It's black and white..

In the process of designing our new house, I thought I had at least a couple of things locked in. Timber floors - yep. Weatherboard exterior - for sure. White timber windows...definitely? They were a no-brainer until I came across my new obsession - black windows. I can't decide which way to go, and  I really love both options....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tM3DANdi6Z4CEDGOg_UnFhpZMN6b-KYG_-iH7mA37P4JjTK25aXUhUVfG_mdJT-rTg_Hon43dinvjsKMVCCMS9OknikADams9MfDOa1XaknpSUAx3LR1QMpUnh8jZ5tTSK9uAijLv7am/s1600/1ef8447982c611de47d3e3e9e3f5cc59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tM3DANdi6Z4CEDGOg_UnFhpZMN6b-KYG_-iH7mA37P4JjTK25aXUhUVfG_mdJT-rTg_Hon43dinvjsKMVCCMS9OknikADams9MfDOa1XaknpSUAx3LR1QMpUnh8jZ5tTSK9uAijLv7am/s640/1ef8447982c611de47d3e3e9e3f5cc59.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">black...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/550x/7d/35/67/7d3567130f580e768b1be991d5665497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/550x/7d/35/67/7d3567130f580e768b1be991d5665497.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">or white...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/550x/78/bf/9a/78bf9a2000f7fbac41400b20d7d156b7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/550x/78/bf/9a/78bf9a2000f7fbac41400b20d7d156b7.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/192x/ae/e3/c9/aee3c98244203b55f7f33394c4daf598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/192x/ae/e3/c9/aee3c98244203b55f7f33394c4daf598.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/550x/42/df/9d/42df9d35146e2d2413cc99524593c62e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/550x/42/df/9d/42df9d35146e2d2413cc99524593c62e.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Or maybe I'll just pretend I'm Victoria Grayson and go black inside, white out...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/550x/f0/fb/34/f0fb34e1084b6d126b3f05be4ca5ab3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/550x/f0/fb/34/f0fb34e1084b6d126b3f05be4ca5ab3d.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">and take tea in my fabulous living room...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/550x/dd/e2/01/dde20124f5f0192cce65ad05282013bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/550x/dd/e2/01/dde20124f5f0192cce65ad05282013bc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/550x/a4/78/db/a478db87bac2e475ef31dc581204aa66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/550x/a4/78/db/a478db87bac2e475ef31dc581204aa66.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/550x/9f/8f/59/9f8f598ed35dc60bf8e6f1c88879f60c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/550x/9f/8f/59/9f8f598ed35dc60bf8e6f1c88879f60c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />What to do, what to do? And I know, it's definitely a #firstworldproblem...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">all pics are from my Pinterest page, so just click to go to their source</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

It's black and white..

In the process of designing our new house, I thought I had at least a couple of things locked in. Timber floors - yep. Weatherboard exterior...

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Something's Gotta Give...

