06 July, 2015

Linen Luxe Bedding

 
              
If you're like me bed linen is a compulsion of mine - it's up there with shoes! I can never have enough gorgeous sheets, pillow slips, and duvet covers - not to mention pillows. So when Palatial Living was approached by Parachute [Home] , a bedding linen & home wares business based in Venice L.A. United States, to look at their exciting new Linen range launch this past week - I was already enamored.

Parachute [Home] is the bed linen love child of creator & founder Ariel Kaye. Linen in bedding - I hear you say what? Linen has a beautiful natural quality that allows at each time you wear it and use it becomes softer with each touch. It has the dual ability to look both natural & relaxed whilst still sumptuous & luxurious.

A little fact I love from the Parachute site - did you know that...
You spend ⅓ of your life in bed, so your sleep experience matters.

I know that a good nights sleep is imperative to how I carry out my day and it's success - so comfortable and beautiful bedding is key for me. Ariel Kaye, creator & founder of Parachute (Home) is on this exact wave length, and decided to reinvent the way bedding is marketed and sold, creating her own company called Parachute, which sells bedding direct to the consumer. Parachute launched in January 2014, and on its website, product descriptions play up the use of 100 percent Egyptian cotton, the Italian quality woven fibres that get softer with use and the fact that products are made in Italy. Simplified Parachute bedding is designed in L.A, Made in Italy, and Delivered to Direct to you.
 

Originally Parachute would only offer two fabric choices — percale or sateen — and three colors — white, powder or ash. She also took into consideration the types of bundles she would sell, opting to sell one of her packages without the top sheet. This range concept soon grew to be able offer customers sheet sets, Venice sets, and duvet sets, as well as separates, and the hyperallergenic friendly - duvet insert themselves. And most recently the addition to the Parachute family & existing 2 fabrics on offer - the Linen range.  Luxe Linen now available for your bed!
I adore the climatic synergies that are shared with Australian weather and the Southern Califormian climate - just where Parachute hails from. So why Linen? There are many reasons that Linen is perfect for your bed - a few to name....
Linen in it's appearance shares a dupoly, not only, in it's ability to create both coolness and warmth from it's natural fibires with low conductivity and ease to layer with other bedding, and continues to soften with use. Linen possesses high air permeability and heat conductivity properties. Heat conductivity of linen is five times as high as that of wool and 19 times as that of silk. In hot weather those dressed in linen clothes are found to show the skin temperature 3°-4°C below that of their silk or cotton-wearing friends. According to some studies, a person wearing linen clothes perspires 1.5 times less than when dressed in cotton clothes and twice less than when dressed in viscose clothes. Meanwhile in cold weather linen is an ideal warmth-keeper. So Linen over warmer months is a perfect choice for softness, and breathability.
All year 'round you can't go wrong. Now what colour to pick... plain dye White or Fog, or in French Ticking Stripe when in a Linen Blend

Importantly, and personally for me, I was pleased to learn that Parachute also gives back as a responsible & caring member of the business community. They believe that every one everywhere should have the ability to have a luxurious sleep - and so have partnered with Nothing But Nets, an organization that shares their interest in providing safe sleep to those in need.
For further enquiries on how you can get your own luxe Linen bedding range, and other gorgeous items - please contact Parachute Home. I cannot wait to get my own set of Parachute Linen {Luxe}range onto my bed... I'm leaning to 'Fog' perfect for Sydney-side #PalatialLiving. What about you?
 
Enjoy,
 
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29 May, 2015

Do you have this... 5 Annoying Little Home Problems - For the Fix read here!


 
Is there any way to make my whole house smell fresh without cleaning it from top to bottom
Solution: Sprinkle a few drops of vanilla extract onto your a/c filter. A drop of your favorite essential oil works, too. Or find a great household candle to burn when you are cleaning your home - open the windows up.
Great household candles that are inexpensive and a #PalatialLiving find are #Price's Household Candles - they have one that is called 'Open Window' in Australia they can be found in #Coles supermarkets. #Price’s (UK) is one of the world’s oldest candle manufacturers and produces candles of the highest quality see. this link for more details Their 'FRESH AIR' range are the candles I use in our home.
 
I need help hanging pictures and artwork, but first I need to patch the holes from my previous attempts.
Solution: To patch tiny holes, you'll need a putty knife and patching plaster. If you plan to repaint, look for a plaster and primer in one, like 3M Patch Plus Primer. The first rule when hanging pictures: Don't eyeball it. If you're going to hang multiple pictures, use newspaper to create true-to-size templates of your frames that you can arrange on the wall using painter's tape. Finally, don't align pictures with the ceiling or floor -- they might not be level. Instead, use a level to draw a faint line a few inches down from the ceiling and use that as your starting point.
 
