Before and After... TV Unit

A long while ago I told you about how I was going to paint our television unit. I did it then and there, but it has taken me all this time to put up the before and after shots... mainly because our lounge room is always untidy with toys everywhere and it was never the right time to take them. Well today I have made the time, not that there is actually much of the lounge room in these photos... I zoomed in. I am so happy with the result. The timber before was too yellow and didn't match the other timber pieces in the room. Now it just blends in. We've had friends even compliment us on our 'new' cabinet, and I've then proudly confessed, it's not new, just a paint job. With pretty handles.

BEFORE

AFTER

I bought the door knobs from a gorgeous little French inspired shop in town. I think I am about the only person I know who doesn't have a plasma... still got the trusty Toshiba... I can't justify buying a new television when this one works just fine (man I sound like my mum!). Plus it gets covered in little finger prints at the moment anyway.
Hope you have a great weekend. We are off collecting wood on Sunday. Should be fun. I get to catch up with my Auntie, Uncle and cousins that I haven't seen in a while, so looking forward to it. x

Real Living Master Class Inspiration

This week I'll be heading off to The School of Real Living Colour Master Class in the city which I am looking forward to. It is being put on by Real Living Magazine with guests from the International School of Colour + Design. We have been told to bring some inspiration and I have decided that my focus of the night will be our bedroom. We currently have a lot of timber furniture in the room and it's feeling a little dark for my liking so I am wanting to freshen things up a bit. We eventually want to get built-ins and a new bed so I thought I'd start with a few key pieces that I want to keep in the room to draw my inspiration from, add some fresh paint and go from there.

Ok, so for my inspiration I am going with a painting and a dresser. My husband commissioned this painting for me by one of my favourite artists, Georgina Hart, as a surprise for my birthday a few years ago, and the antique dresser below we bought while on our honeymoon in Tasmania. As the common theme in both pieces is the green, I am thinking lots of white with pops of green. I am keen to steer clear of browns and beige. Hmmm lots to think about. Hoping to learn a lot on Thursday night, so watch this space.

Change of Art

Isn't is incredible how changing one piece of art can lift your entire mood. With winter almost upon us I was feeling like our lounge room was a little dark, and it was stemming from the mantle, so I swapped my beloved Amelie poster with a (hand-made) bright green print and it has made all the difference.

I painted this print when working on Discover, a travel and lifestyle show for Channel 7. We filmed a segment with Sarah and Jodie at Unchain My Art. Their business is about getting a group of friends together and painting until your heart's content, along with food and bubbles. It was so much fun.

Before and After... Lampshade

I have been waiting to share this with you for ages, and I am happy to say that the wait is over. I picked up my new, custom made lampshade this week, and it didn't disappoint. Before I do the reveal I thought I would take you through the process from the beginning. You may have seen the first image before because I also did a Before and After feature on my chair makeover a few months ago. Enjoy! I am over the moon with the result.

BEFORE

While I was waiting for my lampshade to be made I bought the next one at the Mill Markets in Daylesford. I need to make a new home for it now but it looked fabulous in the interim.  

INTERIM

AFTER

What do you think? I ordered the fabric through Cloth in Sydney and I had the lampshade made by Laura at Amore Lampshades here in Adelaide. She has done such an amazing job! I couldn't be happier. Thanks Laura!

Before and After... Fireplace

BEFORE

AFTER

We've been painting. A little while ago now but I am finally sharing the fireplace before and after. What do you think? After everyone telling me not to paint the slate, I did it anyway and am very happy with the result. The room feels much fresher.

Ironing revival

I love before and afters, so I thought I'd share with you my most recent project... giving new life to an old ironing board. I didn't really like my ironing board, it was flimsy and left marks on my clothing, so it was time to give some love to an old one I had in the shed. I couldn't even tell you where it came from... it just appeared. You can't beat the heavy duty ironing boards of old. After a spray with an anti-rust concoction, a scour with steel wool and some cream spray paint the difference is remarkable. A funky Sass cover (from Spotlight) helps too. 

BEFORE

AFTER