Hi all, how's things? I've been under the weather for the past week, so I spent the time planning and plotting the design of my new/revamped house. Like many millions of other die-hard fans, I fell in love with the film "Something's Gotta Give"... in particular, that stunning Hamptons home of Erica's. I've watched the DVD endlessly to savour every little morsel of the design....so many gorgeous details, I could go on for ever. But there are a few common elements that crop up again and again in my inspiration folders, that will definitely make their way into my plan.<br /><br />1. Comfy white slipcovered sofas...and a blue and white striped rug<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkfnRKsoys0ZVP2z4M6r2hVjpQ1IN7scILjFmBK-ITWbuXjAQX5KYqzpkUMQOKrr9qxM6zKuLQoezMWRMs23xr9vKlZMTdEpS4CZekxesOXiZKQarayBPc8_TpXiM5yw9a8YotamAsmJW/s1600/06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkfnRKsoys0ZVP2z4M6r2hVjpQ1IN7scILjFmBK-ITWbuXjAQX5KYqzpkUMQOKrr9qxM6zKuLQoezMWRMs23xr9vKlZMTdEpS4CZekxesOXiZKQarayBPc8_TpXiM5yw9a8YotamAsmJW/s640/06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />2. Windows...one of the most important features of a home, IMHO. Love these, complete with transoms (hello <a href="http://thehousethata-mbuilt.blogspot.com/">A-M</a>!!)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K5DHk237NnFruWkxcXn-MmD7uKQAb_nm7GlYJsGNgdPWMbxYAfTEXMTK78oTChWtWghEP4sfGFcmFWcN-K8kbyDENiNUoy1B9n3ERsdElaW6wBmYoVAVej7wdOlDdNCB_s6uF1IFlxGg/s1600/image_thumb%255B14%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K5DHk237NnFruWkxcXn-MmD7uKQAb_nm7GlYJsGNgdPWMbxYAfTEXMTK78oTChWtWghEP4sfGFcmFWcN-K8kbyDENiNUoy1B9n3ERsdElaW6wBmYoVAVej7wdOlDdNCB_s6uF1IFlxGg/s640/image_thumb%255B14%255D.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">3. White subway tiles, stainless appliances, feature lighting</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGdrQAsQnB4VON9lnImdyIuegGp6CT6c6KBvrLhyphenhyphenxk5yuG_zLmdLe-7u1ziuV_jqVZlXh0WkE8Sq1mJwfeMbZm67YlOIMS5m6-75Z2iER6tc5PK2rRQ4n6oIOE8S-9EVpNUKFbat43lmR/s1600/image36_thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGdrQAsQnB4VON9lnImdyIuegGp6CT6c6KBvrLhyphenhyphenxk5yuG_zLmdLe-7u1ziuV_jqVZlXh0WkE8Sq1mJwfeMbZm67YlOIMS5m6-75Z2iER6tc5PK2rRQ4n6oIOE8S-9EVpNUKFbat43lmR/s1600/image36_thumb.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">4. This bedroom....quite perfect actually. I might change the windows for french doors, but that's about it.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrCbaM2yOffziPPU8qVIcxG8YHYy5k6GCEEEuR53tT1DzGqtJSHh3ACTGOj8XLxg9QX-ZoFFROFfDIttdTsIPNRWNPF7RMAsseoglJxKhrWwXMRfovy-gC-pMiXoeIGjurqzDexzgnqIs/s1600/somethinggottagive2_thumb%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrCbaM2yOffziPPU8qVIcxG8YHYy5k6GCEEEuR53tT1DzGqtJSHh3ACTGOj8XLxg9QX-ZoFFROFfDIttdTsIPNRWNPF7RMAsseoglJxKhrWwXMRfovy-gC-pMiXoeIGjurqzDexzgnqIs/s1600/somethinggottagive2_thumb%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div>all images courtesy of the wonderful Joni and Linda of <a href="http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2008/07/beach-houses-series-4-hamptons-house.html">Cote de Texas</a> and <a href="http://silverscreensurroundings.blogspot.com/2010/10/somethings-gotta-give-is-still-giving.html">Silver Screen Surroundings</a></div><br />I thought I'd found every post ever written on this house, so imagine how excited I was to stumble upon a floor plan, drafted by a fan and shared on Linda Merrill's fabulous blog, <a href="http://silverscreensurroundings.blogspot.com/2008/10/somethings-gotta-give-floor-plan.html">Silver Screen Surroundings</a>. Although it's a fan's interpretation of the design, it's a pretty good one if you ask me. Pity there's not an actual plan from the movie set...if anyone manages to come across one, I'd love it if you'd share it!