Eat Drink Chic

Loving the cheerful colour palette in the new Cuban-inspired summer home collection by Citta Design.

Sydney Vintage Table Lamp from Mod Pieces

2012 Watercolour Calendar from Terrain

Piano Nobile Pocket Notebooks from R&L Goods

Huge Party Cards by Hazel Stark

Tatler Sofa from Oz Furniture Design

Typographic wood artwork by Jordan Metcalf

Small Arrows Bowls from Deep Dark Africa {via The Style Files}

Small Knit Colour Cozy Mug from Leif

Get the Hint Stickers from Urban Outfitters

Cute photo of Audrey Hepburn

Spira Pomerans Pink Swedish Cushion from Hus and Hem

First Kiss Tea towel from Satsuki Shibuya

Payton Restyled Vintage Table Lamp from Mod Pieces

one Donna Wilson ... two H&M ... three Selfridges ... four Anthropologie ... five H&M ... six Pony Rider ... seven Jonathan Adler ... eight CB2

Pretty air plant pods from Sea and Asters.

It occurs to me that someone, somewhere must have made this pun before, right? I mean, how could they not have?

ONE: Chestnut Paper Origami Lamp Shade from Nellianna

TWO: Origami Cosmetic Case from Forever New

THREE:  Flying Geese fabric by Sara Lee Parker

1955 pink vintage typewriter from BMT vintage

Glitter Letters from Paper Trail

Veranda Floral Shoes from Ruche

Word painting artwork by Wayne White

Dress from Victoria collection by Victoria Beckham (via Much Love)

Hofdi Cushion from Donna Wilson

Birdy Walk scarf from Donna Wilson  in fact, check out her entire  2011/12 collection

Origami Hana Rope Necklace by Homako

Pink Ceramic Owl money bank from Fruitfly PIe

Paint Me A Dream Flower from Alannah Hill

Watermelon on Natural Cross Cushion from Olive and Joy

Howell Wingback Chair from Anthropologie

Cockatoo Tea Towel from Bonnie and Neil

Some striking coasters over at Wolfum.

{ via seesaw }

Congratulations to Vanessa F. You have won a copy of Design*Sponge at Home by Grace Bonney!! I will be contacting you shortly for postal details. A big thanks to Aussie distributors Hardie Grant Books for this amazing giveaway. For those who didn't win- it's out now! Go grab yourselves a copy!

Lots of pretty coloured handmade jewellery! Fringe Leather Rainbow necklace by Boo and Boo Factory

Postcards from Penguin feature postcards of 100 of their classic book covers. From Amazon.

Live Colorfully. Excellent advice! Flat Pouch from Kate Spade

Pretty gold shoes from Topshop

Who doesn't love a fluffy Icelandic Sheepskin Cushion? From by nord.

Photo of my mum. Circa 1970.

Brightly coloured acrylic Tart Servers from Leif

The illustrations by Elisa Mazzone are very pretty.

I've think I've become a scarf obsessive! I adore this Variegated Stripe Scarf in Ibis from Sussan

All the rugs from Loom Rugs in Prahran are super gorgeous... I'm staring at my living room floor in contemplation- which one should I get??

Now we're heading into warmer months and outdoor entertaining is firmly on the brain, I'm loving these bright and colourful 1950's Mexican Acapulco Chairs. I tested one out at Amor y Locura in Fitzroy- it's surprising comfy!

Loving all the beautiful works by Danielle Kroll including this 'little black horse' illustration ( via designworklife)

Hmm... perhaps my next nail colour. 'Minted' Nail polish from Topshop.

I know that overhead 'shoe' photos have been done many, many times before, but I couldn't resist posting these because of the gorgeous tiles!

The top image was taken by my husband Mark at "The Smile" in NYC during our honeymoon last year. I took the bottom pic a few days ago at the entrance to "Tigerlily" in Chadstone Shopping Center in Melbourne. I loved the tiles so much I wanted to take the whole floor home with me.

Handmade Silk Flower Brooch from Yeojin Bae

Shaggy Pop Pillow from Anthropologie

Lemon Recipe Cards from Rifle

Wallpaper and fabrics from Galbraith and Paul

Outfit from Gorman

Royal Doulton Tapas dip bowls from John Lewis

Outdoor Antares Table from Terrain

2012 journal from Frankie

Gold Label Recipe box from Sugar Paper (via Adore Home)

Orange Gnome Candle from Sunny Life

I have a penchant for the eclectic. I think the 'unexpected' is a vital ingredient in a successfully designed interior and I adore homes that are the product of years of lovingly collected and created objects. It is the element of surprise that excites me! The juxtaposition of seemingly unmatching materials; the co-existence of objects from different eras and ethnic origins. Start with a dash of Danish mid-century, a touch of antique Victorian and a sprinkling of Industrial. Throw in a pinch of Indian, Balinese or Moroccan for some added spice and some contemporary typography, Germanic folk art and American Colonial needlepoint for whimsy. Mix in some metal, wood, leather, plastic, cane, fabric, glass, pattern, colour and texture. Stir vigorously.

