Bunkin' Down...

Hi Everyone!

You may know already that we have to little boys who are fast growing up. One is 6 and the other is just about to turn 4. In their wisdom they have decided a little while ago that they wanted to share a room together...how sweet.

They both had plenty of room in their own bedrooms, but wanted to be together and they chose Declan's room with the french door, afternoon sunlight and right next to our room.

I was happy with their choice.

This room is very big, so there is loads of room for all of the 'stuff' that they have, but it got me thinking of built in bunks like these above. Love them. So many amazing things can be done with them...let's look.

Now, these aren't the traditional bunks we all think of but it is a great use of space isn't it?

I could imagine them in a family holiday home where you could have a few siblings and their families all in the cottage together....and the storage under would be great.
The idea of the boys room being all white with punches of blue and red, although done to the death really appeals to me...and to them!

That colour combo can be done so many ways!

This room is divine and I often think of a friend of mine who has 4 boys and 1 girl and a 3 bedroom home. This built in bunk system would work so well in her situation and there would still be plenty of room to play and do homework etc.
Having 2 little girls would have me looking for something like this. I would never come out if I had of had bunks like these as a child. My Sister and I did have bunks and we used to put up sheets and bring Mum's potted plants inside and turn them into 'units'. We would dress them just like a home with pillow sofas, curtains - the lot! I remember that so fondly...and the fact my elder Sister always had the 'unit' with the natural sunlight!!
This is my favourite!
Everything in this room is amazing and although the bunks aren't built in, they still look so great against that stripe wall. Talking Mic around to something like this would be another story though.
Both of our boys really liked this room when I showed them =0)

Ok, when I found this a million smiles rushed through me. I could have something like this in my office-now-come-guestroom. I think the drum shade and comfy sofa sold the whole scheme to me...either way it is wonderful, and I am sure Mum and Dad would be happy being in here when they come and stay.

Now as much as I love white and neutrals, I do believe that children should have colour in their lives and this room is a perfect example. A white base and tonal coloured 'cabins'.
What a great solution for everyone.
I don't have any plans just yet to have some built in bunks installed, but the boys room does need a face lift. It is still the same colour from when I prepared it for Declan's arrival...about 6 and a half years ago!!
Which one do you love??
Ness xx
all images sourced through Google search.

update - I am feeling much better now and I do thank you all for your very sweet emails and messages regarding my illness...thank you all so much xx

Victorian Velvet...

I am smitten by this recent home featured in Real Living Magazine. Not only because it is a neutral and white wonderland, but because most of the furnishings inside are either roadside, junk shop, made or re-thought finds...something I am totally into. For instance the coffee table was an old gardening bench, cut down and left as is.
The light, after closer inspection, is an Ikea metal wreath that is covered in tiny white bud lights that the owner has added crystal drops to make a whimsical chandelier. I know because I have the exact wreath and use it in our entertainment area as a chandelier too!


The kitchen is what was there when the couple moved in. Instead of spending loads on a new one they painted and had an inexpensive laminate counter put in and updated the appliances instead.
All of the rooms have their original features. The couple have just made them even more beautiful by adding gorgeous shades of taupe in varying degrees and splashings of white. Any other hits of colour have been added through paintings, soft furnishings and the like.

I totally get this main bedroom. It used to be the drawing room, but the couple have made it their own...something we have done in our own home. Our bedroom used to be the living area!
Even the kids' rooms have had budget friendly makeovers to accommodate the old home. In this room an awkward staircase has been partly covered and used to house the two levels that have now become the nooks for their beds. Clever storage has been added and hits of red liven up the mainly taupe scheme. Declan has seen this and now the boys want one in their rooms!!!

The nursery is a vision of calm. The recycling of old cupboards, shelves and light shades has added throw away character without becoming an expensive exercise once this little Princess decides she wants to move onto a new colour palette.
Clever use of space has allowed the couple to create areas like this one in the kitchen that the kids use as a homework area. All of the paraphernalia that goes with craft and homework is stored in old baked beans tins and Ikea storage boxes. The bench was a junk shop find.
The exterior has even had a cost friendly makeover. They swapped the front Victorian ironwork to the back, because it faced a busy street, making the back of the home the new entrance which faces a quiet lane way...brilliant!
I love this home on so many levels as it reminds me of our own home, and it gives me faith that ours is near the end!
Ness xx
all photos - real living magazine

Ticks all the boxes...

...on my list for our own quest for simplifying, is this beautiful home featured in the current issue of Australian Country Style. This photo in particular ticks all the boxes for me, and I feel I could move in straight away without changing a thing.

I love this part of the kitchen, which is a new add on (not that you would tell) in this 100 year old home. The Tolix stools look so good against that old table, and the reproduction French dresser is divinely authentic looking. I have been after some of those big glass pickling bottles for a while now...gorgeous!

Another recent addition is this sunken entertaining area. The whole recent add-ons have been done on a tight budget, which I am loving...of course!
Big soft sofas, curios from the couples travels and all the things I love- twine, wood, wicker and cushions are plentiful here.

The entrance hall is amazing and the couple had to re arrange the driveway so visitors would use the front door and utilise this space....something we have just done, it's not working with Family though!!
How is this for cheap art?? I LOVE it! An old windmill blade found on the property had to be hauled back to the house, cut down and then they had to figure out how to hang it. This was the owners solution to not having money in the budget to buy a large piece of artwork for the wall...works for me luv!
When I am in Sydney next to see Mum, I am off to Ikea for one of these map canvases for our boys room....it is wonderful and will fill up our huge wall above their beds - or maybe I can dig up a windmill?

Now you see why this home ticks all of the boxes I love. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and make sure you check back on Monday for the amazing Giveaway!!!

Ness xx