Thursday, April 22, 2010

I have a special guest poster today ladies~ The Queen of Coastal Chic



Hello everyone!

I have a special guest poster today!

She lives in a sweet little cottage by the sea, in Sydney Australia.


I think you would all agree with me Sarah is the Queen of Coastal Chic!

These images of Sarah in her little black dress remind me of what you would see in an Anthropolgie Magazine!
Love this girl!


Miss Sarah was kind enough to pack her bags and come to California for the day!
Thanks Sarah!

I hope you all enjoy the interview I did with Sarah!
She let me ask her any question I wanted.
So I asked her a few questions!
Okay maybe a lot!
You are going to love all of the photos Sarah shot for this post!
So get ready to be inspired....




What inspired you to start a blog?

I started a blog to record the goings on at our cottage and as a way for me to compare the before and afters I was working on day by day...I never had any idea it would become a great part of my day!




I love how you write! Have you always been a great writer?

I used to love writing at school and though I haven't written too much since having a busy family life, I now find the writing as part of my blog a very good way to switch off at the end of the day. I read a lot which I think is the key to being able to express yourself.





When are you going to write a book?

Hmm, let's just say there's a lot going on behind the scenes :-)




What was your decorating style like when you lived in England?

My decorating style was a bit more English Chintzy Vintage...with lots of colourful floral fabrics, still with a very white and neutral background and old vintage furniture and a good dose of old English Country style in there too....





Who is your favorite designer?

I don't really have one! I am interested to see what designers do but I often feel that it is so far removed from the reality of my day to day life...

Do you have a favorite design book?

I love eye candy coffee table books about the home. I love Amy Butler's Midwest Modern, though her style if very different to mine and love to dip into Emily Chalmer's books




What is a typical day like at the Beach Cottage??


My typical day is probably like any other mother to active kiddos, it often starts very early with sport training, then off to drop them at school, then for a coffee with some friends and I try most mornings to walk by the sea...once back at the cottage I clear up from the chaos of the morning and do a few chores...make some tea, turn on the computer, reply to emails, sort out blog stuff...I normally have a number of projects on the go or something to paint so about lunchtime is when I might do that. From two thirty until about 8pm I spend time with the kids, ferry them around and get everything ready for the next day...at about eight o clock I try to go out and sit on the deck with a drink...and I nearly always head to the tub with a book...Mr BC and I quite often venture out for a late-night stroll, I love the feel of this time of day, the stillness, the stars....the day, always ends with a cup of tea, tucked up in bed...

You talk about doing 350s on your blog, what are 350s? I haven't been brave enough to ask until now!

350's are the number of squats I do on the beach to try and lift my butt ;-))





What do you love most about Australia?

I love the seaside lifestyle that we have here in Australia, it is a magical way to live.

What do you miss most about living in England?

I miss Sunday Lunch in an old English pub, a half of warm beer and roast potatoes... after a long walk in the woods with the kids in wellies...




What is your favorite room in your cottage? & Why

I love the Sitting Room, it is small and cosy...and mainly white :-). My 10 year old comfy, squashy sofa is where I love to curl up at the end of the day with the windows open to the coastal breeze, the blinds up and a nice long drink.

What is you favorite find?

My favourite find is my old vintage door with the missing mirror that is perfectly aged, chipped and weathered.
Do you have something in your home that you can't live without?

Nope, though I guess white paint is up there as a must!




What is your ideal date with your husband??

my ideal date with my husband is a long stroll by the sea and a bite to eat in a little bistro, preferably a French one (even better one from Toulouse - tho' that bit isn't gonna happen 'round here lol!)... we like to do really simple things on date night and with the wonderful Australian scenery & climate we sometimes pack a picnic basket with a vintage tablecloth, cheese, bread and nibbles, an esky full of beer and set up on a picnic table down by the wharf...

How do you get Mr BC to go antiquing with you??

Well, I offer all sorts of varied incentives ;-)




Where is your favorite place to shop?

I love to shop in op-shops (Aussie thrift stores), I also love to browse Anthropologie and very soon will get my own shopping experience in there! I avoid the mall at all costs...




How has blogging had an impact on your life?

The main impact blogging has had on my life is it has made me recognise just how good life can be.. and I see life very differently from behind the lens of my trusty camera....blogging has made me see that my old cottage may be tatty and on the wrong side of town but it is the basis for a great lifestyle for my family...I love how blogging has made me see the potential for things...the wood floors, the old fig tree, the battered old deck..the sash windows..

Oh and of course, I have made some fantastic friends, who get my vintage speak, from allover the world!




all images are property of A Beach Cottage

38 comments:

Sarah B said...

Lovely interview! I've only just started following the Beach Cottage. Beautiful pics too!

Tricia Rose said...

Sarah looks as though she breezed in like a modern take on Mary Poppins! (better shoes of course!)

sara@augustfields said...

fabulous interview! sarah you are truly a breath of fresh air...i love your simple take on life. your cottage is beautiful! :)

DustyLu said...

Great interview! Love her style! Fresh and clean! Great questions! Gorgeous vignette! ~lulu

Cindy / Aka Chymecindy said...

Amazing...

Amanda (Small Acorns) said...

