It's been a while between drinks

Testing, testing, is anyone there?

We've been getting stuck into our landscaping of late, and this is what we've achieved...

Inside has been quite neglected, but now that outside is done (for now), I can renew my interior focus.  I was just discussing a friend today that we've spent tens of thousands of dollars on outside and that if I tried to spend the same amount inside, I'd a) probably be divorced; and, b) have money left over (if I wasn't divorced).  Funny how that works out, hey?!

I hope all is well with you!

A celebration is in order!

A couple of days ago, I sent out the challenge to The Decorating Emporium's Facebook likers to help me reach 200 likers by Friday.  Um, they achieved it by Tuesday night, so we are having a big celebration.

Head over to The Decorating Emporium's blog and find out what you have to do to enter.  Trust me, the prize is worth winning.

As for this house, I really do love it.  It is a wonderful home in which to live.  Almost all of the supplies have been delivered for the deck, and we've managed to snag a few bargains, which makes my heart sing even louder!!

I'll post some photos next week, to show you how much we achieve over the weekend.  I'm even planning to roll up my sleeves and help.  Look out!!

Enjoy your weekend, whatever you're up to.

Shopping anyone?

Hi everybody!

I just wanted to share this pre-order opportunity that my store is offering today, as I thought these ottomans might suit some of you.

Have a great day!

Family Room Inspiration

My Mum and I spent a bit of time looking at our Family Room last weekend, trying to decide what to do!

The key points were...

1.  We need a rug.  We knew this, just hadn't gotten around to it.  Guess what?  Mumma is going to shout us one.  Yay!
2.  We need to tie in the wicker from the Dining Space (pendant light and chairs) to the Family Room.
3.  We need to choose a lamp shade.
4.  We need something on the wall (my plan all along), or additional colour via cushions.

Later in the week, I found this image on Freedom's Facebook page.  It brought EVERYTHING home for me in one fell swoop!

Freedom via Facebook

Now, as much as I love the round rug, and have been coveting it for some time, it isn't right for our sofa, so I'm looking at the one below instead.

I'm also planning on purchasing the basket and an, gasp, indoor plant.  I've never hearted indoor plants, but this just looks and feels right!

I picked up a floor lamp in Bunnings, for the bargain price of $50, but the lamp shade was the wrong colour. I was planning to recover, but now that I've found the fabric below, I'm not so sure.  I'm even starting to think that the lamp won't actually stay.

Now, as for the artwork above...  It's kinda expensive...  so, I've sourced this fabric and am planning to stretch it over a couple of canvases.  Where there's a will, there's a way, so they say!

Here

So, stay tuned for a big reveal soon!!

Flowers

I am relatively new to the Aldi revolution, what about you?

I think my favourite part of shopping at Aldi is their $4.99 flowers at the checkout.  They're only little bunches, but as someone who doesn't really 'do' fresh flowers due to their cost, I think they're just perfect.  Here are a few examples of my Aldi bunches around the house.  Husband keeps asking who's been buying me flowers.  Well, not him, obviously!  Haha!

And, here are some fakies to round out the round up.  The hydrangeas are available here.

Are you a fakey or a freshy, when it comes to flowers?

Snippets

Hi everyone!

I thought I'd share a few snippets from around the house.

My current project is to choose curtain fabric for the Master Bedroom.  Sadly, I don't think I like either of these options.  Bugger!

Have I mentioned that I love how the Ensuite feature tile turned out?

And, below, are the niches in our entry.

And, the pink corner in the kitchen.  Marshmallows and biscuits not for eating.... much.

Have a great week!

Landscaping and stuff

Well, I may have been hopeless on the blog front, but that doesn't mean we haven't been working hard on the house.

Here is some photographic evidence of our efforts...

And, this weekend a start has been made on the deck, which brings us one step closer to the pool.  Yay!

Have a great week!

What's in a name?

Hi everyone!  Well, everyone still checking in, that is!

