Imagine...

coming through the gentle hills with snow capped mountains in the distance you stumble upon a crunchy gravel driveway.  You follow it past the box hedges and crab apple trees and arrive at this gorgeous  stone building which is set amongst 10 acres of manicured gardens. 

Originally a bakery which opened in 1875 the current owners have lovingly restored into the perfect rural retreat. 
As you enter the cottage you see the Belgium covered linen sofas and the warmth of the pot bellied stove welcomes you. Travertine cobblestones cover the floor leading into the kitchen. Upstairs the master suite provides the perfect sanctuary from which you hear the silence of the country side and enjoy far reaching views across the valley and vineyards to the mountain. 

Double french doors open from the kitchen onto the private courtyard where a wooden table provides the perfect spot to enjoy an alfresco lunch. Wandering around the enchanting French inspired gardens you feel relaxed and the constant motions of the outside world seem to disappear if only for a few days...magnifique! 

Black Springs Bakery, Beechworth, Australia

Flowers...

I love this workspace photo by ngoc minh ngo.  

My desk is looking beautifully messy this morning with client samples spread all over it. 

All I need is some flowers now!

Weekend...

After a very wet week here in Brisbane it is nice to see the sun again. I was meant to start my retaining wall and paving in the backyard this week but it is too wet. Hopefully it will happen on Monday when the ground has dried out enough. Then I can get some lovely outdoor furniture like this!!

 I hope you have a lovely weekend. 

Amanda x

Swidish Style

This subtle home interior was inspired by the beautiful Swedish antiques sourced from Loi Thai of  Tone on Tone in Washington D.C.  I love the simple style of the living room and its gray Silk drapes framing the tall windows and natural linen fabric on the sofa's. The timber shutters are antiques salvaged from a Swedish castle.  

An 18th century swedish clock in the foyer.

I love the french doors which open into the living and dining rooms from the Foyer. The owners limewashed the floors in the home and painted the walls gray providing the perfect backdrop for the furnishings. 

The subtle style flows through to the master bedroom. 

A beautiful attic guestroom with its Pierre Duex Toile wallpaper.  

You can read more about this home here. 

{photography Lydia Cutter via Home & Design}

Weekend...

I hope you have a beautiful weekend! 

{image via House Beautiful}

Sydney Home

I came across this home which is currently on the market in Sydney. There is something very appealing about this home and I love it when there are lots of photo's on the listing because I get to have a peek inside!

Rustic gates open to a sandstone loggia perfect for entertaining.

The parquetry floors, high ceilings and sweeping staircase immediately stand out.

To the right is the formal lounge room.

I could imagine decorating this space. I love the size of the rooms in this home and that they all have large windows providing lots of natural light.

The kitchen is at the rear of the house - the doors leading onto the terrace are stunning!

The dining room is a great size and again there are really nice architectural details, the mouldings are beautiful and I like the built in bookshelves.

The upstairs family bathroom.

This is the outdoor living space which you enter via the gates in the earlier image.

Another view of the beautiful doors which lead from the kitchen. It would be the perfect spot for breakfast.

It is the architecture and outdoor spaces of the home that I love the most.

Beach House

Loving this beach house today! 

I always have liked the idea of owning a beach 'shack'...I think this one would do! 

{image via coastal living}

Weekend...

I am so glad that a long weekend has arrived as there are so many jobs to do! Many of you know I am in the process of renovating a 1930's cottage. The inside of my house is nearly finished with just a little bit of painting left to do. Which means I can start focusing on the outside - I am sure my neighbours will be delighted to here this.   One of the jobs on top of my list is my front door, which is currently painted 'mission brown'.  So it is going to be a weekend of painting for me.  

Have a lovely weekend!! xx

{image via Country Living}