“Please contact me if you would like a consultation or further information about any of the products you see here at Decorum.”Posts Tagged ‘Outdoor’
What’s been happening?
Heaps!
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you will know that we’ve been renovating our Californian Bungalow on Sydney’s North Shore.
Of course once the builders have left and the house is looking fabulous, the gardens need attention.
When we moved in to the house ten years ago, the front garden was a tree and bark chips.
We built a sandstone, crazy path through the bark chip and planted a garden.
Fortunately the builders were not working in the front garden and it has stayed in tact. A couple of weekends of weeding and pruning and it will be as good as new.
The side garden, however is in a very bad way. There was a paved area adjacent to the pool and plants forming a barrier between the driveway and garden.
Love this photo! His first ever lawnmower having lived at home, then a unit, then overseas. And look at my little baby!
This area was totally trashed during the building process.
We needed a path from the driveway to the back door as well as a path to the front door and I wanted visitors to make their way to the front door. I also wanted some screening between the pool and the garden to make the pool more private. There were a few different levels to be considered and it was all too much for me to design. Interiors are my thing, not gardens.
So I called the landscape designer in The Designer Chicks. Nadia Pomare from Stylish Gardens met with me and listened to my wants and needs. We discussed the types of plants I liked and loathed and a couple of weeks later she came up with a lovely plan.
Next up was calling in the heavy artillery from Brisbane. My Dad’s a bit of a dab hand at the garden so he came down from Brisbane for a week and it was all hands on deck.
There’s still heaps to do (I think I’ll be saying that for the next 12 months!) but the back is broken and the garden is starting to take shape.
So that’s what’s been happening around here. What have you been up to?
If you would like colour and design assistance with your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
The Subtleties of Colour
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you will know that not only do I assist my clients who are renovating, but we are actually renovating our home in Sydney. Naturally I’ve had a very close involvement in designing, sourcing and selecting all of the items in the house.
The New South Wales government require all homes undergoing major renovations include a rainwater tank. Ours will be under the house and hooked up to the washing machine, downstairs toilet and have an outlet for the garden hose.
The builder asked my husband what colour would we like the rainwater tanks? Of course, I was consulted (he wouldn’t be game to make a decision without at least asking!) and I said “a grey – as long as it wasn’t visible under the house”. The men agreed on a dark grey as apparently it came in light grey or dark grey.
Rainwater Tanks come in many colours
Guess what? They are green!!!!
Rainwater Tanks ready to be put in place
Fortunately the colour will be fine. Some things are just not that important to worry about. However, it made me realise once again, how the subtleties of colour are often lost on men.
Green Tanks ready to built in
If you would like assistance choosing colours for your home renovation, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Week 2 of our Renovations
Last week saw the end of week two of our renovation with more demolition and a little building work.
More demolition
We are taking off two 1970′s extensions and then rebuilding them bigger and better than there were. We are also rejigging nearly every room inside the house. The only room that will not be touched at all is the formal lounge room.
Formal Lounge Before
The dining room is pretty much staying as is. The room had three doorways and was used as a thoroughfare from the hall to the home office. To make the dining room more of a destination, two of the three doors are being closed up. The bricklayer has been busy this week closing in these doors.
Dining Room Before
Dining Room door bricked up
The original bathroom in the house is being converted to the master ensuite so it has been gutted and a new doorway cut in the wall between our bedroom and the bathroom.
Original Bathroom
Bathroom ready to become an ensuite
Master Bedroom Wall before
Master Bedroom with new entry to ensuite
Many years ago the front verandah was enclosed and turned into a walk in robe for the master bedroom. It had a step down and last week the builders levelled the floor.
The kitchen has been totally gutted and the back deck has been removed and the doorway to my daughter’s bedroom has been closed in and a new doorway made in the adjacent wall.
Original Kitchen
Gutted kitchen with door to dining room closed in
The builders have also marked out on the grass where the new building will be which brings it all into reality. We have been poring over these plans for the past 4 years but to see the markings on the ground and things starting to move is very exciting.