Now, I have a little explaining to do.  You may have noticed my comments on your blogs - they look like me, sound like me and are signed off by me.  BUT - the name published by Blogger has been 'The Decorating Emporium'.  Are you confused yet?

Well, the exciting news is that The Decorating Emporium is my new venture!  I've taken over the store from some lovely friends, and am proud to tell you that our online store is now live!

www.decoratingemporium.com.au

So, please support the store, by having a look, (making a purchase if you like!), liking our page on Facebook - you might find spot specials there from time to time, and following us on Twitter - @DecoEmporium.

I intend bringing in new stock quite regularly, and am happy to try to source special items for you where I can.  Another feature of the store will be pre-orders for those hard to get items.  Info on pre-orders will generally be published on Facebook and Twitter.  I will also be starting a new blog, just for the store, so please feel free to come and check it out as well.  Oh, and we offer flat rate shipping across Australia (some conditions may apply).

As for the house...  As you can imagine, it has been slightly neglected lately.  However, I'm pleased to announce that I'm only one item away from finishing the big girl's room and the landscaping required to complete the pool is coming along swimmingly (haha!).

I'll see you around, hopefully more regularly than I have recently!

Getting there...

Slowly, but surely, life is getting back to normal around here.  I think I am pretty much fully recovered now, but have a dose of the 'doing too much, too soons', so am a little bit sore.  Thank you so much for all the well wishes!  Your comments were great pick-me-ups when I really needed them.

Of course, just about every room in the house is nearly done, so there are no awesome reveals to show, but here is a sneak peak of a few bits and pieces for you.

No photos in the bottom row yet.  Also need something for the top of the buffet.  
I love this spot, though - we'll get there!

Little Girl's Book Corner.  She also uses this spot for rocking out to her favourite song - 'Usher! Usher!'

Big Girl's workspace

Have a lovely week, everyone!

Break in transmission

Very inconveniently, I had a non-vital organ removed this week - my appendix!

So, nothing at all has happened at this bomb site that we call home, as I've been in hospital for a few days.  I now need a little while to recover and some time to recoup the decorating funds that I donated to my surgeon, and I'll be back on track.

We did semi-complete a project on the weekend, pre-illness, so once I can walk freely I'll post some photos.  Speaking of photos, I so wanted one of this pesky little organ that made me so sick, but things went downhill fast and I didn't get an opportunity to ask.

I've been reading blogs, but unable to comment on those with word verification from my phone, so I'll try to remember to get back to those over the weekend.  I hope everyone's builds and decorating projects are cruising along well.

See you all soon!

Get excited - Laundry

Two posts in two days - look out!

Here are a couple of shots of our Laundry.  I really like the way it turned out, with the bright white, glossy tiles against the wall colour.  Having a nice looking Laundry just makes the work to be done in there a little bit easier.

Happy weekend!

Family Room - Work in progress

Hi all!

Well, it's been slow going 'round these here parts.  Not for any real reason, just enjoying living in the house and busy with regular life commitments.

I am yet to purchase anything new for our Family Room, but have done a little shopping around the house to put the area (slightly!) together.

So, I give you the Family Room...

I am considering purchasing these prints from Etsy, and framing them in Ikea Ribba frames (as per pic below) to hang on the wall above the sofa.

The lamp is also on loan from the Lounge Room - it isn't even plugged in!! - until I decide on the artwork.  I'm then considering a lamp like this.

Another purchase still to make is a rug for this area.  I like these Egeby rugs from Ikea, but would have to decide on colour, obviously!

And, maybe a coffee table, but convincing Husband of this will be mission in itself!

Drum Coffee Table at Freedom

So, we're getting there, slowly but surely!

I hope you're having a great week.

Main bathroom

I finally got around to taking some photos of the main bathroom today, so here they are for you!

  

I've also included a couple of other snippets from around the house.

Have a great weekend!