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A Victorian Cottage Masterpiece

Posted by deardesigner in Houses - (2 Comments)

The more I work with photographers and stylists for Heart Home magazine the more I am in awe of their talent.

Interiors photography is an art in my humble opinion.  It takes a lot of talent, hard work, technical knowledge and unending patience to convey in one image not just the personality of the owner but also the feeling that the room evokes in the observer.  The best ones look as though someone just walked out the door and you are waiting for them to return.  The open book, the unfinished cup of tea should never look staged but rather just suggest that activity has paused, just for a moment.

victorian seaside cottage via homelife 1

And in addition to that if the photographer can then capture the light at a certain time of the day with pools of brightness and dancing shadows, the work of art becomes a masterpiece.

victorian seaside cottage via homelife 4

These photographs were taken by Sharyn Cairns and styled by Heather Nette King for Australian magazine, Home Life and they stopped me in my tracks.

victorian seaside cottage via homelife 2

They are just so atmospheric that I want to meet the owner of this cottage and ask her about the things she has and the things she has collected.  Did she make that quilt, did she sew those cushions, did she play with those dolls house chairs when she was young?

victorian seaside cottage via homelife 3

You can tell just by the photographs that this home is loved.

And that’s no mean feat in my mind.

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Property Stalking Part II, Town or Country?

Posted by deardesigner in Houses - (2 Comments)

I’ve been at it again I’m afraid.

Where do I find the time you might ask!  What with work, and this blog (another addiction of mine), Heart Home magazine, the odd bit of DIY and gardening, family and all the other demands on time, you might think I just wouldn’t have a spare moment.  And you are right.  But what about those snatched moments whilst eating breakfast, waiting for the bath to run, waiting for the BF to come to bed?  That’s when you might find me on the iPad devouring an estate agents website.  I know, it’s sad beyond belief.

But I can’t help imagining…

The Lawns, View of house from rear

What it would be like to live in a stunning house like this.  Architect designed with double height windows wrapped around an older house, it would have all the light I craved and more, and fantastic views of the landscaped gardens.

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Was the art bought for that wall or was the wall built for that art?

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And it just looks made for entertaining doesn’t it.  I could muster up kinds of culinary masterpieces in this kitchen whilst my guests perch on those stools with drinks in hand, and admire the other masterpieces on the walls.

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And we could retire with coffee to one of the much cosier inner rooms and enjoy the fire.

Available currently on the Savills Hampstead website.

Or would I rather live in a house like this…

clapton mill 020

A converted watermill in the country with a fully operating mill and masses of period details.

clapton mill 030

Dinner parties would be much smaller, more intimate affairs with flickering candlelight, the best antique china and soft background music.  Guests wouldn’t want to go home.

clapton mill 008

And Sunday afternoons would be spent in front of the fire with feet up and a pile of weekend papers before putting the kettle on and cutting the freshly baked cake.

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 Available currently on the Savills Beaconsfield website.

Which would you choose?

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Confessions of a Property Stalker

Posted by deardesigner in Houses - (4 Comments)

Have I ever told you about my guilty pleasure?

No, it’s not eating chocolate in secret(although I do that too), and no, I’m not a secret drinker!  I can hardly bring myself to say it…I am addicted to all kinds of property search programmes on TV.  Location, Location, Location is my favourite, but I also watch Escape to the Country, Sarah Beeny’s Selling Houses, Property Ladder….etc, etc.   If I’m home alone, I can watch them for hours at a time and I’ll even watch the repeats.  Is this an addiction I can get therapy for?

Savills Bath 1

I think it stems from the fact that I have lived in the same house for many years, and although I am constantly redecorating, it’s not the same as starting from scratch somewhere new.  It’s years since I have experienced the thrill of walking into a new place and imagining the possibilities that it presents.

Savills Bath

Designing for clients is different.  You are putting yourself into their shoes and designing for them.  I just love to escape into fantasy and imagine what I would do with that sitting room and how would I re-configure that layout to the best possible solution for my life.

So, just as I am thinking of going cold turkey, I discover a new way of feeding this addiction.  Estate agents websites.

Savills Bath 2

How beautiful is this Georgian terraced house in Bath?  I’m already fantasizing about the life I will lead.  All of that light flooding in is just a dream come true.  That workspace above could be my new office and I would be super productive I’m sure.  And the period features!    Swoon!

Savills Bath 3

And who would complain about living in this neighbourhood?

Currently available for a cool £1.7 million from Savills.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

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An Almost Perfect Swedish House

Posted by deardesigner in Houses | Interior Design - (5 Comments)

There’s just something about Swedish style that makes me stop and stare.

I need to dissect each room piece by piece and try to work out just exactly what it is that pulls at my heart stings so much.  Is it that perfect floor?  Is it the high ceilings and period details?  Or is it the light flooding in through curtain-less windows?

