Cavania

LOVE x

2012-01-17T06:25:00.002Z

Here are our new Valentine's Day cards, show someone you love them in style XOXO. Order on line here- Cavania

A Touch of Love

2012-01-12T08:24:00.003Z

We are starting to get in the mood for sharing the love time. We have been making gorgeous red Pom Pom's in the studio and sitting pretty at the rear of the store are the latest bunch. I feel a red and pink Love window display coming on.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T07:36:00.001Z

Sending you all loads of love & bright wishes for a splendid & delightful Christmas.
Thank you for all your support throughout this year, Karen xxxx

Vintage Sunday

2011-12-11T04:17:00.005Z

I'm sat in my store in Australia with the sun shinning outside and watching all the happy people wondering past on what is a stunning day. I've been working on new designs and meeting lots of new people whom are popping into the store, here are a few photos of the store for you to see.

Butterflies Beautiful Butterflies

2011-11-17T01:44:00.000Z

On a shelf in my home there sits a lovely note book with an inspirational butterfly quote on it, it was a present my husband brought home for me earlier this year. Next to it is a glove print by Gabrielle Woodham a local Geraldton artist and more of Gabrielles work is available from Latitude Gallery which is opposite my store. The pretty pink vase was from a dear friend, I believe came from the lovely Roma a gift store next door to my studio. The West End, which is the end of town where all the aforementioned stores are situated here in lovely Geraldton is fast becoming a very boutique and creative street. We also have the Provincial cafe in the middle of the West End, so pop down and enjoy the weather and a latte.

I love butterflies, as you all know they feature in most of my work. I have recently found the time or the inspiration to pick up the paint brush and put paint to canvas. Meleager's Blue is the title and that is the name for the type of butterfly featured.
Meleager's Blue is now sat in the window of my studio boutique, I used a lovely old easel which belonged to my Grandfather to prop it up on.

A silver plated butterfly, these I so enjoyed designing. I love the way the light catches them and shows the embossing detail.

Butterflies Beautiful Butterflies

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T15:09:00.001Z

Description from Dictionary-
Halloween |ˌhaləˈwēn; ˌhälə-; -ōˈēn| (also Hallowe'en)
noun
the night of October 31, the eve of All Saints' Day, commonly celebrated by children who dress in costume and solicit candy or other treats door-to-door.
ORIGIN late 18th cent.: contraction of All Hallow Even (see hallow , even 2 ).

My very own store

2011-10-30T11:07:00.000Z

Well things have been soooooo busy in my world for the last few months hence the lack of posts! First we finally moved into our house last Sunday after 4 months of renovations. The home phones and internet have been down for a couple of weeks which made life even more challenging in my world of Cavania. When I have unpacked the boxes I will take some photos and show you our hard work. But my even more exciting news............. today was my first day of trading in my very own Cavania store. We pulled up the carpet, cleaned and set the furniture out on Friday and so Saturday and today was spent opening boxes. I am so thrilled as to how the store has turned out and the gorgeous pressed tin ceiling and wooden floor is simply perfect for our look. I have a Facebook page for the Australia store and snap shots of my day in the store will be appearing on that too.

http://www.facebook.com/CavaniaAustralia

Well now I am all settled I will hopefully posting a few times a week on the blog.
Bye for now
Karen xxx

Patchwork Walls

2011-09-21T14:34:00.004+01:00

I have been collecting wallpaper samples for a short while now and would like to experiment with a wall in my house or maybe in my studio...... choosing which papers to use will be the most difficult thing.

images from the internet.

Grey & Duck Egg Blue

2011-09-06T14:53:00.000+01:00

I love the colours duck egg blue, ivory and greys together they are so calming and relaxing for interiors and especially in clothing, Cavania's new Autumn/Winter 2011 scarves have just been launched at the Autumn Fair in the UK and they feature all these colours in a mixture of gorgeous textures, from tulle, embroidered lace, patterned cottons and velvets, they have been a fabulous hit.

images1.House to Home2.3.Cavania4.5. Internet

Inspirational Stores & Displays

2011-08-31T14:28:00.003+01:00

I have just found this and had to share...... a beautiful store full of interesting displays. It would be a delight to shop in here.

more on display and store ideas....http://cavania.blogspot.com/2009/12/anthropologie-london.html,http://cavania.blogspot.com/2010/07/inspirational-stores-display-ideas.html,http://cavania.blogspot.com/2010/06/inspirational-stores-display-ideas.html,

Autumn Fair 2011

2011-08-23T13:14:00.003+01:00

We are getting ready for the Autumn Fair 4-7th September, this is a trade show so only available for stores. Pre register by clicking here.

Come and see all our new cards, gifts and we will be launching our new Autumn Winter Scarves, which are gorgeous.

A Cavania card and bracelet was selected to be featured on the official website, which we were delighted about...... can you spot our designs in the above photos?

The Autumn Fair is at the NEC, Birmingham in the UK.

The Hummingbird Bakery London

2011-08-22T01:31:00.001+01:00

Another store from our London visit, The Hummingbird Bakery, Portabello Road. I need pretty cupcakes like fish need water :)

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic London Store

2011-08-19T01:08:00.001+01:00

I dragged Christian to see Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Couture store on Kensington Park Road, London. We had a wonderful Sunday morning stroll the sun was out and we walked past so many stunning town houses playing one of our games of choosing which one we would love to live in if we won lotto.

Loved the window of an antique store with its big vintage union jack we walked past on our way to the Shabby Chic store.

Never had a tourist photo of me standing next to a letter box before :)

Fortnum & Mason - Inspirational Store Displays

2011-08-17T13:18:00.005+01:00

Whilst in the UK in July on my whirlwind 2 weeks visit I did mange to pop into London a couple of times and just had to stop by some of my favorite streets and stores. There is none finer the splendid Fortnum & Masons on Piccadilly Street who's windows are always stunning.

