At Home With ... Interior Design Blogger Lee Dewsnap
Tell us what you think about Lee Dewsnap's seaside cottage in New Zealand for your chance to win a $50 gift voucher
The past few years have seen huge changes for Lee Dewsnap. She had originally launched her blog, Lee Caroline – A World of Inspiration (Caroline is her middle name), as a platform to showcase her floral-inspired artwork, but expanded the topic to her other passion – interior design after an unfortunate turn of events. Dewsnap spent some time overseas in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Brunei for her husband’s work. However, in 2010 her mother was diagnosed with cancer and she returned home to New Zealand. During this sad time, her artwork took a backseat and, instead, she found her creative release through decorating her home and writing her blog, which gave her means to escape from the situation and focus on the things that made her happy. When her mother passed away, her blog and home became more valuable than ever.
Five years on, her 1930s double brick cottage in Auckland reflects her love of coastal-style interiors and provides the perfect sanctuary for her to paint, write, cook and decorate. In turn, Dewsnap pours out design stories, mouth-watering recipes and DIY tutorials on her blog for the world to be inspired by.
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Lee’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from Wallace Cotton – has been announced. Well done, suzannegaye!
Five years on, her 1930s double brick cottage in Auckland reflects her love of coastal-style interiors and provides the perfect sanctuary for her to paint, write, cook and decorate. In turn, Dewsnap pours out design stories, mouth-watering recipes and DIY tutorials on her blog for the world to be inspired by.
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Lee’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from Wallace Cotton – has been announced. Well done, suzannegaye!
Firstly, what do we need to know about your blog?
My blog was originally about my art, however, it has evolved into my passion for interior design. I wanted to share beautiful interiors from designers and homeowners around the world, post DIY projects and share the latest trends in home decor. You will even find the odd recipe and book review. To me, it’s all about inspiring people to achieve a home life of their own.
My blog was originally about my art, however, it has evolved into my passion for interior design. I wanted to share beautiful interiors from designers and homeowners around the world, post DIY projects and share the latest trends in home decor. You will even find the odd recipe and book review. To me, it’s all about inspiring people to achieve a home life of their own.
Poppy sits on the sofa among matching Ralph Lauren cushions, sourced from Martha’s Furnishing Fabrics, and a Pagoda cushion from Le Monde.
How long have you lived in this house for and how did you and your house meet?
I’ve been living in Bay Tree Cottage for five years in August. I cannot believe how time has flown! We met in 2010 after I returned from 14 years abroad. With my mother’s cancer diagnosis, my return became permanent and I needed to find a house quickly.
My husband had flown back for a few weeks break (he was still working in Abu Dhabi at the time) when we spotted this house on the internet. Initially, I thought it was a little small after living in a 420 square metre house in Brunei and a spacious apartment in Abu Dhabi. However, it had three bedrooms, an ensuite and a walk-in wardrobe and the previous owners had done all of the difficult renovations.
Luckily the auction was during the time my husband was still here, which made me feel better as I wasn’t keen on bidding on my own. We won the auction after a tight battle with a young, very determined couple and ended up spending more than we had anticipated. The past year I have been looking for something a little larger but it is difficult to leave this location as I really feel quite sentimental about the house now.
I’ve been living in Bay Tree Cottage for five years in August. I cannot believe how time has flown! We met in 2010 after I returned from 14 years abroad. With my mother’s cancer diagnosis, my return became permanent and I needed to find a house quickly.
My husband had flown back for a few weeks break (he was still working in Abu Dhabi at the time) when we spotted this house on the internet. Initially, I thought it was a little small after living in a 420 square metre house in Brunei and a spacious apartment in Abu Dhabi. However, it had three bedrooms, an ensuite and a walk-in wardrobe and the previous owners had done all of the difficult renovations.
Luckily the auction was during the time my husband was still here, which made me feel better as I wasn’t keen on bidding on my own. We won the auction after a tight battle with a young, very determined couple and ended up spending more than we had anticipated. The past year I have been looking for something a little larger but it is difficult to leave this location as I really feel quite sentimental about the house now.
What made you start blogging?
Blogging was something I could do while I was caring for my mother who had been diagnosed with cancer. It provided moments of escape, which I needed at the time. Often my mother would sit with me and look through images and chat about ideas to share on the blog. She did say one thing to me though: “Make sure you don’t let the blog take priority over your painting, Lee.” I have to admit, the blog has run away a little and painting seems to have come second place these days, so I’ll have to pick that up again.
Blogging was something I could do while I was caring for my mother who had been diagnosed with cancer. It provided moments of escape, which I needed at the time. Often my mother would sit with me and look through images and chat about ideas to share on the blog. She did say one thing to me though: “Make sure you don’t let the blog take priority over your painting, Lee.” I have to admit, the blog has run away a little and painting seems to have come second place these days, so I’ll have to pick that up again.
What makes you happiest at home?
