love these catch up days when the sun is hiding away behind the clouds.   While the man of the house loves tinkering down on the boat, I get the chance to spend time thinking about new designs for my Rowantree collection, making homemade pasta and peeking around on the net looking for gorgeous and different object de art for children.


Today I found Petit Collage  an online store with a line of modern baby and child wall decor and accessories, with a vintage twist.  A distinct collection of hand-made collages on wood, prints on wood and bamboo mobiles all handcrafted in a sustainable manner from the best quality, most eco- friendly materials available.  Come on, you gotta love that!  And this poster is perfect for Rowan's room.

Animal Alphabet

This is an original 3 color screen print hand-pulled in Oakland California on uncoated 100% recycled post consumer recycled paper.

Giraffe with Baby

Limited edition collage using vintage printed paper.  Oh so cute!

Petite Owl on Canvas

Quirky vintage inspired illustrated books

Owl Mobile

How could I resist this beautiful piece.  A very happy owl family.  My thinking is to frame this mobile on a white matt in a white frame.  Watch this space to see the finished product.  Can't wait for it to arrive!

The Carosel quilt.

Sleeping  peacefully, dreaming of magical horses on the carosel!

How could I resist this. 

Dachshund Fun

I don't know anybody who can resist a dachsund.  I love to watch those little legs seemingly going much faster than the body.  Last trip to Tokyo I snapped up a beautiful piece of slub linen fabric with perfect little dachshunds, in tones of tans and blacks happily frollicking over the piece of fabric.  Keeping that is mind I visited one of my favourite toy stores last weekend, Monkey Puzzle in Summer Hill, and what was in the window.  You got it, a fabulously cheeky dachshund pull along toy.  I know it is only February but it is never too early to start Christmns shopping for your first grandchild.  
This handsome hound is a Vilac toy which are known for their classic look and feel, they are smoothly rounded wooden toys, with high gloss lacquered finish.  Vilac toys are timeless and have such durability I know that this handsome hound will be in Rowan's toy box for years.

A very celebrated Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara designed this handsome hound.

Inspired by this little hound. I went straight to my fabric stash and pulled out my fabulous piece of dachshund printed linen and happily made boys shorts for the rest of the afternoon.  Although I don't have them on my Rowantree site please feel free to give me a call and check to see if I have them in your size.

Just the dashingist dachshund pants I ever seen!

Finally! the new garden

After many months of hard work our new pool and back garden were unveiled to our family and friends last Saturday afternoon.  A glorious summer day, a clear blue sky and a light breeze made this event one to remember.
My favourite colour being torquoise, of course the pool is torquoise, the funky retro garden chairs are torquoise, so the decor for the garden party had to be in the same tones.  I first saw these gorgeous pom poms on Steph's brilliant Bondville blog.  I had so much fun making the pom poms, and it was so contagious soon everybody was fluffing up tissue paper decorations.  I also found an excellent site where you can buy kits for making the pom pom decorations.  Ah Tissue and I also love reading Daneve's blog

Lanterns and pom poms

Some crazy pom poms as the pom pom makers were getting out of control with excitment

I think I made this one?

The potted flowers 

These fabulous baskets I purchased in Bali make wonderful table decorations

Two Tulip Chairs 

The very inviting torquoise pool

 Almost time for a refreshment

The pool was built by Metropolitan pools who did a brilliant job, I would definately recommend this company and true to their word they had the pool finished for a splash on Christmas Day.

The funky retro tulip chairs and sun lounges are from Domanye Outdoor Furniture.

Potted flowers are from my very creative friend Maria of Maria's Fresh Flowers.

Cushions are from Kas Australia