The Search Continues for the Perfect Antique Kitchenette in WA!

I am still in search of the perfect vintage kitchenette. My taste has changed and I am now looking for something in raw wood (as opposed to painted which would require stripping) and with leadlight windows. The wood used back in those days is stunning, it's a pity to cover it in paint. My taste has certainly 'matured' since this post made in April of this year!

The problem is that in WA, these babies are rare and they are priced accordingly. I'll need to cough up $1000+ for an already restored version, and people ask for $200+ for a completely unrestored piece in need of new fittings and hours upon hours of work! This is completely different to NSW, QLD, VIC and SA, where there are plenty available for as low as $100, in already acceptable condition.

Here are a selection of beauties from eBay:

The one above sold for $101 (yes, *cries* so cheap) in the ACT!

This one is in WA, and the seller is asking for $600 which is not bad for WA prices.

 This one has been passed in at auction a few times now, because no one has bid the starting price of $200!

Hopefully one will pop up within my budget (max $300) in WA soon, otherwise I'll just have to keep looking at what other states are offering and swooning over those!

Ezibuy Homewares to Die For

I have always found Ezibuy to be overpriced, especially once you factor in their shipping costs. However, browsing their website recently, I fell in love with many of their ranges. If there was one homewares store that I'd love to go on a shopping spree at, it would be online, at Ezibuy.

Here are my picks/wishlist:

 Floral Chain duvet set - queen $98 (on sale)

 Julienne bed pack - sold out in queen

 Owlley cushion - $24.50 (on sale)

Port sippers - $20 for 4

 Tea Party Cushion - $50

Vinales cushion - $50

 Galaxy decorative hook $13

Trelise Cooper Flower Surge Duvet Set - currently $112 for queen sized (on sale already)

I like the bird cushion, I think it has sold out though.

Embellish knobs - $9 each

Decorative knobs - $10 each

Online Shopping Adventures

Things I'm loving at the moment....

 I adore "peacock" bedheads. The above vintage revival is from Urban Outfitters, but these are available in a range of funky colours at various furniture stores. I'd love one for the spare room.

 Such an eye catching pop of colour!

 Another cute item from Urban Outfitter's apartment range, this hedgehog Q-tip holder is making its way to me as we speak. I got it on sale too!

 Did I mention that I'm loving rattan / cane furniture pieces in general? I will have to keep a look out for vintage pieces that I can repaint.

 A cute squirrel soap dispenser - I ordered two of these guys from Urban Outfitters, one for myself and one for my bestie to form part of her Christmas present! Isn't it darling?

Summer onesies. This one is from Target.

 Valeninta Ramos' whimsical artwork which is cropping up on homewares in many forms! Some more of her prints:

My Home: The TV / sitting room

My sitting room or TV room has a very vintage feel:

The funky drawers that you can see propping up the TV and also to make a lamp table are all unattached, so can be rearranged as I please. They are upcycled vintage drawers with wooden boxing that I found on Gumtree - they belonged to two girls who run a printing and graphic design studio. They were re-decorating their studio so getting rid of these gems!

This vintage looking lamp was picked up at a garage sale for $10, and the photo frame is a souvenir from a trip to America. Notice the cute cushions? My friend who has a sewing machine helped me to make these out of vintage linen!

Almost everything in the room is second hand:

Leather couches: Ikea, sourced second hand from Gumtree

Vintage repurposed drawers: made by some creative and handy girls, sourced second hand from Gumtree

Vintage chairs: free from a roadside collection!

Shaggy rug: bought new

Cushions: from the markets (second hand), op-shopped or made by me (some from op-shopped vintage linen, and others I bought the material new from Spotlight)

Modern table: second hand, belonged to my parents

Vintage lamp: from a garage sale

Magazine holder/knitting bag: op-shopped

It is definitely my favourite room in the house because it is so unique (and suits my design taste perfectly), but it was also created well within a small budget!

Thrifted Tumblers

I don't usually have much luck at the op shops in Morley, but they are quite close to me so I occassionally check them out. This time I managed to take home a few things, my favourite being some retro tumblers.

 Retro tumblers - $1 each

Brand new bow heels, $5

 This gorgeous tea cosy actually didn't come home with me - it felt damp and smelt funny, and I'm not sure if a wash would fix the problem. I also wasn't sure about the shape- it would only suit an extra large teapot. Cute and unusual none the less so I took a photo :-)

Linking up with Sophie.

Thrifted Table Centerpiece

I was driving home on a recent Saturday and I saw a Garage Sale sign. This doesn't happen often enough for my liking. I quickly turned into the side street to explore their wares. I came away with this interesting and very large handpainted decorative bowl:

 Titled 'Space Odyssey' and signed 'Lyn '98'. The lady selling it said it's made by a Perth artist, but didn't know anything more about her. Does anyone recognise the style?

Table centerpieces are a personal thing. My Mum hates the bowl, so it looks like it will go into storage until I have a place to display it. This is Mum's current table centerpiece:

Coloured glass vases and silk leaves

Given my love of (and expanding collection of) teapots, I plan to use teapots as centerpieces too. Here are some inspirational ideas:

So easy and yet so effective - this would be perfect for a morning or afternoon tea! Source: Mum of All Trades

Terraniums are en vouge these days, but what about a terranium in a teapot? Source

For a side table - I'm loving this DIY teapot lamp stand. Source

Do you have a table centerpiece? I'd love to hear what yours is, and share ideas!

Linking up with Sophie :)

The Art of Cushioning

Cushions are wonderful. They are a cheap and easy way to jazz up a room, change your decor and colour scheme and express yourself. I am currently obsessed with picking cushions for my not-yet-in-my-ownership-or-reach house. I want bright, fun, happy ones.

Along with candles, bubble baths and chocolate, cushions are one of life's little indulgences.

 

  

What do you look for in a cushion?

Random Phone Snaps

Here are some snaps I have taken recently, mostly on my mobile phone (using a camera app that is largely equivalent to Instagram, on an Android phone...). They're of things that have made me smile.

The biggest watermelon I have ever seen, and some delish mangos, all grown by some family friends who live near Perth.

 The coolest modern retro-styled kettle. I must have one!

 

Ferrero rochers, one of my favourite choccies

 

Handbag + flight ticket, taken while bored on the plane

 An example of good marketing - "Strawberry, Hibiscus & Quandong ice cream". It looks and sounds gourmet, but really just tastes like any berry ice cream.

 Gasp- a frozen meal which was largely edible and which I mostly enjoyed! Beef rissole Healthy Choice meal.

Psycho cat attacking the top of her scratching pole

The cat stand-off. This went for at least 10 minutes. Lots of hissing and angry meowing.

Balloons in the sky above our house