Despite my best intentions I only made it along to one of the three trade fairs in Sydney this week and it was Home & Giving. I think stylists, decorators, retailers and buyers across the country are probably breathing a collective sigh of relief and pouring themselves a large glass of wine this evening. It’s been full on!

I really enjoyed Home & Giving. My favourite stand belonged to Have You Met Miss Jones. I had a great chat with owner Jennifer Jones, who seemed to be run off her feet taking orders all day. And it’s no surprise as her new stock is gorgeous. I’ve long been a fan of her bone china ornaments but now I’m eyeing off some colourful clay pottery, especially the orgami range of vases.

My favourite new discovery was Picket Fence Imports (their website doesn’t do their stock justice), where I drooled over vintage glass (like the 1920s jars below), baskets full of industrial bobbins and piles of old crates (including Coca Cola crates), most of which is imported from the US. TO DIE FOR. A stylist’s dream PLUS no minimum order!

I loved these giant glass bottles at Villa Maison.

And I was really surprised by how nice these battery operated flameless candles from Enjoy Lighting were. They even smell! Seriously, they’re good. Check them out. And this is a great little business success story too. They’re exporting them all over the world.

Which fairs did you go to and how were they? I heard nothing but good things about Life InStyle.