Nearly there...

Thank you to everyone for the wonderful comments about my slipcovers. It was very encouraging. I thought I would take some new photos now I have added the new cushions i made today and to show you the room nearly finished with the new curtains...and in better light. Yesterdays photos were terrible and I am sorry.

***Please be aware that this canvas is temporary and is hanging from a hook that was already there so it is too high. It will save time patching when the new work goes up***
These are the new ones I made from the material I bought in Sydney at Ikea. I am still after a lovely RL inspired blue and white floral to have on the sofas, but this navy one will do in the meantime.

So here is the living room as it looks today, the 1st day of Spring! I am not settled on the canvas above the sofa and I have my eye out for the perfect (is there such a thing?) statement piece to go here, but I am happy for now. You can see the new white curtains I made for the French doors. I love these. The light coming through them just illuminates the room. If you are wondering what the little black thing is above the doors, it is a bird silhouette.
I hope you like...I am sure it will change!!
Ness xx

The Before...

Late last summer as I moved into my condo, I had big plans for a major overhaul of the place. After all, much of it hadn't been touched since 1968. (Had the building been built in the 1920s or 30s, I wouldn't dare think of redoing anything. Alas, it wasn't, and late 1960s decor just doesn't do it for me.) I started with things like having the popcorn ceilings scraped (such a mess), staining the parquet floors ebony, and having the walls painted and papered. Oh, and having the pea green shag carpet in my bedroom AND bathroom promptly removed (yes, it even went around the toilet- Yuck!). What really bothered me, though, were the 1960s bathrooms. My guest bathroom had the worst toilet you've ever seen. It sat about a foot and a half off of the ground, and it had the original plastic toilet seat, which, by the way, had a cigarette burn mark in it. I care not to think about how that happened.

I was trying to decide how I wanted to renovate the bathroom when the economic hell broke loose, and then I lost the nerve to do anything. On top of that, I was tired of having workmen in my home. So, I left it alone for a while, nasty toilet and all. But a few months ago, I realized that it really wasn't necessary to rip everything out and start anew. I could tart the room up and try to disguise some of the questionable decorating choices that were made forty years ago. So let me give you a lay of the land...

This is the way the bathroom looked when I first visited the condo over a year ago. I guess I should clarify something- somebody did make a few upgrades to the bathroom at some point. So it was a blend of 1968 and 1998.


I know what you're looking at. It's the nasty toilet with the discolored toilet seat. The vanity with the chic woodgrain laminate doors is original. Note how the counter top extended all the way over to the shower door. The ceramic tile floor and shower walls are a later addition, as is the green tiled shower floor and the cheapo sliding glass door. See the handle bars all over the place? There was no way you could slip and fall because no matter where you were, there was always a handle to grab.


The walls were papered in a red vinyl wallpaper that was trying to be marbleized. I stripped the paper off of the walls myself, which just about caused me to lose my mind, not to mention my back and arms. You should have seen the pastel paper that was behind the top layer. The weirdest thing about the bathroom is that mirrored medicine cabinet that extends across the entire wall. The doors slide back and forth. Also, in typical 1968 fashion, there is a commercial fixture over the mirror. There had been a big, long plastic box that fit over the bulbs, but I sent that packing.


The vanity has Kohler fixtures which aren't the worst things I've ever seen, but they're far from great looking. Here, you can see the nice, new, and CLEAN Kohler toilet that I had installed. I had to have my contractor cut off that ledge that extended over the toilet; otherwise, no toilet would have fit because of the height issue.

My dilemma was that if I ripped out that light fixture, the mirror had to go to. And if the mirror went, so did the medicine cabinet. I wasn't upset about that prospect. But if I ripped out the vanity, then walls would have to be redone, and I would have to put in a new floor. At that point, I might as well have renovated everything, which defeated the purpose of my project. So, I left the vanity, the mirror, the shower, the floor, the medicine cabinet, and that awful light intact. Tomorrow, I'll show you the after pictures.

Slipcovered...

Yay...it worked!!! As you know I was attempting to slipcover our beat up sofas. I bit the bullet and done the deed. Yesterday, along with our little Mason turning 3, I covered the seat cushions and back cushions. Then today tackled the rest of the sofa while Mason slept. I thought I would show you how it went down....and all for $68.00!!! This is what I started with - a comfortable sofa with age tattered fabric.

I draped the fabric, which is a drop sheet from the hardware store that looks like the beautiful burlap linen I have (but much cheaper), over the top of the sofa base and used the front as a guide to start me off.
Once I was happy with that I put some pins along the back of the sofa to hold it in place.

