PracticalBeautiful

Saturday, 11 June 2011

HOME PROJECTS: New storage jars for pantry before work...

I did a lot of baking this week and so was using quite a lot of the ingredients out of my pantry. These boxes just stood out as not being in nice containers so with the help of my Cath Kidston label collection, my jam funnel and some old jam jars I decided it was about time I gave them a revamp...

Before...

Ah, much better after...

Sunday, 5 June 2011

BATHROOM: Window Ledge

I have been collecting nautical items for our bathroom window ledge for some time now and I am really happy with how it has all come together but I haven't done a post on it so I thought it was about time I did...

gorgeous little wooden lighthouse found on eBay

These lovely stones are from the Global Retreat Centre, the idea of them is a daily reminder that all any human being really wants is these things

Lovely mirror from TK Maxx

Large shell was a present from Adam's parents after their trip to Egypt

Bought this shell from a tiny little shop from one of my favourite ever holidays - in Mykonos

Moroccan style lanterns from TK Maxx

BEAUTIFUL DECORATIVE IDEAS: June 2011

Love this drift wood star featured on Fingerprints on the Fridge...

She goes from this:

To this:

And this curtain upcycle from 8 Meadow Lake Cottage...
Where she went from this:

To this:

DINING ROOM: Art

I was very lucky when I was a student in Northampton to have my picture drawn by a local artist Elke Pollard as I was interviewing her for a magazine article I was writing on Henry Bird (another local artist) for a local magazine R Magazine. She was such a warm and lovely person and always greeted you with a "darling, darling come in, I'll make you tea!" - I was very honoured that she was willing to draw me and at no cost as I was a completely broke student. I have been carrying round the drawing ever since, again from house to house, always with the intention of getting it framed and hanging it properly. This month I finally decided to get round to getting it framed properly. I had found a really good size frame in the charity shop and had done it up, but then I decided to get it mounted and framed properly, using my done up charity shop frame. This did end up costing me £28 to get done but it was so worth it as I am so please with the result...

It really did deserve a proper frame, I am aware that portraits can look incredibly cheap and tacky and chavy if not framed properly. I honestly do this this framing just brings this image to life, it was definitely the right decision and definitely worth the cost.

LIVING ROOM: Art

I have been carrying the following oil painting round with me from house to house, without framing it or putting it up, but always with the intention to, since I bought it off a street artist in Bath when I was a student there about 7-8 years ago!
Now I have finally got round to framing it with a lovely frame I found in TK Maxx (almost of perfect size, I had to strim the art very slightly). I have put it up in our living and it goes just perfectly with the colour scheme so I am very pleased with the result.

Thought of the day....

One of the nicest things about doing up a house of your own is filling it with possessions which you have been collecting for years! I love that there are some things which look good now which I bought on a family holiday 15 years ago and I also love that I have several items which I've got inherited items from my grandparents who are no longer around and everytime I look at those items I think of them and I feel their love. I also love finally having a use for presents from friends and family which I potentially got years ago. It just so wonderful watching each space come together. It makes me a very happy lady.

Friday, 3 June 2011

MASTER BEDROOM: Window Ledge Reshuffle

I feel like my window ledges are finally coming together in the Living Room, Master Bedroom and Dining Room - I am so happy with the results so I thought I would do a little post on each to show you...

Master Bedroom