Mid Week House Snoop finds... An Ulitmate Contemporary Palatial Cliff Top Home

I had to show you all these images of this amazing contemporary palatial home - it was much too hard to try to cull any from either the day or night shots! I'm sure when you scroll through the images you'll understand why I chose this home - supberbly located on Plateau Road, Avalon - on Sydney's Northern Beaches, just a 'stones throw away' from some dear friend's/ client's home who also just sold on Plateau Road.... Enjoy x

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Agent's Blurb... LJ Hooker Avalon.

The Ultimate Coastal RetreatBlessed with bushland, rainforest, Bilgola Beach & ocean vistas, this multi-storey family home showcases leading edge architectural design, fused with environmental synergy which raises contemporary excellence to a new level. Enjoy whale watching from your living room!- Innovative Colorbond/steel construction set on a 651sqm (approx) site- 4 double bedrooms, 3 with built-ins, 4 bathrooms- Stunning open plan including seamless indoor/al fresco flow from lounge/dining to full-width terrace- Separate children's play area/teenage retreat, office/study- Well appointed gourmet kitchen, CaesarStone island, sealed red gum surfacesSandstone stairs & terrace, redgum floors, bi-fold doors- Beautiful low maintenance native garden- Walk to beach, shops & school, CBD express bus at doorThe perfect destination to savour the true spirit of the Northern Beaches in this idyllic coastal paradise.

VIEW: Saturday 1 to 1.45pm Or By Appointment CONTACT: Bill Eames 0404 844 579

Images from domain.com.au

Decorating for Easter... Too Cute - Egg Creatures for Kids

I stumbled across this wonderful project idea from Martha Stewart Kids that makes all hearts flutter with a the creative child inside! Why not give it a go - whether you have little ones or not! Have Fun! x

Dyeing for a new way to decorate Easter eggs?

Here's a recipe for fun that's hard to beat: With basic crafts supplies -- crepe paper, pipe cleaners, felt, yarn, thread, and glue -- kids can make cows, pigs, and lots of other eggs-traordinary creations from plain white eggs.

Quail eggs (look for them at specialty grocers) are the right size for smaller animals (paint works better than dye to color their spotted shells). And brown eggs are a natural choice for creatures with dark fur or feathers. We've provided some egg creatures templates, but who knows just what will hatch from a child's imagination?
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Basic Egg Preparation

Blowing: Emptying eggs lets you save your creations. An adult should pierce egg at both ends with a utility knife, widening one hole a bit. Poke a straightened paper clip through wide hole; stir yolk. Place ear syringe in smaller hole; squeeze. Contents will pour out. (Wash hands well.)

Dyeing: It's easy to make dye: Cover the work area with paper towels. In a jar, mix 1 teaspoon vinegar, 20 drops food coloring, and 1 cup warm water. Submerge the egg (keep it down with a paper cup containing water). Soak 5 minutes for light colors and 10 minutes for darker shades. Remove the egg with tongs. A homemade rack of pins and foam board makes for even drying and quick cleanup.
Decorating: Dye or paint should be fully dry before beginning. Affix features with white glue (on crepe paper, use tiny dots of glue); let dry at least 20 minutes. Glue on feet or legs first so egg will stand. For ears and combs, dab glue on edge of felt or crepe paper, affix piece, let dry, then fold up. Add small details like eyes with tempera paint or a marker.

Images & Project Idea from Martha Stewart Kids

Scrumptious Easter Cookies...

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If you're after some gorgeous, stylish Easter inspired cookies - that also taste spectacular - then you need to get onto 'Cookie Couture' by Nadine Ingram. Take a look at her Easter Cookie Collection in these images... they are like little works of art, and the ginger bread is divine! I know because I have been given them as a gift, and also ordered them as gifts for my clients, friends and family! If you'd like to get a hold of these scrumptious cookies then get onto this link 'Cookie Couture' to find out your closest stockist before it's too late to get them this week!!

Sorry my O.S friends at the moment 'Cookie Couture' only seems to be Australia bound - in particular that to Sydney, NSW - stylistas only! But I'm sure if you all emailed Nadine & her business/ sales increased that one day she may just be able to further her horizons!

Enjoy x

Images from 'Cookie Couture'

Flowers for Friday...

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Flowers for Friday - this week are from a wonderfully inspirational spread from Australian Country Style, April 2010 issue. Here a beautiful 'neutral' floral arrangement is utilised by extracting the colours from this gorgeous arrangement into an inspirational, livable natural mood & colour palette.
I'm super excited for this weekend - tomorrow afternoon - I am having my Baby Shower with lots of family & friends attending.. And with my Mum as host & caterer extraordinaire & my best girlfriend, Alisa, as Shower Event & Games Organiser I am sure to have a wonderful & memorable time!! My darling sister-in-law Kylie is kindly photographing the afternoon so hope to have some pics to share soon! Not too long now til we're due to meet 'Baby Verity' - expected on/ around 8 May, the day before Mother's Day [Sunday 9 May]!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend - be sure to think about your decorating & chocolate egg needs this weekend - as from Friday 2nd April [Good Friday] - everything will be in full swing for Easter and limited retail hours!
Have Fun & Thank You for making Palatial Living your blog to visit this week!
Enjoy S xxx

Images from Australian Country Style, April 2010 issue

Cluster Wall Art...

