Time Worn Style

Simple floral displays...

I love the simplicity of vases

Sometimes its the less obvious that are the most eye catching..

This one is a wonderful reminder of a recent visit to Bangkok

with my sister in law Kate ...

It reminds me of the day we went for a ride on these wonderful animals

through a Thai village..

during a thunderstorm

So each time I look at it I smile..

 

Because it also reminds me of our time spent sleeping on water

The River Kwai.. 

 

the delicious Thai food..

 

 and the beautiful Thai people..

 

so there is a lot to be said for simple floral displays..

 

oh and don't forget I do have some wonderful items available for purchase over at my ebay store

 

Making garden steps - Red Brick and Wood

 

This is a renovation to Greystanes that I've been meaning to share for a while..

Our new outdoor steps

 

 

Greystanes is situated on what is considered a "flat" block for the hills

Which means there is some slope to it

Some areas more so than others..

This particular area had a very bad set of stairs

that were quite dangerous - slippery and uneven

and some risers higher than others

(bad when carrying stuff - particularly furniture)

 

So here's the trick that our clever chippy came up with

You know those premade steps you can buy at Bunnings etc??

Put it in place but UPSIDE DOWN

so the risers are facing the wrong way...

 Then fill the spaces in with rubble etc

 

 

Fix the banisters to the sides

 

 

 

and fill in with stone..

or in our case matching vintage red clinker bricks

because our other paths are clinker bricks too...

 

 

  

 

Sprinkle sand in between the bricks..

 

 Simple idea...

lots of work putting in the bricks..

but we are really happy with the end result..

 

 

 

 now what colour to paint...

Keeping motivated...

I've been in this treasure hunting business for more years than I can count..

I love working for myself

but the thing with working for yourself that is tricky is

1. doing taxes

2. staying motivated

The thing with 1. is that you can pay someone else to do it.

 

You can't pay someone to keep you motivated

actually yes you can

but I think its a bit silly

when you know what you should be doing

 

I wasn't feeling motivated this morning

Did my morning walk

checked my post office box

And there was my little bundle of motivation right there

Hooley dooley I do love this Aussie magazine..

Ok ok I am a bit biased because our home was featured in the February issue this year..

But crikey it sure does get my creative juices flowing..

The gardens

the homes

Just my cup of tea.

SO 

motivation therapy

Grab that pile of favourite magazines

and get moving

Me I'm making a list of what I'm going to do..

First things first, 

keeping the shop stock moving

come and buy it so I can put some more in

pretty please

Here's a taste

Stunningly gorgeous fire screen..

Come and get it :)

You can find more goodies here 

Continuing on the Vintage trail...

Well I'm back on the trail again..

My shop is back open..

and I'm back in the saddle..

I've been carrying a bit too much luggage though

and this house and I 

well

we're feeling a bit heavy and tired..

 

So I'm off loading a large number of items 

from my own personal collections

like this lovely antique roses print in a frame below..

 

my beautiful pink Lloyd Loom blanket box that has sat at the end of our bed for a very long time..

 

(photo Mikkel Vang for Country Style magazine)

My favourite Johnson Bros (England) jug that has sat in the kitchen ..

The little numbered bowls that have sat in the front room..

Beautiful vintage clothing - emptying the drawers..

The last of my vintage chenille collection...

I dont use them anymore..

 

 

Canister sets that were just "for display"

Now I'm just using the one set...

with stuff actually in it..

 

That extra table I'm going to need for something..

Let's face it

I wont..

 

 

Barbola mirror and sweet little postcard in frame..

time to go to a new home..

Things are looking a little cluttered..

 

 

I'm feeling lighter already..

You can find all these items available for purchase in my 

EBAY AUSTRALIA store