Friday, April 13, 2012

OUR LATEST QUEENSLANDER RENOVATION PROJECT!...NEW WHEELS...PEAR AND RASPBERRY BREAD COMFORT FOOD WITH A HEALTHY TWIST!...FRENCH 75 FOR CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL WITH AN EDGE AND MORE!!!

LATEST CHARCOAL INTERIORS PROJECT


....HERSTON RESIDENCE...



Our intrigued clients popped in one day to see the Charcoal Designers after visiting a home recently renovated by the girls.  They loved it and had loads of questions for the team in regards to proposed renovations of their family home in leafy Herston.  With two teenage girls to also consider, the directive was to create a relaxed, comfortable space, enhancing the natural character and charm of their Queenslander style home, whilst also extending an air of elegance.  Sounds like a challenge?...one which the girls relished and we are very proud to present the finished product to you.



The home was firstly repainted throughout as the original white was too stark.  Changing the paint colour throughout created warmth and gave the space attitude and distinction.

Study - BEFORE


AND....


AFTER...






First port of call was the Office/Study which essentially required form and function, non-conducive to relaxation.  The space was perfect with high ceilings and doors overlooking the front verandah onto the leafy garden, and a plethora of collectable books just waiting to be shown off.  So, now to do justice to the bones of this room...the girls took advantage of the high ceilings and floorspace with custom built-in cabinetry incorporating not just shelves, but filing drawers, storage areas, printer access and more, plus a moveable library ladder, adding to the grandeur of this space.  Shelving was also installed either side of the French doors leading out onto the verandah.  The much loved old desk which oozed character was retained and beautiful Middle Eastern rug added to enhance the charm of this room.  We also love the original artworks and were gobsmacked to find that this was by our clients daughter.  It works in perfectly and also adds to the character of this stunning space.

Hallway - BEFORE


AND...


AFTER!

First impressions mean everything and the home entry was given a facelift with new lighting with our Bella Chandelier.  The clients beautiful existing console and art were reworked into the space with stunning results.

Lounge/Family Area - BEFORE


AND....


AFTER!


Quality and good design were big on the wish list for our clients who had lived with their existing furniture for many years.  These pieces were reworked into the downstairs media area with success and the design team refreshed the room with Black striped Rolled Arm Sofa, Custom Made Studio Armchairs, Cabinet and a Coffee Table in Reclaimed Oak.  "The beauty of the option of custom made furniture is that you can completely cater to the clients needs in regards to colour scheme, comfort, aesthetics etc...the results are always rewarding." says Colette.
The addition of a charming Middle Eastern Koli Kosh floor rug completed the transformation of this room.

Sitting Area - BEFORE


AND...


AFTER!!

As you can see in the 'before' photo, quite a lot of structural renovation was done to the sitting area, especially designed for the man of the house who need his own space to reflect, read and direct traffic from :-)
Walls were enclosed for aesthetic and practical reasons (now the airconditioning is a lot more efficient) and the noise from the media room downstairs is now minimised.  A practical, yet handsome Mizuya Japanese 2 section cabinet now takes pride of place against the newly constructed wall alongside his newly custom made leather Boston Club chair.  The custom made side table in reclaimed oak is the perfect size to rest a book and a scotch glass.  Cathie says "A feature of this space is the Karaja hand woven Middle Eastern rug, handpicked for the client"

Dining Area - BEFORE


AND...


AFTER!!


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With their love of home entertaining, the huge back deck area suited barbecues and relaxed, casual dining, so we wanted to bring that same feel inside but with a twist of formality and elegance.
The custom made parquetry table in oak now takes pride of place in the dining area, complemented by High Back Woven Split Bamboo chairs.


The bare area was transformed to this.....




The bare space adjacent to the dining area was just begging for an interesting cabinet to add dimension and display some of our clients collections from distant travels.  The inclusion of a striking Red Asian Rice Cabinet with carved features and side detailing was the perfect choice as the owners were lovers of Antique yet unique furniture.  Having the mirror custom made to specific dimensions meant that the ideal image could be realised in a perfect juxtaposition of modern with seasoned.




We thank these wonderful clients for allowing us into their home and working with us in a team effort to actualise their initial vision and concept.  It is a true honour to work with lovely, lovely people!

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You can see the full project on our Charcoal Interiors Website.  From Dubai to Darwin...our design team will travel to you.
www.charcoalinteriors.com.au
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OUR FLASH NEW TRUCK


We have THE best workshop manager in the world, and now everyone knows who he makes furniture for!

Be sure to give him a very pleasant wave and toot next time you see him on the road...most likely delivering one of our gorgeous customised pieces.  


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...CHECK US OUT ON PINTEREST...


We have become huge fans of Pinterest.  Its such a great tool for ideas and inspiration on photography, recipes, design, fashion etc....  Just type in the subject you wish to get ideas on, and you will be presented with stacks of leads to blogs and websites.  We are now on Pinterest too!

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Pinterest has opened up a whole new world of recipes for me too.  There are a lot of fabulously talented home cooks out there and we have found one who resides right here in Brisbane.  Playing In The Kitchen is a blog full of delicious recipes and I must say the Pear and Raspberry Bread caught my eye...the picture alone is mouth-watering.  Being not much of a 'baker' I found this recipe easy and super delicious.  The kids also devoured the loaf.






Photo courtesy of Playing In The Kitchen...click here to see the full blog

Enjoy this recipe for Pear and Raspberry Bread.

Ingredients


1 cup Self Raising Flour
1/2 cup Wholemeal Flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 egg beaten lightly
1 Pear Peeled and Diced
1/2 Cup Fresh Raspberries

Method


1. Preheat oven to 160C
2. Sift flour, baking powder and cinnamon.  Mix all the dry ingredients together.
3. Mix in the wet ingredients, the pears (diced and grated) and lastly the frozen raspberry.
4. Spreat into a loaf pan.
5. To make the granola toppings, scrunch all the ingredients together with your fingertips.
6. Sprinkle on the bread loaf and bake in 160C oven for 1 hour.


....Raspberry Facts....
Available all year round via the freezer section of the supermarket, Raspberries are not only delicious, but also considered to be one of natures 'Super Foods', a rich source of Anti-oxidants, Vitamins and Minerals.



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RELAX...UNWIND...AND CELEBRATE FRIDAY..WITH A COCKTAIL!
YOU DESERVE IT....




.....THE FRENCH 75.....







Champagne or Sparkling Wine tends to be only used for formal occasions as a toast or for specific celebrations such as New Year or Christmas, and as a result, not many know of the variety of ways that this classic beverage can be enjoyed.
Instead of tossing in the stock standard strawberry, why not try a French 75....


THE FRENCH 75




Ingredients:
  • 4 Oz. Champagne 
  • 1/2 Oz.  Gin 
  • Splash Lemon Juice 
  • Orange 
  • Twist
Mixing instructions:
Add champagne to gin in a champagne glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

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Until next week...love...light and laughter!

The Charcoal Team
xxx





2 comments:

  1. The post was very interesting.Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for your comments. We loved working on this project! Kind regards...Jen and the girls at Charcoal Interiors.

      Delete

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