An Australian Reno with Palm Springs Style, My Thai Noodle Salad, Re-Usable Paper Towels, How to Style Spring Branches + More.

A Pascoe Vale South Home With Palm Springs Flair - Images from Design Files

Jake Cassar (travel designer and chef) and his partner Naomi Jankowski (acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner) have taken on a long task to overhaul a once very run down home. Some say it looked straight out of a David Lynch film. Pascoe Vale is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 10 km north of Melbourne's Central Business District. Over the past seven years, the couple have welcomed their two children, and completed significant renovations to their incredible Melbourne house inspired by Palm Springs and David Hockney (check out that pool!). The rough brick wall was the central inspiration around the styling of the home. From the sputnik chandelier to the photograph hanging above the fireplace it all has a very mid-century vibe. The photograph was taken by Jake on a family holiday to Europe when their first child was just 3 months old and this was their view everyday. ‘We tried to keep with the heritage of the house and go with a vintage Palm Springs feel, which stemmed when we painted the pool influenced by Hockney.’

The updated industrial kitchen sports mint green cabinetry.

The large bi-fold doors open to a large deck that almost feels like your up in the trees.

The threshold contains artwork by an unknown artist from Barcelona, purchased right off the wall from an Airbnb!

The couple have installed a David Hockney-inspired pool hand painted by Jake’s sister Kayla and architect Murray Barker, which overlooks a public park. Jake, Naomi, and son’s, Otis and Sunny’s home really is the epitome of the dream – a character-filled home close to the city that feels like it could be in the country or at the beach.

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Product of the Week:

Papaya Reusable Paper Towels

In my quest for all things re-usable I found these darling reusable paper towels from Papaya Re-Usables. They have a ton of fun prints, and they come with their own little hook for drying. Simply wet it, use it and hang it to dry. They are reusable, anti-bacterial, 20x more absorbent and cute as a can be! An added bonus is that it makes me slow down and really think about how many paper towels I used to throw away in a single day. Not anymore!

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Recipe of the Week:

Thai Noodle Salad with Sesame Peanut Sauce

So, I had a craving this week from my past and this was it. I don’t really know why I haven’t made this recipe in 20+ years because it’s SO dang good and easy too! The flavors are out of this world and it’s just the right amount of spice (you can make it hotter if you like). It’s colorful and a great salad to bring to a BBQ or family gathering, if we ever have those again. I love that it’s chilled so you can make it a head of time and it makes a great lunchtime addition or as a leftover as well. I topped mine with lime wedges and some additional cilantro, I also made mine gluten free by using GF pasta and coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. Try this. You won’t be disappointed.

Yield: 6

Author: Jen Adair

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Thai Noodle Salad With Sesame Peanut Sauce

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 14 MinTotal time: 24 Min

Ingredients

For the Sauce

• 1/4 c. Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos
• 1/4 c. Sweet Chili Sauce
• 3 Tbsp. Sesame Oil
• 2 Tbsp. Peanut Butter
• 2 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. Hot Chili Oil
• 4 Cloves of Garlic, minced
• 1 Lime, juiced

For the Salad

• 1 lb. Linguini or Spaghetti
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, finely chopped
• 1 c. Shredded Carrots, finely chopped
• 1 bunch Cilantro, finely chopped
• 1/2 c. Scallions, chopped
• 1/2 c. Red Onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 c. chopped peanuts

Instructions

1. Begin by preparing noodles according to package directions and cooking until just al dente.
2. When noodles are done, strain and rinse with cold water.
3. Meanwhile, whisk together soy sauce (or coconut aminos), sweet chili sauce, sesame oil, peanut butter, rice wine vinegar, hot chili oil, garlic, and lime juice until smooth and creamy. Let it rest.
4. Add cooked noodles to large bowl and top with veggies. 
5. Pour the sauce over and toss together until noodles are coated. Cover and chili until cold.  Add chopped peanuts on top. Serve and enjoy!

Created using The Recipes Generator

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Styling Tip:

How To Style Spring Branches

Whether you buy faux or real , or even if they came from your yard here are a few tips to styling spring branches.

• The key is to fluff and play with each stem to achieve a natural look.

• Choose a vase that is 1/3 the height of your tallest stem. If your branches are faux bend them to varying heights for added dimension, if they are real give them each a cut that is different in length.

• Bundle up your branches for a full, yet finished look.

• Spring IS here! Afloral has great spring stems.

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Organizing Tip:

The Label Maker Is A Game Changer

In the world of organizing the label maker is your BFF. I have been labeling things in our house since before my kids were born and they still tease me for my obsession with all things labeled! If you live with kids, a partner, or roommates, these labels will encourage others to return items where they belong. Now everything has a place. Create labels for bins, inside drawers, on file folders—really, anywhere. It keeps you accountable knowing everything has a home. I have been using a version of this label maker for years now, in my own home and in my clients homes. You can purchase tapes in clear, white and black. It also has 14 fonts and 7 font sizes. You can get yours here.

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Thank you for your support and for taking the time out of your day to spend with me. I appreciate YOU!