Tuesday 4 November 2014

Exploring Western Australia (road trip)..

So, the hubby and I just celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary and decided to head off on a road trip around Western Australia for a week (with NO KIDS!!).. 
We had a fabulous time exploring another part of this beautiful country we live in and stumbled across some great restaurants/cafes/shops which got the 
creative juices flowing again.. 

Here are some pics of our adventure..

This is me.. free as a bird.. exploring Bunbury WA


Grabbing a bite to eat from Little Creatures, Freemantle WA.. 
A very cool industrial feel with copper, timber and steel..


 Exploring the Maritime museum at Freemantle WA..
Hubby was in anchor heaven..


The most beautiful beaches at Esperance WA..
Loving that aqua water.. pity about the sharks!!


Chilling with the locals at Lucky Bay, WA..
Sand was as white as snow.. 


The only way to break up an 8 hour trip..
Gilberts Winery, Mount Barker WA.. Soooooo good!!


Stumbled across this awesome cafe at Freemantle, WA called The Raw Kitchen..
They had two shipping containers inside the old building and 
Chesterton lounges EVERYWHERE!!


It was so nice to spend time with this one.. He is a keeper!!


Now home and on top of the 'housy' duties I will be back into painting this week.. 
So stayed tuned for some new products for sale soon..

Tuesday 21 October 2014

Our new industrial table..

So I can't get the hubby to help me make a copper lamp for my work desk, but when he decided he wanted a new outdoor table - Wola!! One is made in a week (go figure).. 

But I really shouldn't complain.. I am so in love with this new table I have been 
making the family eat every meal outside on it!!

As we have a old meets new/industrial feel to our home.. and we love to entertain.. 
we thought a large outdoor table would be perfect for those nice summer nights.. 

We used recycled timber battens for the top and industrial metal piping for the base..
(it surely is a heavy thing - definitely wont be moving it around!)

I have used the Replica Eames chairs for my dining table inside, so I decided to get a couple of the armchairs for the outdoor table.. 
That way you can use them at either table for extra guests!

We scored this amazing (although weathered) old church pew from Gumtree for $75 bucks.. I adore the 4 leaf clover cut outs at either end.. 
The hubby is still making another timber bench seat for the other side.. 

It does show though with a bit of muscle (it took 4 guys to move), 
creativity and love you can always bring life back to things that are 
old and compliment them with things that are new..Enjoy..








Thursday 16 October 2014

Looking like a lady while working..

I must admit, I am a bit of a girly girl.. And since my job of restoring furniture doesn't exactly scream 'high class business women' with my old paint clothes, dusty hair from sanding and patches of splashed paint up my arms/legs.. 
Underneath I still like to look my best!

So lately, every 3 weeks, I book in a night of luxury and get me nails done.. I have always wanted to have lovely nails but unfortunately mine just don't get the chance to grow!! But I could only get them done with one warning from the hubby 'If you don't protect them then no more!!'.. Of course, I rolled my eyes like a teenager at him, but knew deep down that I would need to be that little bit EXTRA careful..

And that is why I now invest in gloves!! I use rubber gloves for my painting and Sandi Hands gloves for my sanding.. I love the Sandi Hands gloves the best as they are cotton and let the hands breathe while sanding but still protecting the nail.. Unfortunately the rubber painting gloves do heat up a bit but I don't want to give up on my luxury!! 

So take it from me.. You can definitely still sand, paint and restore furniture while looking glamorous underneath.. And for me that is a SERIOUS win, win situation!!

Here are my pretty nails :) Still trying to decide with which style I want next week!!




Here is me using Sandi Hands to protect my nails while sanding..



Here is me using the rubber gloves to protect my nails while painting..



And to finish, here is my little man helping me out with some sanding!!



Monday 13 October 2014

A dining table for the outdoors..

When my sister asked me to source a dining table for her outdoor deck, I couldn't go pass this beautiful piece.. With it's rustic timber top and gorgeous turned legs, it is such a solid piece.. And perfect for an industrial look which suits her home..

