Palatial Comfort With Style, Without Pretention.

 

I feel like this could be one home here with this cool, serene, fresh palette.

I adore the use of line - flooring, panel walls, and ceilings; and naked metal work lighting.

A 'homely' comfort-ability without pretention or preciousness - whilst holding an air of style makes these spaces work - for contemporary living.

I just love them... selfishly I wanted to share them with you.

Enjoy,

 

 

images via pinterest - via house - sonia rinaldi

Want To Be An Interior Stylist?

 

I've recently been looking at the Coco Republic Design School for a few master classes & online study and found it also offers online design courses for us class and distance challenged, here's a few details of the online courses I thought I would share with you...

Have you been thinking of studying but can't commit to classes after work or juggling family life.... or maybe you live too far away be it throughout Australia, or a beloved Ex-pat throughout South East Asia, Europe or the States, to make it to Coco’s Sydney studios?

 

Interior Decoration Essentials 101 -

This inspirational course will give you a thorough understanding of the key concepts and terms used by professional interior decorators, with an insight into colour schemes, soft furnishings, window coverings, lighting and more. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to advise customers on interior design projects, including recommending soft furnishings and design decorations to a project brief. Create mood, colour and materials’ boards with professional panache and graduate with your own portfolio to entice future clients or employers.

Course duration guide is: Approx. 18 weeks, 6-8 hours a week, with a Max 12 months to complete the course.Better yet this course gains TAFE credits: LMFID4003A, LMFID4005A & LMFSF3011B

ENROL HERE>....

 

 

 

Colour for Interiors 401

By the end of this course you'll have the ability to understand how to effectively combine colour by creating colour harmonies. We'll give you the confidence to create an interior colour palette for any project and you'll gain a deep understanding of how colour can alter our perception of an interior space as well as being able to 'read' the interaction of light with your colour choices. And to top it all, you'll leave with a beautiful portfolio piece demonstrating how well you have answered a colour consulting client brief.This course gains TAFE credit: LMFID4001A

ENROL HERE>....

Coco Republic Design School launched its first online courses in January [this year 2013] and it has been going from strength to strength...

 

This initiative & partnership by Coco Republic Design School and Design Centre Enmore, offers accredited learning online in a truly flexible and incredibly dynamic new learning environment.
Two of the school’s courses are currently available: Interior Decoration Essentials and Colour for Interiors.Interior Decoration Essentials will cost $1,750 (and is $1,000 less than attending the course in person) not bad...

Stay tuned for more updates....or contact the school and get your next step to being an interior colour & design stylist - moving!

Enjoy,

 

images via coco republic design school

It's Friday x

Wow! What a week... between meetings, chats, discussions, and many phone messages I am officially exhausted! How about you?

Although my week was interesting to say the least much of it very positive - I am super happy to say 'Happy Friday' and Hello!!! - to the weekend!

Thank you for popping by at Palatial Living this week... over the course of the weekend and the upcoming several months I am about to embark on an exciting new phase & project - with one of Australia's leading aspirational & well established - home wares & furniture retailer not to mention, property styling interior design and design school leaders in the Australian market place - where I trust that many of my ex-pat friends and Palatial Living lovers of these circles will follow - and contact me.

Ohhh the suspense... I am very excited!

Have super Friday evening and great weekend.

I have a few projects to post upon so will see you soon!

 Enjoy,

image via pinterest

French Hamptons Inspired Palatial Pin & Memo Board...

 

 

An update from my last memo pin board 'Drab to Fab Gorgeous Office PinBoard', I needed a family memo/ pin board for our kitchen that was conducive to the colour palette of our open kitchen & living room plan.

Our walls are painted in 1/4 tint Dulux Hog Bristle and Doors/ Trims & Skirts are in Taubmans 'Natural White'. So what to do?

I found 2 over sized tea towels from our local  discount department & grocery store, in a similar colour to our walls with a little depth - sandy taupe and off white - the fabric - a cotton sateen French Wedgewood Ticking Stripe [this means that there is a large block stripe and smaller stripes to create a pattern - not just a regular stripe like that of a 'regular' ticking stripe'].

 

I sewed the tea towels together with creating an open 'French' seam.

Lining the front side of dowdy cork pin board with a layer of wadding and spray adhesive, I then used my trusty stapled gun pulling the joined tea towels tautly over the front of the board and securing each side with the staple gun.

