Black Out...

country living

Hi! Well, the lockdown went well. Not as productive as I had hoped for, but I did get quite a bit done. Instead we spent the weekend indoors as the weather was shocking and while I was cleaning out my files I came across these images which I thought were too beautiful not to show.

I have always loved chalkboards in interiors and this shot above shows two of my favourite things - an Aga oven and a chalkboard.

Then there is this one. A whole wall! Imagine this in a cafe. I have always loved coffee shops and the like that have moody, warm colours and a chalky black wall is perfect.

I think this looks fabulous and our boys would love it also ;0)
Thinking back to when I painted our chalkboard in the kitchen, I don't know how we survived without it now. It is SO handy.
I will show you what I made on lockdown as soon as I have finished the photographing of them.
Have a great day,
Ness xx

Perfect Warmth...

Hi everyone!

As much as I yearn for the sweet smells of Spring, I will miss lighting the fire and most of you will know how much I love a real wood fire. The whole process of lighting some sticks and watching the flames build before shoving a big log in to warm our Family, dry our clothes and cook our stew makes me smile.

So, I looked through my files and Googled fires and voila!

Perfect Winter warmth.
Having a fire was high on my list of 'must haves' when we bought our home and we were lucky to get 5 of them =0)

Here is our fire right before adding a another log. You may remember this shot as I didn't try to get the clothes airer out of the way or take down my tea towel which was drying. This how our everyday life looks and I just love it.
This fireplace is the most favourite in our home. It is way taller than me, wide, puts out tremendous heat (has even melted the candles in our candelabra!!) and cooks a great stew. Our Family seems to be drawn to this fire as our dining table is in front of it as well as the centre island from the kitchen. So while I cook, the boys draw and play games and it is so warming to see the Family like this. I love this feeling.
New England Homes
This one is beautiful and makes a wonderful focal point for the room.

Tricia Foley

The fireplaces in Tricia's Long Island home were the inspiration behind the makeover of all of the fireplaces in our home. They are perfectly simple and stunning.

from google
Although not lit, I couldn't not put this one in. The room is gorgeous, sunny, wing back chairs...

from google

Once our Spring arrives here in Australia and the fires go out for the year, our fires will be filled with urns of blossom branches, greenery and in the Summer, Hydrangeas like here.

Then I will view our gorgeous fireplaces as display pieces

...looking forward to that.

Ness xx

Digging for inspiration

A purely inspirational post today. I delivered some accessories to the Miners Cottage today that I am working on and was a little overwhelmed by what has to be done still. So I have returned home to look through some old USB drives that I have photos and images on and these next shots just filled me with so many ideas not only for the cottage but for our own home.

The photo above is just lovely. I still haven't settled on what it is that I like about it so much, all I know for the moment is it jumped out straight away =0)
home beautiful
I LOVE this kitchen. I wish I had a better image to show you this image really does not do this kitchen justice - at all! I would happily cook in this kitchen without any woes I am sure. I really like the rolling pins by the door there, the industrial elements and or course the white...heaven!


Ralph Lauren
It has been so very cold here the last few days and although I am in a singlet top right now as Mic has the fire going so hot, I love the thought of actual open fireplace instead of it being encased in glass, or cast iron. I think the candles here just set the mood beautifully.


country living

This setting suits the temp in our house right now...somewhere by the ocean!

I loved this image as inspiration for the Miners Cottage. Light bright and breezy.

Now this image has been the winner for my flagging inspiration today. I look at this shot and imagine so many decorating ideas for any room in a house, not just the kitchen. I would love to have a kitchen like this. Someday!
Any way I have been re inspired so I will get back to it =0D
Ness xx

Plaster Vent Makeover...

This story starts with this plaster vent cover which I have had for a while wanting to be made over. It started off as a funny yellow colour and I gave it a coat of white to cover the yellow.

The next part of the story....


is this!

This is how my kitchen fireplace mantel look before the weekend. I was inspired by Tina from Rubie's Place after her mantel makeover to change mine. Well, that stayed this way for a few weeks until i got the bug again to change it.


This is how it looks today. I moved the clock to the centre of the mantel and added some of my blue and white collection to the mix.

Usually I have flowers sitting on top of the fire, but we have it back in use now it is getting cooler again.

On the other side I added my finial, stone ball...and the plaster vent cover - post makeover.

I added some neutral grey paint, wiped some off and went back over it with the white and blended it so it wasn't so obvious. I really like the new mantel...for a little while =0)

I changed some other things around in the living room which I will show you tomorrow.

Ness xx

French Finishes You can Have!!

Yesterday, I received a lovely email from Annette Green who is an extraordinary artist and French paint finisher. Annette specialises in faux finishes and also gild in silver and gold leaf. She sent me through some images of her work and I had to show you, its amazing.I hope you can see this image ok, if not just click on it to enlarge. The panelling is just exquisite and the finish that Annette has applied, just gorgeous. You would swear this was from a Chateau in France!
Annette also sent some images of a Hay Loft that she converted with her Husband into a guest quarters. All of the paint work in here is by Annette.

This stairwell in the loft is so serene and beautiful and the walls look like old plaster just like you would find in France...not plaster board/ drywall!

Annette also finishes furniture and this is the reason I am very interested in Annette's work.

If you would like to contact Annette, you can do so by calling 0424 476 404, or you can email her at markgreen78@gmail.com

Annette is willing to commute for work and is situated in Adelaide right now and will be in Melbourne and Sydney throughout February.

I will be getting some more images from Annette soon and as soon as I do, I will be sure to post them.

Ness xx

It's looking good already

pic by me

I hope you all have a lovely relaxing weekend, what ever you may be doing. This photo of my old rocking chair on the veranda sums up relaxation I think. I hope to be...
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..going to the Homespun markets to find some handmade treasures and getting inspiration...

source

...as I am still having the colour addiction thing going on. Next week I hope to bring you some new items with a splash of colour (white will be involved though!) to the Shoppe...
pic by me
..but at the moment the kids are cuddled in front of this fire in our bedroom sleeping, Lamb is in the oven cooking and I am about to have a cup of coffee while I sketch.
The weekend is looking good already. Hope you have a good one too.
Ness xx

so, SO cold!

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OMG! It is so, SO cold here today. We have had snow to 400m, which is quite low and we can see it on the mountains. Together with the cold southerly wind (from Antarctica, which is right below us) has made for a bitterly cold day.
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So, I am doing a quick post (because my office is cold), having my cup of coffee... Source
...warming my backside by the fire and making some orders up next to it...

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...having a hot bath...

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..then I will be taking my sore throat off to bed under 2 feather quilts! I think I will leave the electric blanket on tonight!!. I hope where ever you are you are warm.

Ness xx
PS - I will be making some more of the Hotel Royale cushion covers, for all that have emailed, as soon as I get more fabric tomorrow. I have sold out for the moment...thanks xx

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKE! mwah