Property of the Week - 32 Islington Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand

Addendum - 13th October, 2011 - This property has now sold for NZ$875,000

This weeks feature property is a lovely 3 bedroom, double bay villa  in Ponsonby. The property is situated, as Real Estate Agent Andrea describes it, "within a heartbeat of Jervois and Ponsonby Roads".  If your not familiar with Ponsonby Road, Its an eclectic mix of Kiwi designer fashion, Homeware, furniture, bars, cafe's and restaurants.  Ponsonby is a hop skip and a jump from the City and is in zone for some great schools.

The property is to be auctioned Wednesday 12th October, 2011.  There is a link for further details and photos at the end of this post.

Traditional double bay fronted villa with picket fence. I think there is potential to enhance the front with some landscaping.

Lovely traditional high ceilings with ornate plaster cornice.  An aged patina to the wooden floors. The fireplace is obviously not original, however it's contemporary versus traditional and works really well.

Gorgeous crystal chandelier, the photo prior, is a little clearer.  The polished wood floors add warmth to the white walls and ceilings. The spacious walls are the perfect blank canvas for an art collection.

The dining room leading to the outdoor patio has a "country" feel. I realise the furniture doesn't come with the house, however, I love the lime washed buffet/sideboard!   

I feel this compact kitchen could easily be opened up to the dining room by removing the half wall and including an island work top/breakfast bar as a divider.

Gorgeous high stud with ornate cornice and original timber floors. The nude sketches above the bed are originals by the artist/owner of the house. Built in window seat, always handy for extra storage. Overall an eclectic look that definitely works.

I love the original cast iron fireplace with its feature tiles has been retained in this bedroom.

The third bedroom is currently used as an office.

A traditional bathroom with a modern twist. I'm interested in the decorative way the shower curtains have been suspended above the bath.

A lovely sunny patio area to the rear of the house. I can envisage some lovely french doors if the kitchen/dining area was to be remodelled.

Open homes for this weekend are:

Sat 1 Oct 1:00 - 1:30p.m.

Sun 2 Oct 1:00 - 1:30p.m.

If you reside overseas and wish for someone to view on your behalf or you require more information,  please contact Andrea.  Further details and photos can be seen at Bayley's website.


Email: andrea.ritchie@bayleys.co.nz

Addendum - 13th October, 2011 - This property has now sold for NZ$875,000

I am cheering for England this weekend,
Hope you had a great week.
Lee x

Please do not re-use any photographs or content from this website without prior permission as some photos are copyright and prior permission must be obtained.
Thank you.

Spring/Summer Fashion and Net-a-porter

Spring is finally here in "The Land of the Long White Cloud, (NZ) for my International viewers. Our clocks have moved forward, its 6.15pm and the sun is still shining through my living room windows. I finally feel like my tired, winter batteries are beginning to recharge. Isn't it amazing how longer, lighter days, immediately have a revitalising effect upon us.

I've been browsing both the Internet and high street fashion this week and "brights", as my son in the fashion industry calls them, are certainly the go. Blue, green, yellow even purple is screaming out from the shelves with pastels quietly retreating in the background. 

Spring/Summer 2011 colours

I have decided to choose my own Spring/Summer look sourced  from Net-a-porter.  Net-a-porter are a well known and highly reputable on line fashion company based in the UK. Their fashion starts from around UK Sterling 40.00 and goes to an incredible 10,000 for their top of range designer clothes.

Day Birger et Mikkelsen Gazely ruffled cotton dress from Net-a-porter

UK Sterling 89.60

Day Birger et Mikkelsen Gazely striped jersey maxi dress from Net-a-porter

British Pounds 100.15

T by Alex Wang at Net-a-porter, a classic black jersey maxi dress British Pounds 115.97 

also available in pale taupe.

 

I love this cotton blend lace and chiffon dress with its simple contrast black straps - J Crew from 

Net-a-porter British Pounds 110.69, also available in black

This classic soft jersey maxi by Juicy Couture at Net-a-porter  is British Pounds 137.03, if you do your sums and convert to NZ dollars you will be surprised that you can buy a designer label for around NZ$272.63.

