February 8, 2014

Red and White Bedroom




 If you like quiet drama then this will appeal on so many levels. It is loud, yet quiet. The restraint
 used is admirable. Do you love it as much as I do?

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February 7, 2014

Shower Seat




 I love the practicality of shower seats. Not the plastic fold-ups but a solid seat which enables you to repose whilst rubbing your legs and feet with a good body scrub. I spend many more minutes in a shower with a shower seat.
Have you got one? Do you hanker after one?

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February 4, 2014

Red Galley Kitchen



Here's an example of a statement kitchen. Bright, optimistic and fresh. If you lack space but don't want a bog-standard kitchen then a shot of colour can work wonders. Even squeeze in a seating area at the end.

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Outdoor African Bedroom

Clearly this is a dream bedroom for some and a nightmare for others! I love it for the sheer simple beauty and the chance to wake up with glorious nature all around you.

This bedroom does have windows and sliding doors which gives the illusion of being outdoors.

I lived in a similar environment a few years ago and decided to move the bed onto the verandah. This lasted for a few hours before the darkness started to creep in with all the critters! Very romantic but in reality one just could not sleep. The possibility of jaguars or other large creatures wandering around whilst you slept just didn't appeal. Beautiful in the day. In the dark? -oh, mind the snakes!!

Do you like this look?

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January 23, 2014

Bedroom Ideas 1

lamp, padded quilted headboard, bedside table

Although I'm not a great fan of patterned wallpaper, in fact wallpaper in general, this could just pass in a small, uncluttered bedroom. The padded, quilted headboard blends well, adding texture and enhancing the translucent glass and lace pillows. I've checked on Ebay and you can find many plain brown old bedside consoles/ tables for not much and transform them with retro paint. A light touch has been used here and I think it works.
As I am moving again shortly, the creative parts of my brain have fired up again and I am looking for new ways of sprucing up a fairly plain house.

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November 16, 2012

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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November 9, 2012

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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November 7, 2012

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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November 5, 2012

Quilted Comforter

bedroom showing light blue quilted bedspread, opulent
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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November 3, 2012

Wood Burning Fires

fires, stoves, rima
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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October 17, 2010

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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July 25, 2010

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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