Hydrangeas and a French table...

As you know my Mum and Dad arrived to spend the Holidays with us and whenever they arrive they always come with goodies.

This trip they managed to get loads into their little hatchback including this French table which Mum picked up for $20! It was in a bad way with smashed glass inlay pieces and was gold, but Mum and Dad worked their restorative magic and this is the end result. I LOVE it!!
We moved it into the lounge room this afternoon and straight away I went to the garden to cut some of my favourite white Hydrangeas for my old zinc tub to go on top.
A bowl of silver baubles....

and some candles and it is ready for the season.

The legs on this are gorgeous.

Mum painted it white and Dad fixed the broken glass by replacing it with wood panels for the four sections. I think it is better now this way.

It is perfect for the space and goes so well against our 130+ year old floors.

Can you tell I am smitten with this lovely gift?

My Mum and Dad are legends at finding horrible furniture and making them gorgeous.

I will show you some other gifts they brought soon after the holiday break. I still cant believe they got it into the little car will all of the other booty they brought!!!

So, do you like my new coffee table?

Ness xx

all images taken at home this afternoon by me =0)

Wednesday Wantings & GIVEAWAY!!

bh&g
Today I am wanting a beautiful Kitchen, just like this because I am sick of looking at our 70's wooden doors in the one we have now.

via the vintage rose
somewhere I could have my lovely white ironstone pieces out with pride, and possibly with a work wooden counter like this table top...

Tim Irving
...somewhere I could hang prints like these in...

This one of a Metro sign in Paris.
Tim Irving
...or this one called "Ripe Red", which would amazing with a huge white mount board around it...

Tim Irving

...or this one called "View Of Paris". All of these prints are from the very talented Tim Irving, and have been shot with an antique camera lens to give the appearance of an old photo. I love them and their ageless appeal...and by leaving a comment this week, you can WIN TWO OF TIM'S PRINTS!!! and he will ship to any where in the world...yay!

I hope you all have fun working out what two you will pick if you win. It will be drawn on Friday.

Good luck,

Ness xx

Finally It's Done!

I had a wonderful weekend, very productive. I sewed, baked, had Family over for dinner and done this....made over our dining table!

It started out like this, orange looking stain, but with great bones. I have had this on my list of "to do's" for ages. We bought this when we first moved to this house which makes it 6 years old...time for a change. And, the make over didn't cost a cent!! =)
I started to sand this using the sander, but gave up in favour of muscle power. It looked so much better with out the orange looking stain that comes with mass produced things.

This is what we have ended up with.

I painted the legs and apron with white paint (which was leftover Cabots Timber Colour I used on our bedroom floor) which is very hard waring. Then rubbed in a black bees wax into the top. Over the tears the boys had dug pencils, forks, cars etc into the top which has given it an aged appearance that I couldn't have done better...thanks boys! The black wax has picked up the imperfections beautifully.

Oh, you can see we are still painting the fence...work in progress and my little crosses on the fence (you can just see) are starting to be covered with jasmine.

This is the table in place. The chairs have to be done next and I can imagine it will take me a few weeks to do them all. On the table is an old Irish Ironstone soup tureen which I picked up at Evandale Markets ages ago for $5.00. It looks great with the little roses in it. The runner is actually a bed skirt. It is white on one side and a natural linen colour on the other...and a bargain also at $4.00!!! I really love the 'new' table and can't wait to do the chairs.
I would love to know what you think.
Ness xx

Thank you!

Katherine Field

I had a lovely Birthday yesterday and I thank you all for your wishes.

Present wise I was given from Mic and the boys, Paul Bangay's Complete Garden Handbook (as you know we are trying to create a garden) and some new Sable Artist brushes. I made it quite hard for him this year, as I didn't really want or need anything, so I was very happy with these.

From Mic's Family, beauty products, Pilate's DVD, Somethings Gotta Give Soundtrack (which I have listened to all day). I also got some English box hedges and Pittosporum screening hedges en mass for our garden. A few things will be arriving this weekend as well when my Mum flies in to stay for 2 weeks...yay! Oh and I bought myself some things too, so I done really well considering I made it hard for everyone!!

The cheesecake went down well..but then I felt a little ill...maybe guilty, not sure.

Ness xx

Yay! Its My Birthday...

Atlanta Bartlett

Well today is my 33rd Birthday!! - I know some of you thought it was last week. We had a rather extended celebration this year. I am just doing a quick post tonight as our Family is about to arrive for presents, cake etc. I will tell you all tomorrow what I was given. I am so excited to be having some luscious cheesecake for a cake.

I haven't had anything naughty for about 6 weeks now as I have been trying to shed some weight...(6 1/2" from my waist so far). I just hope it tastes good!
I will let you all know what I received tomorrow.

Ness xx

Number 8...

This awesome UK vintage shop, No. 8 is a constantly evolving store as they update their supplies from Markets, vintage finds and designers. They aim to please with a range from French, Scandinavian, modern to the coastal style. I found some lovely things. Here are a few.
This beautiful dressmakers form isn't on of the items for sale sadly, but the lovely long handled market bag is. I can imagine Ciabatta and Sourdough loaves and fresh veggies and farmers honey in here on a Sunday morning....and that form in my home - oh well. This bakers stand is so me. Mic and I had a stand, not as beautiful as this, in our first home which followed us to a few more before our move to this house. Now I kick myself for getting rid of it as this house is the best suited for it. I will have to keep my eye out...Mum can you look too?

I really love this little cupboard. I know it doesn't fit with my usually decorating suspects, but I would have this in my office. It would be great while I sew to jot down measurements etc.

What a beautiful piece. The wallpapered back is a nice touch and I love the aged yellow.

My favourite is this console table in wrought iron. It would look so good in our hallway with it's marble top and Fleur De Lys at the bottom.

There are so many more beautiful things for you to look at HERE.

I'm off to look some more,

Ness xx