OUR READERS GIVE THEIR IDEAS ON LUXURY...AND SOME COMMENTS WILL SURPRISE...
I broke my hand on Tuesday. Actually my teenage son broke it....big brute that he is! A fracture of the scaphoid bone....a boxing training session gone terribly wrong. So I wanted to tell you all about it as I am feeling quite sooky lah lah....please feel free to leave a comment about how brave I am and also how completely impressed you are at my one armed typing skills :-)
And so, the quest began this morning to find a way to 'pretty up' my clunky plastered arm. I am now sporting a stylish leopard print covered cast, complete with diamante brooch. The makeover has made me feel so much better. Its a bit of fun, and purely designed to brighten my day up a bit. A bit of sparkle and faux animal prints brings to mind, over the top 'kitsch' kind of luxe. But peoples interpretation of luxury comes in many forms, i have found through my little survey this week. For some, luxury means cruising the whitsundays whilst sipping Krug champagne, and for others through circumstance, it is to have the time to sit and ponder lifes little humble pleasures.
I was also sent some info on the most unique restaurant, that I thought not only was a good example of a great luxurious location, but also was struck by the sheer uniqueness of the idea. As you can see below, who on earth thinks of these things and then follows through with such a quirky idea to the completed fulfilment of their vision....obviously a lot of talented people out there.
It gave me a new found appreciation of our design team. Visualizing....Careful Planning and Consultation....Creating.....Completing the vision
And so here are some options to satisfy the diversity of the dreamers out there.....enjoy!
HOLIDAY LUXURY
SONEVA KIRI DINING POD
With a tradition steeped in creating innovative experiences for guests, the Soneva resort chain is at the cutting edge of intelligent and luxurious accommodation. Soneva Kiri by Six Senses on the Island of Kood in Thailand, is discretely nestled in the south-east corner of the Gulf of Siam. If arrival via private jet, endless white sand, a barefoot-is-best policy and utter privacy isn’t enough to convince guests that they are in resort heaven, a meal in a hanging rattan basket will surely do the trick. Gently swinging above pristine beaches, The Dining Pod is designed to replicate a cocoon with a huge open window to take in the views. Meals are delivered via a harnessed waiter, and guests are left to enjoy the sweeping vistas and gentle breeze. Now, this is my idea of luxury!
One of my little luxury fantasies is to drive up into the hills in an old classic luxury convertible car...with my own version of Carey Grant in the front seat...Pete The Greek will suffice quite nicely....and off we head with the wind in our hair...roaring through the hills for a picnic lunch at the top! That would be luxe of luxe!
SAIL AWAY.....
For one of our Facebook Fans, his idea of luxury was sailing the Whitsundays, scotch in hand, sun on his face. He's a bit of a dish, and there were a few ladies who read his comments and wanted to join him!
TAKING TIME OUT
Our designer, Caths idea of a luxe lift was kicking off her heels and curling up in a luxurious armchair....like this one 'The Austen' from Andrew Martin, beautifully crafted using Debussy Pearl fabric.
For others it was a night in front of the fire on a faux bear skin rug, or as simple as lying on a beautiful white sandy beach on a warm summers day....her happy place....or a walk in wardrobe a'la Carrie Bradshaw!
The Ultimate 'Happy Place'....A Walk InWardrobe with Chandelier!
One reader just wanted a bathroom with a chandelier!....her idea of true luxury....so pretty, and a definition of true indulgence and luxury.
BATHROOMS THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF
AND....THE SIMPLE LUXURIES OF LIFE
And then, there were the beautiful comments from those readers, expressing that their idea of luxury was for one lady the appreciation that she is growing older....a deep appreciation of the one real and true ultimate luxury.....and for another lovely lady, it was the luxury of time to just sit alone and contemplate all of lifes little joys...how beautiful....
SUMPTUOUS CHOCOLATE
When I think of culinary luxury and indulgence, chocolate is the first thing that comes to mind...rich, warm, sticky...yummy...chocolate. But, as anyone who has been reading the blog for a while now would know, I am a girl of very little time and all recipes that I put up on the blog need to be super quick to make without detracting on the taste factor.....and so, I bring to you my tried, true and tested 5 minute chocolate cake...serve it warm!
5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE CAKE
Here's all you'll need:
4 tablespoons of flour
4 tablespoons of sugar
2 tablespoons of cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons of milk
3 tablespoons of oil
optional- 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips (Oh, hello! NOT optional in my opinion!)
A splash of vanilla extract
A coffee mug
The recipe:
1. Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well.
2. Add egg and all wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.
3. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and gently mix in.
4. Place the mug in the microwave and cook on high for 3 minutes. Don’t be alarmed if the cake rises over the top of the mug!
Now you can eat it as is (I recommend) or you can wait for it to cool, slice in half, top with some whipped cream or ice cream and voila... a perfect five-minute treat.
COCKTAIL DREAMING
Now, I dont know about you?...but, boy do I need my Cocktail fix this week! Nothing like a few smooth brews to take the edge off, and this Friday I am offering you something extra smoooooth...extra sweet and extra indulgent....
THE CHOCOLATE 'LUXALICIOUS' COCKTAIL
(Note:....if you can drink it...then its not fattening...)
Serves 1
Ingredients
- 1 tsp of chocolate spread (like Nutella)
- 1 espresso coffee
- 25ml rum
- 30ml coffee liquor
- 15ml caramel syrup
- 40ml fresh double cream.
METHOD
1. Gently lay the chocolate spread on the bottom of a martini glass. Pour a freshly made espresso on top.
2. Shake the rest of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill up the glass.
3. Sprinkle chocolate powder on top to garnish.
Now, that's what I call 'Luxe'
And so, as we draw another curtain on a Friday, we truly wish you all a wonderful weekend with family and friends. Hopefully we have enthused you to look at ways that you can introduce some luxury into your life.
Come Visit Us Soon!
Charcoal Interiors - 18 Doggett St. Fortitude Valley
'The Charcoal Girls'...Colette and Cathie (Jen is still hiding under the table...)
xxxx 
