Hey guys. Just jumping in with this impromptu little post. I read once that publishing blog articles on weekends was some kind of no-no, but I think we all know I’m not exactly your typical blogger!
This new sideboard from e-Living Furniture is eventually destined for a client’s house, but in the meantime it’s hanging out in my parent’s dining room (there’s just no space in my tiny abode!) so I figured I may as well make it look at home.
I often play around with little styling projects like this which I tend not to share on my blog because I figure they’re better suited for social media snippets, but maybe it’s time I post about them more frequently. I know it’s nothing special, though perhaps it will inspire someone.
Still, it’s always nice for blog content to have some depth, so given I shopped my parent’s house to put this vignette together, I thought it might be interesting to look back through some of my past projects and see where else I’ve featured the included pieces. So often I see people buying brand new items in order to update their home, but sometimes all it takes to create a fresh feel is a smidge of reshuffling.
I know that probably seems easy for me to say given I’m in the interiors industry (well, kinda), but most of the items I use, and the majority of my favourites, are those which I’ve owned for years and years. Yes, they were initially purchased at some point, however none of them were expensive, and I’ve learned that sticking with timeless pieces means they will serve you well indefinitely.
Some of you may recognise the lamp which I originally bought in 2016 from a thrift store for $5 for my parent’s living room.
It was initially painted with a swirly apricot design, so I sprayed it matte black for a clean and modern look.
I could easily include at least ten different instances where I’ve used the seeded glass vase, but some of the projects which jumped out were this bathroom update from 2018.
And (even though I feel a bit embarrassed re-hashing it) my parent’s basic master bedroom refresh from way back in 2014!
In fact, if I recall correctly, I’m pretty sure that this is the project which the vase was initially purchased for! From memory it came from Early Settler, and at the time we bought two different sized ones to form a nice collection.
As per usual I have filled it with my go-to of free live clippings from an established road-side tree.
The rustic dough bowl was a more recent purchase from 2018 when it was bought on clearance from H&M for $15. I have previously included it in my friend’s 2019 flip house kitchen.
Along with my parent’s $100 kitchen refresh.
The woven bamboo case (which came in a tiered set of two) was an $8 Kmart buy from 2019.
It’s a lovely and flexible piece which lends itself to so many scenarios. Whether some extra storage is needed, a boost of height for a vignette, or just that hint of relaxed earthiness which the natural material lends. One past room I included it in was my friend’s flip house entry where I stacked the set atop an ottoman.
The cast iron henna hand is actually a special souvenir my parents brought home from India a few years back.
It’s always nice to have a little something atop a stack of books, and small decor pieces like this are prefect for that. Especially when they have personal meaning.
It’s a gorgeous item which my parents always have on display somewhere, but I haven’t personally used it extensively for my projects. Here it is on the coffee table in my friend’s flip house living room.
Of course, the vintage books (which I usually find for just a few dollars each from Op Shops) are one of my all-time favourite staples. If you’re ever questioning the completeness of your vignette, then vintage books are most probably the perfect answer! They can add height, character, colour and help with layer building, all in one easy swoop!
I’ve never counted my collection of “styling” books, but it’s likely nudging the 50 mark – plus I’m still always looking for more! I use them all the time, but here are just a few examples from over the years.
The most recent acquisition is the round mirror which I bought just a few months back from Target. It was only $40 (on sale) and I originally purchased it to stage a client’s property for sale. I’m still yet to share that project (it’s coming up soon!) but here’s a little sneak peek.
I know not everyone wants to recycle their decor over and over again, but if, like me, you’re lucky enough to find the pieces which work for you, then it can be a super rewarding avenue.
Although I was lucky to be gifted the sideboard in exchange for promotion through social media, this blog post is not sponsored in any way.
For anyone worried about me breaking current lockdown restrictions here in Melbourne by visiting my parent’s house, this project was actually undertaken prior.
Wonderful inspirational memories, the freshness of your style, Nothing changes, I still love your bedroom, your matte black lamp lol, foyer like Day 1.. u’re still tops, my most fave decorator!.