Demolished and marked out
We’re not up to choosing anything too exciting yet, just rain water tanks and skylights. I have revisited my external colour scheme and tweaked a few placements but still have time to reconsider the internals.
It’s so hard doing my own place because I know so much and seem to second guess everything!
One man’s trash…..
is another man’s treasure!
Nothing could be truer with this latest before and after I’m sharing with you.
My client found a cane setting on a footpath ready to be collected by the Council as part of their kerbside cleanup.
There were four chairs and a small frame that would be an occasional table. The cane was worse for wear, there were no cushions and no glass in the side table.
We decided that two of the chairs and the occasional table would be perfect on the front verandah. So we chose the best two chairs, ordered some fabric, had cushions made and the chairs and table repaired as required and sprayed white.
It’s the perfect place to sit and watch the afternoon sun go down.
If you would like assistance with colour or decor for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Walkin’ the ‘hood
Whilst I am technically back at work, many of my clients and some of my suppliers are still on holidays so I can enjoy a slower pace. However, I am enjoying my walks around the suburb each afternoon and watching the houses changing colours.
I live amongst Californian Bungalows and Federation homes in Sydney’s North Shore and many of them have undergone renovations over the last few years to accommodate the families that have moved into the area.
It’s interesting to see the colour palette moving towards grey rather than brown which is what the colour forecasters have been predicting.
Most of the houses subscribe to my 3 colour formula and I must say, I think the homes look smart with a light, medium and dark colour.
It’s a shame this homeowner hasn’t read my blog or decided to spend a nominal outlay on a Colour Consultant to get the overall look just right.
This was the house before via Google Street View and I really think it would’ve benefitted from a dark colour on the barge boards (they’re the wide boards at the top of the gable). Alternatively, the shingles could’ve been painted a colour between the dark grey and the white.
Remember a Colour Consultation is the cheapest part of repainting your home but will make all the difference.
If your home is brick then the brickwork is considered a colour so you only need to choose two colours. What do you think – two colours or three?
If you would like assistance choosing exterior paint colours for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Presenting……..the Front Door!
I love a coloured front door.
Yellow Front Door in Cape Cod
I think a front door should say “Here I am!”, “Entry this way” or “Come inside.”
Turquoise Door via The House Of Turquoise
Usually when using colour, I try to repeat it somewhere so it doesn’t look like we’ve run out of paint and used something to tie us over. Like in a bathroom if you use a feature tile as a vertical stripe in the shower, you should repeat it somewhere else, otherwise it might look like you ran out tiles and used any old thing. After all, Repetition is one of the Principles of Design.
Red Front Door in New York
But where a front door is concerned, I believe you can choose a colour from anywhere in the spectrum and place it on the front door. No repetition required.
Lime Green Front Door in Darlinghurst, Sydney
What about you? Do you like a coloured front door?
Pink Front Door via Colour Me Happy
Jennifer
If you require assistance choosing paint colours for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
It’s here again!
via Pinterest
Happy Weekend!
Folding Chairs
Now that title probably makes you think of something you’d pick up at the local hardware store. Something you’d keep in the shed for that camping trip or when there’s one too many around the outdoor table.
Folding Chair from Officeworks
Well let me introduce you to a new kid on the block – the Flux.
The Flux
It is made from a single piece of weather proof plastic that can eventually be recycled. The piece of plastic has fold lines and notches and with a quick (once you get the hang of it) flick of the wrists it becomes a comfortable chair for either inside or outside use.
Designed in Holland by industrial designers Douwe Jacobs and Tom Schouten it was awarded the Grand Designs Product of The Year in May this year.
Flux Founders
It is available in a range of colours and now has a mini-me to add to the stable. Flux Junior has been specifically designed with kids in mind and also comes in a range of child friendly colours.
Flux Junior
The chairs aren’t cheap at around $250 each for the adult versions but they are a work of art and will last much longer than that one you picked up at Bunnings.
