31.10.13

Boo!


x KL 

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28.10.13

DETAILING: Entry

 
 The entry to a home must be one of the most important in terms of design consideration. 
If space and budget allow, I love creating a proper entry vestibule where you can answer the door without those outside seeing too much of inside.
Of course if they are welcomed in, then the house can be revealed!

The direction that a new visitor should take after entering the home can, and should be, dictated by the entry layout. From the front door, the 'flow' of a house should be intuitive and good design makes this possible.

our current project: entry

I've posted once before about my penchant for practical stair location HERE. I believe that stairwells in second story homes should not automatically be visible immediately upon entering a two storey home (in moi opinion) but located where they functionally make sense. In this project, I did place them in the entry, as I wanted the visitor to be drawn upstairs to the main living areas which are unusually, on the top floor.

The entry in this house was complex; becoming a crucial segment that joined two diverging planes in the house. (F*%& I'm impressing meself!!!)
In ordinary 'speak', we had two sections of the house that joined at an unusual angle in the entry. 
 It was an awkward arrangement and one I really struggled with. If our budget was more generous we would have engaged an architect. Any how, it's now done. To make the odd shaped space more visually palatable, I  plan to 'square' it up with joinery. The cupboard on the LHS of the entry door will achieve this and also enclose a very bulky sub-board electrical box. Clever. *pat self*
 I'm envisioning joinery that will be 'invisible' thus creating a 'wall effect'.
Wall-coloured doors, push-to open-catches....

If I had the luxury of increased ceiling height in this area, a lowered or heightened ceiling following a more rectangular shape would have been ideal but a step up in the floor made this impossible, more's the pity...

David's study is located to the left of the entry. He occasionally has clients and employees visiting and this location supported family privacy. Likewise the guest suite is accessed from here to enable  immediate welcoming of guests and settlement into their rooms whilst affording seclusion from the residing family (US! LOL!) if desired. (probably!)

A double width Cavity Sliding Door on the right of the entry will further isolate family (teen) activity (noise) if required or open to a guest self-sufficient area with lounge, kitchenette and laundry facilities. Multi-functionality really drove the design of these areas.

The stair-well to the lower ground level; garage, storage and cellar is also located to the immediate right of the entry, centrally located between the three levels. I planned for a dumbwaiter to be installed between all three levels but the cost proved prohibitive. ($15 K!) Perhaps a future buyer may realise this intention as the space is still allocated for a retro-fit.

 The front door is a massive commercial thing with two fixed side-lights and a over sized centre pivot door. We chose clear glazing as the view was too good to obstruct however we ensured no internal privacy was compromised in doing so.

Entry door 2011
I'll leave outside for future posts....

Oh, and it now looks like we need some re-glazing too...the wind blowing a 'stop' sign (don't ask!) over and smashing a side-light! #!*@ !!!!



Thank God I've got a sense of humour!


x KL 

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24.10.13

My week...



H e l l o ! ! !

It's been a busy week here with lots of different stuff going on. 

I've decided to start a de-clutter, commencing with my wardrobe. Why? 
Because I have have not come to terms with never being a size 6 or 8 again! *sob* 
(Still holding out hope for a 10 or 12 though! LOL!)

I found this brand new Oroton bag in the back of my cupboard! Eeeek! Took it for an outing to Grand Designs on Sunday but I now like a longer strap to keep my hands free so onto eBay it went. Click HERE if you're interested!

Love this little Jonathan Adler tray in silver (and the gold version too). Wishing someone in Oz would stock it so I can avoid those exy US shipping charges.

The lovely people at Rolling Stone Landscapes have given me the faux lawn supplier's deets! Yay!
Click HERE for further info!

I was thrilled to receive my recently ordered West Elm cutlery after THIS fiasco. Um....x 2!
1800 # assistance quick to apologise and easy to to get on to, but after three lengthy conversations, still no promised return authorisation docs. Apparently I wasn't charged for the $600+ of merchandise (they were very grateful I rang!)... hopefully they can survive these teething problems and don't scoot back to the US prematurely!

Darling daughter # 1, S purchased a new laptop. Oh My! Techno loaded and pretty too at < $1K!
The BF's parents have returned from OS bearing gifts....too funny!

And oops! I wrote a little one where a zero should've been on the custom shaving cabinet drawings.
A half hour installation turned into a four hour re-make, then install. Lucky he loves me!
Needless to say the vanity waits for another day. Thank God the other crucial deets were correct. 
When glazed, the cabinetry will sit perfectly flush with the walls. Whew!