 
I love my stainless-steel appliances but hate all the fingerprints.
Solution: We all have a love/hate relationship with stainless steel. To prevent fingerprints, apply a thin layer of olive oil to the surface using a soft cloth, also old stockings work well for this job.
 
 
 
Is it possible to remove rust stains in a porcelain sink?
Solution: Believe it or not, toothpaste might do the trick. Cover the stain with toothpaste and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with baking soda and rub it out with a clean, soft cloth.
 
Now I know why people say, "I don't do windows." How do you avoid streaks?
Solution: Try washing windows on a cloudy day. Otherwise the sun dries the cleaner before you can wipe it away. Use newspapers instead of paper towels. They do a better job, and they're less expensive.
As a pre-wash solutions #PalatialLiving uses a combination of sugar soap & eucalyptus wool wash with warm water & soft sponge to wash down any dirt grime prior to spraying the windows. A little extra elbow grease is required - but this gets the window sills & frame clean and ensures you're not rubbing dirt particles into the glass when using the spray.Hence making the whole job worthwhile - your total window will have instant yard appeal!
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Perhaps a few of these annoying house jobs, mentioned, are at your home? Now they can be quickly remedied over the weekend!
 
Enjoy,
Sarah x #palatialliving
 
images & subtext via BHG.com

21 May, 2015

5 Great Ideas for Your Hallway Foyer


Don't Dismiss Decor.
With a little attention to styling, even a small console becomes a major design statement. Strategically hang a mirror to make the space feel twice as large. via my own style
 
Whether you have a narrow small space or a large open void for your front foyer - there's loads you can do with a few little tricks be it wallpaper or paint, baskets or hooks & decor.
 
Here's a few I found via #countryliving #goodhousekeeping that I thought were great to share with you that are in keeping with the Palatial Living mantra - 'Grand or Cosy. In & Out. All Things for Stylish Living', just for you.
 
Enjoy,
Sarah #PalatialLiving

 
 

06 May, 2015

Made With Love - Gifts for Your Mum

 
 
DIY Cheese Markers
Any hostess will love getting handmade stamped cheese markers. To make this adorable Mother's Day gift, place vintage silver-plated forks between two felt pieces and flatten in a vise. Place the front side up on a metal block and use metal stamps and a hammer to mark the name of the cheese. Cut off a few inches at the top of the handle, then make a curly loop by wrapping the handle in felt and curling it backward using pliers
  
 
Made With Love - Gifts for Your Mum x
Not everyone wants to buy something for their Mum, not every Mum suits something store bought.
So with that - there's still time to get making something for your Mum.
Something clever, something purposeful and something gorgeous.
 
Here are some great ideas I have found across a couple of my fave home living sites.
 
Enjoy,
Sarah x #Palatial Living
 
 
Sweet Smelling Candle
There's no Mother's Day gift more classic than a fragrant candle. Pick a scent and color that fits your mother's personality and pair it with our DIY candleholders. To make, spray a light mist of water into a glass holder. Spray a light layer of metallic gold paint on the inside of the holder, painting over the water beads (it will leave the glass slightly translucent); let dry. Add a layer of gold glitter spray to finish.
 

Flower Seed Packets
Celebrate the sweetness both Mom and spring have to offer with flowers that will keep her smiling long after Mother's Day. Wrap store-bought seed packets for your mom's favorite blooms in easy-stitch burlap bags, and seal the bags with a plant marker. If you want to spice up the bag, pin a vintage picture of the flower on top for an added touch.
 
 
'Family" Kitchen Artwork
Family is what is most important on special days like Mother's Day. Give your mom this gift to remind her how much you care. To make, buy several wooden spoons -- one for each letter. Paint the ends of each spoon; let dry. Using a letter stencil, lightly blot white paint to make one letter on each spoon; let dry. Cut a piece of cardboard to fit the opening of a picture frame (make sure the frame can fit all spoons with a 1/2-inch border on all sides). Wrap white canvas around the front of the cardboard; hot-glue to secure. Insert in frame; hot-glue spoons to the canvas.
 

Message in a Jar
Get the kids involved with this cute Mother's Day gift -- a simple jar with notes telling her all the reasons she's loved. Have kids write their thoughts, or have them tell you their ideas and you write them down. Roll up the strips of paper and put them in a jar. Tie a bow around the jar for added flair.
 

