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.