The same was done along the arms of the sofa. I also drew little guides where the corners are to make it a little easier when the cutting, pinning and sewing began. Then all I done was traced along the edges and grooves of the sofa, matched up the lines and pinned.

Once I was happy with that, I put the cover back on the sofa to get the hem right, sewed that and here is the base cover finished.
And here it is with the back and base cushions on. This photo is really brassy looking because I forgot to take one in the daylight, so had to use the flash and Mic was sitting on it, so I didn't get to fix the cushions for the photo...but I hope you get the picture.
So, after all of that (and a quote of approx $2500.00+ for the two sofas to be covered) it only cost me $68.00 and 5 hours time over 2 days...and I even have enough fabric left to do the other sofa! Now I can have my cup of Coffee in this lovely squishy "new" sofa.

Next thing to do is make my cushion covers with the new fabric I bought while in Sydney to go on the sofa. As soon as I have done that I will post photos of the room (I made new curtains too).

I would love to know what you all think.

Ness xx

Celebrations outdoors ...

As we are get into the mood to celebrate ... an outdoor do ... may sound even more inviting ... E-Mosaik Events ... is an L.A based company ... that is into organising Moroccan and Indian style events ...


...I soooo ... loved the pictures that I had to share them with you all ... I am in love with the tent celebration style ...


... the color of the drapes ... is reason enough to get into a festives pirit ... a candle lit pool ... I can only but image the shimmering pool and the candle lights ... uuuuu ... and not to mention the lanterns ...

... I have had a lantern bug for a few years now ... looking at this image ... feel like I may just might need to find a whole storeroom after Diwali ... ;) ... but tell me ...who would forget an evening walking down a lantern lit path like this ... ah , for me that's what dreams are made of ...

... the purple elephant motif saree ... the flowers and the drapes ... I enjoy the color palatte ...

... uuu if this is what your entrance looks like ... I'm coming . I think a mish-mash of middle eastern ... an Indian styles ... lo and behold you have some fabulous elements to add to your celebration decor ... inspired anyone ... and don't forget do check out their website ... here ... for lot more of such celebrations ...

Image Source: e-mosaik via flickr.com

Inspiration....

My day was hectic to say the least. Workout in the morning, back home for a Upholstery quote, then a meeting with the Bride to finalise details for the Spring Wedding I am styling, making new living room curtains...and covering my sofa!!!

I am using this home as inspiration for the feel I want our own home to take on - light , bright and airy with loads of texture. We have recently added wicker roman blinds and will soon paint the kitchen white when the rain stops. I love the hint of raspberry in the cushions and the wooden pieces to ground all of the white.
I am still working out details for our bathroom renovation, but the new wall and window has been ordered so I can finally see some light! I would love shutters on the windows like this.
OK, some of you probably think I am mad for covering our sofa by myself, but we just don't have it in the budget with all of the other major things that is going on here. I am making a fitted slip cover very similar to this one, and it is turning out really well. I will post pics once I am done.
The new curtains I have made are in a white twill for over the French doors in the living room and the sunlight through them just lights up the room. I have some chair prints on order in a more contemporary style than this one.

The colour of these curtains is what I replaced them for.
This photo is just lovely. Everything here is right up my alley....I have just realised that this post seems like I am trying to mimic this home. I promise I am not, but looking through some old images of saved homes the other day, I realised just how much this home is what I am after.
I would love to hear what you think of the new scheme I am planning...and have a wonderful weekend.
Ness xx
all images - country living

Images from Mum & Dads

While on Holidays recently, the boys and I stayed at my Parents house. This is the home where I was born and raised, where I learnt my love of Antique and worn pieces, markets and thrift shops...and creating a welcoming home. My Mum loves French style like me, but she has always had a love for old country things and teams the two together.
Mum loves Lavender and where ever she is seems to find some to fill one of her many pots, vases and jugs.

Another love Mum and I share is Hydrangeas. This bunch is in a big enamel jug and bowl in the bathroom.Another bunch in the room one of the boys occupied. Mum has a thing for jug and bowls and often finds the pieces without its pair and will then track down something to match it in a different town!
This is my Parents bedroom and shows my Mums love of that older English country style. Mum is going through the motions now of re decorating this space into a French boudoir.

I can't forget my beautiful Dad and his uncanny sense with wood and carpentry. Self taught, he is someone who can walk into a store etc, see a piece of furniture, scoot home to his shed and whip that exact piece up from just the photo in his head!! This clock is one such piece.

