Budget Living Room Makeover

March 15, 2011 42 Comments

Recently, I took up the creative challenge to help my Mum make-over her sitting room on a non-existent (and I mean ‘zero dollar’) budget. Course we did have a little more than zero dollars though we just wanted to see what we could come up with. Here’s the space before (quite a few years ago, complete...…READ MORE

The Painted Hive Master Bedroom

November 8, 2010 155 Comments

Update: Check out how my bedroom has evolved! View more recent posts here. Some interesting wall angles and the need for tonnes of storage really dictated the design for our master bedroom. Function and budget were high priorities so I decided to work ‘pretty’ around ‘practical’. The neutral palette combines loads of natural texture with vintage...…READ MORE

The Painted Hive Dining Room

July 12, 2010 63 Comments

More a nook than an actual room, our little dining area forms the southern end of our living room. The neutral palette combines loads of natural elements and character-rich texture – with nothing too pretentious – for a relaxed, yet fresh space. So, whilst it’s nothing super special, it’s warm, inviting and very much me! Here it is just before...…READ MORE

Living Room Reveal

April 30, 2010 74 Comments

On a crisp, sunny morning the french windows in our little living room greedily catch the first toasty beams of light and spread a gentle warmth throughout the space. When it’s cool and gloomy outside however, they frame a haunting view of dispersing mists rolling over the nearby hills. Either way, a sense of nostalgia is somehow born in...…READ MORE

The Painted Hive Entryway

April 1, 2010 56 Comments

At only 1.1 meters deep x 1.6 meters wide (3.5 x 5.2 feet) my tiny entryway doesn’t even rate a mention on the floor plan! An inch either side of the photo below and you’re straight into the living room or hallway. Sorry, I don’t have a before pic though if you can imagine a little undressed space...…READ MORE

A Thrifty Guest Bedroom

March 30, 2010 26 Comments

Here’s my parent’s guest bedroom (my old ‘boudoir’) which I helped make-over and style for them a while back now. The whole room was completed on a teeny-tiny budget. My Mum has more traditional taste than me and wanted a serene calming space with a subtle french influence. This particular room came in at under $150. Here’s how I did it...…READ MORE