Palatial Garden Rooftop Spaces...

  Pop-Up Bar - The Doghouse, Rooftop, The Village,
 287A Liverpool St, Darlinghurst from Lee Tran Lam's
delicious blog
'The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry'

With the gorgeous warmth of summer winking around the corner, here in Sydney, there are fresh lime green leaves bursting our, grass is growing inches over night again, and buds are open and singing to the blue sky! So being amongst all things garden also got me to being all things outside, entertaining outside, going to restaurants, pubs & bars with outdoors spaces - hence the roof top garden....it's certainly a space that allows urban city dwellers a taste of nature up above the bustle of it all -a little closer to the sky and maybe a little zen once your favourite dish or drink has arrived!

I was also blog snooping and had a lovely long read of the fabulous Lee Tran Lam's blog/ web 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry'. Not only is it a deliciously fabulous go-to review guide of restaurants,  bars, pubs, cafes that she has visited & eaten at - it's also a superb visual diary of all that is on offer at these venues.... Lee Tran is also the talented Deputy Chief Sub-Editor at one of Australia's more forefront home & design magazines 'Inside Out'.

Here's a few more roof top gardens that also inspired me.... Enjoy x

image 2 & 3 - Chris and Lisa Goode’s Nolita penthouse is
 featured in New York Magazine via Apartment Therapy

This Garden belongs to Matt Blesso, a real estate developer, 
this garden is loacted on a rooftop apartment in
lower Manhattan. Matt called on duo  Joel Sanders, the architect,
and Diana Balmori, the landscape architect, who teach a course
together called Interface, all about uniting architecture
and landscape design - here they produced this
 amazing rooftop garden.
image via Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World

The Roof Garden at Kensington High Street, London

Saturated in Shades of Pink...

Shades of Lipstick-Fuchsia -Enhanced Pink... it's funny how sometimes you don't even realise that you have been gravitating to a particular colour - with shades & tints of it, and if not for October [a declared Pink month] then why not anytime too! S x

images via image 1] australian house & garden nov 10 issue, image 2 & 4] australian vogue living sept/oct 10, image 3] inside out Nov/Dec 10 issue cover featuring the home of artist David Band, image 5] postcard for verandah home+garden living solutions, image 6] advert for Wilman Interiors for Hoad Fabrics.

Home of a Doll... Marika Järv.

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This week I received my latest copy of [one of my fave mags] Inside Out, summer issue 2010 - and amongst many fabulously stylish articles and images, showcasing Australian colour & design in only the way Inside Out magazine does... I came across a wonderful editorial piece on Marika Järv & her home on Sydney's Northern Beaches, who part of the Duo that is 'Print Dolls'. If you have been checking into Palatial Living from time to time you may have came across a couple of previous posts that I have published about Print Dolls, and also about Marika's friend & business partner, Alice Flynn.

Here [images above] is a snapshot of the wonderful images & article on Marika's home & her inspiration throughout it... I really love Marika's use of text and images combined into soft furnishings and wall art, set on plain canvases on either white walls, a mid-century inspired timber stain or muted grey, green blue tone - all of which seem to project a serene, uncluttered, sophisticated sense of fluidity & style through the interior. Yet another gorgeous piece from Inside Out magazine! Enjoy...

Images & Article from Inside Out magazine, January /February 2010 issue.
Make sure you check out Inside Out's blog - it has new home & a new address click here on 'HomeLife'

Pip Willy's Best Buys for New Year [Already]!

Well I am very excited to have just received one of my 1st magazines for 2010 - the Australian House & Garden January 2010 issue just landed in my post box today! Real Living January 2010 beat it by only by a couple of days... But I hear you say - what January '10 issues already, well in magazine production world as I suspect is, much like the fashion/ clothing industry we have already put away Easter and Mother's Day and are onto close to season trend & colour forecasts for Summer '10/'11.

But my excitement does not stop at just getting my new H&G issue - it is because my good friend, and colleague, Pip Wilkinson, owner & stellar designer of 'Pip Willy' is heavily featured in this H&G issue!

[Above] Charcoal Black Screen in Robina Belgian Linen fabric, $140/m, from PipWilly.com

[Above] Pictured Top Left - No. 19 'Rust Abstract' Lamp by PipWilly $130.00, visit PipWilly.com for more info

Fresh New Cover - New Year - Australian House & Garden, January 2010 issue cover.

