New Purchase - Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Side Table

That's right, Miss V has been shopping yet again and this time she is actually jumping up and down with excitement.

Why .... because she found the most AMAZING side table ever. Think black lacquer, think beautiful detail, think hidden compartments and finally think lions feet!!!

Such a cool piece and I'm desperate to find out details. Only I can't seem to find anything on-line.

However .... slowly slowly, I will discover it secrets but for now, I'm just happy to admire it!

Blue and White Candy Buffet ....

I have a booking this weekend for a lovely woman for her son. Its his 1st birthday / Christening and I am pretty excited about this one.

Designing for kids is great fun! Designing something sweet and beautiful gives you so many opportunities to be creative.

Bring on Saturday .... 

Garden Dreaming ....

So the garden plans continue and it seems to be a lot of backward and forward - planning levels of garden beds, trees and even the ground levels seems to go around and around in circles. 

Hubby and I negotiate, we talk, discuss and then argue our point if necessary. Deciding on a particular species of tree or plant in the garden centre was almost humorous with both trying to sell their favourites to the others with no success.

Now during all this we are mindful that the block is small - the gardens are tiny and every decision we make is vital. I sometimes imagine it would be both easier and harder to have more space. 

Would we still agonise over the smallest detail or would we be a bit free'er with our design? 

These gardens certainly give the impression they just sprung up without might thought? This is a future dream perhaps .... a far distant future dream!

Vegetable Gardens ARE Scary!

That's right, I'm putting it out there, the whole idea of having a vegetable garden is scary as hell. 

Firstly, it makes you environmentally responsible which is a great thing. Your feel empowered and able to do your bit, your going to save yourself money on food shopping and what you eat will be fresh and preservative free. You will be a healthier person, you will be looking after the environment .... everything is good.

And then you look at the space, the big blank canvas .... the area looks daunting, what if it doesn't work, what if its too much work, how can I look after a space this big ... hell I don't even know what to grow.

So yes, right now I'm not feeling empowered I'm feeling scared, such a big space, such a lot of responsibility to get it right. 

I might go buy a book but even that's going to confuse me .... I need a plan, I need a way forward and I need whole lot of courage!

Garden Design Begins ....

This trip with Hubby home we seem to be on fire when it comes to getting things done.

Our latest work .... the gardens begin.  That's right, 3 trailer loads of bad soil removed, 2 trailer loads of good soil in so far and we have a few plants to start with.

Our inspiration comes from the picture below - a soft yet formal garden in vibrant colours and lots of texture.

What do you think so far .... do you see the potential we do?

Ikea Hack ... Billy Bookcase turns Library

So last update on the Library was us painting .... oh the joys of painting.

This weekend we finished the bookcase and boy are we happy.

We started with placing and spacing all the units - Starting at the wall we worked our way outwards we with temporary spacers being screwed into place to keep things accurate.

Next we plaster boarded up the end - necessary because we needed a moulding on the edge and the bookcase was to thin itself to hold onto it.

Skirting was then fitted with the bookcases being raised so that the skirting ends where the bottom shelf begins.

The hard part was the top moulding with us needing to have the perfect join at the corner.

Finally the front moulding panels, we went with something fairly bulky and plain to counteract the ornate skirting and top moulding.

Overall we are nearly done, a bot of no more gaps, putty and repainting and it will be all book ready but for now I cant say how proud we are of how it has turned out!

Beautiful Homes .... Frontages That Sing!

Don't get me wrong, I adore my house however every so often I see a frontage I would give my right arm for  (don't worry I'm left handed)

Most of them seem to be situated in the most beautiful parts of the US and UK.

How on earth do they create such beautiful buildings .... heaven can be a home!!!

So many beautiful styles, era's and sizes, which is your favourite?