Shutterly divine

For as long as I can remember, I have adored plantation shutters. At one time they used to be as rare as hen's teeth here in Australia, but these days they are becoming more common, particularly in lovely old classic homes.

I've always thought of white when thinking of plantation shutters, but they also look smart in black, or sophisticated in a soft grey colour.

Images 1 scanned from Australian Better Homes and Gardens 2 scanned from Australian Home Beautiful 3 Coastal Living 4 Maree Homer 5 via Harmony and Home 6 scanned from Australian Country Style 7 Country Living 8 scanned from Australian Better Homes and Gardens


I really love the classic, elegant look of plantation shutters. They look fantastic in almost any style of home.

In my first home I had a big bay of three tall arched windows in the front of my house and I had white plantation shutters custom made. They cost a bomb, but they were worth it! Then when I became newly single I bought a home of my own so I couldn't afford custom shutters. But I was determined to still have my shutters for my bedroom, which faces the street, so I bought them in kit form and sanded, painted and assembled them myself. That was hard work! Four years down the track I'm (almost) ready to go again - this time for my son's room and our study. Think I'll wait til the weather warms up so I can sand outside though....

Best wishes,

Come over to the dark side

I adore a white kitchen. So much so that I've collected quite a few pictures of ones I love, which I'll post another day. And if I ever build my dream house, the kitchen will probably be white. But today I want to tempt you to the dark side. These gorgeous kitchens appeal to my monochramatic tastes, and are truly sophisticated and glamourous.

First up is a kitchen that I found in US Country Home. Here is the before picture:



And now the after.... Note the ebonised oak cabinets, counterpointed by the Carrera marble countertops and splashbacks and brushed stainless steel hardware. Love the modern designer lights.

Next up is a kitchen featured in this month's Australian Home Beautiful (my hands down favourite magazine). This is the kitchen of Gaynor Groome, who owns Shades of Pale in Sydney. I'm always noticing bits and bobs from her shop pop up in magazines, and this shop is definitely on my 'to do' list next time I'm in Sydney. The pewter-finish stools were originally in a French Bar. The benchtops are again Carrera marble. The whole house is divine.

And finally, I've left my absolute favourite kitchen for last. This kitchen is in the newly built St Barts home of the owners of the fabulous Day Birger et Mikkelson. It was first featured in UK's Living Etc (another favourite magazine) but is also featured in this month's Australian Home Beautiful (Living etc and Home Beautiful quite often feature the same homes). The whole house is stunning. I love everything about this kitchen - its british colonial monochromatic vibe, the texture of the lights against the sleek cabinetry, and don't get me started on the exposed beamed white ceiling! Perfection on a plate.

Rob Lowe does British Colonial

I do love that "British Colonial" look epitomised by India Hicks. So here are some pictures of another British Colonial inspired home. Which just so happens to be the home of American actor Rob Lowe and his family. His house is a little more "Out of Africa" inspired than India's tropical look. I have a thing for butler's trays. I have two cane ones in my home. The dog in the picture is actually Bill Clinton's dog Buddy, who's sadly now gone to doggy heaven.

Love this triple light fitting in the kitchen below

Love the black and white photos and the antique bits and bobs in this photo below - it is like a little still life artwork.

images Australian Womens Weekly