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxX_CRTg7i7UhmokOrXa30on6DesPiHwMZk1lKTS7HyetpdagVM-MGWas4pB6xXQ07Fa5EFTpGsrO60jVbHcWEYp0JLOmvZPg5YcJSLsUn7V6_flhGt0etoPBGsAvAdbRAEgB0S7ZTvMj/s1600/SGTGHousedrawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxX_CRTg7i7UhmokOrXa30on6DesPiHwMZk1lKTS7HyetpdagVM-MGWas4pB6xXQ07Fa5EFTpGsrO60jVbHcWEYp0JLOmvZPg5YcJSLsUn7V6_flhGt0etoPBGsAvAdbRAEgB0S7ZTvMj/s640/SGTGHousedrawing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div>Now, my design won't slavishly copy this house....as I mentioned in my <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/2011/04/should-we-stay-or-should-we-go.html">previous post</a>, I have lots of other design influences to incorporate. But really, they all have these elements in common, so I'm sure I can blend them all together and come up with something nice. Once I add a little quintessential Aussie beach house loveliness...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUA2H1pFBTO2ctoDX2fd_hQLeIbF3N5LftwHAZAF2KGhLF9QNiozd-D7CH3LxQlaVpDbSzBQiM1x3RlyGI3WlZEfLzt7ueAreaTRhCfdBaZe8a2iP88JpfB23_bEswdN9l0-k5KpCMfBMf/s1600/103558795ml1162332774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUA2H1pFBTO2ctoDX2fd_hQLeIbF3N5LftwHAZAF2KGhLF9QNiozd-D7CH3LxQlaVpDbSzBQiM1x3RlyGI3WlZEfLzt7ueAreaTRhCfdBaZe8a2iP88JpfB23_bEswdN9l0-k5KpCMfBMf/s640/103558795ml1162332774.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://realestate.com.au/">source</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgN7oPshJZIA_jMJG4N9_WGnDQD2KYOZXshzKhrU1GpMCgXtTgCgaCXLKHyf7kJBXDxqEKX1g6pCT2HXm4j1WudABo48VyiyYdDpypHbyBc9DAfl6SrUEsFGFp46ARYDXwMiUWJEfyWU3/s1600/obc%252520november%252520%252520part-6-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgN7oPshJZIA_jMJG4N9_WGnDQD2KYOZXshzKhrU1GpMCgXtTgCgaCXLKHyf7kJBXDxqEKX1g6pCT2HXm4j1WudABo48VyiyYdDpypHbyBc9DAfl6SrUEsFGFp46ARYDXwMiUWJEfyWU3/s640/obc%252520november%252520%252520part-6-large.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homes.ninemsn.com.au/house-and-garden/">source</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOwIK4z4kpvHj-WSFZhgSNqINBSxrlfEo9MY8FteOuH3Q6qOhfkhV10xJEk5klxQ_EHFmGl8qdbSMJrwrNaonTtufjQ9SlQ7hpIcEMA43v_UsbuLif-hLd2FD65KMvYEM0WNWrovM1Owb/s1600/breeze_gallery_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOwIK4z4kpvHj-WSFZhgSNqINBSxrlfEo9MY8FteOuH3Q6qOhfkhV10xJEk5klxQ_EHFmGl8qdbSMJrwrNaonTtufjQ9SlQ7hpIcEMA43v_UsbuLif-hLd2FD65KMvYEM0WNWrovM1Owb/s1600/breeze_gallery_07.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/house-and-garden">source</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">...and of course, not forgetting a little Ralph Lauren magic, into the mix....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyfto0WketDOPwAQ8p-6EPARxepmOdWb4tCxNtxnsANcnsM2z1juiom-6XkafPnCXXH6-_zi7vj1aHALgpchyphenhyphenlfxuFd8M7gO5A3TMocraWb70sY_8Wo_9MRzIAdWiN0y5Lmn8ktimVrr7/s1600/Ralph_Lauren_Furniture_Driftwood_Sofa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyfto0WketDOPwAQ8p-6EPARxepmOdWb4tCxNtxnsANcnsM2z1juiom-6XkafPnCXXH6-_zi7vj1aHALgpchyphenhyphenlfxuFd8M7gO5A3TMocraWb70sY_8Wo_9MRzIAdWiN0y5Lmn8ktimVrr7/s640/Ralph_Lauren_Furniture_Driftwood_Sofa.png" width="636" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho27s2nFSs9zkjs-sX0fUIRnbqhlKx-B5hY_Vmx5mmbyFncpG7dZJzbztaqJZmC-3jx20C-ODNELoDEDe6dQv-tonJfkBGuH-2EyvAZF4zO3Q903nKeTQD1JCs4972NHQyRu0Kt-o2ymuS/s1600/ralph%252Blauren%252Bhome%252Bla%252Bplage%252B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho27s2nFSs9zkjs-sX0fUIRnbqhlKx-B5hY_Vmx5mmbyFncpG7dZJzbztaqJZmC-3jx20C-ODNELoDEDe6dQv-tonJfkBGuH-2EyvAZF4zO3Q903nKeTQD1JCs4972NHQyRu0Kt-o2ymuS/s640/ralph%252Blauren%252Bhome%252Bla%252Bplage%252B4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via r<a href="http://ralphlaurenhome.com/">alphlaurenhome.com </a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_631931197"></span><span id="goog_631931198"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div>...I think it could be rather special. I'm working on a floor plan of my own, so as soon as it's done I'll share it too.<br /><br />Have a great week everyone,<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Something's Gotta Give...

