Miss 12's bedroom

For 17 Years this had been a boys Bedroom, but it really was a blank canvas and so easy to transform!

BEFORE

AFTER



I wanted to keep it white and clean. My daughter is a real girlie girl, and loves lots of pretties!
we used VJ paneling and a chair rail to mid wall then we applied a beautiful pearlescant wallpaper to the top half. A lovely crystal chandelier Adorne's the ceiling.

Hollywood Room

Our Girls are 11 and 9. Miss A our Little one still loves her toys and concealed neatly in bright coloured tubs behind those frosted glass panes are hundreds of fairies, unicorns, barbie dolls etc. Lots of books at the top as Miss P the oldest loves reading and all their board games, DVDs, and Wii games are neatly packed underneath. The cabinetry is all Ikea ($1130.00) and a few choice words from Mr D during the assembling. The 2 quotes for custom cabinetry were both over $5k so Ikea it was! I really wanted a Hollywood theme in this room because I knew that it would be timeless and the girls love it now, and I'm quite sure it will still suit them as teenagers!

The Girl's room

"Before" and "After"

The next room!

One of the most important rooms of the house and the room that gives Dad's and Mum's their sanity is the "Kids hang out Room / Toy room / Retreat" etc!

In the modern day family we have more or less given away the Formal dining, Formal Lounge, and Rumpus room for much more user friendly Family room, meals area, and kid's room, and for entertaining usually in our QLD climate a great outdoor bbq space!

I converted the old Dining room into the girls retreat. If you look closely at the photo of the "before" kitchen you will notice the cut out servery window through to the dining room. I closed that in and put a door on the entrance to the now "girl's room" so they have their own private space and we have ours!

My New Kitchen

I know they are not great Pictures- I have always been a terrible photographer, but the Ceasar Benchtops are "Almond Rocco" the cabinetary is vinyl wrapped (cheaper than 2pac with a similar look) in "Latte". Oh did I mention i love my ILVE oven (lifetime warrantee)!!! The large commercial tap I bought on ebay for $150.00 and had it sent from China and the new under-slung sink is also an ebay purchase $200 from a factory in Melbourne.

Now on the wish list is the "kitchen aid" mixer, in cream please!

Inpiration for my new Kitchen

Image Courtesy of Sarah Richardson Design

The first room... and the most important!

After decorating I have to say that my second love is cooking. I know, I know, some of you must think I'm totally insane but ever since year 11 and 12 Catering class I have loved cooking and then the eating part that usually follows! Hence it was a no-brainer to start with the Kitchen which I would consider the most important room.. and the most expensive! I knew that I wanted a nuetral colour and I would team that with unique door hardware to give the elegant country affect I was searching for. I would later introduce a colour in accessories.

I had my heart set on the beautiful two door ILVE oven, yes the one that you see in all the magazines next to that gorgeous girl with the spaghetti dripping down her arms..you know the one! So the oven needed to be the centre point of the kitchen! I really had no idea how much the oven was going to cost me and I can assure you that the colour quite literally left my face thta day at Clive Peters when I read the price tag. Luckily they had that oven currently in at the home show as a display and they were willing to sell me that for half price $7000.00....OUCH!

I ummed and arred but it was Mr CathD that finally made the decision that that should be our splurge item. It comes with a life time warranty and because we plan on staying a lifetime hopefully I'll be still be cooking up a storm on this masterpeice in 30 years time!