We just had to stop and have lunch in the restaurant as the food is fabulous and there is no better lunch in London, if you ever get to visit do try the rosemary bread...it is scrumptious. I love the finishing touches and the lemon wrapped in muslin to stop pips falling into the food was just perfect. I had a pan fried fish on a bed of mint peas and ham, Christian had the mash potatoe wrapped scollops....they were divine.

The candy bar is mouth watering, so many delicious sweets to choose from its almost impossible to decide, well nearly almost impossible ( the fudges are a must) :)

So Busy

2011-08-09T05:11:00.004+01:00

life is certainly busy at the moment what with traveling back to the UK for Harrogate Home & Gift and now we are back in Australia again we have so much work to catch up on as well as renovating the house. I so desperately want to move in to our little house but it is going to be a long while yet before that can happen as you will see in the photo below.....

Yesterday was my birthday and I though I should take the day off and have a tea party with my friends and so Sunday night I spent rummaging through all my packed boxes in the garage for my vintage cups & saucer, table cloths, bunting, trimmings and cake stands to decorate the table. We did have fun and far to many cupcakes :)

Wonderful Welbeck Tiles

2011-07-14T21:32:00.006+01:00

I have been wanting an excuse to purchase Welbeck's tiles now for the past couple of years. I discovered them at a trade show and just stood there staring at their wonderful display of handmade tiles from their studio in beautiful Penzance, Cornwall. The use of colours patterns and finishes are just stunning, like a magpie to a shiny trinket I was hooked in an instant.

The Platinum collection above would be just perfect for the back of the stove in the kitchen the metallics and line drawings are very chic....... to many lovely designs....... making it to hard to choose.

Totally love the vintage floral patchwork tiles and would love to have these as a splash back or make a mirror surround in my bathroom.....oh one day. Maybe I could stock them in my store......store! Yes thats right :) details to follow very shortly, I am so excited.

www.welbeck.com

Cavania Mugs at Lakeland

2011-07-08T15:22:00.002+01:00

Take a look at Lakelands Cavania procelain mugs in their very own gift tin......they are very sweet......now which one do I like........to buy on line at lakeland click here.

Harrogate Home & Gift 2011

2011-06-30T12:35:00.002+01:00

Cavania will be exhibiting at Harrogate Home & Gift, this is a trade show for stores only. Register here

Lovely laundry ideas

2011-06-26T14:15:00.001+01:00

I wish I wish I wish, I had a laundry just like ....................

Father's Day

2011-06-17T03:41:00.005+01:00

Don't forget it's Father's Day this Sunday in the UK.

Beside the Seaside, Beside the Sea

2011-06-14T01:38:00.003+01:00

O I do like to be beside the seaside ....O I do like to be beside the sea, hmmmmmmm lalalala ........
We are having a fifties feel to our day here in the Cavania studio today. The stereo is singing away with all the crooners keeping me company with their wonderful retro songs. All I need now is a strawberry milkshake with real whipped cream and sprinkles on top, yum.

Our 50's inspired greeting cards, each one with a scolloped diecut top and a pretty handmade fabric corsage, available here.

images 1 & 5 are a mixture of collected photos from the web.
images 2,3,4 are from our greeting card collection called 'Summer Holiday'

Cushions... it's a girl thing

2011-06-13T01:42:00.001+01:00

Cushions here there and every where! ...... my question is why is it just a girl thing?
I would have cushions on just about every available space in the house but the husband is not amused.

Herb Garden

2011-06-11T13:33:00.005+01:00

This is my little herb garden that was my Mother's Day present last month it has grown so much in the winter sun and we use herbs from it every day. It is wonderful to grow your own vegetables but for now I have one bucket of herbs and one tub of tomatoes maybe one day a vegetable garden. So as not to get confused which herbs were which I made some name sticks which do look cute in the zinc tubs.

In just 4 weeks the herbs have grown quiet large and cover the soil in the tub.

Facebook.......Cavania London

2011-06-10T11:38:00.002+01:00

At last I hear you cry....I know, I know you have been asking for a Cavania London Facebook for a while and we have finally found the time to get it up and running...... so follow us here for Cavania London

Wood Paneling

2011-06-04T07:06:00.000+01:00

I have been trying to get my mood boards and inspiration pages organised and ready for us to spring into action the moment we get the keys to our little home. We met with a local builder on Friday whom did a building inspection whist Christian and I measured a few walls up and tried to workout which windows and doors that should be moved or just removed. I want to fill the house with light and space and paint everything shades of white with wood floors for easy living.

image 1.

But we did wonder just how difficult would it be to take down the plaster ceiling and put a wooden paneled ceiling...a white panel ceiling. Well we know we could rip the ceiling down demolition is the easy bit! We have to put all new insulation up as there is none but its the working out of the angles with the panelling that could be the challenge. Just how difficult could it be to cut some wood and nail it up!!!! hahaha did I mention its 'just' me and Christian doing it.

image 2.

image 3.

You must go and look at the Lake House by Murdock Young it's just gob smacking great. TL,BR image 2.
all other images via internet search.

Cavania blog http://cavania.blogspot.com

New Gift Bags

2011-06-02T01:08:00.005+01:00

My Country Kitchen and Annabelle designs have been licensed by Lesser & Pavey and are now available to order through Cavania. I am so delighted as they do look so sweet as gift bags.
If you are a store and have registered with our on line 'trade store' you will be able to secure your delivery here.

Cavania blog http://cavania.blogspot.com

Quest for an Armoire

2011-06-01T01:31:00.009+01:00

I found this old wardrobe months ago an it's been sitting on the corner of the garage nagging at me every time I walked by. I want an armoire to sit out on the verandah at our new home to keep the outside space cushions, garden games and other items and thought this would be perfect when I first saw it.

So Christian and I decided to tackle it a couple of weekends ago. Because the opening was just the small middle door which the mirror had been broken I thought that we should cut the doors off in one complete piece, divide them into two and then hinge them back on. This would allow easy access and I can then store cushions and games in it so with a hand saw we carefully sawed all the way around. Once the front section was free we then had to build a new support frame so the wardrobe could stand up.

