Happy Birthday Hayle!!!

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful sister a girl could ask for. Today is Hayley's birthday so I thought I would post a few pictures from where we took her to celebrate (a little early) on Friday. Belle Epoque is a gorgeous French restaurant/cafe/bar at the Emporium in Fortitude Valley. We had been meaning to check this place out for ages and finally got around to it and it was well worth the anticipation.

I just had to sneak a picture of the bathroom in - lovely subway tiles and fresh towels.

Of course we couldn't leave without picking up some famous French macaroons. Well Hayle, I hope you have the most fabulous birthday and the year ahead is filled with happy surprises! Love Trace xx

Thankyou Anna!!!

image via Absolutely Beautiful Things blog

We would just like to say a big thankyou to Anna from Absolutely Beautiful Things for asking us to do some tablescapes for her blog and featuring them today. We were so honored to be asked and had a great time putting them together.

Makeover Magic...

all images via Domino Magazine

Just came across these great "before and after's" on the Domino Magazine website. It's always inspiring to see how a space can be changed with a coat of paint or updated furniture and accessories.

white bathrooms

I have been looking for ideas to renovate my old bathroom

upstairs when I came across this bathroom feature from

architect design blog. I love the small brick tiles contasting with

the regular subway tile below (picture 4) I love the white marble

floors and basins. It's so hard to decide when there are so many

beautiful styles to choose from. Let us know what your favourite features are.

Hayley x

Making An Entrance...

Via House to Home

When you see a fabulous entry you just know that the rest of the house is going to excite the senses. This area cannot be overlooked when decorating a home. I just love the wallpaper in this entry way - adds drama and impact from the first moment the door opens.

How gorgeous is this entry! More stunning wallpaper with lovely accent pieces like the black draws, mirror and chair. You just know that the rest of this house is going to be fabulous.

All available space has been used to make this entry beautiful. The tiles are sensational and busy enough that the rest of the decor needs to be simple so as not to detract them. Love the door as well.

How sweet is this! Love the white floorboards and the vintage typewriter on the desk - all looks very English. All images via House to home.

Clever Use Of Small Spaces

A bright place to work from home. The lovely fabric slip cover on the chair gives some detail to the simple style.

image via small place style

A nice rustic collection of favourite pieces on display. A french basket under the console filled with fresh ferns adds an outdoor garden feel to the look.

image via Camilla at Home



Don't have room for a study in your house? Why not consider some other alternatives like this little nook off a hallway.


image via Valspar at Lowe's




I love this little study/ storage area. The green spot cushion with matching green rug adds freshness and style along with small touches of splice yellow and turqouise blue,


image via Small Place Style

A very serene area awaits when you walk in the door of this lovely home. A nice way to display family photos on a small wall near white shutters and plenty of glass on door and windows.

I like the bench seat with the french blue cushions that match the floor rug. Makes you feel like your near the beach!

Image via Small Place Style

I really enjoyed reading a Small Place Style and Camilla At Home this morning. They were very inspiring!

Thankyou Washington Post!!!

Porchlight Interiors

We here at Porchlight Interiors are absolutely thrilled to be the Washington Post's blog to watch this week. What a lovely surprise - we feel very honored. Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

Simply Martha...

After many years of looking at Martha Stewart's decorating ideas, I'm always impressed by her simple yet beautiful style. This kitchen from her website is no exception. I love these black metal bar stools and the gorgeous silver lights.

The stone flooring is just perfect against the painted grey cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. The floral display on the bench and the baskets soften the look to make it homely and inviting.

The cream coloured dinnerware looks beautiful stacked together in the grey timber and glass cabinet.

Just look at the marble butler sink - I would love one of these when I redo my kitchen.

And the most important appliance in the kitchen - that's not for the casual coffee drinker. I'm in love.

Makeover of the week, fortnight, month...

Before of Attic from Point Click Home

A couple of weeks ago I said that we here at Porchlight Interiors would show our favourite makeover of the week. Well I'm not that organised to make such promises so lets just call it our makeover of "whenever we feel like it". This attic was from Point Click home by designer Candice Olsen.

Before

There are many pretty blues out there but this is what I like to call "ugly blue". Almost any colour change would be an improvement on this.

After

Agh! That's better, I can breath again! The cream with the softer duck egg blues is so much calmer to look at.

After

Love the bit of lime green added in also - so fresh! It's great to see small spaces being so well utilised - it takes a clever designer to pull it together without the room looking cluttered.

Feeling Nostalgic...

via Camilla at Home

When I came across this image last week at "Camilla at Home" I was instantly taken back to my nan's dress shop with it's lovely back garden. My nan used to have fashion parades for all the local ladies out in the garden. Its funny how seeing a photo can remind you of something you haven't thought of for a very long time. Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Photographer's Stunning Home!

It's rare that you come across a home that you love everything about , but when I came across this home in House Beautiful I just adored it. It is so simple, uncluttered and light. The owner and decorator is Victoria Pearson, a photographer. Its great to see people decorating to suit their life, not just filling a house with the latest trends. In the article, Victoria talks about her love of green which you can see touches of in every room - another reason why I love all the rooms...

Wow - I wouldn't change a thing. Beautiful.

Classic Tiles...

via The Jackman Group

I have loved these hexagonal tiles for a really long time but always in bathrooms. Lately I've been admiring them in kitchens - they add interest to the space without being domineering. Plain white are stunning but I also love when the black feature tiles are added - so timeless!

via House Beautiful
This kitchen is a fabulous example of the impact these tiles can have on a kitchen - outstanding!

Elle Decor via The Love List

Of course they still look amazing in a bathroom.

May your weekend be blessed!

Hotel Portofino

Looking forward to a weekend at home with family and friends - Portofino will have to wait... Hope you all have a great weekend!