In Love with Letterpress...by Ruby Victoria.

'Hugs & XX's' notecards
by Ruby Victoria Letterpress & Printmaking

'Owl' bookmark by Ruby Victoria Letterpress & Printmaking

I'm back from our first family holiday away - Isabelle did so well being pulled from pillar to post and on a jet plane - from Sydney to Hobart to Cradle Mountain [Tasmania] and back again. She had her first 'real' snow at Mt Wellington  Cradle Mountain, and her first bustling markets experience at the fabulous Salamanca Markets, Salamanca [Hobart]. It was at Salamanca where I came across so many wonderful local craftspeople. One in particular caught my eye...the very talented and friendly Narelle [Badalassi] who runs and owns 'Ruby Victoria Letter Press & Printmaking'. I have always loved letterpress and printmaking was one of my favourite prac-studios at uni. Here are a few pics I took of Narelle's amazing stand at the Salamanca Markets. I fell in love with all of it - especially the Babushka [tea towel], the owl book marks, and the letter press note cards 'Hugs & XX's'! I'm sure you'll find your favourites too! S xxx 

Babushka tea towel
 by Ruby Victoria Letterpress & Printmaking

Blue bird gift tags
by Ruby Victoria Letterpress & Printmaking

For more of Narelle's work be sure to either visit her at the Salamanca Markets, Hobart Tasmania held on Saturdays or visit her blog HERE, and her Etsy.com store HERE.

A BIG Thanks to Narelle for a lovely chat whilst I was visiting her beautiful stand & town, and for allowing me to take images of her gorgeous work at the markets. S xx

Cards by Ruby Victoria Letter Press & Printmaking
 stand at Salamanca Markets, Hobart TAS.
End August 2010

'Tea Cup' Cards by Ruby Victoria Letter Press & Printmaking
stand at Salamanca Markets, Hobart TAS.
End August 2010

'Cupcake' Note cards Ruby Victoria Letter Press & Printmaking

Note cards Ruby Victoria Letter Press & Printmaking

Images of Ruby Victoria Letterpress & Printmaking via Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions

Friday Flowers...For You!

- A Vignette - Magnolia Grandiflora -

Friday Flowers in a different form - photography, and a truly beautiful image too. It's one of Palatial Living's signature blooms & one of my ALL time favourites - the Grandiflora Magnolia! Another great image from Martha Stewart via gorgeous blog, Lona de Anna! Happy Friday to You!

Apologies for the lack of postings this week a plethora of things happening - we have just come back from our first family holiday as '3' with our little Isabelle, whilst celebrating my husband's birthday, and had great time - but am all over the place with Palatial Living, and have just made my deadline emailing my lovely client her 'Pre-Sales Styling & Staging Guideline Report' minutes ago! Ohhh my 'laptop' shoulders need a soak, and there seems to be a tonne of housework to catch up on! Friday really crept up on me this week...Hope you have great weekend & Enjoy! S xxx

Image from Martha Stewart via Lona de Anna blog

Just Because...

I love this room - the mix of colour & pattern. I especially love the use of wallpaper here it's applied to the inside of the book shelves and coordinates back with the pink slip covered deep lounge chairs... a really great way to explore colour, pattern and style with wallpaper and without having to give up a whole wall! S x

Image via Country Living

Birthday Wishes x

Lego Birthday Cake

Wishing my darling husband & wonderful daddy [to our Isabelle], Matthew, a very Happy Birthday today! Love You xxx

I couldn't go past this fabulous Lego inspired birthday cake for my husband who is just mad about Lego ever since he was a little tacker! x

P.S I'll be back from holidays soon this week and back posting some
great places I've come across in my travels in Tasmania! See you soon x

image via vi.sualize.us

Happy Weekend!

From the Boat Ramp at Dove Lake [early dawn]
Cradle Mountain TASMANIA
by Phillip Greenwood Photography
.

