Playing Catch - up

 # 1. I purchased a double wash plane made from solid Ceasarstone! As an ex-display item it was a  $200 bargain (RR $6 000) too good to walk away from and one another house will benefit from!

# 2. Hello little fellow! This is an Southern Leaf Tail Gecko who has taken up residence in the garage!

# 3. Love these crisp black trimmed pillowcases! I bought them online from Harold's!

In house news, we have roofed two upstairs patio areas, the one off the dining room seen in image # 4. The tragedy of the missing palette of travertine (read the drama HERE) has been resolved, # 6. The stone supplier honouring the shortfall. Phew!

 An art project I started has hit a hick -up. #5. This is where it's at ATM. I'm not sure I like the severe contrast so am doing a smaller test canvas to see if I will paint over and start again or do a 'wash' over what I've done so far. Eeeek!

Easter has come and gone and J's return to school has coincided with an unseasonably late start to cooler autumn temperatures. # 7. A picture of J at 7:55 am, struggling to get out of bed on the first day back at school! 

# 8. I made a bird-cage cover with some gingham. It is really terribly pretty rough but does the job. Wine always assists in no-plan projects like these I feel...

# 9. The MKR series had us hooked and making our own pasta was something we wanted to try. Here's my shiny new toy; already transferred to a plastic storage container to keep all the 'bits' together. Wish me luck!

x KL

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So fa, so good....

 Do your appliances and furniture collude together and go, en-masse into retirement? Mine here do. Without any forewarning or courteous discussion regarding timing. Damn.

Whilst I've been happily planning colour schemes and mentally decorating the last of the upstairs rooms to be finished, our trusty old family room lounge suite put her toes in the air. Double damn.

Daydreaming Interior designing and timber flooring decisions have again taken a back seat, (LOL) with this new, pressing issue.

 With a budget of, um, in the negative realm, and with my husband's "don't buy a thing" words ringing in my ears, I started a tentative reconnaissance (online of course).

It wasn't that I didn't know what I wanted. It was just trying to get it for, well, nothing. Or nothing much. These were the dream lounges *sigh*:

Not very practical for a family room are they? Nor would they be wet-tog-bum friendly, this room being adjacent to the proposed pool. Oh dear. Lucky for me then this wasn't to be. Leather, although hot in summer / cold in winter, is far more robust.

My girlfriend J has the lounge I need. She bought it from another friend who couldn't accommodate it's size after moving. I tried to talk her into giving it to me but she flatly refused.
The cheek! I'd even said please.....*humph*

As it's no longer being made, I tried to track down something similar....

All the lounges I found were either too expensive or waaay too expensive. Damn!

And this is where this tale gets much more interesting because my dear friends, fate and luck came into play. Oh, and a bit of compromise too.

 I recently entered Freedom Kitchens 'Tell us about your dream kitchen' competition via The Interiors Addict. I described what I have planned for here (one day...) And I Won! 

Online I went to start dreaming of what I might purchase and I discovered Freedom Furniture were in the final days of a buy one-get one free sofa promotion!

Serendipity!

All sofas above from Freedom Furniture

There were a few restrictions and limitations with the offer. I had discounted fabric, but still on my 'wish list' was comfort, contemporary styling and generous sizing. Charcoal colouring was on that list too but I was open to what was available.

After popping into my local store, (where the service was abysmal!) I whittled the choice down to one modular. The Signature 3 seater with chaise as pictured below. Other configuration I liked were not available and other styles I found aesthetically pleasing (off floor with legs) didn't offer the comfort level I was after. I was also restricted to white. Eeek! 

Now, only because the sales persons were so dismissive, I didn't place my order on the spot. Plus, I needed to get hubby to agree to the outlay which still exceeded budget, even with my winnings deducted. But I had a plan. I didn't need TWO of these lounges and could sell the other one on eBay or Gumtree. The maths was looking good. I would also get a further 5% discount because of  my NRMA membership! Hooray!

Stay with me....the end of the tale is in sight!!!!!

So, home I went to scour eBay / Gumtree for like-minded genius's and Lo and Behold there was the exact lounge I was considering, offered at less than half the price. Locally. Brand new in packaging. It only had an hour left on the auction so I cheekily made a lower offer which was accepted!
* Major Happy Dancing*

To conclude, my SIL has bought a piece of artwork from me that I no longer wanted and my darling friend J has bought the gift cards making my total outlay for our new leather lounge $400!
 It might be very different to what I would have chosen if I had no fiscal restrictions, might even be called a bit pedestrian, however it fills the unexpected void far better than a packing crate!

