Displaying posts labeled "Real Estate"

I’m having a design crisis. I’m finding myself drawn to brown. Not just brown but neutrals, no… naturals, maybe wood… and stone… maybe brick. Grass and feathers and gnarly old branches next to turned bowls of eggs and seed pods. It’s clutter and collections and brown…. brown… natural… oh and copper and brass and antiques and hemp and sisal and hand made furniture and back to brown. It’s driving me crazy but I can’t help it. I found this home in the countryside just outside Berrima in New South Wales on my regular real estate stalking and I should be running screaming shouting “no”, “no”, “no” but… I’m kind of hooked. It bothers me but perhaps it shouldn’t. Link here while it lasts.

Jo isn’t the only one who enjoys stalking real estate sites. Savills is a great resource for spectacular properties in the UK and abroad (Savills is HUGE. They have more than 200 offices and associates throughout the Americas, the UK, continental Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East). I came across two properties that caught my eye (so far, as I could spend hours on this site). This first one is seriously knocking my socks off. It’s a 2,885 sq ft 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom apartment located in Fulham, London. I adore the layout of the living/dining/kitchen – how they all blend seamlessly and then OMG those windows and soaring beamed ceilings. I think it’s a genius idea to have the kitchen cabinets continue into the living room. It would be awesome as a library if you didn’t want open shelving and preferred a minimalist look, and then your books won’t get dusty! (P.S. Note the to-die-for Douglas fir flooring). The designer furnishings in neutral colours are just the icing on the cake. I also must give a nod to the lowered ceilings in the media room (actually a mezzanine) – perfectly cosy. (Link here)

This next one is a 7th floor apartment with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in Battersea, London. The views are what got me (although both are waterfront). Hard to miss it with one entire side of the apartment being a wall of glass. I think it’s sort of unusual how the owners opted to have the dining table in the center of the large living space. It acts as a divider and creates 2 distinct living rooms (or reception rooms to Brits). I REALLY need to find that large black and white striped rug – LOVE!!! (Link here)

Set in Victoria’s alpine high country is Solterra, a contemporary home of rammed earth, ironbark and expanses of glass perfect to frame the expansive mountain views. Two hours from Melbourne and 30 minutes from Mount Buller’s ski slopes it is perfect for winter fun or summer escapes. Cows wandering past the infinity edge pool is my idea of the neighbours dropping in. Real estate stalking in the highlands. Here while the link lasts.

Hidden amongst the tree ferns and gum trees, up a winding stone path is a quaint one bed room weekender. Yarramie Cottage was built in the 1920s with views across the Great Mackerel Beach valley in the Pittwater area north of Sydney. A sandy beach 5 minutes walk away makes this cute little stone gem a perfect holiday escape especially in the hot Australian summers… although I must admit I’d love to curl up near the fire in winter, far from the madding crowd. Wildlife, trail walks, beach, seclusion and a significant other. Sometimes real estate stalking takes you unexpected places. Love it. Link here while it lasts.

I want you all to come to my virtual New Year’s Eve party. I know it is late notice, my apologies, but I found the perfect venue while real estate stalking today and well one thing lead to another and I hatched this harebrained idea that if we all imagined hard enough and clicked our heels we could wish ourselves to this perfect party house. On a ridge in the hinterland behind Byron Bay in New South Wales lies an old Queenslander style house that is eccentric and magical, fun and historical, kooky and hands down the best house for an end of year bash. Look it even has disco balls ready to light up our night! Not quite to my taste (too many cherubs, Victorian velvet and lace bedspreads), I couldn’t live here but I could certainly party here! I am drawn in by its siren’s call. An entertainer’s paradise with age and character, loads of character, luxury and a little decay, a pool with a teepee, Moreton Bay fig trees to flirt under, verandahs to lounge on drink in hand and a rainforest stream for Sunday morning BBQ breakfast for those of us who haven’t indulged too much. For those of you who haven’t made it to bed yet there are vitamin B tablets and aspirin in the kitchen and heavy drapes in the bedrooms when you finally make it to sleep. We promise to keep the gramophone turned down low. Happy New Year!! (Link here while it lasts.)