22.8.10

A home filled with worldwide finds

Buying props for films means Christopher Bruce, a set decorator, is constantly coming across fabulous  finds.  Sticking to a selection of lovely and quirky key pieces, Christopher has created a pared back scene of domestic gorgeousness.  Some jobs clearly have fringe benefits....

Bundeena to Budapest. A tiny bear was spotted on the street in Budapest, the lamp was found at a car boot sale in Bundeena and the figurines are old Avon bottles bought in LA.





Ildiko kovacs work features throughout the house. 

The wall above Christophers desk features an everchanging selection of bits and pieces collected from all over.
The night sky and the flowerhead art works are "doodles" done by Christopher.  The horse painting came from Boonah in Queensland (we wish we could've got that in there with Budapest and Bundeena).

Hard rubbish day finds feature regularly in our favourite homes.  The little shelving unit was found years ago in pieces on a hard rubbish pile somewhere in Sydney. Christopher admired the great pokerwork on it and recalls being surprised that it all was there and nothing was broken. Christopher claims this is probably his favourite piece of furniture, "apart from my ridiculously expensive bed."

Serene and simple (in order for a good night's sleep, Christopher tries not to dwell on how much his top-of-the-line bed cost him!)




Labour of love. The side board cost one day of backbreaking work - Christopher dug a large hole in a friend's backyard so the plumber could fix her sewage.  We think he was paid very well indeed!   



Pictures collected over the last 15 years while on prop buying trips have usually been picked up for the price of the frame. Most have come from junk shops around Australia and world wide and Christopher admits to having so many now that there are lots more in storage. But this group has been on the wall for years now....


 
Amongst the collection is a David Floyd painting and a small drawing saying "Queue Here" which Christopher assumes was done by a child and framed by the parents. ATony Tuckson drawing hangs amongst a Noel McKenna, a drawing by Gwenda Namatjira and two more of Ildiko Kovac's works.
A painting he thought was by a famous New Zealand artist turned out not to be but Christopher loves it regardless and we love that. All the rest are mostly between 30 to 50 years old and are unsigned which Christopher likes.


Like a set from a film - lovely and rustic and charming.  We want to watch!

Next time we visit a tiny sunny seaside apartment ...

9.8.10

Di and BT's cachophany of colour

An empty shell was clearly the perfect start for Di and BT. Starting from scratch has allowed this couple to truly express themselves.  Mildy mad yet utterly delicious, welcome to this home where nothing is predictable or plain....                                                                                                                                                                            

 
Love that smoked bronze mirrored rangehood! Di likes how the light reflects off it.  And what a fabulous light it is. It took a while for Di and BT to find two matching light fittings for the kitchen but eventually a pair of these turned up at Mitchell St Auctions in Sydney.   see http://mitchellroadauctions.com/ for lots of goodies.
A serious black oven slots in with custom made ply kitchen cupboards in the same sexy tone.  Off the shelf wood detailing are attached as door handles and the splashback tiles are original 60's Australian tiles bought from a collecter found in the yellow pages.
In a design coup, Di and BT knocked out the back window and replaced it with a glass wall that opens via a rope pulley.  As if there's not enough gorgeousness to look at already, the wall faces the beach and a massive pine tree.  Di loves that they can sit and watch birds fly in and out of the branches and possums run up it at night.  Lovely!







This wallpaper from Germany was another Mitchell St Auctions find. 
Inspiration comes from all over the place.  After wearing this lovely green on her toenails, Di knew she wanted it on her walls.                          





The hallway is a showcase for BT's collection of rock posters of favourite artists and gigs.


Admitting she has a faux flower fetish, Di says she buys them "anyway they come - per bunch or per metre!"  We have noticed there's a bit of faux fruit thing happening too.


It's not often we see an apricot wall we like but we love this room.  Delicious and inviting (and reminds us of Nan).
















Thanks so much Di and BT for having us.  We really love your home.