Hi all, how's things? I've been under the weather for the past week, so I spent the time planning and plotting the design of my new/...

Read more »

A little something I've been working on...

Morning all,<br />Hope you all had a lovely Easter break. It was so nice to kick back, relax and enjoy the extended long weekend, and generally take it easy. I took the chance to work on my renovation/building plans, so the first port of call was my chock-a-block full inspiration folder. I actually have quite a few - some where I keep all my tear sheets, and my computer files, where I stash everything and anything that takes my fancy. I spent some time revisiting my favourites, and came across these pics of Collette Dinnigan's two gorgeous Paddington homes. I've posted about these before, but they're so lovely I couldn't resist going back for another helping.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriNrXgnnPhgAjrNugjRIUQxfbL8pk4XT7sr8hHGPya2VWjo_MJikijm7p3hyphenhyphenWHb6A1eDzSGr_VGrm8EZZ6auyBK-NBA7Yhyphenhyphenu87ye12kSAWgl3qKScVzGMgWfNAz3EOzZTMCgm7FLz8fg/s1600/collette+dinnigan+zona_living.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriNrXgnnPhgAjrNugjRIUQxfbL8pk4XT7sr8hHGPya2VWjo_MJikijm7p3hyphenhyphenWHb6A1eDzSGr_VGrm8EZZ6auyBK-NBA7Yhyphenhyphenu87ye12kSAWgl3qKScVzGMgWfNAz3EOzZTMCgm7FLz8fg/s640/collette+dinnigan+zona_living.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">simple, clean and just plain gorgeous</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0cCCWREhMZH1JnrdUgJWKYBme98BFSWVBM8ZDi9Lt9ebSKHNyZgw0lIWF6vpYDef7uEZ0Xx1oyCUzwGzs6cuATF-rdT46zuphuTBkVn8pkvVxyt-txfJmit-WEGXbR09DfYFG-xLDxE/s1600/collette+dinnigan+75+paddington+st+paddo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0cCCWREhMZH1JnrdUgJWKYBme98BFSWVBM8ZDi9Lt9ebSKHNyZgw0lIWF6vpYDef7uEZ0Xx1oyCUzwGzs6cuATF-rdT46zuphuTBkVn8pkvVxyt-txfJmit-WEGXbR09DfYFG-xLDxE/s640/collette+dinnigan+75+paddington+st+paddo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">love love</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-I6m3kbKtTUrrCqvFUhRYw-VYl9vl_2rQ4noUO0KN35An2ymH2UQoFOVcqZsCQ1V34L4aDu3yck47dPj7dXTY4Ru3ydDsb452UjAQSBXv0JMNwTrl0MMZ2tbU9gxFK-FUNtW5XlxLVY/s1600/collette+dinnigan+il_bagno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-I6m3kbKtTUrrCqvFUhRYw-VYl9vl_2rQ4noUO0KN35An2ymH2UQoFOVcqZsCQ1V34L4aDu3yck47dPj7dXTY4Ru3ydDsb452UjAQSBXv0JMNwTrl0MMZ2tbU9gxFK-FUNtW5XlxLVY/s640/collette+dinnigan+il_bagno.