SERIOUS...(LY) BEAUTIFUL KITCHENS

by RUARD VELTMAN

For more visit Ruard Veltman Architecture

Dive on in...

When we bought our house, the inground pool was a major selling point. With three kids, and the kind of sweltering summers we have here in Queensland, it's definitely had a workout over the years. Lately, it's been looking very tired, and we've had leaking pipes, broken pool pumps and filters, tiles falling off....you name it. This winter, we've had yet another leak, and at the moment it looks more like a swamp than a pool! So, we've decided to bite the bullet and give the old girl a bit of cosmetic surgery. New coping pavers, waterline tiles to replace the slate, and re-landscaping the pool area is on the cards, and not before time, I can tell you! One of the advantages of living on acreage is that we have space to play with, but it also can pose a few challenges - like where to put the mandatory safety fencing. Take a look at a few of my inspiration pics - and if my pool makeover looks half as good as some of these beauties, I'll be a very happy camper!

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paint these beams white and you have the perfect outdoor fireplace

this is a similar pool to ours - and that little poolhouse would be perfect!

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sandstone surrounds maybe?

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Now that weekend sport is done for the rest of the year, (after my daughter's nail-biting one-point win in her netball grand final - nothing like giving your parents a heart attack in the process!) we'll have a bit more time to spend on getting this house into shape. Can't wait!

A Whitewashed California Beach House!

Carolyn Espley-Miller designed this beautiful beach home in California!

Many of you know I'm obsessed with the clean, soft look of white.

White creates the perfect pallet foundation for cape cod, Gustavian/Swedish, French and Belgian decor.

Thanks to House Beautiful, we're able to enjoy this perfect dreamy beach home!

... notice how Carolyn incorporates the feel of a cafe' in Paris

Such a simple but beautiful entryway!  The little details pop!

... It's all in the details!

This bedroom mantel is made from a wooden French window frame from Lucca antiques.

... incredible!

Notice the barn doors with their original seafoam color make up the bed's headboard.

Nothing I love more than large comfy sofas and vintage dhurrie rugs!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!!

yellow accent

Carrie Livingston

Jackson Paige Interiors

Claridges Hotel

Elizabeth Kimberly Design

Melanie Elston Interiors

Jennifer&Patrick Schueck At home In Arkansas

Woodson & Rummerfield

Jeffers Design Group

Lloyd Ralphs Design

via HGTV

D magazine

Reader redesign....the power of white paint

Last week, I received a lovely email from one of my blog readers, Karen. Karen and her husband had a common problem with their home, and one that I'm all too familiar with - the dreaded pine ceiling and brick wall combo! Karen had seen the huge difference a coat of white paint had made to my kitchen and ceiling, and is also a fan of Millie and Moth's work over at The Laurel Hedge, and so decided a white wash was exactly what was needed to give her family room a lift. Take a look at the before...

...and the afters

 

Karen is far from finished with her makeover - there are new lamps and accessories still to come, and her husband is building a cabinet to disguise the fridge and provide more storage. And if the transformation isn't amazing enough on its own, amidst all the reno chaos Karen underwent two eye operations! What a wonderful job, and thanks must go to Karen and her husband for letting me share their makeover success with you all.

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend,

An award...and an apology!

I have a huge apology to make...last month, the lovely Natasha from Northern Light was nice enough to pass on a the Versatile Blogger award to me, and somehow I managed to miss thanking her! So Natasha, thank you so much for the award, I really do appreciate it more than you know. For those of you who haven't met Natasha yet, she was born in East Africa, raised in Denmark and lives in America. Her blog is a treasure trove of all things beautiful, and is one of my daily reads. Here's a little of what you can expect:

So if you haven't already, pop on over here and check it out, you won't be disappointed. Oh, and say hi from me too!