christmas decorations (a bargin hunter's secret)

 Soooo....I've been thinking about Christmas a bit lately and my mind turned to decorations.

I love choosing a different colour / wrapping / decor each year.

Here are some past themes...

I fell in lurve a few seasons ago with some ridiculously priced diamante concoctions from Domayne and, as is this family's custom, purchased one, appropriately themed item, per member each year.

So my little stash of 'special' decorations has grown. And when S & M left the nest, I bought their first Christmas decorations to start their own tree....

And this year, as it's A's first Christmas away from home, I bought her this:

but....for her BF, I needed a duck! and no other icon would do...

So I turned to good ol' Mr Google and guess what?

These $20+ Christmas ornaments are readily available on eBay for <$10, sold as diamante keyrings and necklaces!

Yes! I know! W.T.F?

Hello Mr $5 Duck! I'll look forward to meeting you!

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!

Window Shopping...

Well, I mentioned HERE that I'd recently had a squizz at the new season Freedom Furniture and Domayne offerings.  I found a range in each store that interested me enough to take quick pics and deets which, quite frankly, hasn't happened in awhile!.

The top collage shows Freedom's new and extensive Signature Range. Available in rich walnut-stained American oak timber veneer or a high-gloss white lacquer finish, there are 130 various pieces on offer and I personally think they're on a winner with this design / price / quality equation.

I personally loved the largest sideboard and entertainment unit in the gloss white option and at $999 each they're realistic wish-list items.

Anyone who's persevered following moi for awhile will know of my love of mirrored furniture, especially bedroom items. Collage No. Two shows Domayne's two new ranges called Optical (bronze, smoke or clear mirror) and Modern (white, smoke and clear mirror on chrome legs). They  featured two base styles and drawer unit combinations. The best bit? The prices! $499 for the 3 drawer Optical bedside is definitely do-able! Yee Ha!
The white glass in the Modern range was something I hadn't seen before either. (even at the wholesale / trade events) and definitely worth a look if a contemporary aesthetic is your thing!

I have run out of room to store large decor items and Davey has declared that all spare moolah needs to be channeled straight to building materials to complete the house so I hope these items will still be available when I am financially freer to decorate.
(If they go on sale though.... *wink* LOL!)

x KL 

Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment. I love receiving feedback! I also love watching a new pretty picture box added to my followers - would love you to join me so I can get to know you too!

Another little project....

 J had back - to - back birthday parties today so David and I had a lovely lunch together and then a wander around Domayne. I showed him the coffee table that I'm so enamoured with and he has promised to make me one! 

I designed a custom study desk for our last home (seen above) which I was really pleased with. It remained in the house when we sold it and it was a very cost-effective option for its size.

I've had these dining tables stored in a "LOVE" file for a few years. They are from Coco Republic and David feels he can replicate the Domayne coffee table top in reclaimed English Oak Parquetry to look similar to these. He thought $799 for a 'palette timber' top was excessive. Eeeek!

Anyhooo....I'm going to get my coffee table; but better and cheaper. Score!

I'm starting the steel design specs tomorrow.

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment. I love receiving feedback! I also love watching a new pretty picture box added to my followers - would love you to join me so I can get to know you too!

I need it....I need it not....

If only decision making were as easy as de-nuding a flower!

If you read this little ol' blog of mine regularly, you may know that this build is progressing at a snail's pace. And I am not helping by constantly buying decor for the to-be-finished rooms.

I have the art, not the gyprock, the lounge but not the carpet. Eeeek!

Most of my purchases go straight into storage for that magic day when we can spread out, over two floors instead of being cramped onto one. This decision though is for here and now.

We need a new coffee table for the family room.  

It is our only living space at the moment and the 10 year old leather 'pouffe' is showing signs of far better days.

Already anticipating 'the next' house, I don't want to restrict myself with something too contemporary as I'm visualising a smaller, Hampton's-esque home next. Mid Century styles are therefor eliminated as are anything shiny and glass. But these steel framed, parquetry topped tables have been on my mind for about a year. They seem sturdy and timeless. Time to commit?

What do you think? Will they suit this contemporary build and a more classic style too?

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment. I love receiving feedback! I also love watching a new pretty picture box added to my followers - would love you to join me so I can get to know you too!

I Wish......

I love everything about Lynn Ban's home after seeing it featured in The Glow. I know, I have shown you this image before.... however it is the image that has added more to my 'wish list' than any other; the zebra rug, the bookcase, tortoise shell, skulls, dark floors, coral and that Vintage Chanel sign!

And now I've tracked one down!!!! 

 It's in Lennox, South Dakota U.S. $750 + USD. And they won't ship to Australia. 

Perhaps that's a good thing...? !

 I've been trying to be 'thrifty' lately...(are you proud of me Mum?)

 Loving my free Supre jeans / leggings / jeggings...courtesy of a girlfriend who bought the wrong size. They are as comfy as PJ's!!! (Sorry about the boots...I had a site visit!) and my $2 bowls from Domayne (which were $8.95!). Used my Country Road Spend & Save deal for some homeware basics including this pop of orange t-towel.

OK, this stag headed Champagne coaster wasn't on sale but....this gorgeous butterfly paper weight was; $5 marked down from $30! Yay! I bought a few for Christmas stocking fillers!!!

And bathmats were two for the price of one...

With all this saving....the Chanel light might have to stay on the 'wish list' indefinitely.

If you're interested though.... here's the link!

(You can always ship to Oz via MyUS.com)

eBay Item number: 280941263186

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment. I love receiving feedback! I also love watching a new pretty picture box added to my followers - would love you to join me so I can get to know you too!

Out & About

 I took myself for a peep at Domayne and Freedom stores yesterday.

They are just starting to unpack new season stock and I was looking for a birthday pressie for a friend.

Both stores featured lots of bright colours in furnishings, home wares and outdoor items. It seems that fashion's colour blocking trend is spilling over to interior design too.

  I quite like a small injection of colour and easily changeable accessories can provide that. I loved both these cushions and bought the one pictured below right. It taps into the Retro Poster trend too without the commitment to price or precious wall space.

  Thankfully both stores also showcased more monochromatic and eclectic displays that I loved.

 I adored the stag headed silverware in Domayne and this stacking bookcase in Freedom called Spine, pictured below left. It's a similar design to one I've had on my wish list from Top 3 by Design (Stak pictured below right) but much more affordable. Yay!

I'd seen these aged parquetry pieces before....I'm thinking for the family room which will be floored in the same marble as our bathrooms (below) but in a 600 mm square size. Maybe. ?

I always am drawn to coral pieces that are real, painted or in print form. Those above left are from Domayne, top right, Freedom. Gorgeous!

Spotted these glossy black faux bamboo chairs. So lovely but very flimsy and wobbly to sit on. Still loving mirror bedsides too. *Sigh*

 Am totally high-fiving myself for bringing one of these shell lanterns home from Bali.
$20 AUD + rewiring cost beats $280 in Domayne any day!

Purchased this poly resin faux antiquity. At $45, it's a reasonably priced stand-in for the real thing that we were unable to afford in Bali. *Sob*.
 (I still dream of saving enough to bring her home!)
And I got this cute mat for the girl's bathroom too.

I was quite happy with my three little purchases and then remembered my friend's birthday. Oops. Looks like I'll be shopping again tomorrow! LOL!
Have you been shopping lately? Spied anything new and exciting where you are?

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment. I love receiving feedback! I also love watching a new pretty picture box added to my followers - would love you to join me so I can get to know you too!