Balsam Hill

Collaboration

Natalee Bowen & Balsam Hill
Bring Luxe Holiday Style to Life

At Indah Island, we believe that style is not just about decor—it’s about
creating an atmosphere that makes people feel at home. This Christmas
season, Natalee Bowen, founder of Indah Island and Hamptons Living
magazine, has teamed up with Balsam Hill to do just that.
Known for her beautiful Hamptons-inspired aesthetic, Natalee’s
collaboration with Balsam Hill blends timeless elegance with a cozy, festive
charm that turns every home into a holiday haven.
Balsam Hill has earned its reputation as the go-to source for realistic, highquality holiday trees, wreaths, garlands, and seasonal decor. Their
dedication to craftsmanship and quality makes them a natural partner for
Natalee, whose design ethos is centred on creating beautiful, inviting
spaces that feel luxurious yet approachable.

When it comes to holiday decor, Natalee is all about timeless elegance and quality
pieces that can be enjoyed year after year. Balsam Hill’s selection perfectly
complements her Hamptons-inspired interiors, with options that are both versatile
and unique. The brand’s commitment to creating lifelike and beautifully designed
pieces ensures that each tree and decorative item adds a touch of holiday magic
without overwhelming the space.
In this collaboration, Natalee styled several spaces, sharing her expertise on how to
create balanced holiday arrangements that work with existing interiors.
Her design approach features soft, neutral palettes mixed with classic touches of
greenery and metallics, ideal for creating a cohesive look throughout the home. In true
Hamptons style, Natalee incorporates natural textures, fresh blooms, and thoughtful
layering to achieve a warm and inviting holiday atmosphere.
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Bringing the Outdoors In
Balsam Hill’s lush wreaths and garlands make it easy to extend the holiday decor to
porches, entryways, and dining spaces. Natalee showcases ways to effortlessly bring
the outdoors in by combining Balsam Hill’s lifelike greenery with her signature
aesthetic. Her tips include layering garlands around doorways and mantels, arranging
wreaths in unexpected spaces, and adding personal touches, like ribbon or lights, to
make each piece her own.

Tips for Creating Your Own Festive Look
For those looking to recreate Natalee’s holiday style at home, she suggests
starting with a statement tree from Balsam Hill, paired with minimal yet
impactful accessories. Choose a palette that complements your decor and let
each piece shine. Natalee encourages using greenery to add texture and warmth
throughout the home, creating a seamless and sophisticated holiday look.

A Final Word from Natalee
“I love how Balsam Hill’s pieces instantly add a sense of warmth and
sophistication to any space. This collaboration has been such a joy to bring
together, and I hope it inspires others to create beautiful holiday memories in
their own homes,” says Natalee.
This partnership between Natalee Bowen and Balsam Hill is a perfect example of
how two brands can come together to offer something truly special. As the
holidays draw near, we’re excited to share this journey with you and hope it
inspires a season of warmth, beauty, and togetherness.

PRODUCT INFO BELOW

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Transforming Hallways: From Passages to Stunning Hamptons-Inspired Spaces

Hallways: The Overlooked Canvas of your Home

Often dismissed as mere passageways, hallways hold incredible potential to enhance the flow and style of your home. With a little creativity, you can transform these transitional spaces into captivating areas that reflect your personality and embrace the timeless elegance of Hamptons design.

What to Call It

While “hallway” is the most common term, consider calling it a corridor or foyer, depending on its layout and function. Regardless of the name, it deserves attention!

       How to Style Your Hallway
  1. Play with Colour: Choose a bold or soothing colour palette that complements your home’s aesthetic. Light shades reminiscent of coastal hues can create an airy feel, while deep tones add drama and warmth, capturing that classic Hamptons vibe.
  2. Artistic Expressions: Turn your hallway into a mini-gallery. Hang a curated collection of artwork or family photos to tell your story and spark conversations, all while keeping with the sophisticated style of Hamptons interiors.
  3. Lighting That Inspires: Illuminate your hallway with striking light fixtures—think wall sconces, pendant lights, or a statement chandelier. Good lighting not only brightens the space but also highlights your design choices, enhancing that airy Hamptons feel.
  4. Function Meets Style: Incorporate functional elements like coat hooks, a stylish console table, or a bench for added convenience. This makes the hallway practical without sacrificing the elegance associated with the Hamptons style.
  5. Bring in Nature: Add a touch of greenery with low-maintenance plants. They can enliven the hallway and improve air quality, making the space feel fresh and inviting, much like the beautiful landscapes of the Hamptons.

