A Gorgeous Remodel in Tasmania, My Healthy Avocado Feta Dip, My DIY Door Tassel Tutorial, and Hannah’s New Apartment.
Design Files/ Amelia Barnes
A Gorgeous Extension That Captures Mountain And Garden Views by Preston Lane Architects
“Capitalizing on its established garden and views of Kunanyi / Mount Wellington in the distance, Preston Lane Architects have elegantly transformed this period home in Hobart, Tasmania, with the goal of better connecting the home to its natural surroundings. Rather than expanding the home’s existing footprint, the architects condensed it, replacing a lean-to with a new extension, whilst keeping the garden intact.”
“The simple material palette allows the client’s artwork, objects and floral arrangements to remain in focus.”
“The project focused on clean lines and alignment.”
“Close proximity to the garden with its magnolia, pear, and apricot trees invites and dappled shadow play into the interiors throughout the day, while offering protection from the often chilly Tassie elements!”
“The ceiling line rakes up towards the mountain vista, increasing the volume internally, before stepping down again into a sunken living space.”
The original 1910 house on this New Farm, Tasmania site offered plenty of charm, but failed to embrace its generous garden and mountain views.
Recognizing these simultaneous strengths and shortcomings, Preston Lake Architects designed a new extension to soak in the sun, capture the mountains, and feel immersed in the garden.
The new extension is larger, but not extensively so, and works with the property’s sloping site to incorporate a second entry, powder room, kitchen, dining, and living area. Unlike the previous lean-to that was elevated above ground, this new structure sits in the garden, appearing to be ‘hugged’ by established plants outside.
‘Condensing the footprint kept the garden intact – providing spaces for plants, cartwheels and their dog to explore,’ says Daniel Lane, director and architect at Preston Lane Architects.
On the side of the north-western face of the home is also an artist’s studio/guest bedroom, which opens to a courtyard and timber deck. ‘The clients had a strong desire for an ‘in between’ courtyard space that could be eventually overgrown,’ says Daniel of this outdoor area. ‘Sandstone and gravel provides a textural quality against the timber deck.’
The interiors similarly accentuate the home’s aspect, along with its sloping site. Daniel explains, ‘The ceiling line rakes up towards the mountain vista increasing the volume internally before you step down again into a sunken living space.’
Every space has been offered a view of the sky, garden or mountain, but the best spot of all is the living room corner window seat. ‘In this sunny window spot you can sit and read a book or look up to the mountain,’ says Daniel. ‘You’re physically separated from the kitchen hub but can still be involved in conversations.’
The simple material palette allows the client’s artwork, objects and floral arrangements to be another focus.
Overall, Preston Lane Architects have transformed a disconnected, dark cottage into a generous, warm and welcoming family home. Nestled delicately in the established garden, the project achieves a private, calm oasis for the family of four to retreat, whilst remaining connected to nature.”
Favorite Product
Large White Enamel Wood Bowl from World Market - $29.99
I recently purchased two of these for an open shelving job and love the mango wood and white contrast. Plus, I don’t know about you but my wooden bowls take a beating and this one has an enamel interior making cleanup easy and preserving the life of the bowl. They also come in several prints but I really like the crisp white of this one. You can check them out here.
Recipe Of The Week
Healthy Avocado Feta Dip
People are getting together again and this is a simple, fresh and healthy appetizer you can bring to your next gathering AND it’s seriously good. I used the Follow Your Heart Feta because it’s dairy free and such a good dupe you won’t even know you skipped the cheese. It’s less than 10 ingredients and so easy to make. Serve it with a variety of crackers, pita or veggies, including gluten free and everyone can enjoy this one!
Healthy Avocado Feta Dip
Ingredients
Instructions
DIY Door Tassel Tutorial
Door swag is a thing. I love the texture this DIY door tassel adds to a doorway, back of a chair or drawer pull and it takes less time to make than ordering dinner so let’s get started!
