Long Weekend Palatial House Tour... A Weekend Cottage on Fire Island N.Y

I'm on a lovely long weekend, June Long Weekend, here in Australia, and with that in mind was thinking of weekenders & home-away-from-home cottages and I came across this gorgeous 'weekend home' located on Fire Island NY,  in Country Living magazine...it belongs to Alex Bates, who is the creative director of [U.S Home Decor & Furniture company] 'West Elm'.

By using a crisp, clean palette and pared back, simple furnishings Alex has successfully created a calm, serene presence that 's not comprised by 'just' being a weekender! I know you'll love this cottage as much as I do... Enjoy! x

[above] A vintage breadbox, earthy vessels by Heath Ceramics, and blue Martha Stewart bowls stitch together the room's beach-inspired color scheme.

[above] In the kitchen, Alex Bates paired contemporary West Elm chairs with a weathered farm table that belonged to the home's previous owners. The oyster plates were a gift from Bates's mother-in-law.

[above] For the guest room, Bates added cotton slipcovers with contrast piping to twin headboards from her own childhood.

[above] Bates furnished the master bedroom with a headboard and linens from West Elm, plus a couple of vintage paintings. A linen tablecloth draped over an upholstered headboard adds a subtle sense of depth.

 

[above] The couple's enclosed front porch doubles as a guest room, thanks to a built-in daybed decorated with pillows from West Elm. Alex found the turtle shells at an antiques store.

[above] Sun hats & green grocer bags hung on the front porch also add a welcoming feeling.

[click on image to enlarge]

[above] The owners, Alex and Andrew Bates - bicycle along one of Fire Island's boardwalks. Berry bushes line the boardwalk behind their home, where they pick fresh blueberries for making pancakes. So jealous! 

[above] The vintage sofa is covered in easy-to-wash white canvas, [you can have your upholsterer or interior decorator organise removable slip covers for a favourite lounge or chairs that you'd like to keep, or check Ikea for similar styles]   and on the floor for a fuss-­free look is an affordable jute rug. An antique sea coral print hangs between the windows. High-gloss white paint on a ceiling reflects natural light, painted floorboards in white also helps keep the space clean, bright & fresh.

Images from Country Living.

Flowers for Friday...

Happy Friday - Welcome Weekend! I am so happy that this week - here in Sydney- is finishing up on Sunny, Beautiful, Cool weather. We had almost 2 weeks of constant rain - great for the garden and those inside jobs I kept putting off - but not so for getting out & about with a newborn! I am so happy to have launched 'The Palatial Living Store' an e-store powered by Amazon where I have listed many of mine/ Palatial's favourite design & art books, movies & music - I hope that you will drop by and find something that you love!

This weekend here in Australia we have the June Long Weekend - Queen's Birthday [even though the Queen's actual birthday falls in April!] but all the more a great a excuse for a long weekend... which we all love!  

A BIG Welcome to the newest Palatial Living followers this week - Thank You for joining & dropping by Palatial Living... your kind comments & wishes mean so much to me! Hope you have a fabulous Friday & a wonderful Weekend - a long one or not! Enjoy... S xxx

Image from Country Living

Palatial Loves - Saul Bass & Henri's Walk to Paris...

Palatial Loves... 'Henri's Walk To Paris'.

I have previously posted about the fabulously talented, Design extraordinaire - Saul Bass, here are some images from his amazing illustrations of his Children's book written by Leonore Klein c.1962 Henri's Walk To Paris. From the strong grpahic element & colour application - Saul's most commanding qualities in his graphic design work - to the lovely 'simple' story of a little boy's journey through to the streets of Paris and what he encounters along the way... it's a shame that this lovely book is now out of print, maybe a publisher will pick it up for production in the near future. Until then ebay or second hand stores/ vintage book swaps are the only avenue to get your hands on it. Aside - I love it, and will have to keep my eyes open for a copy!  Enjoy - S x

As extract from 'Drawn'

As far as I know this is the only kids picture book illustrated by designer Saul Bass. Saul provides a 60s pop color backdrop for the text written by Leonore Klein. The book was published by Young Scott books in 1962.

