Wednesday, 24 February 2010

God knows my needs





For the woman, her home is her domain, her security. If something in her home is not right, the woman is not right.
(With men, their work affects their equilibrium.)


Our tiny 40.5m2 (440 sq.f) home is taking shape. We still have a 30m2 storage space to store our "don't needs" but our essentials are here. (Thanks to another trip yesterday carting a last portarobe of my clothes!)

My brother in law purpose built the kitchen in the studio-space around the few wall cabinets they had on the wall. Now that they've moved out, they've taken those cabinets with them, leaving us with just this:


See the unusable-because-it's-overcrowded-bench-tops-and-there's-no-more-space-under-counter?


I've been scouring eBay daily (and nightly) for some kitchen shelves, after losing out on what was the perfect shelving solution to my kitchen needs:


It sold for a very affordable $80, boo-hoo but it was interstate and it would be a nightmare getting it home.


The hunt continued. And prayer stepped up that God would provide me with an affordable, preferably vintage, solution. After all, He knows my heart!

Last weekend, it rained all day so garage sale-ing with MIL was postponed. Instead we spent some time pottering around our homes, cleaning, gardening... But at 3pm, the urgency to hit two tiny vintage/antique stores 10 mins from us grew to an uncomfortable ache. (Don't ask me to explain it.)

MIL was more than happy to accompany me in an attempt to salvage the day. The first little store was an affordable treasure trove of pretty things and a few choice vintage furniture. I walked away with my MIL's birthday gift to me, a lovely old Japanese made plate with the cutest bluebirds and cherry blossoms, $22.50:



And I picked out the most gorgeous childfren's book, with beautiful illustrations for $6.50.





But it was at the next little store that God answered my constant prayers. Whimsical Notions is an antique-y store in Warrimoo, NSW. The front of the store was the unaffordable stuff, like an art deco lady lamp for $1,150. The back however, was the more junky part... and behind some dusty washstands, cabinets and bookcases, I spied what looked like the top part of a kitchen dresser...

Upon closer inspection, it was a stand alone stained pine (yuck) kitchen shelving!!! Had I found it???

The width and height of the shelves I needed were very specific and limited and I wanted something as big and high as possible to fit as much as possible... would this do??

It DID! Thank you God!


This is it cleaned (and upside down for some reason.)


And hung!



Thank you God. Now I get to open my packed treasures and fill these shelves.

(And wait for the walls to be painted white!)

Monday, 22 February 2010

Generosity of strangers

... and Flickr-world...

I posted these pics in a previous post but can't stop thinking about the generosity of the those in blogworld and Flickr-world...



This is local Australian Penelope wait's original collection of cups and saucers. Beautiful huh? (Btw, I'd love my own purpose built display cabinet!)

Then tragedy struck. Her roof caved in from some plumbing or roofing damage from a heavy downpour. Most of her gorgeous pieces suffered.



But many blogworld and Flickr-world friends came to the rescue!

This is what it looks like today:



Spot the few identical ones?

But isn't it great to ponder on the generosity of others connected via www who share a passion for something... and who are great people, inside out??

Thursday, 18 February 2010

A little bit of beauty reorganises my soul

When it's apparent that you have nothing of real worth (like a priceless artpiece or diamonds spilling from your drawers, or even a home anymore), and things are so uncertain...

Having my most beloved of books and china re-arranged in my favourite piece of furniture, my china dresser...



... gives me ridiculous amounts of pleasure!

Our little home is gaining its equilibrium, one day at a time.




P.s. My treasured Domino is in another spot, to gaze on each day!

Wednesday, 10 February 2010

LonnyMag is out!

Run over!!!

I'd love to see Lonny in A5 sized print magazines... subscription only!!

Monday, 8 February 2010

Excuse me while I turn voyeur...


Flickr marvel gulp


I love looking at how other people arrange their dressers and cabinets. I have a real weakness for dressers and china cabinets... Hence my huge piece :) Of course, space permitting, I have another 2 (which are in storage).

Whilst unpacking and organising my favourite china pieces, I faced the conundrum.. how do you stack china cups and saucers?

Like this? (This is what I've always done)



Or perhaps like this?



Or perhaps like Flickr maguire0423's method: (not sure about the amount of hooks I'll have to use to achieve that, though!)



Anyhow, I went a-voyeuring on Flickr...


This is my favourite display by far. Of course, you'd have to have heaps of space!!! I reckon my all white Johnson Bros would look spectacular in a similar cabinet, but a bright yellow, chartruese or hot pink...




Flickr Penelope waits



Flickr Amy Cluck of Peptogirl Industries



Flickr The Nostalgia Fairy



Flickr MODERN REVIVAL



Flickr Rachel



Flickr janehlong



Flickr babydoll1989



Flickr Sherry's Rose Cottage



Flickr decorology



Flickr emmmmzeeee



Flickr sammawamma



Flickr jessicav|jecca


Isn't Fiestaware a gorgeous riot of colour?



Flickr MHerron_99



Flickr eeeelaine88



Flickr Island Gardener



Flickr Jacquiscloset



Flickr mylulabelles



Flickr [Jodie]



Flickr The Vintage Magpie



Flickr Happy Loves Rosie



Flickr Snowdrops in Spring



Flickr JoyfulOtter



Flickr Cottageqt



Flickr harperscout52



Flickr toriejayne



Flickr Knitty, Vintage and Rosy

Friday, 5 February 2010

Thrifting :)

We've been unpacking in spurts. Today I unpacked and hung a few things in the "boudoir-cum-dressing table" area I've commandeered in the "bedroom" zone. Got to use my new spirit level, a farewell gift from a friend back in Melbourne. I hung up my treasured wall shelf (last used to store toilet paper and a few things in the ensuite in previous home) to store my creams, perfume bottles and bits of jewellery.


At my previous home



Today


My mother-in-law works in an upmarket op-shop (e.g. Vinnies) and we often get to see the more interesting wares and clothes. Her shop specialises in vintage clothes and jewellery...

The other day I scored these vintage Indian silver filigree earrings, $18.



And this vintage children's book, Ameliaranne Bridesmaid by Ethelberta Morris, 1946.



A few vacancies for young ladies of good appearance to train as mannequins.

Ameliaranne's frock was taken off and hung up, and then she sat on a stool in corner and watched while the other ladies took turns in showing off frocks. Velvet frocks, satin frocks, brocaded frocks, chiffon frocks - Ameliaranne had never seen so many clothes in al her life. "But not one you could mind a baby in," said Ameliaranne to herself. "I'd rather be comfortable than grand."

r

Wednesday, 3 February 2010

White, white, white

My brother in law built this studio we now call home. In NSW, apparently anything larger than 9 x 4.5 meters (29.5 x 15 foot) require extra permits, and council approvals. They then consider it a "substantial building".

So this is why it is small.

And my brother in law (who is very handy and loves working with his hands, and wood) was into the "wood, wood, wood" phase. Hence the overkill of unfinished plywood and cover strips everywhere. He's thankfully now been exposed via yours truly to better taste, better design and awareness of the plethora of beautiful rooms I have on file.

We do have plans to paint the entire place white, budgets allowing. But forgive me whilst I go on an all-white binge!






Anna Spiro's home of Absolutely Beautiful Things



Image via Beach Studio







Anna Spiro's home of Absolutely Beautiful Things



Image via Lifestyle: Beyond Tradition -- A Folk Art Collection in New Hampshire



Image via Country Home













Gywneth Paltrow's kitchen



















Lizard Management





Image via Living Etc











Image via Cottage Living







Image via Phillippe Starck



Image via Gunkelman Flesher











Image via wohn idee