Contrasting Kitchen Island

Ive been doing a lot of kitchen stalking of late & I really find myself being drawn to the kitchens with a contrasting coloured island.
Ive always been a real matchy matchy kind of girl & since blogging & studying interior design I have learnt that matching everything to perfection is NOT the way to go, unless you want your house to look more like a catalogue, than an inviting home.
I'm wondering if I can take myself further out of my comfort zone & change my kitchen plan in the dream house, to include a contrasting colour for the kitchen island....mmmmm.... take a look at these gorgeous kitchens.

contemporary kitchen design by san francisco interior designer Amoroso Design

 

traditional kitchen design by chicago kitchen and bath Rebekah Zaveloff

Image via BHG

eclectic kitchen design by new york interior designer Olga Adler

Kitchen by Candace Olsen

 

 

source unknown

via cococozy

Source unknown

source unknown

They really do lift the room, in a very stylish way.

What do you think, is this a trend to stay & would you, or, have you painted or installed an island bench in a contrasting colour???

CHEERS

Trish xxx

Read More

Dreaming of a Staircase

I am having a staircase in my dream house & I am a little unsure at this point how it will look.

I originally had it all planned but it would appear with the design challenges of a sloping block & the fact we have a budget the stairs have had to change. At this point in time I have no idea how my staircase will look or even if we enter from the family room or the entry.

So I have been stalking staircases online so I have plenty of ideas when I have some insight into that part of the project.

traditional staircase design by Chicago general contractor Stone breaker Builders & Remodelers

I love white painted stairs & the extra storage is a fantastic idea

contemporary family room design by Toronto interior designer Jennifer Brouwer

I'm thinking of a white painted staircase & a carpet, perhaps sisal, stair runner...

traditional staircase design

I just love dark timber floors with a traditional white painted stair rail

Image via Decor Pad

 This staircase is definitely the WOW factor of this home...

Image via Decor Pad

A very creative & unique touch, a hand rail fashioned to look like a tree branch

Image via White Cat Vintage

I just love the white on white, its so restful & clean

image via The Five Year Project
This is a fabulous design for the family home, not to mention the striped stair runner.

source unknown
Total glamour

source unknown
This actually came from an add for smart technology in the home but I just thought it was a beautiful
 stair case.

source unknown
Everything about this stair case & entry is Divine, EXCEPT, the kid on the scooter....Take that thing OUTSIDE!!!!

Source unknown

I love the storage & mirrors, they bring a little extra glamour to an already beautiful space. I look at an image like this & dream of painted white floors

Image via Sarah Richardson Design
I have to admit Sarah Richardson is definitely one of my favourite designers, everything she presents oozes class. She mixes pattern & texture & colour with such ease, I wish she was an Aussie. I would invite her round for coffee, for sure!!!

Don't you just love a beautiful stair case, do you have stairs at your house!

CHEERS
Trish xxx

Read More

A gorgeous bedroom

I stumbled across these pics of this extremely serene bedroom at Home & Garden & felt I should share it with you all!!!

I'm loving this very comfy looking chair, what better place to sit & enjoy the view....

2 beds !!!

 Does one belong to my sister or is it somewhere for my bestie to snuggle when she stays over....

Wouldn't it be lovely to wake up to this pretty blue ceiling!!!

A very subtle use of colour & pattern to create a pretty but versatile room that would suit any age.

A very inviting bedroom, don't you think ?

Read More

Come swing with me

I love the look of a swinging chair or day bed, whether indoors or out on the verandah they just scream relaxation to me. My parents have one in their outdoor entertaining area & it is loved by the adults as much as the kids.

Have you ever tried sitting on a swinging chair & been able to resist the urge to swing?

That gentle, rhythmic motion is irresistibly soothing.

Image via This old house

Image via My home ideas

source unknown

I dont think you need a view to get pleasure from a swinging chair, any location will do, BUT, a fabulous   out look would certainly heighten the experience! 

traditional exterior design by other metros architect Frederick + Frederick Architects

It would appear there is a style for every decor

contemporary living room design by interior designer uttara and adwait

source unknown

Image via savvy housekeeping

Source unknown

This is by far my favourite image, the colours are beautiful, the wall paper & rug are lovely, its very feminine & romantic, don't you think?

Read More

Expensive property doesn't necessarily mean stylish property!!!

I was looking to the local real estate market for inspiration for my post today & thought I might write about a really beautiful home in my area, so I began my search for properties over the million dollar range. Now one would expect to be swooning over every property, well it wasn't the case.

Here in The Hunter Valley of NSW, Australia, there is an incredible amount of property for sale well & truly over the million dollar price bracket, but as they say, Location, Location, Location.

The Hunter is prime farming country, with large areas used for cattle farms, horse studs & vineyards. It is also one of the fastest growing regions in Australia due to the amount of industry, coal mines, vineyards, tourism, horse racing studs & proximity to the ports of Newcastle. Its safe to say we have it all here, which bumps up land values.

This is why I was able to uncover some fairly unflattering decor in my search for the perfect million dollar home...

You judge for yourself!!!!

I would call this style eclectic, perhaps....

I'm not so sure that canopy is safe....

These last 2 pics are from the same house, a very colourful house...

I love a white kitchen myself....

Perhaps The Hunter Valley needs a few stylists to start marketing to the local Real Estates....

A coat of paint, some rearranging of furniture & curtains the correct length for the windows would go a long way.

We all want to create a WOW factor, but most of these images had me saying OMG!!!

What do you think?

Perhaps all of the beautiful images I see in blog land everyday have given me a false sense of reality!!!

Read More

A place to relax

After almost 2 weeks of miserable wet weather the dream kids have started to drive me a little crazy!!!

To soothe my frazzled mind I have searched thru my inspiration pics for a quiet & peaceful space that I could dream of relaxing in!!!

I think this might do the trick....

Now this looks rather soothing...

Mmmmmm.......

Dreaming of owning a ghost chair...

Loving such a soft colour scheme....

Imagining my own personal library....

Swooning over black & white....

Oh look Ive saved a spot for YOU too!!!

Would you prefer a glass of Red or White wine while we relax & dream of our favourite spaces...Whats that?.....No there's no children calling my name....didn't hear a thing...SSSHHHH!!!!!!

Read More

A fine place to dine

What can I say...I Luuurve them all !!!!

This colour...

These chairs...

Images House Beautiful

Oh so elegant...

Stripes & urns...

That view....

Images from Home Beautiful

The serenity....

Hows a girl to decide....I think I will have one of each PLEEAASSE!!!!!

If you could only choose one, which one would  it be???

Cheers

Trish xxx

Read More