GOLDIE HAWN AND KURT RUSSELL MALIBU CELEBRITY DREAMING....WE GET A VISIT FROM WAZ AND GAZ THE DESIGNER BOYS FROM THE BLOCK!...TULIP LINEN FABRIC TO DIE FOR....MORE OF OUR BROADBEACH PENTHOUSE APARTMENT REFURB....OUR LITTLE GIRL IS GROWING UP....FOOTY FOOD TO KEEP EVERYONE HAPPY....AND INDULGING IN LEMON DILL BLOODY MARYS!....HAPPY FRIDAY FOLKS!

CELEBRITY SPOTTING IN MALIBU

Can you guess who lives behind the doors of this Malibu home?

Here's a hint....Celebrity Vegans and Buddhists who have been in the acting business for longer than any of us care to remember.....any ideas?...Bueller??....Buelller?????

OK...give up?  Its the home of American sweetheart Goldie Hawn and her equally as sweet husband Kurt Russell.

Located on the beach in Malibu this home which is very much inspired by their Buddhist lifestyle is now up for sale.  And for just under $10million US dollars it could be all yours....worth a look.

Heres the link below

Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawns Malibu Home

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WE ARE LOVING.....

Senior Designer Colette Venardos is working with another lovely client this week on her new bedroom revamp.  

She is using this beautiful 100% Linen 'Tulip' fabric for a bed throw.  We look forward to sharing the look with you when its all finished, but for now here is the fabric which is just divine.

For more information on this and literally hundreds of new fabrics that we have access to, just click on the link below to our website.

www.charcoalinteriors.com.au

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DESIGNER BOYS

We were excited this week to welcome 'Gaz and Waz'....aka Gavin Atkins and Warren Sonin the well known designer duo behind Designer Boys who also became household names after appearing on the 1st series of the top rating TV show 'The Block'.

Gavin and Warren are now following their creative talents to give rise to a highly sought after art business, built on originality of design and exceptional service.

The boys work exclusively with interior designers, architects, decorators, hotels and specialty retail stores.  Their artworks now appear in a string of residential projects and hospitality refurbishments.

Today, Gaz and Waz reside in the Byron Bay hinterland on 60 acres with their little dog Charlie and their 30 cows who are affectionately known as 'The Girls'.....incidentally, little Charlie was recently named 'Employee of the Year'.

We were really impressed with the boys and their passion for the art they create and look forward to a long association.

Contact us for further information on the Designer Boys Collection.

www.charcoalinteriors.com.au

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BROADBEACH APARTMENT

I headed to Broadbeach with Cath this week as she put the finishing touches on this latest project by Charcoal Interiors.

I am absolutely in love with my new Instagram app so took a couple of photos to share. 

This table was designed and crafted by the Charcoal Interiors Design Team and workshop.

Made using a reclaimed oregon with stained finish, this stretcher base table is a real feature in the dining area.  Chairs and stone based lanterns are also available through Charcoal Interiors

We pride ourselves on our Kitchen and Bathroom finishes...this kitchen now gleams and has improved functionality since the complete overhaul....our client was thrilled!

 Another custom made piece, this little side table was crafted by our Charcoal Interiors Workshop.

Coffee Table and Hamptons style Black Cabinet...all crafted by us.  Standard lamp, loose cover sofa in linen and hand beaten urn are all available through Charcoal Interiors.

www.charcoalinteriors.com.au

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OUR LITTLE GIRL IS GROWING UP

              Little Colette with her cousins.                        Getting chauffered by our neighbour CJ

 Proud Aunty Cath with the Belle of the Ball

For those who are regulars to the showroom you may take a little double-take at these photos when we tell you that the young lady in the formal gown is our very own 'little' Colette - Grand-daughter of Colette, Niece of Cathie and Step-Daughter of Jen (me).

With Grandpa Pete and Grandma Colette

The time finally came when all 4 kids would be finished with school and Colettes Year 12 school formal has heralded the end of an era....only a few more weeks to go of the final term and then she has finished High School!

As usual the whole family got together on the back deck for some bubbles and nibbles before she set off on her special night.  We just wanted to share a few 'happy snaps' with you because we are all just so proud....

With the corsage given to her by her Step Sister Brooke and her boyfriend Rob

Jen (me) with Colette and her Dad Pete the Greek

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FOOTY FINALS FOOD

It's Football finals weekend here in Australia.  We have a cluster of sport and the tension is high!....Saturday is AFL and Sunday the NRL Grand Finals.  

The testosterone is high....the Footy Franks are flying and the beer is a frothing!.....so lets just bring a little bit of decorum to the weekend with a quick and easy food choice for the festivities...the home made pizza.

Its always the best fall back food and you can pretty much use bits and pieces from your pantry with the essential ingredients being 'less is more'.