Using a tonal &  complimentary grosgrain ribbon I wove  [under and over] the 'diamond' trellis ribbon. At each cross point you can then add a pearl pin or an upholstery nail head to secure the points to add your memos!

 

This is a super economic and chic way to update a boring old cork board. I am slightly addicted to stripes but a floral, or small chintz pattern could also work just as well. Using tea towels can be a fun way to fin different prints and patterns, more often they can be less expensive than buying by the metre, and if it's for a kitchen - like mine was - it's a little secret play-on for decorating!

 

Have fun with it - love to see your memo / pin board updates.

Email your pics to me sarah.verity@verandahhomeliving.biz I would love to post a blog on all your great Palatial Pin Boards!

Enjoy,

 

 

images via www.verandahhomeliving.biz , sarah verity

Happy Mother's Day x

 

With Love on Mother's Day.

 

To My Mum, My Mother-In-Law, My Grandmothers, Godmother,

And all Mothers - of all vocations and all children big & small.

We appreciate all that you are & all that you do - not just today, but all days.

 

Happy Mother's Day to YOU x

image via avant card, opera australia

Weekend Projects: Wonderful Wall Art - Part 1...

String Artwork

To make this tree-motif string art piece, coat a piece of plywood with black interior latex paint. Sketch a tree lightly in pencil. Begin pounding 1-inch white nails into the plywood along the design at random intervals. Tie nylon cord to the lowest, left-most nail and begin looping the cord around the surrounding nails. Keep the nylon taught at all times. Work your way up the tree and extend out to each branch, ending at the top. Tie a tight knot at the top-most nail. Finish by tying 2-inch pieces of color cording to a few nails at the tips of the branches. Display in an oversize frame, or cut and miter moulding to border the plywood.

 

 

Stenciled Wall Art

A blank white wall in this dining room gets a boost of color thanks to a brightly colored stenciled canvas. To get the look, stencil an ikat pattern (or any other pattern you like) onto canvas and stretch it over 1x2-inch boards at the top and bottom.

Printable Wall Art

Recreating this small art piece is as simple with this free download. Simply download, print and frame, or use a photo transfer method to put the print on canvas or a block of wood

Download the owl art for free! via bhg.com

Travel Documents

Keep vacation memories fresh with this easy and inexpensive wall art project. Cut a map to standard printer-paper size (8 1/2x11 inches). Use a word processor to create words, phrases, symbols, or photos that remind you of the special places you've traveled. Print your design on the map. Use spray adhesive to affix the map to a store-bought art canvas. Brush on two coats of decoupage medium, allowing the canvas to dry between applications to seal it. To give a newer map a weathered look, soak it in extra-strong coffee or black tea for an hour, then hang it up to dry.

Watercolor Flowers: This pretty project can be recreated using inexpensive watercolor.paints. Create a light wash by mixing water with one base color. Paint the entire surface of the stretched canvas with the color; let dry. To make flower stems, use a thin brush to paint a single line of light green watercolor paint. The lines need not be perfect; watercolor looks best when it’s applied organically. When the light green is almost dry, highlight it with a line of darker green; let dry. To create the flowers, place a nickel-size puddle of watercolor paint in a light tone onto the canvas at the top of one stem. Hold a straw vertically, straight over the top of the puddle. Blow into the straw to spread the paint into a sunburst pattern and let it dry. Repeat the process with a deeper, more saturated tone of the same color and let it dry again.

 

 

Hand-Drawn Wall Art

Even if your art skills are elementary, doodle on! With a marker in hand you can create one-of-a-kind wall art and unexpected updates for basic home decor in a matter of hours. Write a favorite quote, song lyric, or poem on a fabric scrap then frame, and enjoy. Draw a simple picture, then employ a blending technique to make it something truly special.

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So although the weekend might already be nearly over - this is the week that you can prepare you next weekend's projects such as these Wonderful Wall  Art projects that I have come across and wanted to share with you. Some have more creativity injected them to others but I do think there's a wall art project that can be done by any one - no matter your 'art' level!
Why not try one of these projects for your living room, bedroom or kids bedroom, or a guest room! Customise your colours and materials - and voila - you have an original décor wall art piece!eave me a comment or email me you project and how it turned out - I would love to hear from you.
Enjoy,
 

 

 

 

images pinterest, tumblr, bhg, hgtv, traditional home.

