Collage of Prints

One of my most popular posts so far this year has been about framed collages on your wall. 

http://littlecovedesign.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/frame-your-blank-wall-collage-of-frames.html

I have had a collage of this sort planned with some old frames for my daughters' room. So my school holiday project is complete and I can finally share this with you!

This is a really easy, effective and can be an inexpensive way to decorate a blank wall.  You can inject your own personality into it by the frames and items you select to frame.

Firstly I took the tired old frames I had, and layed them out on the floor with other frames I intended on using for my wall. 

I removed the glass and pictures from the frames and then I gave each frame a light sand with medium to fine sandpaper and then it was time to give them a paint.  I used dulux one coat white and then I used acrylic paint to mix up a light blue and pink colour for some of the frames.  I painted two coats to cover the previous timber/black frames but they still have a rustic look with the previous colour showing through in the grooves.

 

I also had picked up an mdf "dream" word cutout from Spotlight which I painted the same blue as two of the frames. I measured the wall space and the frames to ensure my final arrangement would fit.  I bought a window box frame from Myer on sale woohoo! for the dream word cut out, and a few smaller ornate frames from Big W to fill in the gaps. 

 

 

The next most time consuming part was selecting photos of my daughters to fill the frames (too many to choose from!) and then using scrapbooking paper and matts for the backgrounds and surrounds. 

 

 

 

I used a butterfly cookie cutter to make the butterfly motifs from scrapbooking paper for the window box frame, and double sided tape to secure the word cutout and butterflies.

 

 

 

You can then arrange your frames on the floor or cut out paper the size of each frame and blue tac on the wall (as in my previous blog post on the subject) to confirm their location prior to putting hooks in the wall.

 

 

I made some last minute changes as I hung my frames on the wall, but this is the finished product.  Make sure you use the correct hook types for the type of wall and frames you are hanging. 

 

My hardest critics were the girls but they are very happy with their photo wall!  So if you've got some old frames lying around put them to good use or donate them to a charity store and someone else may spruce them up.

 

Bye Bye Winter, Hello Spring!

Last Day of Winter today and we were treated with another sunny blue sky gorgeous day in Brisbane!

Glorious white captures a Wintery mood for this day bed image zainteriora.net



Here's another Winter Daybed scene.

This has a lovely cosy warm feel due to the rug and woollen blanket with the sun streaming in the large windows. image designlike

Now it's time to put away the blankets and celebrate as it's Spring Eve.

While this interior has a lot of white like the first "Wintery"  daybed picture, this interior has warmth due to the lattice print cushions and upholstery, the natural coloured matt and timber floor.



Florals will give you a Spring look every time.  I love the blue and white combination of floral lattice wallpaper, and floral wallpaper lined cabinet image yvonnehellier.com



Now don't forget you have just over 24 hours to become a fan on facebook or follow the blog to go into the running to win a free colour consultation - Don't Delay.  I am now closing entries midnight 1 September 2012.

The bonus is you'll be able to keep up to date with LCD posts on our latest finds and projects we're working on!

http://littlecovedesign.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/colour-consultation-competition.html

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!