Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Bedroom Wall Project

I finally got around to finishing another project that I had been wanting to do for a while. If you remember, last holidays I managed to cover a chair that sits in our bedroom. This spot where the chair sits is visible from our kitchen/living/dining area and the wall looked unfinished. I had been looking at it for quite a while planning what I wanted to do there. Due to Nick starting to work for himself and needing to rearrange our study in order to accommodate a bigger work bench etc I had some pictures that required relocating. It just so happened that Nick also had some pictures/photos that had been gifts and were just sitting beside the bed waiting to be given a permanent (well as permanent as possible in our house) home. The result......

I am pleased with how it turned out. It took some time finding the perfect layout, I played around with different configurations before I started putting holes in the wall. I placed the pictures on the bed and just kept moving them around until I found a layout I was happy with. I made sure I measured the space I had to work with on the wall and ensured that I kept within that size as I rearranged the layout on the bed. Once I was satisfied with the outcome I turned each frame over and measured where I needed to make a hole for the hook, starting from the top left I measured first how far in from the window I needed to come and then how far down from the ceiling. I marked it all out on the wall with a pencil first and then when I was pretty confident that my measurements worked I picked up the hammer and started making my holes. I wish I could say that I was spot on but alas... I did need to make a few minor adjustments.

Another project done! I am getting more motivated to pick up the paintbrush again soon and finish some more projects. Hopefully we may get some more accomplished this long weekend.

Photo source: McCarthy Designs

Monday, September 28, 2009

Courtyard

We managed to go and have a look at a shop in Bathurst on the weekend that we had been wanting to check out for quite a while. Both Nick and I found lots of stuff that we liked, unfortunately none of it came home with us. The shop is called 'Courtyard' and it stocks outdoor furniture, pots and ornaments along with indoor decor as well as custom made architectural pieces like cornices and mouldings etc. We really had a lovely time looking through the shop, trying to take photos on the phone and getting lots of ideas. I love shops like this one, not only do they stock great stuff but the arrangements along with the building itself provide a great source of decorating inspiration.
Photo source: McCarthy Designs

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Bathroom Vanity

We need to replace the vanity in our main bathroom and I would love to find an old piece of furniture that I can recycle and use as a custom vanity. Here are some of my inspirations.
Woodworkerworkshop.com silverlighteditions.com
silverlighteditions.com
img.hgtv.com
fantasiashowrooms.com
elusivefurniture.co.nz
divatoolbox.com
collectable treasures blog
christonium.com
bhg.com
barnwoodincorporated.com

blog.hgtv.com

This last one is not something I would use in my bathroom but I thought it looked like a bit of fun.

Now all I need to find is the perfect piece of furniture for the perfect price.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Dream Home

Welcome to my new home, we have lots of room to move with a total of 4,471sqm of house set on 29 acres. The views are just spectacular, you can see over to North Stradbroke Island not to mention the Koala Sanctuary and our own lake.
There is plenty of room to park your car and you can choose one of the seven bedrooms to stay in.
You must be hungry after you trip, come through to the kitchen and I can make you something to eat.
Unfortunately all of the furniture hasn't arrived and I would love your opinion on how best to furnish the house, there are wonderful long hallways that we could hang some great works of art or a selection of family portraits.
What shall I place in the entry here, I think I will have to find some big pieces of furniture to fill this space as any normal sized items will just look silly.
What about the ballroom? Shall I strategically place clusters of seating around the room leaving plenty of space for dancing in the centre?
Come upstairs, you can freshen up in the bathroom....
I'll meet you back downstairs in this room overlooking the pool and we can decide how to best use this space, so it is not wasted.
When we've had enough decorating we can relax with a nice swim in the pool.
What do you think? Is this a hugely extravagant house. Would you be happy in something this size?
To see more visit
Formal expressions of interest close on the 9th October.
Photo Source: raywhitebulimba.com.au

Friday, September 18, 2009

Spring in Italy

The warmer weather has made me keen to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, however our backyard is a mess. We have a brick retaining wall that needs finishing, a deck and a shed that needs replacing, a chicken coop to fix up then move and lots of 'fill laying around waiting for the opportunity to fill something.
I discovered a new blog the other day and I was enchanted by Jacqueline's photos from her trip to Italy. I particularly loved the garden ones, I would love to recreate some of these images in my garden. Check out Jackie's blog to see more.
http://home-biba.blogspot.com/
Photo source: http://home-biba.blogspot.com/ Have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Farewell Mac

Flikr.com
It has been a very sad day in our household today, our gorgeous puppy Mac sadly passed away. It was very sudden and unexpected early this morning. The vet informs us that he had a punture in his lung and the cavity around his lungs was filling with air making it hard for him to breathe. Unfortunately she could not save him and she could not give us a reason for the puncture. It could have been a birth defect or as a result of a trauma.

McCarthy Designs

Good bye Mac, we'll miss you. xx

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Definately feels like spring

The weather here has been lovely, I am really looking forward to summer and spending more time outside. The weekend was great, our school's Spring Fair was blessed with great weather and Nick and I thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine whilst watching young Nicholas play his semi final (and win) of soccer. We haven't put all the firewood away yet as Orange is renowned for getting cold again in October so I am sure we will be lighting the fire again in the not too distant future but for now I am loving the sun. I will have to put the pine cones away and find some spring inspired decor.
Photo source: McCarthy Designs

Friday, September 11, 2009

Another week

Time.... sometimes you wish the day would go by quicker and other times you wish that it would last much longer.
Happy weekend!
Photo source: McCarthy Designs

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Just lazing about.....

This week has been quite tiring and I would love to be able to spend the day tomorrow in any one of the above locations just lazing about........
Photo source: unknown