For those of you who have followed me for a while will know how much I love the styling and decorating of Olive Grove Retreat.
This divine slice of Provence was right here in Australia, Heathcote Victoria to be exact. Just over an hour from Melbourne and a heartbeat from France.
Sadly, OGR is no more. Its doors where stylishly closed to the public back in 2009, but it is still owned by Hairstylist Lazarus (Wesley) Douvos.
There are so many elements from this retreat that I fell for immediately.
The chalky hues, loads of white
The bagged walls, French fittings (a claw foot bath just like mine)
Serious charm
and the magic of thinking you are worlds away with the soft scent of Lavender wafting by on a warm evening, when you are actually not far from one of the busiest cities in Australia!
The interior is just perfect...truly.
So, the other night while going through tonnes of emails I found one from the owner of this gorgeous slice of the earth, Lazarus!
Telling a little about the closure of the retreat and the move to NY. The two places couldn't be any further away!!
I also got a sneak peak in to Lazarus' equally stunning Manhattan apartment.
here it is....
The first thing that sprung to mind here was 'Tricia Foley'...immediately!
It is stunning...and you know I LOVE Tricia =0)
There are so many hints of Olive Grove Retreat as well...with a New York edge.
Lazarus, I am glad you are still lovin the tufting!!!
...and that panelling is divine...
ahh...it's Olive Grove all over =0)
This image, although a little blurry is a constant on my mood/inspiration board and fills me with ideas every time. I thank you for that Lazarus, and for letting me peak into your new Retreat on the other side of the world.
I hope you get back to Olive Grove soon.
Hi Everyone!
...how very, very true.
I had a lovely email from Florence Michon, who is the owner of this stunning home in Picardy, France to say that she had seen her home on my blog. Florence also sent me a huge amount of images that aren't on her blog...straight away I gasped. It is stunning.
The house is De Charme guest house. I could stay here for sure!
The kitchen is so cozy and imagine waking up to a hearty breakfast, knowing you are 'living' in this beauty?
There are so many rooms to swoon over. I especially like the grey wall with that amazing white framed mirror, and of course the chairs!
I would imagine this image was from Christmas. I enlarged the photo and was loving all of the details Florence has added to this table...zinc place tags, white monogrammed napkins, beautiful silver ware, the little silver dogs to rest your knife on, the white cover and also the artichokes that are just like mine!
This home must have non stop dinner parties. There are so many gorgeous spaces to dine in. I love the grey walls and the white...so, so beautiful.
The bedrooms are so well 
This room is beautiful. I love the Carpe Diem on the wall and the bergere chairs in linen.
This house is amazing. Thank you so much Florence for letting me show these beautiful photos. There are more images, but I thought you should stop by Florence's blog 
Some beautiful photos to welcome in the weekend from the stunning site, 
The dining area is just to the side of the kitchen and the windows frame an amazing view. That table is just lust - big, old wood planks with those gorgeous chairs. I love the chandelier that is above the old, old boards...they make a wonderful pair.
This site has some amazing shots of little drawers - a slight fetish (if you want to call it that) of mine and has me drooling for a store to makeover. This cafe is the sort of place I would love to visit for a latte...I hope you all find a place like this for a coffee this weekend.
Yesterday, I received a lovely email from Annette Green who is an extraordinary artist and French paint finisher. Annette specialises in faux finishes and also gild in silver and gold leaf. She sent me through some images of her work and I had to show you, its amazing.
I hope you can see this image ok, if not just click on it to enlarge. The panelling is just exquisite and the finish that Annette has applied, just gorgeous. You would swear this was from a Chateau in France!
Annette also sent some images of a Hay Loft that she converted with her Husband into a guest quarters. All of the paint work in here is by Annette.
This stairwell in the loft is so serene and beautiful and the walls look like old plaster just like you would find in France...not plaster board/ drywall!
Our friends across the ocean in NZ really do live a beautiful life. After seeing 
Each photo of the house is gorgeous. Like this little white cabana with its aqua pool.
They even give you a peek inside the cabana. That colour on the walls is basically the linen shade I want for our living room (if anyone knows what it is, please email me).
The couples' Daughter, Anna, moved to NZ from Sydney for 9 months to Project Manage the makeover. What a lovely job she has done.
Lots of milky whites, linen, Travertine floors and neutral shades make for one little piece of Heaven....off to read the rest.