Great Palatial Make-It Ideas... For Next to Nothing!

Chevron Vase

Customize a plain vase by taping off a chevron pattern with painter's tape (it need not be perfect). Spray-paint the exposed area with a lighter shade of the vase colour. Remove the tape when the paint is dry.

Quick & Easy Memo Board

This magnetic memo board is as functional as it is stylish. Simply cut decorative paper to fit inside a baking sheet/tray and glue it to the pan. Add magnets and important papers, notes, or letters, and you’re ready for business. Place it on a desk or hang it in the kitchen to ensure your family always stays on task.

Industrial - Urban Look Pipe Sconce

Create an industrial look with custom sconces made from piping. Run a socket kit through the pipe and pipe fittings, and hard-wire it into the wall. Always remember to consult an electrician when working with wiring and turn off power before doing any work.

The No-Sew Pillow

Stoke your wanderlust with a pillow outfitted with a map. Find an image from an old atlas, or score a map of your favourite city or dream travel destination. Scan your image and use image-editing software to create a mirror image of your map, then print it using an ink-jet printer onto iron-on transfer paper. Iron the image onto light-colour linen fabric, following package directions. Peel away the transfer backing to reveal the image. Use heat-set tape to adhere the linen piece to the pillow.

 

Stencilled Lampshade

Metallic markings in a trendy ikat pattern add delicate detail to a basic slate-colour lampshade. To get the look, purchase a stencil or create your own from a favourite pattern by tracing your design onto stencil acetate, then cutting it out with a crafts knife (allow a 1/2-inch border around the perimeter). Position your stencil along the bottom edge, and fill in the design with a metallic silver oil-based Sharpie. Continue stencilling around the shape.

 

Woodland Jewellery Display

Store baubles by hanging them from these mini trees. Cut small branches to similar heights using garden pruners or a small hand saw. Next, glue two 1x6-inch boards together at a right angle and let dry. Drill evenly spaced holes in the base. Dab the bottom inch of the branches with wood glue, then place upright in the holes. Let dry, and decorate with your favourite accessories.

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I wanted to share with you some fabulous Palatial Make-It Ideas, and even better for next to nothing you can make then - I love that. Much of it you may already have around your home, where you can re purpose a few items with into a new form and function!

It's tricky to pick just one favourite out of them all... each have such a great purpose and style... Why not try them all!

Enjoy,

images via bhg, pinterest, tumblr, country living,

traditional home, diy network, style at work, the nest

Happy Friday - A Surprising & Successul Colour Palette

 

Wishing you very Happy Friday!

I love his fresh palette of ruby red and azure blue - found in some surprising ways, take a look. Here's to your weekend - full of R&R however long enough and whatever your R&R might include.

Enjoy,

 

 

images via pinterest

Pretty Up Your Porch & Super Sunrooms x

 

  Mixing Materials

Wicker furniture is often a staple of outdoor living, however, these sleek-lined pieces look anything but ordinary. A sisal rug beneath the seating arrangement helps define the area. The two-sided fireplace adds warmth and light when the sun goes down.

 

 Strike a Contrast

Lime green seat cushions and turquoise accessories infuse this screened porch with youthful energy. The mismatched collection of furniture looks cohesive thanks to white paint, which coordinates with the porch's white framing and the house's white trim. A large painting on one wall adds artistic flair to the outdoor living space.

 

Sunny Style

This sunny screened porch welcomes visitors with an eclectic collection of furniture and accessories. The cosy seat cushion atop the wicker sofa provides the perfect spot for relaxing. A trunk-turned-coffee table offers a surface to place a tray of drinks as well as a hidden storage area for blankets and spare pillows.

 

 Hello, Sunshine

A small skylight above the seating area in this indoor porch welcomes views of the sky. The wood panelled ceiling treatment draws the eye upward and emphasizes the skylight. Screened windows prevent unwanted critters from making their way inside without disrupting any views of the outside

 

 Wicker Wonders

Wicker reigns supreme in this sunroom, where the woven material infuses the space with an inviting and relaxed energy. The sofa and coffee table were painted a deep, emerald green, which adds whimsy to the ensemble of naturally finished pieces. The colorful rug beneath the seating area echoes the woven texture of the furniture

 

Opening Up

Collapsible screens allow this sun porch to transform from closed and protected to open and airy in no time at all. A trendy colour scheme of chocolate brown, lime green, and rusty orange infuses the space with energy. The lattice pattern featured on the furniture adds another layer of visual interest.