We added some shelve brackets and slats for the shelving before starting to sand and paint, I chose a Weather Shield exterior paint which has an undercoat incorporated and the colour 'Surfmist'.
The little details of the wood carvings and the original handle add a vintage touch, I have just one more coat to do and then Christian will hang the doors on, I am looking forward to seeing it finished soon.

Country kitchen Give Away

2011-05-30T04:33:00.009+01:00

Over at Life at Number 10 the lovely Melbourne Girl Lesley is doing a Cavania card give away so pop over and say hello.
Country Kitchen cards also available in the UK here at the Cavania store.
and coming soon online in Australia more updates shortly.

How to build a New England Style Shed?

2011-05-28T05:04:00.007+01:00

Whilst day dreaming through the library I stumbled upon this fantastic book "Sheds" and to my delight it shows you how to calculate and build the most amazing sheds. With every turn of a page more detail and sketches of the most wonderful New England styled sheds......... perfect for my studio that I want to build at the bottom of the garden of our new home to be. Sorry forgot to mention we got all approvals yesterday on the house and we will be completing and in, in just 21 days from yesterday!

The book is titled "Sheds, the Do It Yourself Guide for backyard builders" and is written by husband and wife team David & Jeanie Stiles whom live in one of my most favorite places in the whole world.... The Hamptons, NY. David builds sheds and he is very talented at it I must say. A perfect read if you want to see how to build a New England Style Shed.

I cant wait to start building the studio.......now what colour should I paint it???

This weeks suggested book- Sheds

Home Sweet Home .....nearly

2011-05-19T13:49:00.006+01:00

We had some great news today .......... finally after months of selling a house in the UK and shipping all our bits and bobs to Australia in a sea container we finally got news from the bank and we have had our mortgage approved ....at last. So just one more little bit of paper work and hopefully we get a date soon.

Here is a sneaky peak at the little brick bungalow that we are hopefully going to be the next keepers of.

This is my vision for the little run down home after lots of love and heaps of work...... but Christian Faye and I are so looking forward to hammering, painting, sawing and making it our home sweet home.
The house that Cavania built will be staring here soon.
Image 1. www.gardenerandmarks.com.au

Chic Bracket Details

2011-05-18T00:33:00.001+01:00

love these simple but chic finishing touches.....stylish brackets.

Spirit of Summer Fair

2011-05-05T10:21:00.005+01:00

Cavania has some tickets to give away for the Spirit of Summer Fair next week at Olympia, London for our followers only.
........ you must be a follower so click on the column on the right of this and join, it's free, only 2 tickets per person.

Drop by our stand and say hello, we will have lots of new things to show you. STAND A18

You can also purchase tickets from here.....http://www.spiritofsummerfair.co.uk/

For a pair of free tickets send a self addressed envelope to....................

Cavania
Unit 1
Park Place
Harefield
Middlesex
UB9 6EJ

New Cards

2011-05-05T03:36:00.001+01:00

just some of Cavania's new cards.....

Tutu for a Princess

2011-05-03T01:28:00.001+01:00

My niece is birthday is not to far away and I decided to make a tutu....of course not a cushion or a shaped felt animal, a tutu! I've never made a tutu before and with NO pattern found a few spare hours and some tulle a tutu was soon ready to have it's finishing touches. I was secretly please with the end result and can't wait to see my nieces face when she opens it.

The Romance

2011-05-02T04:57:00.010+01:00

the happy couple......

Well the wait was worth it and now we can all reflect back and remember the beautiful event of the marriage of William & Kate.
ooooh the dress, the cake and the outfits, oooohhh its all too much, what a simply gorgeous day.

the cake.......
Prince William and his wife, Princess Kate Middleton cut the first first slice of the magnificent eight-tiered wedding cake, designed by acclaimed chef Fiona Cairns......it's gorgeous

the lace.......

The lace on the bodice of Kate Middleton's wedding dress was made in northern France, famed lacemakers Sophie Hallette said Friday after discovering on television how their work had been used.

Dress designer Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen asked the lacemakers, founded in 1887 and based in Caudry, to contribute to the wedding dress the now Duchess of Cambridge wore to marry Prince William.

"As usual with our speciality, we worked in absolute secrecy," said Romain Lescroart, the grandson of the company's founder. "We discovered our lace on the television when Kate Middleton finally appeared, leaving her car."

"Secretly we hoped that we were working on Kate Middleton's dress but it could have been for any other client.

"When we discovered that it was indeed the wedding dress, there was an explosion of joy and the news spread around the atelier in seconds. The 200 artisans are very proud," Lescroart said.

the bridesmaids......

the dress designer......

Kate Middleton's wedding dress designer, Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

Hop Hop

2011-04-15T12:54:00.002+01:00

some Easter inspiration........

Singer Sewing Machines

2011-04-11T08:42:00.001+01:00

My vintage Singer sewing machine 320k decided to play up on me and so I spent a while searching for a manuel on the internet, whilst doing so I came across these from the 1970's, very cute. Luckily I managed to pay a few pounds and download the PDF for mine and soon things were right as rain.

Braided Rug

2011-04-08T11:36:00.005+01:00

I have been working on Christmas cards this week and my brain is a little confused to be in heat of up to 35 and drawing snowflakes. So afterwork I have been playing with fabrics and making bits & bobs. I have always wanted to make a braided rug and finally I decided to give it a go, and it is very simple to do.

Simply cut or tear strips of fabric 3" wide and plait 3 lengths together, if you tear the fabric which I did, you will get frayed edges and this just shabby's it up a little. I am going to make a rug for my future verandah! hopefully by the end of the weekend it will be finished as it grows very quickly.

Have a lovely weekend x

Dress Making

2011-04-05T07:51:00.001+01:00

When I saw this fabric in a store I treated myself to a meter and now I'm making a dress/cover up. No pattern but I am making a giant Tshirt shape dress but now need my overlocker, which is at sea in a container so I will have to wait a few more weeks yet before it gets here. The weather is a little to hot here at the moment so a few weeks will be about perfect before I will be able to wear it as it is bit thick for the heat.
A beaded silver belt should be perfect to add a little detail at the hip.