This is not the first time Pip has been featured in our fave Australian interior decor & design mags - her product & designs have graced the pages of Australian Home Beautiful, Inside Out and Australian House & Garden previously over the past year. Here I have posted her editorial splurge with 2 pieces that have been featured in 'Best Buys Under $200' on page 20, and page 24 from H&G's January '10 issue.

But hang in there there's more - will post next - on the fabulous editorial piece on Pip, as a 'Dream Weaver' in 'Wizard's of Oz - Special Design Talent - 25 Designers putting Australia style on the map...'.

To find out more about Pip & importantly on how to get your hands on Pip's product & special requests you can contact her through her website Pip Willy.

Images & Editorial from Australian House & Garden, January 2010 issue.

Handmade: Whiter Shade of Pale for Christmas

[Image 1 - hand cut & layered wreath with buttons & drop string ornaments)


[Image 2 - A stylish clever way for an advent calendar - collect your favourite small envelopes and label then with the date on small luggage tags, then enclose a paper Christmas message and a treat for each day]

[ Image 3 - paper garlands , teamed with paper stockings and relief cut cards on the mantle]

A lovely new take on the Christmas palette - instead of traditional colours here's a soft, delicate, cool & charming palette.

Images from Inside Out magazine, Christmas Issue 3, vol 1 December 2009.

I Love This..From Inside Out - 'Santa Please Stop Here!'

[Image 1] 'Santa Please Stop- Here'
[Images 1, 2 & 3] Within the grounds of Shannon's home nestled in the sublime NSW Byron Bay hinterland.

[Image 4] just liek the uber cute puppy dog in Shannon's spread - here's my handsome Cavoodle, Zach - pictured at the RSPCA Million Paws Walk - complete witha 'Verandah Puppy' denim paws & ginham bandana!

[Image 5] Cover image of Inside Out's Christmas Issue Vol. 3. No.1 2009

I received my subscription copy Inside Out's Christmas Issue Vol. 3. No.1 2009 just recently... And to my delight amongst many other fantastic pieces there was another gorgeous spread from Inside Out's Shannon Fricke awaited inside... I love the 'bohemian lost-kids' look - almost Peter Pan-esque - that really seems to sum up what the summer lead up to Christmas is all about for kids! At least this is how I remember playing after school & the hot days of school holidays close to Christmas with cicadas in the background... Shannon and Prue (Roscoe - photography) have really managed to capture the whimsical fun of this special magical time - even down to the super cute puppy dog- who looks so much like my Cavoodle, Zach ! I have included a photo of him from the RSPCA Million Paws Walk last year so you can see what I mean! The location reminded me of Shannon's home in the Byron Bay hinterland - and upon further reading of her blog [from her posting on 4 November] yes it is... the house & grounds looks so wonderful Shannon, well done.

Thank you again 'Inside Out' for a beautiful story! For more info and details on this spread and fabulous Christmas ideas get your copy of Inside Out's Christmas Issue 2009 at your favourite newsagent now. Enjoy. S x

Images from Inside Out's Christmas Issue Vol. 3. No.1 2009

Getting Festive - Christmas Wrapping...

I love nothing better than wrapping up and giving presents - especially themed style & colour en-mass! And there's no better time than Christmas to make a great 'wrapping' statement!!

Handmade wrapping - above - Australian Home Beautiful Dec 09 issue

Cheerful Gift Boxes - To give a cardboard box a cheery makeover, place the lid on top of a card. Using a ruler, draw an outline that's about 1/4 inch outside the lid. Cut just inside the line with a pair of pinking shears. Use a glue stick to attach the cutout to the lid; the card will extend over the box's edges (be sure it's centered over the lid before pressing down). Repeat to cover the bottom of the box. From Martha Stewart.com



Handmade Vintage Inspired wrapping - above - Australian Home Beautiful Dec 09 issue


