Big Reveal My Painting is Complete!

I've finally finished all of my painting with just a few touch ups required here and there! But I'm calling it a day with the front and back of the house complete as I've got a little busy with work and will call in the professional painters now to finish off the sides of the house.  I will appreciate all their hard work so much more after completing all that painting myself!

I can now reveal the front of the house before and after with a bold change - a red front door!





 

                           Before                         After


I chose Bristol Gloss "Adam's Red" for the front door colour. To get a deep rich colour took about 4 coats but I'm very happy with the result. The door frame and architrave is Dulux Antique White USA.

The main wall colour (weatherboards) is Dulux Natural Stone and the window sill/trim, and threshold is Gloss "Ironstone" (standard Colorbond colour) and the windows are Dulux Antique White USA like the Door frame.

                            Before                                       After

Little Cove Design can provide you with a professional colour consulting service and advise selections from all of the reputable paint manufacturers available. So take a look at the colour page on our blog for more details.

 

I made some cushions from the same fabric as the table cloth from a few weeks ago and treated my plants to new red fibreglass pots and now I can relax and enjoy all of my hard work!

Reveal for the entertaining area out the back is a few weeks away, stay tuned!







Make your own Oilcloth Tablecloth lookalike!

I've been looking and looking and couldn't find the right oil cloth to make a tablecloth for the fourseater table on my front verandah. (It needed protection from all the very friendly geckoes that love to poop on the table each night!)

So I decided it required me to think outside the box!

So I purchased some fabric I loved from Lincraft. (curtain fabric which has a lined backing)

PVC also from Lincraft

I cut them both to size laying the fabric first and then the PVC and voile - a new look for my table.  (with some protection from the elements and the wildlife ie geckoe!)

My painting at the front is also nearly finished as you can see in the background, !very excited! sneak peaks soon!

Wish List #26 Dramatic Colour and Design

This is bolder than bold, a touch of glam and some wild thrown in! I'm talking about the images to inspire you to take your interior to the next level. 

The reason for this is I'm getting ready for a few friends to drop by and watch the Lady Gaga concert tonight on GO! So I must dash off to attempt a wild hairstyle for tonight so enjoy the images....

These green mosaic tiles are dazzling with the gold accent tiles a feature like a glittering grotto image tilesamerica.com

Dramatic Red walls with an oversize chandelier what could be more glamorous and edgy? image theluxhome.com

This silver bar makes a grand statement like a sculpture in the middle of the room image pujidesign.com

Wish List #25 Accent Colour

Using an accent colour can lift and brighten a room.  It can change the mood and you can easily change the accent pieces such as the cushions, rug or accessories to give the room a whole new look without changing the more expensive furniture and finishes in the room.
I've found some images that illustrate good use of an accent colour that lift and transform the room.


I love the red accent cushions that tie in wonderfully with the geometric print cushions and matching upholstered chair image decor pad

This fairly conservative room has been given new life with the hot pink accent which really brightens the room and gives it a fun girly feel image idealhomemagazine.co.uk

This is a really sophisticated room and depth has been created by the striking teal feature wall and matching upholstered cushioned chairs and accessories image griyakulo.com

More colour inspiration tomorrow!

Don't be afraid of Colour!

After nearly 2 weeks of sick kids, rainy days and a broken washing machine (that is still waiting for parts - and is sending me slightly troppo);  I needed to look at some rooms full of bold colour!  Here's some of the one's that brightened my day!
 

I love the unusual colour combination of red and teal - for some great tips on teen rooms checkout Design Hole 

It's easy to stay safe with your colour choices - but you can always add bold accessories to a room and when you tire of them you can give the room a revamp!  Accessories are inexpensive and you can find great things at a vintage store or by using your creative side!  Little Cove Design can help you revamp a tired chair, lamp or a whole room!

This kitchen might not be your dream one, but they really have created a space which would inspire any "Masterchef" to make mouthwatering dishes - I could imagine sipping a champagne or two while whipping up a chocolate dessert. I love the striking colour contrast between the hot pink cabinetry and black granite benchtop it really has a fun vibe. Image from Jan Hales Designs bold favourites

Colour can inspire, and add warmth and personality to a room.

 

This room has personality and more!  It has a magnificent almost electric blue clawfoot bath painted to match the wall colour.  The white classic floor tiles and fixtures and furniture balance the room and allow the blue to become the feature. Image from Design Decor ...

So add some colour to your home or your favourite room - buy a new cushion or a bunch of flowers and brighten your day.



Another option to add colour is to paint your walls a vibrant hue and keep all of your furnishings in a classic white or black tone to create contrast as seen in this image lonadeanna.blogspot.com



All Things British

I'm celebrating the very exciting lead up to the Royal Wedding with all of the quintessential British Style Icons.

The Union Jack is as English as they get and it is currently quite popular in cushions, artwork, rugs and antique items.

Union Jack trunk available from Village Gallery

This is a beautiful mix of such a strong image (the Union Jack) with the soft and traditional pieces featured in this styling by Pixel Squared click on their link for stockists in your area (Love this bus scroll art with a rock edge)

This is the picturesque Country Cottage featured in the movie The Holiday.  Unfortunately it is not real according to 213's top 10's blog and was purpose built for the movie in Surrey; but don't we all wish we had one of these to sneak away to for a mini break and snuggle by the fire!

Rosehill Cottage

Looking into the kitchen from the sitting room

This gorgeous cottage sitting room - so cosy!  I love the blue velvet ottoman and of course the fireplace

Conservatory

Bringing the outside in this large conservatory is being used as a dining space with a mix of traditional and modern furnishings The Kent Conservatory Company

Front doors - brightly painted complete with brass mail slots and door knockers.  The hard part is deciding which colour to go with!

 

Wallpaper has had a resurgence in the last few years, but enthusiasm has never really waned in the UK and here are a few more quirky examples of it being used as a feature of the room.

Traditional and Stylish image from Archzine

Bright and warm feature wallpaper, balanced with a traditional pattern and furnishings image from Archzine

Striking 8 pointed star wallpaper featured here comes in a number of other colours.

This is a fun wallpaper "Crowns and Coronets" released for the Royal Wedding as designed by Graham & Brown suitable for any "princess" or "prince"