Wednesday, February 29, 2012

White kitchens to make you green with envy!

The painting of my house is going a little slower than I would have liked with all the wet weather we've been having so here's some kitchens to ogle over!
 
Travertine tile splashback mixed with a white ikea kitchen, I love this subtle driftwood look tile with the clean white simplicity of the kitchen cabinets! image style at home

A Modern version of As Good as it Gets style Kitchen from Bunnings


Here's the traditional style Hamptons look Kitchen with subway tile splashback, and modern stainless appliances and rangehood image Cote de Texas


I love this all white kitchen with dark timber floors and black granite benchtop just stunning! A good mix of contemporary and victorian style. (love the old style pendant lamps) image Tholdhouseonline.com

This is the kitchen that inspired my post while flipping through another favourite magazine of mine Inside Out. This design is contemporary in white but warmth has been added by the Smoked and Lime Oak doors and floor. Design by Templeton image by Sharyn Cairns. Checkout the Bonus Kitchen and Bathroom Book from the March April edition of I.O.
So how to decide on the kitchen you want? 

A quick tip - Break the kitchen into elements

  • Appliances (reuse or new?)
  • Benchtop
  • Splashback
  • Cupboards & Drawers
  • Display/Shelves
  • Layout
  • Budget
  • Your Style Contemporary, Country, Modern, Vintage, Retro the list is endless!
Then look at the finishes you like, the must haves, the nice to haves and forget about what you wouldn't use! Collect images of all of the styles and finishes to the elements that you envisage in your final design.

You're then armed ready to take in as many kitchen showrooms as you desire with your homework already done. 

A kitchen designer can help with innovations and layout, so your new kitchen looks great and is highly functional for your needs.

LCD can help with updates or renovations to your existing kitchen or help you plan the kitchen of your dreams or a budget conscience kitchen.

The Brisbane Homeshow is on this weekend and might be a good place to start if you're planning a new kitchen.

Have a great rest of the week!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

One woman painting a house!

Yes you read it right!  I have taken on the crazy challenge of one woman (ie me) painting the house.  My outdoor makeover just wouldn't have the same wow factor without a change of colour so I've decided to start with those walls and go from there.  It will also allow us to live with the new colour which I love btw before finishing off the rest of the house! 

So here's some before pics (I didn't choose the original house colour fyi)......

All sanded and washed down ready for painting!


And here's the nearly finished product.
Here's the new colour 1st coat!  I have chosen Dulux Natural Stone for the main weatherboard wall colour, Antique White USA for the Windows and Ironstone for the trims. 

 A little sunny but two coats done and just the window and trim to finish off and the new colour has made a dramatic difference.
 Now whilst I'm optimistic about doing as much of it as I can, I don't think I'll be climbing the roof to paint the faux dormers so I may have to call a painter in for that, but I'm going to give the rest of it my best shot!

So once the window and trim is done then it's back to prep (sanding and washing down of the next wall!)

I'll be posting my progress throughout the months fitting in around my busy family and worklife and hopefully the pictures will speak for themselves!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Out and About in Brisbane!

Just a quick post from me today of a few great spaces I've been to in the last couple of weeks.  I'm always enjoying my surroundings and keeping an eye out for great interiors and exteriors!

Cove Bar & Dining unique bar made from document style drawers, I love the quirkiness and the food was great!

Popolo had a great eclectic style just a couple of doors down at Southbank and superb italian!


So my first mini makeover for the year has turned into a big challenge more pics tomorrow hopefully but here's a sneak peak!

The accessories are coming together for my outdoor area, but now a bigger project is afoot and nearly ready for a big reveal more tomorrow hopefully or later in the week, I've taken on a crazy challenge!
 For Brisbanites also a quick tip, if you're looking for furniture and maybe a bargain then head to the Domayne Clearance Centre Closedown!  I didn't get there this weekend but it might be worth the trip to Pinkenba!

 bmag advises Domayne Clearance Warehouse @ Pinkenba is Closing Down