Inspired Home: Gardener and Marks White Natural History Cottage

White, shabby, natural, light filled, old, rusty, sparkly, vintage, ethereal, industrial... some of the words that come to mind when I see these lovely images from Gardener & Marks, an Australian design firm, that also specializes in renting out props for a myriad of uses. This home was once a 1900's mattress factory.

Seriously, between the plank floors, exposed beam ceilings, natural history vibe, powder coats of white paint on the beadboard and brick for this industrial cottage feel, when can I move in?

Playfully Somber

floral canopy bed ~ tracery interiors

There is a balance to be had for a somber effect. An endearing touch to make the space inviting,
and it's in those playful touches that can be achieved. The floral canopy isn't particularly somber
with all of the white, but it does have some melancholy feel to it. Perhaps it's just my perception,
with all of the canopies in the victorian gothic novels I have read.

I have an abiding admiration for vintage ephemera and those who procure them so freely for the
internets enjoyment. These images you can print and play with seemed fitting in some way.

farmhouse chair fine art photographic print ~ jack the hat

la mode illustre patterns from april 19, 1896 ~ free images via the graphics fairy

dining table ~ lonny

butterflies and beetles ~ lisa leonard

bedroom~ photographer tobias harvey
I'm actually kind of in love with this bedroom.

 old book png image ~ free graphics at percy and bloom

Oh So Lofty

I have always loved the idea of living in a loft. A footed tub behind a dressing screen. Gigantic wall spaces for large gaudy antique portraits, industrial cabling with grommet fastened canvas room divider slides, random columns and/or beams, cool concrete floors... so basically none of this would be practical with toddlers and a big dog in a suburb, but a girl can imagine, right? Loft images from Loft Life Magazine. Love it!