Inner City Modern

This renovated terrace in Sydney's inner west is a great example of how you can update an old house close to the city. Many families, once they have kids, move further out (like to the country, like me) but this family have made the most of the space and created a fun, colourful environment.

Room For A Teen

One topic you don't often see much of in design magazines is how to decorate a room for a teen. This is a great example from Louise's place which her eldest daughter (who had just finished design school) put together for her 15 year old sister.

There's a cool chill-out zone for the teen and her girlfriends, where they sit around, chat and sip tea, an elevated sleeping area above the well used wardrobe and the all important study area underneath.

The girls are forever out shopping for vintage stuff and I love the way they have created a very personal, funky vibe with the old standard lamp, painted picture frames, nanna rug and chair painted bright red.

The Perry Beach House

This month I have a feature in The Australian Womens Weekly on a stunning beach house owned by the Perry family.

This house is in the same beach village that my little houses are in and I met Justine and Andrew after a stroll along the beach one day.

I can remember what the house was like before they bought it - indeed we had considered buying it ourselves but turned up too late at the auction! It consisted of two very rundown old fibro shacks which they kept and joined together with massive awnings. Justine has decorated it with a combination of minimal modern and vintage which works really well with the old house with sleek renovations.

Its a great escape for the Perrys who wanted their young children to experience the uncomplicated fun of extended holidays at the beach. Lately whales and their calves have been coming close into the beach.

You can now rent it - contact www.outriggerawnings.com.au

Back At The Beach

I was talking to Thea about her new home furnishing fabrics yesterday, which are gorgeous by the way, and she said the shop must be taking all my attention as she noticed I hadn't blogged for a while.

Well I am going to take some photos of the shop today to show you (and Thea) what it's like.

For today though, I thought I'd share another beachy place on the south coast I have done a story about.

The Balinese house at Werri Beach is one of the best I have seen in this genre. This style of decorating has become almost like fast food here in Australia as there are "Bali" shops selling cheap knic knacs in every town. Andre, the owner, built this house new and managed to achieve a fabulous relaxing resort-style atmosphere with clever landscaping and architectural details. It helps that he actually imports these huge wooden doors and stone baths...

More from Marina

I just had to put in some more pics I found of Marina's beach house at Hyams Beach. Love daughter Stephanie's lilac bedroom and the little vignettes Marina has created on tables and shelves.

The beach at Hyams is stunning - it reputedly has the whitest sand in the world.

Beach House Scrapbook -Outdoor Showers

The pressure is on to get the little beach cottages renovated in time for summer holiday bookings. I am gathering inspiration, quickly, and thought I'd share some cute beach shower ideas. As the beach is just a few steps away it is a practical and fun addition to the houses.

If anyone else has some beach cottage inspiration - I'd love to hear from you!

More from Anna Spiro story

Here are some more out-takes from the Anna Spiro /Vogue Living story. I particularly love Anna's kitchen cluster wall which has a mixture of her son Harry's drawings and artworks she has collected over the years.

The little antique chest of drawers with a collection of vintage china is a clever way Anna has dressed up the basic white laminate kitchen and linked it to the decor in the rest of the house.

There are some photos we took of her shop, Black & Spiro which are full of ideas and inspiring decorating touches, also. 

Traditional decorator furnishings such as pelmets, lampshades and throw cushions have all been given a contemporary take with bold colours and pattern.

The vibrant turquoise walls in Melanie's office area are beautifully offset by the orange-red lampshades - and Melanie's chartreuse dress!

Lastly, I was touched by Anna's blog post about how much she loved Vogue Living as a young girl. My first job in magazines as a recent design graduate was with Vogue Living in the late eighties and it set me on a path which I keep coming back to. Although I went on to be art director on fashion titles like Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Marie Claire, interiors is probably closer to my heart (even though I was a dedicated fashion victim for many years).