Mother's Day

2011-04-03T14:45:00.002+01:00

Happy mother's day today to all the Mum's in the UK and especially to my Mum, hope you liked the Puffin Mum.
We have had a family chill day a walk along the beach and a BBQ over at my Brother & Sister in laws, the kids had fun in the spa and we just chilled and chatted along with a crazy chicken, Marsha, who thinks she is human!

Is it getting hot in here yet

2011-03-28T08:24:00.002+01:00

This lovely old fan was covered in dirt and dust and unwanted on the floor at a garage sale but as soon as I spotted it both Faye and I said "well have it". So $10 later and some careful cleaning this retro pale blue fan is now sitting in my kitchen just waiting for another hot day.

Vintage Enamel Sugar Pot

2011-03-27T10:21:00.001+01:00

A perfect find to keep all my scraps of ribbon in, a vintage enameled sugar pot. I love the chips and dents from its years of use, now it will sit on my studio dresser and be admired by me daily.

And We're Off

2011-03-17T09:05:00.004Z

The house was packed into a 40ft sea container yesterday and we slept on blow up beds last night, back is a little stiff today but unsure if it was from lifting boxes! Today is strange the house is echoey and big oh so big with no furniture in it, I wonder if I put everything back in it would I have more room now????? We have spent the last fortnight sorting and condensing so much went to the charity shops and out for recycling, I am sure I would have a whole empty room's worth gone. I highly recommend a good clear out ... say every 5 years, just pretend your moving and tidy up!

Now to fill all the picture holes on the walls and do some touch up paint and of course a good scrub all over, no one can say I don't leave a house spotless. The teapot, cups and a vintage glass cake stand are still in the cupboards as these will be the last things to wrap and pop in a box to go into storage. Tea and cake at my house today for all so do pop by and say hello before we get on a plane tonight and head for Australia.

Lots of tears, heart ache and apprehension whizzing around my little 'brainical'... must put the laptop down and get up out of this blowup bed and face my day.

Bye England for now and thank you house for being a wonderful home and all the memories you have given me.
A very very teary Karen xxxxx

Country Greens

2011-03-08T09:46:00.006Z

The sun has popped out from behind the clouds and for the last few days we have been enjoying glorious spring days here in the UK, although still cold in the shade. I have spent all of today in the garden cleaning out the little summer house Christian built me a couple of summers ago. Boxing up all my little bits and bobs was rather upsetting as we spent so long making it and Faye and I even wallpapered the inside, so many wonderful laughs and giggles. The sea container is booked for next Tuesday and Wednesday so the butterflies are really starting to flap their wings. But trying to feel inspired and thinking of new ideas for our next adventure....... here are some country green spring treats to ponder over.

I love the romantic country feeling to this outfit and the wall of glass storage jars.

1. James Merrelle
2.3.4. www.mixr.se
5. Photo credit William Steele
6. My little summerhouse from one of last years photo shoots at the bottom of the garden.

Dreaming of Swing Chairs

2011-02-27T14:24:00.002Z

Well my world is a little topsy turvy at the moment as my home is filled with boxes!!! We are selling our house and will be sending everything in a sea container to Australia soon, to be honest I am a little scared....... but the thought of a swing chair to relax in of an evening is a warming one. So I have been collecting images of different styles of swing chairs and beds to put on my wish list.

1. inspiracionline.blogspot.com
2. Texan porch with antique swing chair, Country Living
3. Swing bed in Coastal Living via DreamHouse Blogspot
4. Spanish cedar porch swing bed
5. Chippendale swing bed
You can also see a great selection of swing chairs and ideas over at www.porchswingsplus.com

New Cavania Corsages

2011-02-20T17:26:00.007Z

Three new Cavania corsages now available to order, each one is hand made and will be a gorgeous addition on any jacket or bag. You could even add them to a hat or for a real vintage touch tie a ribbon sash around the wast of a pretty dress and attach one of these for a chic finish.

Pure London

2011-02-13T08:32:00.000Z

Cavania is exhibiting for the first time at 'Pure' London a trade fashion show, 13th- 15th February 2011 at Olympia.
Come and see our little vintage boutique stand K59

To register for entry click here for Pure.

Relax with Coast Magazine

2011-02-12T09:06:00.003Z

What a few weeks we have had at Cavania to say we were busy it a total understatement, I am a little tired....OK a lot.
First we had 'Top Drawer' and then Christian and Ian built our very own stand alone Cavania concession in a Garden Centre, official opening and photos to follow shortly. We finished breaking down the 'Spring Fair' stand late Thursday night, where we had 2 stands and yesterday set up at Pure, London which starts tomorrow 13th February.

So today I am having my first day of for weeeeeks and Mr Postman must have known and to my delight this months copy of Coast landed on my door step. I couldn't believe what was on the front cover..... I just had to share.

My 'Suki' in her little slatted garage tucked up out of the rain surrounded by furniture waiting for a little TLC and a coat of paint, the furniture that is not Suki.

Suki is Japanese for sky

Spring Fair 2011

2011-02-08T10:12:00.000Z

My 'Spring Fair' stand in Hall 9.

Spinning Around

2011-01-31T22:03:00.004Z

When ever I see a herringbone wood floor I want to put on a tutu and spin around like a ballerina!
lalalalala
or slide across it on my knees :) and pretend like I am three
weehhee

what makes the child in you want to come out and play?

Shop Display Furniture

2011-01-17T19:21:00.004Z

Top Drawer Spring 2011

Well we made it and Christian and I are a little tired but so glad to have managed to set up on time and what a start to the year. Top Drawer has seen the launch of our lovely ivory chic shop furniture, and I must say what a difference it made to displaying so much product without a clutter feeling.

