Moody

No not me.......the walls!!!    Are you ready for some dark moody colours on your walls???  Love these photos of other people's rooms but not brave enough to stray from beige or off white?  I too, am still living within the safe confines of beige and whites with a bit of tint.  Why is it that when we are younger we love colour in full saturation..... the brighter the better?   As a child whenever we moved, which we did often, we were allowed to decorate our bedrooms.   I once went through a navy blue and green phase and chose a very vibrant green for the walls (which was soon repainted a slightly more muted shade of green at my parents suggestion)  I still love that green but now enjoy it in foliage in a vase or in the garden!

To a certain extent when choosing colours we are dictated to by factors such as natural light, space and the orientation and era of our homes.    I love the colours on these walls, but note, both rooms have huge expanses of glass letting in plenty of natural light....something to consider when building or renovating.

photos via Abigail Ahern blog

For the moment I will get my fix of dark walls at ecoco.....watch that space!  I'm in the mood for painting and I have a tinting machine full of tints!!!

Jason Grant & Murobond

Mr Jason Grant, previously the style director for Real Living Magazine has collaborated with Murobond to develop a limited edition range of paint colours.

"Working with Murobond is a dream come true," says Jason.

photos via deisgn files

Colours include cool greys, military green and soft blues, with some warm neutrals and some toned down splashes of colour.

Mr Jason Grant limited addition paints for Murobond officially launch next month and are priced at $39 a litre.

See the entire range of Murobond colours and finishes available at ecoco. 

Mixing Old & New

Team old with glamorous new pieces to give a room instant personality. 

We have some beautiful new lamps in and an extensive range of  fabric samples so that you can customise your lamp shade.   Choose from earthy textured  fabrics or glamorous glitter.....there is something for everyone!

Shannon Fricke @ ecoco

We are excited to announce that interiors expert, author and television personality, Shannon Fricke will be holding a decorating workshop at ecoco in September.  Shannon is taking her popular How To Decorate workshop on the road and Launceston, Tasmania is her first port of call.  Visit Shannon's website and blog for all the details... http://www.shannonfricke.com/

all images from Shannon Fricke blog

ottomans

These are our gorgeous new charcoal and stone ottomans, firm and great for putting your feet up on.  More of our similar bean bags will be in this week.

Everyone loves the recycled glass grape lights, seen here as decoration on a table.

Last week we received new lamps, cushions, cow hides and throws....

and some beautiful handmade local jewellery.......earrings and necklaces.

Perfectly Kept House!

home

Today we received some gorgeous new books.  One I have been waiting for for ages, "A Perfectly Kept House Is The Sign Of A Misspent Life" - love it.   I think it could become my new motto!  It's full of photos of "lived in" homes, which I personally find much more interesting than boring bland perfect spaces.  The homes are filled with collections, memories, children, pets, clutter, work, and lots of creativity. 
Which brings me to this photo of home, living with four males has its challenges, I gave up trying to have a perfectly kept home years ago, can't even photograph my own home without capturing a collection of ties and clothes hanging off the dining room chairs!   Then when I looked closer at the photo (which was taken about 4 years ago) on the blackboard is the "Tidy Bedroom Competition" one of my many strategies for trying to encourage the boys to keep their rooms tidy.  I don't think anyone has any points!!!

care & fair

This week ecoco will be featured in the newsletter of Go Fair, a Launceston organisation which promotes fair and ethical trade.   Part of the philosophy on which our business is founded was to support fair and ethical trade where possible.

These images are of the Armadillo & Co artisans who are paid above average wages, and are integral to their local communities livelihood.  They are carrying on the tradition of carpet weaving that has been passed down through generations.

Images via Armadillo & Co website

These are our new samples of the pebble weave woollen floor rugs... made by artisans...made to last.

Artisans in South Africa making wonki ware...also paid fairly and integral to their local communities livelihood...

We also stock fair trade and organic cotton clothing from 3fish and fair/organic cotton bed linen.  Only the strongest organically grown cotton plants survive, producing a longer and stronger thread which in turn makes premium quality products. 

Ever wondered why buy organic/fair trade cotton?  This 8 minute documentry, "White Gold, the true cost of cotton," will give some idea of why we should condsider where our cotton and other products we buy come from.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n39T35Ia_4