It's a Classical Life

Source Have you visited Jane Austen's house before? Classified as a "cottage" in Chawton, Hampshire, it is a Grade 1 listed building kept in the original condition of the house Jane lived in. The cottage is open to the public and offers guided tours, lectures and other Austen-inspired activities. And the best news is, you can visit it from the comfort of your own home!  Today I want to share some home decor tips based on the Jane Austen Virtual Tour. If you haven't before, pop over to the website here and have a look around. Then come back and join the discussion on how we can de-clutter and decorate with Jane Austen.  Tip 1: Don't be afraid of blank walls When you step into the Drawing Room the sense of space is magnified by the fact that there are blank walls devoid of both furniture or decoration. Of course, there is artwork on some parts of the wall, but there are swathes of blank wall that contradict the modern notion that all parts of a room must be filled....

  With spring and spring cleaning upon me, and many of us who are in the Southern Hemisphere (or autumn cleaning for those of you lovely northern neighbours), it's a good time to take some inspiration from the British artisan and designer, William Morris. Now, I know that this quote truly is a classic and that we've probably all heard it before, but that's what makes it so inspirational: it's still valid and pertinent today.  As I start to tackle the different areas of spring cleaning around my home, I keep this quote in mind. Do I find something still beautiful? Or useful? If not, why am I holding onto it and making it a part of my cleaning routine? With the change of season upon us, now is the time to re-assess the things that we have been holding onto and decide if it might be time to let some things go.  Have a wonderful week,

"During the 18th century, art and design in the form of silk, lacquerware and delicately painted porcelain began arriving in Britain from China. Britons became enamoured with the exotic aesthetic of what was considered a mysterious, far-away land. The increasing demand for these Eastern goods led to the development of ‘Chinoiserie’, a desirable style which drew upon the imagery, patterns and textures of these imported goods. ‘Chinoiserie’ permeated many aspects of design, from crockery to wall coverings, furnishing to gardens and became an extraordinarily popular trend."                                                                                          From Museum of London Archaeology Today, I'd like to talk about a lit...

  Have you heard of the Australian artist Margaret Olley? Don't worry if you haven't as we are going to be discussing her life and designs here on the blog today. Photos and biography details are courtesy of the Art Gallery of NSW. The reason that I chose Olley to be the first Artist in Spotlight here on It's a Classical Life  is because I have long admired her work and the beautiful and warm simplicity depicted in her paintings. Predominantly her work consists of still-life and interior paintings, from the late 1940s all the way to the early 2000s. And honestly, they remind me of my grandmother's place (and perhaps your grandmother's too!) They exude a feeling of welcome and love and are, to me, what home should be. She focuses on simple pleasures in her painting, flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables, well-worn furniture and china crockery that is treasured yet still used on an everyday basis.  Biography Born in 1923 in Lismore, New South Wales, Olley studied art a...