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DIY white-washed patten floors

11 Jun

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Well, what a weekend – need another weekend to get over the long weekend! But thrilled with the results of our newly white-washed, patterned floorboards in the Sunroom. If you missed it, here was the photo that inspired this look here. And the best thing, Mr B loves the floors!

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This was back-breaking stuff, but worth every ache and pain. A whole day of prepping and sanding the floorboards in the sunroom, mudroom and bar area. Having previously been an outside verandah, it had some serious coats of ‘weathshield paint’ but surprisingly the floorboards were in great condition. Continue reading →

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DIY Mudroom striped wall tutorial

4 Jun

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Now I’m not claiming to be some ‘stripe’ expert (although I do have an unhealthy amount of striped clothes in my wardrobe..?!) – but in terms of painting stripes, I found this relatively simple if you can spare a few hours. Slow and steady wins the race on this project.

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What you will need

  • Spirit level
  • Rule (long one is helpful)
  • pencil (I used the lightest pencil I had) – there might be a specific ‘trades’ pencil out there!
  • rubber (for mistakes!)

Step 1 – mark lines

Use your spirit level to see whether the wall / window / major feature of the wall, you’re measuring from is straight (I realised our wall wasn’t straight until the third line!). If like our wall above, you have a window in the middle, I would align the stripes to the window rather than the far right / far left wall. Your eye will pick up if the stripes aren’t straight against a window in the middle. Continue reading →

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Painted floorboards

31 May

To paint or not to paint?

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We pulled up the carpet in the sunroom and what a difference that made. Currently the floorboards have a ‘painted’ finish on them – I’m assuming the original stain from when this was an external verandah.

This is my inspiration (white wash instead of black wash):

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What do you think? I think it will be a ‘bit of fun’ as this room will become a reading room / sunroom / children’s playroom etc in the future. And I’ll probably add in some sisal rugs to help soften the space. Would love to know your thoughts – Mr B’s thought was a straight up ’No’. But then I’ve heard that before with my thoughts on the hallway! Might just let this idea sink in over the weekend…!

Have a great weekend – and would love to know your thoughts.

(image via Homelife.com.au)

A week away (and more renovations)

31 May

We were fortunate enough to escape the winter blues, last week for a holiday up in Mooloolaba. A week away relaxing by the beach, playing a spot of golf and eating our body weight in seafood! It also gave us me time to reflect on our current reovations and what the next project will be (more on that later).

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just chillin’

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a spot of golf

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My parents in law (who are absolute SAINTS) stayed at ours whilst we were away and looked after Wilbur. They also said they would help paint one of the existing bedrooms. However, when we returned, I was blown away…. Continue reading →

Half painted walls for bedroom 3

20 May

Our house is 92yrs old and with all the character and charm comes the reality of ‘old’ walls. The walls in bedroom 3 are looking more like a mexican wave, than straight walls. So my idea of rather than pulling down all of the plasterboard and replace it, maybe we could install panelling/wainscoting instead?

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I believe the French (or so say the magazines) are favourable to painting the bottom half of walls – in grey of course! and thought that would be a nice continuation from the hallway (see here). I would paint it Dulux Tranquil Retreat, to what we’ve used elsewhere .

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Do I just paint or add a chair rail? Or go the ‘whole hog’ and add panelling?

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I could display pictures on the chair rail, if I selected the right one (like above). Continue reading →

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Some graphic rugs for bedroom 3

17 May

I’m tackling bedroom 3 at the moment and looking for some ‘pops’ of colour and graphic inspiration… that’s affordable! Luckily IKEA has come to the party – its been ages since I’ve been to IKEA and just cruising through their site, I was reminded of how well they do good design at small prices.

The walls are currently painted Dulux White on White and is a little dark, which is why I’m swaying towards something graphic and/or bright accessories, that can be updated and changed. And a rug is a great option:

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And the best thing, these are only $49 – $99 each! Crazy. I will reveal my other accessory choices soon :)

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Spare bedroom ideas – to wallpaper?

21 Feb

I have been dreaming of using wallpaper in two of the spare bedrooms we have – they face west and are quite dark. So having already painted 3 white undercoats (to cover some darker exisiting walls there) – I have been thinking about adding some colour and interest to one wall of each bedroom with wallpaper.

