Modern Design Home Decor: colour

Showing posts with label colour. Show all posts

COMPLEMENTARY COLORS

<span id="goog_50577269"></span><span id="goog_50577270"></span><span id="goog_50577253"></span><span id="goog_50577254"></span><span id="goog_50577255"></span><span id="goog_50577256"></span><br><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />COLOR - FEATURE IT, HIDE IT OR ACCENT IT...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBj6q-LQQfQng9Ad_NId_QbJssgIDiblYJ9raCvXKtSccRj4CiuU_dODLZ4TJDtbUVzgaHzcmwB8oXYVpXTe6ZI1jTsd_xSg6RwnffZkDtq0u2FySv_szmyX0X4ZFqk8dapLn-njP7I_M/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBj6q-LQQfQng9Ad_NId_QbJssgIDiblYJ9raCvXKtSccRj4CiuU_dODLZ4TJDtbUVzgaHzcmwB8oXYVpXTe6ZI1jTsd_xSg6RwnffZkDtq0u2FySv_szmyX0X4ZFqk8dapLn-njP7I_M/s640/IMG_0246.JPG" width="480"></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Color wheel 101 teaches us that the colors directly opposite of each other on the color wheel are complementary.  I didn't spell that wrong - they don't compliment each other, they complement or complete each other.  In color talk, that means they make each other look their best, they bring out the best in each other - like a good marriage.  If you want to bring out a particular element in your home - a specific wood tone, the sofa, grandma's quilt, or a painting for example - find its dominant color and complement it - find the opposite color.  The photo above is a perfect example - the gold/yellow and peach tones of the roses pop against the purple tones of the lilacs.  Yellow and Purple are opposites on the color wheel.  </div><br /><br><br /></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2012/08/color-color-color-questions.html#more">Read more »</a>

COMPLEMENTARY COLORS

COLOR - FEATURE IT, HIDE IT OR ACCENT IT... Color wheel 101 teaches us that the colors directly opposite of each other on the color wheel ar...