I found this recipe today and will be giving it a go with the huge bag of field mushrooms I was given this week.  This pizza will go well with beer...and beer will go well with 'it'!  Bring on the games!!

Because we are all going to be quite exhausted from all the sport, I suggest the lazy approach of purchasing a shop pizza base....however if youre a super multi-tasker (of which I am not...and if you are...you're just a show off...and I do bow to you) then you may like to make your own base.  In the belief that most people are like me and lazy, I shall presume you have the pizza base and here goes with the remainder of the recipe.

MUSHROOM WITH BALSAMIC ONIONS AND CHEESE PIZZA

What you will need....

4 large field mushrooms

balsamic onion - see note below

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 tsp thyme leaves, chopped

1 tbsp truffle paste - optional

50g shredded mozzarella

60g buffalo mozzarealla torn into pieces

50g taleggio cheese broken into pieces

1 tbsp thyme leaves

 Sea Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Finely Grated Zest of 1/2 lemon

What to do....

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celcius

Place 2 of the mushrooms on baking tray, drizzle with 1tbsp olive oil and roast for 8 mins then remove from oven - leave oven on.  Allow to cool,slightly then process in food procesor.  Fold in remaining oil, thyme and truffle past if using and then set aside.

Place mushrooms in baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and roast for 8 mins until tender.  Slice mushrooms thinly.

Spread the mushroom paste over the pizza base.  Sprinkle over parsley, sliced mushrooms, balsamic onion (see note), shredded mozzarella, buffalo mozzarella pieces, taleggio and thyme.  Season with salt and pepper then cook in oven for 5 to 10 minutes until golden and crisp.....hmmmmmmmmmm

Balsamic Onions

Heat 1/3 cup of olive oil in frying pan over medium-high heat.  Add 2 thinly sliced large onions and stir for 5 minutes, until just starting to caramelise.  Add 75g caster sugar and stir until dissolved.  Add 2/3 cup balsamic vinegar and cook over low heat for 25 to 30 mins, stirring occasionally, until mixture is jam-like in consistency...the recipe makes about 1 cup.

Enjoy....and go the Swans and the ummmm....other one (not a big NRL follower...sorry!)

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IT'S COCKTAIL FRIDAY....MY FAVOURITE DAY OF THE WEEK!

LET'S INDULGE IN A LEMON DILL BLOODY MARY

(What, with Lemon and Herbs as part of the ingredients we can almost talk ourselves into believing this is a health drink!)

What you need....

1 1/2 ounces of Belvedere Bloody Mary

1 ounce peppercorn syrup

1 ounce lemon juice

4 cherry tomatoes

6 pieces of chopped celery

2 sprigs of dill (one is for the garnish)

What to do...

Muddle everything but the Belvedere, then transfer to a cocktail shaker, add the Belvedere and ice and shake, shake, shake like KC and the Sunshine Band....then strain into a Tom Collins style glass or similar and garnish with a wheel of lemon and sprig of dill...lemons and dill are both in season at the moment which also makes this recipe very healthy??....lets believe it.

Feet up now.....deep breath.....enjoy!

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And so to the end of another working week, but don't forget that we are here on Saturday from 9.30am through to 4.30pm. 

59 Doggett Street. Newstead. 4061. Queensland. Australia.

...and be sure to enjoy your day off on Monday!...dont you just love long weekends?....especially  when its the footy finals weekend!

Until next week...Love, Light and Laughter...The Charcoal Team xxx

www.charcoalinteriors.com.au

SPRING CLEAN AT CHARCOAL INTERIORS, OUTDOOR FABRICS THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME, SPRUCING UP YOUR HOME FOR THE WARMER WEATHER....OUR CANINE VISITORS THIS WEEK....STUNNING BOOKSHELF WALLPAPER....PERFECT PANZANELLA AND CONGRATS TO MAD MEN WITH A PINK SQUIRREL!...HAPPY FRIDAY FOLKS xxx

SPRING CLEAN AT CHARCOAL INTERIORS

Anyone else getting stuck in the garden, weeding, removing skyscraper-esque piles of leaves, cleaning skirting boards...ovens....overdosing the pool on chlorine, washing curtains etc...???...or is it just me?

Yes, Spring has sprung and with it, a desire to get stuck into putting my home back into some kind of a presentable condition.  I just can't get into gardening in winter because its cold and lets face it you just dont get to use the space unless you enjoy sitting in your Parka shivering on the garden bench!

The sun is warming my bones now and its time to get back out and into it.  The first port of call was our garden which needed clearing, weeding and replanting...plus I now finally have my planter box at the front of the garden, lovingly crafted by Pete the Greek...it took a while to actually get it all made and I was going to talk you through that little process (in fact I started typing it...but then remembered that he reads the blog)....so....the important thing of course is that its built and planted.  The next step is decking at the front and more plants........let's just say we are on 'Islander Time' for that project too.