His beautiful fireplace in the living room is something Dad made up as he went. Mum had given him a rough idea of what he wanted and away he went. It is a talking piece and many have wanted one. I was lucky to have one of my Dads fireplaces in the home we built when we lived near by...the couple who bought it wanted the fireplace to be included in the sale (it was an unfixed one) as I had it filled with burning candles on viewing day and she fell in love.

The table was picked up by Mum for $10!! at a market in really bad shape, but Mum is a fiend with a paint brush and fixed it beautifully after Dad repaired a few bits.
Another bargain find was this Chandelier which she picked up here in Tassie while visiting us for some ridiculous amount...then Dad made up about 50 little wire rings to string vintage crystal pieces to it.

I am not sure if this lamp was picked up at a market or thrift store, but I do like it and her birds that were bought for a few dollars. So, you see I was surrounded by loads of creative influences as a child and teen and I am so proud of them for shaping me into the savvy bargain hunting, fabric loving, Interior obsessed Woman I am today...thanks Mum and Dad.

Ness xx

all images - Ness Lockyer

Dress Your Candlesticks

About a year ago, I purchased some kaarskoker candle sleeves for a pair of little brass candlestick lamps that I inherited from my parents. The lamps, which I absolutely love, are very traditional, so I wanted to freshen them up with something a little bold and a little colorful- hence the kaarskoker. I became an instant convert and told anyone who would listen about these fabulous sleeves.

The whole concept behind kaarskoker was pretty genius. Designer April Pride Allison was frustrated that she was only able to source white candle sleeves for her clients' lighting. Following the old adage that necessity is the mother of all invention, April started her kaarskoker line to fill a void in the marketplace. The sleeves come in an array of colors and patterns, many of which were inspired by Owen Jones' Grammar of Ornament. They are a great and affordable way to perk up sconces or chandeliers.

Well, kaarskoker was chugging along and garnering national press (as well as a lot of fans) when April decided to expand her line. She recently designed the kaarskoker candlestick. Available in silver or brass tones, the candlestick is a blend of Bauhaus design and English antique candlesticks (not surprising as April has her Masters in Decorative Arts), and it's made to work with the line of candle sleeves.

April sent me a pair of candlesticks as well as some new sleeves to play with. What's great is that you can customize your kaarskoker candlesticks with sleeves that coordinate with a tablesetting, a room, a paint color. The sleeves come in two different lengths, so you can keep the candlestick fully extended for the tall sleeves, while you can unscrew and remove a portion of the stick to accommodate the smaller sleeves. (My explanation may not be so great, so visit the website for further details.) You can create a whole wardrobe for your candlesticks. I haven't had that much fun mixing and matching colors and pattern since outfitting my Barbie dolls a hundred years ago!

The candlesticks and sleeves are available to purchase on the kaarskoker website as well as at various Nordstroms and boutiques. Wouldn't these candlesticks be great for Fall or holiday entertaining?

(April is offering Peak of Chic readers 20% off their online orders. Enter PEAKCHIC at checkout to apply the discount.)

Made in the Shade

I'm finally getting around to having curtains made for my condo. And as many of you may know, curtains can be knock your socks off expensive- not just the labor mind you, but the cost for all of that fabric. The whole thing can take your breath away, and not in a good way.

Seeing that I have floor to ceiling windows throughout my home, I've been trying to find some affordable options for a few of my rooms. I'm a bit bored with what some of the catalogues have to offer, so I was excited to find out about The Shade Store. They offer blinds, shades, and what I've been looking for- panels. The panels are available in six different styles, including pinch pleat and goblet, as well as various options for borders. There are also seems to a range of fabrics available such as silk dupioni, cotton, linen, wool flannel (which I'm interested in), and cashmina. (Robert Allen fabric is also available.) The best part is that the panels ship in 10 days. And, there seems to be a lot of options for both contemporary and traditional interiors.

I haven't ordered from them before, but I'm seriously considering doing so. In the meantime, I'm spending a lot of time playing around with what my panels might look like.

How about a tailored pleat:



In Dahlia Gardens in Rosewood



See what it looks like at top. Other options include:


A grommet panel made of wool flannel in azure with sheers made of Sheers Positive


My contemporary side likes these wood grain roller shades made by Chilewich for The Shade Store.


Tulip Shades in silk dupioni in Vellore


Roman Shades in wool sateen in sand with a border.