Vanity - Created!

Our new ensuite bathroom has been created by combining 2 separate rooms - the old main bathroom, and the separate toilet room. As a result, it has given us quite a big space. I do love white in the bathroom, but I also didn't want it to feel too surgical. It needs to be inviting!

I decided to incorporate a couple of features, and use timber in the room to break up the large expanse of tiles, and add some warmth.

One of my FAVE shops, Recollections, had some great vanities, but they were around $2500 and we are trying to stick to SOME kind of budget. These were my inspiration.

All vanities from www.recollections.com.au

After some online searching, I found a hardwood buffet very similar to the vanity above for a crazy price of $299. We had to drive a couple of hours to Sydney to collect it, but I think it's worth the trip! As the unit is a buffet, it is only 420mm deep. This meant I had to find 2 suitable basins that were no more than 400mm in diameter. I originally purchased 2 top mount basins, but the buffet is quite tall, so really needed drop in basins instead.

After a little more searching, I found 2 perfect basins. Our builder got to work, and jigsawed the top sections out and installed the basins, finishing off with silicone. We then purchased the necessary plumbing, and added the "lollipop" tapware, which Im SO happy with.

The last touch was a good coat of Marine varnish to protect the timber top. The basins have a nice scooped shape, and are a perfect fit.

I love how the feet give it the appeal of being a piece of furniture, 

rather than just a vanity

He was even clever enough to save the 2 end drawers that have been replaced by the basins, I love it! They are a good size for all the little things like hair pins, or a toothbrush etc.

What do you think? I will post some pics of it installed in the new bathroom soon.

Mini Makeover

There were several pieces of furniture left in our place when we bought it, including this chest of drawers.

Yes, it's a bit mank looking, but I figured I could do something with it, as it seemed a shame to just throw it out. We have way too much space, and very little furniture to fill it!

The timber was in average condition, so I started by giving it a light sand all over.

I wanted a nice crisp white to match some of my other furniture, so opted for Taubmans Éasy Coat Acrylic in Gloss white.

A couple of coats, and it was looking much better

I then added some new handles, keeping with the classic style.

And the finished product. Looking much better! I now have some extra storage and something to fill the empty walls with.

Total Cost of drawer makeover: $50 for handles. Paint used was for existing renovations.

Renovation Madness

It’s been so long since I posted! I have neglected my blog, and sadly have not been getting my daily dose of all the lovely bloggers I follow. My husband and I have been so busy with renovating our place, but the good news is I have lots of updates and photos to post!

I have also started a new job, so have been very preoccupied! I now work from the most amazing display homes. I have made the move to work in an area closer to the heart, and home, meaning I work with houses every day. With so much eye candy, I am in idea overload for our own home.


I can hardly believe how fast this year has gone, and we have got so much done. There is still a LOT to go, but finishing a room here and there is my inspiration to keep at it! Don’t you just love that feeling of making something new again?


The first room that we finished (except furnishings - I have to save up for some key pieces!) is the dining room.


BEFORE

The framed section to the left is where we have enclosed the old hallway. This is now our new closet! The opening to the right is the new hallway.

We had a VERY rough room to work with. Old grey carpet, wine coloured walls (??!!), a black coffered ceiling, and a chocolate brown aluminium slider door.

New gyprock ceiling in progress...

You can see where we enclosed the old hallway, and created a new doorway

and linen closet below. This new hallway leads to the master suite and office.

Below is the room painted and ready for the bamboo floor to be laid. We chose bamboo as it is extremely durable.

Here it is being laid. Like most floating floors, it is relatively simple to lay. You just need a good quality underlay, and clean cuts in the bamboo, ensuring to allow at least 10mm each end or so for swelling and contracting.

Almost there....Here you can see my hubby and our builder doing the finishing touches. Hubby working barefoot - as usual!

And finally, TA DA!! Completed, with architraves. The wall colour is Dulux "Musing"in half strength. It is a great muted tone with a grey/brown base, and it adds some warmth to the dining room. Master Oliver is quite impressed...

We purchased this ceiling fan from Beacon Lighting. I really wanted something different for this room. Many of the other rooms have pendant lights, however I felt this room would look too cluttered with pendants AND a fan, so this fan serves as the feature.

We also installed down lights, but kept it to a minimum so the lighting is not too intense for a dining area.

Finally, here are the new french doors finished in Dulux "White on White".

The room tends to swallow the dining table a little, so I am on the hunt for some extra furniture and a buffet.

You will also notice the doorway leading into the kitchen is quite small. When we eventually renovate the kitchen, I plan to open this up to adjoin the dining room. What do you think?

Fireplace Purchase

What better time to purchase a new fireplace than the middle of winter. Well, besides the start of winter that is, but I am SO happy with what we found. 

As the new house is a large homestead, it is pretty difficult to heat properly. The lounge room is especially hard, with the peak of the ceiling @ 7 metres high. Luckily, it already has a large wood fire, which at least takes the chill off the air.

Our bedroom-in-the-making has an open fireplace, but as you can see, it was in need of a serious makeover.

We contemplated knocking out the bottom layer of bricks and rendering, but soon realised it wouldn't do the room justice once made over, so have now demolished it. I have been dreaming of a beautiful fireplace surround.

via 3sidefireplaces.info

via pinterest

I love how this mantel is accessorised.

via hellohomeblogger.com

Would you believe this was voted the most beautiful object in an Italian Design Competition?

via boingboing.net

via pinterest

This would never work in our home, but it is interesting

via pinterest

via pinterest

Check out the herringbone pattern in the brickwork here

via pinterest

So after a little window shopping, this is the replacement: New iron insert with silver detail. LOVE!

And, a cute 'Richmond' style mantel to finish.

It will be so cozey in winter, and a great feature the year round. I am already thinking of artwork to hang above it!

More updates and installation pics to come.

"Before"

It is so much nicer to post pretty pictures of a finished and well designed room, but I thought I would share a few pics of where our house is at. They are the honest and ugly "before" pictures that I will hopefully look back on in the near future and say "wow, hasn't it come so far!" We have only been in our house 5 weeks, and the renovations are well under way.


For those of you that don't know, hubby and I just sold our brand new home that we designed and built, and have moved to an older, much larger homestead on 20 acres. Bye bye lovely new white surfaces. Hello crazy wall colours, mismatched carpet, and old school decor.


Excuse the poor photos, but you get the idea.


Here is the dining area.

This bedroom will be ours. Black vaulted ceiling anyone?

This is the second downstairs bedroom. I think I will keep these doors and give them a little TLC, then see how they look.

Cue the worst part of the house - The downstairs bathroom. Eek!!

The kitchen was never completed by the previous owner. They actually purchased more property and left this house for 3 years, so we have a LOT do do. Lucky I have a very handy husband! Here is what is looked like when we moved in:

Here is the dining room with more crazy features and deep pink paint. Oh dear. The doorway to the left is where we have created a new hallway to 2 of the bedrooms, our walk in wardrobe, and our ensuite.

This is the lounge room. The peak of the ceiling in here is just under 7 metres high. The last owners left it without lighting, as they couldn't reach to change the globes! You can see the fireplace area, which we just purchased a new iron surround and mantle for.

Before the adjacent wall to the 2 downstairs bedrooms was plastered. New french doors are in the background!

Part of our 'backyard'

And lastly, one of the pendant lights we just installed in the kitchen. This room will be last on the list, so it needed something.

I will post some updates along the way. Have a happy weekend!