Oh, and although this isn't my pic above, Mum & bub whales gave my girlfriend J and I a very similar show at brecky! Love living in paradise!!!!

x KL 

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22.10.13

Grand Designs - 2013

David and I attended Grand Designs Live 2013 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday courtesy of Cafe Lighting. (Thanks guys!) We thoroughly enjoyed the 2012 exhibition and really looked forward to attending again.
As last year, the displays were arranged in four zones: Building, Kitchens, Interiors and Outdoors.
Unfortunately, some of the exhibitors we looked forward to seeing (Engineered stone displays to be specific) were absent but surprises were provided by others. 

Add caption
The creative stand designs provided some of the best inspiration. (above)
We liked being able to 'touch / feel / play' with new Hettich products though frustratingly, found the reps uneducated and therefor unable to provide any meaningful information for the newest products on display.
 

Loved the House of Bamboo stand. It showcased creative applications of their product.
How clever is the slat-look screening? (Left & middle below)


Last year we were very enamoured with the Rolling Stone Landscapes expansive display. This year it was equally visually arresting though disappointed on a few levels. I love being inspired by creative design but placing the focus on a single $9 000+ priced item (show 'special' price too!) is a turn off for the average Joe-blow.  The weathered paling fence walkway (a more budget friendly concept)...looked good but by day three of the exhibition (the day we attended) was an auditory migraine. Eeeek!

We also liked their application of synthetic grass but....the representative couldn't tell me what it was because "they got it free for display and the supply guy doesn't want the work". W.T.F.? Grrrr.


Lurved this light fitting.....and all the stand employees at Lewy. They were so enthusiastic and excited about their new products it was infectious....and we saw them on their final day!
Exy but worth every cent; Australian made / manufactured quality... *sigh*


Bonsai (O.M.G. impressive variety), cool art and arty-farty chairs from Chair Candy were surprising exhibitors.


Davey found some building 'stuff' that piqued his interest for, like, 30 seconds. Impressive!  
(Honestly, NO sarcasm implied)


And we were both really impressed with the products seen L - R above.
Modular Wall Systems, Landscape Tanks and
 Historical Timber Floors.


I drooled over the Enzie Spiral Staircases and got a glimpse of the Mr. Kevin McCloud!


 Not a bad day, all in all!

x KL

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21.10.13

Smokin' ...


TOP: Pics from S & M's apartment in Newtown, Thursday. BOTTOM: LHS Pic by Davey from Mona Vale tip and
RHS from our deck at Copacabana, also on Thursday.
Are you watching the news non-stop too?
Whilst we do not live in close proximity to the current fires burning in New South Wales, we are most certainly experiencing their effects; smoke and road closures. 

I am praying for those communities and families directed affected by, what are being reported as, the most catastrophic fires in over a decade.


With more hot weather and wild winds predicted for the next few days, my thoughts are also with our brave fire fighters who are the first line of defence.

22. 10. 13 UPDATE: 

Photo: David Rawsthorne/lithgowlights.com
 Frantic weekend back burning seen above from the foot of The Blue Mountains... tomorrow is deemed to be extreme and a convoy of fire services are gathered ready....


Praying for all.

x KL

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18.10.13

More Christmas thoughts . . . West Elm; a second chance?


 I've spied some golden flatware cutlery in a recent Aussie West Elm catalogue. 
 On Sale!!!
The pieces are quite classic / minimal in aesthetic; perfect multi-function to my eyes.

And, did I tell you they're GOLD????


*drool*

I'm thinking they would add some glitzy pizazz to my Christmas table this year.
After my very disappointing experience purchasing online with Pottery Barn however, (catch up HERE) and having received many comments of other's similarly abysmal stories, I hesitated to try again but....


Will let you know how this U.S. giant fares with their second chance!

In the interim, below are some inspirational images to get you drooling too!



x KL

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17.10.13

christmas decorations (a bargin hunter's secret)

 Soooo....I've been thinking about Christmas a bit lately and my mind turned to decorations.
I love choosing a different colour / wrapping / decor each year.
Here are some past themes...

I fell in lurve a few seasons ago with some ridiculously priced diamante concoctions from Domayne and, as is this family's custom, purchased one, appropriately themed item, per member each year.