Following from my earlier post on 'Scale' I am in the midst of adding to my cluster wall art in our upstairs landing area, stairwell, and sorting out multiple frames [degrees, certificates & the like] in our office. The office framing is proving the most tricky as I don't want the walls to feel like they are con caving onto the workspace, so key elements of placement and scale is critical here, whilst dealing with regular height ceilings - higher ceilings would be far more helpful! What I did come across on Canadian House & Home, by Meg Crossley's post, was this fabulous image of a work space with a very workable wall art cluster as captured by Cape Town photographer Jac de Villiers. I am further inspired to keep going at it!! I hope to post something soon of the outcome... Stay tuned!

Image from Canadian House & Home

Playing with Scale...

I came across this recent article posted by Meg Crossley of Canadian House & Home, and thought it was really quite useful - not only because of the gorgeous image from Meg's files, but mainly because at some stage or another we all look at hanging our favourite art work or print and often wonder if that is the right space or wall for it - will it be to big, will it be lost and too small...

I am currently hanging a lot of frames in our office, and prints at the moment so I find that any info can always be educational...at some stage you'll delve into your memory bank! Hope this helps you get on with that hanging project! Enjoy x

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Article - March 24, 2010, 'Playing With Scale' by Meg Crossley
Something that gets talked about a lot by House & Home design editors is scale. This is mainly because we are often producing some kind of story that requires bringing in a lot of furnishings from disparate sources in order to create a “room” — without having time for it to evolve slowly, the way decorating a real room would. So we are working from instinct, asking questions such as: “Is this lamp going to be too tall?”, “Is this side table going to be too short?”, or, “Is this chair going to be too big?”
Still, some of the images I like best in either our own mag or others, are those that involve messing with scale.

This shot is one of my favourites and has been sitting on my desktop for ages. With the framed artwork being twice the size of the chest of drawers it hangs above, I am sure this is breaking every old-school rule about scale, yet it works.
For playing-with-scale novices, there are a couple of tips to been gleaned from this photo. The artwork is graphic, sure, but still subtle and simple in both its colours and content. Big and quiet works in a way that big and loud would not. Also, take a look at how it’s hung. A wall space border of about 8” (I’m guessing from sight) surrounds the artwork on top and both sides — using the beam on the left as an indicator of where that area ends. So, they are keeping it even. And despite it hanging over both sides of the chest in terms of width, they are keeping the overhang even, too. Lastly, the art is the only big thing in the room. It’s not an Alice in Wonderland room full of very big pieces, therefore it’s more of a statement piece.
And we in the design business love statements.
For more tips on hanging art, see our Art Advice Guide.
Photo credit:1. Unknown source: Help! Does anyone know where this shot comes from?

Image from Canadian House & Home

Mid-Week House Snoop...Revisting Sydney's Upper North Shore

For some reason the middle of the week always seems to creep up on me! Maybe it's s good thing marking the milestones for the week for what has been already accomplished - or not!

So this week I have continued my 'snooping' around Sydney's Upper North Shore. For two reasons - I am completely biased in love with this part of Sydney and also over the weekend we visited some friends who have just moved there from the northern beaches and have found a lovely home to lease whilst they have secured their land in the same area in preparations for the upcoming year to research the building & builders of their 'forever home' - at least till their girls grow up and move out! So maybe forever it right! We love where they have bought their land and can't wait to see their ideas unfold through the building process...

Here I have 'snooped' a truly 'Palatial' style home on one of the premier streets in Wahroonga, Burns Road. I remember growing up with stories from my Grandma who was an aged care nurse and used to look after lovely private patients on this very street who lived in these very stately palatial homes. She told us of the beautiful gardens and leafy trees that lined the streets... much like this home here.

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Agent's Blurb - listed by Luschwitz ; 999 Pacific Highway Pymble NSW 2073 .

Magnificent 2 storey in magic 2,575M private park like grounds with perfect rear north sun. Exclusive position in arguably on of Sydney's best addresses short stroll to Abbotsleigh, Knox and the station. Beautifully landscaped gardens with rolling lawns, a heated pool and enjoying the perfect rear north aspect. Return verandah, polished timber boards, high ceilings, open fire, large light filled rooms add to the charm. Gracious formal and vast open plan casual living areas with excellent flow to alfresco dining and entertaining. Study, attic loft, full sized billiard or rumpus room, brilliant kitchen with casual meals area and family living area. Includes ducted reverse cycle air conditioning, back-to-base security, auto garage door and much more
Domain.com.au Property ID: 2007992365

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Images from Domain.com.au

Wall Art For Kids...

