Friday, February 10, 2012

Living in Blue and White and Ladies Who Lunch A Little


Lets talk New Years Resolutions, shall we?  Apart from losing weight, being good and growing this blog, another resolution I made just several short weeks ago, was to make 2012 the 'year of the catch up' with old friends.  I'm not brilliant at staying in touch.  I have made some lovely friends through my life, only to lose touch as my situation has changed. Fake Book, as I like to call it, has brought me back in touch with old boyfriends, people I hung out with as a teenager and people who I haven't seen for  a few years.  It's been great for helping me reconnect with people I should never have lost touch with.  

 They don't call the Northern Beaches of Sydney the Insular Peninsula for nothing.  Once you are here, it can be hard to leave.  What with being a taxi driver to 2 under tens, which apparently gets worse as they get older, and the CEO of the Beach House, there is little time to laze around the in  town of Lunch Alot with old friends.


Nicole and I have been messaging each other for a few weeks by way of social media, so we locked in a date and today was the day.  I was a lady who lunched and it was delightful.    She is a dear friend from school days.  We also went to university together, so there's lots of history and goss to catch up on. We always pick up where we left off.  Nicole hasn't moved far from where we grew up and I think you can see why.  This beautiful home is newly renovated by Nicole and her husband Ric.  It has been their project for several years and it is all but finished.  This is classic New England at its best and the open plan living room and  kitchen were my absolute favourite part of the house. 


Nicole said she loves contrasts, so the stone work  in the kitchen is a combination of Italian stone and marble.  Marble was used for the splash backs in order to help preserve it from wear.  We both know people who have gone for marble on the bench tops and they have been permanently marked within days.  So this was the compromise and I think it looks fantastic.  It's a great way to introduce marble into a kitchen without the 'freak out factor' being ever present.


When Nicole began this project these pendant light fittings were not available in Australia.  There are similar around now, but she had another expat school friend ship them out from the US.  It's maddening that we are such a back water when it comes to availability of great design here in Oz.


And of course the uber stylish Swedish design supermarket of choice, gets a work out in this room too.  The wall art, the Lack shelving and the desk rests are all IKEA.  The glass table top was cut especially to suit the space.  I think the ghost chair is gorgeous against the glass desk top.


And then there was lunch, served on Nigella Lawson.  Now I thought I was the Queen of the salad, but this one creamed me.  It's definitely going on the Beach House menu plan next week.  It was fabulous.  Although I've often used prosciutto and lamb in salads....never in the same one.  It added another layer of protein and was delicious.



Nic likes to mix up white furniture with darker stained pieces.  The antique coffee table had a rattan top, which looked great in a dark stain. 


Grouping many contrasting candle sticks together on the coffee table, creates a beautiful visual story.  I had to come home and study the shots to take in what was really going on here.  Wicker juxtaposed against ceramic, pottery and wood are all used to great effect to create interest.


The matching ottomans at the end of the coffee table added another fabric into the mix and are a casual form of seating, when required.



Nicole chose a white lounge to sit under the large north facing window.  As it was bound to fade anyway, Nic had to toss up whether it was going to trashed by the sunlight, or by the fact that 3 kids and a dog live here.  So she chose white to combat the sun.  And as for the kiddos, so far so good.  The covers are removable and the kids call it the 'show room lounge'.  No one wants to sit on it cause it doesn't face the TV.  That was very smart thinking on my hostess' part.


The dark floor boards are another great contrast to the Hamptons style built in unit and the white joinery in the kitchen .

Beautiful object d'art, such as antique keys and blue and white china, complete the picture of the perfect living room in my view. 
There's lots of lantern love going on here too.  Take a look around and see how many you can find.




The littlest Beach House Brat felt right at home too.  I like to think she has good taste like her mother.  Nic's daughter was home from a school camp and she entertained my babe.....it was hard to drag the Beach House Brat away, as she made a new friend.    As we drove off to begin the afternoon school run, she asked if we could go back tomorrow.   I don't blame her really....I hope my finger nail marks can't be seen on the front door step.  I had to drag myself away too.    I really should get out more don't you think?!!!!!


Today I'm partying here

37 comments :

  1. What a gorgeous home! It's always so nice when you make the time to catch up with old friends, definitely schedule in some more 'me' time and enjoy it! :) xo K

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  2. Thanks for showing us this gorgeous home! Loved all the pics! Mx

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  3. What a beautiful home! Love the blue and white! Thank you for sharing :)

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  4. She has a gorgeous home! All the beautiful sunlight along with the blue & white is just fabulous.

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  5. Beautiful home!!

