Designer Delight 

Meg Braff Designs 

Upon my many hours of trawling the internet gazing at beautiful homes, I came across Meg Braff designs, I'm glad I did. Her versatility for design is shown from Hampton's style through to formal traditional homes is fresh and inviting. A celebrated designer in the US, I thought I would spot light some of these American designers to Australia. For me, personally I like her style because it is conservative yet she manages to maintain a youth to traditional design. 

Here is a collection of her work for you to be inspired and enjoy. 

www.megbraff.com

  

Let me know what you think about American design?!

MrsCB 

MAX SPARROW

As I have previously mentioned I am a terrible decision maker when it comes to choosing furniture. Its not because I don't like anything its because I like too many things. Most people stick to a theme for their interior decorating, I find this really difficult mostly because I like many different styles. Being in my 20 somethings... I think I'm still finding the right style for me and my family. However that being said I made a purchase and I'm very happy. So far so good. 

A new online furniture store has popped up called Max Sparrow. His furniture pieces echo American style including the increasingly popular Hampton's look. 

Shopping at Max Sparrow was a different online shopping experience. Firstly it is a lot cheaper then shopping in furniture stores in Sydney, Secondly you purchase within a timeframe in order for the furniture to arrive within the 8-10 week period. For someone like me that was a good thing because I had to make a decision quick. So I can almost hear you asking "what do you mean, you have to purchase within a time frame?". When I first logged onto the website I noticed a count down at the top of the screen, initially saying 5 days to go. I wondered what this was myself until I read what Max Sparrow was all about. To keep costs down Max Sparrow compiles a bulk order to save on warehouse storage of excess items. therefore only items paid for will be ordered and made thus eliminating excess stock.  I'm not sure how many days are in the window of opportunity to purchase but if you order in that window of opportunity you should have your item within 8-12 weeks. This method is called "Group Order" and you can read more about it on the website.The longer lead time is the only downside I can see so far as its hard not to get excited about your purchase only to have to wait a reasonable long time to receive it, but for the cost saving I'm ok with it! The last thing I would like to touch on is how easy the website is to use and make my purchase. A clear step by step check out process eliminates any difficulty in understanding what point of check out you are at.

All of those annoying logistics out of the way I am rather impressed with the selection of goods. I could have bought more, but I showed some self restraint and thought I would start with one piece. 

There is also the option to purchase a package which may include a sofa, coffee table and chair these vary according to price and number of items within the package. 

 Looking through the furniture for sale on the website, it struck me why I liked it so much, the items are timeless pieces that wont date with trends or fads. These pieces are classic, if thats your style or not its difficult to say that these pieces are unattractive. Classic timeless pieces are never in or out of fashion they seem to glide through trends in an ethereal state remaining always beautiful. 

Here is the item I purchased The Montgomery Side Table. At $355 + $80 delivery I was really impressed. This item is going to go next to the sofa. 

DIMENSIONS
W559 x D711 x H711mm
W22 x D28 x H28in

Other Max Sparrow items I had my eye on...

The Austin Coffee Table 

Austin Coffee Table. All furniture seen in this room is for sale on the website

Claremont Coffee table 

Gramercy Coffee Table

American Shelter Arm Sofa
And
It comes with all the cushions that you can see on the sofa
Love it!!!!

This is one option of a package deal that you can purchase. What a great idea!! and on top of being a great idea how beautiful is the package!

Cote Dazur Side dresser 

Very Penthouse !!

Lovely Planter Boxes 

I hope you have enjoyed my review on Max Sparrow so far, Hopefully I will be just as impressed with the company once I receive my item. Let me know what you think!

Please Visit the site:  www.maxsparrow.com

Mrs CB

Living Room 

Putting together a living room, or any room for that matter is not as simple as it may seem unless you go to one shop and simply ask for their display collection.... maybe thats not such a bad idea. As my H and I will be moving at the end of the year we decided that it would not be worth painting our home, laying floor boards or changing the window treatments which we had full intentions to do when we moved in. 

My main aim now is to put together furniture and accessories that will match together and that will also be transportable. This I found difficult as my salmon coloured everything, tiles, walls and vertical blinds don't really match with the style/theme I would like to create.  If you rent an apartment or a house without the ability to change wall and floor colours, I think the best thing you can do is ensure your furniture and accessories match. 

My living room is a working progress probably because I'm a terrible decision maker and I spend way too much time looking a beautiful home blogs, magazines and furniture stores, there is so much to like .... how could I possibly make a design decision! 

I chose light green accent pieces because the white lounge throws a light green tinge, at first I wanted to do a navy blue and white theme but when I got the sofa back from the upholster the green tinge was more noticeable then I anticpated, which I was not at all disappointed with it just changed my colour plans. I am now glad that I have chosen green as the view from the window is out to the front lawn and trees so the green accessories accents and echo the surround view. We are very fortunate to living in a 'leafy' suburb near a major river, I try to keep this in mind when creating a room as the inside should have a slight reflection on the outside. So green it is!

I have just purchased a new side table which I am very happy with and I will post photos in my next post. It was not very expensive however the down side is I have to wait 2-3 months for it to arrive. The next stop is a new lamp (I have my eye on one!) and a coffee table (I still trying to find a good cabinet maker to make it as well as save a bit money to go ahead with it!) 

Recent pillow purchase from Pottery Barn Sydney. I thought that choosing this colour as a pillow it would pick up the terracotta/red in the humming bird images above the lounge.

The above picture and the below picture were purchases from One King Lane
www.onekingslane.com 

Sage wool throw rug purchased from One Kings Lane 

I purchased this rug from Williams Sonoma, New York 2 years ago. Carrying this home in my suitcase!!!

Pillows Purchased from One Kings Lane 

Williams Sonoma Harrison Sofa - I had my sofa custom made based on this sofa with 2 side chairs to match.

These are silk flowers the tall cherry blossom flowers are from Pottery Barn Sydney and the large flowers below (not sure of the name) were a purchase from the Philippines. I had no expectation on how the arrangement would turn out when I purchased the flowers as it was on an impulse that I bought them. I'm so glad I did because I think they look beautiful.

Let me know what you think....

Mrs CB