Works of Art

The first artwork is yet to find a home. At the moment it's sitting in the large art-deco wardrobe we use in our lounge. Again I get the urge to do art and by the looks of things, for no apparent reason. I'm thinking of doing up our deck area and perhaps including this as outside art. I just have to think of a way to make it waterproof. The second has a lot of meaning to me. When I first moved into this house it was with three other girls. I had just ended a long relationship and ended up flatting with my dear cousin Erin. We advertised for a third flattie and choose Cathy, who had basically just stepped off the plane from Canada. Three Chic's, young and ready for adventure. We decided 'to hell with the landlord' and redecorated the place ourselves. Choosing the colour scheme and everything. All we needed was some great colourful artwork to bring the silent walls alive. I used an old frame, covered it with a dirty drop sheet that we used for painting and then created 'this' form the actual house paints (again I've always said my house is very colourful). It represents three flowers (us), living in one space, growing together but standing on our own stems and leading different lives but still watching each other blossom. It sits in my living room today. Well hope you enjoy, untill we meet again...

Ideas Interior

Just a few images of interiors that I like. The influence with East meeting West and adding the modern edge. Colour has always played a part for me. You need detail too. Living in something straight out of the showroom, to me, doesn't necessarily reflect personality, it's the small things that count. Especially details that have history or sentimental value. Hope you enjoy, until we meet again...

All Hells Eve

So it's Halloween. Above is just a cool image of pumpkins and I just love the stationary 'sugar lily' make - especially "Get your freak on". So I got in the spirit of things, raced out got 6 packets of 'Pinky' and 'Flake' chocolate bars, set up the entrance, had the home stays waiting for the kids to hand out goodies and we only got three lots of scary monsters. Now we've got chocolate coming out of our ears - does a weight watchers voucher come with that?

Scare The Pants Off You!

A pyjama co window display that was so funny putting in, I mean - why are they out in woods with their knickers on, so scared they lost heir pants lol. All the staff helped and we had a blast. I remember a small boy watching me as I dressed the sitting down model and when I produced the spider his face exploded and he took off behind his Dads legs. It created a lot of interest.
Halloween is not huge here - at all - but we still acknowledge it and the celebrations tend to grow every year. Hope you enjoy, until we meet again...

Tea Party Pretty

Karlya Smith is a very well known New Zealand fashion industry stylist. I have had the pleasure on many occasions to assistant her, in store, while preparing styles for magazine shoots and the like. Her website is very clean, very directional and very cool. I just had to show off two of her 'set ups'. I just love the colours of the jewellery, the freshness and all things girlie. The vintage dinner plates and colourful arrangements of retro table ware is awesome.Thanks Karlya.

I think I'm going Japanese...

Chinese Wedding Couple

My pride and joy

Asian flair around house

Next to our dining table - reminds us to be thankful and happy for what we have.

My house is full of Asian influences, which is odd really as Asian or Oriental is mostly known for being tranquil and calm yet set against my 'Victor Blue' walls the vibe changes completely. All of the artifacts where given to me by our home stays, mostly Chinese however a few Japanese pieces are also plotted around the house. The pride and joy at the moment is my Orchid given by my gardening Aunt last Christmas. She knows I can't keep plants alive yet this little ripper is giving me five (yes that's five) new arms of flowers against the two when given - ha ha, I'm so proud.
I also wanted to post my table-setting as inspired by 'ABT'. Orchids and Lilies - now what more do I need. Until we meet again.

Beautiful Badges

While looking in 'design boom' I came across these beautiful badges. Now I'm not one for a lot of jewellery but what an inventive way to bring past to present. Thanks design boom.
BRING A DESIGN SOUVENIR BACK FROM TOKYO!
One of the many design souvenirs on sale at this year's designboom mart tokyo will be these 'ceramic buttons'by Katharina Mischer and Thomas Traxler. The badges are made from old, neglected porcelain plates - selected areas are carefully cut, sanded and attached to a pin.

The Little Black Book

It's that time, getting ready for Christmas. Every year 'The Pyjama Co' presents The little black book. It's our showing before the harvest of gifts and giving. The brochure aims to excite buyers, show our wide range of richness, warmth, absolutely beautiful garments and an atmosphere of femininity and sensual luxury.
Friday was shoot day - what a start to the day (I'm not to mention it)!!!I have for the last two years become set designer, make-up artist, hairdresser, model chauffeur and assistant, and dresser. The owner's of the company take all art direction with absolute ideas on how they want the book to look. Jeff is the photographer and Karen is the director and spoils all of us on set. This year is going to be very new and very directional.
The first two photos show last years book and then onto the set of this years. I'll update final photos etc as the production comes together.

Going Dottie!!!

A little bit of summer glamor and fun from 'The Pyjama Co' and 'Mary Green'. We all know that this season is about bold and bright and I just love this cute outfit. I wanted the window display to be light, fun and young. Shes out in the garden picking salad with her pooch. Enjoy, until we meet again...

Reminders ...

Thanks to 'Patricia Gray Inc' for the first wonderful picture. I saw it one her blog and it instantly reminded me of the New Zealand famous Bird Painter 'Raymond Ching'. Growing up owning one his many books has always given me enjoyment. I love the detail he presents and life-like renditions. An artist that is sometimes forgotten about. So until we meet again...

Johnnies Joint!