And so the next job will be organising the back pool area.  Our pool with its over exposure in past weeks to chlorine is now sparkling and clear!  I cant wait to get back into it.  Our problem child was the outdoor furniture and so I just had to share with you our latest 'must have' products for outdoor entertaining and relaxing.

Firstly, remember that when choosing outdoor furniture you want at least a 5 year guarantee against warping, fading and in the case of woven chairs there must be a guarantee that the product is going to stay in tact and stand up to all the rigours of our Australian weather....especially here in Queensland.  The cheap bargain that you purchased for a song, could actually end up costing you much more when you find that its only lasted a season.  Is it possible to nowadays in this 'throw-away' society to have an outdoor setting that not only looks great now, but will look the same in 6 years time??...yes it is.  Another thing we can guarantee without hesitation is that Charcoal Interiors products and services are synonymous with lasting quality.

Secondly, its important to ensure that your choices are stylish and comfortable.  Here is an example of our Caneline outdoor dining range which the design team recommended for our clients outdoor deck area. 

We also supplied our Aztec Urn with the Yukka which really packs an impact in the corner without cluttering up the space.  We are told that the clients now enjoy afternoon drinkies out on their new deck area.

Plus, any outdoor fabric product that you purchase for outdoors needs to be guaranteed outdoor hardy....it's disappointing to find that the gorgeous upholstered outdoor sofa on sale has mould stains after just a few weeks...same with cushioning etc...so be sure that the fabrics and product containing cushioning and fabric covers are of superior quality.  We like to go with the brand Sunbrella for fabrics on our outdoor Worthington Sofa.

The synthetic weave on our Worthington Sofa is of the highest quality.  Only Sunbrella fabric covers are used.  Choose quality and gain years of enjoyment on furniture that not only stands the test of time in functionality but also retains its timeless style.

www.charcoalinteriors.com.au

Gone are the days when Mum used to make outdoor cushions using towelling material...and guess what?..it still faded and attracted mould.  Well, now we have a product that is completely UV resistant, which means no fading, superior durability and strength plus water and stain repellency....and boy oh boy don't these examples of what can be created for your outdoor space put the old towel covers to shame.....

What a way to freshen up your sunloungers

Outdoor bench seating and cushioning in contrasting colours and patterning to create a relaxed and stylish look.

Ottoman and cushioning all in outdoor fabrics available at Charcoal Interiors.

charcoalinteriors.com.au

A welcoming space for relaxing and unwinding

Large Ottoman and Cushioning in striped outdoor fabric is the perfect contrast against the old rustic seat and how about that wall??....just beautiful.

We offer a full upholstery service at Charcoal Interiors...from Brisbane to Dubai on a small or grand scale we have the experience to create sumptuous outdoor spaces...specialising in resort style projects.

www.charcoalinteriors.com.au

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OUT AND ABOUT WITH CHARCOAL INTERIORS

Our showroom is located right in amongst a true village atmosphere and we are fortunate to be in the middle of the action of Fortitude Valley, Tenneriffe and Newstead.  There is always something happening.  We love our neighbours and the regular customers who pop in for a browse over what's new or sometimes just for a quick hello.  This week we had two hairy friends pop by for a visit with their owners.  These two girls were just so well behaved and sat by the front door patiently while their owners had a walk through the showroom.

Too cute!

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MORE OF OUR STUNNING BOOKSHELF WALLPAPER

We recently featured a project where the design team used very grand bookshelf wallpapering for a boys bedroom.  Here is a more sophisticated look recently featured in the Andrew Martin Design Books' latest edition.  If we hadn't known that this was a wallpaper design you would think it was the real deal.

www.charcoalinteriors.com.au

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SPRING RECIPES

PANZANELLA WITH A POSH FLAIR

Hands up who loves Basil?...Hands up who loves Italian food?....Hands up who loves basil, italian food and still fitting into their summer clothes from last year!?

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HOOOOORAHHH...IT'S COCKTAIL FRIDAY!

The announcement this week that Mad Men is now the most popular television series of all time came of no surprise to us all here who are huge fans of the show.  We love the fashion, the decor and of course...the cocktails.

This one in particular is for the ladies...The Pink Squirrel...ala Mad Men.

PINK SQUIRREL

What you need....

3/4 ounce creme de noyaux
3/4 ounce de cacao
1/2 ounce vodka
1 ounce fresh cream

What to do...

Pour all over ice in glass.  Stir and serve in martini glass.

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Wishing you all a wonderful weekend....whatever you do and wherever you are....enjoy!
Love, Light and Laughter

The Charcoal Team
xxx