Antik Batik floral motif dress from Net-a-porter British Pounds 210.84

This Malene Birger poppy red satin and crepe gown at Net-a-porter is British Pounds 363.69

Stunning! Julian Macdonald Sweet Heather silk-chiffon dress is British Pounds 2,587.97 unfortunately SOLD OUT but I wanted to show you this dress to illustrate how popular and trustworthy Net-a-porter are. Net-a-porter Group Ltd is known as the world's premier online luxury fashion retailer.  Their award-winning website presents fashion in the style of a fashion magazine.  They offer unprecedented access to the hottest looks of the season from international cutting-edge labels via worldwide express delivery. Fashion is updated weekly and their website is viewed by 2.5 million women each month. They have impeccable packaging and unrivalled customer care. If you have actually got to this point of my post, and not already lost in Net-a-porters store, I guess there is nothing more to do but click "here" to shop...but before you do I have four rules:1.  Lock your credit card away2.  If you don't lock it away, please don't mention my name or blog address in front of your husband or partner.3.  Let me know what wonderful item you buy and send a photo to me as your unwrapping it from its "impeccable" packaging ! 4.  I will not be held responsible for any addiction to Net-a-porter that might occur from this post :)

                                                    Happy shopping

                                                            Lee x

Colour Inspiration - Duck Egg Blue

My mother had the most exquisite perfume bottle given to her by my Godfather many years ago, I have never seen anything quite so beautiful. The delicate, porcelain blue speckled egg with its little solid silver screw on lid sits proudly on her dressing table. Although the egg is a copy of a blackbirds egg, it's  the classic "duck egg blue" I adore. I am sorry I don't have a photo of it to share with you today but promise to get one tomorrow and add it to this post because it truly is a thing of beauty and when I inherit it I will cherish it forever.  I do, however, have a collection of images for you in varying shades of  blue. Hopefully these photos inspire you to find a place in your home to add a little of this colour whether it be a throw on your bed, accent pillows, a vase or even a photo frame. I am excited to be using this blue as an accent in my own "soon to be featured" bedroom.

Duck Eggs - The inspiration for the colour

photo source - unfortunately I cannot find this shot again, please if this belongs to you, email me and I will credit correctly.

Addendum: Photo of my mothers antique porcelain perfume bottle with hallmarked silver lid.

photo source - decorpad.com

My whole house is neutral paintwork in Resene Ricecake and Resene 1/4 parchment but after seeing the gorgeous colour of this hallway I wish I actually had some colour in my house. The bonus I guess for me is using accessories to bring colour in, I can always change or add to my accessories but it's expensive to change paint.  Nevertheless, I love the colour of this hall.

photo source - remodelista.com

Don't you just love this old table and gorgeous blue bowls. The overall look is soft, fresh and definitely uncontrived. 

photo source - ZsaZsa Bellagio.blogspot.com

I adore this blue commode, available at Frenchy Furniture, Balham South London. They can be emailed at info@frenchyfurniture.com  

photo - Wallace Cotton

This vintage, soft blue botanical print from Wallace Cotton is gorgeous. The lamps and the verdigris planter make a bold but balanced statement to the softer look of this setting. This pretty bedlinen is a new arrival at Wallace Cotton, Paradiso Quilt NZ$129.90 - NZ$189.90. European pillowcase in Paradiso, NZ$29.90. oxford Pillowcase NZ$24.90

Paradiso rectangle cushion - NZ$39.90

 I have just noticed, coincidentally, my "links" reflect my love of this blue.

If you’r having a “blue” day, cheer yourself up

By bringing some duck egg blue into your home!