Here's another pic:

Where there's a will, there's a way! 

x KL

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'twas not meant to be... *sob*

 After much internal debating and long drawn out discussions with friends and Davey, we decided that the Carrara Marble bench top I found and shared with you HERE, was a go-er IF, upon inspection, we liked its markings / colouration. 

A mini - crane was organised to lift it from it's slumber and .... O.M.G. 

 It broke.

 In two places!

 To consider this as viable, I had to mentally 'get my head round' the concept of a smaller island.

 I did. 

I needed to accept the positioning of the sinks, in the island. 

I had.

Re-designing the front and sides of the island to accommodate this bench top was most challenging.

I succeeded to the point of considering the modified design as advantageous.

 

 And it broke.

 In two places!

And the colour, pattern and honed finish were perfect.

BUT....I didn't cry. (Probably shock...) 

Some things are just not meant to be and after our huge loss last week...

...it's all O.K and in perspective.

x KL

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We made the cover of TRENDS!

Congratulations to my hubby David and his building company, DRW Constructions Pty Ltd on The Avoca Beach House making the cover of the latest issue of Kitchen & Bathroom Trends magazine. It's on sale now.

Congratulations too to the Architects and Interior Design Team, Stephen and Lisa from Architecture Saville Isaacs.

 

(Here's the link to our Australian edition: http://ebooks.trendsideas.com/Book806)

 

I've posted many images of this project before, including when Stephen & Lisa won an Australian Interior Design Award HERE for this house. It's so exciting to see it again featured in print! 

 I don't doubt there will be more to come too!

x KL 

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Bloggy Banter

 I mentioned a little while back that I was the very lucky winner of a Blog Make Over, generously offered by the very talented Katrina from Katrina from the Block who's company, The Media Maid specialises in "bringing the best blogs to everyone who can turn on a computer". 

 After a few exciting e-mail exchanges, Katrina had some new banner drafts for me....

 This girl is G O O D ! How cute is the little owl (lurve me a bit of taxidermy, dark colour, nocturnal stuff), and the crown too...(ditto jewelry and bling!) Soooo clever!

I think I like that last one....thoughts?

x KL 

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The week so far...

 After seriously coveting Erica's (Moth Design) J Crew Flower Lattice necklace for what seems like an eternity, my heart has now been stolen by Heidi's (Adelaide Villa) Kate Spade Ice Queen neck piece. Funny really, because I've never been one for costume jewelry. Never say never....The J Crew one was sold out when I first fell for it but can now be back ordered whilst the sold-out Kate Spade is only available from a few e-bay sellers. Both designs are equally stunning....and would make a perfect Mother's Day pressie. Hint Hint! Eenie-meenie-miney mo?

I can't believe another World's Greatest Shave day is upon us again. This was J's contribution this year. We are huge supporters of The Leukaemia Foundation here after watching my friend, and mother to J's, battle and lose her fight to this disease. I think of Lisa often and hope that a cure can be found soon. 

Read about Bacon Jam on Made By Girl. Made some. (That's my batch mid cooking, above) Super easy and absolutely yum. (I tasted it only to ensure it was edible BTW! - still on my diet!) 

Highly recommend. Deets can be found HERE. 

Everyone in blog-land was super excited about finding ceramic garden stools at The Reject Shop for $40 a few months back. I was too slow and missed out but they revisited this winner and I scored the last two white and a lone black in my local store. Yippee!

If you're after them, better get your skates on!
 

x KL 

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Lady Luck paid me a visit!

 Sometimes you can just be in the right place at the right time. 

Whilst continuing my exploration of  vanity options for The Terrigal Project, I was told that a distant Reece showroom had received an upgrade and was displaying the latest designs available. New designs to peruse? Off I happily went but was disappointed by the sameness of the offerings and again the exxy prices. 

But then Lady Luck paid me (and my client) a visit. 

As I was leaving, I asked what happened to the old display stock and was told it was 'out the back' for disposal. Disposal? WTF!!!

Here's my list of absolutely brand new (still in box) and ex display (never used) bargains I snaffled.

Fowler Seido Wall Hung pan with soft close seat RR $939

Milli Rush Towel Rack (new in sealed box) RR $199

Two x Milli Edge Hand Shower and rail (one new in box, one ex display) $299 each

Mizu 1700 Series toilet roll holder RR $55

Scala Mini Basin Mixer RR $365

Scala Bath spout RR $160

Mizu 1500 Bath spout RR $229

Scala robe hook (Brand new in box) RR $48

Sussex Meo double 700 towel rail (Brand new in box) RR $262

Franke Laundry tub (small scratch near waste basket) RR $219

 I paid $350 for the lot. 

