Get Your Curb Appeal - On! Part 1: Focal Point.

 

 

 

 Make the Front Door Special

Spruce up your front door with a coat of glossy paint in whatever color best suits the style of your home. A cottage-style house may look great with a country blue door, a Colonial may be crying out for a cheerful red door. As long as it's fresh and not too trendy, it'll attract positive attention. Make sure the door doesn't squeak when it opens, too!

 In a Day

Replace old hardware

House numbers, the entry door lockset, a wall-mounted mailbox, and an overhead light fixture are all elements that can add style and interest to your home's exterior. If they're out of date or dingy, your home may not be conveying the aesthetic you think it is. These elements add the most appeal when they function collectively, rather than as mix-and-match pieces. Oiled-bronze finishes suit traditional homes, while brushed nickel suits more contemporary ones.

 

 

In A Weekend 

Install a New Screen Door

A lot of homes are fitted with inexpensive aluminium screen doors that hide an attractive entry door. Newer screen-door designs offer larger glass panels, sturdier frames, and more colour choices. If you don't have a screen door, paint the entry door with an accent paint colour or clear varnish on wood.

 

 

In a Month

Upgrade railings

Porch and stoop railings can deteriorate quickly if not treated properly. If your railings are past their prime, look for quality wood or metal components to replace the existing material. As with other improvements attached directly to the house, make sure the color, scale, design, details, and material are compatible with the home's main features.

 

Paving-Stone Path

Mixing different kinds of stone and other materials creates a unique pathway that fits perfectly into any landscape. The goal is to create a pleasing blend and contrast between the materials used. For example, full or broken pieces of cut stone can be combined with fieldstone and gravel to create attractive pathways.

No matter the design, material, and shape, guests will marvel at the care, attention to detail, and amount of time that went into construction. This handsome and durable paving-stone pathway makes a great addition to any yard.

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Something close to my heart & my styling -colour design business Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions is helping my pre-sale property styling clients in getting their place on 'The Path to Sold'!

Nothing can affect your property more than it's presentation when getting prepared to put it to market to sell. Presenting your home to its optimal level means starting from the curb and making your way in... both the exterior and interior need to work together in order to meet market expectations, to get your marketing campaign, agent appraisal, inspection footfall and ultimately offers on your property & SOLD!

Hope you enjoy these little tid-bits on curb appeal - part 1; more to follow in several more parts in the next coming days...

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If you or someone you know needs a design professional in preparation for selling a property be it owner occupied or tenanted - then be sure to contact me, Sarah, at Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions, info@verandahhomeliving.biz for examples of our work please visit www.verandahhomeliving.biz Look forward to helping sell your property.

Enjoy,  

 

 

images and sub text from bhg.com

a little greenery...

Not only did the dappled light first catch my eye but the perspective and
 finish of the bricked path and feathered grassed edging.
Just like walking through a natural cathedral....

Mr Palatial & I have been spending a fair bit of time in the garden lately - well ever since we bought our new-old home back in July really - aside once each 'mini projecty' is put to bed we have the other one ready formulated and partially saved up for! The local landscape supplier, ANL [short for Australian Native Landscapes], has gotten to know our driveway well, unloading tonnes of soil - that never really seem enough! Those of you whom have landscaped before will empathise completely!

The idea of providing seating around a tree in a courtyard makes this tree look
like a natural umbrella framing the above space over head of the seated... it makes
 it feel more intimate and cosy... the lace like leave of Japanese maples would
be perfect for this affect. Here the base of the tree trunk has been 'pleached'
[where lower branches & leaves removed'] to create a smooth effect and easy
seating space underneath the upper branches.

I love the concept of limestone or sandone dry-stone walls... Mr Palatial and I recently watched a program on how to make your own 'dry-stone' wall and yep - you guessed it that's one on the list for the front yard of our home!

We also recently found a great aborist through a good friend - we like to use personal referrals where possible - the gentlemen, Geoff & Clinton from Sydney Tree Removals, removed a 40 year tree 'stump' about 4.5-5mts tall to the centre side of our back yard. the previous and original owners. We are told by another long term neighbour - had cut the tree down some 40years ago but left the tall stump! This was now home to a massive monsteria plant also... Presumably it was expensive to cut down and didn't see the need to finish it to the ground. Well now that we have done just that it makes a huge difference to the vista and overall horizon of our back yard. We will now also have better access to the vegetable terrace [Zone 1] that we are now marking out and the stump's former position will now also be part of the place for Isabelle's cubby house that we recently just bought for a 'bargain of the century' price of $99.00 on eBay! More pics on  Isabelle's cubby transformation soon - we still need to build the brick piers for it!

BEFORE - the 40yr + Tree -Stump ready to clear

BEFORE - the 40yr + Tree -Stump ready to clear

So with that I found some images that had completely inspired me with regards to finishes & looks, and created atmosphere... I adore this time of the year in Sydney - Autumn - perfect time for gardening and so much looks so good. Is there something in your garden, or courtyard, or balcony that inspires you with a green thumb? Many say that they can't garden - but there's no harm in looking & enjoying other peoples fruits of their labour too! Check out your local parks or city botanical gardens... you don't have to lift a finger there -
Just enjoy!

Partially trimmed down... by Sydney Tree Removals

AFTER - plenty of beautiful firewood ready

for the cooler evenings.