Neighbours that are friends make your living environment, outside the house, something of a pleasurable life. I look forward to catching them, chatting, venting and of course 'gossip'. Besides that-it's fun, sociable and safe. Being lucky enough to have 'Johhny' as neighbour however is a rare find. Truly the most giving 'man-friend' that I know and allows us to enjoy his railway cottage in Rangataua, Ohakune, Mt Ruapehu. Built in the early 1900's, a rustic getaway with pure heritage luxury (the cottage was also used in the New Zealand iconic movie - 'Smash Palace' released in 1981).





Johhny brought the joint in 2004 in a crumbling state and with his own hands (and devoted friends helping) restored the building to it's current glory. Most of the furniture is from his sisters business - 'In House Furniture', however historic and vintage pieces are used to give atmosphere and experience. Above the fireplace is found objects from the grounds while digging. A lead toy race car, a vintage rosebud dresser handle, tins, horse shoes and rusted iron railway nails to name a few.

OFF LIMITS!!!

'Off Limits' - An exclusive range that we stocked in our St Lukes store at the start of our Christmas season last year. European Lingerie with a mix n' match theme. Soft pinks against leopard, candy ribbon accents with a hint of Victorian naughty girl. Very different, very sensual and very glamorous.

Summer shores ahead.

The above artwork was commissioned for an in-home business (introduction/dating service).
My brief was for the room to be inviting, relaxed, airy and non-gender specific.
The apartment was extremely new and extremely cream, including furniture (the couch by the way was not to have any cushions and the owner didn't want any floor rugs). A blank space that needed complementing tones with a hint of vivid 'pop out'.
Close to the beach therefore the painting was inspired by sea colours and movement. I hand painted the vases to match the tones from the artwork and of course orange Tiger Lilies (not shown as sat in corner) set off the amazing tea-light holders.
Acrylic on canvas.
Hope you like, until we meet again...

Go Gift Fair!

So after spending all day at 'New Zealand Christmas Gift Fair' I must explain that I wasn't 'fair' (in spending) to suppliers at all. I noticed a huge amount of Jewellery and Fashion Jewellery stands, in fact atleast one in every lane. A dominating influx of Babywear/Cildrenswear and accessories, and very New Zealand'zie cultural art influences whether for your home, linen cupboard or garden. Above is collage of New Zealand inspired manufacturers and suppliers that I felt represented well.
(from top to bottom):
Tantrum Design - Nz made giftware range. Block mounted prints, coasters, notebooks and large canvas prints.
Pacifica Skin Care - A colourful and contemporary range of skin care and home fragrance. Inspired by New Zealand's native botanicals and enriched with NZ botanical extracts.
Jo Luping - Koru. Jo Luping collaborated with Maori artist Noel Osborne to create a series of carved ceramic sculptures.
T Double L : New Zealand Designer Decor Manufacturers - Home-ware, lamps, duvets cushions and more all inspired by our local surroundings.
Even though I didn't buy alot I still had a enjoyable day out, hope you enjoy - until we meet again...

My Jessie girl

My little one, my cat. Jessie.

My Place!

You can't say my place isn't colourful.
Surrounded by a sea of blue with off sitting primary colours is the abode that I reside in. Rob Roy yellow, deep chillie reds and victor blues. Hints of fresh green give it life.
I love my home, it's always warm and never unhappy.
I've still got the accents of the ball droplets from Christmas hanging in the lounge. An added interest that visitors always comment on.
One of my pieces of artwork, 'The Red Rose' (shown above) took me around 5 days to complete. Acrylic on canvas but with many layers to almost take on the texture of oil painting with a glass, transparent element. However I don't take art seriously, it's an outlet for me and I only do it when I have the urge. I go through patches of not doing any and then all of a sudden I see a space, get inspired and go hard out. No pre-drawing or research, just 'do it'.
I'll post more artwork as I get the hang of this blog so until we meet again....

Maximize This!!!

The above window displays, which are my own works, where done in 2005.
They emphasis the new padded bra from 'Triumph International' the 'Maximizer' and the band new, first time ever, released in NZ before any other country - 'Trelise Cooper Lingerie'. Please keep in mind that these creations are purely from me, no creative help or input is given by the manufactures or suppliers.
Trelise Cooper is a very well known New Zealand Designer who has very successfully tapped into the international market. Through this she has expanded into different areas of the fashion world markets including children's designer wear and of course - as you can see - lingerie.
I felt that we all want to maximize what we have, what we want, maximize the opportunity to get what want and what we know. Knowledge therefore manipulation is the key.
That's why I set the scene of not only promotional prompts but also with text books, encylopedias and a Liberian/School scholar to show off this range for Triumph. Trelise Cooper is very rich, warm, expensive and something I don't 'need' but want for the boudoir. At-least I can pretend.
Sparkle and shine - enjoy, until we meet again...

A new expression!!

So lillylove to be here.

Who am I?
I am an artist, a creative, someone who appreciates good design and inspired creations - anything beautiful. I am a Visual Merchandiser, Window dresser, Interior Designer, Display worker and gets to enjoy my life within a retail environment. I am the General Manager of "The Pyjama Co" in New Zealand, Auckland.
www.pyjama.co.nz
Above is one of the many window displays I have created. 'Springtime in Paris' is the first of September stock, showing elements of rich colours through bold backgrounds and feminine flowers. Black is still strong and sexy but is softened by the scene. A rewarding display that enhanced the store and merchandise.
Throughout my blog I will be showing my displays. I hope to inspire others, receive constructive comments and grow.
I hope to see you all back for more. Until we meet again...