Viola the castle - Liam's Room age 2

Bedrooms evolve as kids get older.  And this room has already undergone much change, as we completed the room before we moved in (12 months ago), but Liam was still in his cot then.  These photos show his room now, at age 2.  Complete with his toys and his all important big boy bed.  He tells me "I'm fine to sleep in other big beds mum, as long as my animal bed can come with him".  Bless his sweet soul and sweet dreams!! xo

AFTER : Bedroom 2

We added some much needed storage.  And I just love this earth ball from bebe.

 

 A step up into his big bed to teddy.

Somewhere for treasures and stories (thankyou hubby and Liam for my mothers day present - ex crown casino moran chair and ottoman, there have been many beautiful stories read here). 

Some of the hidden potential we wanted to bring back to life.

 

Liam's christening present from us, a print drawn by an amazing Austrlian artist, Lee Carter.  The detail is spectular.

Priority 2 - Transform the dungeon to castle fit for "le petite prince"

Remember I said the house was in an original state.  Yep time had stood still.  But we just new this would be the perfect room for our little prince.

BEFORE : Bedroom 2

Surviving the bedlam

So I will make a confession, it's not always a good idea to renovate when you have a toddler and a newborn.  There are some days when the chaos can feel a bit too much.  So this week, I looked for another way of coping during these times.  They are called "Family Rules", so anytime things are getting a tough ... like when my toddler is screaming at me for the 25th time to go outside when the backyard is actually just a pile of mud and he's already sick ... I will remind myself of the "Family Rules" before I respond to him.  

Thank you Infant Boutique, the parcel arriving today made my day :)

At the end of the day

wouldn't you love to come home, take your shoes off and curl up here.  Or Sunday papers and coffee at home anyone?  The natural light and high ceilings are so airy and beautiful!!

PS. my boys would love a dinosaur toy like this one :)

photo courtesy Livingetc

Soo much inspiration - I'm in love

I recently found this blog and I'm addicted.  My Scandinavian Retreat.  It's so lovely.

Here's a peek at some of my favourite inspiration pics.

photos courtesy My Scandinavian Retreat

The new bathroom. Hip hip horray!!

What am I most happy with?  The travetine floor and spacious shower.   Moving the shower wall slightly into the laundry gave us elbow room for two.  Also the recessed shower shelf helps create more space.  And I love the recessed mirror cabinet.  There is so much room in there.  And of course having a toilet in the bathroom helps!

My husband picked out electrical switches matching the newly rewired house through out and a very stylish IXL.  He also persevered as we (I) deliberated over everything.

AFTER : Bathroom - We love it :)

  

And plenty of room for our gorgeous boys and their all important toys xo

PS. The bathroom completed 10 days after we moved in.  A big thanks to Mike and Megan for meals and use of their bathroom!!!!

Priority number 1

We bought our new house before we sold our existing house.  And despite the dual mortgage this imposed, it was a great blessing.  As we desperately needed a new working bathroom in the new house, before we moved in.

So here's a picture of the original "PINK" bathroom.  Quite appropriate really that it's a dark and gloomy picture.  As it felt just that.  Also the sink didn't work, and only someone Liam's height (<1.5m) would fit under the shower head.

BEFORE : Bathroom

Time for a complete makeover!

And this is the picture that I used for inspiration.  Love, love, love the muted tones, natural materials and textures.

Am I an ad for Foxtel IQ?

Ok so I have to admit that I was very skeptical when my husband said he wanted Foxtel IQ.  All I wanted to know was how much extra a month it was going to cost?  But you know what I love it!!  As tonight I got to watch "The Block" and "Nine by Design" back to back.  Since we don't go out anymore, in fact I can hardly remember what it was like.  Nights like this are heaven :)

Here's more about the brand behind "Nine by Design" a link to their design company Sixx Design and the article  in UK Times which rocketed things along for them.  Whilst I admit I am as much in awe of their careers and lifestyle as I am of them as a family and how they manage to have such a large one !!



Also congrats to the contestants on The Block, you are all doing an amazing job.  If I had to choose an overall favourite, it would be Erin and Jake, I love their design palate.  But I agree with the judges Chez and Brenton deserved it this week.  Great work!

Back to where it all began

It's hard to believe it's almost 12 months since we moved into our new home.  We bought our beautiful (yes I could see the potential within) 1940 cottage completely unrenovated.  Think original everything, some fantastic and some really really bad (window awnings, lace curtains, weeds, overgrown trees ....).  But with our ideal, location, location, location!  Dear Beverly (previous owner) kept everything original and to her credit, very clean.  But it was definitely time for some modern updates, and we bravely thought we'd be the ones to do it and turn it into the family home of our dreams.  Fortunately for us there wasn't a lot of others up for the challenge.  Only 1 other bidder, a real estate agent looking for his new family home, so we got it below our top price.  Yay!  Or did he know something?!  As those extra funds were quickly put to work.

Anyway here's a look back at what it looked like just 12 months ago and just how tiny Liam was back then too :)

That's me out the front, helping Liam move his very important toy barrel in. 

Over the next few posts, I'll step you through our reno's completed to date.  Stay tuned :)

9 by Design

Gotta love Foxtel and it's new show 9 by Design. The Novogratz family is amazing.  7 kids (2 sets of twins!)!!  The parents, Bob and Courtney run the design firm, Sixx Design.  And for more than a decade, this young, hip and artsy couple have developed and designed unique properties in Manhattan, rebuilt entire blocks in the city, and turned funky into fabulous with taste and confidence. 

Their taste is impecable and their spirit inspiring.  How do they do it ??  Love your work :)

Hello

Hi, I'm so excited about starting this blog.  Inspired by my good friend Ag May xo