Lee x

Duvet Covers - crinkly linen and fresh crisp cotton

Known for it's coolness in Summer and warmth in Winter 100% linen is quickly becoming a popular choice for duvet covers, the new pre washed soft linen is just so beautiful. The crinkled unmade look of  linen  is perfect for the French country look of my bedroom makeover.  An added bonus is the fact that linen duvets are meant to look slightly crinkled and I absolutely loathe ironing. Recently my husband flew back from Abu Dhabi for a couple of weeks, he went to iron a shirt and discovered I didn't possess an ironing board. Since returning to NZ and not having the luxury of a maid,  I've discovered the tumble drier seems to do a good job of knocking out those creases if you whip them out of the tumbler in the last five minutes (with the exception of cotton bed sheets of course). My husband was obviously not  impressed when I told him my solution as the next day he marched in with an oversized ironing board under his arm... Shhh! don't tell him but its still sitting propped up in my laundry in its original plastic wrapping.

A while ago I started to look around Auckland to see what I could find in the way of linen duvet covers. One shop I found in Parnell had some beautiful ones made in Italy but prices started at NZ$800!!", rolls eyes"! The downside of Linen is its price and as I can't justify NZ$800 for a duvet, I returned home to "let my fingers do the searching", (old Yellow Pages slogan, but this time referring to my "keyboard").  However, I'm aware that not everyone likes crinkles in their bed linen and some prefer the starched look of hotel sheets, so have included some beautiful duvets in 100% cotton, sourced from the UK, NZ and the USA. All of these can be purchased on line with International shipping. 

Samples of linen I received from Lovely Home Idea a small business based in Europe. The left and middle samples are 100% linen, the last one on the right is 50% linen/cotton so a little bit softer.  

50% linen/Cotton Queen size Duvet cover in sand brown  from Lovely Home Idea - US$155.00 plus shipping.

 

Queen size duvet from Lovely Home Idea in 100% natural linen, pearly white - US$155.00 plus shipping.


Lovely Home Idea also have tablecloths, towels and baby ideas so worth popping over to their Etsy store to see their other  items.

Indira 100% cotton Duvet cover set from Wallace Cotton - NZ$99.00 -$169.00

I think Indira is lovely and if I was looking at a pattern I think this would be it. It has a crisp, fresh appearance, especially against the white shutters.

Tess Duvet cover in elegant washed grey linen with ruffled trim - NZ$329.90 - $399.90 from  Wallace Cotton. I can certainly imagine myself lazing with a book in this bed on a Saturday morning.

Wallace Cotton are a popular NZ store who stock homeware, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and clothing. They are a New Zealand company with stores in Newmarket, Takapuna and Wellington. But don't panic you can order from their on line store if you are not close to a shop.

If your in the UK, don't forget your rate of exchange is good so prices can be competitive even ordering from the other side of the Pacific.

Pearl emroidered duvet cover and sham from Pottery Barn - Queen size NZ$129.30, King size NZ$168.50. In the new easy care cotton that is said to emerge from the drier smooth (Could this be for me!). Shipping excluded.

Classic Stripe 400 thread easy care cotton duvet and sham in sandlewood from Pottery Barn - Queen size NZ$168.50, King Size NZ$194.60 excluding shipping 

This 400 count Egyptian Cotton Duvet cover is from The Linen Cupboard, Yorkshire, UK and costs UK Sterling 50.00 for a King size which is a very competitive price.  Shipping within the UK is Sterling 5.95.

Further designs can be seen at The Linen Cupboard website.  The Linen Cupboard specialise in hard to find bed linen so if your bed is an unusual size they may well be able to help you. 

Its 11.55pm, Clocks have gone forward an hour in NZ.

The All Blacks won against France and I have finally finished this post so its off to bed for me! 

Lee x

Living Rooms featuring Robin Stubbert's Photography

What a beautiful Spring day in Auckland today, I went for a short walk down to Kohimarama and bought a sandwich for lunch at "The Store", ooh la la, The bakery was inundated with French men, then I realised that France plays against New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup tomorrow. There are supporters flags hanging out of letterboxes, cars and windows and As I wandered around the waterfront I noticed one house in the process of being built that had a myriad of flags hanging from the balcony, I guess one for each of the countries represented by the men building this property.  These colourful flags hung across the balcony, flapping around in the cool ocean breeze, but guess what ?...where was my camera when I needed it... at home! 

