My Dream Home Tours- A Coastal Bohemian City Terrace + Rustic Farmhouse Cottage

Today I plan to walk you through my dream homes with a tour of my latest Pinterest finds. For as long as I can remember I’ve been swooning over both city and country houses alike. I find the cottages with their thatched roofing, pastel colour ways and picket fences oh so quaint and charming. The styling is modern, fresh, minimal, follows a neutral palette and does a great job of inviting the outdoors in through natural textures and an abundance of greenery. Lots of cream, baby blue, olive green. Cottage style has a comfortable, homey lived in look and is characterised by painted or decorated furniture with graceful lines, weathered or whitewashed finishes, textural elements like baskets, shiplap, natural fibre rugs and the like. Vases of flowers and complimenting foliage add warmth and a little touch of spring. Tulips and hydrangeas are absolutely gorgeous.

Cottage style is great for those decorating on a budget as half its charm is found in the casual nature and shabby appeal of the decor. Think wood in warm or grey tones, wrought iron and wicker furniture. Pair these hard furnishings with plush cushions and linen slipcovers. The perfect cosy setting to settle in with a cuppa tea and a good read. Update a simple chair with new upholstering and outline studding. Stripes, checks, subdued florals, vintage yardage and plaid are all suitable for soft furnishings like printed cushions, throws. Alternatively, you could go for a large weave or chunky knit to make a statement. Don’t forget to add trimming and fringe as finishing details. Rumpled cotton, linen and bamboo fabrics are perfect as curtains. They are breezy and allow lots of light in.

In contrast, the terraces lining bustling Sydney streets are bold, bashful and very on trend. I firmly believe there is a little bit of hippie in all of us when we put aside being conservative and allow ourselves to have fun. I saw a restored camper van at my local lake the other day and couldn’t stop thinking about how fabulous it would be to drive off into the sunset. Ironically, there are no overly zesty or attention grabbing shades in this particular colour story. Coastal bohemian design is pared back and influenced by Scandinavian interiors. Overall, there is lots of white space. A crisp, bright shade is best as it helps colour to really pop. Gentle colours like mint and decorative features such as dried or green palm fronds add to this overall vibe. Shells, feathers, linen, raffia, jute, leather, rattan and raw timbers are ideal.

Your aim should be to conjure up a mood or feeling instead of leaning on cliches or being unsubtle in your design. No beach motifs here. Macrame wall hangings, particularly more elaborate versions, can be highly eclectic and provide all the wall art you need. This is a relaxed, globally inspired aesthetic that loves to bend the rules in order to create a layered, personalised look. Add in a moroccan pouffe, a geometric rug or cushions, chic chandeliers or lanterns and so on. Find a way to weave in your core or feature colours. Jewel tones and metallics like bronze or brushed gold work well.

This is all done in the interest of creating a home that is full of life, culture and adventure. Forget modern sensibilities and embrace all that is unique and unusual. Bohemian designed was pioneered by those who choose to lead unconventional lives. Constant travellers, actors, writers. You name it. Above all, there should be a sense of flow to your home. Your furniture should look as if it’s been collected over time. Second hand and vintage items are your best friend. Explore local charity stores and choose your pieces individually. Find their hidden charms, intricacies and quirks!

Coastal Bohemian City Terrace

The Outside

The Foyer

The Study

The Living Room

The Bedroom

The Bathroom

The Kitchen

The Backyard