AFTER - GONE! Old Hills hoist in the centre - Post tree trunk & stump...
clear view to the rear of the yard

to the turpentine trees [the sentinels of the yard] & Japanese Maple.
Now more access and light for the remaining plants

AFTER - remnants of the trunk piled up to cut down further and to

mark out space for the vegetable terrace behind the
garage [northern-western light all day] and Isabelle's cubby house!

 

images via lets drift away, tumblr, pretty stuff 

via david fueller, verandah-home & garden living solutions

Humble Pride...

Some days it feels more poignant than others... 

Just as you are... 

 keep confidence, be proud of what you stand for, & your achievements.

Keep humble in your approach... 

Take care,

images via lets drift away, tumblr, pretty stuff, luellaloves

Hello May!

 Ummm Hello May!

Where did my April go?? Did part of your year already feel like this?

April was such an amazing month...  

Amongst a family wedding [Mr Palatial's - sister Kylie & now officially brother in law - Jim, more late]; Birthdays - Mr Palatial's Nana, and Two of my Grandmothers - 92years old and 85years old respectively, a God Daughter's 3rd birthday and our Little 'Is' who turned a feisty 'independent 2!'.

Then we were in the midst for a celebration of life as we farewelled Mr Palatial's Great Grandmother Caroline - whom at 109 years old & 7 months packed out her memorial service with family and many friends over her gorgeously lived life.

A few snaps I have posted from our recent little sojourn to our Nation's capital - Canberra over an extended weekend. These gorgeous park shots were taken at Commonwealth Park - a well known place for stunning deciduous trees of all varieties, sitting on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin - and home to many stunning Black Swans. This park is also home to an annual colour display that was in panning whilst we there 'Floriade'. Our little Is loved playing in the park, running along the crushed granite pathways, into the stone hill tunnel and castle play area, over the bridges and chasing and chased by the water birds!

If you get a chance to pop to Canberra for a little bit it would have to be one of the prettiest times to see it...  

Thank for stopping by Palatial Living... See you soon.

Enjoy,

images - via Sarah Verity - verandah home & graden living solutions, and tumblr .

Mid Week House Snoop...All the Right Views.

Pictures really telling a thousand & one descriptors for this stunning Palatial Living home in this week's

Mid Week House Snoop!

Not sure what I can add to describing any more to this stunning home locate do Sydney's Lower North Shore suburb of Mosman [this suburb is home to many well heeled , and many of whom work across the harbour in the city so it's a perfect commute location]  that these fabulous images don't already do... except I couldn't find an image of the master suite! So either it's a home of someone well know who doesn't want their bedroom showing - amongst their fellow executives or subordinates, or the view isn't that great! I'd prefer to lean to the first - something juicy maybe in a snoop! I know that I wouldn't mind taking a dip in the sumptuous lap pool and take in a chilled wine down at the boat house... 

But let me ask this of whomever purchases this home and finds this small blog posting on their [now] new home - please contact me to help you with working on introducing colour into your walls - even in 'aspect tonal neutrals' to help provide depth into each room/ space.  A blank canvas is one thing for hanging art pieces, but it's another thing & a shame to not showcase the depth of the space by tarring it with just one shade!

Lastly - One Question, Does the boat come with the sale I wonder...

Enjoy, 

Agent's Blurb - Ray White: Lower North Shore, Agent Kingsley Yates 

Deep Waterfront Estate - Breathtaking Due North Views & World-Class Facilities 

A veritable paradise for the boating enthusiast, this sophisticated classic residence has been custom crafted to offer the ultimate environment for both grand scale entertaining and family living. Situated in an exclusive cul-de-sac on the scenic shores of beautiful Quakers Hat Bay, it commands panoramic views over Middle Harbour from a sequence of indoor and outdoor living spaces and north facing resort-style gardens. 


Positioned on approx 1,800sqm with luxurious features and exceptional waterfront facilities including a fully equipped boathouse, slipway and jetty. - Electric gates to a grand sandstone drive & triple garage- Striking entry vestibule with travertine floors & reflection pond- Beautiful formal rooms, open fireplace, American Oak floors- Sunlit family living room, custom fitted home office & harbour view study- Loggia-style entertainer's terrace & lush manicured lawns- Gourmet Carrara marble island kitchen flowing to family living room- TV lounge, double beds with built-ins, au pair or guest suite - Master with dressing room, ensuite & magical harbour views- Bisazza mosaic tiled pool, waterfront gardens with boathouse- Wine cellar, vast storage, ducted air, outdoor lighting scheme


View by appointment. For further information please contact Kingsley Yates on 0411 875 017.

Property ID: 2009018349

images & subtext via domain.com.au via ray white lower north shore lisiting

no commision or fees were given to this blog post - but feel free to contact me to advertise!

Something For A Poignant Day Date... 21.2.12

When I realised the sequence of today's date - when written like 21.2.12 - a numerical palindrome it could be a secret ancient code for moving forwards to the future - or looking backwards to the past,,.  

Sometimes letters and numerals in 'code' form can look like a well considered design be it in semiotics, symbology or something simply plain, basic, yet naturally beautifully. More often with a meaning or value placed around or behind it... What does today's date mean to you? 

Here are a few images that created a 'moody' scene for me, my 'moody mood board' like a swell growing as the tide draws back...just like - when thinking of a beautiful conspiracy coded date like today! My wild imagination gets the better of me sometimes! Can you tell?! Did you notice today's date in a sequence or code? Is there a sequential looking date that is special to you or stands out more than any other for you? Love to hear from you... 

Enjoy, 

images via tumblr, sweet montana, coffee&cognac, east atlanta, crush cul de sac,