Time Worn Style

The out takes from THE Country Style magazine photo shoot

Well it has been a while now since the magazine article came out in Country Style magazine

February 2012 to be exact and the photos themselves were taken around three months before that..

Country style kindly sent me a disc of the photos

which I promptly lost..

I spent a good three hours looking for them this afternoon

My husband found them under the record player with all the CD's...

don't ask me how it got there...

My husband has a real knack for finding things I lose...

anyhow..

when I look at the photos now

I can't believe how much the house has changed in that small amount of time

It's evolved

it's like the house has lost a little weight from all that extra stuff

I have too (which is good but that's another story)

all photos were taken by MIKKEL VANG 

I absolutely ADORE his work

Styling by Rachel VIGOR

a joy to watch at work

enjoy...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and last but not least...

a beautiful portrait of my showroom here in Olinda..

Thrift / Op Shop Chairs makeover ~ to a Country Style Magazine

Thanks to everyone for your lovely feedback on our Country Style magazine shoot..

can't believe that I'm sitting at that very table pictured below typing this blog post by the big window 

still all very surreal..

I'm still blown away by Mikkel Vangs photographs..

and such a lovely person too

you can see more of his beautiful work here

Anyhoo

In the article it was mentioned about the chairs around the dining table being found in an op shop

All true, those who know me know that I don't buy furniture new if I can help it

So this is what they looked like before...

They cost me $10 each 

but I wasnt big on the original finish..

So an undercoat of Zinsser to seal and hide the brown varnish

Love this undercoat / sealer because you don't have to sand first

worth the extra $$

Then two coats of gloss enamel..

 

 and they were magazine ready

 

photo ~ Mikkel Vang

I'm still putting more treasures into my ebay store

slowly whilst typing with one hand

seems the car accident injuries will take up to six weeks to give me the full use back of both arms..

but you cant keep a committed treasure hunter down

I'll still be finding and selling

just

a little 

more 

slowly...

Decorating with Ladders..

Still loving a touch of the "outside" items inside..

To me it gives the quirky look I'm after

and can also be a very practical option too

For example, I'm really liking the look of a ladder or two around the home at the moment..

So when I found this beauty yesterday I couldn't resist..

Loved the old typeface

and little rubber feet..

 

and very practical for reaching these high ceilings and walls when required..

It really should be outside stored in a shed..

but I like it inside

at hand

where I can admire its sculptural qualities

and to be able to climb it when a light bulb needs changing..

 

I have another in the bathroom to hold some towels too..

Also brought some cut flowers into the home...

These Bell flowers seem to last a very long time

just keep freshening up the water and they keep their pure white beauty  for everyone to enjoy..

 

 Putting all those teapot sets shown in the previous post

into my ebay store tonight

Shipping from Australia

Antique platter Love...

You just don't find amazing graphics on new pottery and china these days

There seemed to be more attention to detail in the "antique days"..

 

Practical items were in an open kitchen, mostly on display...

 

 

So they had to look good too..

 

 

so when I spotted this beautiful old Platter with birds, butterflies and blossoms on it at my friend Daphnes Store

Tangerine Vintage

I figured it sort of had my name on it (so did a big pile of bills but what the heck, I'd rather look at the platter, yes debt collector it's true!)

 

A good time for a new display on our old plate rack..

 

The other smaller platter is from Karens store in Sassafras up here on our mountain

Quirky Werxs Antiques

A lot to be said for those old open plan kitchens with their beautiful pottery...

Just dont think about the cleaning of all those items on display!

 

 Some new treasures in my ebay store this week

 

Beautiful teaspoon set...

Totally stunning scrolly french style mirror...

An Antique Wire Basket...and thankyou

I've had this very very old wire basket for quite some time

But was never sure what to do with it.

Its funny how things happen really..

I was cleaning the front room and had to move a large lot of silver plate to clean a table underneath..

So I put them in the old wire basket..

and I thought it looked pretty good...

So then I had to think about where I could display this sculpture of silver and wire..

This lovely old Lloyd Loom style table/cabinet is one of my early acquisitions..

Its one of my most favourite pieces with its original old appliques..

and its just so darn creative in the way it opens and closes with its little metal hook..

 

Thought I might put these two together and see how it looked..

 

But wait theres more...

How about an old French Metal sign placed nearby?..

 

and an Antique Roses painting for a bit of height...

 

 

Just wanted to say Thankyou to those who left a comment, phoned, text messaged,  face booked regarding our little Furbaby Genevieve's passing...

Its amazing what an impact a little dog can make in ones life, those who have loved pets understand this huge void they leave behind..

its not an easy thing to see them go

especially when they grew up with your children too..

went on holidays with the family..

Sat in the passenger seat whilst treasure hunting...

Went on hour long walks through the bushland with you

Stayed inside the house with you, not outside in a kennel...

and sat under your chair whilst you typed away on your computer..

No its not easy to see them go

Our little loved pets

 

How I make a living..

Followers of this blog will know by now that I have  a serious addiction..

to treasure hunting

So much so that my own little business rose out of it like a phoenix from the fire

(hows that for dramatic!)

And it works in well for me

Because to be honest, we wouldn't be able to afford to furnish this big old 1900's house with all new furniture.

 

So to find a time worn piece at a market, garage sale, estate sale for cheaper than new but with a whole lot more character

 

well that makes my day

and it fills the house

and it feeds the kids

Because if I bring home something to the house that I like better

then the other one goes off for sale

either at my EBAY STORE

or to people who pop over to Greystanes to pick up other items.

or some of my regular customers who are after that special "treasure"

You can visit my little business over here in EBAY AUSTRALIA

 

I've been very lucky over the years and met some wonderful people, and helped them carry their new found furniture out to their cars and trailers

Even helped pull a few trailers out of the mud (yes you know who you are sweet people!)

and we really dont mind at all

cause we love to see people happy with our treasures too

it makes me smile, it makes me happy,

and it feeds the kids

and everyone knows that a happy wife makes a happy home

Dont let anyone tell you otherwise

 

Afternoon Tea and Cupcakes

The girls and I whipped up a bit of a special party for my Mum today who has just turned 25 (again) ok a bit more than that but we are not telling, needless to say she doesnt look her age...

Mum wanted a cupcake party and we were happy to oblige..

Lots of layers of white tablelcoths, vintage cake stands stacked high...

I made the cupcakes the night before, the following morning the girls decorated them...

Then we made the table ready for afternoon tea....

They decorated them beautifully...

Thanks Sally for bringing your yummy cakes too!

 

 

So nice to have the family over and see them all in silly vintage hats!

And for a super easy cupcake recipie try this one, no need for creaming the butter and sugar first!

NO FAIL CUPCAKE RECIPE

Makes 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups self-raising flour, sifted
• 3/4 cup caster sugar
• 3/4 cup milk
• 125g butter, melted, cooled
• 2 x 59g eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon Queen Natural Vanilla Essence
• Sprinkles and lollies, to decorate

• Icing

• 1 1/2 cups pure icing sugar
• Pink food colouring, optional
• 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons water

 

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease a 12 x 1/3-cup capacity muffin pan. Alternatively, line holes with paper cases. Combine flour and caster sugar in a bowl. Make a well in the centre.

2. Add milk, butter, eggs and vanilla to flour mixture. Using a large metal spoon, stir gently to combine.

3. Spoon mixture into prepared muffin pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Stand in pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

4. Make icing: Sift icing sugar into a bowl. Add food colouring and water. Stir until smooth and well combined. Spoon icing over cupcakes. Decorate with sprinkle and lollies.

I've joined Foodie Friday, check out some great recipes!