Mirror, mirror....

So...now that my ceilings are all white and wonderful, I've organised for my mate Bill to cover those last few brick walls with gyprock, and I'm telling you, I cannot wait to be rid of them. But as Bill has a holiday booked and will be away for the next couple of weeks (very inconsiderate of him, don't you think?) I'll take this time to plan my decorating theme for the dining area. At the moment, I have a large timber-framed mirror on the wall, and a sideboard, and I'll be giving them both a facelift with a fresh coat of paint. These are a few of the images I've saved, and of course there's a definite theme emerging here:

 lavender grove via locationworks.com

via elle decor

via skona hem

 via content agency

The gorgeous work of Steve and Brooke Gianetti

via house and garden magazine

lavender grove via locationworks.com

via southern accents

As usual, I'm drawn to the idea of painting the mirror either black or white. I could, of course, silver leaf it,  which I'm sure Kerry would recommend! And I'm quite liking the touches of gold that have found their way back into vogue in recent times, but my house is a little too rustic and rough around the edges for it to work.

I'll be back tomorrow with some pics of my pretty new ceilings, and also the mirror and sideboard in question. In the meantime, feel free to give my your opinions - your ideas are always so inspired. Ok, must go - I have a game to watch! 

See you tomorrow,

Juggling act

source

Well, the footy boys have a rest day today, which I know comes as a relief to both the players and spectators. After a good win in their first game yesterday, they had a narrow loss in their afternoon match. There were a few concussions and some very sore bodies, so I know having a day off today will be very welcome. Many of the boys have also just finished playing in the school First IV rugby union team, and I'm sure that fatigue has definitely set in. Thanks so much to everyone for the support, I know if the boys had time to read your comments they'd be thrilled!


So today, I was planning to catch up on some long-overdue housework, and getting stuck into some more painting for my upcoming webstore (more on that soon!) But that won't be happening, as I'm taking my youngest daughter back to the doctor for the third time this month. She's been suffering with terrible migraines, and we're having very little luck getting them under control. This is something that no-one in our family has any experience with, and unfortunately it's proving hard to find the right treatment. At fourteen, it's been really difficult for her to try to cope with school, sport and friends, while suffering with debilitating headaches. So fingers crossed, we find a solution and get her back to her normal, happy and pain-free self really soon.

Somewhere, in amongst all the happenings in the family, I'm trying to find the time to do all the things that need to be done - to be a mum, wife, and run a business. Of course, some things have fallen by the wayside, and the house looks like a bomb site! But, in the whole scheme of things, the housework is so unimportant, and I'm focusing on looking after my family first. So, I do apologise for my absence at the moment, I can assure you that I am reading each and every one of your wonderful comments, and I really appreciate that you take the time out of your busy day to visit my blog. I know I'm not alone, we all have our own juggling acts to perform, so thanks to each and every one of you.

On a positive note, my bff Bill toiled away tirelessly yesterday, to finish my ceiling. It was so nice to come home to see it looking all pretty and white. As soon as I get the time, I'll take some pics of the finished product. And as I can't possibly post without including some pretty pictures, here are a few, just because they're beautiful!

windsor smith

 carolyne roehm

Sorry for the long post, but that is my life at the moment. And if anyone out there has any experience with migraines, or some advice on what's worked for them, I'd be really grateful. I'm happy to try anything if it will help.


Have a great day everyone,

The Beginning

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK

This is where the idea of Happy Homemaker UK got its start -
on my parents back porch

XO

Laura

Is this Australia's perfect house?

A few years ago, there was an article in the paper about a property that had been awarded Australia's best. There was a small picture of the house, and when I saw it, it literally took my breath away. Of course, that small pic only whet my appetite for more, and after some serious stalking, I found just what I was looking for. Take a look. Perfect location (Byron Bay hinterland - delicious!) and beautifully considered design. No wonder this home took out the top prize - I don't think it gets much better than this:

the home features a 100 year-old turret from Scots College, Warwick (A-M, this one's for you!)

 the dam is stocked with perch

 

I might just take a dip in the 21 metre infinity-edge pool

there's a section of rare rainforest on the 100 acre property

the home took five years to build - the 150 custom-made verandah posts were designed especially for the property

the attention to detail is amazing - look at those windows!

no, this isnt the main house - it's just the garage/games room/studio

the home was decorated by Coco Republic - nothing but the best

You can read more about this gorgeous home here and here. It was on the market for only $7.5 million. Worth every penny I think - if only I had enough of those pennies to snap it up for myself!

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments, wishing my son luck with his football. They worked wonders - the boys won both games convincingly yesterday! Fingers crossed today will bring more of the same - they have one more pool match this morning, before heading into finals over the rest of the week.

Hope you all have a great day too,

Cabinet of curiosities

One of the advantages of living on acreage is having the space for a shed. A big shed. Big enough to hoard store all manner of vintage treasures, collected over years of thrift shop and garage sale stalking. Over the weekend, I managed to re-visit some of the pieces I have stashed away, and found these cabinets.