Framed Butterfly Family Tree
Mum will love this spring-theme representation of the people she loves most in this easy-to-make family tree project. Design the layout on a separate sheet of paper, assigning different paper colors to different generations. Punch out two butterflies per family member with a crafts punch, and write their name on the top cutout. Keeping the center body on the top cutout flat, fold the wings up; this will give the butterflies a fluttery look. Glue the bodies of each pair of cutouts together using crafts glue or rubber cement. Place butterflies on a matte board and mark positions lightly with a pencil; glue in place on board. Frame the finished butterfly family tree.
 
images & sub text via bhg.com

28 April, 2015

Found. Mother's Day - A Few Best Gifts...


via HardtoFind.com.au Home is wherever mum is print by
Ships from CAMDEN, Australia $24.95 + FREE SHIPPING.

It's often hard to find just 1 great gift for your Mum - a gift that sums up a year plus of all the 'Thank You's' and something that is good enough for 'I love You ' that covers more than just one day. And if you're exceptionally lucky like me not only with my own mum, I also have this in my wonderful mother-in-law . So in some ways it makes it very tricky indeed!
I have a lovely little 5yr old daughter, Isabelle, who is a-tuned to all things and especially across what we find together window shopping and images I find through magazines. So much so she's started the phrase 'I wish I had...' as a wistful response much like her mother - me - to the idea of all the things she likes and finds! We make a list and go to #pinterest instead! Whilst nothing genuinely beats the hand picked and hand made items lovingly found at a preschool or school Mother's Day stall. Something I never comprehended until my own daughter proudly wrapped her own finds from a stall and deftly made with love a card filled with pictures of texta coloured flowers and cute figure drawings of her & I together in this fluro colourful garden....
A little online shopping also helps 'til they can buy you what you'd also like to use or wear!  
So with that I've found a few of my favourite things that may just inspire you for Mother's Day gifts too... and coincidently from the beautifully curated Australian site that I have been a long time huge fan of 'hardtofind'
 
Enjoy,
Sarah - #PalatialLiving
 
 
via HardtoFind.com.au Mother's personalised tree of life chain bracelet by  
Ships from London, United Kingdom .$149.00 + FREE SHIPPING       
 
via HardtoFind.com.au Initial jewellery box by
5Ships from Armadale, Australia $119.95 + FREE SHIPPING
 

via HardtoFind.com.au Lapis lazuli blue suede fold-over clutch by  
Ships from Avalon, Australia $129.00 + FREE SHIPPING. Pom Poms separate.
 

 
 

via HardtoFind.com.au  Woven bracelet in cool mint & silver by
5Ships from Warriewood, Australia $69.95 + FREE SHIPPING

 

via HardtoFind.com.au  Boho sherbert washable leather gardening gloves by
5 5Ships from Crossman, Australia $47.90 + FREE SHIPPING
 

 
via HardtoFind.com.au Hand-stamped Mother's Day single vintage teaspoonby  .
Ships from MILDURA, Australia  $39.00 + FREE SHIPPING

 
 
 via HardtoFind XOXO gold foil greeting card by
Ships from Norwood, Australia $6.50 + FREE SHIPPING

 
 
 
 

27 April, 2015

Inspired. Make Marks Daily.

Make Marks Daily.
(1)
(2)
(3)
 
Make Marks Daily 
I recently read a great article in #AustralianCountryStyle (from Summer January 15 issue) on ceramicist and artist Claire Atkins. As I began reading her story it felt familiar - mainly because her quest & commitment over the course the year for 2014 was to 'Make Marks Daily'.It was this familiarity became apparent as I learnt that we are from same alumni design school, the College of Fine Arts UNSW in Paddington Sydney, also known as CoFA. Whilst Claire a '95 graduate and I a '99 grad we most likely shared a number of the same teachers & professors across the studies we undertook.  
I love this concept, it spurns you to immediately create without being precious about what exactly. It is simple.
It heralds back to teachings I received (most likely from the same professor as Claire) from the once head of school and now assoc dean of international art, and expert ceramicist (Dr.) Vaughan Rees (hails from Australian art royalty also, is the nephew of Australian artist Lloyd Rees).
So this is my small tribute to #MakeMarksDaily - would be a very interesting surface print... It has inspired me to get my
shed in order and set up my studio - soon!
 
