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.

An eclectic home where anything goes

Take one townhouse and shake it up. Di Leach shows us how to mix styles and eras. Hold on to your hats...































There is something fearless about Di's decorating style.   We love that she has embraced the original fittings of this home and mixed early, mid-century and modern pieces.

Love that wood panelling!

Many thanks for having us Di. Next time we visit a Rock'n'roll couple's home with a twist...

Sandra and Colin's creative collaboration

This is one of those homes where you don't know where to look first.  Sandra Thom's handstitched pieces catch the eye and Colin MacDougall's scenic photographs demand more than a glance. Original artwork and cute market finds compete for your attention.  But there's no rush.  Come on in and look at your leisure.... 


Baby Henry's arrival has meant a rethink on trinkets. Cute hand knitted teddies from church hall markets sit happily amongst the books. One of Colin's works sits above.The print of Udipur in India, taken by Sydney photographer Alex Craig was used as a backdrop for a shoot featuring Sandra's children's line. See online mag Papier Mache for this beautiful spread and lots of gorgeousness.  http://www.papier-mache.com.au/ and hhtp://www.alexcraig.com.au/ 

















A tin toy bought in Cannes for Henry and a photo of regional China taken by Colin sit on a cupboard from Bondi markets. Sandra bought the light from Salvage - a vintage retailer based at Landspeed Records in Canberra. More of Colin's work can be viewed at http://www.colinmacdougall.com.au/

These curtains are the only non-vintage fabric in the house.  Few can resist the lure of IKEA!  A Sandra thom bag hangs from the doorknob.

A set of 3 works by Swedish artist Elizabeth Dunker hang in the hallway.  Visit hhtp://www.finelittleday.com/ to see Elizabeth's and other artists work.

The girls might be outnumbered in this home but it is filled with such pretty things.

Sandra's workroom is brimming with lace and velvet and all things gorgeous and inspiring. To see her end products visit http://www.sandrathom.com.au

Thank you Sandra and Colin for sharing your space.

Next time we visit a townhouse that's so bad it's good...

James and Leila's eco-smart urban pad

For those of you who thought eco features couldn't be applied to apartment living or that colour and wallpaper were too scary, this home is a great example of how to embrace it. 

Look and learn....  
Birdlife adorns the walls. "Jimmy" is part of a series by Leila which is currently exhibiting at Iain Dawson Gallery  http://www.iaindawson.com/ 


An open plan kitchen with a table working as a room divider is a clever use of space.
James and Leila have installed energy efficient white goods - an eco dish drawer and washing machine.

Despite each room featuring a different wallpaper or paint colour, the apartment flows and feels spacious. Here in the kitchen a lovely pale blue provides a subtle contrast to the white cabinetry.

A framed cityscape by Ben Saunders shines against its dark blue backdrop."I love the photo, it was a wedding present from Ben. He's a brilliant photographer,"  says Leila.

Chairman Meow hangs out next to gorgeous native foliage from Flowers by Teresa.  Leila loves natives and had struggled to find a good supplier until she found this gem in Marrickville, Sydney. www.flowersbyteresa.com/

A custom made shelving unit by Joe Westbury of  Redrocket houses James and Leila's much loved record collection. See http://www.redrocket.com.au/ for great modernist furniture.

The target shaped painting was painted by James having "an arty moment."








A Louis Poulsen light makes it's statement against a striped feature wall.  James and Leila have been brave with their choices of wall finishes and the result is fantastic.

























The master bedroom is the one room where the walls are left pale and bare. Not quite white though!

"Suzi" is part of the series by Leila

The grass weave wallpaper in the living room has a lovely warm tone.  Leila admits it was a big decision to commit to and that she was a bit nervous about it stealing light from the room. 
Fear not Leila! It looks beautiful, adds texture to the room and provides an effective backdrop to the two Miro graphic prints on the wall.
http://www.allposters.com.au/
James and Leila have installed a 1.5kilowatt solar system, feed into the system and are pleased to announce, have received their first payment of $150 for the electricity they've created!
They also arranged ceiling insulation so the flat stays nice and toasty in winter ."It's amazing the difference it makes and our consumption has come down because we don't need to run heaters for long to warm up the flat," explains Leila.


This apartment really demonstrates how to renovate with colour, texture and green principals with great success. Thankyou James and Leila for inviting us in.

Tory and Ian's record shop conversion

Tory and Ian are kind of used to the shadowy figures passing their living room now.  Just a smoked glass wall separates them from the footpath outside but this was never going to be your average house layout. 


What used to be a shop in Sydney's inner west is now a fabulous home that provides a perfect space for this family and their art collection.  You are welcome to browse....

Classic tiles and a loo and sink in retro pastel hues are pepped with bright accessories.

Next time we visit an art deco apartment with modernist tendencies