Showing posts with label coral. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coral. Show all posts

15.7.13

Pottery Barn: My Online Shopping Experience



Waaaay back HERE, during the first week in May, I tested the newly opened Australian Pottery Barn Online Shopping experience by purchasing a piece of faux coral. After very little communication, I received said order today; July 15.

For faux, it's just OK. I am considering returning it. The colour is much more cream than pictured, the piece less opaque and 'heavier' visually than anticipated. It was really well packaged for transit but included no receipt or paperwork whatsoever. Strange. And 10 weeks delivery time frame for an advertised 'in stock' item? Not on.

I love online shopping and have had in general, excellent success, but I'll be striking Pottery Barn off my shopping destination list. Have you had any experiences with them that you'd like to share? Perhaps mine was a one off?

27th September ADDENDUM:  
Received a phone call today from PB asking for updated credit card details so they could charge and post this order to me. W.T.F? Major System Failure!

x KL 

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3.5.13

arty farty stuff

 I am soooo itching to get 'upstairs' - s p r e a d  o u t  - and unpack all the treasures I've amassed and those that have been packed away for over three years! In the mean time, I swing between decorating the lower house with enthusiasm or treat it with total distain disinterest.
 (Ditto the house cleaning) Eeeek!

As mentioned once ?  (LOL) before, we are aiming at completing the unfinished areas downstairs whilst waiting for funds to allow the completion of the upper areas. I'm trying to visualise and decorate a half finished house and half finished rooms to make our current, less-than-perfect, living arrangements as comfortable and aesthetically pleasing as possible!


This is the view, upon entering the house and looking right from the entry into the family room.
(Hello S!; who declined this incredible photo opportunity!) This is a 'temporary' dining area; it will be an unencumbered walkway when we occupy upstairs and is the only good image I have of the area I wish to discuss in this post!

I created a deep 'niche' for art on the far wall as it was an obvious view line from the entry. (There will be a retractable wall / door in between to isolate when needed) This is an expected high traffic area to the family room, pool, outside entertaining, beds 3 & 4 and laundry / entertaining kitchen.
The wall was created initially as a repository for a fully retractable glass wall between the family room and outdoor entertaining area.

O.K.... so back to decorating! I bought my first carved skull for this niche (LHS pic) as I had always envisioned sculpture here. The skull created drama though, if you're interested; HERE, HERE and HERE. Apart from being disappointed in the carving quality, the skull was too small for the niche so I on-sold it on eBay and after a holiday to Bali, welcomed Bindi to our home (RHS pic)


Bindi didn't look right either though, even though better scaled for the spot so I've tried a few various arty- farty arrangements...


...and decided Bindi definitely needed a new home. She has temporarily ?  replaced an artwork on the charcoal hall wall. (Still to be hung properly though!) Thoughts?


Which left the niche still empty. Damn.
Anyhoo....then I saw a Designer Boys framed sea fan. The colour, composition and size were all perfect....SO..... here she is:


I obviously need to tidy up all the crap that magnetises itself to that ledge and also do a wee bit of styling. And Davo needs to finish the niche light....

 Ho Hum...but at least one wall has it's centerpiece finalised, right?


x KL 

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5.9.12

A new craft project


 Two years ago I saw this beautiful cross in a shop at Currumbin Beach, Queensland. It was made by the very talented coral artist Bernice Standen and as I had the whole family in tow I hesitated in purchasing it, a decision I have regretted many times. Sadly, the shop is now closed.


An Internet search produced more images of similar crosses. 
Each of them unique and very beautiful.


The original one I first saw and the two below are my favourites. They have such a range of coral and shell within them but, to my eye, are well balanced and restful.

 I thought I might have a go at making one so I've sourced some shells and coral pieces and David has promised to create the timber cross for me.


 Now I just need to find the hot glue gun...

Did you notice that I've finally worked out how to post multiple joined pics too? I used the iPhone app Pic Jointer! (Although if there's a way to do this in Blogger please tell me! I tried inserting HTML codes but the results were messy to say the least!)
And I dragged my good Canon Digital SLR out of storage to try to improve the quality of my images.
Not as handbag friendly but I love that schmick shutter sound!

 Hope you're enjoying some Spring sunshine!

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!