So I got invited to a media event today to take a look at Rust-Oleum‘s new range of spray paints, 2X Ultra Cover. Granted, I had not heard of Rust-Oleum before, so I was going in with a bit of a blank, Miss Teen type look on my face. Once I was at the event, though, and saw what I could do with these spray paints, I wanted to run through the place taking every colour available and yelling at security “Back off – I’m a blogger!!!!”.
I did a bit of a clean up on Saturday and thought it might be a good opportunity to show you inside my home. After all, the cats were behaving, the sun was shining and I was busy killing time trying to avoid doing homework for my course (procrastination is something I’ve become very skilled at). So here you go, Creatives, it’s not the stuff magazines are made of – but nobody lives in the magazines anyway – so take a squiz and let me know what you think.
Issue 90 of Real Living hit my doorstep last week and I’ve been soaking up the interiors goodness for the past few days. This issue was a standout not only because it featured my one true love (industrial decor), but because it showcased some amazing homes that are a little left-of-field. I am swooning all over this issue like a bald eagle. That is, if bald eagles do indeed swoon. I imagine they do. How else do they get prey?
I’ve received some glorious kudos this week from both the team at IKEA and you divine Creatives for the living room makeover I performed over the weekend (shucks and thanks!). One of the stars of the show was this personalised serving tray that I took from birch wood to black and white stripe. The process is really straight-forward but I think the results are pretty smashing. Here’s how to pimp your own tray if you’re in the mood for a quick project!
1 | I got invited for an exclusive store tour of Papaya in Mosman at the weekend and had a stunning time snapping their wares. What might surprise you is how many cute toys they have for kids (or big kids who love a playful home!). My fave creatures had to be these plush bunnies – hanging out in a basket by the Papaya courtyard. Store tour pics coming this week!
When the team at IKEA contacted me to take part in their blogger challenge – where you’re given $200 to add some winter warmth to your space – it was less of a challenge and more of an all-stops train to Blissville. I’ve been an IKEA addict since birth (my first word was Karlskrona), so adding more of their wares to my existing collection was a glorious experience indeed.
If you love homewares like I do, you have a stack of magazines that you can’t bare to part with. You might also have a distinct memory associated with a particular magazine; one that sticks with you, that unlocked something in you or potentially resulted in what I call a ‘magazine moment’. I had mine with issue one of Real Living Magazine way back in 2005.
The foolproof recipe for a successful home makeover show requires one part host, one part interior designer and one part guru for all things garden. Landscaper Charlie Albone is the latter in this equation. His expertise in the outdoor arena are unparalleled, and contrary to what a lot of us think when it comes to these shows, Charlie actually does the hard work. I caught up with him to discuss all things Selling Houses Australia, being a dad and life outside of the show.
Ever since Selling Houses Australia premiered in 2008 I have found Andrew Winter, the tough love host who isn’t backward in coming forward, to be the hilarious backbone of the show. While his real estate knowledge is unbeatable, I find his first impressions – where he tells home owners the truth about their property – to be the standout segments of the show. I caught up with the no-nonsense patriarch of the award-winning Lifestyle Channel series to discuss real estate, living in Australia and what really happens behind the scenes on SHA.
I’m a big believer in personalisation. I don’t want something that everyone else has. Thankfully, there are very easy ways to take mass-produced items and make them your own. This mood board makeover is a classic example. The original magnet board is from IKEA. It’s fine as it is, of course (if that’s your thing), but I have far too much fabric not to put it to good use. And I know IKEA would be all for it. So, here we go. Get your creative hat on and let’s do this!
