​"Oh that's a really nice hotel!" our guest house owner exclaimed.
“You can’t possibly get a tuk-tuk. No, no. Let me organise a driver for you.”
On our Sri Lankan adventure thus far we’d had so many “near misses” from bonkers bus drivers overtaking on the single-lane highway that runs from top to bottom of this small island that I didn’t care how I got there, as long as it was in one piece.

Which we did. And as soon as I spied the glorious hotel emerge out of the dusty, tan land, I was glad we were arriving in style.
We had treated ourselves to a couple of nights at the Heritance Kandalama, swapping humble little guesthouses for five star lux, and this jewel in star architect Geoffrey Bawa’s hotel crown, delivered everything I had hoped it would.
It's an extraordinarily harmonious fusion between the jungle and stark architecture built into a mountain. The hotel is fully covered and screened by vegetation, with a ramped ascent to the cave-like entrance. It is dramatic, sympathetic to the surrounds and simply breathtaking.

While we would’ve been more than happy to while away the afternoon in the infinity pool with its views across to the incredible rock fortress known as Sigiriya, we had it on good advice that a visit to the Golden Temple of Dambulla was a must.

The baking afternoon heat meant most of the crowds had retreated back to their hotels, which allowed us to explore the site in relative peace.
The Golden Temple is a Buddhist site that consists of a series of five cave shrines. Still inhabited by forest-dwelling Buddhist monks today as it has been since the 3rd century BCE, the natural caves have been transformed into one of the largest Buddhist complexes in the South Eastern Asian region, showcasing innovative approaches interior decoration. 

But it’s the giant golden Buddha overlooking the temple complex that is the most immediately impressive sight on the site that’s made up of caves filled with extraordinary carved Buddhas and rich, gold etched murals. Room after room was filled with incredible artistry, with geometric patterns and floral motifs interspersed with vast detailed pictorial narratives but it was a battle scene featuring snakes, leopards and other exotic animals that struck me.

I have re-used the base of the pattern and reworked the motifs to blend into a bright stylised abstract of what was a ceiling painting.  By moving elements and adding bold colours, this print is now full of energy and movement. ​

Recommendations:

Stay:
Vietri Sul Mare is a great spot to explore the region.  We stayed at this cute little Airbnb with its own terrace overlooking the sea.  It was truly amazing.  Check it out (here)

Visit:
Pompeii, of course! It's an easy train ride from Vietri Sul Mare, and be in awe of this amazing historical site. You'll need a good couple of hours to explore - but you could easily spend a half day or more.
​
Positano or Capri?  We chose Positano and did not regret it. Just catch the train or a taxi from Vietri into Salerno and hop on a ferry to Positano.  It's a great day trip for swimming, lounging, sipping, antique shopping and more. Yes, it gets busy - very - but it's still wonderfully charming, especially when all the bougainvillea are in bloom. 

Naples, if you haven't come from Naples already then it's a must.  But you will need to spend a couple of days exploring, eating/drinking and taking in the city.  It feels real compared with so many tourist towns in Italy and has a really strong creative vibe.  I really want to go back and spend more time in this interesting, gritty, alive city.

Eat:
There are plenty of places in Vietri Sul Mare to eat, whether along the foreshore at any of the outdoor restaurants or up on the hill in the centre of town, you will be spoilt for choice.  Check out the options (here)

Shop:
There are heaps of trinket and souvenir shops, but we found a local artist and potter Mirko, up in the village in Vietri Sul Mare.  His work is represented internationally and the colours he uses are extraordinary.  We just had to bring home a vase! Check out Mirko (here)

I love Daylesford in Autumn. It's a picture-perfect postcard of historical buildings and the autumnal hues. From the golden yellows, bright and burnt oranges, to the most sumptuous claret. In this little town in the heart of spa country, the trees are truely magical at this time of year.

But it's not just the idyllic landscape you come to Daylesford for. It has natural mineral springs and delicious paddock to plate fare, and there is plenty to offer those looking to spend a weekend away. Having said that, the weekends are normally packed with people, but that is a small price to pay in a town that has so much to offer.

Whether you are staying the weekend and have booked a long lunch at The Lakehouse restaurant, or a quiet pub meal at The Farmers Arms, or even a cheeky wine at Wine And The Country; Daylesford is not just about food anymore. It's now home to a small number of boutique stores opening to fulfil your every want.  

Sure, Bromley has been in Daylesford for a while and there are a number of artisan gifts that you can buy at The Convent.  But its the stores that have popped up on Howe Street that I find most exciting. Howe Street is just a short walk up from Vincent Street and is home to some great local businesses, such as DA Apothecary, The Donkey’s Tale, Sarah Conners, Bowen & Kenneth, Ruby Slippers and the new kid on the block, Buster McGee.