Aw, thank you :)
Firstly: “I know it’s nothing special”…..Kristine, EVERYTHING you do is special and always an inspiration. Secondly: “even though I feel a bit embarrassed re-hashing it”…..I often go looking through your old posts and there is NOTHING to be embarrassed about. Among many other qualities, your style has a timelessness about it.
Thanks so much Julie :)
Just exactly what Pauline and Julie said… You’re the best!!
Thank you so much. You guys are just too nice :)
What Sara said… lol. I loved every single photograph in this weekend (yes please) blog post.
Thank you for sharing your gift with us ❤️
So, what I have taken from this post is that I should collect more books from op shops. Yes please, I’m onto it! Haha!
Love the styling, I always notice when you use ‘hands’, but I’ve yet to find one myself. I’ll keep hunting.
Ha, ha. Do I have a hand decor problem? Never really noticed before but I think you might be right! The wooden ones are pretty easy to find. I know that IKEA has them, and if you look on eBay or Amazon there are quite a few too.
You really have a gift for styling. I’d be happy to read absolutely anything you would like to write about!❤️❤️
This post makes my weekend! I love all your entries and this one was especially inspiring. I’ll be digging through my storage room today to find new ideas for old items. Keep up the weekend posts, please.
Thanks Catherine. So nice to know it’s helped inspire you :)
Love love love your styling. You are so talented.
Hi Kristine – I love everything you do! I was excited to see the photo – flip house home office – in your latest post. I purchased a very similar looking bamboo shelf at the Habitat for Humanity Re-store. Can you tell me anything about this style and piece? In the meantime, I am heading into my basement to “shop”!
Thanks Beth. If it’s original, it could easily be 100 years old. Does yours fold? The shelves in mine can be lifted up and then the sides fold in so it’s almost flat.
Where did you get that mirror from the one with the jute? It’s a beauty!
I found it at Target a few months back :)
These images are so inspiring as is everything you post. Can I ask where you sourced the jute runner pictured in front of the white sideboard in the dinning area (2nd image from top)?
Sure. That’s actually another piece I have used multiple times. It’s from Kmart and I originally bought it a few years back for my friend’s flip house (you can see it in the pic with the black and white wallpaper) but they still sell it!
This was such a great post! Any tips on finding the right branch for in a jar? I love the look, but I’ve never been happy with my attempts at pulling off the look. :)
Hmmm, I wish I had an easy “just do this” solution but it’s really just a matter of playing around with things. A few things I like to do are remove any leaves below the lip of the vessel, and I always pick more branches than I need then use the ones which sit best in the particular vase. Sometimes the natural orientation of the leaves from branch to branch means they don’t necessarily work well together because they are essentially facing different directions. Something else you can also look out for is branches which have a lean or angle. I find these always spill nicely which saves things from looking too upright.
I love the classic, timelessness of your style. You always have these decor pieces that will never go out of style, are visually interesting, have so much character and always beautiful to look at. I like how they work so well with any decor – you might change up the colour, but they always work. And I like the attainability of that look.
Thanks Leslie :)
Thank you for re-sharing your stylings over the years. Timeless design. What I like is the natural, authentic look that you have. It never seems contrived to me – like these are real people belongings. While I enjoy looking at various blogs, websites for inspiration, they all start looking alike. False/fake design. Like those Housewives of Beverly Hills reality shows – they all look alike! (cringe). And I always look to see if you’ve included your boots!
Thanks Sue :)
I must echo Julie’s comment… YOU and what YOU DO is special, inspiring, and attainable in a REAL sense. Timelessness personified!!! And always budget-minded, which in a world (including many blogs/”influencers”) seemingly consumed with buy, buy, buy, THAT sets you apart and you‘re a breath of fresh air!
Loved the weekend post… yes, I know it’s not quite the weekend when I was able to read this post… and the reflection of what, how, when, where of so many pieces and the value in “shopping the house.” Perfect retrospective in which everything looks new.
Thank you for actively sharing with everyone how to re-use, re-style, recycle so much in our homes.
You remind me of the William Morris quote… Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be beautiful or believe to be useful.
You’re bloody brilliant and oh so inspiring!!!
Aw, too nice. Thanks Amy. What a lovely thing to say. I’ve been so heartened by everyone’s comments :)
Extremely Amazing work!!
Love this! I love the way you style your place! I also love how easy this is to do.