Bold Black Pool

On the weekend we finally went and met with the pool people to finalise the colours / options for our pool. The plan is for the pool to be completed end of September but we wanted to look into final costs etc.

In our heads we wanted something unusual and the idea of a black pool just seemed so perfect for the look we are going for we had to do it. Its actually surprising how many different black options you do have and in the end we narrowed it down to 2. One of them was a smooth pearl black coating that was almost matt in colour with a bit of sparkle. It felt natural and soft with just the right amount of wow. 

Everything was going smoothly until the pool company pulled out the other options ... you can actually get a pebble-crete now which isn't actually pebbles but shiny semi precious stones that just look cool. The problem for us is as much as we loved it it just seemed a little bit to "Versace" for the look we had in our head before we arrived.

It took a bit of discussion before we decided on the lovely matt colour because when you are in the show room there are so many pretty shiny things its natural to want them, my eyes lit up and I just wanted everything sparkly and over the top!

Lucky for me hubby saw the bigger pictures and pulled me back from the shiny edge saving us from making a big design mistake. 

Moral of the story, stick with the vision in your head and try to avoid the attraction to pretty shiny things!

OPTION BLING!

OPTION NATURAL...

TV Personality Obsession

So we all have one .... a love affair with a TV show but my little obsession has everything to do with the house. Hubby actually lets me watch it every night because it helps him fall asleep. 

What am I talking about .... Sarah's house, Sara's Design Inc and Sarah 101. Overall I am just totally obsessed with Sarah ... and Tommy! Oh yes I desperately want my own little Tommy to help me decorate with!

 

Her style is what I am desperately trying to achieve with a bit more of an Australian take .... and her method is just so easy .... you start with a jumping off point (oh yes I have the lingo down!) and then work through it from there. Does anyone else watch this show? Its soft and interesting and not at all restrained .... its a happy style, every room has a mood. The yellow room makes me smile, the blue room down the bottom feels elegant and grown up and I think you would automatically lower your voice when you enter. The green room at the top is pure heaven, can you even imagine having a dinner party here??? 

My best friend admitted during a very drunken Sunday afternoon champagne tea that she adores Martha Stuart! So my question is .....

Who are you obsessed with?

Wall Candy

There is a certain amount of satisfaction to be had when actually getting things hung on walls. Obviously when you move into a new house wall candy is not a priority but for me things are starting to move forward and I actually have a few items handing proudly around my house.

This is an railway clock and to be honest I have been dying to see it handing at the bottom of my staircase!

So heavenly, so pretty and so .... up!

Organisation ... The Ikea Way

Ikea is one of those dangerous places that should be avoided at all costs by those on a budget.

They have taken the whole concept of "getting organised" and made it cool. Oh yes, all those little tasks you have been meaning to do suddenly become fun after a trip to this wonderland of storage and smart ideas.

I only purchased on little item this trip .... for myself anyway's and I have to say, I love it. For me, its a household organiser. Bills, takeaway menu's and all my general household paperwork now has a home and my is it pretty.

So I now have this lovely new home for all my, To Do's, To Pay's and To File's I am hoping the Chaotic paperwork situation featuring lost bills and piles of crap will simply .... vanish.

Thankyou Mr Ikea .... another brilliant tool to help keep me organised.

Baking Up A Storm

A weekend of baking .... egg and bacon pie, champagne and strawberry cupcakes and goat casserole with mashed potato's!

I am a regular Martha Stuart!

The Importance of Inspiration Boards

As the title suggest today I have realised the importance of putting your ideas on paper because inevitably what feels and looks good in your head doesn't always work out the way you planned.

Obviously I have been obsessing over my entry for the last week and in my head the rug above was going to be the one that worked. 

However seeing it on paper now I am really not so sure .... is the more traditional rug a better fit for the space? Doubts have assailed me and I am now rethinking my strategy ... however as far as other components I am fairly happy with how its all feeling? What do you think .... which rug fits the space best?

Beautiful Entry Designs

If I seem to be obsessing over entry's at the moment that is because I am .... Its the first impression you get when walking into someone's home so obviously it has to be good. 

Here are a few more I have found in my Internet travels I just adore! All very warm and welcoming, some small, some large .... sigh. I kind of just want mine finished!