The Block Hype

I haven't really discussed the hype that seems to surround the TV show the block but its huge. Everyone I know loves the show and everyone has a different favorite.

My favorite couple are Josh and Jenna, admittedly they argue more than anyone else I know but they seem to have an amazing sense of style! Its sort of old meets new with this lovely retro feel to it and the know the value of items that don't look like much on their own.

 

So its not really my style but I was thinking just how easy it would be to add a bit of their retro vibe into any of the rooms I have put together in my head. So I mixed up my bedroom slightly and although I probably wont end up going for it its an interesting idea and can give the room a hit of personality. 

Step Away From The Scissors!

You know in your head those moments where you know that you are about to do something totally and utterly stupid but you just cant help yourself. Something that will have horrendous ramifications for weeks to come and you should just back away and think about it but you just cant deal anymore ... so you do it anyways.... and then start crying!

I bet right now your sitting there, shaking your head thinking to yourself ... what on earth has she done now.... well the truth of the matter is ... I picked up a pair of scissors... and tried to cut my own fringe!

Oh yes, I did the unthinkable. I actually clearly remember hearing friends cry into the phone that they only wanted to trim it and thinking to myself - I would never ever try and cut my own hair, how stupid do you have to be? Yet here I am, little miss stupid in the flesh!

But wait it gets worse! - after screwing up one side I angrily demanded my husband fix it for me ... oh yes, at that point I was close to tears and he mistakenly thought, I really cant make it any worse than she did, so he just straightened it up slightly.... Only I knew it was a mistake when I saw mountains of hair lightly floating past my eyes instead of the tiny little bit of trimming I had expected.

So I now get stuck playing with masses of bobby pins trying to hide the monstrosity floating above my eye brows till it grows out ... and it will take a while I can assure you!

Oh yes, the only good news is during these moments of frustration I can clearly blame my husband for my misfortune ... hell he held the scissors - its all his fault!

Idiot On Board

Let me start this post by saying I do realise I am insane - I do realise that I am totally completely losing my mind and to even act on this impulse would most likely be the worst decision I would ever have made and luckily I'm not in a position to act on this because its oh so tempting.

So let me tell you the problem.... see I'm in love with a house. As I say this I sit here lecturing myself in my head "why oh why on earth would I look on a real estate website" but anyways back to the house.

Build in 1888 this house is a 691 sqm piece of rundown heaven on a huge 1.44 acres of prime real estate (maybe). 15 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, a large music room, 3 kitchens (don't know why you need three but lets move on) The decor is terrible, it needs a lot of work and someone who understands that lime green should never be seen in a kitchen, needs to buy it and make it the pretty house it used to be.

But its grand (pause here and just realise that when I say grand I mean, heart stoppingly grand) and although these pictures of the outside make it look amazing I did a google map search and there is nothing green or manicured about it. Heavens it could even be a film set for a haunted house movie ... but oh its wonderful. It is everything you could possibly imagine, large rooms, high ceilings, enough fireplaces to make even me happy. The windows make me want to fall over and cry and the staircase, although not great now is just dying to be stained and re carpeted .... in short - this house is all my dreams come true.

Downfall.... its in Tasmania. So let me tell you. WHEN I win the lotto this weekend I will be buying this house, keeping my lovely little one here for weekend jaunts across the country and devote the next ten years of my life turning this grand old house into something I will never want to leave!

So I'm going to let you admire the pictures of my new house ... only for today, tomorrow I will focus on my little one but for today, I kind of wish we had of seen this 2 years ago because maybe just maybe we would be looking at a sea change right now!

Random Pretties

You know the song "these are a few of my favorite things" well for some reason I keep humming that continually.... so let me show you a few of my favorite things.... very random but hey! Why Not?

A hint of purple ... I love just a teny tiny bit of purple in a room.... oh yes

Obviously book shelves ... but here they are hiding my other favorite thing ... a secret room. How can anyone not like a secret room!

A little bit "out of africa" - not just the print but the whole rustic feel they have going on here

Finally this bedroom, there is not anything I dont love about this bedroom and when hubby is away - can you think of anything better than drifting off to sleep dreaming of a behind like that .... he he he (Note im only brave enough to write this because he is home at the moment and unlikely to read my blog, to busy with his golf - but if he does, honey your behind is almost as good as this guys!) Oh yes, to make this a legitimate design post I should say, I love the casual elegance of this room, teh lovely high drapes, the luxury furniture .... and maybe the print!

Cape Cod ??? Nope Another Down South House

So this one I adored. I love this winery (Flame tree, oh and they do a very nice champagne too) ... if this was a display home I would have screamed sold the minute I drove past. Its all white oh yes.... but this house is the moment hubby went ... oh I get what you mean when you said all white now!

Well Duhhh

My favorite moments of this winery are obviously the exterior, I love the shape of the house - the huge roof, the lovely side veranda's, there is one side of the house I don't love and that is the entry, its a big pitched roof and while its beautiful it reminds me just a little bit of a church but all the other angles of this are pure white heaven.

I also love the pillars on the veranda, they are square and simple but just seem to enhance everything ....

And finally this light fitting, it seriously makes you want to add a lovely big two storey room in your house just so you can have this light.

No Rules

When you build in an area its always best to try and fit in with the area. Obviously this limits your designs although probably a good thing, you don't want a traditional Mediterranean villa next door to an ultra modern two storey glass box next to an old English cottage however after my little jaunt down south I realised this is one place where there are no design rules.

No really - anything goes down here. So this week I'm going to show you some of the wonderful buildings that I loved visiting. Today I will be showing you a brewery and winery all rolled into one. Its called Duckstein and I adore this place. Lots of water, wood and stone, huge industrial looking fireplaces make this a favorite for hubby and I (Oh and the food puts new meaning into the word hearty - picture fry pans brought to the table full of sausages, potato and pork chops or pork knuckles the size of a small dog!)

Anyways, I sneakily took a few pictures of this place (Obviously trying not to look like a tourist) for your viewing pleasure!

Real Inspiration

This weekend I was lucky enough to catch up with a friend I met on the Home One Renovation Forum - here - KayandAndy (I'm using forum names just in case she wants privacy). We have been chatting for over a year now and I really admire the fact the she has owner built ... something I'm not yet brave enough to do.

Anyways I got to see her house (yay, imagine me jumping up and down clapping my hands - childish I know but hey, I was almost as excited as when hubby suggests a trip down to Baskin and Robbins for chocolate and peanut butter ice cream)... and I was very very excited, polished concrete flooring, curved walls (you know my secret weakness for curves) and the most amazing bling'y lighting I have ever seen.

The experience left me both frightened out of my mind and so excited about the possibilities - I saw just how much work these is left to do and don't get me wrong, its intimidating and just a little bit overwhelming but I also saw just how much she has achieved and just how exciting this time is ... so wishing her every bit of luck for the next two weeks.... I'm looking forward to being invited back once its done because from the sounds of it ... this is going to be one special house!