Unless you've been living under a rock you've probably heard that Grace Bonney of design*sponge has recently brought out a book. Entitled Design*sponge at Home, this 390 page 'bible' of home decor contains 75 sneak peeks into the homes of creatives that are usually the artistic compilation of eclectic flea market finds, their own creative works, the odd coveted designer item and some good, old-fashioned DIY prowess.

This book is not just about the art of collection but of transformation. Some of the artists re-paint, re-upholster and re-purpose their way to domestic perfection. The resulting homes are not just aesthetically interesting, they are stories. Each abode is a narrative that describes the experiences, artistry, vision and hearts of their inhabitants.

A pioneer in the design blogosphere- Grace Bonney would have to be one of the most influential bloggers in her genre. She has been a source of inspiration, and has diligently paved the way, for bloggers (myself included) who dare to enter the now highly inundated niche. She started design*sponge in 2004 and today she has a daily readership in the tens of thousands with addicted readers popping back almost hourly to catch an update! Her 'sneak peek'  and 'DIY' columns have been revolutionary, proving that you don't need to have a giant bank account to create a 'designer' home.

Design*Sponge at Home also contains some DIY projects and flower arranging tutorials to help with your own creative endeavours! To see more pics and get more info- go here. Be sure to check out the cute little video preview!

Now for the great news! Australian distributors Hardie Grant Books have sent me a copy to give away to one lucky Eat Drink Chic reader!!  (And yes, this giveaway is open to International readers also!)

Here's what you have to do to win.

1. Leave a comment at the end of this post.

2. In the 'name' box please include your first name and the first letter of your last name

3. In the 'email' box please include a valid email address.

4. Only one entry per person please!

A winner will be randomly selected from the comments.

Competition closes on Tuesday September 13 at 9pm  (Australian EST). The winner will be announced the following day!

Good luck!

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THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED! THE WINNER IS Vanessa F. Congratulations!!

Would love to have one of these colourful beauties in my home. From Bokja.

I'm really loving the beautiful hues in Country Road's spring 2011 collection that encompasses both fashion and homewares...and that pleated maxi dress is just stunning- the colour just screams springtime!

Homework pencil case by Present and Correct from Haus

Salad serving set from Leif

Nail polish in 'Leprechaun Lynch' from Scotch Naturals { via Life's Little Jems }

Experimental typography by Anna Garforth { via formfiftyfive }

Mini sequin heart hairclip/brooch from Ban.do

Mimi CDC dress by Marc Jacobs

Industrial stencil letters from Urban Outfitters

Mask bag by Atsuyo et Akiko from Smallable

Funky juice bottles from Dutch by design { via designlovefest }

DIY wool felt flower hair accessories from Make it and love it

Kissing Stags Flat Purse from Anorak

Repetto BB Patent Ballerina Pumps from Asos

Carpenter pencil set from International Arrivals

Mustard Rose Pillow from jillybeancraft

Loving these picks from Citta Design's latest season of homewares inspired by New York.

Zippity Doo Dah pouch from International Arrivals

Apple Lacquer Clock from Jonathan Adler

Vintage bow ties from American Apparel

Storage jars from Haus

Meridian dress in teal from Hound Design { via Darling Dexter }

Pet Rock Printed Leather Bill Holder from Jack Spade

Neon Nail Polish from American Apparel

Re-usable submarine ice-cubes from Kikkerland

Chartreuse Rose on White pillow from bedbuggs

Mittens from Bergslagsgatan { via Fine Little Day }

Original Coca-Cola Hutchinson bottle from Selfridges

TOP: DIY bride and groom egg shell planters by Sibylle from Funkytime

BOTTOM: Handpainted vintage berry baskets from Olive Someday

Made for the Shades case from Modcloth

Tangerine April Showers Rain Loafers from Ruche

Cute neckties from Pierrepont Hicks { via Creature Comforts }

Jello card from Pie Bird Press

Two of a Kind Highballs from Kate Spade's home range

Sustainable Type by Vladimir Koncar

Sunflower plate from Pier 1 imports

Illustration of Twiggy by David Downton

Ladies Bowties from Forage

Beer card from Pie Bird Press

Titan Glass Lamp from Stray Dog Designs

Sweet screen prints by Hayley & Lucas from Keep Calm Gallery.