Take a piece off

Remember the fashion/accessory/jewellery maxim of removing one piece before you leave the house? It sprang to mind as I landed at these house while real estate stalking. Bold use of colour and interesting art. High end furniture and fabulous finishes. Is it just me though or does this house need to "take a few pieces off"? Perhaps it just highlights how a professional photographer could have us all swooning about this home while a real estate agent just needs to fit it all in. What do you think?

realestate.com.au

Real estate stalking

I've popped over the border a few hours south to dream of owning this ridgetop estate in beautiful Byron Bay. Consisting of a main residence and two villas there's plenty of room for all of us to party in style. I'll take the huge old farmhouse any day and those pavilions with that Balinese feel? Great holiday pads don't you think? Beach and rainforest, fabulous restaurants and music festivals, Byron is one of Australia's premier beachside holiday spots. No highrise though just a great boho eco feel in a laid back but very stylish country town.

realestate.com.au

Amanda McLauchlan

I wanted to wax lyrical about Australian photographer Amanda McLauchlan's work but I found I couldn't write it better than what was already on her website. "Her images are crafted using natural light and evoke the virtues of her soul; quiet and serene, modern and simple. Passion is reality for Amanda." A truly beautiful portfolio. Don't miss her travel and food books.

Images from Amanda McLauchlan Photography

Real estate stalking

Tough week at the office and I'm glad it's over and the weekend is ahead of me. I love that I'm about 14 hours ahead of Kim and my weekend has just begun. (I equally dislike that my weekend is over and she is still enjoying a lazy Sunday!) Now if I only had a spare few million for this Noosa waterfront property. It's only a 2 hour drive from here and an eternity away on my salary. A girl can dream though.

realestate.com.au

French salon salon

Lots of goodies in the email inbox this week. Favourite Australian designer Scott Weston has sent us a taste of his latest project.

"We are currently designing a hair salon in Sydney based on the theatrical flair of a french salon once owned by Madame Pompadour & referencing madame pompadour pink. There are two distinct zones the cool monastic washing/reception zone & the witty french salon as cutting room. Clients arrive & sit within a pastel pink suede banquette where they are greeted with a cup of tea in a porcelain teacup & mini cupcakes by staff ....

.... we have re-interpreted the typical french apartment salon & have created 3 metre high graphically printed panels to cocoon the space. A large bevelled mirror & console is located at each cutting station with furniture by Maletti. A suspended ceiling of ornate plaster cornices & rosettes house 4 large non-random lights by moooi. A solid timber herringbone floor with a huge pastel pink velvet curtain softens the architecturally graphic interior. The salon is screened of by an 8 metre linear cabinet finished in embossed silver with a filigree motif & houses the storage, office & kitchen facilities. The ritual room is a white glowing box where the client has their hair washed & coloured. The space is internally cocooned in a graphic laminate ivy print. Dotted strategically throughout the salon are quirky porcelain references to our beloved madame. Opens in September 2008."

I love scale models. They convey design ideas so efficiently and stylishly to the client. Not everyone can translate a 2-D technical drawing into a 3-D vision in their mind's eye. Scott's models are exceptional though! Time to book in for a cut and colour. Can't wait to see the final space Scott!