Pool House Kitchen ~ Cooloola

I thought you might like this kitchen which is in our pool-house. I went with the black granite which is gorgeous .... inspiration from "Something's Gotta Give". As we all know we are obsessed with that movie, well I certainly am, and the kitchen was very inspirational for me in doing our pool-house kitchen. The pure white cabinetry with inky black granite benchtops and a colonial feel with cedar timber shutters and overhead fans plus triple posting and collars on the verandah added to the colonial feel. Once again, I did a porcelain sink and beautiful tapware ... I believe in longevity and the classics and it will stand the test of time....... Come on over!

Beautiful Blooms!

I thought some beautiful blooms were appropriate for a Monday morning ..... I missed posting them on Friday so here they are to cheer your day!

My Kitchen

Just a quick post ... I still have to post my soup almondine recipe which I will do asap. This is my kitchen which I did in a classic style .... painted antique white cabinetry but with a contemporary twist of anodized brushed stainless steel handles. I like a sleek looking kitchen with no fuss and lots of bench space. I went with Ilve and Miele appliances and the Ilve oven is fantastic. I have two sinks ... one is the big double bowl French farmhouse in the island bench which I love as you can work/cook etc. and still chat to people. I find everyone always converges on the kitchen no matter what the occasion and I like to be able to talk and cook at the same time. The other sink is an underslung porcelain which I use as a flower sink and when we have big gatherings an extra sink for washing glassware. We have dicroic downlighting which I like as it is great for cooking and prepping as it gives plenty of light, however, I am currently awaiting the arrival of my chandelier which will go above the island bench as I feel a little bit of drama in the kitchen never hurts! My benchtops are antique white granite 40mm. All tapware is Perrin and Rowe. I hope you enjoy and if you are ever in the neighbourhood pop in for a cup of tea or a nice glass of chardonnay!
ps My pantry is around the corner and the linen cupboard backs onto the kitchen and is a walk-through! We have a very old 1890'` sliding waiter door which retained and it leads to the dining room! Enjoy!

A Client's Work/layout board ~ Colonial Style

I have just finished the initial design layout and proposal for the colonial house I am working on ...... we have gone with a very colonial feel with use of rattan furniture, date palm artwork and lamps with pineapple bases. Plenty of sisal rugs and lots of white linen with pink and green accents. We are going with some silver/grey colour palettes teamed with carrara or calcutta marble in the kitchen and main bathroom. All cabinetry will be floating as in "on legs" not going to the floor which also lends itself to a colonial feel. The house dates back to circa approx. 1890's/1900 so has the most amazing decorative architectural details and pressed metal ceilings.
We are looking at doing a poolhouse and my clients want it to be a self-contained guest house as well overlooking the pool. My clients love the Caribbean and especially the India Hicks look of "Island Life" and our climate here lends itself beautifully to this style ... think iced tea on the verandah!
Images: India Hicks "Island Life", Ralph Lauren "Rattan Chair" and marble kitchen unknown, Layour Board "Frances Russell Interiors".
I will do a post soon on close-up pieces and fabrics .... have a lovely day!

Cute Cupcakes and a Gorgeous Plate!

Just a quick Friday night post.... I made these cupcakes after the macaron disaster and they worked out well. Just a few quick pictures as they were devoured quite quickly. Alexander is home to have his tonsils out and Dominic is back from Europe .... also Mum and Dad haven't been well so have tried to take soup and cakes to cheer them up! Soup Almondine is what I have done this week so will post a recipe ....... the beautiful bowl with gold filigree is from Rachel Ashwell's store in Santa Monica ... another one I protected on the flight home! So beautiful with the fresh strawberries .... have a beautiful week-end everyone and take care....

"Macarons" ~ NOT !!!!!

I just have to share this cooking disaster with you all! After our wonderful trip it is always hard to settle back into work/routines etc. and I thought yesterday I would attempt to make macarons. What an absolute disaster.... I nearly didn't post this but I thought no if they had have worked out I would have posted them proudly. However, the grim reality is they looked terrible and they tasted terrible. I was going to place them on my new "Crown" plate from Shabby Chic which I got back to Australia intact without a crack! (Very proud of that!) If anyone went anywhere near my overhead locker with the precious cargo I jumped to attention like a sentinel... that was if I wasn't looking after Georgiana who suffers terribly from air/motion sickness. So much so that on our way over to LA she started being sick 3 hours out and was still sick getting on the plane to San Francisco. Anyway, I digress........ the macarons..... I now know I will leave it to the French and all of you who are cleverer than I. The eggwhites whipped beautifully with soft peaks forming, the rose colouring took to perfection ..... but something went terribly wrong... the piping bag blew apart and I don't think I had the oven hot enough and perhaps I should have beat the almond in instead of folding it.... never mind I will stick to cupcakes. The top picture is obviously mine and the second picture is what they are supposed to look like! I know that the gorgeous "Paris Pastry" would do a brilliant job of the macarons and I so admire her and anyone else who can master these delectable, divine and delicious morsels! Bon Nuit!