 

Penfolds and The Hamptons Farm Estate Announce Partnership

PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

In the realm of luxury living and indulgence, the partnership between Indah Island and Australian winemaker, Penfolds stands as a testament to the seamless fusion of opulence and sophistication. Indah Island, renowned for its bespoke and breathtakingly beautiful interior designs, has embarked on a unique partnership with Penfolds, one of Australia’s most iconic winemakers. This alliance promises an unparalleled experience that transcends the boundaries of taste, style, and refinement.

 

Indah Island, led by the visionary designer Natalee Bowen, has long been synonymous with creating spaces that redefine luxury living. With an impeccable eye for detail and a commitment to crafting unique, tailor-made interiors, Indah Island has garnered a reputation for transforming houses into dream homes.

 

On the other hand, Penfolds has been at the forefront of Australia’s winemaking heritage, celebrating 180 years in 2024. With a rich history and a commitment to producing exceptional wines, Penfolds has become a global icon in the world of wine. Their portfolio includes some of the most prestigious and sought-after wines, making them a natural choice for those who appreciate the finer things in life.

 

The partnership between Indah Island is a celebration of craftsmanship, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence. Imagine stepping into an Indah Island-designed residence, where every detail has been meticulously curated to reflect a harmonious blend of comfort and sophistication. Now, envision complementing this luxurious ambience with the exquisite flavours of Penfolds. 

 

Indah Island and Penfolds will be hosting exclusive events and tastings for their discerning clientele. These events will provide an opportunity to savour the finest wines in an environment crafted by the masters of luxury living. Whether it’s an intimate wine-tasting evening or a grand soirée, the synergy between Indah Island and Penfolds promises an unforgettable experience for those who appreciate the finer nuances of life.

 

This partnership invites individuals to immerse themselves in the epitome of luxury – a space where impeccable design meets exceptional taste. Indah Island and Penfolds have redefined what it means to live in the lap of luxury, offering a symphony of elegance that resonates with the connoisseurs of both design and wine alike.

Exploring a few of My Favorite Things & Embracing the Indah Island lifestyle

Founder Natalee Bowen When selecting items for my wardrobe, I gravitate towards pieces that embody the essence of my Indah Island Brand – those that are both functional and luxurious, yet possess a timeless quality.

A Glimpse into some of my Lifestyle Essentials

As Indah Island embarks on the exciting venture of launching a Lifestyle Brand in 2024, it is my pleasure to offer you a closer look into the key elements that have seamlessly woven themselves into the fabric of my personal narrative.

The Lifestyle Brand from Indah Island aspires to be a companion on your personal journey, offering not just products but a reflection of the values and aspirations that define you. Each item is thoughtfully crafted to blend seamlessly into your lifestyle, enhancing your experiences and reflecting the essence of what makes your journey uniquely yours.

Subscribe today and join us on this journey of continuous discovery!

How to get the Coastal Hamptons look

We have the pleasure of writing a series of guest editorial columns for Home Beautiful, focusing on a range of particular styles under the banner of Hamptons homes.  We continue the series with the Coastal style for the June edition of Home Beautiful.

The Coastal Hampton’s style is more relaxed in design than its high-end counter parts. It is not contrived in any way and depletes the fuss of a classic. Within its simplicity it has become a favourite amongst the Hampton’s looks. It is pared back to simple lines and features layers of white on white. A true Hamptons home is more than just an interior design trend – it’s a complete way of life! Australia’s beach loving culture leads into a lifestyle that is a non-fuss, relaxed feel that starts from the moment you see the home and continues through out with soft linen sofas, chairs and furnishing. Our climate is perfect for an indoor-outdoor flow of living spaces, and for endless hours our backyard entertaining. We have created these lifestyles homes to enjoy as an eternal holiday at home.

