Feature Friday: East Coast Living

Hello! If you’re new to my Feature Friday posts this is where I love to show you inside real homes. I know you are going to love this home, it's full of love, charm and character.

This is the the home of Jucqui of East Coast Living

Jacqui lives the coastal life in Newcastle, Australia with her family and super cute pooch in their beautiful Hampton's inspired home. Jacqui busies herself with teaching and her design and styling services at East Coast Living, helping you create a relaxed and beautiful home.

Jacqui was so kind to share her home with you all today and a little bit about her and her life. You may recognise Jacqui from Instagram? She has a loyal following, of fellow coastal home loving enthusiasts. Renown for her coastal colour palette, shades of sea greens and blues and knack for putting together beautiful vignettes and styling rooms of her home.

Jacqui, tell us a bit about yourself, as well as your home and loves!

I am an Early Childhood teacher and have worked with babies for many years, I currently teach Early Education and Care at Tafe. I have an amazing family, my husband Don and I have been married for 20 years and we have 3 children, Kiah (18), Jed (15), Flynn (10) and our sweet dog, Paisley.

Tell us a little about East Coast Living and how it started

When we added a second storey to our home 3 years ago I thrived on the whole process, I was involved in the design with the architect and worked closely with the builders. When our home was finished it won a design award and was featured in a local magazine ‘Hunter Lifestyle’ I received so many comments from professionals, family and friends about the styling of our home and was encouraged to undertake some short interior design courses.

Since then I have worked with some local clients, you could say this is my passion and my hobby and one day I would love this to become my occupation. I created the website East Coast Living to set myself up for future work and coastal shopping tours. I just need more hours in the day!

I would love to know more about your home and your renovations - do share!

Our home was a tiny miners cottage when we bought it 19 years ago, full of character and charm. We have tried to keep many of the original pieces as we have renovated over the years, the fireplace and leadlight windows remain a feature in the dining room. In some ways it feels like we renovated for the first 10 years of buying our new home, we slowly saved for a new kitchen, bathroom, garage conversion, the list goes on. I love painting so am always painting a room or a piece of furniture. We have done 2 major renovations in the past 19 years, firstly adding a third bedroom and extending the size of the lounge room, more recently adding a second storey (parent’s retreat) and a pool. This is our forever home.

I have been following your Instagram account and love seeing your home and gorgeous style. What do you love most about your home?

There is so much I love about our home. When we did our first renovation we were easily lead by the builders and had some regrets, including awful exterior paint colours, replacing an old porcelain sink and panelling in the bathroom, I still regret these choices now. When we did our recent renovation we were a little older and wiser and knew exactly what we wanted, our home now is perfect for the needs of our family, we now have both a parents and teenagers retreat. I love the neutral colour scheme and the mix of old and new furniture as well as the coastal décor.

What does the word home mean to you?

Home to me is comfort surrounded by the people I love. I am a homebody and crave days at home to potter, read and relax.

Describe your style?

I’m a beach girl and love living so close to the ocean. So I think it is safe to say my style is coastal, I love the freshness that white brings to a space with pops of sea blue and greens.

Your inspiration for your home?

I am always seeking inspiration from others. I think I subscribe to every magazine ( slight addiction) Home Beautiful is always my favourite and I have a digital subscription to US magazine, Coastal Living.
I am drawn to coastal American homes and follow many Instagram and Pinterest pages for inspiration as well as many Australian Instagram pages. I feel that through Instagram I have found many new friends with common interests.

Favourite room in your home?

Would have to be my bedroom, it feels so relaxing and such an indulgence after having a tiny bedroom for so many years. I love that you can glimpse the ocean from bed.

Biggest indulgence?

I think I have two - Our pool area, fitting our pool in to a small backyard and converting the laundry to a pool entertainment area. Totally worth it.
Our ensuite has the most divine bath which I use every night, I did bring bathroom and light fittings home in my hand luggage from L.A, that’s a little indulgent!

What do friends say when they visit your home?

Many of my friends say they feel like they are on holidays when they visit, they might give me a bit of a hard time about my pineapple obsession.

Favourite places to shop for home decor and furniture?

My most favourite purchases are from holidays. I love having reminders of travel around me. More locally, I love the shopping on the northern beaches in Sydney.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF JACQUI'S EAST COAST HOME?

Are you in love with it's relaxed beach style?

For me it has that endless summer vibe, each day would feel like I am waking up on a coastal holiday. I think the backyard renovation and pool entertainment area was well worth it, imagine spending a summer afternoon there. Bliss!

CONNECT WITH jacqui

If you've enjoyed reading about this home and learning more of Jacqui be sure to connect with her via her website and Instagram

>> Website || Instagram <<

I know Jacqui would love to read your comments, so feel free to leave one below.

Note - all photos were supplied to me by Jacqui to be published on Glamour Coastal Living