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcpLG5COv5lS9EIaEGSk594tjfYunTHhqpFrIP4k9rLQLjxEtCPWic6WR69A-RkCmM9g-CuIkJA83GdkY2YPEC4mVCrW3qrXDednW-RmDVePsWdaSM1Cvs_xhbcCYYbLt5xH2pWku2ec/s1600/collette+dinnigan+la_piscina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcpLG5COv5lS9EIaEGSk594tjfYunTHhqpFrIP4k9rLQLjxEtCPWic6WR69A-RkCmM9g-CuIkJA83GdkY2YPEC4mVCrW3qrXDednW-RmDVePsWdaSM1Cvs_xhbcCYYbLt5xH2pWku2ec/s640/collette+dinnigan+la_piscina.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgom5DjQox9C73mPKUVJsN-qIb8sYD5_8HvYGZifmXbe6KFW0K2Tk6HRxPqMtbGnc_RQL4CqkeQP4m3KqiBC-UJ9mhFPrLmMyB3svINcgrjYmsV1vx0PgrjxC__lyPl0clhTngo7-Nf_A/s1600/collette+dinnigan+nella_camera_da_letto_padronale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgom5DjQox9C73mPKUVJsN-qIb8sYD5_8HvYGZifmXbe6KFW0K2Tk6HRxPqMtbGnc_RQL4CqkeQP4m3KqiBC-UJ9mhFPrLmMyB3svINcgrjYmsV1vx0PgrjxC__lyPl0clhTngo7-Nf_A/s640/collette+dinnigan+nella_camera_da_letto_padronale.jpg" width="558" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOfkWUUpinq5QpKJUVDOCwhTp0JAirDHnM-aX05VS3VEjktYueYoquIutJpbG-oggLIRn4I5LzrxbiCr2wEumO6Wv7amvvoptvJpp6npP3cSa41SobEyWZ7DxfB4Of6NnW5AuY_IJ2Vg/s1600/collette+dinnigan+zona_relax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOfkWUUpinq5QpKJUVDOCwhTp0JAirDHnM-aX05VS3VEjktYueYoquIutJpbG-oggLIRn4I5LzrxbiCr2wEumO6Wv7amvvoptvJpp6npP3cSa41SobEyWZ7DxfB4Of6NnW5AuY_IJ2Vg/s640/collette+dinnigan+zona_relax.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBYULPBeQmEE7nTvGMmtbWZBVuhDK-8X2XFAsAYlYzuNPTKYQx-FC7-N6Ld268hn5MIv3WC1J1uKA1gio8Et5z6Dm6Ci1ylgaKy105tJKdpDq1_J4d3Zibr45K-Qg9MvxIIUqaUEKPZ0/s1600/collette+dinnigan+75+paddington+st+paddington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBYULPBeQmEE7nTvGMmtbWZBVuhDK-8X2XFAsAYlYzuNPTKYQx-FC7-N6Ld268hn5MIv3WC1J1uKA1gio8Et5z6Dm6Ci1ylgaKy105tJKdpDq1_J4d3Zibr45K-Qg9MvxIIUqaUEKPZ0/s640/collette+dinnigan+75+paddington+st+paddington.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">all images via domain.com.au</span></div><br />Now, my home is no heritage sandstone cottage, and somehow I'm guessing my budget is somewhat more limited than Collette's, but there's plenty here that could work in any home. A restrained palette, clean lines, but a relaxed, comfortable feel at the same time. Very nice indeed, and inspiration galore, in more ways than one. More on that later!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

A little something I've been working on...

Morning all, Hope you all had a lovely Easter break. It was so nice to kick back, relax and enjoy the extended long weekend, and generally t...

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Should we stay or should we go?

