April Fool



Every afternoon, Elaine enjoys sitting down to a hot cup of tea, while Gary prefers a nice cup of cup.” via {Catalog Living}



Is it just me or do you think those orange stools were someone's idea of a joke!   (Source unknown)

I hope you all survive April Fool's Day. If you didn't see Andie's post (Divine Theatre) - go and have a look here.

Till next time


Sharon x

View from my kitchen island

 I once read an article on kitchens that said instead of making your kitchen the heart of your home - find the heart of your home and make that your kitchen. In other words, find the area of your home that is the natural centre point, the area where your home converges, and have your kitchen there. Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to do this, but when we renovated our house 18 months ago, we were able to do exactly that! It is a double volume space and is in the centre of our L-shaped house.

This was before the island was installed. The units on either side of the range cooker are inexpensive carpenters workbenches that you can buy from any hardware store.

This was the inspiration for my kitchen. It is the cover of a recipe book which epitomised the French farmhouse feel  that I was after. (The author is Marlene van der Weshuizen. She lives in Cape Town and has a home in France and runs cooking schools both in South Africa and France.)

The area is double volume so the chandelier had to be hung from a great height!

We bought the huge chandelier for a song! It used to hang in the Artscape Theatre complex in Cape Town.

The shelves to the left and right of the range cooker house my silverware collection and everyday crockery.

This is looking up from behind my island. Our bedroom is through the door you can vaguely see on the left and the children's wing is to the right. The chalkboard you can see is where I write the children's weekly schedule so I can see at a glance what kit has to be taken to school.

This is another view from behind my island towards the staircase.

This will explain the layout better.

This is the view looking past the family room to the pool.

And this is the view straight ahead towards my entrance hall and patio.

And this is the view towards my dining room on the left.

This is a view from the landing near the childrens bedrooms. They often chat to me from up here and, if they're feeling brave, through down their dirty laundry!

This picture makes me feel a bit dizzy!

. This is a view from the upstairs landing outside our bedroom. You can see the kichen layout better. The island was made by my brother who has a furniture manufacturing business. The top is oak and I have a big slab of marble in the centre where I do most of my food preparation. The island is over 2 metres long.

And here we have a night-time view

 Hope you enjoyed this little tour.


Till next time

Sharon x

Romantic Retreat

I would love a little getaway to this gorgeous place.  I would arrive in this entrance hall with it's beautiful stone wall .....

after coming through  these beautiful doors.




I would sign the visitors book......






Have a quick visit here to freshen up.....




And then get shown to my room. Should I pick this one.......



or  this one?




I will then have lunch al fresco here.....





and then stroll through the beautiful gardens ....



admiring this.................



and this.....



and this...............




I will fetch my book and relax here for the rest of the afternoon. I might even doze off for a while.....




Then I will run a bath and have a long soak.....




while looking out onto this....




put on some make-up here.....




and then head on here for a pre-dinner cocktail .....




or should I rather have my cocktail outside? After all, it's a beautiful evening.....



A delicious dinner awaits.......

outside here with friends and family............

 or maybe a romantic meal here (with my husband, of course!) ....




After dinner I will pop into the kitchen to thank the chef for a wonderful meal.....




I will then sit here with a cup of coffee before heading for bed......





I will breakfast here in the morning.............



And have a final cup of tea here......




And then say good-bye to this beautiful place before heading home feeling wonderfully relaxed and rejuvenated.

Would you like to join me?

All pictures via Morrells Boutique Venue, Johannesburg, South Africa.




Till next time

Sharon x

Autumn

Autumn has arrived at my house. I am happy! I was so over summer! I might have a change of heart when the rain comes and I see all my northern blog friends post pictures of spring and summer scenes! But, for now, I am happy!

 

I like the soft light of Autumn after the harsher light of summer. These pictures below say Autumn to me........

(Source unknown)

(Via Tongue in Cheek)

(source unknown)

(Via Happy to Design)

(Via Lulliloo)

(Via Reese and Marie)

(Source unknown)

(Source unknown)

(Source unknown)

(Via Home Maker in Training)

So Goodbye Summer - till we meet again!


Till next time


Sharon x