Friday 28 December 2012

Creating a fabric closet

Long overdue for a fabric and sewing closet, I finally updated an old silky oak wardrobe with a few coats of paint, wall papered panels, and new handles. The blue of the photos does not do justice to the colour in life, nor does the present buttercup yellow wall. It was an unusual colour choice of mine, as I tend to be drawn more towards duck egg green and aqua blue.  However the citron chartreuse dandelion in the wall paper provides the fresh colour contrast. I get pleasure every time I open my sewing closet to see my fabrics on display, folded and stacked with care; ready for my selection.
 


My block patterns hang neatly, and my pattern & sewing reference books top my closet next to my vintage Singer. 


Lamp Shades - Sanderson Amanpuri linen

I just can't seem to get enough of Sanderson linen upholstery fabrics. I'm constantly watching Sanderson fabrics on Ebay, love the bright florals and linen weave. I found these lamp bases a couple of years ago at one of Black and Spiro's [ www.blackandspiro.com.au or http://absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com.au flea sales in New Farm, Brisbane. I covered these lamp shades late last year with Sanderson "Amanpuri". I love the mix of colours, and love them combined with the linen of our bed head and the duck egg/ aqua blue of the cushions.







Beside our oak bedside stands you will see a little 'vacant space'. 
Not for long !! I have two gorgeous oak framed wing back chairs with cabriole legs which I have plans for! I plan to cover the rear of the wing backs in Sanderson Amanpuri fabric, and the fronts in Warwick Beachcomber Oatmeal. I'll post some "before and after" shots. 



Our grand Italian lady.....


It's been a little while, and life sure has been busy. So busy I've just not found a moment to post. But here and there I've been working away at things, playing with my fabrics and decorating our new home. In August we became the proud owners of a 70's Italian brick home. Double story, two large front and back terrace balconies, perfectly positioned to soak in the morning sun north east and the afternoon sun to the west. I've spent many a blissful moment with my face turned up to the sun these past few months, dreaming up my next project. So large and spacious, and solidly built; our grand Italian lady just has so much potential. Many an eye would see the red brick and white column balustrades, and cast their eyes on to the weatherboard bungalows surrounding, cute and concise. But I see an extremely comfortable 4 bedroom home, and the beginnings of our French/Italian style villa, rendered with white colonial windows, french external shutters, a grape vine covered terrace perfect for summer evenings and winter mornings, spacious rooms with wide oak floorboards, and a large kitchen with and island bench. Admittedly there is some distance to travel to bring to life our vision. The previous owner combined a variety of vivid carpet designs, tiles and colours - none of which match, or have any kind of "flow", which we often laugh about as we show our guests through room to room. The buttercup yellow painted walls seem to absorb rather than reflect the light, we have a lavender bathroom with a matching lavender toilet seat.. But all in good time, and "slowly slowly" as my Mother in Law reminds us :). Thus far though our home has been a delight....in all it's craziness.....


Our back sun soaked terrace.

Kumquat tree and succulent pots


Afternoon sun on the front terrace.

 So watch this space .......