insidetheborder

These days we are overloaded with images of stunning, fresh, luxurious, quirky (the list goes on) interiors that we are supposed to ‘aspire’ to. But there’s nothing like keeping things real with some diagonal wood wall panelling and diagonally patterned blue & white striped tiles with matching blue taps. It’s the next big thing in interiors styling, look out for it in Vogue Living.

Sometimes things don’t work out the way you thought or hoped they would. But then looking back, even though it was unexpected, things turned out better. I never aim for double exposure on a photo, but when it does happen, it’s usually a happy accident that adds a whole new dimension to a picture.

Ever had the feeling a building has snuck up on you and appeared out of nowhere? These types of buildings do exist, such as this walking house or an AT-AT Walker from Star Wars (strictly speaking not a building, but still an extra large walking structure). Although these weren’t designed to stealthily appear behind you due to their slow speed, they apparently have cousins in Melbourne that were.

Another week, another picture of a housing commission flat. I recently bought a whole heap of old Architectural Review UK magazines from the 60s and 70s that feature a lot of brand new public housing blocks in Britain. They are photographed in a way that made them look super appealing and ideal places to live, but we all know things didn’t quite turn out that way. This tower on Wellington Street in Collingwood actually manages to look pretty cheery – with its blue skies, lush surrounding vegetation and coloured window surrounds it doesn’t look too grim a place to live. Just like they imagined in the 60s.

Well the long weekend is coming up and since I’m heading down to the beach I thought I’d get into the holiday spirit with some photos of what makes a good trip – such as sun, sand, exciting new supermarkets and strange convenience stores. And although these shots are in the little known, deserted, off the beaten track island of Bali (you may have heard of it, but only if you are really into making new discoveries) fingers crossed the Surf Coast will deliver everything Bali does, including sunburn, braids, cheap rolex knock offs and bintang singlets.

Aaaah, Bluebird Espresso – home to my favourite coffee in Melbourne, therefore probably in Australia and by default the world. Which reminds me of the movie Elf when Buddy sees a sign for ‘World’s Best Cup of Coffee’ in New York. Well, Bluebird doesn’t look anything like that and the staff are a lot friendlier. I like to while away at least one lunchtime a week here with a cappuccino and sandwich while indulging in the guilty pleasure of reading the Confidential pages of the Herald Sun. Yes very shallow of me, but it’s MY lunchtime so I don’t care.

The beautifully textured red bricks walls of old inner city industrial buildings shown here are the former Victoria Distillery, which has now been converted into flats and the other two buildings are old warehouses which now serve as wholesale clothing outlets. When my tattslotto cheque comes through I might think about buying one of these old dumps.

A big weekend was had in Adelaide, which consisted of visits to Henley Beach, Hahndorf, the ChocoVino Experience, Norwood Food & Wine Festival and the Gilles Street Market. At the market we scored big time, picking up a yellow leather shoulder bag, an Isiah Thomas Pistons singlet and some tasty mini cupcakes. Everyone was very relaxed and there was a refreshing lack of the too-cool-for-school attitude that is sometimes prevalent in Melbourne. Also while in Adelaide I saw some Adelaide Crows and Port Power easter eggs in Coles. I always knew Jesus and football went hand in hand.