Next conundrum – finding wallpaper that I can justify spending on a spare bedroom! The wallpapers I love are around AUD$250 – $300 a roll + shipping costs to our home = ridiculous amounts (see my Wallpaper Pinterest board). So discovered some pretty wallpapers on Laura Ashely. Usually I find their stuff a little too ‘pretty’, but have been drawn to these two patterns:

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Hydrangea Camomile

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but this is my fave – Nolita smoke

Here are some moodboards based on the above wallpapers:

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leaf cushion | green cushion | recycled glass vase

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yellow cushion | bluve chevron | petal vase

Continue reading →

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Our house : Hallway update

19 Feb

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Our hallway is still such a working progress, like the rest of the house - must finish the second coat of blue paint (so excuse the above photo) – but it feels like its coming together slowly. Finally got around to putting up some rustic hooks in the hallway (which I bought over a year ago at Our Corner Store, Bangalow). I had been tossing up whether I should attach them (4 in total) to a rustic piece of wood and then attach to the wall. But I blu-tacked them up to the wall and liked the ‘clean’ look of them. I thought I would add the two additional hooks to outside the front door (to hang the really dusty jackets).

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And replaced the exisiting lamp shade with a vintage bird cage I’ve had for a few years. Until I save up for the exact lighting I want for the hallway, the bid cage is perfect for adding a bit of charm and character to the hallway.

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You can see from the above picture, I need to finish painting all of the door trim in white. And I’m yet to pick up our two new ‘heritage’ timber flyscreen doors – which will make a huge difference to the front entrance. Looks like more painting this weekend…!

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our house: office update

12 Feb

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Last night during the storm (yey, raindance worked!) we lost digital tv reception, so I decided to work on unpacking (still) boxes for my office. Hopefully you’re not too tired of seeing my office! I folded neatly an entire box of fabric – yes I do love to buy fabric – and rolled in a big round table for my desk. Then sat there, with the rain and wind blowing through the windows, setting it up – bliss! Still have quite a few more things to do (roman blind), new office chairs, hang pictures etc. 

What is your workspace like? Do you have a whole room, or a cupboard, or just your laptop in the lounge? Do you feel more inspired when you are in the right ‘zone’

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#shareyourworkspace competition

11 Feb

Workspaces are as individual as the person working in them. I think they reveal alot about the person, their dreams and inspirations. Whether it be a dedicated room that is super organised, a cascading pile of paper on the dining room, a loft space or garden shed.

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This week share your workspace and tag @ShareDesign on instagram and you could win a sweet little prize – a Dinosaur Design mythical vase – see below (also available in orange):

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Although my office isn’t complete, this will certainly spur me on to complete and instagram it this week! Read about the full requirements here. Good luck :)

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DIY Spotty wall revealed

24 Jan

Following on from yesterday, I finally downloaded some photos from my camera (not instagram!) of the completed spotty wall. Hope you enjoy :)

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Although I’ve completed the spotty wall, I’ve yet to finish furnishing/styling the office. Below is a quick snap (excuse the blurry photo) of the hallway, which I used the same blue – Dulux Passionate Blue. What do you think?

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Gone spotty for spots

23 Jan

I have indeed gone a little spotty (*dotty*)! I love everything about spots – the simplicity, the playfulness of them, the smile it brings to my face. As you may have seen on instagram, I have painted my office wall in navy spots. Its the last room as you leave the house, and makes me smile each time.

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Here are a few more spotty images I love:

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Leopard print ottoman via Lonny

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Hand painted envelope via Hello Sandwich  Continue reading →

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web love: Country Culture

9 Jan

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This will be my first post for 2013, and although I had grand plans on posting about the year ahead, instead I’m excited to share this website with you, Country Culture. Most importantly it is a website supporting Australian made, owned and produced products put together by a very clever lady based in regional NSW – something I too am passionate about.