Being in the pregnant way lately I have started to buy magazines that are both fashion & decor friendly for both myself & our baby. I bought my 1st [own] copy of 'Shop 4 Kids' - having worked in kids wear for several years I was fortunate enough that this was often bought for my work but I suppose not being pregnant or with any children of my own I would scrutinise over the competitors labels, and new product opportunities. All of which is vastly different now that Baby Verity will be due in about 6-7 weeks time I am pouring over the mag [this & Cosmo Pregnancy] for more ideas and supplier leads on nursery decor and nouveau designer products! I think that's why I love my 'Babylogy' newsletter too!

And here in 'Shop 4 Kids' Issue 8 Autumn /Winter 2010 they have explored '162 bedroom busters' with all types of decor hints... perfect for those in the know & those not! And here I came across a great article on kids 'Wall Art' - and none the pleaser was I to see that my talented 'Palatial' follower & friend Janette Baker of 'My Sweet Prints' artwork took centre pride of place... as shown here in the mag image! Well done Janette - so exciting to see your work in print - excuse the pun! You can order this print and many other designs through Janette's Esty store name & link 'My Sweet Prints'. I still have to wait till we deliver 'Baby Verity' to find out if we're having a little boy or girl to decide on what I can order with Jeanette - ohhh the suspense!

Images from Shop 4 Kids Magazine - Issue 8 Autumn /Winter 2010, out now.

A Very Familiar Home...

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I thought this house was familiar when I reading through my Australian Home Beautiful March 2010 issue... I fell in love with it after snooping around on Domain.com.au, you may remember seeing it on a Palatial Living 'Mid Week House Snoop' posted back on 8 March 2009!

I'm so happy to see that the owners have great taste in dogs... looks like they have a gorgeous black 'oodle' of some kind! My two fur kids would live this home too!

Images from Australian Home Beautiful magazine March 2010 issue.

Friday Flowers - Pretty Palatial Pastels...

Not sure how much more alliteration I could try to achieve in 1 post title... but it certainly explains this post!

How lovely are these very pretty pastel floral arrangements from a fave mag of mine - Australian Country Style [April 2010 issue]! I particularly love the mood & style boards they have created from the extracted colours of the floral arrangements. A wonderful way to cue your inspiration directly from nature. This issue also explores two more floral palettes that have inspired me & I will post about in the upcoming Fridays... so stay tuned!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend & get the chance to have some fresh flowers of your own! Thank you for stopping by at Palatial Living this week. See you soon. S x

Images from Australian Country Style - April 2010 issue, out now.

Home Beautiful's Style File This Month - Is Swimmingly Turquoise...

Loving this month's [April 2010 issue] Australian Home Beautiful's Style File - featuring Pantone's colour of the year 'Turquoise 15-5519'. I adore the 'Chinoiserie' feeling that is created using this hue here through multiple pattern, scale & shade use... and am in particular love with the silk wool floor rug 'Rmza' in Emerald [approx. $3,000.00 from 1.7, x 2.4m] from Mokum. Can I have it now!

Image from [Australian] Home Beautiful April 2010 issue. Issue now on sale at your local newsagent or supermarket.

Mid-Week House Snoop.. Takes us to Sydney's Upper North Shore

I have a deep fondness for the Upper North Shore of Sydney - in particular a suburb called Wahroonga, this is the suburb of the church where my husband & I were married... It's a particularly pretty, quite, leafy part of Sydney with many beautiful old homes lovingly restored with expansive established gardens. It boasts a village type feel with a main street of strip shops including a patisserie, a florist and cafes of the like. The house I 'snooped' on this week is located on one of the best streets in Wahroonga, Kintore Street. My husband & I looked at homes along this street several years back - with longing! This home certainly fits the 'Palatial Living' bill - to a tee - location, presentation, amenities, lifestyle and [potentially] price - a real quinella! Enjoy x

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Agent's Blurb - L.J Hooker Wahroonga;

Finally an opportunity to upgrade into this beautiful, flowing family home, set in the most highly sought after end of an exclusive and quiet eastside street. Offering over 2005sqm of level, rolling lawns and established gardens with tennis court & pool this property features:. 5 over sized bedrooms plus study (main and second bedroom with ensuites) . 4.5 designer bathrooms - Double automatic garage with internal access plus additional off street with turning circle. Separate formal lounge & dining rooms with high ceilings. Open plan eat-in granite kitchen opening to an undercover automatic vergola. Family room with polished floorboards and gas fireplace. Separate rumpus/billiards room opening out to level lawns. North/South all-weather tennis court & in-ground pool. Sunny rolling lawns and beautiful landscaped gardens give absolute privacy. Ducted reverse cycle a/c, alarm system - all quality fixtures & fittings. Exclusive eastside location in prestigious street - walk to rail, Knox, Bush School, Abbotsleigh & Village. The vendors have decided to downsize and offer this quality residence at an affordable price. Finally a home that gives the resort lifestyle with a beautiful flow to tennis court & pool yet plenty of space for kids to run around on the lawns!
Domain.com.au Property ID: 2008245061

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Images from Domain.com.au