The full length wooden card rack with adjustable shelves looks fabulous and a number of stylish retailers have ordered themselves some new furniture for there stores.
The full length glass jewellery cabinet with storage drawer, perfect for any boutique, is all sold out now. Orders being taken now so reserve your furniture from our next delivery in April/May.
Last day at Top Drawer tomorrow, we are stand G29 and if you can't make it.....see in a couple of weeks at the Birmingham 'Spring Fair'.

Cavania shop display furniture

Top Drawer Spring 2011

2011-01-12T21:36:00.005Z

Our first show of the year is this weekend at Earls Court, London. This is a trade only show so if you are a store visit the Top Drawer website to register www.topdrawer.co.uk

The photos we took back in Australia on the 22nd December and wow what a day Christian and I had. We did get a few strange looks setting up chairs and scarves in the water, one thing was for sure we didn't have to worry about not having enough light, and I got a little bit sun burnt it was just before 9am when we went down to the beach and it took us an hour to get all the shots, it was such a bad day in the office that day!
See you at the show xxx

Black & Cream

2011-01-10T08:18:00.002Z

Here are just some of the inspirational images on my pin-up board at the moment in my studio.
I'm sat in my warm cosy UK home studio watching dog walkers wander past the window all bundled up under layers of warm clothing. I arrived back into London on late last Wednesday and have had a whirlwind last 4 days, but it is so lovely coming home. Waking up to a crisp white covering from Mr Jack Frost who has been very busy last night was magical.
Back to work for me today with a very large mug of hot tea and to finish a range of girlie floral cards, no breaks as I have gone over my deadline!
Have a beautiful day xxx

Photo by David Bellemere

Image 1/2 by Lucinda Symonds

Church for Sale in the UK

2011-01-01T08:10:00.002Z

My little church in Brixham, Devon on the market to sell.
St Peter's has full planning permission to be turned into a stunning 4/5 bedroom, 4 bathroom, family home over 3 levels.
More pitures and plans can be seen here at www.property.org.uk

Here are some of the images from my 'Church' folder, I have so many ideas and just hope to maybe one day see St Peter's in all it's finished glory as a home. It was just left to rot when we discovered it and it then took 11 months of very hard work to get full planning permission.

Asking price £120,000, sensible offers are welcome. Please email me with any questions or if you would like to receive an email of the granted planning permission drawings.

Church for Sale in the UK

Merry Christmas Everyone

2010-12-23T10:11:00.003Z

We wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Thank you so much for your support and for helping make this year a lovely one.
From all of us at
Cavania xxx

Christmas Start's

2010-12-09T00:04:00.002Z

Christmas has started in our house and the decorations are finding their way to their new homes, on bookshelves, doors, window dressings.
I visited the patchwork fabric store today in town and some lovely white & red fabrics just insisted on being purchased. So that rather inconspicuous brown paper bag is the start of a sewing evening ahead of me, maybe some finished things to show you tomorrow.

Loving lace

2010-12-08T00:05:00.001Z

Totally love lace and here are some some of my inspirational images.
1. Luvpublishing
2. Mingtaphotograph
3.We Covert

New ceramics for Cavania

2010-12-07T13:14:00.004Z

I have been working on new Cavania gift lines for 2011 and thought you might like a sneaky peek. Once they are dry they will be fired and then I can play with different glazing techniques and colour. I am so excited they have turned out so much better then expected and I cant wait to show you all the others I have made.

Country Cottage Cushions

2010-11-29T00:07:00.005Z

Me and my 1958 singer sewing machine spent the weekend making cushions, I thought it about time to add some country cottage chic to the sofa and cosy it up in time for Christmas. It has been so hot here in WA that the aircon has been on in the day and the ceiling fans whirring at night, I still have not got used to the heat and on my Facebook friends back in the UK had photos of snow in their gardens. A sneaky union jack cushion managed to make it into the mix.

It's been many many years since I last made a cushion and these were a little more complicated then just a front/back/frill, which is what I had intended. I made pillow case backs for ease and decided to do a little more then just plain backs too. Now I have the sewing bug, hmmmm what can I make next.........

A Splash of Colour

2010-11-26T00:30:00.005Z

I like white, cream, white, pale grey, white, beige, and you guessed it .......white. But maybe it's the sunlight and the big blue ocean outside my window that has drawn into loving a splash of colour? I so want a sample wallpaper wall in my home, genius.
This is a home in the UK that can be hired out for film/photo shoots via www.lightlocations.com.
enjoy :)

Have a lovely weekend......only 29 days till Christmas.

New York farmhouse

2010-11-25T08:37:00.003Z

I have been researching kit homes as our dream would be to build our own home here in Australia and whilst adding images to my dream home file I came across this delightful 100 year old New York Farmhouse. I particularly like the custom-built cabinet along side the stairs and the double door either end giving you a central focal point to the house.

Another thing I like is displaying your collection of cooking and baking equipment, I have been collecting old enameled jugs and dishes so this would look lovely in any country kitchen. so love the old brown mixing bowls.

Images/story Country Living

What's behind the blue door

2010-11-18T00:30:00.000Z

The sunlight of a still morning, the fresh clean air of a new day, bird song through an open window and a bowl of flowers from your own garden, what a perfect start to a day.
So what's behind the blue door in this perfect imaginary world?
.........here are a few of my favorite things.........

1.Photo: Cote Ouest Avril-Mai 2010
2/3.www.mixr.se
others from my dream house folder, unknown.

Spirit of Christmas 2010

2010-11-06T08:00:00.001Z

A photo of the champagne bar at The Spirit of Christmas Fair in the center of the grand room before the day starts, which we are opposite and I have lost count with the amount of corks popping I have heard since Wednesday. The glasses have been over following with bubbly and the ladies have certainly been lunching and laughing.

Spirit of Christmas 2010

Fireworks

2010-11-05T09:03:00.000Z

Fireworks in Venice Paul Verlaine 1924

Be safe and wrap up warm

Spirit of Christmas 2010

2010-11-04T07:52:00.006Z

The new Cavania shop display furniture has work wonders and has made it so much easier to display and large amount of stock. If you are a store and are interested in the Cavania Shappy Chic display furniture and card racks call the office for more information. UK 01895 824899.