And am still pinching myself!!!!

I was very selective in what I chose, the style had to be right otherwise I'd never be happy with it. The Franke tub and Mizu bath spout will be given to my client, (the brand and style matching those already specified) the other items are for my upstairs bathrooms here and are the same styles as already used downstairs. In hindsight I should have grabbed more items so back I went.

I scored another Franke tub RR $229 and vanity basin (brand unknown) for $50 each. I was served by a different person and although cheap, they where not sold at anywhere near the same discount level.

Then I spied a dusty vanity hiding in a corner. 

CIBO 1200 mm wide, two pack white polyurethane door and drawers with reverse mitre pulls, ceasarstone top, wall hung, blum soft close hardware with lovely basin and tap.....RR $2499 + tap (of unknown brand) and I paid $750! I was so excited that I had her cleaned, wrapped and loaded before they changed their mind, hence the photo of the 'handled' version not the one I bought. 

She's now being stored with the very happy clients!

Wish I could now conjure up two more vanities like this for them at the same price. LOL!

On the home front, David has been renovating the new build before it's finished. We are always making changes to the plan! 

 We have decided to add double sliding cavity doors from the main bedroom into the ensuite so these were installed today and my lounge for the playroom was delivered too. The boring shot of it is below.

I wasn't ready for delivery (the intended spot playing storage host still...see below) but Plush couldn't store it any longer. It came sans legs and steel floor support frame so is just a bulky waste of space at the moment. The style and fabric have both been discontinued though so I am overjoyed that I ordered it when I did. Amazing how THE SKULL experience has taught me such wisdom!

Is it wet and rainy where you are? We think we might drive out to Warragamba Dam tomorrow to take a rare bo-peep at our over-full dam. Hope you're having a great weekend,

x KL

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Fairs, fabulous freebies and frustrations!

 I visited the Reid Gift Fair on Monday (a gift and home wares industry event). I haven't been for a few years and I invited a non - industry girlfriend along for company. It was fun to re-visit with 'fresh' eyes and although it took longer to navigate, we had a ball.

After getting my knuckles seriously wrapped for taking 'unapproved' i-phone snaps on one exhibitor's stand (so embarrassing), I was reluctant to take any others (approved or not). So 

i have little to share visually. In defence though, I was so excited to see something new and appropriate for a current client that I whipped out my phone, clicked and forwarded before gaining permission (which I'm sure would have been granted had I shown some simple courtesy). Eeeek. So not me...

Anyhoo....I ordered a few things from some favourite suppliers (coral art pieces mostly) and added again to my order placed at the Decoration & Design Fair with a tribal cowrie shell neck piece. I fell in love with it on first sight but as David was with me then, I didn't want to 'push' the limit after he had generously agreed to THE skull purchase.  Last Sunday (the day before the Reid Gift Fair) J, David & I caught the ferry to Palm Beach for lunch at Barrenjoey House. Inside I found this display....

Ahhh... THAT neck piece again! Displayed with skulls and shells and coral....it was like someone had stolen my thoughts and displayed them physically for me! Absolutely serendipitous!!!

I find I'm not posting as often now as I am busy with The Terrigal Project. As mentioned before, I am not an Interior Designer and am now convinced this is not a career path for me to pursue. It is  becoming increasingly obvious that I lack the patience and tact required as I struggle with frequent brief changes from this client. How anyone does this for a living is beyond me.

An update on that project though is shown below:

The roof is off.... and it's pouring! Yes, everyone on the east coast of Australia can blame us. Happens every time!

So the boys are looking for 'inside' work which means it's Gun-ho with two of the three bathrooms. 

As for progress at La Hacienda, we have the nearly free, pool W.C, nearly finished. Toilet roll holder and hooks were found in the garage detritus from ?

The tiles on floor, wall and feature wall were all tiny quantity left overs from previous jobs.

The vanity was another 'freebie'. Incorrectly made for a project and rescued from the rubbish skip. After modifying to suit this area, David decreed it would've been cheaper to have one custom built. (I still need to get customised two-pack doors made) Mmmm, some times you win, other times.... you suck it up and learn a lesson! I got the bowl on sale two years ago for $220.

