How to paint Chevron Ikat {DIY}

Check out this awesome DIY Ikat painting tutorial Via Make them wonder, (weekend project for me).

All you need is something to paint (canvas, wall or furniture piece), a cheap-o foam brush and some paint.

 Paint the inside of the chevron solid. 

While it's still wet, hold the brush straight up and down then bring it just outside the edge of the painted area.

If you are looking for a beautiful Ikat print for purchase Try Etsy.

Ikat USA butterfly print

Side table + Bar Cart {Ebay Melbourne}

How cute are these brass and black glass side tables.

Bid Here

They remind me of Abode Love's "Man mountain" living room

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Also if I remember some readers in Melbourne might be looking for a Bar Cart?

 This listing says "Tea Trolley" in the title... No Bar Cart in the title at all! I had never thought of searching "Tea Trolley".

Bid Here

And the inspiration...

Mr Fiddle leaf fig is here

Here he is sitting in the lounge room, it has been just over one month since we got this new edition, Mr Fiddle leaf fig is still looking okay, I need to find a larger pot (And get around to transferring and re potting it). I have to confess I have been mothering Mr Fiddle Leaf fig a little, spraying water over it once a day and bathing it in sunlight.

Here is a little pic from this morning:

 Bella was interested in a morning photo shoot, So I was obliging.

I picked up these horse head book ends whilst thrifting last week with my mum, not sure if I should paint them?? White, Black, Silver or Leave them natural timber.

 

One year Wedding anniversary!!

Today marks our one year Wedding anniversary.

Yesterday the Mr surprised me with a beautiful lunch. The only information I had was be ready by 11am.

We hoped in the car and headed half hour to pick up a coffee? (not the surprise location?).

 We then started heading North from Sydney on the F3 freeway.

 Then I spy.......Vineyards! We were back in the Hunter Valley!.

Yep- we were there to have lunch at the very place we got married a year ago. 

The food was delicious- It was so good to go back and be able to enjoy every single bite! 

I think we might have just started a anniversary tradition.

After mains we took a walk so we could fit in desert....I proceeded to run down the isle :-)

 And then we took a few pictures to remember this momentous occasion. 

Photos care of the brilliant self time function on the camera (the third wheel of couples around the world).

Desert tasting plate!

Tonight I will probably cook something nice at home & then we will tuck into the wedding cake. 

We kept the top layer & froze it- The icing silhouette is sitting on top also. 

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend & have a great 21.2.11!!!

Our dining room & the new chairs

After posting last month and declaring my love for the Eames chair and a cowhide rug I was smitten. My beautiful mother in law was obliging and took the old chairs off our hands - thus giving me the green light to go ahead and order 4 replica Eames Eiffel tower chairs.

If you have not tried out these chairs you must - they are by far the most comfortable chairs I have ever sat in - please take a seat in our dining room:

They are way less bulky than the previous chairs and suits our small space well.

Here is the shocking "before and after". 

The "before" photo is another from 5 years ago....*eeepppp I suppose it shows how far we have come. Hubby hung the lampshade as a surprise when I was on vacation with my parents - yes it was upside down & very difficult to clean.

I used sheers for the room to let the light in, I had a track made to suit the length of the room, I hung the track in front of the cornice and used pre-made/ gathered top sheers from spotlight (the type you can purchase by the m). Hubby and I have gradually painted all of the walls in our house Dulux plain white.

PS: I just purchased a very special painting that will hopefully be placed in this room, if you follow her very popular blog you might know what painting I am talking about?....it should arrive from America soon.

The master bedroom is complete

The master bedroom has been a challenge to complete - not sure why? maybe I can't stick to a plan - this room has turned out completely different from the colourful design inspiration board I showed you a while back. However I think the result is a relaxing and inviting room where we are inspired and happy to spend time - Mr S even loves the floral bedspread that I chose from Ezibuy Here Bella the Chihuahua concurs.

 

I made the headboard myself, purchased a single bed foam mattress for $50 from Clark rubber, glued the mattress to a piece of MDF (timber) and then covered and stapled the light grey fabric. I cut provisions in the MDF for tufted style buttons - but changed my mind.

You might remember the bedside tables from Ebay they were $25 for the pair, after a number of coats of white gloss spray paint they look great - lots of space for bits and pieces inside and enough room on top to display. Re-covered the lampshades also.

 Love how much sunlight we get from the double overhead skylights 

This dresser was another Ebay purchase for $125 (painted white by me).

Keep a look out for the embarrassing before and after photos tomorrow & the winner of the giveaway.

The giveaway is still open!

If you have not entered already - comment Here

Blog love & some random facts about me

I was super excited when Ashley from A {blondes} diy life nominated me for a stylish blogger award, then I  was humbled when I also received one from Tara of Lauren Lane Decor.

I would like to nominate everyone in my "Daily reading" if you have made it there is it is because I love reading your blog and am proud to have you displayed on my wall. 

The two super stylish bloggers who nominated me, If you have not already- you might like to pop on over and check them out (Click on the banners below).

Here are seven random facts about myself:

1. I love to have a glass of wine when I am cooking dinner.
2. Over the last two years I have lost 20kg working with my personal trainer, he has been great at keeping me motivated, a little bit of running and cutting the carbohydrates helped too. 
3. I am always writing down ideas in a notebook, I have one in my bedside table and one on the coffee table. 
4. I dream that one day we will build our own home. 
5. I started this blog as a "self development" tool as I have never been great at punctuation, grammar and spelling. I have allot of very smart and beautiful friends who have been giving me great advice. 
6. I love to laugh at myself when things go wrong! I believe that you can't change the past but we can learn a lesson from our mistakes.
7. I always fall over - yes - I am the clumsy friend.

Thankyou- From me to YOU!