The blue hutch has the original, crazed painted finish, which is just gorgeous, so I'm looking for a new finish for the interior. I'm leaning towards painting, to complement the simple, rustic appearance:

...maybe something simple like this:

via 738nicola.wordpress.com

 via lauracaseyinteriors.com

The second piece has been varnished a truly awful, streaky brown, which will soon be covered in a fresh coat of paint. So with that in mind, I'm thinking I might zhush this one up with a wallpapered interior:

 

via whiteberryreinvented.com

 

via countryliving.com

...but I might just throw caution to the wind, and go for something like this gorgeous green chinoiserie paper, used here by Ruthie Sommers:

via chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com

...or this vibrant yellow de gournay number...

via degournay.com

So, what do you think? Do you have a preference for brightly coloured interiors, soft, subdued, chalky pastels - or maybe a dramatic black and white stripe? I'd love to know what you'd choose!

It's school holidays here in Queensland (yay!) but instead of leisurely sleep-ins, I'll be spending much of the first week watching my son compete in a state football carnival, so I may be a little scarce over the next few days. Fingers crossed the weather stays nice and dry! 

Have a great week everyone,

GARDENING: ROSES - GARDEN TOUR 7

HOME SWEET HOME

ITS ALL ABOUT THE ROSES

Sometimes just the right touch can make a beautiful project spectacular

Last Summer I finished up this hardscape remodel in Mission Viejo.  The homeowner put in new landscaping to compliment the new look of the home, but the patio was still a little bare.

A quick trip to a local nursery and we found these great pots (lightweight as well)

We planted them with spiraled spruce and bacopa - and the result was stunning!

You can view the project blog here to see the before and after photos.

Before we begin our garden tour (I'm stalling because it is my garden we are visiting) I wanted to express how important I think water is in a garden.   Not only for its reflective quality. . .

for it also attracts wildlife (I have never been so delighted as when a hummingbird stops to take a little bath in my garden fountain, or takes a sip mid flight)

While ponds are beautiful and tranquil

I prefer the sound of water in my garden.  Nothing compares to the music created by water, whether large or small.

Claudine's Garden

..

I'm actually relieved we are doing a virtual tour this year, as my garden has been suffering from blatant neglect

Flowers have gone unfertilized, untended, untrimmed and the beds are full of leaves, twigs and the occasional weed

Thankfully, my sweet husband took up the slack and planted beautiful color pots (also now untrimmed and untended) to brighten the garden for me

..

Sometimes my life gets a little ...

busy...

Tending a garden takes time

Despite the neglect, spring has been coming along nicely

I would have to say that although I have a garden, and I love gardens -

I am not a gardener.  I don't cultivate, I don't take clippings and coax them into growing roots, I don't wax poetic about which fertilizer to use,

or grow vegetables in containers and make my own salsa from it.

I simply don't have the time to be that involved.

But I so appreciate those who do, and who seem to do it so effortlessly. 

 I admire my friends that have organized and tidy gardens, 

with plants trimmed of spent blooms, 

with lettuces and herbs and other edibles; 

roses that are properly pruned

and glass topped tables that don't bear the words 'wash me' in the dust. 

You are the true gardeners. 

Despite my lack of time and skill, Mother Nature has been kind to our garden

(probably also due to a nice wet winter)

and there are spots that are camera worthy

like the plump blooms on the double geraniums

the penstemon

the color pots my husband put together

and this supertunia specimen we picked up at the garden show this spring

Also coming along nicely are the succulents -

our first attempt at growing them

in fact they are growing more rapidly than we anticipated

The fountain bubbles happily and is visited by sweet little birds that add to its music with their song

the apple tree is busily producing fruit, almost as quickly as the raccoons and possums

(and horrified here - rats)

are nibbling away at them

and it looks like we will have plums this year -

only the second time the tree has produced in 10 years

there are tangerines, grapefruit and lemon trees that produce every year

and a pineapple guava and a mango tree that are a little fussy and may or may not

..

But when all is said and done, my garden is really all about the roses

They seem to thrive on neglect

especially the Edens, which sprawl in great abundance over the front of the house

As far as roses go, I prefer ones with a very high petal count

as they last much longer

and remind me of  Peonies, which we can't grow here in So. California

and I like the English or Romantica styles for their form and fragrance

This rose was close to the fountain and caught its spray, like a sprinkling of diamonds

Another reason I have roses . . . big beautiful bouquets!

thank you for visiting my garden!

TOMATO LOVE

In Washington, Utah - near St. George, my brother-in-law Gene has taken on a bountiful hobby

His tomato passion has been growing for a few years now - last year he harvested over 400 plants and of nearly every variety imaginable

At his main residence in Salt Lake area, he built a greenhouse - climate controlled and efficient - to house his hobby.  It's a perfect compliment to his 'other' hobby - cooking!

but the milder climate in Southern Utah is producing beautiful results as well

for all the tomato plants, and one eggplant . . . which may develop into a new passion?

I'm so impressed!

You are amazing, Gene! 

thanks to everyone who has visited or participated in our Garden Tour!

SEE YOU NEXT TIME!