The Boathouse on Dove Lake at Dawn
Cradle Mountain TASMANIA
by Phillp Greenwood Photography

We're off on our 1st Family holiday with baby Isabelle [now 4 months old!], and we're travelling far south to the cooler weather of Tasmania! We're spending a few extra days on top of the weekend to celebrate my darling husband's birthday... So it's on a jet plane for us, I won't be posting for a couple of days next week but promise to look out for some great stores, galleries and sites to share with you when I'm back home. Amongst other things I'm looking forward to visiting the Salamanca Markets & a few galleries in Hobart and spending time at Cradle Mountain [it might snow!}. 

So for you I wish a very Happy Weekend! Thank you for joining me this week at Palatial Living! Take care & Enjoy. S xxx

image via Phillip Green Photography

Friday Flowers...

Friday Flowers this week... I had a blog snoop the other night after I received a lovely comment and came across these gorgeous Cymbidium orchids, planted into a wide trough, on a fabulous blog, Lona de Anna - Anna is also a lovely Palatial Living fan... Thank You Anna for listing Palatial Living on your 'Blogs on the Block'! Enjoy x

Images via Lona de Anna / from Martha Stewart

Early Spring? Or Just Spr-inter...

Apple Ice Tea

Today in Sydney it was unseasonably warm at 23/ 24 C and I think it took us all a little aback, from the cool windy weather we had over the weekend, today I scrambled to pull out something cooler to wear, and to drink - the water went down fast! But I also came across this delicious recipe on Country Living for Apple Ice Tea I though I'd share with you. I love any Ice Tea [especially Long Island ones!] at the best of times - but I thought this was a nice twist. Ice Tea is definitely a great 'Palatial' drink to serve your guests! Here's the recipe below if you'd like to give it try... Enjoy x

Apple Ice Tea
Serves: 4
Total Time: 10 min

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 5 min


Ingredients in Metric
4 [darjeeling] 'Lipton' black tea bags
2 tablespoon(s) honey
480 mls apple juice
1 lemon, sliced

Alternate Recipe - Add 2-3 shots of Apple or Citrus infused Vodka for a Grown-Up After 4pm Ice Tea version!

Directions
1.Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Pour ½ cup water over tea bags in a large measuring cup. Steep for 5 minutes; remove and squeeze tea bags. Add honey, stirring well.
2.Add enough ice so tea reaches the 1-cup mark. Fill 2 tall glasses with ice. Add ½ cup tea, ½ cup apple juice and several lemon slices to each; stir & enjoy!

Image & Recipe via Country Living

Mid-Week House Snoop...Coastal Estate.

A fabulous home that deserves a Palatial Living look in, this beautiful & tastefully appointed home is located in Matcham on Sydney's Central Coast...Take a look I'm sure there's a room or feature you'll love! Enjoy x

An elegant jewel at dusk the home and manicured gardens
set as the backdrop to the horizon pool with spa is lit up in the
evening from the verandah lights.

A vaulted timber ceiling with panoramic double windows and
doors from the dining & family rooms lead out to the paved
wraparound verandah and pool area.

Generous ceiling height & picture windows gives
full vantage to a light filled lounge room complete
with a warm open fire. 

Dive in - the edgeless horizon pool has possibly
the best view on the estate.

A full chef's kitchen with double stove top & oven,
extractor and ample granite bench space - making toast &
tea on a Sunday night just may not cut it!

Open Plan Living & Dining Room is spacious enough
 for all types of gatherings.

Main view - rear garden of the sprawling single level home.

Agent's Blurb - McGrath Real Estate
MATCHAM NSW 8/150 Coachwood Road
Positioned in a commanding location with breathtaking scenic views across Matcham Valley, this stunning residence sits perfectly on a prime 2.5 acre allotment absorbed in absolute privacy.

