Beautiful style - Blue & White

I met a lot of lovely people over our summer break while we were staying at Mackerel beach, it is such a small world and everyone is connected somehow. Next door to my sister in law's home is a very pretty little old original fishing cottage painted in the palest of blue with white washed timber. This home belongs to a beautiful lady named Rhylle. Rhylle's late husband found this fishing house twenty four years ago and over that time they have lovingly restored and added extra rooms to their holiday home.

This house still has many of the original features of the old fishing house, but with Rhylle's elegant and feminine style it is today a very beautiful home and she has created a perfect holiday haven by the seaside. Rhylle swims every single day of the year and spends much of her time visiting her holiday home at Mackerel Beach throughout the year. These last holidays, Rhylle brought her delightful little six year old granddaughter with her for some special one on one Grandmother - Granddaughter time together.

It's hard not to gaze into these homes when you pass by them on the beachfront, each home has the most wonderful character and they're all unique in their own way. There are a few modern homes on Mackerel, a lovely old sandstone beauty perched high on the hill and many little old original 'Aussie style' beach houses. These homes are so gorgeous and are very sought after, especially when they are on the waterfront at Pittwater.

I just couldn't resist asking Rhylle if I could take some photographs around her beautiful home and after a chat one morning we realised we knew many of the same people. Rhylle knew many of the women that I worked with in Sydney in my magazine days. I ended up photographing most of Rhylle's beautiful home over a couple of days and I also took some portraits very early one morning of her and her granddaughter on the beach, (to come soon). But I must say this table setting, with all of Rhylle's wonderful treasures was my very favourite settings this Summer. Just look at these chairs, they're absolutely amazing, they normally sit inside her kitchen but I had to bring them out for this shoot, there is also a table to match. The blue flower on her deck was in full bloom and a perfect backdrop, so of course everything just had to be blue and white and Rhylle's home was full of interesting things to use. I especially love the deep blue woven coffee pot and all of her cane baskets. Being a lover of all things blue and white....everything was just perfect.

Oh and I must also mention, the light beam that appears in some of these photographs above just appeared out of nowhere, it looks like we had an extra lovely guest with us for lunch.

Thank you again for all your amazing & kind comments from my last post, I wish you all a wonderful week and happy times with your loved ones on Valentine's Day this coming weekend.

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I love green and white

I am still fluffing over my Christmas tree and dining table decorations and I hope to finish today so that I can post it before Christmas comes and goes. I have been making some different style decorations this year and it is taking me a little longer than planned.

I have always loved green and white table settings, white flowers with green, especially set in a garden under the shade of a gorgeous tree. It is particularly hot today and any shade is welcome especially an old willow tree. So just like Susan at Between naps on the Porch, I have a few old Christmas images and some new ones to share today.

Have a happy day, please pop back in a couple of days to see my Christmas decorations in my home. and 'Happy Tablescape Thursday' to everyone x Coty

Two old "stylish' bowerbirds from Bowral

Silver, white and grey, glorious summer colours.

I'm not sure why I am so attracted to these colours, I always have been, it may be my 'new look' silver grey hair that has arrived in 2009, it may just be the softness of the colours, I think I am also inspired by my Scandinavian blogger friends beautiful white homes that I visit often via their blogs.

I have always loved silver and white, when I was a teenager I loved wearing white in summer with lots of silver jewellery and a silver and white table setting is so serene. Plus, now the weather is warmer it's time for outdoor dinners and entertaining and white is just plain simple & very stylish. I have also had this feeling all week that I want to white wash everything in and outside the house, the walls, the kitchen, the fence and everywhere, a fresh new look for summer.

The Two Bowerbirds from Bowral - There is someone else in town just like me....


I would like to introduce you to my dear friend Vicki and her beautiful garden, I styled this table setting and a few others in Vicki's delightful home a few weeks ago just when her garden walls were massed with flowering Jasmin. I will be posting some more in the next couple of weeks for this Christmas season. Vicki's funny, she is always asking me why I buy so many accoutrement's and table setting objects and sometimes I wonder why myself, but do you know that when I first went to Vicki's home I was shocked as she has many more items than me. Not possible, I thought, yes, it's true, I have found another Bowerbird in Bowral and you will love all her wonderful collections. I do!

.........and by the way, whilst I was quietly setting this table setting in her garden, guess what, there was also a real Bowerbird in her garden watching my every move, as well as all the chooks, dog, cockatiel parrot and other animals that live there. It is a very special garden..

Above: Vicki and her gorgeous daughters, Casey and Erin and some of her chooks

I wish everyone a wonderful festive season, please take care whilst you rush around shopping and getting ready. Enjoy your time with your family and friends. I am visiting all my favourite friends at Susan's party today, we have some major chatting to do with our Christmas decorations for our table settings. Come along too, to Between Naps on the Porch. I plan to set up my Christmas tree and decorate the house over the next couple of days.

So much to do and what fun!! x Coty