THE FEATURES:

The recipe of a Coastal Hamptons home is simple: you may say the 101 of design. The linear weatherboard is an immediate giveaway that these homes are a Hamptons coastal favourite. With a distinctive pallet of white, there are layers of detail including more clean lines with architraves and popping mouldings that details to entice its relaxed feel. The external balustrade influences the look, it is either a simple spindle or a cross style that adds a touch of beach house. A port hole detail is also a coastal feature that blends beautifully on these homes. From the onset you see a sea of white, immediately you feel you can kick off your shoes, flop in a comfy linen chair and hear the rolling waves in the background. On walls, Hardie Groove panelling replaces the traditional wainscoting, and can be taken up the walls and across your ceiling. Paired with white exposed beams in a higher-than-normal pitched roof, this provides a feature with subtle texture. Timber floorboards are a must in whitewashed oak which are regularly dressed in layered jute and cotton rugs. The Staircase should have square lines with simple spindles and continuing washed oak steps and handrails to bring out the coastal feel.

Whitewashed Oak Staircase

Weatherboard & Porthole Window

VJ Panelling on Walls & Ceiling

The kitchen as always in a Hampton’s home is a standout but instead of heavy detail, we use simple shaker door fronts little to no glass with a square post on the island, it is a less is more approach. Hardware in an antique brass gives a nod to the classic and creates an on trend look that will last the test of time.

Bathroom vanities can have a touch of rattan in the shaker front panel again to create the relaxed look with vertical line wall panels that emphasize the space.

THE FURNITURE

There are two different looks under the Coastal Hamptons banner: the nautical or a modern coastal.  The nautical style leans heavily into a navy and white palette, with lots of striped upholstery. Timber furniture complemented with rattan textures keeps the space grounded. Linen sofas in a deep navy blue with contrast white piping are both dramatic and gorgeous. Sofas in this coastal style should be more relaxed, slouchy and soft. A white console behind the sofa provides an excellent opportunity for vignette styling, to fill the space with your collections of seashells, coral and glass cloches. Striped slipcover dining chairs will keep it relaxed while incorporating another layer of patterned linens. Lighting is always a featured of these homes but with the nautical look we use more wooden with wrought iron touches and glass. Art on the walls would be layers of yachts, coral in blue tones and images of the ocean a plenty. Is in not uncommon to have boat ores in a room which truly brings out that nautical feel. Around the pool are you will most likely find the white Adirondack chairs that capture the true sense of the beach side.

The modern coastal style looks lighter with white on whites and touches of linen neutrals and light blues, it speaks to the beachside living of Australians and with soft toned pastel blues will brings the beachy atmosphere inside. Whitewashed oak and white furniture, with blonde rattan accents keep the space feeling modern and cool. Soft blue linen sofas that you can sit and relax deeply in, are essential to the homely feel of a coastal abode. The forever classic cross back dining chairs with rattan seats are an easy choice.

The materials used in statement lighting can get a bit more creative with beautiful, beaded pendants in shell or wooden beads throughout will communicate a beautiful beach aesthetic.

In these homes you will find bowls of shells, coral and collectables around the coffee, side, and console tables. Using layers of beautiful books to give height to each vignette, they double as entertainment and inspiration to flick though the pages of images to your heart’s content.

We hope you enjoyed this excerpt from our guest editorial column with Home Beautiful!

Subscribe to Home Beautiful’s newsletters and magazines or pick up a copy from your local newsagent – on sale the first Monday of each month – to stay up to date!

How to get the Country Hamptons look

We have the pleasure of writing a series of guest editorial columns for Home Beautiful, focusing on a range of particular styles under the banner of Hamptons homes.  We continue the series with the Country style for the May edition of Home Beautiful.

