Winter is here again!

We might not all have a snow-capped mountain view from our living rooms, but we can still create a warm and cosy space to spend our Winter days and nights.


image from new home decor



Fireplaces like this one are suitable for outdoor rooms image restorationhardware.com find a similar firebowl at Australian supplier gstore.com.au

Cushions can create the mood your looking for. Knits, sequins or velvet texture in brights or neutrals.  Start your search at one of the many online home ware stores or at aurahome.com.au where this neutral grey palette is given some spark with a tad of yellow.

Rugs can bring warmth and interest to a room and a welcome place to laze, walk upon and are much warmer under foot.  They come in so many designs it can be hard to choose.  Choose a rug that will suit the use of the space, fall within your budget and are practical for cleaning (ie. a white rug is not suitable in a children's play room!)  They can be stored in Summer when it's too hot. (QLD readers!) I have many more rugs and cushions pinned on my Pinterest page so stop by and take a look.

I love this rug currently available at designerrugs

Dream Update!

My kids were back to school this week after the Easter holidays and so it's back to work for LCD.  We've got a few new projects coming up and I'm always imagining more changes to make at home.  So that's why Pinterest is such a great tool for designers, would be renovators and those planning a room makeover.  It allows you to collect ideas on anything!

I'm sharing some things I love, for a dream update at home!

French Oak in Driftwood by Royal Oak Floors

Wallpaper Feature Wall image designev.com

I love this cosy velvet couch! image The Aestate

Last but not least a gorgeous rug to give a dream room warmth and bring cohesion of the elements of the room.

I love this Armadillo & Co Casablanca Rug image I love my rug



 

Renovation Blitz

October was a busy renovating month with a few new projects kicking off and some coming to a close. 

I'm also excited as the painters arrived at my place  last week to paint the high side of my house and those rooftop gables; and they finished yesterday, yippee!

Take a look at our newly painted abode!

More before and after's to come! Just to refresh your memory the weatherboards are Dulux Natural Stone, Sunhoods in Antique White USA and Window Trims and Gutter in Ironstone.

So while I've been working on new and old projects I've spied some Inspiring things along the way to share with you!

This is a gorgeous eclectic blend of girly part-embroidered flower wallpaper, rose gold pendants, traditional timber table and modern simple white kitchen and floating staircase! image Fromental 

Armadillo & Co. have a very swoon worthy rug collection!  They also offer a designer service for rug patterns to be made in a large colour pallette. To see their full range go to armadillo-co.com

Sometimes there's something you just have to have! This is the sloane coffee table from Coco Republic.  It would definetly sit pride of place in my dream house! 

Sometimes it's worth saving for that one signature piece and then you can find items that you have or that are more inexpensive and they help you to create the theme and your room will evolve from there!

Winter is here today!

Winter is here today in Brisvegas!  It reached a maximum in my car today of 13deg and now has dropped down to 11deg which is highly unusual! Apparently our coldest day in Brisbane for 11 years.

Beautiful Winter Wonderland in Oakville, U.S. image from Brampton Remax

Whilst Queensland is not known for being a winter wonderland like the snowy image above; it does snow occasionally in Stanthorpe and the mercury can get down to 4deg on a Winter morning.  We usually have beautiful crisp days with clear blue skies and the weather at the moment is more akin to a European Winter's Day!


So how do we make our homes cosy and warm for winter and not always resorting to the heater or reverse cyle air conditioning. (although mine is cranked at the moment!) Get out your favourite blanket or quilt or better still get creative and make one.  Knitting or Quilting is a great winter past time and keeps you warm while your making it!  If you're not crafty then treat yourself and buy a new throw, blanky or robe I think you'll need it this winter!


So I'll share some cosy and warm spaces to inspire you on a cold winter's night, featuring gorgeous cosy blankets and quilts!

Gorgeous chunky cable knit blanket looks great to snuggle in on a winter's morning! Especially with breakfast in bed! image from syelyfashionshow2011 blog

Heritage cottage bedroom with antique furniture and quilted bedspread for extra warmth on the grand four poster bed! image from whitebedroomphotos blog



A modern stylish bedroom has been given extra warmth with the addition of a shag rug which is a soft contrast to the leather upholstered sleek bed and furnishings (I adore the chandelier too!) image from bedroominteriordesign



If knitting a blanket such as the one pictured here is all dutch to you??? click on the link to Home Life for a pattern and instructions!

A Simple Quilt which adds such warmth and freshness to this bedroom and would be fairly simple to make for any novice quilter! image from iheartluxe