Thanks #ClaireAtkins & #AustralianCountryStyle for sharing the inspiration.
Enjoy,
 Sarah - #PalatialLiving
 
 (4)
 (5)
 (6)
Images: (1) - via #pinterest; (2 - 6) images via Claire Atkins FB page #pinky&maurice contemporary ceramics https://www.facebook.com/PinkyMauriceContemporaryCeramics?fref=photo 
 
For more details please visit:  
https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/makemarksdaily
 

13 January, 2015

Get Organised!

It's New Year & It's Time to Get Organised!
Back to School, Back to Work.... New rosters, New calendars, New times, and New routines!Sound like your place? It's certainly mine and keeping on top of it can be tricky if you let it get away from you.
So whilst the New Year is till upon us why not take advantage of the time and get de-cluttered, and super organised with some of these helpful decorating tips centred in and around maximising your organistaion for what's ahead this year!
Some of these projects can be done in an evening or across a weekend. 
So put on your 'tidy' hat and get cracking! S x
 
 
Make the Space Work for You! Whether you have an excess of square footage or are cramped into a too-small space, there are inventive ways to squeeze out useful organization from your home. In a centrally located spot such as a kitchen, a small stretch of wall offers a precious few inches for a family organization spot. Give each person their own slot, or include a message board with important reminders.
Find a version 'here' at Pottery Barn
 
Increase Visibility; Staying organized depends on knowing what you have and where it is; that way, you won’t purchase duplicates or waste time searching for what you need. Putting items on display, such as the narrower shelves filled with shoes, is a great organizational technique to help achieve this goal.
 
Maximise Accessibility - Maximise the Closet Space 
Helping your family stay organized depends on kids and parents being able to use whatever system you have in place. For kids especially, that means ensuring access to all the daily-use items that they can be in charge of, such as clothes and toys. Revamping closets with multi-height rods and storing seasonal clothes within their reach is a great organizational technique. Clothes they’ll grow into or use in different weather can be stashed in up-high, out-of-reach spaces.
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Make It Pretty: It’s so much easier to maintain an organization system if it’s one that you love to look at. Invest in pretty containers , jars, clips and hangers; choose a color scheme; and spend time thinking how your organization can and should be part of your decor.
 
Organize by Person or Function: Bins, baskets, hooks, and containers all lend themselves to a simple but underused organization technique: labeling. Handwritten or computer-generated, labels can quickly help you and your family sort, store, and find what you need. Try labels in an entryway, on shelves, and in the kitchen.
 
Mix Storage Types. Organization options are much more limited if you have just one type of storage - all drawers or open shelves, for example. The most clean-looking, hardworking spaces have a little bit of everything: baskets and bins to hide less visually pleasing elements, open shelves for easy access, and higher-up storage for things that aren’t used as frequently.
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Enjoy,
 
subtext - images via bhg, pinterest, houzz

09 January, 2015

5 Closets That Aren't Closets Anymore


These DIYers found extra living space in their home's smallest spots. This article originally appeared on GoodHousekeeping.com
It's unlikely that you lament about having too much closet space in your home, but have you ever considered what you might gain from repurposing one altogether? We know, scandalous. But for these smart bloggers, transforming a closet was the key to a more organized, productive and beautiful home.
Is one of these creative rooms hiding in your house right now? Just imagine it..
 
If you can't dedicate a full room to a workspace, follow Christina's lead at #No. 29 Design. Floating shelves, chalkboard paint, and sconces turned her standard closet into a super-functional office.
 
Tanya at Dans Le Lakehouse didn't want to lose all of her closet's storage space, but craved a way to create a more spacious, friendly office. Now, her colorful filing cabinet and boxes look charming next to a quaint bench where she can consult paperwork, flip through a book, and stow extra supplies under the seat..
 
 
Before they're old enough to fill closets with clothes and shoes, kids will love sneaking into a DIY nook for reading and playing, like this one from Balancing Home.
 
 
Shoes, coats, and bags have a way of piling up in an entryway, never quite making it to the closet. If that's the case in your home, consider what Anu did at Nalle's House: Ditching the closet door and hanging hooks, baskets, and a bench instead.
 
 
If your sewing and crafting projects commandeer the dining room table, move everything to a closet, like Kim at Oh, Sweet Joy did. Worried about losing the storage space? Consider how this strategy might control your DIY clutter better than before.
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Happy New Year!
It's been a little bit since my last post - loads has happened in the meantime. And needless to say very happy to be back and share with you some amazing articles, images, house snooping and of course across the Palatial Living - decorating & style!
Sarah x  #palatialliving
 
article & images via HouseBeautiful.com