Long before the Hamptons became a beloved vacation destination for New York’s most affluent, it was simply a string of isolated, barn style farmhouses on sprawling estates in the American country. It wasn’t until the late 1900 to early 2000’s, that the wealthy elites started building their beach side holiday mansions, and this is the ocean-esque concept we mainly associate with Hamptons style.  Fortunately, the Hamptons style isn’t limited to the coastline and can be just as magnificent on a rural property. The houses you see on the original farms usually host traditional practical barns, and they have these beautiful homestead-style houses.  It should come as no surprise then that this timeless interior style has been adapted so well to suit our Australian country charm.  American summer getaways only last three months of the year, yet Australia’s glorious climate is perfect for open plan living that transitions into indoor/outdoor entertaining all year-round.

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

THE FEATURES:

There’s just something about being in the country that revitalises you – the air is better, you sleep deeper and the days seem longer!

A Country Hamptons house is an eclectic mix of both traditional and tropical styles.  Think rustic timbers, earthy hues and full wraparound verandahs. Barn style sliding doors and timber accents abound in a country home, with a no-fuss, laid back atmosphere.  There is a homeliness to a country house, with huge collections of books, hooks for your copper utensils and eclectic collectables throughout.

While the kitchen remains the heart of the home and the centerpoint for entertaining, it should incorporate more timber than marble as durability becomes a priority.  A butlers sink is always an essential and so perfectly suited to the farmhouse aesthetic, and shaker style cabinetry with matte black hardware provides timeless storage.  If you’re brave, choose a beautiful blue hue for your island bench!  Kitchen vignettes really sell the country charm vibe, when you stack wooden utensils in white ceramics, fresh herbs on open shelves and lots of heirloom cookbooks.

Although the rule of thumb is generally ‘do not mix metals’ in a single zone, a country home tends to have grander proportions so mixing up the finishes of your hardware and tapware can be a fun way to inject some eclectic personality!  In the Hamptons Farm Estate, we used black handles throughout, with polished nickel tapware and most of our feature lighting shows off a brass tone.   Include just enough of everything to create balance and you’ll find that on a big scale it all works together!

Cornices and skirting are pared back in a country Hamptons home.  We tend to see more Hardie Groove Lining on the walls than traditional wainscoting.  There’s also no reason you cant do both – with a half height wainscoting design and big panels of VJ separated by a simple dado rail. Dark timber floors will ground your home (pun intended!) with a tone of warmth while bringing in some old-world character.

For practicality’s sake, the Country home wouldn’t be complete without a mud room! Acting as an informal second entry, it is designated to intercept dirty shoes, Akubra hats and wet coats before they are traipsed through your beautiful home!

The kitchen may find it has some competition to hold the title “heart of the home” when a beautiful fireplace is involved! Floor to ceiling stone would make a magnificent feature and a wooden mantle will be the focus point of for your styling all year round!

When I was dreaming of our Great Room in the North Wing of the Hamptons Farm Estate, I knew I wanted soaring ceilings and huge windows to give us constant views of the beautiful rural landscape, and a spacious area to host family, friends and events.  A barn style pitched ceiling with exposed wood beams is sure to clearly communicate that you are standing in the greatness of a country style home! Bi-fold doors open out to our full wrap around verandah and extend all our living spaces, bringing the outdoors in!  Not unlike the colonial Australian style, a sprawling verandah helps with the cooling of the home and providing more entertaining space, like an extra wide hug!

THE FURNITURE:

When filling a country lounge room, I always start with a gorgeous linen sofa, with a layered neutral palette with pops of caramel to complement the colours of the landscape.  Oak woods are perfect in a Country Hamptons look, providing a natural texture in a warm tone.  Slip-cover armchairs in an off white are both practical and beautiful!  Hardware and lighting incorporate a masculine element when finished in a wrought iron or matte black.

When it comes to cushions, I have a rule of three: bring together a stripe, a geometric and a floral print.  This way, there is beautiful interest on your sofa and the patterns will bounce off each other.   Spring and Summer see the incorporation of duck egg blues and eucalyptus greens into my country palette, with lush layers of linen in a stone shade of white.

Comfy outdoor living is key in a country home, so I love to use an array of plump wicker chairs and sofas, clustered for entertaining and lovely conversations.  I love to continue the interior palette of soft blues and greens into the soft furnishings outside.

