Just Loving It

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas with your families and cannot believe the New Year is fast approaching. We are having a lovely time in our new home and I just can't sem to wipe the smile from my face. Living closer to the coast does have its set backs (closer to the shops) not sure if thats a good thing or bad. But the sales were calling Boxing Day and we headed off to get some great bargains. Have been busy setting up all of my things and moving them around ten times just to get the right look. Still lots to do but nice to know we don't have to move again anytime soon.
Took these snipets of the spare room and my laundry which is just waiting on a lovely chandelier to be installed. This is really the first time in years that I have a laundry large enough to even do the ironing in. My husband hung my lovely wrought iron scrolly shelf which was just too nice to hang outside. I have let it go rusty just the way I like it.

Kitchen Before & After Posts

This is the before picture of the kitchen. Follow the next post down to see the after pictures. The laminate was of very poor quality and peeling in some spots so I decided to remove all the existing laminate and start fresh. I guess we could of had the laminate replaced but this would have taken time and money so instead they got the white paint treatment. All hardware was removed and I filled all the holes. The cupboards were sanded and I applied two coats of Dulux Prep Lock (water based) which is a stain blocker. Top coat was Dulux Vivid White in a high gloss, I applied at least 4 coats to all the doors.

Kitchen After Almost Complete

Well what a difference - looks like a complete new kitchen wouldn't you say? I got my husband to make some timber mouldings on the cupboards to dress them up a little. I do think once I paint them and put the new handles on they will look unreal. Still have a chandy to hang in the middle of the kitchen and some lovely down lights which I am hoping will be up for Christmas Day. The blue tiles and benchtops are staying for now but think they will eventually end up being white as well.

Finally Got There

Well we finally settled at 3pm yesterday afternoon which was a huge relief. I ran around mad like a crazy woman gathering up all our stuff at my sister place and headed over to the new abode. How exciting it all was and the first things the kids did was put up the Christmas tree. So nice to be in your own home after living in units and a rental for 12 months. We are gradually pulling stuff out of the shed and setting up the house and lucky I have a week off to play around. Then there's Christmas lunch which is suppose to be at our place too. Some how I love putting pressure on myself. Hope your all having a lovely week and enjoying the lead up to the big day.

Settlement on Hold

Thanks for all your good luck messages about our move but I am sad to say that we are still not in our new home. Well my furniture is there in the shed but the house has not settled. Complications at the Vendors end and paperwork was not completed on time. We had the furniture truck all loaded as we had to be out of our rental on Saturday and thats where it all went pear shape. Lucky for us my sister has a big home and we are bunking down here until Monday hopefully where they are going to attempt settlement at 3.30pm. Not a very nice feeling living out of a suitcase for a few days but I'm sure it will all come together. Doesn't leave much time for Christmas preparations but I can imagine there are many other people worse off so thats what you have to keep reminding yourself. Oh the joys!!!!!!!

House Move

Well the day is almost here (tomorrow) when the truck will arrive and hopefully things will go to plan and the house will settle on time. Moving house is such a stressful thing but I think we have it all under control (one hopes). I cannot believe how much furniture that I have had tucked away just waiting for the right home to put it in. Most of the houses we have lived in over the years have been quite small so many pieces got stored in the shed. I cannot wait to get them all out and play around. Have a good weekend all.

The Winner Is

Got the kids to draw the winning name today which was "Silver Thread Design". Congratulations Natasha you have a lovely polkadot lamp shade on its way.

Lamp Giveaway

I am treating my blogging followers to a Giveaway. I have made this cute litte pink polkadot lamp shade for someone's little princess (base not included). All you have to do is leave a comment and I will draw the winning name on Wednesday and you will have this beauty before Christmas. Only Australia bloggers are eligible but don't feel left out my overseas followers as I will be having a special giveaway just for you soon. But please feel free to leave a comment anyway.

Linen Santa Sacks & Lamp

Something a bit different from my normal roses. Thought I would tackle a lovely linen lamp this weekend seen as I just can't get enought of this fabric lately. The braid was purchased from a stall holder who said the braid was from the 1950's from a lady that use to make vintage underwear so I thought it would be very appropriate making this lamp look very old.

I have two gorgeous large linen santa sacks for sale if anyone is interested. They are huge and made from lovely linen with a draw string - 73cm wide and 93 cm long, my six year old could almost fit in this. Hunted everywhere this year for lovely linen ones with no luck so had some made for my family instead. I have two left over and if you want your child's name embroided on the front in red just let me know. Price $20.00 each embroidery an extra $5 plus postage of course. They are great and would even make lovely sacks for storing all the toys after Christmas. email me at sandypalmer@bigpond.com

Pretty Things

With our move getting closer and closer the kids keep asking can we put up the Christmas tree mum. Whats the point will have to pull it down next week when the furniture truck arrives. I am normally really good and have the house decorated but cannot do much until we set up the new house. So in the meantime I will just just pretend and keep looking at these beautiful images. By the way my kitchen painting experience turned out amazing and I cannot wait to share these images with you in the next two weeks. Have the new kitchen handles all ready to go on and you will not believe the transformation.

Graduation From Primary to High School

Where has the last twelve years gone. My daughter graduated from Primary School last night and now it's look out High School. Such an exciting chapter in their lives. Had the fun job of decorating this large hall in 35 degree heat but it all came together.

Robert Gordon Paper Lanterns

Lamp Find

Another week down and my current home is looking very bare with lots of the furniture and breakables all going over to the new house. Doesn't look like we can settle any earlier so the 18th it is. Found this gorgeous rattan lamp shade yesterday already teamed with a lovely timber lamp base. It's about the only lamp I have left in the house at the moment. Another weekend of finishing off my kitchen cupboards in store - have a great one girls. Sandy x

Inspiration Ideas

Have been thinking all week about some decorating ideas and just love these images. Cannot believe Christmas is just around the corner and we all have so much to get through between now and then. Don't know about you but I do love the build up and cannot believe that we are moving house the week before Christmas. Oh the things we do!!!!!