Henri’s walk to Paris is the story of young boy who lives in Reboul, France that dreams of going to Paris. One day, after reading a book about Paris he decides to pack up a lunch and head for the city. Along the way he gets tired and falls asleep under a tree. This is when the story really gets good. I’m not sure if I should spoil the end for you, but lets just say it involves a pencil stealing bird with a band aid on its face.

Here below is the actual preface as seen in the book.

———————————————————————————————————————
Like many of us Henri wants to see Paris.

In Paris, there are thousands of buses.

In Reboul, where Henri lives, there is only one bus.

In Paris there are many parks and rows and rows of trees.

The Park in Reboul has only five trees.

In Paris there are many zoos full of animals for the people to see.

So one fine day Henri packs up some lunch and starts off to see all the things he had read about.

What Henri sees we see in a flowing panorama of pictures conceived by the eminent graphic designer, Saul Bass.

And how Henri finds himself very much at home at the end of his long journey, is the amusing secret of Mrs. Klein’s warm pattern story.

------------------------------------------------

'Henri Walks to Paris' by Saul Bass - Images from Flickr - Grainspace

Mid Week House Snoop... Palatial Inner West Incredible.

This week's mid week house snoop takes us to Sydney's Inner West of Burwood - on of the most prestigious and palatial addresses, and dress circle of 'Appin Way'. Take a look at this multi million dollar, lovingly restored & modernised Federation home - you'll see why it's worth snooping upon!

Impressive & Elegant frontage of this Palatial Federation home.

Clever space ideas - the garage has been excavated into the property allowing for more rear yard space.

Informal dining - open plan living & dining space looks out to the outdoor bbq & pool area

A quiet place to relax and enjoy the view

Den & Study - complete with open fire & built in timber library

Impressive wrought iron & timber staircase

Sleek Timber look 2Pac & Caesar Stone Kitchen

Rear Yard pool & bbq-pool house

Rear yard pperspective

Agent's Blurb - Elders Inner West; Property ID: 2008399410

Positioned within the exclusive and historically significant 'Appian Way', this impressive Federation residence is distinguished by its grand proportions, gracious period integrity and spectacular new additions to provide resort style living spaces that offer modern practicality creating an inviting sanctuary of charm and luxurious comfort.

5 bedrooms, built ins, the master suite with gas fireplace, walk in robe, designer marble tiled ensuite and study area with built in desk . Elegant formal lounge with concealed movie screen and surround sound, additional TV room and ducted air conditioning throughout . Entry vestibule and hallway with hand laid parquetry, 2 additional marble tiled bathrooms with 'Grohe' fittings and floor heating .

Spacious open plan TV/rumpus room, dining features rich coloured lead light windows and impressive timber and wrought iron staircase and flows out to an undercover entertaining patio . Award winning designer Caesar stone kitchen complete with Gaggenau double oven, gas cook top and steamer plus outdoor kitchen/BBQ area in stainless steel complete with fridge . Basement garaging for up to 6 vehicles, temperature controlled wine cellar, electronic security gates, freestanding pool house with bathroom and gym, in-ground pool, automated irrigation system, sprawling lawns and gardens (approx 1300m2)

Images from Domain.com.au

Fab New Book... Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces.

You know how much I love books here's another to my 'Palatial Living' collection - Take a look at this fab 'new' book released in May this year - by Apartment Therapy [we love them] aptly titled Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces.  Apartment Therapy is considered THE go-to for small space solutions and they have achieved this with gorgeous images of vignettes in this book - by showing you how you can have your personal objects in your living space - whilst trying to not look cluttered, but more so 'layered with meaning'. I've got this one on order! For more of Apartment Therapy visit their website.

Please Visit 'The Palatial Living Store' [powered through Amazon] if you'd like to purchase any of these great books.

Image from Visualize.us & Amazon.com for more info go to - Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces

Other fantastic Apartment Therapy books are - Apartment Therapy: The Eight-Step Home Cure & Apartment Therapy Presents: Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds of Design Solutions

Stylish Sexy Interiors...

Above - the dining space with fabulous metal chandelier by Property, and chair print fabric by Lee Jofa  

Above - looking through the dining room to the kitchen - I love these tiles from Heath Ceramics, for Ann Sacks.

Above - the living room, with wool mohair upholstered Montauk Sofa, and Paul Smith cushion for The Rug Company.

