Get the Look - Organised in the Hamptons!

The key to this look is banking flush sided bookcases to give the illusion of wall to wall custom cabinetry. I don't believe such a large chair is practical at a table or desk, but it does look fantastic doesn't it?

Plain to some but simple and stylish to me.

Then add a georgous feature table, here are two that I like:

The metallic components and rustic finish give the table above an industrial twist.

What Beautiful carved legs on this one.

Then add some great accessories to finish.

All products are available through Journey Home - enquiries to (02)6156 2379 or nadine@journeyhomeonline.com.au for price and availability.

Front Guest Room - Contruction Begins

Arhitectural Elements I will be looking for the room

Contruction begins, hello new wardrobe.

The old veneer cupboards and dated carpet are removed leaving the walls, skirtings and cornices in an icky state.

New built-ins robe was constructed on a smaller foot print to make space for furniture The extra space opens the room up and yet there is still ample storage for a guest room and my ironing. Due to the existing ceiling battens, you are always going to realise that the wardrobe was retrofitted, so I chose not to cornice the new wardrobe, the goal was to make it look smart and tidy, which it certainly does.

I would have prefered to keep the original doors however they were heavily damaged so when bedroom door was replaced we took the opportunity to change the swing direction to open up the view of the room from the hall way making both the room and hall way feel more spacious. Gotta love those floral door handles.

2 new additional power points have been installed in the room for lamps and other modern day appliances. It would have been rather costly to move the light switch out from the behind the new door swing, we've installed the fan light remote on the side of the door for easy access. I chose to mount the remote onto a traditional switch block for consistency. It's the details that count.

Vive La France - My window planter is complete

Do you have a jigsaw? Great then lets make a window box!

I had these teak shutters custom made for the windows - I ordered them in March I will mention time and again that some bespoke items take time, however Chris and I knocked up the planter box in a day, well to be fair, I drew it and shopped for materials and Chris my carpenter did the rest.

Later that evening I found my other half outside laughing - He finds it amusing, says it looks like we live in France. Vive La France! I say.
Don't you just love geraniums in window boxes.

Now I'm just waiting on the black and white striped eye lid awning. Will keep you posted!

Blue Living Room Day

Am I just blue because no one is following my blog yet! Here are a few inspirational photos to uplift the day.

Judy Elliott - Verandah House Qld

Front Guest Room - A starting point

Before Photo

As I would do with clients I like to set out a brief for the space which includes both function and style.

Our guest room at the front of the house needs to cater to our guest requirements such as sleeping, luggage placement and dressing, using a computer, reading and childs play. It will also be used as a quiet place where we can use a desk, and hang the ironing.

Building Constraints & Issues to resolve:
The room has a dated dark veneer wardrobe. Low window heights are a consistant issue around the house but I have solution for that so stay posted. As with many of the rooms in older houses the door swings into middle of the room, The room has only one power point making placement of lamps difficult with no spares for charging mobile phones or running a computer or the vacuum. In terms of climate control this room is anticipated to be the hottest in the home due to it's north west aspect at the front of the house. Street privacy could be an issue. Existing furniture includes two existing single extra long ensemble beds which can be reconfigured to a king size bed.

New Floor Plan of Front Guest Room

Style Quest: The existing elements of our 1930's bungalow style home in Canberra will blend beautifully with the British Colonial Style and masculine feel I am going for in the Front guest room.

Room concept Sketch - Facing South East

Room Concept Sketch - Facing North West

The Beginning

We've bought the house, My first house at 40 no less! Too exciting for words, but that's not really the beginning of our Journey lets go back a few years.

Our house was built back around 1930's when the Federal Capital Commission was organising housing for public servants for the new city. The Architecture style later became known as FCC style, there were a number of houses built with the same Spanish Mission / Bungalow design known as Cottage Style No 4, one of which is photographed below soon after completion.

Kitchen and Bathroom of the FCC style home.

Lets be clear - these are not Before photos of our actual house, we have sixties style to deal with! More about that later.

Images sourced from the National Archives of Australia - Mildenhall's Canberra

If you are interested in the history of Canberra homes visit www.naa.gov.au or google FCC style.

Get the Look - Alfresco Dining

To achieve the look of this bountiful outdoor dining setting featured in British Homes and Gardens Magazine.

Try our Toron chairs and Teak dining table.

Toron chairs have the rustic patina of weathered cane but are actually an authentic looking synthetic cane designed for outdoor durability. The upholstery is also outdoor grade in a neautral offwhite fabric. For indoors there is also a natural wicker version.

Yes that is a deliberate slant on the leg of the solid teak table.


Both products are available through Journey Home (02) 6156 2379.