Garden Update and Giveaway Thanks

Just a quick post today to share with you some updated shots of the garden and to thank the lovely Sandy from Paint Me White for my recent giveaway win.

We have had a part of the garden under some lovely shady palm trees which has been rather neglected. Due to not getting much sunlight the grass doesn't grow and it is just dirt and tree roots. The look of it and also the mess that the dog was bringing into the house as a result of it was starting to get to us so we decided to do something about it.

We spent one weekend digging away to clear the weeds, tree roots and rocks. We then put in green garden edging and filled the area in with pebbles. The finished look is much neater and really makes the whole area look complete. The lovely green grass surrounds it and really sets off the colour of the pebbles. We're really happy with the end result. Here are some before and after photos - what do you think?

Before I go today I'd like to thank the lovely Sandy from Paint Me White for the giveaway win I received a little while ago - apologies Sandy that this thank you is so late! I was fortunate enough to win some of Sandy's gorgeous grey nesting tables. Given the grey and white theme in my guest bedroom I have put the tables in there beside the bed. I've added a few trinkets to the top to decorate them and they look lovely. Here are some pictures of my win - thank you Sandy!

Deck Makeover Complete

We've been plodding along with minor projects here at the CC. As always time gets away and although we finished the deck some time ago I've only just found the time (and motivation) to blog about it. I'll start with some before photos of course.

Photo courtesy of realestate.com

This is what the deck looked like when we purchased the house in 2010. It is not a huge space and the table setting that the seller had out there just took up too much of the space. I also hated the curtains on the french doors as I love to look out at the trees and let the natural light in so they were quick to go. There was also nothing to shelter the deck from rain/wind so we came up with a solution for that too. Below are some more before photos.

The whole deck was looking very tired so we began by giving it a fresh coat of paint. It was amazing the difference this made. Mr CC also took down the old gate and made me a new one.

Old Gate

New Gate

The new one is much more in keeping with the style of the house and looks much more appealing to the eye. I also had a blind installed to add some shelter from the rain and wind.

It was then time to add furnishings. We decided not to buy a table and chair outdoor setting as we rarely sit on the deck to eat - it is more our 'happy hour' spot - and it is not huge and I didn't want it to look cluttered. We searched high and low for some comfortable chairs that looked nice and weren't ridiculously priced. I finally found these from Far Pavilions and we love them.

I purchased a lovely nickel antique side table as well - they are hot property these tables as I had to wait 4 months for it! I also bought a wreath to hang on the wall behind the chairs, a white lantern to sit on the floor and a topiary tree with my bargain Ezibuy planter box...

All in all it was a successful makeover that didn't take too long or cost the earth. Mr CC and I enjoy sitting out on the deck in the afternoons enjoying a wine or two. It's lovely and quiet and overlooks the garden. The perfect place to sit and relax.

Before

After

Antiques Update

Last year I did a post about some antique pieces of furniture that I had inherited - a mirror, a stool & a chest. Well I'm pleased to say that two of the three have now been finished.

Remember the little stool - well just a reminder above of how it looked before. I took it to a re-upholsterer who sanded and lightened the wood for me before varnishing. I then found some gorgeous linen fabric that ties in beautifully with my soon to be finished master bedroom. So here are the after photos of how my little stool looks now...

 

 

What do you think? I'm really happy with how it has ended up and I know my Mum would be too. This gorgeous stool is now living in a prominent corner of my master bedroom and looks lovely.

The second antique that has been revamped is the oval mirror that I was given by Mr CC's father. Above is a picture of what it looked like before - the glass was dirty and had all mould growing under it and the gold ornamental piece at the top was dirty and had a big wooden piece behind it (see below).

I'm proud to say that we revamped the mirror mostly on our own - we just had a little help from our good friend whose a carpenter who cut a new backing board that doesn't show through behind the ornament. I also painted the backing board so that it would blend in with the paint on the wall that it was going to be hung on. Then Mr CC pulled the mirror backing off and cleaned away all the mould. We then used every sort of polishing cleaner under the sun to tidy up the ornament but it just wasn't working. After much googling we tried tomato sauce and sure enough it worked. Can you believe it?! This is what the ornament looks like now...

There was some general wear and tear around the edge of the mirror that we decided to leave as we thought it would add a bit of character and history to the mirror. We now have it hanging in our walk-in-wardrobe and it gets used and looked at every day. (Sorry that I couldn't get a close up pic but given that it is a wardrobe I couldn't get back far enough to take a closer pic. I've put a Sex & the City size wardrobe on the 'To Do' list!!!)

So now that just leaves the chest to do. We were going to tackle this ourselves but I really want it done properly so I've decided that I will get it done professionally sometime this year. I'll keep you posted.

Time in the Sun

We've just returned from a week at glorious Rainbow Beach - the mainland off Fraser Island. We had magnificent weather and it was lovely to soak up the sun and feel the sand beneath our feet. Junior had a great time swimming and using his boogie board...

We drove the beach and stopped at lovely gutters so that Mr CC could fish - no luck there I'm afraid - and Junior and I could swim. Sometimes I enjoyed just sitting and reading with the coloured sands as the back drop...

One of our favourite places to swim was the lagoon at Double Island Point. It also doubled as our 'Happy Hour' spot each afternoon...

Don't you just love the boogie board table, dip & biscuits out of the packet and the fishing knife for the cheese! I forgot to pack a knife so we improvised. I assure you the knife was thoroughly cleaned in the salt water and then fresh water before use!

Image from here

Image from here

It was a real holiday for me as we ate out every night (so no cooking - yippee!!!). The Rainbow Beach hotel has had a makeover and is a great place to dine. After dinner each night we wandered back home with gelati in hand looking at this lovely full moon...

It was so lovely to get away and have some time as a family. We've all returned home more relaxed and more tanned - thank goodness as I was starting to resemble a ghost. Only a few more days of holidays left for me and then back to work. I've enjoyed my extended break but look forward to the challenges that a new year at work will bring. Have a great week!

Welcoming the New Year

Image from here

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2012! In Brisbane it has been the most beautiful start to the year with a cool breeze and blue sky all day. There were no new year's eve hangovers at the CC as we welcomed 2012 in very quiet style as a family last night. We began with some delicious nibblies on the deck - Junior and Mr CC devoured these too quickly so I couldn't get a piccie!!! I then decided I needed a night off from cooking so we ordered a curry take-away from our favourite curry place. It's nothing flash but the food is fantastic. We enjoyed butter chicken, ceylon lamb, rice, garlic naan and yoghurt/cucumber raita.

Following this we popped out to our local fireworks viewing spot to watch the 8:30pm Brisbane fireworks and then back home and watched a DVD. We only lasted until 10:30pm but awoke at midnight to our neighbours' celebrating which was lovely to hear.

2011 was kind to us so we wave it fondly farewell and hope for the same, if not better, for 2012. This year we hope to continue our work around the house and to make sure we don't get too caught up in work and the busy-ness of daily life. A few more holidays have been discussed so fingers crossed!!! What are your plans for the year that lies ahead?