So my little stash of 'special' decorations has grown. And when S & M left the nest, I bought their first Christmas decorations to start their own tree....


And this year, as it's A's first Christmas away from home, I bought her this:


but....for her BF, I needed a duck! and no other icon would do...

So I turned to good ol' Mr Google and guess what?
These $20+ Christmas ornaments are readily available on eBay for <$10, sold as diamante keyrings and necklaces!
Yes! I know! W.T.F?


Hello Mr $5 Duck! I'll look forward to meeting you!



x KL

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16.10.13

Budget friendly bedlinen


 Target has done it again, recently releasing some of the most gorgeous, on-trend bedlinen of the season. And very nicely priced too at $109 for Queen, and $119 for the King size (Quilt cover + 2 x Pillow case set.)




My favourite is the Black, White 'n Yellow Amber Rose design pictured below:


These designs are the newest range from Real Living (for Target) and have already made the cover of the November issue of the Real Living magazine!


 I'm planning on using it to add some zing to the Guest bedroom for spring!
If you like any of the designs, I'd recommend that get your skates on.
 I missed out last season on a popular design I had wanted. 
Oh, and you can buy online too, (like I did) to make it super easy peasy!

x KL

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15.10.13

Inspiration

 Because La Hacienda is being built at such a  s l o w  pace, I often find myself referring back to images which were inspiring enough to save; Pinterest, Google, magazines, interior decor books, designer websites and favourite blogs have provided thousands!
They keep me on-track and confirm my chosen design direction when I'm in doubt.

But, rarely do I find a home that just screams 'me' in totality.
THIS one came close. 
And there are elements HERE  that have my name all over them whilst
Frederic Berthier, Joseph Dirand and BKH are designer's whose work I find inspiring in the same aesthetic vein.

However ...
This recently spied home's interior is, to moi,
P E R F E C T I O N

Enjoy....

All images are of Templer Townhouse courtesy of WFORA

*sigh*
Black / White. Marble. Timber. My fave stairs!
Skulls. Strap mirrors. Floating fixtures. 'My' Vivienne Westwood cushion!

I've blogged about each and every one of these elements before....
and have included many of these in this build.
My budget is limited but again, I'm reassured that I'm on the right track...

x KL

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13.10.13

More custom design!


 My lounge looks like this today....Eeeeek! But, I'm overjoyed!
The custom designed vanity and shaving cabinetry for the guest ensuite is in this lot, as well as my entertainment unit for the family room. Yee Ha!

The vanity will look the same as the one I designed for the main bathroom (posted HERE) but instead of floating over a wall of mirror, the large mirrored shaving cabinet will be above to supply copious storage. See an inspirational picture below:


Trying to get the details right was a nightmare. Simple looks easy, but getting everything to line up perfectly and be flush is very challenging. My fingers and toes are firmly crossed that when David installs it all, all those triple checked measurements are correct!!!!

I'm hoping that the custom entertainment unit is going to save my sanity too.
A tall order, I know...
As many of you are aware, living in a home being renovated is difficult, so say the least. Living in a half built house, over a long period of time, is also. Both David and I are just about 'over-it' and as David has just commenced a new project in Sydney (adding commuting to his schedule), I anticipate work here will be negligible. So, I've decided that taming the mess pictured below, is a priority.


The black Chinese cupboard can be relocated to...(? !) and all that equipment can disappear behind two-pac doors. I initially designed the unit with wide drawers but after receiving the quotation, changed them for doors which reduced the price by two thirds!!! I still have to get a ceasarstone top made for it...


I chose to have the exterior sprayed in satin two-pac (shows less fingerprinting than gloss) in the same colour as the walls; Dulux Natural White. I had planned to hang it on the wall so it floated like the ones in the images below...


 ...but am now considering adding support to make it portable should we sell this house.
Wall hung, full steel base or just legs is the next dilema!
These units are similar in idea...

I've got a fair bit of mess-sorting to do before anything more can be done so better put that to the top of the list for now! Would love to hear your thoughts...

and look forward to showing you the finished project soon!

x KL

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11.10.13

Oops!

 Do you ever notice errors in advertising? 
Can you see what I spotted in these promotions, both received yesterday?


Given the print value of the Boystown glossy brochure and the extent of the social-media Freedom sale campaign, I thought these two were very obvious and silly errors!


 "Unbelievable". They got that bit right! LOL!

x KL

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