I'm getting into the festive season & have just 'designed' & ordered our 2009 Family Christmas cards which are an explosion of Cherry Red & White, that should arrive in a couple of weeks - enough time to write, lick, stamp & post out! Whilst getting into my Christmas cards it got me thinking of what will me gift wrap colour theme be this year?
I love mixing non-traditional colours & ideas with Christmas - although this year I am leaning towards a slightly more 'handmade' look but am thinking about colour combinations such as Craft Brown Paper, Cherry Red, White & Pale Blue - as in the Real Living Dec 09 issue, and Home Beautiful Dec 09 issue - for the boys. And for the Girls - very similar so there's a strong theme - Craft Brown Paper, Cherry Red, White & Fuchsia Pink - as shown in some the pages of the Inside Out Christmas 09 issue!
So what colour, theme & style will you go for this year? Whichever way you go - have fun with it!!


BTW - Good news - This week the new issue for [Australian] Home Beautiful Dec 2009 is out in newsagents & supermarkets.





Images from [Australian] Home Beautiful Dec 2009 & Martha Stewart

Thank You!

Just a note of sincere Thanks & Appreciation to Lee Tran Lam - deputy chief sub-editor of Australia's gorgeously stylish Inside Out magazine - for your kind comments & words of encouragement for my recent post ' Once More with Feeling... Shannon's Way', on Shannon Fricke's editorial styling & article in the September '09 Issue 81 of 'Inside Out' magazine ...

Thank You for adding me to Inside Out's blog roll I am very honoured!

Image & Card from Two Poodle Press on Etsy

Once More With Feeling... Shannon's way.

I just got my new issue of 'Inside Out' in the post on Monday & came across the lovely Shannon Fricke and her new magazine spread... I have long been an admirer of Shannon's work and hope to one day be able to be involved in as much as she has and does through colour, design & style. Here in this wonderful editorial piece we see Shannon's innate sens of colour through the rooms she has created for her friends.... dashed with her signature peacock blue, chartreuse green, canvased with white and swathed with sublime cool style. I'm sure you'll love these images as much as I do -

Shannon was approached by her good friends Olivia and Adam last year, to help them re-design and decorate their home in the hinterland of Byron Bay. The couple had lost their [decorating style] way a little after the birth of their two sons and wanted Shannon's help - who wouldn't!! Shannon's job was to create a style and a palette that reflected who they are and how they want to live - whilst being her friends who are also creative - a great challenge for us all... for more on the article and details please visit Shannon's blog , and be sure to to grab yourself a copy of 'Inside Out' magazine Issue81 September-October 2009 - out in now.

Images from Inside Out magazine Issue 81 September-October 2009

[New] Favourite Palatial Home...

I have been snooping around on the real estate websites [again] and found this gorgeous home and had to share it with you - I also remember seeing this home featured in an issue of Inside Out Magazine - from last year, of one of the founders & owners of 'Print Dolls' - who is Alice Flynn, which you can see in the top image - a black & white banner - which is actually the bus stop roll that used be used on buses...

A bit about the home - excerpt from Belle Property....

Designed by Marika Jarv, one of belle magazine's featured up and coming architects this stunning one year old home in a fashionable beachside suburb features soaring ceilings and a plethora of windows to perfectly capture the light. enjoy quality living set high on 697sqm parcel of land with leafy panoramas, a favoured north aspect, cul de sac location, close to careel bay wharf, beautiful surf beaches, and Avalon’s popular shopping village and cafes.

Accommodation: with northern light flooding into the vast open living area that flows through bi-fold doors to one of two private entertaining decks in merbau timber. three bedrooms, main with white mosaic tiled ensuite and walk in robe, two with built-ins, and seamless caesarstone kitchen includes extra omega gas stove top and extra wide (900mm) electric oven and large island bench for ultimate socialising.

Features: built to meticulous designer standards with an emphasis on simple,clean lines throughout to create a light and airy atmosphere, details include custom designed lighting and doors,laundry with built in storage, magnificent blackbutt floorboards, rainwater tank, double auto lock up garage with workshop and high ceiling space to fit all your sporting toys.

Those wishing to make an offer can contact Belle Property... Enjoy!

Images from Belle Property

Note - Edit Correction: Thank You to Alice Flynn of Print Dolls for emailing me about this post 28/12/09 - my apologies to Alice - as this is Alice's home that featured in Inside Out Magazine & Belle Property, and not Marika's, as originally posted.