Is it the sheepskins casually thrown over chairs?  The stylish placing of furniture and possessions?  Never too much – just enough to add comfort without clutter.

Or is it that everything looks as though it has a practical use as well as being beautiful?  Those pans look shiny with use and surely that candlestick is not just for show?

It might just be the restrained use of colour?  The careful balance of white and black and grey.

Do you like Swedish style?

Images via Skona Hem.  Photographer Daniella Witte.

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House Tour – Georgian Gem…

Posted by deardesigner in Houses | Interior Design - (0 Comments)

A little gem from House of Locations. 

A four storey Georgian house, decorated in a mix of shabby chic and Scandinavian and country style.

House of Locations.

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Global Warming – A House of Souvenirs

Posted by deardesigner in Houses | Interior Design - (3 Comments)

I post about all sorts of styles here on the blog.  One day it might be Scandinavian Style, another day Industrial Chic and yet another day it might be Hollywood Regency.  I really do love them all.

But the one style that really speaks to my heart is what I call Global Influences.  I love to travel, and I love to have my little souvenirs around me to remind me of all of the places I have been.  So when I saw Adir and Abergel’s Californian house tour on Apartmenttherapy I knew I just had to share.

moroccan wedding blanket

It’s just full of the kind of beautiful objects that already have a presence in my own home or that I long to go and collect.  I just know I would feel at home here.

bookcase

The trick of course is not to overdo it.  No one wants their home to look like a souvenir shop, so careful curating is called for and skillful display.

A blanket casually thrown over a cane chair…souvenirs placed amongst books on the shelves…art propped up on the floor and just a hint of nature.

Notice how the crystal chandelier and the ornate mirror soften the look of the chunky wood and the striped blanket…how the layered rugs and african artifacts frame the fireplace and draw you towards the fire.

I just love the juxtaposition of the horns, african beadwork and glass.  And the beads draped over a frame.

And my heart skips a beat at these two spaces.  How I would love to have an outdoor room but I guess I would need the Californian sun first.

What’s your personal style?

 

 

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I Spy – House of Locations……….

Posted by deardesigner in Houses | I Spy | Interior Design - (0 Comments)

There’s nothing I like better than a little snoop around a locations website.

I like to look at the bones of a house especially when its stripped bare in all of it’s glory.  The unadorned walls and vast expanses of floor space invite the imagination to run a little riot, don’t you think?  How would I like to fill that space?  What colour would I paint that wall given half a chance?  How would I style and accessorize it to bring out the best of it?

I sometimes like to imagine the family that would live there.  How would that space get used?  Would it be cosy and comfy or would it be stylish and sophisticated?  Where would I shop? 

Of course, one or two items of furniture and a few accessories can only enhance that feeling of possibility.  Not too many mind you.  That would clutter the mind and inhibit the creativity.

So as you can imagine,I got a little excited when a new location website emailed me.  The possibilities!  And as you can see from this little selection, they have some very beautiful and diverse properties on their books.  And a little bird also told me that they are on the scout for more…

So if you want to earn a little extra pocket-money and you think your home could stir the imagination, they want you to get in touch.

House of Locations

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Location, Location, Location……….

Posted by deardesigner in Houses | Interior Design - (3 Comments)

I always enjoy a little snoop around the location websites. Don’t you?

The houses often have stunning period features or are unusual in some way.  They usually have an abundance of light, plenty of space and are not overly decorated or furnished.  They are always inspirational.

This one from Shootfactory is no exception.

I always want to move in.

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Summertime, and the living is easy……..

Posted by deardesigner in Houses | Interior Design - (2 Comments)

I don’t have a beach hut.

But if I did, I think I might decorate it like this one from Shootfactory.

Or possibly like this…

 How about you?

1. Wallpaper, Fabrics and Paper. 2. Quayside lamp, Pedlars. 3. Floral bunting, HomeHomeHome. 4. Place settings, Bombay Duck. 5.6. Chair and table, John Lewis. 7. Fabric, Celia Birtwell. 8. Mug, Royal Worcester. 9.10. Teapot, and floral cushion John Lewis. 11. Pink cushion, Rume.

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Dark Wonderland……….

Posted by deardesigner in Houses | Interior Design - (2 Comments)

A new location has been added to the 1st Option website and I couldn’t wait to share.

Appropriately titled ‘Wonderland’, it’s a stunning combination of gold and black with pops of red and pink.  Even the ceilings have been given a coat of black paint which just helps to make the chandeliers sparkle even more.  I think it’s the metallic finishes that prevent this scheme from being too sombre and isn’t that bathroom to die for?

I just love the darkness and playfulness and of course the beautiful black and white photographs.  It’s the perfect backdrop for romance and seduction.  

 Isn’t it just stunning?

1st Option

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