Shabby Chic Bedroom

This shabby chic bedroom has such appeal at first glance. It induces peacefulness.Yet, taking a closer look it appears too 'staged' for me to consider it a truly practical room.
Where shall I start?
The mirror with the knick-knacks above the bed is not a good choice. Are you supposed to light the candles? How safe would it be to have multiple lit candles above your bed?
The waste basket is a messy addition - basically adding texture and a link colour to the equally unnecessary stand with scarfs and clothes draped over it.
Plus the central light fitting is too low enables you to bang your head as you change the bed clothes.

In short, the individual pieces are interesting but not as a composition as presented here.
So, what do you think?


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Art Deco Doorway

I have commissioned builders to build, carpenters to create beautiful furniture and I have first hand knowledge of working with those who work 'with love'.
I chanced up this beautiful Art Deco doorway and just had to share it with you. Just beautiful. This example costs in excess of $7k USD but having such a wonderful work of art as part of your home is a small price to pay if it is within your budget.
Want to know who made this? Here's the link to their site - only because I love this so much! (And no, I am not being paid in any form for this. Tut tut!!)

Beautiful or not?


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Original Victorian Kitchen Range

Now having become quite nostalgic in the previous post I thought I would give you an idea of the kitchen range we had in the cellar of the house I grew up in. This is almost the same range!
The fire would roar and the heat travelled up and away through the house plus it also heated the hot water!
Needless to say we did not use it often but occasionally on cold winter nights the whole family would descend into the cellar and play games in front of the warm flames.



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Quilted Comforter

 

I cannot think of anything that evokes my childhood more than a handmade quilt or a quilted comforter. This is an example of simple, classical elegance which could fit most types of decor except  the futuristic modern.
This reminds me of the large Victorian house I grew up in with the original cast iron stove in the cellar, complete with bread prover. The high ceilings, fireplaces and huge surrounds which were 5ft tall! The winding staircase all the way up to the rooms at the top of the house which were clearly used by the servants of old. I never failed to be out of breath once I reached the top!
Sounds rather romantic but it was a big old draughty house and cost a fortune to keep the wind, rain and snow out plus the garden was far too small for such a grand house. Still it did make a great place to play hide and seek in with my siblings and friends!

 
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Wood Burning Fires

My sister-in-law lived in a beautiful cottage with a woodburning fire which stamped its authority on the room! Big, bold and pumped out an impossibly high level of heat on a cold, frosty day.
I have yet to see another one as striking.

This  example is from a company that specialises in all types of fires/stoves. They can be contacted here and I love this one for its sheer simplicity which would suit most types of rooms.

Throw down a beautifully soft rug, wine at the ready and dim the lights...!

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Shades of Purple

Purple can be quite a strong, overwhelming color if used without careful thought. Here is a good example of using the palette with grey and chrome to create a cosy boudoir feel.

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Green Lounge

 Hold onto your sunglasses! This room has attitude and although the coffee table should be placed onto the nearest skip, the room is thoughtfully created. The high ceilings and recessed books are similar to the home my parents live in. I would tone down the color every so slightly but it is a bold statement, nevertheless.



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Shower Power

I do try to highlight gems, fixtures and fittings of particular interest to me and this epitomizes all that this blog is.
I showered in a friends home who had something very similar to this (he wouldn't allow me to take pictures, shame!) and what a treat! I closed my eyes and suddenly I was under a mini-waterfall. Beautiful. I would like to recommend his particular model but he bought it in Germany on his travels many moons ago.
In short, it was the best showering experience I have ever had.

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Lounge

This room has echoes of the 60s and 70s - low simple seating, earthy tones with splashes of muted pastels all add that slight retro feel. I don't particularly admire the light feature, but it all seems to fit in a rather haphazard way.

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The Living Room Fire

Simply does it. Just moved house and have a decent fireplace? Then make it a feature by placing 2 (inexpensive) sofas facing each other, a small coffee table or even have end tables (if the space between is limited), add 3 or 5 photos or art work, fling a cushion or 2 on the sofa and add a colourful throw. If the fire isn't ready, willing or able to be fired up then add candles or wooden logs (not both at the same time, of course) and then step back and admire your handiwork.Voila!
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Homely Porch

I love this porch as it is clearly lived in and does not have an air of being 'for show'. The natual wood, artifacts and family of rocking chairs tells me that people who enjoy being close rock away together as the sun goes down.
Splendid!

Yellow Kitchen

click the image to enlarge
I love the simple honesty of this kitchen. For once it isn't trying too hard and you must be able to see yourself in this space!?
A melding of old and new with 2 swathes of a beautiful color - more mustard than yellow, would you say? Add splashes of black, stainless steel and white. Yum!

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