Classic Black and White

John Jacob Interiors via Alkemie

I'm just loving black and white lately and after coming across John Jacob Zwiegelaar's home over at Alkemie, I just fell in love with it. It is rare that you find a room that you wouldn't change a thing about it, but that's how I feel about this room - its simply stunning.

John Jacob Interiors via Alkemie

This is the kitchen from the same house. I love the touch of green with the apples and floral displays.

via Better Homes and Gardens

While I'm going on about black and white, I couldn't leave out this gorgeous outdoor area from
BHG. I love black and white awnings - they can turn a really boring house into something special without a huge expense.

Sherryll Jackman Interiors via Alkemie

Again, Black and White striped outdoor cushions against an all white background look absolutely outstanding. I also love the outdoor fireplace - looks very inviting right now with our cold snap.

Lounging at South Beach

Aqualina Ocean Resort

On such a cold winter's day in Brisbane, I thought we could use some images of beautiful places where we could relax and warm up (I know the weekend is over, but mine was so busy I need another one). All the pictures in this post come from some of the nicest hotels in South
Beach, Miami.

Aqualina Ocean Resort

Can't you imagine a beautiful breakfast out on this terrace.

Delano Hotel

Okay, and this one too (I'm not picky).

Delano Hotel

A great place for an imtimate dinner party with close friends.

Victor Hotel Lobby

I couldn't go past the green lobby - what's not to love.

Loews Hotel Poolside Cabanas

A bit of light reading after breakfast.

Mandarin-Oriental Hotel

A little sunbaking because you couldn't come home without a tan.

Victor Hotel

Not usually into red but this looks quite striking with the black and white cushions and the soft lighting from the candles and fairy lights.

Delano Hotel

It's green - need I say more! So relaxing.

Aqualina Hotel

Don't like the colour of the deck chair cushions but love the formality with the gorgous pots and topiaries.

The Raleigh Hotel

The colouring here is just so perfect for a balmy night in South Beach - cream with black is a perfect combination.

The Raleigh Hotel

The National Hotel

The National Hotel

Segamore Hotel
How gorgeous is this outdoor dining area?

The Tides Hotel

Like a formal living room outdoors - simply stunning.

The Tides Hotel

So nice to see these neutral colours - very calming.

The Raleigh Hotel

The Raleigh Hotel Beach Chairs

Love the chairs all lined up on the beach - reminds me of the European beaches.

The Raleigh Hotel Outdoor Dining

Well I feel better now! Daydreaming is so good for the soul.

Brisbane's Got Style

The gorgeous Limes Hotel has recently opened in Brisbane and is the first Australian hotel to be a memeber of Design Hotels. So for any of you stylish bloggers out there planning a trip to Brisbane, check out the photos below and book your flights.

Small but stylishly simple rooms.

Enjoy the fabulous weather on the roof top.

Roof top bar.

Outdoor media room - have you booked your flights yet.

Makeover of the Week

There is nothing we love more at Porchlight Interiors than a good makeover. With a few small changes, and in such as short time, a room can take on a whole new look and feel which is so satisfying to see. For this reason, we thought it would be a good idea to include a weekly makeover post. This first one is a Manhatten appartment belonging to Elizabeth Fiore and styled by Lance Boyd found on O at Home website. Hope you enjoy...

original living room

after one hour of styling

after one day of styling

after one weekend of styling

What a difference! It's amazing how decluttering, rearranging furniture and adding beautiful accessories make such a big impact. Adding some colour with the floor rug and soft blue curtains has turned a boring room into a room with simple, classic style.

Office Spaces That Inspire

I have a small room off my main bedroom which I have decided to make my own little inspiration room/office space. I went searching for some inspirational images and found these on the House to Home website.

image courtesy of House to Home

I love the use of wallpaper in small spaces - it just makes it that much more intimate and special. I'm not usually into dark timber but I think it really works in this space.

Again the wallpaper makes this room. I couldn't live with a mirror right in front of my face though - my beauty would be far too distracting.

A beautiful window overlooking a garden would be a lovely way to get inspired. The desk and chair are quite gorgeous too.

courtesy of House Beautiful

I can never resist green. This study space is so casual yet still a little glamourous - I love it. It is the work of the very talented Kathryn Ireland.


Okay, I couldn't do a post on offices without showing my absolute favourite one ever. I know almost everyone has seen this before but its always worth posting again. Unfortunately when I saved it I didn't write where I got it from so I would love for someone to let me know who's study this is and which blog it was first posted on (now there is a challenge for all you keen bloggers out there).

Take Me Away!

While one half of Porchlight Interiors is in Melbourne for Furnitex, the other half (me) is here in Brisbane wishing I was booking into this gorgeous house for the weekend. It belongs to Dutch designer Piet Boon and it could be yours for a week for a cool $8,500 US. Loose change really.

Boys! Boys! Boys!

Here is our fabulous blog feature on Boys rooms. We have compiled a few of our favorite pictures from magazines, books and other websites to hopefully help inspire you with some ideas for your boys rooms!

Family Lifestyle Home Book

Home by Anita Kaushal

This beautiful book explores the simple nature of family and how our homes represent a place of nuturing, love and safety. A truly heartwarming read!

Simple projects for designing child friendly spaces in your home
Kid's rooms

image courtesy of English Homes & Gardens

This is an image of a boys room that Porchlight Interiors put together for a client late last year. This eight year old boy is very happy with his new room. The Lexington bed covers offer versatility for little fellows such as him!

image via Kerry Joyce Interior Designer





Tommy & Freddy's room!


You may all remember this article published in February's English Homes & Gardens of Maria Myers ( Chic Shack) home in London. I just love this bright bold contast of red and white colour for a boys room. She too has used Lexington for her boys bedding. It's really quite durable for a boy.


What a gorgeous room! Would suit a boy for many years don't you think? I really love the large window behind the bed, It would be a shame to cover it up, however, my son would not sleep in with that much light streaming through in the morning!
Image coutesy of Australian House & Garden


I had to post this gorgeous room I found in a brilliant book called Kid's Rooms by Weldon Owens. It is a feature from Pottery Barn Kids.
Love the letters and numbers, they make such a statement!

These two images are from my favorite book right now simply entitled 'home' by Anita Kaushal which I have pictured above.
I am sure you can see that we are mad on maps right now, but I think it's a brilliant idea for boys in search of an intrepid adventure.

For the love of outdoors!

This is a photo I saved from an Australian Vogue Living magazine and have had this magazine for years and I still love to read it. So many timeless styles are featured in this issue.
A lazy Sunday breakfast
photo courtesy of Country Homes magazine

Love the vines growing on the trellised wall!
photo coutesy of Australian House and Garden

A beautiful French courtyard

coutesy of Vogue Living

I love this outdoor living area, you can enjoy it all year round.

coutesy of NZ House & Garden