So I'm feeling a little fragile...

Only I go away to the Gold Coast and spot something large, heavy and fragile to bring home. Well. Nearly only me. My mother-in-law (with whom I was holidaying) also spotted something. But she decided to live without it. However since I couldn't leave mine behind, I went back and got hers too. And posted both to myself in Melbourne.

It was actually a lot cheaper than I anticipated. $25 each to post. Not bad given mine was a large ceramic garden stool.

 

Stool similar to the one I found on

the Gold Coast. Mine is more a subtle

grey/blue and is to go in the front room.

Mother-in-law's item was a similarly sized ceramic hand painted Japanese style pot. She really really liked it - and given she was so generous taking us to the Gold Coast I wanted to surprise her with it.

I am reasonably confident the garden stool will make it here intact. It's relatively well packed and quite sturdy. I am less optimistic about the pot which was not so well packed and had to be shoved into a second box (after a lengthy hunt around Pacific Fair the other day to find something the right size). It's also thinner so probably more delicate.

Anyway. Will wait and see. I sent the pot on Wednesday and the stool Thursday - so am hopeful they will arrive next week some time. Hopefully intact - I'll let you know! Really hoping they arrive in good order and look well in their intended spaces. Both took a lot of work to pack and post so I am hoping they're worth it!

Christmas Lights

Being part of a street that 'lights up' at Christmas, we've started really getting into the swing of things. This has involved getting new powerpoints under the eaves for Christmas lights, as well as buying new light up items.

The plan is we will add to the selection of lights - 1 new thing a year. This year we actually got three new items - 2 'star' rope lights hung in the 2 front windows, as well as a set of 3 illuminated present boxes. Next year I am thinking of getting an outdoor illuminated Christmas Tree to sit the presents beneath.

It's hard to get a decent photo of it, but here's a couple I snapped off last night.

 

With the flash - so you can see the window

stars and the presents by the front door

 

As it looks from the street at night

Have also decorated the tree for the year. All it is missing is a new set of Christmas lights. I had planned to go a two-toned colour scheme this year, but in the end I am liking the plain silver. Need to get the ladder out to straighten up the star - and I will invest in a new set of lights as the set we have is very small and not really up to the job.

 

It is nice to sit in the front room

and look at the tree

Can't believe it's nearly the end of the year - our first full one in our new home. I still have so many plans for decorating this place, so hope to continue having things to write about in the new year!

Electrified!

So when we built I thought we'd thought of every POSSIBLE powerpoint and plug. Apparently not!

Yesterday had sparkies out to do bits and bobs. None of it took that long, and it was relatively inexpensive, but little things make life easier! We:

• Had the 2 plug powerpoint behind the main TV replaced with a 4 plug powerpoint - this makes using a DVD player there so much easier!
• Had a 4 plug powerpoint added above the deep freeze. This is my 'charge' spot for batteries and appliances so it's handy to have so many points here
• Added an outdoor powerpoint on the side externally for the Kaacher
• Swapped the mecs in 3 spots so they are more logical
• Had 2 powerpoints installed under the eaves for external Christmas lights
• Had another powerpoint installed next to Sean's sitting room chair so he can work on his laptop easily there
• Had an outdoor sensor and light installed over the driveway and bin area to light up the driveway and path for pedestrians and vehicles

All simple things - all have made a real difference :)

 

The external Christmas lights - 

here installed under the eave on a timer

Draped, too!

So with Oscar getting curtains and bunting, little Miss has been more than a little vocal wanting the same. As far as SHE was concerned, things were promised and not (yet) received. The jury rests!!

So today there was a trip to IKEA. To get some cheapie sheers for her curtain rod, and a cheapie frame for a print I've had lying around and thought would be nice in her room.

 

Pole in. Waiting for sheers.

No bunting. No curtains.

Little Miss not happy!!

 

With a set of 2 sheers.

IKEA LILL for $6 a pair.

 

Here shown with one curtain each side of the centre.

 

And a bunting for a bit of decoration.

 

Am seriously considering buying another pair.

