4.10.10

Home of the Merewether family. 1959 - 2010.

We are so happy to have captured this immaculate modernist home before sadly...
The builders arrive.
Designed and built in 1959 and recently sold, this incredible house has timeless style and a heartwarming history. 
For over 50 years the Merewethers have lived in this home created for his family by architect John Merewether.
Now with new owners, it is due to double in size and lose many of its original features. 
So here it is before the new residents moved in.
We can only hope they will appreciate and respect this house as much as we do.







It's just wonderful when a home is filled with authentic pieces
bought in their original era. 
Resisting the changing trends of later decades, 
this home looks fresh and modern - with a
 vintage edge.
It has truly withstood the test of time.






We adore the kitchen but there are plans to replace it. Of course.




Echoes of mid-century California in suburban Sydney. We wouldn't change a thing.




5.9.10

A perfect winter weekend away


Every now and then we'll feature a holiday house - usually in Australia but we could end up anywhere. So pore over our pictures and relish the thought that you could have a sleepover there too.


Our first house makes us yearn for a long, lazy, beachy break.  Put your feet up and enjoy this very special coastal retreat...

Designer Jo Larratt designed this house with a few key principles in mind: light, vistas, breezeways and natural materials.  Two pavillions ensure a harmonious holiday as separate areas allow "the quiet/reflective to coexist with the energy of socialising."
Food. Wine. Friends. Scrabble anyone? This robust table from Sounds Like Home hosts late night banter and fun. http://www.soundslikehome.com.au/
Jo found this Danish trumpet light at one of our favourite Sydney shops Vampt Vintage Design. For lots of other mid-century gems see www.vamptvintagedesign.com/
We love the serene beauty of 'Bronte Bathers' by Kate Dorrough (not always easy to pull off beachy art in a beach house - nice work Jo) 

'Sun Window' by Byron Bay artist John Cottrell is so right in a house filled with shifting light and warm sun. Jo dedicated many hours to sourcing all the furniture here from ebay.  See John's vibrant pieces at www.visualartist.info/johncottrell
 
Three separate decks serve different purposes. The "arrival" deck is for unpacking and post-beach rinses, another is for lolling about with the weekend papers and one is for alfresco dining. Take your pick - bliss!


Wall light by from Melbourne design duo Pierre and Charlotte www.pierreandcharlotte.com
Hand painted decorative tile by Porteous Tiles. www.porteoustiles.co.nz/
Remember the delight you had as a kid when you got to your holiday spot (even caravans were fun)?
Empty windswept beaches perfect for finding sandy treasures...
Aaah thanks so much Jo. Please can we come back....

If you fancy a break from the real word (but not from great style) this house at Cunjurong Point on the NSW South Coast is available for holiday bookings.  Go to www.manyanaaccom.com.au/accommodation/1116







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 ...