2:29 PM

In the Pink

I don't know about you, but it seems <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">pink</span> is <i>everywhere</i> at the moment. It's Pantone's colour of the year, House Beautiful has just devoted a whole issue to it, and I couldn't be happier. I love it in all it's forms, but personally, I like it best when it's paired with a strong, complementary colour to add depth and contrast. For many years, my most popular paintings were huge works on canvas, full of peonies, roses and lillies, and pink was often the feature colour. Whether it is the faintest shade of blush, or a full-blown magenta, I think there's a pink for everyone. My youngest daughter's bedroom was, until fairly recently, painted a vibrant, shocking pink, paired with bedlinen in bright aqua. I absolutely loved it, and although it's now all white, I still manage to sneak a few hits of pink in now and then. Looking through these, I doubt I'll have any trouble coming up with new ideas for my <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/2011/02/pretty-in-pink-this-valentines-day.html">Interior Portraits</a> series any time soon. And the best part - I get to 'decorate' a new room whenever I like, even if it's just with the stroke of a paintbrush. Oh, and it's a lot quicker, with next to no mess (oh, ok, quite a bit of mess actually, but you know what I mean).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzfEcNszgP5YeAMq8nexETXF3xPArU06nAm4D1-oq3XLKSHyAlADGUL-IHT9Op7zq4aKVA8uFLxOdJMQUFW_SxH7QQnXQ3eYlYgzNUED-nPaYGblJTw18VIHfz4WXtdiZv82BBUv5IWw/s1600/design-happens_bpf-color-jonathan-berger-pink-living-room405x518.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzfEcNszgP5YeAMq8nexETXF3xPArU06nAm4D1-oq3XLKSHyAlADGUL-IHT9Op7zq4aKVA8uFLxOdJMQUFW_SxH7QQnXQ3eYlYgzNUED-nPaYGblJTw18VIHfz4WXtdiZv82BBUv5IWw/s1600/design-happens_bpf-color-jonathan-berger-pink-living-room405x518.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">jonathan berger</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: x-small;">hot pink + blue and white ginger jar = perfection</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfVo1TQijpJvkzbCpZXic-QAuzeCF0IWwM4aBNgO0WKAwEZ89OkHtHtTfC7tBeCJIsDaYHMlHce8D4vVMrR91CeFGoFoFDUVKSKxQXKUkPGFD4-sk2qQUxwW4Zq-vavAwwxxN-k6NvMo/s1600/hbx-outside-table-patio-0710-ewart-16-de-93407849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfVo1TQijpJvkzbCpZXic-QAuzeCF0IWwM4aBNgO0WKAwEZ89OkHtHtTfC7tBeCJIsDaYHMlHce8D4vVMrR91CeFGoFoFDUVKSKxQXKUkPGFD4-sk2qQUxwW4Zq-vavAwwxxN-k6NvMo/s640/hbx-outside-table-patio-0710-ewart-16-de-93407849.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: x-small;">krista ewart via house beautiful</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z-LSek94iHa582ghQvrKFvG3ewcv62EtTpYnO1XLzfmB7hhxZa0iCOBNusNwFdyGk4CjxFktMkMVjSZH5ggamvslzf36PVgxLQ2SBe1Mlnr-PzTiYRodpB6XDzuTzM2jd0PHTGYexXE/s1600/Round+Hill-08-Oceanfront+room+downstairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z-LSek94iHa582ghQvrKFvG3ewcv62EtTpYnO1XLzfmB7hhxZa0iCOBNusNwFdyGk4CjxFktMkMVjSZH5ggamvslzf36PVgxLQ2SBe1Mlnr-PzTiYRodpB6XDzuTzM2jd0PHTGYexXE/s640/Round+Hill-08-Oceanfront+room+downstairs.jpg" width="626" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: x-small;">round hill jamaica - need I say more?