Above - the master bedroom, fabulous upholstered bedhead fabric from Kravet

I had my 1st night out on Saturday evening [several hours away from home & baby Isabelle whilst my husband aka Daddy 'babysat'] and went to dinner & the movies with my two best girlfriends - to see the ultimate girl movie -'Sex & the City 2'! Finally Carrie Bradshaw has found the light...much like myself I used to devour fashion - being the industry for over 10 years I adore her comment to a sales girl of one of her once favourite boutiques '...I've been cheating on fashion with furniture...' quips Carrie Bradshaw in the new Sex and The City 2 Movies! Hurray! I cannot tell you how much I adored the set design of this movie - in particular Carrie & John [aka Big] Preston's apartment.

Not to spoil the movie for you they sold the penthouse apartment after the wedding debacle and moved several floors down in the same building - regardless the apartment is to die-for and will surely strike a number of interior trends... especially that of wallpaper and a sleek elegant monochromatic palette lit with shiny surfaces and visually enriched with pattern, print & texture. You will want to wall paper and upholster everything! The signature colour seems to be - a velvet sapphire blue  - think all shades of Carrie's Manolo Blahnik wedding shoes.

With this in mind I came across some fabulous images that Elle Decor [U.S] has recently published and was dying to share them with you... designed by Production Designer Jeremy Conway [designer for the series and both films] and decorator Lydia Marks of Marks & Frantz.

Hope you enjoy these images as much as I do... S x

Above Left - Carrie & John [Big's] new walk through wardrobe.

Above Right - The apartment's entry hall way with a fabulous glass-blown chandelier by Lindsey Adelman

Find all furniture & decorator item credits and Images from Elle Decor

For more 'Sex and the City' visit these links below...

Sex and the City 2: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Sex and the City 2: The Stories. The Fashion. The Adventure. 

Sex and the City: The Complete Series (Collector's Giftset)

Sex and the City: The Movie (Widescreen Edition)

Friday Flowers...

It's a terribly dark & dreary day here in Sydney with torrential rain that doesn't seem like it will let up for a while now... So I was inspired to post this image of this very pretty, bright & colourful image of full headed peonies and a small turquoise ring in a pale pink shell vessel - it just pops!

I have to apologise and thank you all at once... I have been a little tardy in posting over the past several weeks as I try to get into more of a routine with my baby girl, Isabelle, and getting use to being at home making my own routine whilst also getting Isabelle's happening! So I thank you so much for your patience & for sticking with me at Palatial Living whilst I get my groove happening again! I am continually inspired and can't wait to keep sharing all my ideas with you, and hopefully help where I can!
Thanks again your support and kind wishes mean the world to me. Here's to Your Friday & Your Wonderful Weekend! Enjoy, S xxx

Image from Elle Decor

Glam Little Office Nook..

It doesn't take much to glam up your work space at home - take this fab small space for instance - by using accents of red with highlights of gold leaf, resin & crystal, a great chair and a simple writing desk. You've got it! The trick - playing with mixing a couple of styles up and using a limited palette [such as here].  Have you got an old desk or table that you could paint or revamp to help make an a new office nook? You're best bet to find furniture pieces with character that you can revamp is looking through the opportunity second hand stores, or furniture auctions. Have fun xxx

Image from Elle Decor.

Weekend Get Away...In the Mountains.

Look what I found... a weekend get away, Amberley Cottage located in Sydney's Blue Mountains in a favourite area of mine, Blackheath.

Amberley Cottage - Blackheath, front drive & path.
Dining Space

Wine & nibbles on the front verandah

Guest bedroom

Guest bedroom

Fully appointed kitchen

Cosy living room with slow burning wood fire

A sunny spot to catch up on reading

Garden breakfast in the rear yard.

This stylish cosy cottage has been decked out with all the mod cons and trappings you'd expect from a newly renovated home...or a luxury weekend away. It has a fully appointed kitchen - perfect for romantic dinners, or a full house with friends away - deck of cards, a few boards ad bottles of wine! Not to mention the slow burning wood fire in the corner of the living room, and the back garden table ready for a sunny breakfast....

Can we go now? The best news is you can! This property is listed on Stayz.com.au for mid-week or weekend accommodation... I'm there!

Amberly Cottage, Blackheath - Images from Stayz.com.au