Goodbye 2013...

The time has come to farewell another year. 

2013 has been a mixed bag for us, with lots of highs but also a few terrible lows, one of which was the sad passing away of David's father.

David and I celebrated our 50th birthdays, whilst daughter No. 2 celebrated her 21st and moved out of home. Mum turned 80 and we had a few months worrying about Dad's health but after some recent successful surgery, his recovery is looking very positive.

S, David and J learnt to knit!

The house plastering was completed this year, and we added a walk-in linen cupboard, main bathroom, guest bedroom ensuite and outside pool W.C to the list of finished rooms. I had an entertainment unit custom made and installed and started a coffee table project.

I shared a few client's projects with you, the most exciting one being Mum and Dad's home renovation. Oh, and David's Avoca Beach Project making the cover of a major magazine. That was pretty awesome too!

That pretty much sums up this year....

Thank you for following my blog, taking an interest in my life and home construction, and for taking the time to leave much appreciated comments when you can.

2014  here we come!

x KL

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Christmas

The table looked beautiful for our Christmas celebration, held on Christmas Eve!

We feasted on cold ham, turkey, mini quiche, lobsters and prawns....yummy!

I made some rocky road for the first time. Easy-peasy and super yum!

Santa did a drive-by on Christmas Eve, as is tradition, with lots of lollies to be collected!

  On Christmas morning, the stockings were filled to the brim...

And the floor around the tree was smothered with gifts.

 It didn't take long for the family room to resemble a bomb site! LOL!

And just to remind us of the true meaning of the celebration, I had to share the following....

 I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too.  

Best wishes to all,

x KL

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Christmas Theming....

I've made a final decision for my Christmas theme this year; White + Silver + Gold.

It wasn't really a conscious thought process, more an organic one, an acknowledgment that I was constantly being drawn to images and products in black and white tones with metalics! 

Like these....

When the latest issue of Real Living Magazine materialised in my letterbox sporting these colours on it's cover (row three, middle), it cemented the idea!

I'd love to use my Black Christmas Tree again (circa 2010) but after the children's (yes, the adult ones too) horrēre and previously documented tantrums, I'll use the traditional green version as a base this season. So, here's where my plans are at ATM:

1. This sparkly silver tree from a small local store in Terrigal will be the table centre-piece decorated with crystal, gold and white.

2. I'll get the first use (of many) from recently purchased West Elm gold cutlery.

3. The tree base in #1 is icky so I'm planning on hiding it in a large Uashmama gold / white bag.

4.5.6. Designer, Karen Walker home wares for Myer!!! GORGEOUS! Just thinking about serving a scrumptious desert in these gold-rimmed champagne coupes. ? Gold, confetti spotted napkins are a definite, whilst the polka dot mugs would be perfect Christmas morning scene-setters (perhaps from Santa?)!

It's S' 24th birthday tomorrow and we will celebrate it with her this weekend. I'm hoping I can convince the troups, when gathered, to help with the tree decoration too....wish me luck!

x KL

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Grand Designs - 2013

David and I attended Grand Designs Live 2013 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday courtesy of Cafe Lighting. (Thanks guys!) We thoroughly enjoyed the 2012 exhibition and really looked forward to attending again.
As last year, the displays were arranged in four zones: Building, Kitchens, Interiors and Outdoors.

Unfortunately, some of the exhibitors we looked forward to seeing (Engineered stone displays to be specific) were absent but surprises were provided by others. 

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The creative stand designs provided some of the best inspiration. (above)

We liked being able to 'touch / feel / play' with new Hettich products though frustratingly, found the reps uneducated and therefor unable to provide any meaningful information for the newest products on display.

 

Loved the House of Bamboo stand. It showcased creative applications of their product.
How clever is the slat-look screening? (Left & middle below)

Last year we were very enamoured with the Rolling Stone Landscapes expansive display. This year it was equally visually arresting though disappointed on a few levels. I love being inspired by creative design but placing the focus on a single $9 000+ priced item (show 'special' price too!) is a turn off for the average Joe-blow.  The weathered paling fence walkway (a more budget friendly concept)...looked good but by day three of the exhibition (the day we attended) was an auditory migraine. Eeeek!

We also liked their application of synthetic grass but....the representative couldn't tell me what it was because "they got it free for display and the supply guy doesn't want the work". W.T.F.? Grrrr.

Lurved this light fitting.....and all the stand employees at Lewy. They were so enthusiastic and excited about their new products it was infectious....and we saw them on their final day!

Exy but worth every cent; Australian made / manufactured quality... *sigh*

Bonsai (O.M.G. impressive variety), cool art and arty-farty chairs from Chair Candy were surprising exhibitors.

Davey found some building 'stuff' that piqued his interest for, like, 30 seconds. Impressive!  

(Honestly, NO sarcasm implied)

And we were both really impressed with the products seen L - R above.
Modular Wall Systems, Landscape Tanks and
 Historical Timber Floors.

I drooled over the Enzie Spiral Staircases and got a glimpse of the Mr. Kevin McCloud!

 Not a bad day, all in all!

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. 
You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback! 
 If you enjoy my ramblings, perhaps consider following by Email, Bloglovin' or Google+. 
 Join this site via Google Friend's Connect so I can follow you too!

celebrating....warships

Warships from around the world have sailed into Sydney Harbour this weekend to mark 100 years since the Royal Australian Navy fleet first entered the waterway.

The armada comes from 17 nations including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, India, Singapore and China!

A ship called HMAS Sydney was among the fleet that sailed into the harbour yesterday, a century ago.  The latest ship to carry that name, (the fourth in total) sailed up the coast from Jervis Bay, escorted by more than 20 warships.

Then a flotilla of 16 tall ships, led by the STS Young Endeavour and HM Bark Endeavour, sailed into the harbour.

WOW!
And of course no 100 year celebration would be without fireworks!

 

We decided to avoid the congestion and follow the spectacle on the news...

the end of school holidays combined with this event and a long weekend made us a wee bit travel shy.  Did you brave the crowds?

x KL

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