</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdEuODNqI7vJb93AT7Mt0ORFt1UJvHfAMhrgEVYJL1ECq03zxKtnxgtutVJaPYNdlogqfhUOVGxI9gbCD8bBtTl5aWJ6Ce_LI1sadsOcoDOFVgskGEbwBd2xbOV0Yd5FJVBD3rZa4z8M/s1600/7-caccoma-0509-xlg-78750558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdEuODNqI7vJb93AT7Mt0ORFt1UJvHfAMhrgEVYJL1ECq03zxKtnxgtutVJaPYNdlogqfhUOVGxI9gbCD8bBtTl5aWJ6Ce_LI1sadsOcoDOFVgskGEbwBd2xbOV0Yd5FJVBD3rZa4z8M/s640/7-caccoma-0509-xlg-78750558.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: x-small;">allison caccoma design via house beautiful</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiC0ddfmTTm4x0amagNN2Ug9eEMN7UhuiY0LP_83SDc3dNyP_-2dasPqhfK0JmvAa4mPCgt04lg3rPZ7MrF-8VOtQfnQbV69OD6R_ZUtb2kQmLQzaBB9z9xRc4TTW3QxYHcqv2feZM80/s1600/3664450826_8ac3c4f48f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiC0ddfmTTm4x0amagNN2Ug9eEMN7UhuiY0LP_83SDc3dNyP_-2dasPqhfK0JmvAa4mPCgt04lg3rPZ7MrF-8VOtQfnQbV69OD6R_ZUtb2kQmLQzaBB9z9xRc4TTW3QxYHcqv2feZM80/s640/3664450826_8ac3c4f48f_o.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: x-small;">house beautiful</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOONM2v47VAbluWvE_HPv9IS5bBdyx55JYyyisvsiJ3xFjUqQJBhWzi5F-AN4_gVVfoKURVOp6PnAneDBt18SzA0nwI8SIpTMpKiyaWBxx2_rCJTKUWXQg55KQ-q0d4Mle_1K1S9TYQ8/s1600/hbx-decorating-Berger-8-0709-xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOONM2v47VAbluWvE_HPv9IS5bBdyx55JYyyisvsiJ3xFjUqQJBhWzi5F-AN4_gVVfoKURVOp6PnAneDBt18SzA0nwI8SIpTMpKiyaWBxx2_rCJTKUWXQg55KQ-q0d4Mle_1K1S9TYQ8/s640/hbx-decorating-Berger-8-0709-xlg.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: x-small;">jonathan berger</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2CUMu1d0E5nefzyYZA9uV4hkM9DHWI6q8JsHETji2FwQgh1xNh1fgC4hhzKwcUHPH2RB2dkVg6IdWexYsm_lr4wx1r6KQxGeyuTMReSq6Ddr2uSpQlIN1WZXQNEHRVWPppUsRX8u1sQ/s1600/chinoiserie+De+Gournay+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2CUMu1d0E5nefzyYZA9uV4hkM9DHWI6q8JsHETji2FwQgh1xNh1fgC4hhzKwcUHPH2RB2dkVg6IdWexYsm_lr4wx1r6KQxGeyuTMReSq6Ddr2uSpQlIN1WZXQNEHRVWPppUsRX8u1sQ/s640/chinoiserie+De+Gournay+2.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: x-small;">some de gournay deliciousness </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeyYkXU32_rwrnl1c2_R4SunEhTmVBLgYz2Vkoqo9NMMfO2H5GPolYLaiPVEbSBem97DAfqAhdP2GUP5k0CI7udceM1AR9FlpV5OEcb0tXyrYXTu8KCiFXSdwEkuiNlAbH7g0VxAN2tQ/s1600/Detail-Pink-peonies-vase-HTOURS0105-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeyYkXU32_rwrnl1c2_R4SunEhTmVBLgYz2Vkoqo9NMMfO2H5GPolYLaiPVEbSBem97DAfqAhdP2GUP5k0CI7udceM1AR9FlpV5OEcb0tXyrYXTu8KCiFXSdwEkuiNlAbH7g0VxAN2tQ/s640/Detail-Pink-peonies-vase-HTOURS0105-de.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTItq4i0eM6wauzlmEM7FsNnxWkEDw05zLLrtQGgGt6bemd1DJZKlJ-yXjwjm_XFUM7zolPHGfwPqHJTdvQwihnDl953-xx7i6MeKLnNxFypHrZgFXCCaQmNbwwPpj3NkeBONOVrtCTQ/s1600/house+to+home+co+uk+GARDEN-PLANNING1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTItq4i0eM6wauzlmEM7FsNnxWkEDw05zLLrtQGgGt6bemd1DJZKlJ-yXjwjm_XFUM7zolPHGfwPqHJTdvQwihnDl953-xx7i6MeKLnNxFypHrZgFXCCaQmNbwwPpj3NkeBONOVrtCTQ/s1600/house+to+home+co+uk+GARDEN-PLANNING1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: x-small;">housetohome.co.uk</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">What about you - are you in the pink?  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

In the Pink

I don't know about you, but it seems pink is everywhere at the moment. It's Pantone's colour of the year, House Beautiful has ...