$6 is hardly going to break the bank.
Here shown with both panels on one side -
double thickness.

 

And I really like the fuller feel.

 

Also framed up an old Ida Outhwaite 

print to go into Adelaide's bedroom.

A busy but productive day. Oh if every household wish could be satisfied by a $6 purchase. $12 if I decide to get a second set :P

Draped

So our lovely friend Margie was kind enough to start her long weekend coming by our place to put up a couple of curtain poles.

While the blockout rollers we've had in the kids' rooms are fine, we've needed a little extra colour to make the rooms 'pop'.

In Oscar's room have added navy side drapes. They can close to fully cover the window - but basically they're there to frame the space. I am so pleased with how they've turned out!

 

With the pole - waiting for the right drapes

 

Room with navy side drapes added

 

Rest of the room

Have gone with pre-mades as chances are they'll be swapped over as room colours and tastes change. I didn't want to spend a lot. Am pleased with the look, though! Now all I need is a cushion, or two, for the arm chair and his room is done. For now at least ;)

In Adelaide's room, I am thinking of adding white sheers across the whole expanse. I think it will add a little softness to the space.

 

Am yet to find the right sheers for Adelaide's room.

I have my eye out, though ;)

A small project completed, but another step in the right direction :) In time I plan to do likewise in the guest bedroom. However being a low use area, I'll probably have curtains made for that space as I don't mind paying a little extra to make the space right.

More Art

In my other post I showed 3 artworks Sean bought for my birthday. Well. Loved them so much he bought me the other 2 in the series!

I am so pleased with how well they look at either end of my kitchen table. The table itself needs styling up - but the art makes a good start!

 

The Shrine and Luna Park -
the new additions

 

Here hung at the Northern end of

our kitchen table

 

A perfect complement to the three

hanging at the Southern end of 

the table

Very pleased with the overall look :)

Wishes do come true

Adelaide has been desperate for a bookcase 'of her very own'. I wanted something wide enough that she could use the top to house her dolls house as well - and nothing seemed quite the thing - until I found a half-height extra wide bookcase on EBAY.

Bought it for next to nothing, and in the next week or so Sean will paint it white. In the meantime, though, here it is in pride of place in her room - ready to surprise her when she gets home from Grandma's this afternoon!

 

The new bookcase in Adelaide's room

 

Will paint it white and add some

baskets to store her toys. 

<7/11/13 Update>  Need to come back and update on how little Miss reacted to the new bookcase. Well - after being led to her room for a 'surprise' Adelaide ran screaming up and down the hallway thanking Mumma and Dadda for her 'very own special boo'case!!!'. Numerous cuddles and kissies of legs (interrupted by running back to her room and re-checking the surprise) ensued :D

A few initial books were provided by her beloved Grandma. An entire bookcase has now been furnished with lovely books - and the top with her dolls house. Still not painted. It will be - but it's a particularly busy period at home right now.

But it pleases me our lovely girl has a space for her books and treasures <3

Not quite as planned

So I had planned a canvas to sit over my computer in the study nook. I loved the pic (a recent one of the kids) and I measured the space then ordered it. But when it arrived it just looked far too 'busy' in the study nook area :(

I was thinking it looked 'ok' there - until our junior art aficionado suggested hanging it on the wall to the right of the nook. We tried it there and BINGO. The right spot for it!

In time we will add a second same sized canvass beside it (probably another beach scene but in 3 or 4 years time). But for now I am quite pleased with the unexpected placement.

 

To the right of the study nook.

"See Mum - I told you it would look good here!"

The artwork. Oscar and Adelaide at Brighton Beach.

 

Looking down the hallway to the front door.

Just what this spot needed :)

Triptych

Quite some time ago I found 3 artworks I really liked. Sean bought them for my birthday - and finally today we hung them.

And now they are in place, I love them even more!

I love them so much, in fact, I plan to buy the remaining 2 in the series. To hang on the opposite wall.

 

Some things are meant to be. These were destined for my home. I am thrilled with them!

Front Room - a 360

And after much waiting, today the armchairs for the front room arrived. They are SO comfy, and one of the final touches for the front room.

