Is the title of our latest published work in the January 2011 issue of GoodHomes magazine…
.. on pages 62 to 67 – which is about how ‘Amanda and Keith McGuile transformed a neglected Victorian semi in to an elegant family home’ all ready for Christmas.
Just back from shooting a fabulous little Irish cottage…
.. owed by Sarah & Geoff Mitchell, near Fanad Head at the northern tip of Donegal – famous for its stunning scenery and magnificent lighthouse.
So needless to say, we couldn’t go all that way and not photograph the lighthouse…
.. despite freezing weather and high winds…
.. and also take some shots of Sarah and her little twin boys, Rupert and Archie, too…
.. walking along the winding lighthouse road – before enjoying a pint of Guinness in front of a roaring fire in the local pub to warm us up 🙂
Anyway, the storyline:
Geoff is a builder and Sarah previously worked in the media but is now a full-time Mum.
Both Sarah and Geoff spent many childhood holidays in Northern Donegal and always dreamt of one day buying a holiday home there.
After several years of looking, they finally found this little place.
It is located in Fanad Head which is virtually the most Northernly tip of Ireland and consists of a stunning lighthouse, approx 8 traditional houses and a pub !! The cottage was very dilapidated and run down but the couple have completely re-furbished it.
So started in the living room…
.. which Marie quickly styled while I lit it up…
.. before going into the kitchen, which clearly required a few Red Bulls…
.. and some major tiding too …
.. as we had been using this room as our base – before heading up to the bedrooms…
.. which I just loved…
.. everything about.
Anyway, just like to say a big ‘Thank you’ to Sarah & Geoff, who own Paddy Mors cottage here, for making us feel so welcome.
They sure have done a fantastic job – as it’s the perfect hideaway to enjoy a complete break & just relax.
So we hope the Editors will like it too – and look forward to seeing the full set images in print real soon.
From Marie & me in beautiful county of Donegal.
www.ampimage.com
.. well not quite – but I must say, Marie did an amazing job here on this one.
It was pouring down outside too – so the lights got totally soaked – plus I discovered the old Land Rover has a leaky roof too.
But looking at the end results…
..it was worth it.
So 10 out of 10 Marie – and thank you once again for helping me produce another set of beautiful images.
Fingers crossed the Editors will like it too – and we will see the full set of images in a Christmas issue next year.
Added note on the 25th Nov: 25 Beautiful Homes magazine said: “Yes please”… so that’s one to look out for this time next year.
.. with a wee bit of pushing & shoving…
.. we managed to get a great result this week – so Congratulation to Carol here…
.. who’s home was snapped up by Ideal Home – which we reckon was largely due to this image…
.. and that very unusual cushion – and so, your home should be appearing in their magazine in the early part of the next year.
The storyline:
Carol bought the home approx 7 years ago and did a lot of work to it such as a new kitchen, fireplace etc. But the main storyline is probably about her love of recycling old bits and pieces that she picks up from Charity shops, salvage yards, and auctions. Kind of interesting too that her favourite colour is green !!
So way to go, Carol – and thank you once again for inviting us into your beautiful home.
From Marie & me @ www.ampimage.com
Any interesting story in the news at present…
Ilyuka’s vendor has spared no expense in an effort to sell the historic home in a softening property market. $200,000 has reportedly been spent on a five-minute, mini-movie of “The story of 24hrs in Ilyuka”.
More on the story here: $200,000 plus to sell a house?
But what’s even more interesting to me, is how they choose to spend their budget, in terms of the media they used. Very much web-based which includes this great YouTube video…
.. which is all about selling the Sizzle, rather than selling the Steak.
Love it !!
.. but as they say: Where there’s a will there’s a way.
We started shooting homes this week, for next years Christmas issues …
.. and as funny as that may sound, it was nothing compared to how funny the camera system looked…
..as I tried to squeeze it right into the corner for this shot…
.. of the living room.
Still, pleased with the results, as I feel we produce some great images here…
.. which was pretty much sitting up perfect…
.. so it only needed a few small tweaks…
.. and a splash of early morning sunlight, to turn it from this…
.. into something which hopefully the Editors will like…
.. enough to give it a nice Big Spread in their next years Christmas issue.
So Merry Christmas from Marie & me – as we look forward to seeing this in print next year, in one of the big national magazines… hopefully 🙂
www.ampimage.com
Two features in the Christmas issue of Period Ideas magazine this month.
So congratulations to Michelle Jackson, who’s townhouse in Belfast made it onto the cover…
.. as well as featured on pages 74 to 80.
And to Donna and Paul Flower…
.. who’s farmhouse located near Bideford in Devon was featured on pages 74 to 80.
Plus a big thanks to Steve at Chilli Media for this result.
.. as they would say in this part of the world – when it’s raining.
But it was also a good day for the ‘new’ wagon to arrive.
After 9 years of driving 3 different black VW Sharan’s, we decided it was time for a change.
So here it is, our ‘new’ and very wet Land Rover…
Discovery II – which will hopefully transport us and all the gear, to many far of places, for years to come.
Want list:
Side Steps.
Sports Bars.
Access Ladder.
Wishlist:
Expedition roof rack.
Mondial alloy wheels.
So no doubt over the coming years, we will in & out of The 4×4 Store, in Ards, a few times to see Ian 🙂
.. and the first of the magazines are out.
We have 3 in 25 Beautiful Homes this month:-
Paula and Declan Strain’s Victorian detached house in the County Down town of Newry – titled “Wish upon a star”…
.. on pages 44 to 49.
Helen Madden’s ground-floor apartment in Holywood – titled “Gift Wrapped”…
.. on pages 67 to 71.
And Collette & Sam McNulty’s cottage-style terrace near Doonbeg in County Clare – titled “Surprise package”…
.. on pages 134 to 137.
More to follow over the next few days – so be sure to watch this space 🙂