• Beautiful architectural home, 12 foot ceilings, polished timber floors
• Large formal lounge room, open casual living spaces, rumpus
• Huge gourmet kitchen with marble bench tops and walk-in pantry
• Office, main suite with walk-in robe and ensuite, air conditioning
• Serine pool encompassed by white sandstone and designer finishes
• Established gardens, manicured lawn, outdoor entertaining areas
• Multiple garaging, workshop and storage, 100,000 litre water tank
• Town water, private drive, internal intercom entertainment system
• Five minutes to Terrigal, Erina Fair, moments to Grammar School
• 90 minutes to Sydney, warm north aspect, exclusive address

Images via Domain.com.au & McGrath.com.au

Happy Birthday to My Sister x

A few delicious images I am posting in favour of my sister, Felicity's birthday today! Flowers, Cake, Jewellery & Accessories from at least one of her fave stores, LKBennett - what more do you need on your birthday [except shoes!]...

Fresh White Freesias

Delicious Vanilla [Gluten Free] White Frosted Birthday Cake

Fabulous Accessories from LKBennett

Unique & Gorgeous: Vintage Floral Collar Necklace from Miss Selfridge

Sending Birthday Love, Wishes, Hugs & Kisses to my darling [little] sister all the way over in London-town!Hope you have a wonderful birthday & get spoilt silly! So glad the presents & flowers arrived... Love You. S, M & I xxx

Images via Country Living, LKBennett, Miss Selfridge

Room of the Day...+ Love this Master Bedroom.

I love this calm, serene, contemporary master bedroom.... it may be monochromatic but the visual and tactile texture of the soft furnishings, lamps & accessories is certainly a great example of how to bring depth & interest into a simple colour scheme... x

image via myhomeideas.com / cottage living

Faded Grandeur...

It's strange how sometimes two non-related images or things can completely interlink and inspire me... I was inspired by two main things for this post 'Vogue Living' July/ August 2010 issue with an editorial 'Walls That Talk' of Debra Cronin's gorgeous romantic renovated-dilapidated Woollahra terrace, and a friend's recent facebook [gorgeous] profile pic of herself and her [nearly 1 year old] son reaching for a beautiful chandelier in their home... Led me to post these images that further inspire me, maybe I am preoccupied with the idea of re-decorating our master bedroom! Enjoy x 

images via Australian Vogue Living Aug/Sept 10, Flickr, TelegraphUK, Vi.sualize.us

Colour Theory at The Gallery.

I just recently received my AGNSW - Contempo e-newsletter and thought of all of you fabulous Palatial followers... So if you love colour & the theory of it - like I do - then for those of you who follow this very strict criteria [it's too easy], can join in on the world of a colour fun workshop! 

a) Live in, or will be visiting, Sydney on Saturday 21 August

& b) Want to learn more about colour & it's theory

Then you will love the workshop being held at The Art Gallery Of NSW on Saturday 21st August!

AGNSW + SATURDAY 21 AUGUST - COLOUR THEORY

Explore the world of colour. In this absolute beginners guide to using colour, make a basic colour wheel and explore the relationship between colours. No experience expected. Bring an apron.

What: ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS: COLOUR THEORY

When: SATURDAY 21 AUGUST 
At: 1PM-4PM
Where: MEET MEMBERS LOUNGE - AGNSW - Art Gallery Road, The Domain - Sydney NSW
Cost: $45 MEMBERS  / $50 NON-MEMBERS
More information visit AGNSW  OR CALL (02) 9225 1878

Details can be found at AGNSW - Contempo

Happy Weekend....

It's been a great week... I have to apologise with spasmodic posting I've been a little preoccupied with our little girl Isabelle  & her activities [it's getting loads of fun playing with her now] and also 'Verandah' clients, since the website launch. I just received my latest Vogue Living in the post yesterday and love so many of the articles & images - here's a couple in particular I had to share with you.

 I'm off to see one of my lovely clients this weekend to help them get ready to sell their home - so we're on a timeline project for finishing off odd jobs and to stage their home - it's very exciting! What are you up to this weekend?