The room still desperately needs some artwork, a rug, cushions and styling - but I am happy with the way the bones are coming together.

 

Looking into the sitting room, new

armchairs on the left

 

Drinks sideboard beside the couch

 

Other end of couch and armchair

flanking the fire

 

Two armchairs and the larger sideboard

 

Sitting in the armchair beside the fire

looking back out to the entryway

Very open to styling ideas, as I am at a bit of a loss. The armchairs definitely need cushions and it also needs a rug. I like the openness of the room, so don't want to clutter it with a coffee table, but practicality dictates some sort of table or side tables will be needed.

Spring has Sprung!

Spring is here and suddenly the doors and windows are open and the garden is blooming! The long winter months have got me interested in winter colour for the garden - and one of the most stunning plants I have found is the Hellebore. I make it sound like this was a recent find, but actually I discovered these little wonders a month or so ago. That's right - Hellebores are winter bloomers!

A neighbour has a pretty green and purple bank in her garden, but then I learned there are many other rather pretty varieties of these plants. They're apparently easy to grow (my neighbour says hers thrive on neglect) and they like dappled sunlight in summer but more direct light in the cooler months. My front garden could be just the spot!

 

A selection of Hellebore

 

One particular variety I want in my front garden

 

Interested in this one, too!

There's a local grower who sells them and has open days every Sunday until the end of November. I thought it might be worth a day trip up there to see some of the varieties and pick up 4 or 5 to block plant.

Blinded

So the blinds were installed Saturday arvo and look GREAT. I would have put up a pic immediately, but Sean broke his arm a few hours after they went up - and so I have been a wee bit busy since then.

I love the fabric. I love the chain drive mechanism - just too easy. I also love they are overmounted so when they are up there is no loss of light. And I REALLY love the reduction in echo and heat loss! I am slowly getting my head around colours, textures and spaces to bring the room together. Will not be for a while, but I am thinking about how to make it really look great with some decor items.

 

In the meantime here is a dodgy shot so you can see the basic colour and how they look in the meals area. Has made a huge difference to the space :) Thanks Margie!

Cheap and cheerful

A few little projects completed this morning. Putting up a hanging rack for the wrapping paper inside the spare room cupboard. Moving a door stop.

 

A cheap and easy way to store
wrapping paper and greeting cards.

 

Moved the door stop to prevent the door handle
banging against the new mirror.

Almost Blinded

Exciting news today - Margie let me know the blinds have arrived! They won't be hung for a few weeks yet, but it's still exciting to know they are in. They're still wrapped up, so obviously it's not a brilliant shot. Still excited to see it :)

Ready to be delivered and hung

our roman blinds for the rear -

Broome fabric in the colour 'Mushroom'

Entry Mirror

Much excitement, today. We had Tom from Ellis Art Installation out to hang the entryway mirror.

I love watching a real professional work. He knew exactly what to do, had all the equipment, and made it look oh so easy. Definitely recommend his services if you need a mirror or artwork professionally hung.

It what seemed like no time at all, our entryway went from boring to beautiful!

 

 

Of course, as is usually the case, one job begets another - and so this weekend Sean will be putting a longer doorstop on to protect the mirror's frame from the front cupboard handle. But that's a job of only a few moments and then I can take the teatowel off the cupboard handle and the entryway will be perfect!

So much for not spending...

The kids were at Grandma's today. So Sean and I went for a wander. A wander which saw us ending up at a little store where I saw these. 

 

Augustine Wingbacks in Taupe

I have been looking at these for a while and pondering whether to get a couple for the front room. Well today I decided they would look great and so we've placed an order for two. It was good timing as they're expecting a shipment in a couple of weeks - and they're all spoken for bar two so we've not long to wait.

Of course - it still leaves all the little things yet to complete in the front room - but it's another step in the right direction.

Something I am looking for to add to the space is a floor lamp. I know they are unspeakably old fashioned, but I think this space can carry it - particularly with the right shade. And it will give some vertical emphasis to the space which it also needs.