Just a quick update this morning before I run out the door to catch a train today (hopefully!) the stand looks fab i am so pleased with it.
Stand D41 pop by and say hello.
Karen xxx
Spirit of Christmas 2010

Tickets

2010-11-03T21:39:00.001Z

Just to let you all know, all our free tickets have now gone for both retail shows.
xxx

Time for Sleep

2010-11-01T20:37:00.002Z

I am so tied I think I could sleep for a week.
Day one of the build at Spirit of Christmas fair has come to an end and tomorrow we are back to finish put all the products on the shelves. I have made lots of new gifts especially for the show and I cant wait to hang all the new bunting up tomorrow. The show looks fabulous as usual I will try and post tomorrow night with some sneaky pics of the show.
I just hope that I don't wake up at 2.30am again tomorrow this jet lag thing is a bit of a pain!

1. via My Lazy Apples
2. Cosy bed via Vintage Indie

Happy Halloween

2010-10-30T00:02:00.000+01:00

images
1. www.thecheapgirl.com
2/3. www.folksy.com
4. Halloween-themed outfit by designer Samuel Cirnansck at the Sao Paula fashion week 2010.

Up Up and Away

2010-10-27T00:02:00.000+01:00

Today I am starting my long journey back to the UK to attend the two Christmas show, I think I may have told you about those before?
have a four hour car trip down to the city and then hang around the airport to wait for my midnight flight, 7 hours before a couple of hours stop over in Hong Kong, the next leg of my journey 13 hours to London. Fortunately my home and cats are just 30 minutes away from Heathrow so I can collapse into bed with my two cats and sleep. I have missed them so much and James has been there everyday looking after them or should I say spoiling them.

I will try and post again in a few days and show you the stand set up, it's a huge space we have in the centre of the Spirit of Christmas show which I am excited and nervous about all at the same time. I have had bespoke shop furniture made and will be setting the stand up as if it was a boutique store. The dressers, tables and bespoke wooden card racks will be available for stores to order shortly, all white and shabby chic.
Cavania shop fittings what ever next I must be mad!
See you in London xxx

Country Living Christmas Fair

2010-10-26T00:01:00.001+01:00

We will be exhibiting at the Country Living Christmas Fair.
Do pop by and say hello :)
See you at the show.

To purchase tickets www.countrylivingfair.com

Free Tickets Spirit of Christmas Fair 2010

2010-10-25T10:23:00.007+01:00

We have 15 pairs of tickets left for the Spirit of Christmas Fair which starts next week at Olympia London. These tickets are for Cavania Followers only so just click on the FOLLOW box in the right hand column and join. Send a self address envelope to the office with a note in it requesting the Spirit of Christmas tickets. Limited to 2 tickets per person.
Post to-
Cavania
Attn: Paul
Cavania
Unit 1
Park Place
Harefield
Middlesex
UB9 6EJ

I'm leaving Australia on wednesday to get back to London and set the stand up so do pop by and say hello....
See you at the show xxx

Please note that we have no Country Living tickets left but you can purchase them through the Country Living site. www.countrylivingfair.com

Stunning Paper Art

2010-10-22T00:06:00.000+01:00

Chanel Haute Couture Spring Summer 2009

Headdresses by Katsuya Kamo dreamlike visions in mostly white made from standard printer paper.

Monochrome arrangements of roses, daisies, leaves and petals winding their way up and around the room’s 32 columns and draped over the railings of the entry stairway where the models appeared. 84 round tables with their tablecloths and paper bouquets. There were 7000 handmade paper flowers, which took a total of 4800 hours of work to assemble. 4000 m2 of paper were needed to create the sculptures.
Take a look at more Chanel News

Underwater Art

2010-10-21T00:04:00.001+01:00

THE Cancun and Isla Mujeres Underwater Art Museum has revealed a spectacular new addition - 400 human statues. Created by British artist Jason de Caires Taylor, the sculptures were made using “life casts of real people”. Created with PH neutral concrete, the sculptures will allow algae and small invertebrates to flourish, boosting the local ecosystem. The appearance of the sculptures will change over time as the coral reefs and marine life grow.
Story and for more photos click here news.com.au

The museum plans to install more than 400 concrete sculptures off the coast of Mexico from artists around the world.

1.The cement finish and chemical composition of Vicissitudes actively promotes the colonisation of coral and marine life / Jason de Caires Taylor

2.Amazing and eerie underwater sculptures of 26 life size figures at Grenada, West Indies.
The sculptures, called Vicissitudes, show a circle of figures which are linked through holding hands. These are life-size casts taken from a group of children of diverse ethnic background / Jason de Caires Taylor

3.Created by British artist Jason de Caires Taylor, the sculptures were created using "life casts of real people". Picture: Barcroft Pacific

4.Underwater sculpture of faces / Jason de Caires Taylor

5.Man on Fire has 75 holes planted with fire coral. Picture: Jason de Caires Taylor

6.Dream Collector features dozens of bottles containing messages. Picture: Jason de Caires Taylor

7.The new sculptures were carefully submerged to a variety of different depths throughout the national park. Picture: Barcroft Pacific

Florals, never enough

2010-10-20T00:06:00.002+01:00

Feeling like covering everything in the house in colour today and what better then florals. Country garden florals with a twist of vintage perfect for a lazy afternoon sipping ice tea and a slice of lemon cake. You know what I will be looking for this weekend whilst garage sale'ing........

Images from Country Living

Paper Art

2010-10-19T00:26:00.001+01:00

Beautiful paper art.......

Beautiful paper flowers by paper artist Jo Lynn Alcorn adorn the staircase by Amy Lau in the Kip's Bay showhouse New York.

loving Lace Shoes

2010-10-18T00:14:00.002+01:00

Coppelia Pique's lace Stilettos

Philip Tracey's Lace shoes for Valentino

Shoes decorated by Esme Timbery for Romance Was Born, Spring/Summer, 2009/2010

Lace Bow Peeptoe Dolce & Gabbana

Photo by Andy Julia

Alexis Mabille Fall 2009

Shoes designed by Pat Berryhill. Each of his designs are one-of-a kind, you're bound to find a pair fit for every occasion.

