Quick update - cow hide rug

After all my obsessing, I decided to bite the bullet and finally buy a cow hide rug.

I had found a few options in person, however most of these were way out of my price range. From my experience, the going rate at homewares stores is between $800 and $1,200 depending on the size and quality. Ikea offers good value with their offering the Koldby which retails for $499 (in Perth).

Driven by the bargain price and range of colour choices I purchased this gorgeous rug from eBay:

Image from naturalmadehides' ebay store.

I think I ended up paying about $280 (AUD) including posting so this rug represents an absolute bargain. Now it's just a matter of playing the waiting game. I really hope it's as beautiful in person.

House update

Slowly but surely things are coming together. I've had some furniture delivered and I think it is looking less like a construction site and more like a home. The place still looks like a bombshell has hit it - but I think I can see the potential that lies beyond those horrid drop sheets!

Messy, I know - but you get the idea.

I've brought my TV chairs over to my property. I'm not sure this is the lay-out I'm going to have, but I think the chairs are looking good in context.

My couch has been delivered! I can't wait to get the plastic off, but I'm going with the safe rather than sorry approach until all the painting is done. The coffee table is a new and somewhat indulgent purchase from one of my favourite stores Empire.

The painting is almost done on all the doors and skirting boards! Hallelujah - the peach is almost all gone!

I've picked out a funky dark grey colour for the front door - can't wait to get it up! It's called "Rhino grey" and is from British paints.

Magazine Inspiration - Part 2

Apologies if things have been a bit quiet around here lately. I've been fairly busy and lacking in inspiration! So here's a quick post on another property I love:

Image from Belle Magazine.

I think this property is amazing, everything is neutral and yet it has so much depth. I love how they've taken a relaxed approach with the artwork and have it leaning against the wall and above the fire place - what a great idea for anyone who's renting or just trying to get a feel for art in a room.

I know I've posted before about how much I love anything and everything blue , so the collection of blue vases just tops it off for me.

Magazine inspiration - part 1

I've previously admitted that I'm a bit of a home magazine junkie. During the course of my renovations this obsession spiked to levels never seen previously - I decided to create a "file".

This sounds innocent enough right? Wrong! My file is divided into individually labelled sections, everything from bathroom fittings to tile quotes. My personal favourite section is home decor - which predominantly contains pictures I've ripped our of magazines featuring homes I love.

While spending particularly lonely Saturday night at home alone (valentines day eve, to be precise), I decided to scan and organise my inspiration pictures. Here is one of my favourite homes:

I think I love every single element in the living room of this home! From the wooden floors, to the light walls, the full length curtains and the furniture. My favourite element would have to be the sideboard decorated with the collection of blue vases. (Apologies for the crooked scanning!).



This is the dining room of the same house, once again I love each detail - the dining setting and cow hide rug are to die for!

Both images from RealLiving Magazine.

Sideboards

One of the favourite pieces of furniture I've picked up for my house to date is probably also the cheapest. It's my danish inspired sideboard - picked up for the grand total of $30 from eBay.



In the scheme of things it isn't my "ultimate" sideboard as it isn't solid wood, but until I can afford the real thing she will get me by.

I personally love some of the offerings from RetroModern:

$850.00 from RetroModern.

$1,200.00 from RetroModern. I think when I get my house finalised I might have to bite the bullet and buy one!

The next question is how on earth to style my sideboard. I think they look really good with a variety of vases and artwork like this picture:

Image from h4and's photostream.

The sidboard, the clock, the chairs - ahhh mid-century loving. Image from apartment therapy via littleenglishgirl's photostream.

I think the sideboard works really well in this room as a tv cabinet. Image from Filipoo1.


Loving the record player! Image from homebug.

How much is that doggy in the window?

It was with great sadness that my family recently had to make the heart-breaking decision to put down our beautiful cavalier king charles spaniel.

Bella was more than just a pet, she had been a member of our family for 13 years and our home feels empty without her.

While she can never be replaced, we have made the decision to get a new puppy. In the circumstances, I thought I would dedicate this post to her and write about these wonderful creatures who bring so much love and joy to our lives.

Super pet dog tag from purepanache.

Gorgeous dog collar (made from Amy Butler fabric) from PretaPawte.

Hotdog wheat warmer from showpony.

Cute "chow" bowl from KbOriginalsEtc.

Image from revolutionarygirl. Love the chair!

This image just makes me smile, it's so gorgeous - from heidill's photostream

Equestrian theme

I can't say I've personally had much interest in horses since I outgrew my "My Little Pony". But this horse lamp has inspired me to write about all things equine.

Available from Space Furniture.

Swedish dala horse. Image from dottie angel.

Carousel image - available for purchase from study's etsy shop.

Florence Broadhurst designed rug. Source of image unknown - if anyone knows please advise me so I can credit it appropriately.

Horseshoe hook - from Alteredlron's etsy shop.

I think this light is possibly the coolest thing I have seen ever!

Image from Spring Globe.

Clean white love

My once noble intentions of using this as a blog to write about the renovation and decoration of my house, may seem to have fallen by the wayside. But believe me - I will post new updates and that should be within the next couple of weeks.

Unfortunately I'm in one of those in between stages with my renovations - all of the work that required tradesmen is done and now it's all down to me! I've ordered my window treatments (white roller blinds from Freedom), bought most of my furniture and now have the one worst task ever. Painting. I've spend every weekend for what seems like an eternity, doint it. All the walls are done and I'm down to the worst bits - skirting boards, doors and door frames.

I've decided to keep everything neutral - the walls throughout the prooperty are done in Dulux's antique white usa, the trims and ceiling are in plain white. I know some people find it boring, but when I look back on interiors which inspire me I just love the neutral canvas which white can bring.

Here's a bit of clean white home and deorationg love:

Image from sfgirlbybay.

Image from Diem Designs.

Image from ivy style33.

Image from xJavierx.

Dog vase from Venucci.

Is it weird that I really want one of these vases?

Table decorations

I'm very honoured that one of my wonderful friends has just asked me to be a bridesmaid for her upcoming wedding. I myself, couldn't be further from getting married so get to live vicariously through her!

It hasn't been decided yet, or really discussed with the other maids - but I've offered my parents' house as a venue to hold the kitchen tea / bridal shower/ hen's night (or whatever the cool kids are calling it these days).

I envisage a warm afternoon, filled with lovely finger food, pims punch, bubbley and not a single joke penis straw in sight!

I would love to set up a food table like this one:

The pink is just so gorgeous! Image from Martha Stewart Weddings.

I doubt we'll be able to have a sit down event for everyone involved, but these flowers are amazing! My Mum has lots of roses in her garden, so hopefully there will be enough in bloom that we can arrange some freshly cut stems on the food table.

Image also from Martha Stewart Weddings.

If I have enough time, I would love to make some pom poms in matching colours to decorate the house.

Image from maliburachel.

If you are looking for similar, you can buy a kit to make pom poms from Etsy.

Image from prosttothehost's etsy shop.

Last but not least, cupcakes are a mandatory requirement!

Poster available from jennysbakeshop's etsy shop.

Oh deer

Since a recent trip to one of my favourite home stores, I've become somewhat besotted with a gorgeous antler hook I spyed. I think it would be perfect in the entry to my house. It's quite simple, but oh so cute.

Available from Venucci.

Here are some other options if you want to incorporate similar in your home.

Wall decal from aluckyhorseshoe.

DIY eco friendly cardboard deer head from Cardboard Safari.

Cute deer plaque from Nice's etsy shop.

Antler Chandelier. Image from fotinus.

Hand-painted deer head from Iheartsammi.