More Waiting

So it's been a while since I posted anything. While I have been doing things, there's not a lot to actually show!

Have finally ordered blinds for the back room. After about her 50th visit to the house to talk window options with me, I've finally given Margie the order. They're to be a linen look chain driven roman blind. We will be having 14 in all - which will be the 2 windows in the hall, a total of 5 blinds across the 2 sets of french doors, the 2 windows in the living room and the 5 in the meals area. Each blind is to be slightly overmounted to give the illusion of higher windows. The fabric is called 'Broome' and the colour 'Mushroom' and it is precisely what I was after.

 

Broome fabric in 'Mushroom'

I really like the texture of the fabric, and am hopeful it will look as I envisage once they're in.

Also I have booked the mirror to be wall mounted. The fellow will be out here on Monday. I hope it will be straight forward - although there is lots of wiring in the wall cavity as there is a plasma wall mounted on the other side of the wall in the bedroom. Will wait to hear what he says!

Between the blinds and the mirror (purchase, transport and hanging) I've been spending a bit at the moment - so expect the next few months posts to be about 'cheap and cheerful' additions or modifications to the house. I need to sit on my hands for a while ;)

I do plan to make a gift wrapping area, soon, so stay tuned for that. I also have a couple of small sewing projects planned. Finally I have the frames ready for the prints I got for my birthday - so that will be another project I can move along with.

Reflections

So for a while I have wanted a huge mirror for the entryway. I knew what I wanted just not where to get it for a reasonable price. And then I found it. On EBAY! It took a while to get it here but here it is and today it was unwrapped. And it's perfect <3

 

The new mirror gets the seal of
approval from the two smallest
members of the household

I fear it might prove difficult to wall mount. It is either 30 or 50kg (box said 30kg - description elsewhere says 50kg) and it does not have wall mountings as such (although there are bolt fixings at the back which I suspect are for that purpose). However will cross that bridge when we come to it.

For now it has been slid behind a cabinet to protect it from the kids / the kids from it. Can't wait to have it installed!

Bare

So for a while I have been bemoaning how bare the house looks. Especially the walls. I really need to get on and organise curtains as the house is looking so unfinished. But in the meantime I have found some art I really like.

Surfing around cyberland, I came across 'Don't Look' - a series of blind contour sketches of local Melbourne buildings by Every Studio. Blind contour drawings are done without the artist looking at the canvas - so they are really abstract but by the same token they retain their unmistakable identities. There are 5 in the series, and I will be getting three:

 

Flinders Street Station

 

House of Parliament

 

St Pauls Cathedral 

I think they will look great in my study nook (once I tidy it up). If not, I am sure I can find a suitable place for them. In any case, I like them a lot so am delighted that I found them!

The very smallest things

So this weekend has been about small things. But there was one very small thing, indeed, which has really pleased me today. The energy sticker on the upright freezer.

It did not worry me when it was outside (at the old place). But in the new house (visible from the kitchen) the cracked and faded sticker was pissing me off! The front of the freezer is wiped, clean and nice looking. Other than a tacky sticker. Which I tried to remove. Well - wasn't THAT a mistake?? It was really really hard to remove! And every attempt made it look worse.

Ended up with a ripped, faded still adhered sticker which pissed me off every time I saw it - but never QUITE enough to make it to the top of the do something about it priority list. Until today.

2 minutes and the special spray from the shed and Sean had that sticker off, my upright freezer sparkling, and the view from the kitchen so much nicer.

Such a tiny thing. But every time I look at that freezer, now, I feel a little surge of satisfaction!

The next thing

So I am thinking what next. Wingbacks? Or entryway mirror? I have both pretty much selected!

The wingbacks I am 90% decided on. It's just that additional 10% to actually PLACE an order. I can see them in my mind. I can see the accessories. But can I see them in my lounge???

 

Alternatively, I really want a mirror for my entry way. A large wall mounted mirror would be just the ticket - and I think I have found just the one :)

 

I want both, but I am also meant to be saving money. Will leave it a little while and see which comes up trumps. Am happy I have located what I want, though!