How to Turn a Photo into a “Vintage” Portrait Painting

October 31, 2016 22 Comments

I’ve been slightly obsessed with vintage portrait paintings for a while now. Whether a solo artwork resting casually atop a hutch or a striking gallery which consumes an entire wall, they seem to impart such a lovely sense of depth, interest and character. Source Source Source Source Source Source Source Source Source Source Source Source...…READ MORE

A Super Easy Lamp Update

October 18, 2016 26 Comments

One of the elements I was struggling to decide on for the living-dining room makeover at my parent’s house was the lamp. I know it seems like a simple enough item, though everything appropriate I came across was just soooo expensive. I think the main problem was my aversion to anything super trendy. Not that...…READ MORE

Painting & Stenciling a Floor

October 12, 2016 27 Comments

This project has been on my “to do” list for waaaaay too long. Over three years ago now we ripped up the terrible old carpet in my parent’s retreat (“retreat” sounds super fancy though it’s really just a modest sitting room adjoining their master bedroom) then pondered what we could do to cheaply and easily...…READ MORE

DIY Concrete Vessel Planters

September 7, 2016 18 Comments

Do you guys remember when I shared some pics of this simple concrete vessel I made a few months back… Well, I received quite a few requests for a tutorial so have spent the past few weeks perfecting my process (and learning more than I will ever need to know about concrete!) so I can...…READ MORE

How to Create a Vintage Industrial Look on Furniture…using Chalk Paint & Black Wax

August 9, 2016 49 Comments

I love it when the launch of a new product provides the perfect excuse to tackle a well over-due project. Such was the case with the release of Black Wax by Annie Sloan. Teamed with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in “Antibes Green” it seemed like the perfect way to jazz-up some blah file drawers I bought...…READ MORE

How to Create a “Vintage” Wire Basket from a Plastic Coated Caddy

July 27, 2016 22 Comments

I have a thing for old wire baskets. You? Well, if you do too it seems we’re not alone. Have you noticed how pricey they can be at old-wares stores and antique markets nowadays? Man! Anyhoo, after I shared this pic of Charlotte’s new bedroom shelves a few weeks back… …I received quite a few...…READ MORE

“New” Blue Cane Chairs…plus how to use a paint sprayer

July 18, 2016 60 Comments

Ever since painting my Chippendale desk chair….by hand…with a brush…over the course of several hours…a paint sprayer has been high on my ‘to buy’ list. Some of you may recall I have sprayed furniture in the past using our air compressor, though that big, noisy, heavy piece of equipment isn’t something I like to reach for too...…READ MORE

Re-Love Project…before & after

June 30, 2016 143 Comments

I’m so excited to finally share this! If you’re not new here, you’re probably aware of my involvement in the Re-Love Project and what it’s all about. For those of you who don’t know, in short it’s a Feast Watson campaign in collaboration with Salvos Stores which sees seven design personalities “re-love” a neglected item of furniture...…READ MORE

How to Stain Timber | A Video Tutorial

June 2, 2016 37 Comments

If you’re a regular visitor here, you may have read snippets about this “secret” project. Well, a few months back I was lucky to be invited to take part in and style a professional video tutorial for Feast Watson! It was like nothing I’ve ever done…and I loved it! I can’t thank Feast enough for...…READ MORE

Over-Sized Heron Art | Huge High Resolution Free Printable!

April 13, 2016 24 Comments

UPDATE I have created a second free large-scale download of a beautiful crane to accompany this heron for anyone who’s after two artworks. Find it here. After publishing the post about my DIY large-scale art a few weeks back, I received quite a few requests for a free printable version of my edited image. I...…READ MORE