Pretty Woman Hotel!

The Beverly Wilshire has long been known as "The Pretty Woman" hotel. We were lucky enough to stay here and it really was spectacular. We had drinks and canapes a couple of times in the Boulevard Bar which faces Rodeo Drive and the atmosphere and interiors are gorgeous. On our first night we met Alexander 's agents and they were telling us how the facade of the building and entry was used in Pretty Woman but they believe the penthouse which she stayed in with Edward was actually a set and shot off-site. Whichever way though it felt like a "Pretty Woman" hotel to me...... as I walked up Rodeo Drive I could here the music humming in my mind! As an '80's/90' girl that was an iconic movie for me and I thought how beautiful that we still believe dreams can come true!
Plus a simply gorgeous photo of Sophie and Georgiana at dinner! More to come........hugs M.A. the 2nd

Pool Time at the Beverly Wilshire!

Just some gorgeous photos of Alexander and Georgiana poolside at the Beverly Wilshire.... what an amazing pool! I felt like I was in the middle of France at some chateau. The lavender and pots of flowers were incredible and the mosaics and fountain... stunning! Georgiana had a princess make-over complete with tiara and painted pink glitter toenails and a cupcake to decorate! More photos to follow of that. Everyone was so beautiful and friendly ..... what a wonderful day!

Beautiful Interiors ~ Rachel Ashwell "Shabby Chic"

Rachel Ashwell's "Shabby Chic" in Santa Monica! This was absolute heaven and I fully immersed myself in the elegance of this store. The girls who work in the store were absolutely delightful and Paige wants to come and live in Australia! The gorgeous bedlinen couldn't be left and came home in my suitcase with much coaxing. The antique china is exquisite and I bought a stunning bowl with gold filigree work which will look gorgeous filled with either fresh strawberries or pink macarons! I have more pictures of the interior to follow. Thank-you Red Ticking for your suggestions ... they were superb and I love your country......

Los Angeles ~ the City of Angels!

Hello we are in LA and have just been to Alexander's premiere! It was amazing to see him on screen and very emotional. This is his first American film and to see him on the red carpet at the LA film festival almost overwhelmed me! We are so proud of him as we are of all our gorgeous children. We are having a ball and love LA as it is very like Australia especially the weather. We have done Rodeo Drive and all the iconic shopping....it is such an experience! Just stood outside mainly and took photos with the exception of Ralph Lauren (again!) and Tiffany (that blue box gets me every time!) I have photos to post later but just wanted to thank-you all for such beautiful and heartfelt comments..... I appreciate them very much!

Also, just wanted to know two things.... Alexandra from Pink Sketchbook I would love to meet you and catch up whilst we are in LA. We are here until Tuesday and it would be a pleasure to meet you. We were supposed to meet Lisa at Hamptontoes and sadly we couldn't because our trip to New York was cancelled. So if you read this give me a call at the Beverly Wilshire.

Also, am desperate to see some gorgeous LA interior design stores and am at a loss... any suggestions?

Best wishes

Frances

Viva Las Vegas!

Viva Las Vegas! I just had to write that! Well we have just had a whirlwind 4 days in Las Vegas and I have to say it was amazing. We went to the Cirque de Soleil "Tribute to Elvis" show and it was incredible.... such talent and athleticism and sheer beauty of artform and of course, Elvis' music. We saw the Fountains at Bellagio and I was very misty eyed! We watched at 9.00pm and the music was Sarah Brightman's "Time to Say Good-bye". We also did a helicopter ride out to the Grand Canyon and it was breathtaking. We are sad our second son Dominic is not with us as he is in Europe but Alexander and Georgiana are having a ball. Tomorrow night is the film premiere for Alex so we are very excited. Will post more pictures soon and have a beautiful afternoon!

Ralph Lauren in San Francisco!