As the table top was in pretty good condition to start with, I gave it a light sand, stain and a few coats of lacquer.. With the legs, we really couldn't decide on a colour - tossing between white, grey and black.. So glad we went with the black.. It really brought out the timber knots and ageing marks of the timber..

Here are some before and after photos of the table.. I just love seeing old solid pieces of furniture given a new life.. Enjoy..

BEFORE:





AFTER:










Sunday 5 October 2014

New Stock..

Well what a couple of weeks it has been.. Daily I have been covered from head to toe in saw-dust and paint, but I am super excited to bring you some new stock!! 
Hope you enjoy..






















Saturday 4 October 2014

Back on board again..

Its been a while since I picked up a paint brush, written a blog or bought some stock.. Unfortunately the hubby's business 'tax time' has gotten in the way..
But since it pays our bills it is priority!! 

So now that I have spent countless hours typing and filing to get everything done.. It is now time to get some creative juices flowing again to share with you all.. 

So watch this spot over the next few weeks for new stock, 
interesting blogs and all things creative!!  And thanks for being faithful followers xx






Thursday 17 July 2014

Celebrity Style.. Ginnifer Goodwin's Apartment..

When I came across this feature of Ginnifer Goodwin's 2-bedroom home in LA, and found out that it was once owned by Charlie Chaplin, I just knew it would have a great story to tell..

I fell in love with Ginnifer Goodwin when she played the first wife of Johnny Cash in the movie 'Walk the line'.. She has such a sweet and charming personality and definitely portrays an antique vintage style.. And like her personality her apartment is surrounded by beautiful little treasures and one off antique pieces.. Enjoy..

Loving those black windows and who wouldn't want to cook on that 
amazing gas cook-top!!..



The entrance way wallpaper is 150 years old.. What great stories it could tell..



The old pictures of famous women fill this room with sophistication and those chairs are divine!!


A yellow dining table.. Need I say more.. 



I love a coffee table which can also be used as an ottoman.. It gives a room a relaxed feel..



I would definitely write my life away at this gorgeous black writing desk..


To read more about Ginnifer Goodwin and her gorgeous apartment click on the link here.



Tuesday 15 July 2014

DIY Day.. Create a Vertical Garden..

I love vertical gardens. They not help grow plants the easy way, but they look so stylish and add so much colour to the walls.. I am a hopeless gardener (much to my parents dismay) so I purchased this vertical garden kit from V-garden at the start of the year and my herbs are doing quite well (much to my hubby's surprise)..


But if you are good at gardening an want to create a vertical garden of your own.. Why not try some of these great ideas..

This vertical garden would look beautiful inside or outside of the home.. 
Perfect for the pokey cornered areas which are hard to style..



Using a shoe holder is a cheap alternative and is great for drainage.. Light to hang and once the plants grown they will hide the fabric casing..



These portable vertical gardens are great for small gardens or for rental properties..

This one is made out of timber slats, cut the holes, then create a barrier on the back with plastic wire and straw (hessian coffee bags would be good too).. build a stand for it or just lean it against a wall..





This is is made from plywood.. attach plastic bottles with tops cut (and put some holes in the bottom for drainage) put in a vertical line.. Again once the plants grow they will hide the bottles..



Cinderblocks (or you may know them as bessa-blocks) are very cheap and you can build this vertical garden to suit the area.. Perfect for a wall you want to hide..



Use an old chest of drawers.. pull the drawers half out and plant away.. Great way to add some colour to the backyard too..



I really love this idea.. It would look so gorgeous in a kitchen, laundry or entry hallway.. You could mix it up by using glass jars or coloured pots too..



Baskets are great for drainage so why not hang a few together with rope.. Use different sizes or all the same.. Wooden crates or boxes would look great too..



The trusty old pallet.. so popular right now.. an in-expensive alternative and again perfect for drainage.. You could mix it up by staining it or painting it to add colour.. or just leave it natural.. Use one on its own or gather a few side by side depending on your size area..




And since I am a plumbers wife.. I must show you a vertical garden made from PVC pipe or metal guttering!!
You can run them horizontal or vertical depending on your wall size..