Movie Home : The Holiday

One of my favourite movies is The Holiday with Jude law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jack Black. 

The Holiday is your typical little romantic, bit comedy movie about 2 ladies who at unhappy points of their lives, decide swap houses for the holidays. Now as it would happen in real life (note the sarcasm here!!) Amanda (Diaz) lives in a beautiful big LA home but she swaps with Iris (Winslet) who lives in a very pretty little cottage in England. The characters are kind of cute, story line really simple but what I really love about this movie so much are the two very different homes.

First up is Amanda's. It's a modern house but not cold :

 

 

 

 

I love the fluffy carpet. In one scene Iris suffering from some jetlag jumps into bed and with a press of a button block put blinds just roll down - now that is luxury! Below is the seating nook in the master bedroom, nice!

 

In the movie Diaz is in the movie business, hence why she has this wall of movies in her comfy media room.

 And then Iris' home in the Cotswolds. Not quite my personal taste but it is very cute :

 

  

 

 It's a good movie if you're feeling tired or not feeling well and you are just happy to snuggle up by yourself and watch it.

It's time for a visit

Some things I'm eyeing at The Cross.  I think it's time for a little visit.

Provencal Style House

Good morning to you my friends!

This house, somewhere on the coast of Spain, was restored and then decorated using provencal style furniture. To add warmth, most of the doors and window frames were painted an aquamarine green and different textures and fabrics were used throughout the house.

It's tour time, my friends!

The living room and dining room are in the same space. Both areas are defined with large rugs. Even though their patterns are different they harmonize perfectly because they share the same colours.






The usually forgotten space behind the door in the kitchen was put to use with shelves. The radiator also has a shelf and is concealed. A Norman Rockwell print hangs on the door.








This bathroom somehow reminds me of a forest. As if the trumeaus were the trunks of the trees and the wallpaper the branches and leaves.





Photography by Santiago Moreno.
All images from here.

Rate or Hate - Phil Romano's Colorful Listed Property in Preston Hollow

Well, the first post of NTLux's new feature, Rate or Hate!  Do you like it?  Comment below and tell me how you would rate this home on a 10 point scale, #10 being "I want to move into this home right now".  Do you not like it?  Comment below and tell me why you hate it!

This is restaurateur Phil Romano's interesting estate in Preston Hollow currently listed for $12,500,000.  Located on Billionaire's Row, aka Strait Lane, the odd-shaped home features colorful interior amenities as well as exterior amenities.  The outdated tile and blue, yes blue, staircase bring out the foyer's true colors, no pun intended.  Reminds me of a Spanish pueblo.  Nonetheless, the 8 bedroom, 8 bath home is 14,670 sq. feet in total and very, very private, as all Preston Hollow homes are.  The 4.7 acres, according to DCAD, is appraised at just over $7 million (that is how you know this home is in Preston Hollow).  A private lake in back compliments a heavily wooded lot with pool, outdoor lounge, and 4 car garage with motor court.

Sorry folks, but I'm gonna bring out my verdict - hate!  Can't get myself to like this one.  I do love the Preston Hollow address, 10660 Strait Lane, and the private pond in back, but can't get myself over the hideous interior. Maybe you like it?  Maybe you agree with me?  Tell me below!  Rate or Hate?

Here's The Listing

Thanks for reading,

John

A Gold Coast Home Tour

Last weekend my mum, sister and I went to have a look at this house here on the Gold Coast. Mum had clearly fallen in love with the furniture, high ceilings and details the homeowner had put in the place, so we had to go along and have a look. 

The pictures actually don't do it justice but the feel in this home was really lovely. It felt very homely that you just wanted to stay, kick your shoes off and relax either inside or out.

The homes you normally find on the Gold Coast have quite a modern finish to them so I was very happy to see the interior of this house. Very Hamptonish style I guess is what I can liken it to.

It was a big house (6 bedrooms) but it didn't feel too big, you know where you are just aimlessly wandering around in empty space. It was still cosy and perfect for a little family.

The purple sofas really worked in this space. This whole space worked as a great open entertaining area which easily included the outside area.

 The splashback in the kitchen is glass, such a great concept. At the end of the kitchen is a great butler's pantry and next to it a gorgeous wine fridge/room!

  The boys room nicely done

Now we know yellow is my favourite colour but no, this master bedroom isn't doing much for me! I feel the bed should be bigger and grander and I personally wouldn't have chosen the wallpaper. But you know what credit for the homeowner taking some chances.

The guest bedroom looks very simple and even bare but in person it was actually quite comfortable and inviting.

Beautiful outside decking area looking out onto the pool and the golf course. Ceiling fans outside a 

must here on the Gold Coast.

It is located in Royal Pines which is a gated community for the fairly wealthy and this particular house is situated right on the golf course giving it a really lovely outlook.

You can see more details on the home here.

images via realestate.com

Summer House in California

I had seen some of these photographs around in blogland before. I especially remember the one of the dining room with the word beach on the wall and thinking how I'd love to see the rest of the house... and by chance I found it, so here it is!
This 1904 summer house is in Venice, California. Susan Chevalier, a costume designer for TV commercials, renovated it mixing modern and country styles, creating a relaxing atmosphere.


Turquoise green items collected in Susan's travels add colour to the living room with dark oak floors and white denim slipcovers.


This is the photograph I had seen a couple of times before. A solid piece of butcher block from a supermarket propped on two sawhorses to form a dining table, unfinished and unlacquered. Plain water glasses serve as simple vases for flowers.


Susan's collection of Bauer and Pacific pottery.


Mostly matte McCoy sits behind glass in the living room, where a bench from a German beer hall serves as a coffee table. Its lines are echoed in the paddleboard resting on the beams. Five children's chairs from the Rose Bowl and Santa Monica swap were left the original green.


A tortoise shell given to her by a fisherman on Mustique rests on an antique director's chair outside the sunroom. Vintage cigarette ads from London complete the picture.


White subway tiles in the bathroom are bordered in a soft green 1930s reeded-tile trim.


Unusual decorating idea in Susan's bedroom. An old carnival sign hangs in above cubbyholes in a wire shelf she uses to display her Keds footwear.


In the kitchen, glass-fronted cabinets display colorful pottery. A great idea for someone who cooks a lot is the pot-filler faucet that swings out above the stove.


Peeling paint distinguishes a kitchen cupboard that Susan found. She gave it a back and then turned it into a repository for her research books. It takes up an entire bedroom wall.


Quilts on and behind a bed, and other soft textiles such as mosquito netting add layers of interest.


Susan's upstairs office is a room with a view — and a deck.

Photographs by John Coolidge.
All images and information from here.