If you would like further information on the range of Flux chairs or need help with seating for your home, contact us.
Cape Cod and Beyond
We have well and truly left New York behind now. We’ve been travelling around New England and taking in the sights we’ve read and dreamed about.
Newport House
Our first stop was Newport, Rhode Island. Famous for the home of the America’s Cup (which Australia won in 1983) and historic houses from the Gilded Age. It is a colourful, harbour town with cute homes and lots of shopping.
One of the historic homes
From there we drove the entire stretch of Cape Cod to the very tip and stayed overnight so we could explore the town the next morning. Cape Cod homes have a big influence on the houses in Australia and many people would like to replicate the style. The easy-going relaxed lifestyle suits our Australian way of life.
Cute Cape Cod Home with bright yellow door
Then it was into Massachusetts to meet up with fellow blogger Linda Merrill. Linda writes a number of blogs including Surroundings and Silver Screen Surroundings as well as co-hosts the popular podcast The Skirted Roundtable. I’ve been following Linda for a number of years now and we have exchanged emails and blog comments from time to time. When I knew we were visiting her “backyard” I emailed her for some insights into things to see and do for an Interior Decorator from Down Under. In true Linda style, she emailed back with loads of ideas and information so it was only natural that we should meet for a bite.
Linda and Me
We met in her pretty hometown for lunch and a long chat on design, country similarities, what’s popular and general chit chat before heading further up the coast to Maine.
One of the "neat" houses in MA
I wish we had more time to explore this interesting and beautiful state. The houses are so cute and the word “neat” kept popping into my head when I stopped to snap photos of them. I’m not sure what makes them appear so neat. Maybe it’s the symmetry of the architecture or the neat gardens. Maybe it’s the high pitched roofs which don’t attract leaf litter or maybe it’s the manicured, green lawns.
Don’t you agree, the houses here are “neat”? You can check out more photos on my Facebook page. Don’t forget to “like” it while you’re there.
Spring already?
Last week I posted this photo on my Facebook page with the comment – “I see signs of Spring.”
Early Spring Blossoms
Never a truer word was spoken with Sydney enjoying a run of 20+C days. So it was no trouble at all to sit and take in the view and the food yesterday at Quay Restaurant on Sydney Harbour.
My friends at Electrolux have just released their new range of premium barbecues and world renowned chef Peter Gilmore was putting them through their paces. I’d never been to Quay before so was delighted to be a guest at this esteemed restaurant and sit in the front row of an intimate masterclass with Peter Gilmore.
View from Quay Restaurant
Peter cooked four different cuts of Angus Sirloin Beef – grass fed and air aged for six weeks, grain fed, F1 and Wagyu. Peter likes to preheat the barbecue for ten minutes with the hood down on a very high heat. He then seasons the meat with salt and pepper before turning the burners to medium and sealing the meat. He then turns the barbecue off and lets the meat rest with lid closed for about 40 mins.
Dished Up
The Electrolux barbecues have inbuilt sealed grills with drip trays so the fat drips down and there is no spitting and flames. You don’t get any burnt bits of meat that way which is good when you’re cooking Wagyu which is in excess of $110 per kilo!
My meal - 4 types of Sirloin steak with Wasabi Butter and Barbecued Vegetable Salad
The En:tice Barbecue comes in two different sizes, 600mm and 900mm. They not only look smart and would be welcome in any outdoor entertaining area, but are made of easy cleaning materials like cast iron and stainless steel.
Finishing touches
Peter also cooked a vegetable salad on the barbecue with purple carrots!
Barbecued Vegies
I found his tale of the history of carrots very interesting. Apparently carrots originated in Asia and were purple and orange. The Dutch bred the purple out of the carrots as their national colour is orange. So now when we see a carrot other than an orange one, it looks kinda weird. But oh, what a beautiful colour scheme!
Carrots every colour of the rainbow!
Thank you Electrolux and Quay Restaurant for a lovely afternoon.
If you would like assistance with furnishing or design for your outdoor entertaining area, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