    Just stopping by from the Linky Party Hop. I hope you will visit www.laughterandgrace.com and follow back.

    Thanks!!

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  6. I am so happy that you reconnected with your friend! It sounds like you had a lovely lunch together and got some gorgeous photos of her home as well! Love it! The kitchen really caught my eye, just beautiful!

    Thanks so much for sharing your pics!

    XO,
    Jane

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  7. What a gorgoeus and comfortable home. Thanks for sharing it with us. Leahx

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  8. I saw a kitchen exactly the same in a magazine , with a marble splash back and I would have had it too if money had allowed....so it was great seeing it in someone's home, just gorgeous. I love marble, but the staining and non wear and tear of it put me off as a bench top...however I have found white granite!!!! It looks like marble but much more durable. One day I will have it put on top of my breakfast bar.

    Glad you had a good time, her house is stunning. Some people have such great taste ay! Nic ( the other Nic)

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  9. it's lovely! light and bright with all the navy and white.
    x

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  10. Lovely pictures. I'm a new Linky Follower (from the blog LF hop) and I'd love it if you would visit my blog, http://intheoldroad.blogspot.com

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  11. lovely!
    New follower via the Linky Party Hop.
    I hope you will stop by my blog, say hello and follow me back!

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  12. What a gorgeous job - she's done a fabulous job. Very stylish and captures the look beautifully. I'd love to know where she got the built-in bookcase made as I'm looking to get one done now too.

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  13. Hello - I am your newest LF Follower from TheStuffofSuccess. Please follow back - thanks and have a terrific evening.

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  14. Beautiful home! Love the black coffee table! I see Princess Beach House stole the show again with help from that adorable dog.

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  15. Loving the cabinetry in the lounge and also the lanterns! Can't have too many lanterns as far as I'm concerned. ;)Sharyne

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  16. What a beautiful blog!

    Found you on the blog hop. Can't wait to see more!

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  17. Your friend has a lovely home. So nice that you were able to reconnect. Great to have you at Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  18. I was showing my hubby the pics of your friends kitchen as I want to incorporate a steamer oven into our kitchen when we redo it, and he scrolled all the way to the bottom and now we would like to know the breed of that gorgeous dog .... please help! Mx

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  19. I love your beautiful home! Thanks for sharing Joann

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  20. Love all the gorgeous blue & white details!
    x
    Melissah

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  21. You have a beautiful home and daughter. Sometimes when you're a mom, friends take a backseat, but are there again when you reconnect at another stage in life. Thanks for sharing your designs with us. Happy Valentine's Day. ~CJ

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  22. Gorgeous home. So modern yet so homely. I am visiting from Show off your cottage Monday.
    :) jeanetteann

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  23. Oh what a totally gorgeous house. No wonder you had to be dragged away - I would of moved myself straight in and never left! :) xx

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  24. What a gorgeous home! Do you think she will invite me over some time? I love all the blue & white.

    What a great idea to do with the ottomans! I have a sectional and a large ottoman, so I never felt like I have room for a coffee table, but I think it works when done like this. I might have to try it!

    Does your friend have a blog?

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  25. you just cant go wrong with white, hey?! love the set as you've put things together here. well decorated.

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  26. OMGoodness, that home is beautiful. I wouldn't want to leave either.

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  27. Beautiful home! Thanks so much for sharing, sounds like you had a wonderful day catching up. You have a new follower here....I'm off to look around :)

    xKerry

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  28. You have a beautiful blog! I'm your newest linky follower. Would you stop by Thrifty Decorating and follow? http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/

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  29. Your space is completely fabulous! You have an amazing home! I love your style! Thank you so much for the inspiration!!! :o) and for linking up!
    Jaime from crafty scrappy happy

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  30. What a wonderful day with a wonderful friend in an absolutely wonderful home! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  31. Can I come and visit? Every turn lends beauty and curiosity to view the items more closely. Cutest little on can sit beside me and I could read a book or two to her.

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  32. This room just screams fabulous! I am in love with the blue and white! I am hosting my first link party today, and would love for you to add this along with anything else you like!
    http://www.mom4realky.blogspot.com/2012/02/4-real-friday-link-party-1.html

    Jessica @ Mom 4 Real

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  33. This home is absolutely gorgeous. I love everything. it is great to catch up with friends.
    Ruth

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  34. Well hello there! Your living room is just gorgeous, what a beautiful space! I've got this linked to my living rooms post too today, for inspiration! Have yourself a great day.

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  35. This house is beautiful! Very nice job. I am in the process of choosing floor boards and love the look and colour of the ones in this house. Do you know what colour and kind these are? Thanks for sharing! :-)

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