Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Beach Babe

This stunning beach side home belongs to Sydney Interior designer, Thomas Hamel.
The home shows a Colonial vibe that picks up on Thomas' love of Anglo-Indian and African furniture. This whole space is superb and Thomas has created little areas to make gathering a breeze.

Here is another view of the living room. The sofas were designed by Thomas, and the cushions were made of kilims he bought back from Turkey. Those shutters are actually metal finished to look like timber...smart idea for somewhere beside the sea.
I love the lamp bases - made from Eel traps. He bought them in New York and carried them back on the plane...I love it! The coffee table is made from an old Elephant saddle he bought in Mumbai.
I love his glass bell jar lights. The Anglo-Indian bureau was purchased from Thomas' partners store, Martyn Cook Antiques, and ties all of his eclectic pieces together.

I love this entry way. It really shows you what you are in for...someone who is well travelled and not afraid to put all his beloved momentos together. The artwork is untitled by Paul Bruce and made using Sea Urchins in a box frame...a whimsical nod to life by the sea. Under this is a wooden box bought in Mumbai and a oar from the Austral Islands in French Polynesia, all resting on top of the stunning 1820's French chest of drawers. Even the Chinese front door is beautiful.

This is how I would love our kitchen to look like one day. Thomas found the door handles from Restoration Hardware and carted them back on the plane, like a lot of his finds, on a trip to New York, but sourced everything else here.
One of Thomas' tips for creating a stunning beach home is...
"Clad the interior walls in weatherboards rather than Gyprock (plasterboard) walls; it makes such a difference. It gives it texture and makes it much more like a beach house".
I couldn't agree more!
Ness xx

11 comments:

  1. Gorgeous. I could leave my thongs in that lounge room, no worries.

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  2. This has been a great inspiration for the beach house I am consulting on, Lexy. You couldn't just have it as a holiday house.
    Ness xx

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  3. Hi Ness! You asked about the baskets on my blog. I sell them in my shop. ;-)

    BR Melly

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  4. Besides Country Home (sob), Home Beautiful is my favourite magazine. It has THE BEST homes, including this beauty!

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  5. Mr. Hamel certainly has wonderful style.
    I have always loved those wicker chairs. I finally had to buy them and put them in my breakfast area.

    I am drawn to Mr. Hamel's neutral color palette. All of the textures and dark wood pieces look lovely with his light fabrics and walls.

    Restoration hardware is the best. We use their cabinetry hardware all of the time.

    Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful talent, Ness.

    xo
    Brooke

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  6. That sea urchiun wall art is so great. I absolutely love that*
    xoxo -noel

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  7. A beautiful space! I find it amazing that people can travel and collect all these things and have a coherent look. I envy people with a consistent "eye". I have such scattered tastes!

    Beautiful post!

    Yes, aren't the headaches awful. I have cervicogenic headaches (coming from my neck) and have terribly neck and head pain a lot. I also have a migraine component and have those 2-3 times per month. Wish I were independently wealthy and i would not work, just lounge and decorate when I feel like it. Such is life! Awful sometimes, but I am thankful it is not worse!

    Do take care. Hope your little one (Declan is it?) is doing better!!

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  8. Terri,
    Yep...they suck. Mine are Tension Migraines. As a teen I lived on a strong analgesic and visited the Neurologist etc (they thought MS). I have found as I have got older I don't get them that often, thank God! So I can sympathise with you fully.
    Declan is doing much better now, thanks.
    Ness xx

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  9. These spaces look so comfortable and chic!

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