It's crunch time. When we bought our home, we knew it would need renovating to make it perfect for our family. But the location, the two plus acres of land, dotted with trees and high on a hill, was the clincher. And as I mentioned in one of my very first posts, the fact that we actually swapped houses with the previous owner meant that the whole move seemed meant to be.<br /><br />Fast forward a few years, and we found quite a few surprises along the way. Water tanks that needed replacing, a leaking pool, non-existent drainage plans, kids falling through the bath surround where the water had rotted the timber.....the list goes on. We've done a heap of work on the place, with a new main bathroom, painting, pool reno, kitchen revamp, but there's a lot more that needs to be done. It's the domino effect - everything we decide to tackle unearths another dozen or so problems that need to be fixed too.<br /><br />My husband has finally cracked. When he announced last week that he thought we should knock the house down and rebuild, you could have blown me over. But it makes sense, as vacant land in our area (which is scarce anyway) is worth at least three times what we paid for our house. And the possibilities.....!!!! I've had my dream home brewing for years now, and it looks a lot like a combination of all of these:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZmmKajf8pLqgSwQ2En68l6mKD4uQjlMK2IQZNSLbbQH8BsGqPvIz1RGL2skquN-RH4-Cz8J52eYf6wp-AbXmPsgeW1BhNPuRAfX-GBxDWGZh74Jh21h7Kwn5OnqjQfk7q0pAErKfTko/s1600/arsl01_rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZmmKajf8pLqgSwQ2En68l6mKD4uQjlMK2IQZNSLbbQH8BsGqPvIz1RGL2skquN-RH4-Cz8J52eYf6wp-AbXmPsgeW1BhNPuRAfX-GBxDWGZh74Jh21h7Kwn5OnqjQfk7q0pAErKfTko/s640/arsl01_rose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">love everything....windows, verandahs, the lot</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://rosecorp.net.au/">source</a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjQ74yOzgu9K6mFJVNgs4yiAlmeoFXX6fEtgnBIhSEgtJzU57CHGN8F3tpYGCNUbohqV1rvVaNCh2oMH81VY-12t482kOwGiuJv-W3mU2LaTVuy3MGjmEsjtgShrUgu4RnywdCssfxBY/s1600/97fb2c61-7357-45ef-bb28-1bfa55cc1219_FS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjQ74yOzgu9K6mFJVNgs4yiAlmeoFXX6fEtgnBIhSEgtJzU57CHGN8F3tpYGCNUbohqV1rvVaNCh2oMH81VY-12t482kOwGiuJv-W3mU2LaTVuy3MGjmEsjtgShrUgu4RnywdCssfxBY/s640/97fb2c61-7357-45ef-bb28-1bfa55cc1219_FS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">not quite the same view as ours, but I do love me a window seat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://realestate.com.au/">source</a></div><br />These next images are by my favourite architect, W<a href="http://walterbardadesign.com/">alter Barda</a>. Love the detail in every single one of his designs - simply perfect.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUh4h2n0sftx9iq4ydJyWRpiYhZ1xJTEuU8S84A0ef0L5ovpKNRbJD-FeAN3nrSEOmhhfcjdQtKo3j3zT4_3nPPhUX0KYuTaO6yH-XJT-aBebTAWiS-RmlC6l29hStrir4FkxK8I-WvA/s1600/109_00500780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUh4h2n0sftx9iq4ydJyWRpiYhZ1xJTEuU8S84A0ef0L5ovpKNRbJD-FeAN3nrSEOmhhfcjdQtKo3j3zT4_3nPPhUX0KYuTaO6yH-XJT-aBebTAWiS-RmlC6l29hStrir4FkxK8I-WvA/s640/109_00500780.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> Forget the decoration, but this room is gorgeous...those ceilings!