Taking stock

I think we are getting somewhere lately...

Somewhat at a two lolly-pop steps forward and one step back, kinda pace!

Keen eyes would have spotted in yesterday's post that underfloor heating has been installed in the two upstairs bathrooms. If I can get a crane here to lift the palettes of travertine off the driveway then I can order sand. Those floors can then be screed-ed and prepped for tiling! Yay!

Of course nothing much has gone to plan though. Our crane guy keeps cancelling. 

One of the recently installed dining room lights is 'crooked' and needs to be replaced. 

The dining room table saga continues; it was eventually delivered but with the wrong legs. 

David finds the new mattress too hot so we need to address that issue.

 I finally ordered my dream, bone-inlay chest of drawers but it's out-of-stock. 

The fabric for an upholstered bed I wanted has been discontinued.  

Ahhh. Life!

You may have also spotted in yesterday's pics some repair work to the upstairs hall area too. Unfortunately the dark colour we painted in this area showed up imperfect plastering joins. David is quite the perfectionist so sanded the area and re-skim coated the wall. Re-sealed, re-undercoated and re-painted too. One more coat to go... Whew!

I am soooo itching to get decorating and start living in this house!

Anywho, in amongst this I decided to unpack all the art work I have and take stock. This is as a result of being quite aghast that a key piece I'd anticipated in the hall, looks less than impressive in it's spot. No dusting is going to make this light box look better. Wenge + Grey =   #$@*%!!!

I really thought I could 'visualise' well. Obviously, I'm mistaken! 

So before we finish painting I need to ensure the pieces I have, have a correct 'home'. 

Some need framing so that's going to be my next project!  

Then to work out what's going where!

The items in the above images (with the exception of the OFFS tea-towel) all require framing.

 'Art History' silk scarf by Vuk Vidor. More info HERE

'Constellation - Explorer; Compass to The Southern Sky' Municipal Prints Company. Deets HERE

A new purchase: Archival Print 'Moby Dick' by Lisel Ashlock via Etsy

'Union Jack' wallpaper by Vivienne Westwood for The Rug Company. Info HERE

As do two David Bromley Quilts / Throws and a cheap Bali knock-off of some lass!

Not sure if I'll hang any of my own paintings. The colours are wrong and the big monochromatic piece has stagnated. Like wise, some favourite prints from previous properties are too 'beige' to work here.

Am unsure about the Marimekko fabric pieces as art...they'll be OK as 'fillers' if needed but I'm aiming higher now. The middle image below is a Rude Rider's Scarf which I'm considering framing for J's bedroom. ?

And I still need to find a location for my 3D pieces; skulls and Bamileke Headdress.

 And Mirrors! Don't forget that collection! Eeek!

 Glad it's a big house with lotsa walls!!!!

x KL 

Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!

if a picture paints a thousand words...

..here is a forty-thousand word essay on 'what we've been doing'!

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. 

You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!

A Tour Through Blogland

The lovely Natalie from In The Night Sky has nominated me to join A Tour Through Blogland. Natalie's blog is a favourite of mine, not only because she shares my love of Black and White interiors but because her posts are always an informative, warts n' all description of renovating. And her design aesthetic is inspirational too!

Anyhow...here's my wee tour via answering four questions:

1. What am I working on?

ATM, probably too many projects at once! Trying to make some progress on our house is always top of the list but, like many others, time and money are in short supply!

To be more specific though: Finishing painting the walls in the lounge / dining area. Trying to find my lost mojo for a large painting that I started. Organising the underfloor heating for the main bedroom en suite and upstairs powder room. Finalising colour specifications for a client project. Designing some custom cabinetry for the new bathrooms, hall and laundry.

2. How does my work differ from others in the DIY / Decorating genre?

Unfortunately the pace of my project is so abysmally slow that if you read a post once a year you'd probably catch-up pretty quickly. I find that frustrating and fill in the 'blanks' with inspirational material, client projects, family life and shopping finds!

3. Why do I write what I do?

Like Natalie, I often wonder why I blog and recently I have been toying with the idea of deleting my site entirely. I do enjoy posting when I can, it is a personal 'diary' in many ways but sometimes I wonder if having my life online is a bit too invasive. Most of my friends and family aren't aware of my blog and I like it that way. I feel very uncomfortable with the thought of anonymous spying but love reading other's renovating blogs and contributing to that pool of information regarding experiences.  I make no money from blogging but get an enormous amount of pleasure from reading others opinions, comments and reactions to my posts.

 
4. How does your writing/creating process work?

 

Finding time is obviously necessary. Then, with a post idea formulated, I'll go searching my own computer files, Pinterest and Google for images after which I'll write the content. Sometimes I'll have a few ideas which I jot down but usually I only post when I want to and I have a clear topic. It is time consuming but now I've mastered most of the mechanics it is much easier.

 

  It's my turn now to nominate two blogs:

Adelaide Villa 

 

Heidi is an Architect, Interior Designer, Mother of three, Cook, Baker, Reader, Gardener, Fashion Lover, Renovator, and Writer of random things in South Australia! She is a talented writer whose posts are varied in content and substantial in quality. Her home renovation posts are my favourites; full of generous information and tips for others.

  Elements @ Home

 

Kristie is a Professional Blogger. She is also an Interior Stylist, Colour Consultant and full time Mummy and Wife. She has just finished building house number 4 and has renovated 7 in the last 11 years. I love how varied her posts are and have particularly enjoyed following her latest build project.  

Pop over and see why I nominated them...and don't forget to take a peep at In the Night Sky too!

Thank you Natalie for the invitation to be part of A Tour Through Blogland!

 

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. 

You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!

In the frame

I mentioned in a previous post my fascination with framed display boxes.

Everything just looks a bit more 'special' when displayed under a cloche or in one of these cases.

 But it seems I have a bit of a weak spot for all things 'framed' in steel; my first foray into custom design was the steel framed desk (pictured below) that I had made for our previous property.

 I love lighting options in this style too...the left one was recently featured on the reality show The Block, whilst I have purchased two of the right design for our dining area.

These Kubus by Lassen, bowls and candlesticks in black or copper are gorgeous!

 And a black Hay Tray Table is high on my wish-list....*sigh*

It seems that there are a multitude of objects in this style about at the moment...

Lanterns anyone?

 

My DIY coffee table project (which is still sans top) is another commitment I've made to this style.

Last week, I popped into my local Freedom store and came across the CBD table range.

The side tables in black were reduced from $210 each to $45!

 (Get your skates on if you want some too!)

 I grabbed a pair with the intention of switching the simple glass tops for marble to match the proposed top of my coffee table but atm the glass looks fine. I think they'd make excellent bedside tables too if you were tight on space. . .

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. 
You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!