What You’'ll Need:
5mm cotton macrame rope
Blue Tape
Scissors
Embroidery Floss ( I used 1 black and 3 rust )
Twine or string
Wood Beads
Step 1
String wood beads onto a length of twine or string, and tie the ends in a tight double knot to form a loop. Make sure the loop is large enough to fit over your doorknob.
Step 2
Fold your rope into thirds, and then form it into an arch shape. Wrap painter's tape around each side of the arch where you'd like to wrap colored embroidery floss.
Step 3
Tie a piece of embroidery floss with a double knot onto one end of the section you taped off. Tightly wrap the embroidery floss from one end of the taped section to the other, overlapping it to completely hide the rope. At the end, secure a knot with the floss, trim off the tail, and remove the tape.
Step 4
Cinch the rope strands together to form a loop. Tie a knot to secure it with a different colored embroidery floss. Don't trim off the knot’s tail. Wrap the new floss color around the loop’s base until you form about a 1-inch band. Tie the end of the embroidery floss to the tail you left on at the start, trim the tails.
Step 5
Cut through the loops on the end of the tassel to create loose rope strands. Unravel the ends of each rope strand and comb through them with your fingers to fluff up the tassel. Trim the length as desired.
Step 6
Using the same embroidery floss color you used on the top of the tassel, tie the tassel to the wood beads with a tight double knot. Trim the tails. Make sure you unravel each strand of rope to create a more relaxed fringed tassel. Hang, and enjoy a warm welcome every time you pass it!
Ta Da! You did it!
Organizing Tip:
3 Great Organizing Tips:
The one in, one out method. Every time you bring something into your home one thing must leave. This helps prevent overcrowding and prevents clutter. For example, one coat comes in and an old coat gets donated.
Open your mail every single day, because tomorrow never comes and then it becomes a larger job. Commit to opening and sorting, it only takes 5 minutes and beats a huge stack of mail to deal with later.
The Swedish Death Cleanse isn’t really that morbid. The concept is that as you age you begin to get rid of things that no longer serve you so as not to burden your family with a monumental task. Research shows that adults you have tried this do say they felt less stressed, knowing that their affairs were in order and wouldn't one day become a burden to their family.
We travelled home to move Dave’s daughter from Seattle to Ellensburg where she will be teaching elementary school in the fall. I have been helping her plan and select new pieces for her first place while staying within her budget. It sure turned out cute! Here is a glimpse…
Bedroom Before
When she first sent photos of the space it had carpet so to arrive to new hardwoods was such a blessing!
Bedroom After - Still waiting on items!
Our curtain panels were too short and the room still needs some art and a second lamp, but it’s well on it’s way to looking great, especially for a first apartment. :)
How To Hide The Electrical Box
This little hallway had the awesome electrical box that every home builder loves to put in plain sight. We chose to hang a long mirror here to make the space feel larger and hide this ugly box.
Hang A Mirror Or Do A Leaning Floor Mirror
We added a basket to the corner to give some balance but a small table, garden stool or floor plant would be great here.
Living Room Before
The rug we chose turned out to be gorgeous with it’s chunky knit and added instant warmth to the space as well as texture.
Living Room After
But, what turned out to be the show stopper was the bouclé sofa. This picture doesn’t give it justice, we were drooling at it’s texture and simple lines. We kept it simple and on budget by using two leather poufs as a coffee table and added a tripod lamp for extra lighting.
Waiting On Art
We added to floating wood shelves for art and some layered white candles. Hannah wanted to source some local art so this space isn’t quite finished yet.
Sink Styling
You know I love some sink styling, so her little kitchen has a warm touch of the necessities but they are pretty too. Like I always say, you don’t have to sacrifice beauty for function, you can have both.
Bathroom Styling
Pretty little moments in her bathroom too.
Bar Cart Styling
What home doesn’t need a bar cart? We styled her’s up with all the things you need to make a proper drink and hung a round hub mirror above it. Cheers!
So glad you were here! ❤️xo
