DIY Project: Cane chair

I have a cane and wooden chair that I love. It's my office chair at the moment. The poor shabby thing was picked up at my fav junk shop for $15 almost a year ago. I'd love to give it a makeover but am unsure how to...

My dilemmas:

1. How would you suggest I cover up/shield the cane area so paint won't get onto it?

2. Would you rather spray paint or use a brush?

3. Colour suggestions? At the moment, I'm tending towards gloss black over the black areas (and that's it) or spray paint the whole chair and pop a cool chairpad on the seat, like this chair in one of my favourite home office spaces.

Thanks in advance for help!

Orange Beautiful and her Purple Nursery

I stumbled on this Orange Beautiful's new nursery. It's a STERLING example of how purple rooms can be beautiful.

I must do a purple space post soon, would be nice to see a few purple/lavendar spaces :)

Cute artwork all around and gorgeous sleek black and white rocker!!

Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years

I stumbled on this poster on some blog, saved the image and have had that window open for days now, looking for that poster online everywhere... (Sorry but I have long since closed that window the blog was on, if you know, please let me know and I will credit that link.)

I have to have the poster!



Can you help!?

Update: Thank you kay* for the link; I got this image from No.462.

Junking and thrifting: Pin dish

I got some gorgeous retro white cubes the other week while thrifting... and then last Friday I fell in love with this beautifully painted and delicate pin dish. I've watched enough Antiques Roadshows to know that while there's no obvious stamp, the few markings at the base tells me this is old.

MMM. I love thrifting.

I'm trying out different locations for this pin dish... might be on the wall next to my three Etsy bird paintings.

An Affair with a House

Has anyone got this book by Bunny Williams?

Is it any good for the average about-to-be-homeowner-who-might-consider-a-fixer-upper??

Please let me know!

Pink in the Kitchen

Pity Kitchenaid don't do hot pink! :) My husband doesn't wrap Christmas gifts... *gleefully* I got a pink Kitchenaid mixer! Not something to be pish-posh about, since in Australia they are $699. Been wanting one for almost 5 years. Thank you husband!



It goes with my Target pink bread bin ($22).



I'm not going to get all pink small appliances, that would be too Hello Kitty for me... a few pinks with the current lot of stainless steel pieces we already have...

But I do have my eye on a pink surprise for the kitchen that I'll blog about later :) (Need to start saving now for that indulgence.)

Pink Sideboard, man oh man.

I need this sideboard in every room of the house. Imagine the possibilities. Sage green, pink, cerise, teal, aqua, chocolate, orange, yellow...

The Thelermont Hupton lacquered sideboard is a work of beauty because it's so... simple! Walnut top and sides with a lacquered front... made to commision. Enquire here.



Since in no possible way will husband allow me to splurge our many millions on commissioning this and then shipping it to Australia, it's not actually that hard to DIY. One day.

DIY Project: Rolodex

I've been wanting to get the funky rolodex by Etsy seller Ugly Kitty for ages but couldn't justify the overseas cost for it. But I did need a rolodex badly, since my collection of business cards were growing and needed to be organised. I've been trying to figure out ways to make one for months with different boxes and trays, as well as how I'd do the different alphabet separating... Nothing really worked. Too small, too large, too long, too... wrong.

Then this morning, inspiration hit. I collect vintage (and new) chocolate and biscuit tins... I got busy:







The result:


And it's organised by categories, rather than business name. I think it's easier that way! I'm happy with the result :)

Cubes... and then...

I collect bags. So this is why I went against one of my mottos: If ya can't afford it, don't get a knock off. (It shows.) I bought a $25 "Gucci" handbag on Friday at my favourite thrift shop.

Then on Monday I returned it, tormented by my motto all weekend.

And exchanged them for these great just-in retro white cubes. After some reorganising, my desktop has more "shelf" space!! :) [Before shot]





Want to display my House By Mouse book in something other than the Ikea easel... one day, another update!

DIY Project: Cane glam

I love cane. But I no longer love the au naturel colour... I finally ticked off a DIY project two months ago when I attacked with much gusto my few office pieces with black gloss.

I love the sleek new look.


My Christmas gift to myself this year is Kelly Wearstler's Modern Glamour. Bought from Amazon, paid heaps less than in the large Australian bookstores too!



I was too hasty to take before shots of the above, but I grabbed a large cane tray for $15 at an antique junk shop on our recent short break...



It's going to get the same treatment and finally my magazines will have a home on my ottoman :)

Southern Bazaar's great finds

We went for a much needed (but much regretted) holiday to Venus Bay, Victoria, Australia amongst greasy foods, loud crowds, massive flies and 43 deg days and tiny motel room without air conditioning.

While it was nice to get away from daily environments, laptops etc and enjoy drives and beaches, this is our last summer holiday.

Hannah inhaled through her nostril a large fly on her first day at the beach...

BUT we did find a gem on the last day. Southern Bazaar is full of great mid-century finds... I wanted them all!









(Left to right): Red velvet 2 seater loveseat ($445), Sideboard ($300), Arco lamp ($695), Noguchi coffee table ($995), Cow leather rug ($??), Teak side table ($195), Tv sideboard ($185), orange art glass vases ($49-59), Black and white Eames armchairs $995, red ball chair $695.

And lastly, my favourite lust items:

Teak dining table and chairs on right $2490. I love the detail of the chair and tables. I want so bad.

Southern Bazaar: 42 Cashin St, Inverloch, Wed-Sun.

A Wedding Canvas

Some of our closest friends were getting married and wanted a handmade wedding gift from us since we weren't able to make the overseas trip for the nuptials. I haven't been able to put this up until after the wedding.

So I got all hardworking and...



... Started it one day before they were to be carried via a guest of the wedding. Wish I were a better artist.