5:31 PM

Bright and breezy

Yesterday, I shared a snippet of the first painting in my new 'Interior Portraits' series. As promised, here's the full picture:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaXsdwg_YvInFNe1fJ6HP7gQ9EwEDvYObTmhh8GpKTJywuw4fjmtRMjN0XOn8tzcTRcsizetbmgYLGrpf6aI1Kmp2OJWD9xyDyv58hg2P-7ztG8PBZgNz1FxuPrzJl5GlrJbMFtU4HbQ/s1600/fuze+interior+portraits+1+copy+copy+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaXsdwg_YvInFNe1fJ6HP7gQ9EwEDvYObTmhh8GpKTJywuw4fjmtRMjN0XOn8tzcTRcsizetbmgYLGrpf6aI1Kmp2OJWD9xyDyv58hg2P-7ztG8PBZgNz1FxuPrzJl5GlrJbMFtU4HbQ/s1600/fuze+interior+portraits+1+copy+copy+copy.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-small;">'Interior Portrait'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-small;">watercolour on paper</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-small;">210mm x 297mm</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">You're probably thinking this is a bit of a departure from my recent paintings, and you'd be right. But that's what I love most about art; I can indulge in all my design loves, without hammering a nail or spending a fortune on new furniture. If I'm loving orange, it turns up in my art. In the mood for soft, dreamy blues? Paint it. Beach, boho, traditional, moroccan - straight onto canvas. Which suits my fickle nature down to the ground. This piece is also a case of art imitating art - the abstract canvas in this painting is actually a large piece I'm working on for a client, so it managed to make an appearance here as well. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The original inspiration for this painting came from a room I've long admired, designed by none other than Brisbane's own <a href="http://absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com/">Anna Spiro</a>. It's been stashed away in my inspiration folder for ages, and I love the use of bright colour, stunning artwork, and of course, a crisp white background to showcase each unique piece in all its glory.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qHfSLDGg0wlBVugFNFAoXlU3G8qwu4287AxXcY0eAAG4wwZrFimwGtZ0dNlUyQWE-XjyPru8708K4qBRAZ9gNZf2T6hCivNkzqyUyY9fOi1KA-VpyvX0u8EcjppgXjtoAPOaYW-9uqQ/s1600/anna+spiro+refreshing+happy+and+chic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qHfSLDGg0wlBVugFNFAoXlU3G8qwu4287AxXcY0eAAG4wwZrFimwGtZ0dNlUyQWE-XjyPru8708K4qBRAZ9gNZf2T6hCivNkzqyUyY9fOi1KA-VpyvX0u8EcjppgXjtoAPOaYW-9uqQ/s640/anna+spiro+refreshing+happy+and+chic.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> what can I say - love it!</span></div></div></div><br />The best part of this style is that I can incorporate favourite pieces into the painting. Chairs, sofas, cushions, wallpaper - the sky's the limit. My inspiration folder is full of possibilities - here are just a few:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeA3Ujmyd6tpwFmj1WWYCnLUltb48Q_k4rtKnxuzI6mUOZgQtVRph9ngJLqyhxQ0jiJuiv98x47Gq0knwNtGctMU6Ns8sc4eTSWoLXAjhYwYnAp2DZZbAZmO2qL2WtrqzSEfJRVqRJfWk/s1600/Burnham+office+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeA3Ujmyd6tpwFmj1WWYCnLUltb48Q_k4rtKnxuzI6mUOZgQtVRph9ngJLqyhxQ0jiJuiv98x47Gq0knwNtGctMU6Ns8sc4eTSWoLXAjhYwYnAp2DZZbAZmO2qL2WtrqzSEfJRVqRJfWk/s640/Burnham+office+.jpg" width="532" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsKp5E3V0pzKWRLYa0y5Kd6VlJZaV81iSnf1bri11C338kB2to-Jwop3kDKarCpKI6rZQbhjjEGv5B0Ooox6QfVD8Szw7H54pGwZHPI1QfQLuMPqXYI5f0gywPYpwD-pnQ22C4rKSauM/s1600/2_bluebellgray_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsKp5E3V0pzKWRLYa0y5Kd6VlJZaV81iSnf1bri11C338kB2to-Jwop3kDKarCpKI6rZQbhjjEGv5B0Ooox6QfVD8Szw7H54pGwZHPI1QfQLuMPqXYI5f0gywPYpwD-pnQ22C4rKSauM/s640/2_bluebellgray_large.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_NADyFAq0cCDB3_jgqqjS_bW0ZYO3TIoGMHosJhKvJfajx8IMY1qTM7Mqf-IxNt7SL4C0CdjtyhRHQGGmBmIqqaWQMczp2K04J9Dih_5vmvGoXsTatb_6NYwAxjdiywT6ZJme4ekeu0/s1600/12-romance-dresser-1008-xlg-24195804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_NADyFAq0cCDB3_jgqqjS_bW0ZYO3TIoGMHosJhKvJfajx8IMY1qTM7Mqf-IxNt7SL4C0CdjtyhRHQGGmBmIqqaWQMczp2K04J9Dih_5vmvGoXsTatb_6NYwAxjdiywT6ZJme4ekeu0/s640/12-romance-dresser-1008-xlg-24195804.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmieTPfEay1nH3KUyMq0i3poU1S8Jm-OPo9pgBd5lrfLsUMh8mFTZsloVtmrRhQzko-Qsrg3IVi_5s2odrVhmXCoPJox6DPim3Q1s4W-2-W3nIommOsuVCmH7MYSthRM3t0_78Y0zwe4/s1600/22-image-648-407-crop+ohjoy+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmieTPfEay1nH3KUyMq0i3poU1S8Jm-OPo9pgBd5lrfLsUMh8mFTZsloVtmrRhQzko-Qsrg3IVi_5s2odrVhmXCoPJox6DPim3Q1s4W-2-W3nIommOsuVCmH7MYSthRM3t0_78Y0zwe4/s640/22-image-648-407-crop+ohjoy+com.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qcg8etJ4gxzzei2V0QIK1tOhDW-fFmjweSubGGHofGkXGt-FG_BHHL7wTBJaz5PrNfqCZTI-Vl-jZ4T5q9j3YVGXJMeJ8tYipg8YsggeoI-1d72YPwvNnpym_807TdIQr119QTW1s5U/s1600/bright+chairs+and+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qcg8etJ4gxzzei2V0QIK1tOhDW-fFmjweSubGGHofGkXGt-FG_BHHL7wTBJaz5PrNfqCZTI-Vl-jZ4T5q9j3YVGXJMeJ8tYipg8YsggeoI-1d72YPwvNnpym_807TdIQr119QTW1s5U/s640/bright+chairs+and+art.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vARcf_apWyxnvrix8MkvPxk9lqjB0wtXd2NcmaSmMB2VX9cjSgQOxkEOKxhjSKc41SMgm8hTp4paKD7cW3J-S6SauqOvxowUgUK1BInpPkANhq3_xHeBK_ZY5inarI2_MWWDK5P1m3s/s1600/claudinesteffen.com+Thierry+Antablian+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vARcf_apWyxnvrix8MkvPxk9lqjB0wtXd2NcmaSmMB2VX9cjSgQOxkEOKxhjSKc41SMgm8hTp4paKD7cW3J-S6SauqOvxowUgUK1BInpPkANhq3_xHeBK_ZY5inarI2_MWWDK5P1m3s/s640/claudinesteffen.com+Thierry+Antablian+1.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Maybe you have the perfect piece for my next painting? I'd love to hear your suggestions!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