One person that definitely doesn't forget her camera is Robin Stubbert, Robin is a professional Photographer. Canadian Home & Country, Canadian House & Home, Country Living, Country Sampler and Style at Home are just a few of the Magazines featuring Robin's work.  Robins photography has also featured in many hardback publications and magazine covers. Robin has kindly allowed me to feature her photographs on my blog. However,  please do not copy or use her photos without her prior permission.

Interiors, gardens and Still life are among Robin's subjects for photography. I think that Robin has a distinctive style which attracted my attention. Today I am sharing some wonderful living spaces she has photographed, I hope these photos inspire you with your own living areas.

I encourage you to visit Robin's website if you are interested in her work featuring in your magazine or  if you wish to enquire further about her photography.

This large airy living area has been kept simple. However, visual interest has been added by use of accessories. It's amazing how a room can come alive with a few inexpensive additions such as the dried branches and the interesting items on the small wood table. The Stag horns bring the white walls alive and evoke a further feeling of nature to this room.

This living room has more of a French, cottage feel to it. The furniture definitely has a French flair. I love the red toile fabric on the chairs and cushions. The beautiful wood beams keep cropping up in my photos. I don't deliberately seek them out but my eyes are drawn to them. I feel however, that if you are to have natural wooden beams it is best to keep them light in colour, natural wood as these or painted white. Dark is ok in some rooms but the yellowy or golden log cabin or very old lockwood look, tends to be "dated".

A fresh country look in this open plan living/kitchen area. I love the lights hanging over the breakfast bar. I have very modern ones over my own breakfast bar but this gives me an idea to replace them.

A modern contemporary look to this room, where I have to say this dark wood ceiling works well as it compliments the floors and furniture. All the accessories work well in this room. Normally we would just use one vase but these owners have been brave and gone for two striking pots and solid branches, making them appear more of an "art" statement, than a simple pot with branches in.

I am not quite sure what room this is as I notice that there are some towels hanging up, so possibly this room is a bathroom. I love the fireplace and the idea of the small terracotta pots.I also love the French style console with its few accessories.  What a lovely idea for a bathroom to bring some pieces of furniture in such as these.  Often our bathrooms lack character but this one certainly doesn't and has been decorated in a way that makes it far from just a bathroom.

All photographs are copyrighted and belong to Robin Stubbert Photography.  Thank you Robin :)

Enjoy your early Spring or Fall weekend.

Lee x

French Country

This weeks specials from French Country Outlet Store

Some great bargains this week, the Roccoco mirror is only NZ$120

Country Cottage Bedroom Ideas

As my post on bedheads seemed to quickly make it to my "Most Popular Posts" (see my side bar), and I have still not completed my own bedroom, I've been searching the Internet for more ideas and want to share my discoveries.  I was seeking more the "cottage look" than a "French Look" although there is a "smattering" of French to be seen. Nevertheless a few more gorgeous ideas to get you thinking.  

Photo source - House to Home
This room is very fresh and pretty and certainly doesnt need a fancy headboard with its blue toile roman blinds adding interest on either side of the bed.   A couple of pale blue transfer ware plates could be hung on the wall behind the bed or a couple of frames with similar prints such as the one below with a soft blue print;

Frame from Sew White a little home run on-line store with lots of goodies.  I like to support these smaller stores.

Photo source - melledesign.com

Photo source. google search 

Photo source - google search
I adore the lovely wooden ceilings. If I ever built new I would certainly want to have the beams exposed and aged.

Photo source - unknown (been on my laptop forever :)

Photo source - Wallace Cotton. 
Wallace Cotton have a sale on at the moment and some really lovely bed linen so worth hopping over to their on-line store if you cannot visit their Newmarket store in Auckland. Please click on the photo or link above.

Night, night, sleep tight, 
Lee x