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The brainchild of Angela, based in Quirindi NSW, this is not only a great looking website, but functional and quite clever. You can buy ‘air mail friendly gifts’, gift sets, gift vouchers, search by theme, serach by region, a wishlist (for those who need a subtle hint), and there are even icons on every product displaying what is Australian made / owned / produced – see below:

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Above are just some of my picks but I’m so thrilled to discover this website showcasing the talents of people found regionally and in sometimes unexpected places. Not only are there new and exciting artisans, but many of who you may be familiar with – Sally Beresford, Angus and Celeste, Boatshed Beach Towels, Gina and May, Harriet Goodall Handmade etc. You can sign up for weekly updates on their website, which I have done and can’t wait to fully explore this fantastic website. I know where I’ll be dropping by for the next birthday / present.

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How grey is grey?

22 Nov

We finally settle next Friday – beyond excited (trying to act like a rational adult until then!).  I have settled on our paint colours and can’t wait to actually start decorating. However, having only been to the house twice, I am basing all of my choices off photos, the internet and hundreds of visits to the paint selector at the hardware store (I know, crazy right!). So now I’m having this awful feeling that maybe the colours I have selected may be too dark or not ‘right’ for the spaces. So how grey is grey? Has anyone else used Dulux ‘Tranquil Retreat’ in their house before?

Painting the grey in our main bedroom, lounge and living – other inspiration:

Have you selected a grey before and over the moon with the results? I realise each house and sitation is different, but would love your thoughts :)

Images 1,2 & 3

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Heavy metal

9 Nov

If you, like me, are a little obssessed with chairs – we’re in good company! Est Magazine, have released a mini issue ‘heavy metal’ on the ever famous Tolix A Chair. Read it here. Whilst reading I saw this image – pretty much is my perfect kitchen! Have a great weekend :)

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House: All things Navy – hallway ideas

12 Oct

So to the first post about my ideas for our new home – Navy. Can’t stop thinking about all things Navy and grey. I would love to do something ‘radical’ with colour, but keep coming back to ‘ol trusty blue.

Hallway - we have a very long hallway (6 doorways) coming off it, with 14ft ceilings, so have been loving a mix of navy and white between chair rails, picture rails or all blue. I have looked at lighter / softer blues but I keep returning to the high contrast of dark navy/grey and white. Some inspiration:

another one – more ‘peacoke’ blue:

Source: shelterpop.com via emma on Pinterest

or grey blue wainscotting to chair rail and white above?:

lighter blue/grey?:

high contrast – really makes an impact:

I love the molding details on this, might be best on a small area rather than the entire hallway:

 

Decisions, decsions, decisions! I’m such a visual person, that I’m thinking i’ll have to illustrate these before selecting a paint colour. What are your favourite colour combos? Anything that you see yourself returning to time and time again?

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A rustic coffee table from Oak & Elm

16 Sep

I discovered this rustic coffee table this morning whilst flicking through July’s Country Style – isn’t it gorgeous! Unfortunately, the full page image in the mag is much better in real life. This gorgeous house and furniture is made by Justin Hermes of Oak & Elm and his artist girlfriend, Morgan Allender.

I love the grey tones of the birch legs and the rustic pine top You can read the article here on homelife.com.au and view the St Mark’s table and others at Oak & Elm. Continue reading →

Oh deer

15 Aug

Having one of those “oh dear” days (well seems like a few weeks now) - dealing with banks and their (insert appropriate word) policies. But how gorgeous are thes deer prints from Urban Road – definitely would hang this in my kitchen, for all of those “Oh dear” culinary moments! Also on sale at Temple & Webster – join if you haven’t already, fabulous bargains….like these!

Continue reading →

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Liberty: behind the scenes of a designer

8 Aug

As a graphic designer, I love the thought of creating my own fabric design. Have experimented in the past, but have only ended up in the scrap pile, certainly nothing I could wear with pride! I saw this ‘behind the scenes’ You Tube video of Liberty’s textile designers. Such an amazing insight to see the process, and some of the fabulous new range.

Liberty have also released a range of ulphostery fabrics – the same beautiful prints, only on a heavier fabric to withstand the daily use as furniture so happens to encounter.

Continue reading →

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est mag out

3 Aug

The latest edition of est magazine is live – and what a bumper feature. Here are just a few snaps that caught my eye. I know I’ll be enjoying this over the weekend, curled up on our lounge with a coffee and macbook. Have a great weekend (and promise to get back into more blog posts next week).

 

(above) Loving this Bally print and rustic table

Clean, neutral living space – love the white floorboards and mantle

Continue reading →

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