We couldn't use the quartz / marble top but luckily our stone supplier cut some 'off cuts' of ceasarstone for me and polished the edges for free! Yay!

The W.C (our only big purchase) will be fitted next week and the mirror has been ordered too.

Baby steps, but exciting nonetheless!

It's pouring here, cold and miserable. My lounge for the playroom is being delivered tomorrow. Might be time I told hubby about that one! He He!

x KL 

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Where there's a will there's a way!

The packaging was divine! The cushion came wrapped in damask tissue inside the blue print woven bag!

 O. M. G ! I've had a bit of an exciting day!
Never one to be thwarted by the OTT price on a wish-list item, I set myself the daunting task of acquiring the Vivienne Westwood Union Jack Flag pillow at a more reasonable price point. Today, after a few months of hard work, I received her direct from the Rug Company in London. Divine! This will be a piece I will cherish forever and although I was happier with what I paid (as opposed to recommended retail), with import and custom costs this one better stay 'a keeper' in my eclectic menagerie!

I love it on the well worn, cream leather family room lounge but plan on it 'living' on the charcoal playroom sofa upstairs. One day! LOL!

My darling boy gave me a precious cuddle in bed this morning and I had to take this pic of his hair. After the big cancer 'shave' fundraiser he's decided he likes his hair short so it was re clipped and, although the photo doesn't do reality justice - please believe me, it was like spun gold.
(Click & enlarge - truly, Gold gossamer!).
Rumpelstiltskin; Esmerelda has got serious competition!!! 

Please excuse sewing repair on left and abominable mess elsewhere... I'm getting there, albeit slowly! LOL!

 My darling hubby David brought back this gift for me today; a huge bunch of Christmas Bush. Nothing says 'Christmas' more! He went to meet some prospective clients on site for a proposed new build and there was a neglected bush hiding that he spied. Luckily he had some secateurs in his ute and 'Bob's your Uncle'!

x KL 

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Vitamix arrival

I'm so excited; my long desired Vitamix has arrived!!! Yee Ha!!!

 

 

 It came with a hugemungous stack of literature and DVD manuals which on first opening were a tad intimidating. On closer inspection though the books are in every language known to man and the English sections take minutes to read through. Whew!!!

 I first heard about the Vitamix through Louise at Table Tonic. She blogged about this amazing contraption back in September. Using whole foods this beauty can juice, blend, chop, knead, cook and create frozen foods in minutes! I'm hoping it will clean up after itself too. Ha Ha! More information about the Vitamix is available on their site HERE if you're intrigued like I was.

I'm planning on starting one helluva health kick in 2012!

And the best bit? I got this baby free through redemption using the American Express cardholder rewards programme! Woo Hoo!

x KL

(...and no darling hubby, this is NOT your Christmas pressie to me. Nice try!!! LOL!)

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Dulux colour consultation

Today I met with specialist colour consultant, Gail Webb, who came to my home (eeek, it was messy!) as I had won a Dulux Colour Consultation through Viv's blog, ish and chi. 

I have never used the services of a colour consultant before and really enjoyed my time with Gail. She was very easy to talk to and never mentioned the mess once! So professional!

Although the colours were already chosen by moi, Gail made me feel far more confident with my selection. It was great to discuss the plans for the top story and get her feedback on chosen dark walls / V's white ones. She supported my black kitchen idea too; and I think it's given me the confidence to actually follow through with that.

After selecting a few outside feature colours (as seen above) our time was up and samples were left. The whole experience was very positive and I would thoroughly recommend the service to anyone requiring colour direction. 

Many thanks Dulux, Viv and Gail for my consultation!

x KL

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The winning streak continues!

 Have you ever won something? It is the most glorious feeling. I seem to win in random allotments.

Nothing for, like ever and then a series of happy disconnected wins.

Picture courtesy of Dulux

I entered a Dulux Colour Consultation Giveaway being offered by one of my favourite bloggers, 

Viv of Ish and Chi and I won!!!! How delightful! 

Thank you so much Viv!

Viv's entry painted Dulux Western Myall after her Dulux Colour Consultation.

I'm pretty confident with my colour selections so have never used a professional before so it will be interesting to get their fresh ideas. Or perhaps I'll give the prize to a dear friend and soon to be renovation client. I better check the conditions of the prize first!

I also had my little win that I posted about yesterday and a big win with my biopsy results; no Cancer! So I've purchased a $30 million lottery ticket today.

Here's hoping I can advise you of that win from my private jet en route to Paris!!!

x KL

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