I am happiest when I’m either painting, in the kitchen conjuring up a meal, blogging or decorating, and I always love to listen to music when I’m not writing. When I’m painting I listen to classical music; for anything else I like Michael Bublé, Michael Jackson, Latin … basically anything uplifting.
I am happiest when I’m either painting, in the kitchen conjuring up a meal, blogging or decorating, and I always love to listen to music when I’m not writing. When I’m painting I listen to classical music; for anything else I like Michael Bublé, Michael Jackson, Latin … basically anything uplifting.
Where do you love to write and what could you not write without?
I have two places I love to write, my office and the living room. My office is small and cosy in the winter. In summer however, I sometimes sit on the sofa in the living room, the bi-fold doors open, looking out to the garden with my laptop on my knee.
What can’t you write without?
That would be my little Schnoodle, Poppy; she is usually sitting beside me or at my feet. Sometimes she will rest her head on top of my arm while I am typing, which makes it very difficult to type with her little head bobbing up and down – I call it my workout for the day.
Console: Yvonne Sanders Antiques
I have two places I love to write, my office and the living room. My office is small and cosy in the winter. In summer however, I sometimes sit on the sofa in the living room, the bi-fold doors open, looking out to the garden with my laptop on my knee.
What can’t you write without?
That would be my little Schnoodle, Poppy; she is usually sitting beside me or at my feet. Sometimes she will rest her head on top of my arm while I am typing, which makes it very difficult to type with her little head bobbing up and down – I call it my workout for the day.
Console: Yvonne Sanders Antiques
The beautiful antique armoire was bought in Abu Dhabi and is a Korean wedding cabinet.
To me, great design is…
When you walk into a space and think to yourself, ‘this is just so beautiful’. Everything seems to come together, it’s balanced, interesting and you just want to sit down and soak it all in. I favour starting with a neutral palette, then introducing colour and pattern with cushions, throws and rugs, both textured and patterned. There should be a little symmetry and lots of layers and texture.
Great design should also reveal the owner’s personality. Furniture can be antique or modern or a mix of both. Whether it is a house, a reception area or a restaurant, the design should feel inviting and relaxed.
What’s your next big project?
There seems to be a lot of new opportunities that arise through my blog. One possibility in the future is to write a book, and when I get enough paintings done, I may have a solo exhibition of my art.
When you walk into a space and think to yourself, ‘this is just so beautiful’. Everything seems to come together, it’s balanced, interesting and you just want to sit down and soak it all in. I favour starting with a neutral palette, then introducing colour and pattern with cushions, throws and rugs, both textured and patterned. There should be a little symmetry and lots of layers and texture.
Great design should also reveal the owner’s personality. Furniture can be antique or modern or a mix of both. Whether it is a house, a reception area or a restaurant, the design should feel inviting and relaxed.
What’s your next big project?
There seems to be a lot of new opportunities that arise through my blog. One possibility in the future is to write a book, and when I get enough paintings done, I may have a solo exhibition of my art.
Describe your home in five words.
Traditional, eclectic, Hamptons, relaxed, cottage.
The next big decorating trend is…
Blue and white is going to be big, from lighter tones of faded denim and sky blue, to azure and deep sapphire blue.
Traditional, eclectic, Hamptons, relaxed, cottage.
The next big decorating trend is…
Blue and white is going to be big, from lighter tones of faded denim and sky blue, to azure and deep sapphire blue.
How would you describe your decorating style?
I don’t follow trends as such, although I will buy something if it catches my eye. My style is a mix of traditional and modern. Overall I guess it leans towards a Hamptons look. I’m going to update my modern kitchen in a more traditional style, replacing the current benchtops with granite. I also plan to, miraculously, squeeze in a butler’s pantry where the existing laundry is.
Because my house is small, it’s important to me that my home feels relaxed, so I keep visual
clutter to a minimum. I say ‘visual’ because if you open my cupboards they’re quite the opposite. Although I like to keep the house tidy, it’s still lived in and certainly not precious. I love shopping for home accessories and usually buy pieces I know will work with my existing decor. I have quite a large collection of blue and white ginger jars from Brunei, which tend to dictate a little, but blue and white is timeless and I can’t bear to part with them.
What’s your signature dish?
My signature dish would have to be a decadent chocolate cake recipe I have. The recipe was originally given to me by a close friend. It is fail-proof, everything goes in one bowl and it rises enormously and tastes divine.
Kitchen stools: Shibui
I don’t follow trends as such, although I will buy something if it catches my eye. My style is a mix of traditional and modern. Overall I guess it leans towards a Hamptons look. I’m going to update my modern kitchen in a more traditional style, replacing the current benchtops with granite. I also plan to, miraculously, squeeze in a butler’s pantry where the existing laundry is.