We have had another fabulous day in San Fran ..... Georgiana and I outside Cartier and then onto Ralph Lauren! The staff at Ralph were so lovely and welcoming and I have left my business cards with the interior designer there. I had to take these gorgeous photos of the interiors for you all and me too!! We also did Macy's and walked up again the most incredibly steep hills I have ever seen with shopping bags. I tell you this city is amazing. We are going out to dinner tonight at a French/Asian fusion restaurant. Sophie had a ball and bought the most gorgeous Lilac Ralph Lauren pillowcases and sheets ... we were like little girls in a lolly shop. Georgiana did amazing back-flips on the bungy tramp at Pier 39 and hasn't stopped talking about it since... will post a photo! Enjoy!

San Francisco!!!!!

"I left my heart in San Francisco!" What an incredibly beautiful city! We are having an amazing time in this stunning city....... had dinner last night in a gorgeous Italian restaurant called "E TUTTO QUA" on Columbus Avenue. Absolutely amazing and the best risotto I have had apart from my own! Lisa at Hamptontoes loves it and added prawns instead of chicken! No seriously, I make a very gluggy risotto not wet and this was perfect. Accompanied by a fabulous rocket, grape and parmesan and balsamic salad .... and all was good with the world! We walked from The Fairmont Hotel through China Town to get there and then had to walk back up those incredible hills!!!!! Walked off the panna cotta! We had the most gorgeous bottle of wine by Francis Ford Coppola .... a chardonnay with the perfect bouquet!

Today we went down to Fisherman's Wharf via the cable car and experienced great views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Afterwards, we caught a cab to see the famous "Painted Ladies" and how beautiful they were basking in the late afternoon summer sun. I am a great fan of Victorian Gothic architecture and San Francisco has it in abundance. It is a combination of Italiante and Gothic Victorian detail. The delicate detail, the timber facades and bay windows with elegant tracery fretwork is inspiring and leaves me feeling awe inspired!

We are already making our mark ...... The Aussies are in town!!!!

Love this city!

Off to America ..... Stars and Stripes here I come!

We leave tomorrow for America and we are so excited! I have not posted for quite a while as there has been so much happening. We are in Sydney at the moment and went to Alex's film premiere on Sunday night for "Wasted on the Young". It was amazing and such a special moment for all our family. I am so sorry that I won't be able to visit Lisa of Hamptontoes in New York as Alex's American film is premiering at the Los Angeles film festival on 25 June. So we are heading to San Francisco, then Las Vegas for a conference and then back to LA! I will try and post some photos and will keep you up to date! Take care and have a wonderful week!
M.A. the 2nd!

Guest Blog Appearance!!!!

How Special.....how Essential.......how Healing!!

This evening was spent in the gorgeous surrounds.......wrapped in the welcoming warmth......embraced by the beautiful company....... at MA the 2nd's!!
What better way to celebrate our precious friendship......the unity of sisterhood..... the stength of motherhood....and all the other roles we welcome......wife, daughter, sister, than to get together, open a bottle of french bubbles and share something spectacular from our (overworked) ovens!!
And on this little occasion......as our usual balmy & tropical climate is just beginning to enjoy it's first taste of winter......something warm and crusty and French!

And so to soak up the Bubbles we nibbled......tasted.....and then clean dived into this little taste sensation!

Let me introduce you to our...."Fromage Cob du Jour"

Once you have procured yourself a fresh, seasame seeded cob loaf...... cut away the top and tear the inside bread away into succulent, bite-size dippers.

Toss a cup of diced bacon and brown onion into a pan coated with Olive Oil over a moderate flame until the heady sizzling fills the house with the promise of comfort food.
Add to a 250g softened block of Creme Fraiche, a generous cup & a half of Mozzarella, a healthy cup of top-grade Tasty Cheese......and for that real French touch.......a cup and a half of fresh cream!

Toss the cheese menage a tois together with the bacon & onion symphony.....mix.....and spoon into the hollowed Cob!

Wrap loaf in foil and bake in a 180C oven for 45 minutes......remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes........toss bread dippers around baking tray and toast for a further 10 mins!
Place on a sturdy, white platter and stand back and admire!

Gather a gaggle of the most supportive friends....open a bottle of .... well we opted for 'Verve Clicquot' tonight .... and chat .... and sip .... and nibble .... and talk ..... and drink .... and dive in .... and clean out those cobwebs, Sister!!!

It's what life is all about!!

So honoured to share the Love here at Beautiful Interiors......
Thanks MA the 2nd........for another special night of Friendship,
Tonya!!