Real Living: Summer & Nautical Inspirations

All tears from Real Living | Cover | Hardware shot by Chris Warnes and styled by Erin Michael | Suntrap, bedroom, table by pool all, blue doors shot by Chris Warnes and styled by Sarah Ellison | New Nautical shot by Tory Amos and styled by Erin Michael | Out door showers shot by Chris Warnes

OK, so don't get me wrong, I love living in a country with seasons and the recent crisp, clear days here in London have been a delight. However, when I saw the February edition of Real Living I was swiftly dreaming of long, hazy summer days. So today I thought we could swap hemispheres with our Australian pals and jump into some summertime and nautical inspiration. As I flicked through the pages I closed my eyes imagined the warmth of the sun's rays against my back and the anticipation of diving into a glistening, still-as-a-millpond swimming pool. I've always thought of outdoor showers as wonderfully indulgent and these examples don't dent that dream! The renovated 1950's beach cottage that graced the cover was an airy and modern home, perfect for summer days and nights but the real treat for me was the blue doors seen above - so fun! What's catching your eye?

Real Living September 2010

For many of us the on-setting season is autumn. There's a now a familiar chill in the air and the nights are drawing in as each day passes. Down under it's a whole different story; their days are warming up as the sun heads south to play for the next six months. How does jumping on a plane and heading their way for a few minutes of bright and airy interior inspiration sound? Game? Fantastic, doors to manual it is, then.

First up, the Real Living cover, which was the perfect choice. They've managed to get quite a number of 'hooks' onto it and yet it still feels fresh and uncrowded. Unsurprisingly, the cover of magazines plays a huge part in how I feel about the issue as I begin to turn the pages. The ethos, atmosphere, themes, main features - they all need to be clear from the cover. Real Living team, take your seat in first class, because you get full marks for this fab cover.

An early feature provides simple and accessible ideas on how to add some pizazz to your windows. Just the other day I picked up a length of fairly thick brown string and used it to tie back a pair of loose curtains. The effect has smartened up the window area in question so much that it makes me smile each time I see the refreshed space. Real Living's tips are of a similar vein: fun and crafty ways to make your windows shine.

Their home tours provide inspiration for fresh and muted palettes, perfect for letting the fresh greens of spring take centre stage. This opener is testament to looking outside for design inspiration as well as within the four walls of the space in which you live. That tree adds such vibrant colour - and drama - to this living room.

Much like my UK fave, Livingetc, Real Living rounds off with some great meal ideas. With foodie mags being my second love only to the shelter titles, it's always a welcome addition for me to see some inspirational, accessible and excellently styled food features. So, a cracking issue from the guys down under, leaving me refreshed and ready to hop back on the plane to London for hot chocolate and roaring fires.

{Office Inspiration: Tim Neve}

So we've made it to Monday afternoon, I think we all deserve five minutes break, right?! As promised, here's the gorgeous home office of Tim Neve. It's totally different to the understated, soft hues he used to style the apartment featured in Real Living magazine, but I love it! Personally, I have never considered painting a home office black, but with those wild pops of yellow, high ceilings and white furniture, it's a scheme that definitely works. Check out Tim's blog to see more of his great work.

Image: bijou kaleidoscope

{Stylist Tim Neve}

Happy Monday morning, friends! I hope you've all had great weekends? I'm pleased to see that spring is on the way, and that the mornings are getting lighter. March is one of my favourite months of the year (not just because it's my birthday month!) but because the air feels fresh and warmer weather is just around the corner.

Today I wanted to share with you the work of stylist Tim Neve. Based in Australia, Tim's work caught my eye instantly with his ability to make an apartment look stylish using only beige-coloured hues. Yes, I know, this shocked me too! As many of you know, I'm a huge lover of colour, but Tim's work got me thinking and actually, in this spread from Real Living magazine, there is a myriad of textures and senses that create a room full of personality, using only the softest of shades available.

Check out this post over on Apartment Therapy, where he talks you through how he made this beach-chic driftwood table lamp. I promise, his creativity won't fail to inspire you! Later today I'll share with you his home office, which is so different from his work in Real Living magazine, but super stylish. No shocker there, then!

Images: Lamp, Tim Neve; Real Living, Chris Warnes