Because my house is small, it’s important to me that my home feels relaxed, so I keep visual
clutter to a minimum. I say ‘visual’ because if you open my cupboards they’re quite the opposite. Although I like to keep the house tidy, it’s still lived in and certainly not precious. I love shopping for home accessories and usually buy pieces I know will work with my existing decor. I have quite a large collection of blue and white ginger jars from Brunei, which tend to dictate a little, but blue and white is timeless and I can’t bear to part with them.
What’s your signature dish?
My signature dish would have to be a decadent chocolate cake recipe I have. The recipe was originally given to me by a close friend. It is fail-proof, everything goes in one bowl and it rises enormously and tastes divine.
Kitchen stools: Shibui
You will not see a [blank] in any house of mine.
A bright-coloured kitchen.
A bright-coloured kitchen.
Can you share your biggest decorating fail with us?
This would have to be my home office. I hung my mother’s vintage chandelier, bought a lovely French chair and then realised it looked and felt detached from the rest of the house. I am living with it for now as I love to work in it, but it really doesn’t suit the style of my home.
Storage baskets: Wallace Cotton
This would have to be my home office. I hung my mother’s vintage chandelier, bought a lovely French chair and then realised it looked and felt detached from the rest of the house. I am living with it for now as I love to work in it, but it really doesn’t suit the style of my home.
Storage baskets: Wallace Cotton
Dewsnaps’ white peony painting is a work in progress.
What do you love to do on Sunday afternoons?
By Sunday afternoon I need a total escape from the internet. If it’s wet, I usually just chill out on the sofa with the latest interior design magazine, a good book or settle down to watch a DVD. If it is a glorious sunny day, it might be a walk along the waterfront with Poppy or browsing the shops along Ponsonby Road, stopping for a cappuccino.
Cushion: Curtainalia
By Sunday afternoon I need a total escape from the internet. If it’s wet, I usually just chill out on the sofa with the latest interior design magazine, a good book or settle down to watch a DVD. If it is a glorious sunny day, it might be a walk along the waterfront with Poppy or browsing the shops along Ponsonby Road, stopping for a cappuccino.
Cushion: Curtainalia
What are your favourite rooms in the house and why?
Since I’ve had the shutters installed in my bedroom, I would have to say this is my favourite room. When I walk into this room, I feel like I am on holiday in the Bahamas. It helps to have a peek
of the neighbour’s exotic palm tree through the shutters. The bedroom is peaceful and serene with a simple palette of sky blue, white and the palest tint of grey on the walls. Although these colours can feel cold, this room receives lots of light and it never looks or feels cold at all. I have still to finish off some of the finer details – the bedside lamps are to be replaced, for example, and I am looking around for
something in hammered pewter – but for the moment the budget has been blown on the shutters.
Bed linen: Household Linens
Since I’ve had the shutters installed in my bedroom, I would have to say this is my favourite room. When I walk into this room, I feel like I am on holiday in the Bahamas. It helps to have a peek
of the neighbour’s exotic palm tree through the shutters. The bedroom is peaceful and serene with a simple palette of sky blue, white and the palest tint of grey on the walls. Although these colours can feel cold, this room receives lots of light and it never looks or feels cold at all. I have still to finish off some of the finer details – the bedside lamps are to be replaced, for example, and I am looking around for
something in hammered pewter – but for the moment the budget has been blown on the shutters.
Bed linen: Household Linens
Dewsnap plans to add shutters and lighten the cabinets in the bathroom.
The guest room was originally the study – Dewsnap updated it in a neutral, calming palette to match the rest of the house and made the linen bedhead herself.
Dewsnap repainted the dark blue exterior in a lighter “and less depressing” shade to give the house more cottage appeal.
Exterior paint in ‘Foggy Grey’: Karen Walker for Resene
Exterior paint in ‘Foggy Grey’: Karen Walker for Resene
Dewsnap relaxes on her lush deck and enjoys the north-facing position for all-day sun. She has also started to grow vegetables and herbs in large pots out here.
Tablecloth: Wallace Cotton
Click to visit Lee Caroline – A World of Inspiration
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Lee’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from Wallace Cotton – has now been announced. Well done, suzannegaye!
If you’d like to submit your blog for this series, follow the instructions found here.
MORE
At Home With … Kristie Castagna From Elements at Home
At Home With … Rachael Honner From Hip Brown Home Blog
At Home With … Eva Burgess From Build House Home Blog
Tablecloth: Wallace Cotton
Click to visit Lee Caroline – A World of Inspiration
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Lee’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from Wallace Cotton – has now been announced. Well done, suzannegaye!
If you’d like to submit your blog for this series, follow the instructions found here.
MORE
At Home With … Kristie Castagna From Elements at Home
At Home With … Rachael Honner From Hip Brown Home Blog
At Home With … Eva Burgess From Build House Home Blog
Who lives here: Lee Dewsnap, her husband David and their adorable Schnoodle, Poppy
Location: Mission Bay, Auckland, New Zealand. It’s situated in front of volcanic island, Rangitoto
That’s interesting: It’s one of the remaining ex-state houses built in New Zealand for government employees after the Second World War.