Showing posts with label Freedom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Freedom. Show all posts

2.9.14

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

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11.8.14

Bits 'n Bobs

Davey has just informed me that as a result of my recent illness, he will need to 'catch-up' the time he lost on client projects, by working Saturdays
Fair enough. 

Then, I thought about it...
He is currently employed in Sydney (90 minutes south of Copacabana), and his 5:30 am start and 6:30 - 7 pm arrival home make Saturday his only day to tackle building work here at La Hacienda.
3 weeks = 21 days. 
Twenty-one Saturdays from now takes us into January 2015!!!!


I heard a casual statement ... but it was actually a loaded bomb!

There goes my fantasy of 'moving' upstairs by Christmas.
 *sob*

Anyhow,  s l o w  progress aside (nothing new really....) here are some pics of what has been happening about these parts ....


The two upstairs bathrooms are approved by council and ready for underfloor heating installation. After much debate and soul searching, I decided to purchase Carrara Marble tiles in the same size (400 mm x 400 mm) as the downstairs bathrooms for our ensuite. I just couldn't justify spending three times more for Calcutta or mosaics when we still have so much more to do. The marble is Italian and the white is really crisp though, which helped clinch the deal!


David decided that it was high time we bought a new mattress too. I wasn't much help as I was just out of hospital so couldn't lay on the display beds. He chose a Tempur one (without the folding base, which J loved!). It was a big investment so I hope it's comfortable! Our last bed was a top-of-the-line disaster because of the too soft pillow top.


 Been 'playing' with some decor pieces, motivated by a Country Road competition. If you want to enter too, click HERE.


Had a day of shopping with a girlfriend in Sydney last week. We popped into the newest Matt Blatt store in Castle Hill. I've seen their wares online but never in person. Most pieces were disappointing... but I liked this replica daybed and dining table.


We then headed to a Freedom outlet store my friend knew about. I snapped up this Freedom console which was a quarter of it's retail price!  Not sure where it will 'live' but there are a few suitable alcoves upstairs!

Newham Console from Freedom
Spotted these gorgeous external lights at Beacon Lighting. L.O.V.E. ! 
David liked them too, but we can't have them here. The finish is unsuitable for our seaside location, nor are they IP rated ie; they'll rust. Fast. 
Frustrating. Why manufacture an outside light that isn't durable?

South Hampton light fixtures
Have you started thinking about Father's Day?
I think this Bunning's Tool Chest is on David's 'wish' list. It comes complete with bar fridge, LCD TV and stereo. I think it would be too much of a distraction to work....


Keep dreaming darling....


x KL

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31.3.14

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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26.4.13

Hello Gorgeous!



 School holidays are drawing to an end here, mores the pity. At 10, J is very independent and I can enjoy a lazy sleep-in when there's no school. No chasing him to bed at night is also heaven. We're getting back to routine over the weekend though in prep for Monday!

David has been busy upstairs again....no prizes for guessing what he's still doing! 

Bought these black and white vases after 'um'ing and 'ah'ing for an eternity at Freedom and ordered a designer-copy-cat spine book tower thingy. It takes 12 weeks to get one! I just expected them to pop it in my car. LOL! Live and learn! I serendipitously received a $50 gift voucher too which was unexpected. Not sure what I'll buy with it yet....

Remember my recent post about Juju hats? Mine arrived today.... I love it's texture but I sadly packed it away until upstairs is ready to be decorated. *sigh*

And this absolutely gorgeous, sparkly Anya Hindmarch clutch may or may not be delivered soon. Perhaps in time for Mother's Day? NET-A-PORTER....I lurve you!


x KL 

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30.3.13

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!

3.8.12

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!