Bright and breezy

Yesterday, I shared a snippet of the first painting in my new 'Interior Portraits' series. As promised, here's the full picture:...

5:21 PM

White vs. Colour

I'm sure by now you're all aware of my love for white - I like nothing better than a clean canvas on which to layer artwork, fabric and texture. But as an artist, I adore colour, and every so often I'll come across an image that makes me question my whitewashing ways. <a href="http://hukalodge.co.nz/">Huka Lodge</a> is an absolutely drop-dead gorgeous holiday retreat, and the dramatic colour scheme here is truly inspired. Of course, it helps when the natural landscape is so breathtaking, and the white woodwork really makes the teal pop:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggtLlCbkxB8TsR0naBYoJqFmLTO74rjqVd5l66NT1dh_mpYrVOjxIP4LbEM8VU8WN_nsNfwtXhQGqn3POpQbsjz6jWvG81VnOPC8zd90sU7GX0rilVDWgGPTCfoAggVTElibx3hGv-6s/s1600/huka+lodge+fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggtLlCbkxB8TsR0naBYoJqFmLTO74rjqVd5l66NT1dh_mpYrVOjxIP4LbEM8VU8WN_nsNfwtXhQGqn3POpQbsjz6jWvG81VnOPC8zd90sU7GX0rilVDWgGPTCfoAggVTElibx3hGv-6s/s640/huka+lodge+fireplace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Mkoqf5t5F-VG4ARK8sUCmoBL9ixu6aD-bw0TCw5Z96J62cUWbMaHqrr57WrL6GR2EY8zobUkN3qcDpvRRjIYAITPeNm6hS-8kThbag8YhWYN4jtMy5EEW7eka0Q1950Kr9ADfxvRmsM/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Mkoqf5t5F-VG4ARK8sUCmoBL9ixu6aD-bw0TCw5Z96J62cUWbMaHqrr57WrL6GR2EY8zobUkN3qcDpvRRjIYAITPeNm6hS-8kThbag8YhWYN4jtMy5EEW7eka0Q1950Kr9ADfxvRmsM/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQz2uYeBJH8ut1byMhyphenhyphenV6p9O4eZJyJc9zW3gm0r8rP7F2d7JIn-oinsd-TgHIHOoHgnKYjUJASr-wgLSOTDyIMCBEbmc60-y7EoGDHIvQUk6LMSot67VdhGBhgd-HTchqL9SpREMbZj0/s1600/hulka+lodge+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQz2uYeBJH8ut1byMhyphenhyphenV6p9O4eZJyJc9zW3gm0r8rP7F2d7JIn-oinsd-TgHIHOoHgnKYjUJASr-wgLSOTDyIMCBEbmc60-y7EoGDHIvQUk6LMSot67VdhGBhgd-HTchqL9SpREMbZj0/s640/hulka+lodge+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, these next pics are perfect examples of how a similar room will look with a neutral colour scheme: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hyphenhyphenoowj1-3InVdf8zkp7OSLlcgxwHYklPv_df-L5wzWDMD3Ds8Y_Rzo_hJEif7UO-0fN6fqO9JTdstWY_pvRTaeg8z236shI1M_QTJij_ZB6BaY1DAuFFH6o8HpD62TjANM1WLBqpfE8/s1600/huka-lodge-new-zealand-0506-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hyphenhyphenoowj1-3InVdf8zkp7OSLlcgxwHYklPv_df-L5wzWDMD3Ds8Y_Rzo_hJEif7UO-0fN6fqO9JTdstWY_pvRTaeg8z236shI1M_QTJij_ZB6BaY1DAuFFH6o8HpD62TjANM1WLBqpfE8/s400/huka-lodge-new-zealand-0506-de.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">oh, I love this one too </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFvSEdlTRPJxiJKZnTMI4K6M822iCmLMw8NP4_s3sO1NhMqniTkE8t3ZayVyEzPvOdTWVG0hdH4NnZBiaMJX2HVNKDlRnh5py-GsmElo4pbNY88pcjCAorw6NsYIO_8yxIavcwMbtAvo/s1600/alan-pye-cottage-main-banner-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFvSEdlTRPJxiJKZnTMI4K6M822iCmLMw8NP4_s3sO1NhMqniTkE8t3ZayVyEzPvOdTWVG0hdH4NnZBiaMJX2HVNKDlRnh5py-GsmElo4pbNY88pcjCAorw6NsYIO_8yxIavcwMbtAvo/s640/alan-pye-cottage-main-banner-03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">  ...and the ceiling - divine </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_48Cf63rxnwC32Z_0EdiW1lQ_l8JDc4jcZy2OTpk6EYK3k3wiCDZI5NocXuXj69diIMVDUhPItEE9AmE-j7I-hVPvAsVG9B2aBAxU93mKqQyCN3vWVMuQ_ms5c18EuU8DZKP10KPDsdA/s1600/2_the-owners-cottage-main-banner-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_48Cf63rxnwC32Z_0EdiW1lQ_l8JDc4jcZy2OTpk6EYK3k3wiCDZI5NocXuXj69diIMVDUhPItEE9AmE-j7I-hVPvAsVG9B2aBAxU93mKqQyCN3vWVMuQ_ms5c18EuU8DZKP10KPDsdA/s640/2_the-owners-cottage-main-banner-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IL-5VPlPRi5_3iIpPNkZYvGU5su26ih2fYAl02PZnUQbqEo_DSg_6cY89KR35mDXGZ1AnySIAztdGAhtk6BqbDTpHJCT5TKh3iqkZSFCHhM9mhFArt2hYe6EisvaynMZlGezYpxLjwY/s1600/the-owners-cottage-main-banner-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IL-5VPlPRi5_3iIpPNkZYvGU5su26ih2fYAl02PZnUQbqEo_DSg_6cY89KR35mDXGZ1AnySIAztdGAhtk6BqbDTpHJCT5TKh3iqkZSFCHhM9mhFArt2hYe6EisvaynMZlGezYpxLjwY/s640/the-owners-cottage-main-banner-03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdvR36dSVdHx7nwBok7JwCzSZ2QbHPvgHSrUVh-tHr0C0DUW_IAyb54cTmbNsPMVFLlmGpt2dLScqFTQfWaOXtjdRkV0IZpJrtJ_wmfGSq7BcbE_TN42D8TH-qP-PJkQE3Jf8JBsUanM/s1600/kitchen_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdvR36dSVdHx7nwBok7JwCzSZ2QbHPvgHSrUVh-tHr0C0DUW_IAyb54cTmbNsPMVFLlmGpt2dLScqFTQfWaOXtjdRkV0IZpJrtJ_wmfGSq7BcbE_TN42D8TH-qP-PJkQE3Jf8JBsUanM/s400/kitchen_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Did you notice that, although the colours are dramatic, they've been taken from the natural landscape, so they complement their setting perfectly - interior design at its best. I'm thinking that this gorgeous teal may be my new favourite winter accent colour. Oh, and another thing - wouldn't this be the perfect location for an international blogging convention? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Enjoy your day everyone,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">all images courtesy <a href="http://hukalodge.co.nz/">hukalodge.co.nz</a></span>

White vs. Colour

I'm sure by now you're all aware of my love for white - I like nothing better than a clean canvas on which to layer artwork, fabric ...