 

Straight and Narrow

A narrow screened porch off the back of this home provides a summery dining spot for the whole family. The red-painted chairs along the sides of the dining table add a splash of colour to the neutral space. Screens on all of the windows act as barriers that help keep out unwanted critters and crawlers.

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I cannot tell you how much I love a great place that is shared with the inside and the outside. Quintessentially this is the verandah, or for some also known as the porch. And with so many wonderful new products on the market it's never been easier to also make that semi inside/outside space into an enclosed and bug free outdoor sunroom too! Thought I would share with youwhat I found ... here are a number of wonderful spaces such as theses that you too could imitate or take elements from to help you create a special outdoor sunroom space.

 

My Grandma has always had a verandah of some sort front, back and some type of sun drenched room lined with armchairs, a lounge you could nap on, a few side and coffee tables, and most importantly littered with sift plump cushions and a few throw blankets - just in case you need to cosy up! I know that this verandah - sunroom 'exposure' has greatly influenced me and even why I fell in love with the home we now live in, and how I have been working on our outdoor sunroom - complete with wicker, armchairs, lounge, a coffee table, some plants and lanterns and many cushions!

Will post a pic of my modest favourite spot for a cup of tea, or wine, on weekend afternoons...

Enjoy,  

 

images via bhg.com, tumblr, pinterest - palatial living, country living, traditional home

Wednesday All Day.

 

It's Wednesday, All Day.

Is this the middle or your week or just the beginning?

Happy 1st May - May Day - Today.

Enjoy,

 

 

image via pinterest

Get Your Curb Appeal On! Part 2.

 

In a Day - You Can > Renew planter beds

Get garden beds into shape by pruning growth, pulling weeds, planting flowers, and adding new mulch to restore colour that was taken away by sunlight and harsh weather. If stone or brick borders your bed, consider cleaning and resetting any pieces that are soiled or dislodged. If your border is old or tired-looking, try upgrading to stone or a decorative cast-concrete edging system. Shortly I will post on Garden Bed Edging Ideas to help you achieve a sympathetic and fresh new look for your garden beds.

 

In a Weekend You Can - Add arbours or fence panels

Arbors, garden gates, and short sections of decorative fence panels will enhance your garden and the value of your home. These amenities can be found in easy-to-build kits or prefab sections you simply connect together. For best results, paint or stain these items with colours already on your house.

 

 

In a Weekend You Can - Add outdoor art

Give your yard a little spunk by adding weather-resistant artwork. Choose pieces that complement your home's natural palette and exterior elements. Birdbaths, metal cutouts, sculptures, and wind chimes are good choices for outdoor art. Water sculptures not only function as yard art, but the burbling sounds soothe and make hot days feel cooler. Place fountains on level ground in optimum hearing and sight vantage points. Avoid spots in leaf-dropping range.

 

 

 

In a Weekend You Can - Add shutters or accent trim

Shutters and trim add a welcoming layer of beauty to your home's exterior. Shutters also control light and ventilation, and provide additional security. Exterior shutters can be made of wood, aluminium, vinyl, composite, or fiberglass. New composite materials, such as PVC resins or polyurethane, make trim details durable and low maintenance.

 

 

 

In a Month You Can > Renew paint, siding, and trim

An exterior facelift (new paint, siding, or trim details) automatically transforms the look of a home. Periodic maintenance of that exterior surface is the surest way to keep your house looking its best. Any obvious defects, such as cracked or rotting material, can downgrade the aesthetic and quickly turn away potential homebuyers. Once defects are repaired, look for ways to add personality with colour, trim, or shingles

 

 

In a Month You Can - Dress up the driveway

If your driveway is cracked or stained or has vegetation sprouting from it, you can upgrade it without doing a complete redo. First repair the cracks and stains (and kill the weeds), then dress it up by staining the concrete or affixing flagstones. If you need more room to move your car or park, add stone, brick, or pavers to the sides of the drive to widen it with flair.

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Following from my initial post on Palatial Living Get Your Curb Appeal On! Part 1, true to my word - here is the follow up with Part 2 on specific areas and ways you too can get your home ready as a property ready to sell meeting market expectations....

Enjoy,

 

 

images & subtext via bhg, pinterest, country living,

tumblr, house beautiful.