In Sydney this weekend it's unseasonably warm, as well as bright & sunny - but the 'August Winds' have shown up this week so it's not great picnic weather but at least the washing is getting dry in record time! Thanks again for joining me this week at Palatial Living! Enjoy & Happy Weekend! S x

image via Australian vogue living Sept/Oct 2010 issue

Palatial Living Loves...The Point Perry Beach House

Palatial Living Loves...The Point Perry Beach House. In a recent issue of Habitus Living magazine, is an article featuring the amazing & incredibly stylish 'Point Perry Beach House', located in Coolum Queensland, that was brought back to life in 2008 by award winning architects [2010 Australian Institute of Architects Sunshine Coast House of the Year] Owen and Vokes. Read on... an excerpt from Habitus Living. Enjoy x

+ The Point Perry Beach House

For architects Owen and Vokes it was a respect for the original 1990s beach house and the intricacies of the house site which drove the design of this Sunshine Coast home.On a sloping site in Coolum, Queensland, architect Lindsay Clare designed a classic Sunshine Coast beach house. Almost 20 years on the home, with panoramic ocean views, has been sensitively renewed by architects Owen and Vokes.

“We didn't set out to re-design the original Lindsay Clare House, but rather to preserve its character,” explains Owen and Vokes’ Emma Hodgkinson.The architects made only a few alterations to the existing house, including an extension and re-location of the kitchen and the opening of the rear wall, all helping to connect the living spaces to the landscape beyond.

“Our new work includes a garage 'bunker' with garden over, and the rear extension with verandah access to two bedrooms and two bathrooms.” Most of the original features of the house have been retained – aside from re-painting the home from the original blue to the new crisp white. “[The alterations involved] re-occupation rather than re-modeling, such as inserting new built-in joinery to re-orient the living spaces towards views or to connect with landscape spaces,” Emma says.

The whole project involved making the flow of the home, which is over 5 levels, work for its occupants, rather than a disjointed collection of separate modules. A fibro-clad rear extension has helped to achieve this with a small excavation into the hillside.

Perhaps the most striking addition is the solid timber casements overlooking the courtyard which can be opened or closed for privacy and weather – although as Emma explains, “they have actually only been closed once during a wild storm”.

It appears that with homes such as this – and perhaps this is a broader comment on life itself – it is the restrictions placed upon us, the challenges and the remnants of history that deliver the most creative results.

The project won the 2010 Australian Institute of Architects Sunshine Coast House of the Year.

If you liked this house, you’ll love the home of writer John Birmingham, also by Owen and Vokes, in the upcoming Issue 09 of Habitus magazine – out September 2010.

Owen and Vokes - owenandvokes.com

Photographer: Jon Linkins

Images & Excerpt via Habitus Living magazine.

 

Mid-Week House Snoop....Hunters Hill.

There aren't too many homes that seem to completely fit my 'bill' but here is one that comes close if not to perfection! Palatial Living's Mid Week House Snoop lands us in Sydney's Hunters Hill - although I would call this Woolwich  - the postal address is Hunters Hill. This Federation - Queen Anne style home has so many fabulous amenities - amazing location  so close to the city - with expansive views of the city skyline including the Sydney Harbour bridge & Sydney Tower, a private boathouse and mooring, and sublime interiors [blue and white combinations - love them!] and breathtaking grounds... Take a look and you'll see what I mean! Enjoy x

Agent's Blurb - McGrath Real Estate....
Superb deep waterfront home with exceptional views

Few residences can summon such a welcoming feel of style, sophistication and ease of family living. This beautifully renovated waterfront residnce is a private family sanctuary that commands breathtaking harbour and city views.

• Occupying a level 1,031sqm with north east facing grounds
• Boating facilities include boatshed, jetty and sandy beach
• Superbly finished interiors integrate with outdoor areas
• Generous living and dining areas with high ornate ceilings
• Private level lawn, wide terraces and swimming pool
• Deluxe island kitchen fitted with the finest Ilve appliances
• Grand master suite with luxury ensuite and dressing room
• Double garage and self-contained studio with private entry
• Ducted air conditioning, Jetmaster fireplaces, alarm security
• Premier peninsula address just footsteps to ferries and buses

Property ID: 2008336382

Images via Domain.com.au & McGrath