5:22 PM

What little girl wouldn't love this?

Isn't this the most gorgeous little girl's room? I love the hot pink and turquoise colour scheme, the little shelves either side of the bed, the bedhead, silhouette cushions.....pure perfection.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkW2jaLwtwbgtlH5jXPtb3Ey5NeNzmA-JwoIdFMZWi8KXNt9nKeM7axiDf2itIWwwuR4IQK5447WqwIVzBKHWFJC3FlLd47V3Q0SCHj3qWaKrdyhXX1lBrJfV_wCVKJZkGp-cbFSeawwE/s1600/girl's+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkW2jaLwtwbgtlH5jXPtb3Ey5NeNzmA-JwoIdFMZWi8KXNt9nKeM7axiDf2itIWwwuR4IQK5447WqwIVzBKHWFJC3FlLd47V3Q0SCHj3qWaKrdyhXX1lBrJfV_wCVKJZkGp-cbFSeawwE/s640/girl's+room.jpg" width="465" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Traditional Home Magazine</span><br /><br /><br /></div>I'm signing off until Monday, when I'll be back with all the details of the giveaway - I'm really excited about it and can't wait to share it with you! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, see you next week.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>

What little girl wouldn't love this?

Isn't this the most gorgeous little girl's room? I love the hot pink and turquoise colour scheme, the little shelves either side of ...

12:07 AM

Outdoor living

Here in the southern hemisphere, winter is almost upon us. There's a definite chill in the air, even here in sunny Brisbane, and I'm already dreaming of spring. Of course, reading all of my favourive blogs from our northern hemisphere blog buddies does nothing but whet my appetite for barbecues, spring blossoms (oh, those gorgeous peonies and lilacs!) and days spent soaking up the sun. So, here are some gorgeous outdoor rooms to keep us going until the warmer weather rolls around again.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96n2_i_rZJdnE5kqFmb0yrKXSth6I95f1PYNKI-bFz0UkypJaN4lil8ADGsgyEsl8mK_DaCSkDAVnmyHqVAhC9y7lVKKsoankBVIYUt_f__XkMEcU7qNiYpiiNkv0thsoEUavVog_Hpo/s1600/house+to+hokme+co+uk+IH0607-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96n2_i_rZJdnE5kqFmb0yrKXSth6I95f1PYNKI-bFz0UkypJaN4lil8ADGsgyEsl8mK_DaCSkDAVnmyHqVAhC9y7lVKKsoankBVIYUt_f__XkMEcU7qNiYpiiNkv0thsoEUavVog_Hpo/s400/house+to+hokme+co+uk+IH0607-39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbH6fMNV5SD3mry8xN4f84mnzw2cTRVXeKGI7lRaPe2CcM65SEfjpA1q2ohYjUNjmHDcu6ukQKFyKkEDSqXiG9KElMjQlXSx3clXkM0Ur-RjlbbVpRXaRuYTaSf5HFvOkaOzXz87Rz4E/s1600/house+to+home+co+uk+IH0506-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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Outdoor living

Here in the southern hemisphere, winter is almost upon us. There's a definite chill in the air, even here in sunny Brisbane, and I'm...

1:27 PM

Ta Da!!