Marie Antoinette limited edition shoes by Christian Louboutin

Studio Day

2010-10-14T03:25:00.004+01:00

la la la in the studio today painting butterflies and flowers...... la la la busy busy busy.
Take time to smile with your heart today xxxx

Airing of the Quilts

2010-10-13T00:07:00.003+01:00

Country music playing and adding more atmosphere to the parade, they were certainly happy chaps and looked as though they were throughly enjoying themselves.

A display of vintage sewing machines and I found out how old my green Singer was as there was the exact one sitting on a shelf and it was made 1958. I am amazed at how smooth my one glides across the fabric and she is 12 years older then me!

A patchwork from the Quilters of Northampton, United Kingdom was also on display.

The glorious hot sun shone so brightly all day and we took shelter in the shade of the big gums along they way.

I look forward to visiting Northampton next year for the Airing of the Quilts.

Airing of the Quilts

2010-10-12T00:04:00.000+01:00

Faye, Christian and his Mum & Dad resting in the shade of the gum trees and quilts on our Airing of the Quilts day out in Northampton, WA.

A display of native flowers with some stunning works of art from Mother Nature.

Eucalyptus Macrocarpa, you couldn't create such a wonderful flower.

Lambswool, lachnostachys Eriobotrya

Meet the girls from Nanna's Notions, Lyn & Lyndell who's stall was filled with vintage sewing goodies and I couldn't resist purchasing some old ric-rack.

more from Airing of the Quilts tomorrow.

Airing of the Quilts

2010-10-11T00:06:00.002+01:00

Saturday was Airing of the Quilts in Northampton WA so off we went on a 40 minute journey slightly inland. It was very warm and dry there and like a step back in time for me. The shops looked as though they had not changed from the era in which they were built, worn wooden floors, pressed tin ceilings and coloured glass panels above the doors and windows it was just delightful. The main street with it's parades of stores with tin bull nose verandahs and each had quilts strung outside. The old convent's verandah's were lined on both levels and the wonderful gum trees out the front had ropes strung with more perfect patchwork creations.

The old rusty gates to the convent were so lovely I thought you might like to see them too.

more from Northampton's Airing of the Quilts tomorrow.

Free tickets for The Spirit of Christmas Fair

2010-10-07T00:14:00.000+01:00

Cavania will be attending The Spirit of Christmas and The Country Living Fair both in London, so if you would like a free pair of tickets to one of these shows just pop a self addressed envelope into the post and put in a note as to which show you would like the tickets for.

Please note that these tickets are for Cavania followers only so if you have not joined please do so on the right hand column.

Cavania
attn: Paul
Unit 1 Park Place
Harefield
Middlesex
UB9 6EJ

Two Brothers One Table

2010-10-06T00:01:00.000+01:00

I wanted a nice big table but have been unable to find one suitable in the secondhand shops here in Geraldton even the garage sales didn't turn one up for us. So my clever Husband decided to make me a table big enough for me to work and paint on as well being able to use it for entertaining. Having never made a table before he set too with lengths of wood and four turned legs, and a very limited number of tools mainly borrowed from his brother Geoffery. Much to Christians delight Geoffery turned up to lend a hand and the two of them spent a couple of hours in the garage hammering and chiseling away and I must say what a wonderful job they had done and what a fabulous table I now have. It will stay with us forever as it was made by the 'Two Brothers'.

White Interiors

2010-09-30T00:04:00.000+01:00

Dreaming today of white interiors.......

images
1/2 in my 'Dream House' folder and I can't remember where they were from.
3/4 recipe book author camilla jensen
5 photo Jan Baldwin for Waterside Living by Leslie Geddes-Brown.
6 photo Cote Sud

giddy up horsey

2010-09-27T00:31:00.004+01:00

Our lovely hand carve horses have been racing out of the starters blocks and jumping onto shop shelves, everyone loves them and so do I. The wood is from a sustainable source and each one is individual and made with care and attention. The horses are made from farmed Paulina wood and we are working with a village that specializes in the growing and carving of the wood. Tradition has it that on the birth of a daughter a tree is planted and when she is married a gift is carved form the wood of the tree.

pretty laser card

2010-09-24T00:15:00.004+01:00

I have been designing and playing with some new cards for our Classic laser greeting car range I thought you might like to take a look.

pretty cakes

2010-09-23T13:58:00.003+01:00

These gorgeous cakes are by New-Yorked based Cake Hero.
Think I might buy a block of royal icing at the weekend and have a go at making some icing flowers myself.

Vintage Aprons

2010-09-22T01:59:00.000+01:00

I found three charming embroidered aprons they all look as though they were school projects for a yesteryear I found at a garage sale. Below are photos of two of the aprons, pansies and a lady fishing, not sure what era they would have been from, any ideas anyone?
The third one is much smaller so will have to convince Faye to model it for me.

Avon Calling

2010-09-20T00:30:00.000+01:00

'Bing Bong' Avon Calling...... these gorgeous soaps and perfume are from Avon and dated 1976, almost as old as me... give or take six years. I love the packaging and colours so they are on my dresser in the studio and the perfume smells still so sweet. My Nan used to get little bits like these when I was a child and my clothes drawers would always have a bar of scented soap in them for fragrance. Just smelling these soaps takes me back to being in her house, simply priceless.

Have a lovely weekend

2010-09-17T00:37:00.001+01:00

Well I am driving to Perth today to pick Christian up at the airport, and I must say I am a little (Ok... a lot) apprehensive about the drive. Four hours through not very much, a couple of road houses and a few small towns with the population of 50 to 286 which is rather precise, but then I guess there aren't to many people to count!.
I've not done it before on my own and I have a map, but then I can't really get lost as there is only the one road.
Can't wait to see him again, I have missed him so.

