Hairpin Leg Plant Stand Hack – Concrete Side Table

It was probably a good year or so ago that I picked up this little hairpin leg plant stand off the side of the road. Hairpin legs were just becoming all the rage, so I thought I could make something with it.

I was thinking of attaching a nice piece of wood on top and making a side table but time went by and it never happened. I wasn’t exactly sure of the best way to attach it so that was a sticking point for me.

A month or so ago I saw this wonderful kmart plant stand hack on instagram from @justanotherwifeslife and checked out her tutorial on her blog. ‘I could do that’, I thought.

And so I did!

It’s been a little while since I DIYed and I had a fair bit of help from my husband who mixed up the concrete and checked it was level.. ok he really did it all, but I supervised 🙂

Luckily I didn’t have to spend a cent! My father in law had some concrete in his shed and he also had an old pot plant tray lying around that was the perfect size. Great Success!

It took about a week to dry completely… it was quite a wet, cold week in Adelaide, and we kept it in the shed to dry. Once it was dry the tray came off easily and voila…

E-decorating Website Launch

Well.. I’m not much of blogger, I’ve learned that for sure. My last post was almost a year ago. Not to say I haven’t been busy. I have an instagram and facebook page and now a website!

I’ve just started an e-decorating business at www.rhythmandgrace.com.au.

E-decorating is an affordable interior decorating service all done online. If you want to utilise the skills of a qualified interior decorator, to provide you with furniture and/or decor selections including a mood board and floor plans and feel confident in being hands on in the final purchasing and decorating process, then this is for you!

If you’re looking to re-decorate or perhaps moving house and need to work out how it will all fit then look no further. Whatever your budget and wherever your location, I can help!

Baby Bonanza

A couple of weekends ago I helped plan a baby shower with a few friends for a new friend and her first baby!

We know it’s a girl so there was plenty of pink! Plus we had way too much food but a lot of fun.

Here are some decorations we made and games we set up – plenty of easy DIY.

 

Ready to pop! Popcorn jar.

 

Handwriting is not a strong point of mine (I did all the printed materials) but my sister in law created this wonderful welcome sign. (She actually make the chalkboard too, a few years ago now.)

 

Another friend made these beautiful rosettes with patterned paper.

 

Here’s a few of the games, including babies frozen in ice,  jelly babies in a novelty over-sized baby bottle and guessing games.

On the signs, this chalkboard style font is a favourite of mine lately. It’s called fff tusj.

 

 

Moody Monday

I really enjoy creating a mood board and seeing how various items come together to create a space.

Below is one of the mood boards I did for an assignment. I wanted to create a neutral and natural base for an open and comfortable feel, with feature red and teal and various patterns and textures for some fun and warmth.

Before and After Inspiration

My husband and I both love a good transformation!

His favourite would be the kind you see on World’s Strictest Parent’s, Supernanny or Hoarders where someones life is changed for the better and they wake up to new ways of doing things.

I do love that too, it’s so great to see someone make changes for the better in their lives and it’s also great to see someone make a change for the better in their home. Which is, I believe, a change for the better in their lives.

Here a few great before and after pictures I found to help inspire you!

1. Before and After Kitchen.

A great kitchen revamp without getting a whole new kitchen.

See more at Design Sponge

2. Before and After Door

A very simple change that livens up this entry.

Source: See That There

3. Before and After Bathroom

I especially love the tiles!

Source: Amber Interiors

A Few Of My Favourite Things

We are well and truly into this year now but I have a few of my favorite things from Christmas to share with you. They make me love my home even more.

1. Red throw rug from House and Garden

2. Vase from House & Garden. Perfect for my fake flowers 😉

3. Antique Key Hook from Urban Outfitters. A similar one is available here

4. String on holder with scissors (a present from New Zealand)

Spotlight on Interior Design Styles: Contemporary

Some friends of ours are building a house and have asked for help in selecting furniture, fixtures etc. They told me they don’t know what styles they like (Although could easily tell me what they don’t like).

So I did some ‘pinning’ of some different styles of interior design to show them and I’ve been doing some more research into what makes an interior design style.

I thought I would share with you, over the next few weeks, some basic descriptions and some examples of a few styles.

Contemporary

Contemporary interior design is essentially whatever is current or up to date. Also often referred to as ‘modern’ (although this can also be referencing another specific style).

This is a style that is constantly evolving but generally contemporary interiors feature modern clean lines, smooth surfaces and mostly neutral colours such as white, creams, browns and blacks etc with bold colours as accents.

Contemporary interiors are uncluttered and can sometimes appear cold with smooth and shiny surfaces but some softer textures, patterns, natural elements and pops of colour can help warm the space. But remember to keep it simple and open with minimal accessories and bold or geometric shapes rather than intricate detail.

Here are a few examples.

Source: Architecture Art Design

Source: Houzz

Source: Houzz

Source: Houzz

Milk Bottles – 5 ways to use them at home

For Christmas I was given a set of little milk bottles – how cute! But what exactly to do with them?

Here are a few ideas.

1. Christmas Decorations

Source: Miss Sew & So..

2. Vases

Source: Baileys Home and Garden

I’ve used one as a vase on my coffee table tray.

3. Paint Dipped Vases (for something extra special)

Source: Say Yes To Hoboken

4. Drinks at a party

I think I might do this one for New Years Eve to go with my fruit punch!

Source: Wed Society

5. General Decor

With a bit of string, hessian or lace tied around them they look great anywhere in the home.

Mine came with some black stick on labels and a white pen so here’s what I came up with –

Moody Monday

Happy Monday everyone!

I cannot believe it’s the end of September already, but I’m in a very good mood about it anyway.

In a few days time it’s my birthday and I’ll be heading down to Deep Creek for an annual family camping trip over the long weekend in South Australia.  I can’t wait 🙂

I’ve also just handed in my final assignment of my interior design course with The Interior Design Institute. Woohoo!

So to celebrate all these wonderful things I bring you some mood boards.

This was part of one of my assignments where I had to speak to someone I know about some interior design work they would like done and treat them as client.

This assignment was actually mostly about paperwork and I only had to write up a scheme for the room but for my own purposes I created some mood boards/layouts.

This room is a teenage retreat in a family home. Somewhere for the teens to hang out, watch TV, play video games, music (including drums) and the sofa would be a sofa bed for easy sleepovers.

The trunk & footstool would double as seating and storage and along with the bookshelf and storage shelf, they all help to keep bits and pieces stored away neatly.

The mural wall is to be made of a sound absorbent material to help keep the noise from traveling throughout the rest of the house.

I wanted to create something contemporary with touches of industrial and rustic which is achieved with geometric patterns, bold colours and then industrial lighting and a few rustic wooden items. We discussed the colours grey, navy blue and mustard and I added some pops of pink/purple for contrast, fun and a more feminine touch.

The soft greys and dark carpet keep a relaxed feel while the bold shapes and pops of colour create a fun environment.

If I was still a teenager, I would love a room like this!

The Provincial Nest

My lovely aunty Poppy has started living her dream with her own store, selling all things vintage, rustic & recycled.

It’s called The Provincial Nest and is mostly based online but a few weekends ago she had her first ‘pop up shop’ in Hahndorf and I went along to visit.

Her collection was so delightful. The red table was my favourite, of course.

Check out more on the website www.theprovincialnest.com

The next pop up shop will be on Sunday 29th September 2013 on the Storison verandah, 73 Main St, Hahndorf