Post cards from Kenya

A chance encounter with Marie and Paul Pelle's Siani Plantation Estate in a travel magazine led me to these gorgeous properties in Lamu, Kenya. Lamu, an archipelago, has a  distinctive Swahili culture, the result of an intermingling over the centuries of many different influences – African, Arabian, Indian, Persian and European to name but a few – brought to Lamu by merchants, travellers, colonisers and conquerors. These influences show themselves to this day in Lamu’s religious and social traditions, architecture, furniture, cookery and many other aspects of daily life. 

Apart from these distinctive influence,  for me, these beautifully restored homes are yet another testimony to the magic created by simple, hand restored interiors...  

Niches or Aala's...a mughal/persian legacy

Window to the world..

Love the bedsteads and the floor..

Do read more on traditional Swahili architecture and the restoration process

Of kittens and roofs..

[All images Lamu Island Properties. Creative mosaic by moi]

Nedlands Park Hotel - now Million dollar units

Heritage 1908 amazing Hotel Restoration
General Features
PRICE RANGE: From $5 Million

• Property Type: Apartment
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 3

With views out over the "Steves" river,
a beautiful restoration of the 100yo hotel into
four luxury apartments.
I think this place would be sensational to live in!

Huge rooms (high ceilings), timber floors etc,
can't go wrong!

Beautiful layout, perfect for a heritage property such as this.

This is a great laundry!

Huge entertaining area out on the decks,
huge built in bbq (with sink etc!)

And of course, you can all share the pool,
overlooking the Steves River!

AND here's what the Agent said about it!

HERITAGE ICON- SPECTACULAR RESTORATION NEDLANDS PARK HOTEL (1908) "STEVES" RIVER VIEWS Be one of four lucky people to own a magnificent residence that is steeped in history and the setting for so many memorable events. There has been no compromise in the redevelopment of this famous 100 year old hotel. Each residence offers over 316sqm of living and entertaining, fabulous seperation, extraordinary high ceilings, 6 star fit-out, this coupled with its stunning riverside location, walking distance to the river, parks, yacht, golf and tennis clubs, university, restaurants, cafes, shops makes it the ultimate luxury lock up and leave. Only 2 remain!! Acc :3 huge beds all with ensuites, powder, family, formal living, vast covered alfresco with full kitchen, 3 car parking.

WOW

Interiors Design Next

We stumbled upon the work of Erin Martin the other day and we think we're in love!

Her work is organic in a very sophisticated way. The words "organic" or "sustainable" get thrown around a lot these days but very few people get it right. We love her use of natural materials, muted colors and texture variety.

Her designs seem very original too-as no two houses are alike.

Here is a sample of her work:

Converted Warehouse Living

Teneriffe, QLD
for under $1 Million!
General Features
PRICE RANGE: $850,000

• Property Type: Apartment
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 2
• Building Size: 176.98 m² (19 squares) approx

Indoor Features

• Ensuite: 1

Outdoor Features

• Carport Spaces: 1

I found it a bit hard to find an interesting property in QLD tonight,
been looking for hours, but this one I don't mind!

It's a warehouse conversion,
this is a very popular idea in Melbourne, don't know about other states!

Obviously close to Brisbane, with views to match!

Lovin the original features like timber beams on the ceiling

(painted thank god!)

Simple but effective conversion!

Even a pool in the grounds - very mod!

AND here's what the Agent said about it!

UNIQUE WOOLSTORE PLUS BALCONY.
CARSON WOOLSTORES.

A backdrop of city views, a foreground of sub-tropical gardens, which can all be enjoyed from a generous sized balcony. A unique wedge shaped design, the zigzagged hallway begins with a charming foyer which then flows into three large king-sized bedrooms. Bedroom 2 and 3 are complete with built in cupboards, whilst the main bedroom has a large walk through robe and ensuite. The hallway finishes and opens into a large angular open plan living area which combines kitchen, lounge, dining and balcony.

This apartment is what Teneriffe living is all about. It’s going to makes an ideal investment for those looking to maximise capital gains from the boom in Woolstore living.

APARTMENT FEATURES
• Total area 177 sqm
• 3 King Sized Rooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• Air conditioning
• Large balcony with blinds
• Specialty lighting
• Security car park
• Resort style pool/BBQ gazebo

Entry to this apartment is off the spectacular central atrium which rises up over three levels. The building offers owners all the modern conveniences one would expect. Large swimming pool set in sub-tropical gardens, bbq facilities and gazebo. Security car park. Audio security access to building and on-site management.

WOW

Cool Upholstered Bed

A couple of our favorite things for the day:



1) Laced up boots from Nine West ($209)
2) Modern Upholstered Bed from Brownstone (appx $1800 for queen, $2000 for king-COM)

Thom Felicia Rug for Safavieh

Interior designers are like movie stars.  When they are hot you see them everywhere.  Then a few years later they just disappear.

Thom Felicia is definitely hot now.  He has a wide range of licensed products as we've mentioned in previous post--ranging from Kravet fabrics to furniture for Vanguard and now rugs for Safavieh. 

His rug collection is actually very affordable.  Very young and hip too.  A 6 x 9 rug is about $600.  Very reasonable don't you think?

Here are some samples:

To see the rest of the collection, please click here. You can find pricing and product information in our modern rug section.

Vogue September Issue-A True Economic Indicator

If you watch the news and read the papers, you can get reallly confused. One day the housing index is up, the next day it's down. One day the stock market roars for some weird reason, the next day it tanks for other weirder reasons.

And you know what the best economic indicator there is?

The Vogue September issue.

We just got it today and it's nice and fat again. True, you have to flip through hundred of ads to get to some flimpsy content, but the nice part about that is, advertisers are spending money again! Which can leads to all kind of good things.

And we don't know about you, but we are having this frugality fatigue, big time. Enough already with all this self-deprivation.  Sure, the way we spend money is forever changed, but if you really really want those Channel clogs and you don't have to cut into the rent to pay for it, why the heck not...

So here's to Vogue, and to better times ahead!

PS There's a lovely feature on an art-filled apartment.  Click here to see the slideshow.

Source:  Vogue