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiKxWEgH30nc7zqVuUcat8hrfmj-Em95tA-bxmzwmcV9468uDG6LHJvLHgF51jtS_O3LIQz_V5PJTfudiUhstr-ssDJ2J_H8ChDPYVE6eISP62NMtC5uKzqc_Puw7SYMcqeTkWOn0D9o/s1600/401559088bl1152836512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiKxWEgH30nc7zqVuUcat8hrfmj-Em95tA-bxmzwmcV9468uDG6LHJvLHgF51jtS_O3LIQz_V5PJTfudiUhstr-ssDJ2J_H8ChDPYVE6eISP62NMtC5uKzqc_Puw7SYMcqeTkWOn0D9o/s640/401559088bl1152836512.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5807c2AK215vZ1B7zFZIMWViV-5OpbahB0jlbWz_ooGkn8eT-nZBrAKS09S7NrZNgACjDUyN4F3TY8x-TA3MbCM1Sgh2Z4pzYpAskMnUAquP-UWN5Uu9NQ9ekqbjsrG2a1-eG2C_OMb8/s1600/12+currawong+ave+palm+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5807c2AK215vZ1B7zFZIMWViV-5OpbahB0jlbWz_ooGkn8eT-nZBrAKS09S7NrZNgACjDUyN4F3TY8x-TA3MbCM1Sgh2Z4pzYpAskMnUAquP-UWN5Uu9NQ9ekqbjsrG2a1-eG2C_OMb8/s640/12+currawong+ave+palm+b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZZs96tyyEPqspT0QMBfbzz2L8zHzK2oEyiIGF5iTmdX91ivg43RINU367Ehivi2qkX9Is-vgzdfFrAbSqgSg0-bIqdw4g8esypmxdugP9EkPxUwc2IP0_LBXj2HC-3jEvd1Kuh5HkZY/s1600/12+currawong+ave+palm+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZZs96tyyEPqspT0QMBfbzz2L8zHzK2oEyiIGF5iTmdX91ivg43RINU367Ehivi2qkX9Is-vgzdfFrAbSqgSg0-bIqdw4g8esypmxdugP9EkPxUwc2IP0_LBXj2HC-3jEvd1Kuh5HkZY/s640/12+currawong+ave+palm+beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FznXdmcENE0MTNbJ7g-MkL7yUicevlx8ziFlparSAIwwIGR5TBKT_vBP-j0vJn7AYgouwaQtfCPajMBioztDNFzVfZ3GhS2zLf6fFFYenez5NKIktLlw_HLLTo2ZD2nMmiH00rCza54/s1600/63748-retro-white-r-x%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FznXdmcENE0MTNbJ7g-MkL7yUicevlx8ziFlparSAIwwIGR5TBKT_vBP-j0vJn7AYgouwaQtfCPajMBioztDNFzVfZ3GhS2zLf6fFFYenez5NKIktLlw_HLLTo2ZD2nMmiH00rCza54/s1600/63748-retro-white-r-x%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://megbraff.com/">source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdbh352p08ZZuf01tiDrFBdmCCApv9NFvlzyM2-02AXeYKh-WybZ5G2wnn0zcyzCk9EguwbwGS3HwBoTrIT9jE0N99m5C-V8ubElX4RJRygXV6DZuaK7fj2R5EGgjYXyczvJCjG9CFN0/s1600/106339534sl1266556616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdbh352p08ZZuf01tiDrFBdmCCApv9NFvlzyM2-02AXeYKh-WybZ5G2wnn0zcyzCk9EguwbwGS3HwBoTrIT9jE0N99m5C-V8ubElX4RJRygXV6DZuaK7fj2R5EGgjYXyczvJCjG9CFN0/s640/106339534sl1266556616.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">love the pocket doors - with a house full of teenagers I love the idea of shutting out all the noise and chaos </span><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JVOcWe7QqF1Z_vZm-t4u3yv0KV5DeIAV_iymEWf39musyHF8qgCLKZhYYi8-yPXS0urt3jy1nZLDOk1h93Wk1eHBpbsHTvTnjxNKv1Q98tYbq9dVS_q6p0us-PgkoxXwsmGKJx2uwtQ/s1600/106339534vl1266556629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JVOcWe7QqF1Z_vZm-t4u3yv0KV5DeIAV_iymEWf39musyHF8qgCLKZhYYi8-yPXS0urt3jy1nZLDOk1h93Wk1eHBpbsHTvTnjxNKv1Q98tYbq9dVS_q6p0us-PgkoxXwsmGKJx2uwtQ/s640/106339534vl1266556629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://realestate.com.au/">source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />So, has anyone demolished and rebuilt? Was it a nightmare, or have you renovated and wished you'd started from scratch? It's a big decision, and one we won't take lightly. But either way, there are changes ahead, and to me change is so exciting - can't wait!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Should we stay or should we go?

It's crunch time. When we bought our home, we knew it would need renovating to make it perfect for our family. But the location, the two...

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