We hope you enjoyed this excerpt from our guest editorial column with Home Beautiful!

Subscribe to Home Beautiful’s newsletters and magazines or pick up a copy from your local newsagent – on sale the first Monday of each month – to stay up to date!

How to get the Classic Hamptons look

We have the pleasure of writing a series of guest editorial columns for Home Beautiful, focusing on a range of particular styles under the banner of Hamptons homes.  We commenced the series with the Classic style for the April edition of Home Beautiful.

Within the walls of our homes, we are able to create personal retreats and escapes; a cocoon from the rituals of day-to-day life.  Designing your home extends to designing your lifestyle – one that will be the envy of all!

The timeless appeal of the Classic Hamptons style is a refined balance between sophistication and relaxation with indulgent luxury.

The way to master the flow of your home is to add details from front to back that capture the eye as you walk through.  The Classic Hamptons home begs for applause from the moment you enter; with coffered ceilings, layered wainscoted walls and sweeping staircases that delight the senses!

THE FEATURES:

The staircase of a Classic Hamptons home should be its crowning jewel!  Details like a bold newel post with carefully designed spindles – either in a Chippendale pattern or with ornately carved spindles – can be carried throughout the home into other features, making the spaces communicate together.  A black step with a white riser and a bold handrail demand attention!

Coffered ceilings are perfect for a high-end luxury home!  These often include intricate mouldings to add allowance for shadow to pop in every square! Coffered ceilings can be used in an entrance, a great room or any area that requires an extra layer of drama!

Wainscoting is like icing on a cake for your walls. It starts with a beautiful deep, rounded edge dado rail that then works down towards a carefully designed smaller rail. That then guides you along the wall in a square or rectangle design.  This style looks exceptional in entrances, on staircases and they can become a major feature of any wall just by layering these intricate mouldings. They masterfully blend with skirting, cornices and architraves that then allow your colour palette to pop!

Cabinetry is always a highlight but when it comes to a Classic Hamptons home, there is no greater feature than the kitchen itself!  Gone are the days of hiding the kitchen – a Hamptons home is all about entertaining and showing off! The island bench is always the centre of attention, embracing lengths of soft toned Carrara marble.  A feature oven is a must have, sizing no less than 900cm. This becomes a wide, freestanding masterpiece that is not only for cooking but for centralizing the cabinetry design.  A beautiful rangehood demands bold extruding features with glass cabinetry either side, to showcase your collated dinnerwares. Tapware, hardware, butlers sinks and stunning pendant lights are all distinctive elements in a Classic design.

A bath is a must have feature for a Classic Hamptons bathroom.  Whether you use it or not becomes irrelevant when it commands such a luxurious presence in a space!

With freestanding tapware – which is practically jewellery for a wet area – and panelling or shelving, wow moments will abound!  Your counter can be a spot to indulge in by adding a feature mirror, wall sconces and pendants, with a double basin that features refined front panelling that is more than just shaker style.  Marble flooring with a statement border or a checkboard detail is what it’s all about!

A Classic Hamptons outdoor area should be an experience – opening up to flowering arbours, an entertaining alfresco and relaxing sun loungers by the pool.  Outdoor spaces are as equally important as indoor design as it fully encapsulates your lifestyle.   The pleasures of hosting your loved ones and swanning around the pool are sure to be an entertainer’s dream come true!

THE FURNITURE:

When styling a Classic Hamptons home, we introduce the traditional blue and white palette, but include floral and oak tones for depth that translate to a more traditional style. Our Indah Island x Carnival Homewares stripe rugs are essential to set the scene.

Blue linen sofas in a traditional roll arm style are both comfortable and beautiful! Our best-selling Bobbin Armchair is a perfect choice for more statement seating. Their dramatic back design make these chairs breathtaking from all angles! Chesterfield chairs with deep button backs are another great option.

An oak coffee table grounds the space and contrasting side tables bring personality into the room.  I always love to include a bit of rattan in every space to incorporate another layer of natural texture.