Hi Maria, I've come across to your blog from Jackie at 'home'. Have been having such a lovely long read that you've even done another post while I'm still phaffing around thinking about one! And now this lovely interview is leading me astray to another blog. The joys of blogging! Amanda xx

Anonymous said...

thanks Maria and what lovely comments from your beautiful readers, so many kind people in the world ;-)

thanks so much for having me here, you rock and I love it!!!!

Sarah

Sarah ABeachCottage said...

thanks Maria and what lovely comments from your beautiful readers, so many kind people in the world ;-)

thanks so much for having me here, you rock and I love it!!!!

Sarah

teresa said...

Enjoyed reading about Sarah. How wonderful it would be to live to close to the beach! :) And of course both of your styles are things of beauty. I am curious what Sarah's favorite tea is? :)

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour,
Just found your beautiful blog via the fabulous Jackie of Home. Enjoyed this article about Sarah. I'll be following along and will be back soon. Right now I'm off to check out some your older posts.
Wishing you a good weekend,
Mimi

Tina said...

Oh I love Sarah and her gorgeous blog. Such a fabulous interview girls!! Wishing you both a wonderful weekend ~ Tina xx

Kerry said...

Sarah's blog was the very first one I ever found and I passed it on to a friend who was going to live by the sea...not all of us in Australia are lucky enough to do that!! But she's been a daily read for me every single day since. Love the writing, love the photos, love the projects but most of all love how much she loves her adopted home. Thanks for getting her views on a few things I haven't heard yet!

Alison Gibbs said...

Great interview with sarah. I always enjoy catching up with her blog.
Alison

Yvonne - Frl. Klein said...

What a lovey interview! It´s amazing!
Have a great weekend, Yvonne

The Moerks said...

Thanks for clearing up the 360s. I always wondered. Sarah is amazing, her styling is fab. Sounds like we can live in hope for a book!!!

Irene b said...

hi maria you always find interesting people!!!have al ovely weekend with your family

Anonymous said...

Hi Maria... Great interview,even though I knew all the answers because I am Sarahs number one fan. I sing her praises to everyone that will listen! I found you through her and you are equally fantastic.I didn't know about the "behind the scenes" though! I hope you have the same wonderful experience blogging as Sarah. You're off to a great start,as you seem to have a troll! All the best do. Much love <3 Donna

Alicia ~ time worn style said...

yay for Sarah and yay for you too maria for the great interview!! (hmmm anonymous was a bit harsh me thinks..)

Unknown said...

Great interview Maria, Sarah is such a lovely blogger who always makes the time to respond to comments and she is so gracious! xx

Little Emma English Home said...

Maria, your interviews are always the best!!! I love so much this one of sarah, she's witty and has a perfect style!!! Thank you so much, stop at your blog is always a moment of perfect pleasure!!!

have a lovely weekend, my friend!!!
Zaira

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Great, fun interview!! I would love shop a store ran by the two of you together!!

Madelief said...

Great interview, Lovely pictures!

Wish you a happy weekend!

groetjes van Madelief

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Wonderful interview Maria. I came over from Sarah's blog. You have a lovely home and I will be back to see more!

Unknown said...

i love Sarah! she's amazing! what a great interview, love learning more about her! enjoy your weekend Maria! susan

Melaine Thompson said...

Just beautiful! I always look forward to your posts! Who wouldn't?

It's me said...

Great interview Maria.........!!

I love it !! have a good weekend with lots of sun............hugs from Ria

vosgesparis said...

It was nice to learn Sarah a bit better and great of you to have here ;)
Talk to you soon again Maria.
Have a great sunday
desiree

Brenda Pruitt said...

Sarah is just the sweetest gal! I love her blog. Thanks for the interview with her.
Brenda

Erika said...

Such a great interview with Sarah!
I love her work, her home, her stories, she really is the best! :o)
Thanks so much for sharing "her"!
smiles, Erika

Lara said...

Thanks for sharing that Maria! It was so much fun to read! I am SOO hooked on Sarah's blog. Love all the photos with the pretty petals all fluffed around.
:) Lara

Anne Lorys said...

What a cute interview!
I especially love her "varied incentives" comment...I'll have to try that! ;-)

Have a wonderful weekend, Maria!

Anne

Gaia said...

You are just perfect!
Great question for a fantastic interview! I love Sarah's Blog!
Have a great week!

debra@dustjacket said...

Loved the interview and the photo's are just gorgeous...had to go over and say hello to Sarah.
xxx DJ

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Maria,

What a beautiful blog you have and I have enjoyed my visit - thank you.
Also lovely to read the interview you did with Sarah.

Happy week
Carolyn

Robyn said...

I've LOVED A BEACH COTTAGE for a while now, so it's so fun to see Sarah's interview! THANKS! ...also I think ANYONE who wears SPECTATOR heels has immense class! :-)

Cathy M~(checkitoff) said...

Sarah is one of the reasons I started reading blogs (looking for beach inspired decor for my new lakehouse in the midwest). very nice interview!

Kerri - Driftwood Interiors said...

Great interview Maria. Sarah's blog is one of my favourites, and I never miss a post. She has it all - great photos, beautiful projects, a fantastic wit and is so lovely to boot. And I found your blog through her, so I have to thank her for that!
Love your blog too, and I can't wait to see your bedroom makeover - I have no doubt it will be amazing!
K xx

Miss Mustard Seed said...

Man, it seems like I havn't been by here in forever! I'm mingling now to see what I've missed.

I love Sarah's style and blog. It was so fun reading a bit more about her.