Ok, I know this has been a long time coming, but I've <i><b>finally</b></i> finished the first of my vintage chair <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-weekend-entertainment.html">makeovers</a>. I decided to paint the two seater white, so I can play around with colours and fabrics to my little heart's content. Here she is:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCr9WikJhrYnfx7onrv87q7d7l6TMEYdy3DQKeRxcEVdzfvwoZQ6hQpDZfMWxL1pRJ71za_ZJmM9USAdIFxSdymKfmah2RC-zkGSjPMlz9gaqWNI9fWsb29g_aBJpGojrH6e5FOAzcLpU/s1600/aa15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCr9WikJhrYnfx7onrv87q7d7l6TMEYdy3DQKeRxcEVdzfvwoZQ6hQpDZfMWxL1pRJ71za_ZJmM9USAdIFxSdymKfmah2RC-zkGSjPMlz9gaqWNI9fWsb29g_aBJpGojrH6e5FOAzcLpU/s400/aa15.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62enLwWLiLeHiwNguUzv1G4QcoD3zee0VC3Dd4044uNi5qm_FnZh9hE66jb27HfXrBKp6NOk7FX_vcQcAvP2wrFsAAFQwFjJg7KP2dYSLj5QdIqQfGuRFe43Ihf75DnyHNOpqhgZymlM/s1600/aa19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62enLwWLiLeHiwNguUzv1G4QcoD3zee0VC3Dd4044uNi5qm_FnZh9hE66jb27HfXrBKp6NOk7FX_vcQcAvP2wrFsAAFQwFjJg7KP2dYSLj5QdIqQfGuRFe43Ihf75DnyHNOpqhgZymlM/s400/aa19.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've loved this black paisley for ages, and really like it for the seat cushion. I agonised over whether to paint the chair black, but now I can use fabric as the focus, and then change my mind when I get sick of it - which is often!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Svn2o0ODOLVnos9DwWr4lNy9VWWQunepk1k7hhhgAvrpzODQGZt-vfwF6irewCIOArQl-HOb3YH472mjbi5W-8b83lxtVISG4o2IkFMbH-d_ZSTF53ZBbExSgqlFwOlJ8a4aSdYu858/s1600/aa14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Svn2o0ODOLVnos9DwWr4lNy9VWWQunepk1k7hhhgAvrpzODQGZt-vfwF6irewCIOArQl-HOb3YH472mjbi5W-8b83lxtVISG4o2IkFMbH-d_ZSTF53ZBbExSgqlFwOlJ8a4aSdYu858/s400/aa14.jpg" width="327" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />It was really a quick and easy way to give new life to a tired old piece. The set was in perfect condition, and all it needed was a quick clean, priming with a coat of sealer/undercoat (I always use Zinsser, it's fantastic and works on all finishes) and three coats of white gloss via my new best friend, this baby.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KLW3o89pMByBKTInPGPHRez9_6R8t6UvCgaj_e7CvMqtP5_GqsCoqcsMPHtWu-LrrbvnGYIOy3iMs2q4VGBfwInSTA0rDrROeKklfp2PeBfDoiXaHzhf1OYuSxigHLvjxuQu738b5B8/s1600/1spray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KLW3o89pMByBKTInPGPHRez9_6R8t6UvCgaj_e7CvMqtP5_GqsCoqcsMPHtWu-LrrbvnGYIOy3iMs2q4VGBfwInSTA0rDrROeKklfp2PeBfDoiXaHzhf1OYuSxigHLvjxuQu738b5B8/s320/1spray.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I seriously wish I'd bought one of these sooner - it's fantastic and so easy to use.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Here are the befores (sorry, forgot to take one of the two-seater, I was in far too much of a hurry to get going!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXzq3FSJeZJ6cRqNEcIlgtZyAfTllJzhl6e_WR9bMNQV6WLQi7VI1BV0VhICF1RACxFjNwPBYeBAqYyBcI2Vq95XL0qRIJ450QbwtrAvLIP2rVg42i3BdD1IY2UcgdwDe5mHr5fwoSEQ/s1600/chair2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXzq3FSJeZJ6cRqNEcIlgtZyAfTllJzhl6e_WR9bMNQV6WLQi7VI1BV0VhICF1RACxFjNwPBYeBAqYyBcI2Vq95XL0qRIJ450QbwtrAvLIP2rVg42i3BdD1IY2UcgdwDe5mHr5fwoSEQ/s320/chair2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">And now...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Lh6CBuNzBZuytr7fi5_m9LiJCSn_z6tB0-h22BffBo_kQcj3yImkaMr8H9guUHUNuqed7n50JeKn8gvAx8RYREGBPmhZ-jHpmvMrs3hCidoAiBE2W0aVBDzVN72B1JCrahE04cNuXdo/s1600/aa4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Lh6CBuNzBZuytr7fi5_m9LiJCSn_z6tB0-h22BffBo_kQcj3yImkaMr8H9guUHUNuqed7n50JeKn8gvAx8RYREGBPmhZ-jHpmvMrs3hCidoAiBE2W0aVBDzVN72B1JCrahE04cNuXdo/s320/aa4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ...here she is all painted and pretty.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh829vk3MzB_gg4nFYt9YgjqPTbxDPpI3FNfDdth6GoMLyrHTE6J_qrH965AYbH7q8-6U137ldjSPlScDdwpGOLSn7npwhyNG1n54G_2Ad6XWse0iA8J_SnnCRjxid6IchgE00hTyuJ3Jk/s1600/aa6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh829vk3MzB_gg4nFYt9YgjqPTbxDPpI3FNfDdth6GoMLyrHTE6J_qrH965AYbH7q8-6U137ldjSPlScDdwpGOLSn7npwhyNG1n54G_2Ad6XWse0iA8J_SnnCRjxid6IchgE00hTyuJ3Jk/s320/aa6.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I did have one issue, for some reason I had this weird hot pink sap? leach out when the first coat went on. I have no idea why this happened - anyone have any ideas?