Buster McGee specializes in men's clothing, grooming products, and gifts. Stocking labels such as Scotch & Soda and I Love Ugly, grooming products from The Groomed Man Co, Klein's Perfumery, and more. A number of smaller gift items, from carefully-sourced suppliers, are also on offer. And of course, Buster McGee is the exclusive central Victorian stockist of Peter Daavid cushions!

So, do yourself a favour and visit Daylesford this long weekend and explore what is on offer.

​Throughout my travels around the world, I have always been drawn to and inspired by colour.  From the vibrant colours of spices and food through Asia to the incredible vibrant coloured fabrics in Sri Lanka and Peru.  And of course the depth of colour in Europe, from the colours, shades, and textures of the architecture to the depth of colour found in art.

Since I am currently designing additions to my cushion range I thought it would be a good time to re-cap on colour and meaning.  Whilst these meanings do not influence the colours I choose for each design, I thought it may be interesting.  Considering, these meanings tend to change from culture to culture.  Below are some consistent descriptions that I have found.

Red: 
Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, all things intense and passionate, sincerity, happiness (Only in Japan)

 
Pink:
Symbolizes love and romance, caring, tenderness, acceptance, and calm.

 
Beige and ivory:
Symbolize unification. Ivory symbolizes quiet and pleasantness. Beige symbolizes calm and simplicity.

 
Yellow:
Signifies joy, happiness, betrayal, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard and friendship.

 
Dark Blue: 
Symbolizes integrity, knowledge, power, and seriousness.

 
Blue: 
Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, technology, depression, appetite suppressant.

 
Turquoise:
Symbolizes calm. Teal symbolizes sophistication. Aquamarine symbolizes water. Lighter turquoise has a feminine appeal.

 
Purple: 
Royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, honour, arrogance, mourning, temperance.

 
Lavender:
Symbolizes femininity, grace, and elegance.

 
Orange: 
Energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention.

 
Green: 
Nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, service, inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor.

 
Brown: 
Earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort.

 
Gray: 
Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring. Silver symbolizes calm.

 
 
White: 
Reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical.

 
Black: 
Power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, sadness, remorse, anger, anonymity, underground, good technical colour, mourning, death (Western cultures), austerity, detachment.


Eastern World:

Marriage: 
White and pink are favourite just as in the western world.

Green: 
Eternity, family, harmony, health, peace, posterity

Happiness: 
Red

Helpful: 
Gray

Wealth: 
Blue, gold, and purple

White: 
Children, helpful people, marriage,
mourning, peace, purity, travel

Gold: 
Strength, wealth

Evil or sadness:
Just like in the western world- black.

Source: incredibleart.org

If you are still interested and want to read more, here are a few links of what I have found:

The symbolism of colours and colour meanings around the world:

https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/color-symbolism-and-meanings-around-the-world

Meaning of colours in colour psychology:
https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/meaning-of-colors.html

Colour and meaning:
https://www.color-meanings.com/

Colour Wheel Pro - See Colour Theory in Action:
http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html

​I couldn’t believe my eyes. One of my favourite movies come to life right in front of me!

Before she shone as MI5 officer in the excellent Killing Eve (if you haven’t seen it, run don’t walk, it’s amazing), Sandra Oh was helping Diane Lane live the dream in Under The Tuscan Sun, and here, on the steps of the Duomo di Siena, I was doing the same.

Hundreds of young men, dressed in colourful pantaloons and peaked caps, were performing a spectacular flag-throwing ceremony to the beat of a marching band.

Wandering the streets of this gloriously preserved Medieval city was a highlight of this trip to Italy, history seemed visceral, vibrant and very much alive.

For flag-throwing is serious business in Siena and heralds the running of Il Palio, a horserace that’s been held for hundreds of years around the city’s central square. Dressed in the colours of their contrade - or city ward - 10 jockeys ride bareback at astonishing speeds around the square cheered on by the entire population.

Today the flag-throwing preceded not the race, but the drawing of the city wards that would be in the race - an event that also brought out thousands of Sienese to witness and celebrate if their flag was drawn.

Celebrate in such a joyously uninhibited and exuberant way that it was impossible not to get caught up in the excitement.

It was while watching the flags flying through the air that I turned my gaze to the heavens - well, the earthly incarnation of heaven - and saw the magnificent details of the cathedral’s columns that were supporting the equally beautiful archways shining in pink and gleaming white.
​
The craftsmanship, the detail, the texture are simply breathtaking and have been captured in this design.

​I still dream of doing a Diane Lane and moving to the Tuscan countryside, but for now, this cushion is a little slice of Siena that sends me there from here.
​