The Painted Hive

Mirrored Furniture

April 10, 2010 15 Comments

Not far from my workplace is a gorgeous furniture store. Of course, I’d never actually purchase anything from said store (lovely as everything is) and must confess I really just went there yesterday to dream, sigh, stroke the furniture, study the furniture, then, let’s just say ‘borrow’ any good ideas for myself, when I spied a gorgeous rococo style mirrored dresser.

Done right, mirrored furniture can add a lovely sense of glamour to a space, and whilst it wouldn’t necessarily work well in my own little cottagey home, I do kinda like the idea of it. So, I studied the dresser in the store and convinced myself that, yes, I could DIY that (one day).

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Filed Under: Inspiration

The Makings of an Entryway

April 7, 2010 28 Comments

Following is some information regarding costing and details of how I achieved the look in my entry.

WALLPAPER
Sorry, I can’t recall its name or brand (poor, I know) though it was purchased new from a home decorator centre. It was my favourite and the most appropriate out of all the thousands I looked at so fortunately, when it came to checking the price, I was pleased to find it sitting in the lowest bracket.
Mum and Dad (who informed me they were wallpaper hanging experts after going through the early 1980’s revival) helped me hang it one week while hubby was out of town. He got a pleasant surprise on his return – or so I like to think.
$120 (for two rolls)

CONSOLE TABLE
I looked everywhere for ages to find the right table for this space.
The proportions needed to be ‘just so’. I was more than prepared to refurbish and modify a pre-loved one if need be, though eventually this brand new rustic weathered cedar console showed up on eBay. It was just right.
$80

DÉCOR
Wreath – Found at a post-Christmas sale at a furniture store – $8
Cases – They look like vintage chests though are actually new reproductions purchased from a discount clearance store – $18 (for both)
Large Wire Basket – I purchased this from a special boutique store using a gift certificate we received for our wedding – $0
Terracotta Pots and Plants – Just your stock standard cheap pots and plants from a local nursery – $30
Lanterns – Again, new from a discount clearance store – $15 (for both)
Wire Basket and Twine – I painted the basket (originally gold) after finding it at a local charity store and added some cheap hardware store twine – $7
Picture – The frame I already had (it’s actually from my bedroom when I was still living with Mum and Dad!). I just painted and distressed it then added some scrapbook paper – $1
Urn and Jug – Both found at local charity stores. The jug was purple and gold crackle so I spray painted it white – $6 (for both)

TOTAL $285

It could have been more thrifty without the wallpaper and with a cheaper table though they were perfect for the space and sometimes you’ve just gotta splurge a little (by ‘splurge’ of course, I mean be less cheap).

I can’t wait to show you some more spaces. The entryway is one of my only complete rooms so it will be fun to share all of the evolving ideas and projects I have planned and in-progress for the rest of my house. I’m really looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts and suggestions too!

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Filed Under: Entryway, My Hive

Industrial School Locker

April 5, 2010 29 Comments

I’ve mentioned previously my slightly obsessive adoration for industrial home accents and now here’s a little industrial style project of my very own!

I know, probably not to everyone’s taste (and certainly much too cool to fit in at my little cottage) though I love the eclectic edge and character items like this can bring to a space.

Here it is before:

I left the patina in pretty much original condition – which, for pieces like this, really is the essence of their appeal, all that banged-up and rusted metal telling the proud story of a former life.
I stencilled the retro typographics for that little eye-catching point of distinction.

With no-where for this piece to live at my place it was recently sold by auction on eBay.
So, with my retro locker now in someone else’s house, I was still languishing for an industrial ‘something’ for my own home when yesterday I came across this little beauty:

Eeek! Squeel! An absolutely adorable vintage card file cabinet. And now it’s mine!
Currently sitting in quite a precarious and inappropriate position on an inadequate little side table in our study/junk room, it just needs a bit of a tidy up and then I have plans to modify it for use as a re-purposed table of sorts in my up-coming living room re-do (oh yeah, more on that to come soon!).
The timber’s actually quite a bit darker than depicted and just oozes time-worn charm. It’s complete with all of the original escutcheons and locks.
Yes, I think I’m in love – again!

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Filed Under: Before & After, Furniture Rehab Tagged With: Industrial

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 with worn beige berber carpet, timber toned trim and a dirty apple green wall that’s pretty much it!

I knew early on that I wanted wallpaper somewhere in my house and this space seemed the perfect candidate – its location is discreet enough not to dictate the tone for the entire house though perfectly positioned to create a nice first impression.

We painted the trim white and re-carpeted then waited for an appropriately priced and proportioned piece of furniture to come along. You see, when the front door is opened it leaves a clearance of only 30cm (12 inches) so whatever I chose needed to be accordingly narrow. Eventually, a lovely weathered cedar console showed up – perfect! I had envisioned all white against the wallpaper though the tone in this table seemed just right as is.

I must confess, I change the decor around in my home ALL THE TIME (much to hubby’s annoyance) though currently have the console adorned with clearance and thrift store finds, fresh lavendar and rosemary, some re-purposed knick-knacks and a few special pieces.

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Filed Under: Entryway, My Hive, Room Makeovers

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 and how you can do it too:

Bed – FREE
Found at the tip, yes, the tip. It was black wrought iron which we painted enamel ivory.
End of Bed Stool – $20
Found on the side of the road. It was originally an old telephone table which we took the top off, painted and upholstered – you can read the post about it here.
Chair – FREE
My Great Grandma’s old kitchen chair.
Side Table – $20
It’s a butler’s tray purchased from a warehouse clearance centre. We painted it black and gave it a light distress. You can’t see it in the pic though we lined the top with script wrapping paper (which is also in the frame above the bed).
Window Furnishings – $30
Mum made them from fabric found at a haberdashery clearance store.
Artwork – $10
The large frame was found at a local second-hand store. We painted it white then lined it with script wrapping pape. Mum already had the two little prints.
Cushions and Throw – $20
Mum made them to co-ordinate with the stool out of left-over fabric and some inexpensive new fleece.
Bedding – $30
The quilt cover and pillow cases were all found at a manchester clearance centre.
Decor – $15
The charming little birdcage was purchased at a clearance store (you can’t get them anymore, I wish I’d bought 100!) and the topiary was found when I shopped the house.