Have a lovely weekend everyone and hope yours is filled with love too.
xxx

Top Drawer Autumn 2010

2010-09-16T00:04:00.001+01:00

Some photos from The Top Drawer Stand at Olympia London. All I can say is "wow" you guys did a fabulous job, I am so proud or should I be upset that you don't need me anymore!!! Which ever, all I know is it looked amazing and I wish I had been there to see it.
I have been busy working on more new scarf designs and patterns for wrapping paper, stationery and textiles so lots of new things to see for SS/11.

From the beach house

2010-09-15T00:24:00.005+01:00

Quick I have internet access ......... it's been down for 5 days again, driving me a little mad!!!!! So more photos from the beach house and of my vintage finds.

Meet dobbing my rocking horse he is a one off a kind and was made 19 years ago by a gentlemen named Bill from Shark Bay, but his nickname was Bull because he was such a big fello. Bull made this for his grandson and he was a skilled pattern maker. Hopefully he is going to bring us a little luck and be sitting in a nursery one day! Even if he doesn't make it to a nursery I just love him and he can sit right here for all to see.

Driftwood scattered around.

When I saw this scrumptious glass cake stand and dome cover, oh la la, it just had to be.
Hopefully the internet stays on long enough and I can make a post for tomorrow and show the last trade show stand that Christian packed up last night, at Top Drawer, Olympia, London. He gets back here on Friday night the poor love did 18 days straight, 2 shows back to back and 38.5 hr transit both ways between Geraldton,WA and London Heathrow. I think he will need a fews days off.

Free tickets for the Xmas Fairs

2010-09-15T00:01:00.002+01:00

Well I must say you are an organised bunch as I have had four requests for tickets for the two retail shows in November. "Yes" :) Cavania will be attending The Spirit of Christmas and The Country Living Fair both in London, so if you would like a free pair of tickets to one of these shows just pop a self addressed envelope into the post and put in a note as to which show you would like the tickets for.

Please note that these tickets are for Cavania followers only so if you have not joined please do so on the right hand column.

Cavania
attn: Paul
Unit 1 Park Place
Harefield
Middlesex
UB9 6EJ

Veggie Basket

2010-09-14T00:02:00.000+01:00

Scrumptious veggies home grown... not by me... not yet anyway, but by Wendy in her veggie garden. Not pestersides or chemicals all completely organic and so full of flavor.

Latest Stand

2010-09-09T13:37:00.003+01:00

Cavania has just finished exhibiting at the Autumn Fair, NEC Birmingham for four days.......now we are setting up at Top Drawer, Olympia London.......Oh the gang are so tied. But the stand looks fabulous guys, well done.

Chapman Valley fair

2010-09-07T00:04:00.001+01:00

I visited the Chapman Valley Fair at the weekend and have a bundle of pictures to show you over the next week. I thought that the home grown flowers and arrangements would be a wonderful place to start.

Many of the flowers are new to me as they are native and I am slowly learning the names.

Shabby Chic Furniture

2010-09-06T04:00:00.000+01:00

More of the furniture I have been collecting has been finished and now in the Beach House, I have given it all a shabby chic finish for that vintage effect.
Using different shades of white, cream or grey's for the finish colour makes them all tone and sit together nicely. If I had used all the same colour cream it may have been a little bland for such a large room.

I treated myself to this vintage wooden bobbin at an antique market, it came from an old weaving loom somewhere in Australia. I need to find some of my crochet laces and ribbons to wind on it, they are some where in a box here, I still have not unpacked everything I brought. But now I have some furniture to put things on I will have to sort through the boxes.

Little hand painted hearts.... Faye, Christian and Karen. Family Love.

A lovely old basket I found at a charity garage sale last weekend, perfect for my waste paper bin. It reminds me of my Great Aunts as a child I am sure one of my Nan's sisters had something like this.

Thank you

2010-09-06T03:07:00.005+01:00

Just a quick post and a huge thank you to Torie Jayne, as I have just discovered I was the lucky winner of her recent giveaway.
I can't wait for the parcel to arrive.....I feel a photo shoot coming on.

Mirror mirror

2010-09-05T00:04:00.000+01:00

Mirror mirror on the floor...........
oh my look at what treasure I have found, I saw this art deco inspired mirror in a secondhand store and instantly liked it. After contemplating for a few days and a lot of hints to Christian we finally went back and managed to get it for $100 with another picture frame. I cleaned it carefully with soapy water and the backing paper was torn so I was pulling out the loose papers to tidy it up and to my surprise the stuffing was an old newspaper. The mirror backing had been lined with the newspaper, Australian, and was dated was January 18th, 1916 so this gorgeous mirror is nearly 100 years old, it has worn patina on the mirror glass and chips on the gilt frame. I put the paper back and taped up the tears so as to keep its history intact.

'Dear mirror if only you could tell me where you have been hung and what you have seen. You are so grand you must have had pride of place in a beautiful home'

Crab Hunting

2010-09-03T00:15:00.000+01:00

"Hey look here there's a hole ....... a crab hole", if Mina the poodle could talk thats exactly what she would be shouting at us.

"I know there's something in there" she is telling me.

"That's it I can't wait for you to put the camera down, I'm going in...... wish me luck!"

The very cute Mina belongs to Wendy my Sister-in-law, I so want a poodle of my own...... please Christian....pretty please.

Beach House Stylish Sofa

2010-09-02T00:04:00.005+01:00

Project: Sofa makeover for the Beach House
Total spend : $326

I have finished the sofas and thought you might like to see the end results, I am very please with the way they have turned out. We stumbled upon this 3 piece suit in a second hand store and after sanding the frames back and giving them three coats of wood paint, I recovered the cushions with fabric I found for $1 a meter in the sale at Spotlight, which couldn't have been more perfect for the beach house look I wanted to achieve. Now I need to make some scatter cushions for some colour and frill.

Below are a few photos of some gorgeous fabrics and designs from the Ralph Lauren Home collections. This style and look was the inspiration behind the recovering of the sofas for the beach house.

Before the makeover-