Vignettes with eclectic antiques and blue and white ginger jars are a fun way to let your personality shine through.

Lastly, lighting is more elegant in a Classic Hamptons home, with hanging chandeliers of crystal and brass.  Wall sconces and pendants will take your bathroom to the next level and beautiful table lamps scattered throughout will bring ambience and interest to each space.

We hope you enjoyed this excerpt from our guest editorial column with Home Beautiful!

Subscribe to Home Beautiful’s newsletters and magazines or pick up a copy from your local newsagent – on sale the first Monday of each month – to stay up to date!

The Hamptons Farm Estate went viral!

The Hamptons Farm Estate has recently been made available as a luxury destination accommodation venue.  Boasting five magnificent bedrooms, four luxurious bathrooms, and an 11 meter pool, the Hamptons Farm Estate has become the premier option for private and tranquil staycations.

One of our latest guests made headlines around the world after sharing his experience at the Hamptons Farm Estate with his Instagram followers.   Laurence Escalante, the founder of Virtual Gaming Worlds, chose to complete his required quarantine stint with his family at our grand farmhouse. First to break the story was The West Australian in their paper and digital forums.  Then the article was picked up and shared by outlets throughout Australia and worldwide – you could say the Hamptons Farm Estate went viral!

The entrepreneur didn’t let Covid cramp his style, as he shared photos of his many luxury sports cars parked on our front lawn. Mr Escalante declared he wouldn’t stop showing off his luxurious lifestyle, saying he’s proud of what he’s earned and that he enjoyed himself during his quarantine stay at our glamorous estate.

Mr Escalante joined The List – Australia’s Richest 250 – for the first time at the beginning of last year after Covid lockdowns helped his video game business thrive.  However, Mr Escalante came from humble beginnings – working at Hungry Jacks as a teenager before becoming a financial planner after completing a degree at Sydney’s Macquarie University.

The Hamptons Farm Estate is renowned for its many TV appearances and for gracing the covers of multiple Home Beautiful magazine editions.  You can experience the Hamptons sensation for yourself – either as a relaxing resort or as a spacious quarantine facility –  by booking your stay via Exclusive Escapes![/vc_column_text]

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The Ultimate Hamptons Competition

I was honoured and excited to be asked to judge the entrants of the Ultimate Hamptons Competition that was run by Coral Homes with James Hardie!!

With so many impressive submissions, all the judges had our work cut out for us!  To be in the running, entrants had to share their Hamptons themed home built by Coral Homes.

After much deliberation… drum roll please… the clear winner for us all was Kim and Desmond’s Coastal Hamptons House in Queensland!

Their quintessential Hamptons-inspired home, featuring Linea by James Hardie weatherboard exterior, and a calming white-on-white colour scheme with Hardie Groove panelling internally, has taken out the ultimate prize!

“Oh, it’s crazy. It’s so surreal. I still can’t believe it,” says Kim, about being crowned the Coral Homes and James Hardie Hamptons Competition Ultimate Winner.

“There were so many good entrants in it, we didn’t think we were going to win,” Desmond says of their Queensland home.

“But it’s amazing knowing that, I guess people appreciate our style. They love what we did to it.”

“I don’t think we really knew what style we were going for until we saw the Hamptons facade and the Hampton styling, and it was stunning. It was effortless. I feel like it really fits in with the Australian styling here, and brings that coastal vibe that we like,” Kim says.

“We’ve had heaps of parties since we’ve moved in. We love entertaining our friends and family. So the whole layout, and that kind of indoor-outdoor feel was just perfect for us,” Desmond shared.

We’d like to thank all the entrants who made such a huge effort putting their stunning homes forward for consideration. It was my honour to judge this wonderful competition!

Featured Articles: Luxaflex at the Hamptons Farm Estate

These beautiful articles have been published about our lovely Luxaflex shutters and shades at the Hamptons Farm Estate!

Click here to read the article from Custom Homes Magazine.

Click here to read the article from Female.com.au

We’ve also been featured on the cover of Western Weekender – we’re so honoured and excited to be showcasing the window coverings at the Hamptons Farm Estate through these articles.

 

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