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeVFEiWhdgu57MzmSdhFNug2CvzR-n-otYQG3A37czvAnSTwa54usoQ4To53OV-iHrKBF3FftgH3ZGQGwpj1bm135J29PJDp_k8e4PKWd0hhpylGDuFriY2a_uXzZM_Lr2WNvXbBU5Ws/s1600/aa11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeVFEiWhdgu57MzmSdhFNug2CvzR-n-otYQG3A37czvAnSTwa54usoQ4To53OV-iHrKBF3FftgH3ZGQGwpj1bm135J29PJDp_k8e4PKWd0hhpylGDuFriY2a_uXzZM_Lr2WNvXbBU5Ws/s400/aa11.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Looks just as good with some neutral taupe cushions</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnj8P1Hp16nbJWHr0FJyJWwKR8albgq-QJw3tITWyYuJOk2N8kodPRrX9MsUFQXnM2NTWkT0YW5bnj5J3xTiDFW2oaUc6kOoVm1W-LNvmorHBnVvG3jxTJoEhN-quUeDGeICLt8yvWLY/s1600/aa5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnj8P1Hp16nbJWHr0FJyJWwKR8albgq-QJw3tITWyYuJOk2N8kodPRrX9MsUFQXnM2NTWkT0YW5bnj5J3xTiDFW2oaUc6kOoVm1W-LNvmorHBnVvG3jxTJoEhN-quUeDGeICLt8yvWLY/s400/aa5.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'd had this Ralph Lauren fabric stashed away, and initially thought it would look great on the seat cushion. After I saw it, I realised it was just wrong, so kept tweaking things until I was happy.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHvT3NA45Yp0zsCqAMxwLtPPcrQFfaevKcLwpDvylcYi9uSK3CBaa5NfP1R6b8aqX1VXIU7WqGEE5reLYtp8wN3cn_fL5P2dUn_uQMcjneDdn9Y0eq8RakGvfjk47kWL2nXyYeKh8K0c/s1600/aa21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHvT3NA45Yp0zsCqAMxwLtPPcrQFfaevKcLwpDvylcYi9uSK3CBaa5NfP1R6b8aqX1VXIU7WqGEE5reLYtp8wN3cn_fL5P2dUn_uQMcjneDdn9Y0eq8RakGvfjk47kWL2nXyYeKh8K0c/s400/aa21.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I threw a white matelasse quilt over the seat, and I quite like it in combination with the crisp blue on the cushions.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ok, so now all I have to decide on is some gorgeous cushions. I like the black and blue and white so far, but then I was visiting the lovely Judy's blog, <a href="http://verandahhouse.blogspot.com/">Verandah House</a>, when I saw these:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLqP_7UZS20ILYQJn9NIPc0vaPYK07SZaGlZJHAT7hXK9gxG5s5GYrOd6R-5z7ZCRm1F6U0wQg9rxw8S25aaBAeJ9II9TOZcYPtnoWgCNZjAtZk_3yDY8OYX1IjUhRpjU93YGvpQu1Gc/s1600/blue_bed+les+indiennes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLqP_7UZS20ILYQJn9NIPc0vaPYK07SZaGlZJHAT7hXK9gxG5s5GYrOd6R-5z7ZCRm1F6U0wQg9rxw8S25aaBAeJ9II9TOZcYPtnoWgCNZjAtZk_3yDY8OYX1IjUhRpjU93YGvpQu1Gc/s320/blue_bed+les+indiennes.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Les Indiennes by Mary Mulcahy </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ...and these..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRlEmDDoTDLoR5Q1LRH4LpMJbm1LKBhQNhxOAQQS7Bhkvhlh3FWqKRtGP1ZpTAln0nQZsMTvs69fSJWXoYxkTjEJo4JdQbr80Pp4ayLNStvZL3bL03-7bXHat1gYhd-GNBQJhZpNgogs/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRlEmDDoTDLoR5Q1LRH4LpMJbm1LKBhQNhxOAQQS7Bhkvhlh3FWqKRtGP1ZpTAln0nQZsMTvs69fSJWXoYxkTjEJo4JdQbr80Pp4ayLNStvZL3bL03-7bXHat1gYhd-GNBQJhZpNgogs/s400/Picture+1.png" width="287" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizo_jnl0Dgw4vV2IH4Jn7OMKgAPCMgBqEBd00xn7IpsaZv0LmbnVczBvZZBGBjIxVjP4pe-SgP24hjTGObFx5-cIy4Gp-FxEyLplAsjZs52TnjgzIghfHXfxSqdR1UT2Zwy8R5DZ9DhAE/s1600/--1vfsvfg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizo_jnl0Dgw4vV2IH4Jn7OMKgAPCMgBqEBd00xn7IpsaZv0LmbnVczBvZZBGBjIxVjP4pe-SgP24hjTGObFx5-cIy4Gp-FxEyLplAsjZs52TnjgzIghfHXfxSqdR1UT2Zwy8R5DZ9DhAE/s320/--1vfsvfg.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...and now I'm loving this green! I think I might paint a chinoiserie-style artwork for above chair, similar to the wallpaper above. And those of you who read <a href="http://ishandchi.blogspot.com/">Viv's</a> lovely blog will recognise the piece on the wall, my daughter saw it and fell in love with it, so we just had to get one.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, what do you think? You guys are all so chic and stylish I'm sure you'll give me even more pretties to add to the mix, but hey - that's the fun part! Oh, and this little makeover is a part of the Best DIY Projects in April Link Party over at <a href="http://beneathmyheart.blogspot.com/2010/04/best-diy-projects-of-april.html">Beneath my Heart</a> blog, so go check out some of the other amazing transformations on show. </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Enjoy the rest of your day,</div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>

Ta Da!!

Ok, I know this has been a long time coming, but I've finally finished the first of my vintage chair makeovers . I decided to paint the...

9:51 PM

Modern Design Home Decor