Villa Anna: July 2009

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

An oldie but a goodie...

I've been researching music rehearsal studios and I came across this collection of pics of The Osbournes old Beverly Hills mansion. Yes the Osbournes were a dysfunctional family but who doesn't love their home :)

It's the perfect mix of masculine and feminine. Sharons bathroom (on the second row) Is simply heavenly. It's probably the size of my whole house haha.

The tv room on the fourth row has definitely found me some inspiration ;)

Like Pamela Anderson, Sharon Osbourne held an estate sale, I think after they sold their Beverly Hills mansion and sold off most of her exquisite French treasures as she has decided to go for the minimalistic look (silly woman haha). Oh how I wish I were able to attend this sale!

Top pic by The Real Estalker

please click images to enlarge.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Lovely Leura...

Thinking more about my trip to The Blue Mountains I decided to stalk around looking for properties for sale. I found this little gem in my favourite Blue Mountains suburb of Leura.

Look at the views this treasure has to offer!

What a sweet but not so small cottage.

From the realestate website - The best of both worlds, views and a garden and seldom available! One of the very few outstanding gardens with panoramic cliff edge VIEWS from the cascading waters of Wentworth Falls to Bowral Gib. Sited on over 2 ½ Acres of Paul Sorensen gardens, crammed with mountain exotics meandering gravel pathways, dry stone walls and native bushland, you can see forever from this beautifully maintained and much loved weatherboard residence. There are 3 bedrooms, a 4th or study, 3 bathrooms, formal and informal living areas plus a massive family room leading from a thoughtfully designed kitchen and super sized laundry. High ceilings, pretty picture windows with a treed backdrop and valley vistas , plus gas log fires and a bore for the garden, all add up to the ultimate in privacy, tranquillity and seclusion. Located just around the corner from the Fairmont Resort, the Golf Course and less than a 90 minute drive from the city.

I adore the colonial picture windows.

I would put a sumptuous window seat in this bay window.

If this is the formal lounge I'd paint the walls either antique white or a very soft beige. I would also perhaps add a little more plasterwork to ornate the ceilings. The slow combustion fire would either be replaced with a white version or somehow moved to the other wall and create a stone mantle fireplace. The sofa's would be white French settee's with an aubusson rug and a tufted ottoman used as a coffee table. And of course lets not forget the grand chandelier ;)

If this is the familyroom the carpet looks to be sisal which I already love. I'd have a linen couch, perhaps another large ottoman coffee table but I'm unsure of what lighting I'd use in this room.

The kitchen is small but delightful. With such a lack of storage cupboards one would hope there is a massive walk in pantry somewhere ;)

A beautiful chandelier is definitely needed in the dining room,...

as well as the bedroom. I'd have a beautiful off white French Louis bed and I'd probably place my soon to be covered aqua velvet, tufted love seat at the foot and place my French style vanity and leopard print chair in the bay window. I'd have duck egg blue silk curtains and a damask wallpaper feature wall and probably another aubusson rug.

Imagine waking up everyday looking out from your bedroom window at that view!! It may not be the ocean but still equally as beautiful.

Beautifully manicured gardens.

Unfortunately, to live this lifestyle you'll need just under two million dollars *sigh*

It's always nice to dream though ;)

http://www.domain.com.au/Public/PropertyDetails.aspx?adid=2007320729#

I also quickly wanted to mention my excitement about Jason Sullivan winning the Home Made competition. I can't wait to see his future designs!!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

For the love of the Sweeds...

A few sundays ago my family and I took a day trip out to a wonderful part of Sydney called The Blue Mountains. It's one of my favourite places to visit, especially during winter. The air is so crisp and the autumn colours still present on the foliage is beautiful. It's a very old part of Sydney about a 3 hour drive inland from the coast. It has so much character with it's quaint cottages and shops and lets not forget the breathtaking expansive mountains and parklands.

While visiting one of the most exquisite shops - Maison Montage - in a little town called Leura I was lucky enough to finally grab a copy of this enchanting book - Swedish Interiors.

I know most of you probably already own this heavenly gem but I wanted to post a few of my favourite inspirational images from it's glossy pages.

please click image to enlarge

my sincerest apologies for my dodgy scanning.

This room is usually a little more contemporary for my taste but can you imagine the wonderful parties one could host in a setting like this? An abundance of candles and mood lighting, complementary music, dancing and comfortable conversation surrounding that crackling fire.....It's a little bit awesome don't you think? :)