Stevie Nicks: Self Portraits

Who knew Stevie Nicks was Queen of the selfie, before the term was even invented?! These self portraits of the (my favourite) singer were taken at home and in hotel rooms throughout the mid-seventies. They have just been released from the shoe-box under the bed, to the public for purchase through the Morrison Hotel Gallery; signed by Stevie!  I love the capturing of make believe in real time; what is more significant to the viewer- the dress up aspect or time and place? It may seem frivolous, but how wonderful to have this strange chronological collection of moments.

Here's what she has to say about the work:

"Some people don't sleep at night - I am one of those people. These pictures were taken long after everyone had gone to bed - I would begin after midnight and go until 4 or 5 in the morning. I stopped at sunrise - like a vampire... I never really thought anyone would ever see these pictures, they went into shoeboxes, where they remained. I did everything - I was the stylist, the makeup artist, the furniture mover, the lighting director. It was my joy - I was the model..."

A girl after my own wild heart; this makes me feel even better now about my floral crown photos!

Interiors Round-Up: Get your drape on!

Terence Conran's 'New House Book', 1985

my latest interiors collection of draping your furniture, walls and even your ceiling, is up on JB Est 1979, check out more HERE.

seasonal floral crowns.

Photography: Fiona Galbraith All crowns made by: Nicole Valentine Don

four seasons have come and gone since I started my floral crown series; I thought it would be fun to look back at some of my favourites. the top 3 images are winter, then 2 for each season thereafter (even though we technically did more). which one is your favourite?  i think mine are still the cherry blossom antlers, but they wouldn't fit in the grid!  

inspired by: Henri Matisse.

via Justina Blakeney Photo by: Fiona Galbraith

on my recent trip to Europe, I went to the Matisse museum in Nice, France with this first image in mind. I knew this great artist's studio housed a gigantic philodendron because I had admired this black and white version on pinterest. it feels almost as if I willed one to still be there went I went to his now studio turned museum- honestly, I got shivers, it was almost eerie. when I got home, I was inspired to show off my green goddess (which I once thought of as large...but not really by comparison!) in this post for JB Est 1979. it just goes to show how easy it is to be inspired by your travels and then incorporate something from that trip into your own home. 

search for a stylist: the making of video.

it is the last week to vote (pour moi, s'il vous plaît) in the Search for a Stylist contest if you haven't already. also, please head to my Facebook page to check out a little 30 second clip from the day.

wardrobe makeover.

Photography: Fiona Galbraith  Production, Project & Styling: Nicole Valentine Don

check out the full before & after reveal for JB Est 1979 and how you can get the same results for your home, HERE.

stumbled upon: Seth Smoot.

the lovely, painterly quality of photographer Seth Smoot's images. i discovered him yesterday while trawling through pinterest.

feeling (sky) blue.

here

Luca Gargano / Gavin Gough

Seth Smoot / Yohji Yamamoto F/W 2003

Sir Terry Frost, Blue Suspended Form 1970

Rudi Roels / Greek home 

here

i know it's uncommon, but blue is not one of my favourite colours. it's not that i don't like it, but i didn't grow up with it in my house and i'm often drawn to more citrusy colours like orange & yellow or every shade of green. i even love indigo, but this past week, bright azure goodness has been all over my pinterest page.  i can't tell whether it's me noticing it more or whether it's a new trend in fashion and interiors...but i like it! do i want to paint my kitchen that same punchy hue? yes, i do!

rainy day outtakes.

Photos by: Fiona Galbraith

it's hard to imagine a rainy day like this one, when we shot the maple crown. it has been sunny in Sydney for weeks and weeks now! 

happy 4th of July!

found

wishing my American readers a happy long weekend, from one proud Canadian who knows all about sidewalk lemonade stands x

i heart Istanbul.

oh Istanbul, how do I love thee? let me count the ways! i love your colourful little shops, restaurants and hotels. your rooftop terraces delight, as did your sounds and smells. i love your call to prayer, evil eyes, yogurt tubs as flower pots, carpets and textiles galore. i love remembering your crooked little streets; the simple little cafes set up on skinny sidewalks and the scrappy stray kittens that tip-toed along them. i especially love that at the end of a long day exploring your neighbourhoods, my hair would smell like...roasted chestnuts. i will most definitely be back! *click through for more pretty pictures

speaking of Turkey...

check out 7 ways to add a bit of Turkish delight into your interiors over at JB Est 1979; don't be afraid of bold colours and a bit of creative quirky features like this boat and painted squiggly line on the wall (you can always paint over it later). with a Turkish interior, you also can't go wrong with tiles (on the walls and the floor), velvet and carpets for a start! see more HERE!

the colours of Istanbul.

 

honestly, all you need to know is: beautiful Bosphorus b. l. u. e.

happy CANADA day!!!

here's to our home and native land; sunshine and family wheelbarrow races. i wish i could be there for the fireworks!

my house in YEN magazine.

@little_nicki_ on instagram

very exciting news!! my house is in the latest issue of YEN magazine (out today in Australia). i had all the rooms in my house ready to go for its close up- then Mr Jason Grant swept his keen stylist's eye over the space and made last minute adjustments to make the shots picture perfect for Lauren Bamford and her superb camera skills. i keep looking at it in awe, thinking 'i wish i could live in these pages'...then i remember...i DO! lucky me to have this A+ team help me show off the home that i love so much!

be sure to get your copy this month- the whole issue is a beauty!

bling-a-ling.

Photo by: Fiona Galbraith

what could i be up to over at JB Est 1979 today; click HERE if you want to see the most simple DIY jewel display option ever!

inside the artist's studio.

here

i am just loving these images of artist Louise Bourgeois' home and studio in New York City; completely untouched since she passed away. i love the piles, the duck egg green and the writing on the wall. why does a mess always look so romantic and beautiful in an artist's bohemian home, but not in my own?