BEFORE: ENTRANCE TO STUDIO

Here are two photos of the entrance to my husband's photography studio. It is plain and dull. He asked me to look at options making it more client friendly. He suggested a pathway. Will look at a few options and share it here.

FIXER-UPPER

Sooo, deciding to buy a fixer upper is quite a tough decision to make. We decided to source the best fixer-upper at the best price that will suite our lifestyle best and I think we did pretty well.

But this is the thing about fixer-uppers, once you move in and start spending a little bit of time with "home sweet home"; it is only then that you realise how much fixing up there really is to do!!!!

We are even struggling just to hang up curtains at the moment, the rails are either broken, hanging by grace or so old they no longer make the gliders/accessories to make it work.

Installing the washing machine took half a day, lots of elbow grease and lots of bruises followed!

The dishwasher is parked off at the moment, we will have to revamp yhe scullary to get it fitted. *sigh*

And so our ADVENTURE begins and as the time goes on we will blog all the small and big discoveries and fixing up as we go along.

WE HAVE MOVED

It is becoming more and more real! We moved in on spring day, 1 September 2012!!! We got friends and family together and moved ourselves. Very tiring, but happy to be here! :-)

IDEA: MOON CRIB

How awesome is this?
Just soooo cute!

IDEA: Home Sweet Home Entrance Impact

I just love the vinyl sticker below. I can see it in an entrance hall / area above the little table where keys are placed. You don't need a large entrance hall for this to add to your decor and comfort feeling and ideally this should be at the door that you enter every day, welcoming you home after a long day and reminding you that your home is your safe haven and your happy place!

IDEAS: NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS

The whole world through media and awareness are turning towards "greener" ideas and ways of living.

Our new home does not have a swimming pool and although we actually really wanted to have one the up side of this is that we can build our own pool the way that we want it to be and it will be new, it won't be a old pool that needs to be revamped.

What do you think of these natural pools? Would you swim in one of these???

The water is clean, in fact so clean you could drink it!!!!

Above: Absolutely fabulous!!!! I don't think our slopy little hill is nearly steap enough for this effect, but I really really love this one.

Above: I love the bridge idea, it would also be stunning with jumping rocks.

IDEA: THIS IS SO DARLING!!!!

I absolutely loooovvveeeee this look. It is just soooo darling.

A bit girly, but beautiful!!!!

IDEA: BATHROOM CUPBOARD

I recently saw this idea in the guest bathroom at my Doctor's rooms and just had to take a photo!!!! I just love it so much. The bathroom is fairly mod with large tiles and neutral colours and then there is this splash of antique and colour on the one wall which otherwise would have been an extremely boring wall.

I would like to have a cupboard like this, a functional one, anywhere suitable. . .

IDEAS: PATIO PROTECTION

Now when I talk about patio protection, I am referring to installations that will assist with protecting your patio furniture and accessories as well as you against the elements of nature. You can have a lovely patio, with beautiful furniture, but if it is a windy day no one will enjoy the relaxation it should offer, if it rains water will get blown in and over time prematurely age your furniture and ruin your accessories which you will struggle to keep clean.

So let’s take a look at all the options – bearing in mind these options will vary dramatically in purchase price, durability and installation costs and difficulty.

1.       Frameless stackable doors & Curtains:

These doors are expensive!!! Between R 3000 – R 6000 per running meter. These will be custom sized and installation will be time consuming and costly and will need to be done by the professionals. You also get the ones that have frames, approximately the same price. The frameless ones are nice as they don’t make the area feel smaller. These doors are very secure and durable; they keep out rain and wind and still let the sunshine in. Outdoor curtains will compliment this set-up, they look beautiful and add to the décor, but they also serve as shade if there is too much sun coming in you can close the curtains whether the stackable doors are closed or open.

2.       Outdoor canvas blinds:

These are a much cheaper option, but being canvas and custom made it will still be rather expensive, but I think the installation will be easier and quicker. They often has a “window” in with clear plastic which still protects the patio from the outside elements when down, but on the sides rain and dust can still come in. They get hooks at the bottom to keep them in place, but are not secured on the sides. Once unhooked one can roll them right up and open up the space. Keeping these clean, I am sure is more difficult than cleaning glass. But they will offer good protection form the weather. One can still add the outdoor curtains so that when you roll the binds up completely you can open and close the curtains for protection from sun.

3.       Roll up ‘doors’:

I don’t know what the costs are of these, I suppose they have to be custom made to fit as per the first two options and I can imagine they must be the price of a garage door. Not the prettiest of options, but secure and definitely will keep the patio clean and protected. Again, curtains can still be added to pretty up the space and for shade from the sun. And when in use they can be rolled up, but I really do not like the look. It is too Industrial.

 Above: Clear patio blinds. These are not glass!!! Look closely. I think they will be difficult to clean and maintain.

Above: The canvas type patio blind with the window.

Above: Stunning "frameless" stackable doors. Very secure, easy to keep clean and maintain.

Above: Roll up outdoor blinds. Not a pretty site when down, but keeps the patio clean!

 

Above: Just love these curtains and this whole patio. It is just lovely!

Above: Just too industrial. I don't like it.

Above: I love this space. Stackable doors open up to the patio connecting the interior of the home with the patio. Curtaining used to cover from exessive sun, I am sure it will be pretty when open. Behind that curtaining there may be another set of stackable doors for all we know... this space is inviting and looks just so relaxing.

IDEAS: PATIO

Just have a look at these pictures. Although our patio design is not in line with these pictures, these pictures have so many elements in them that one can use in any décor on patios. Colour, furniture and accessories, curtains, shelter from wind and rain, etc.

I feel so inspired!!!

Above: Lovely entertainment area next to the pool with blue as the accent colour.

Above: I love the "reeds roof" covering. Built in concrete couches with puffy pillows.

Above: A small area in the garden is transformed into a magical space with lose pebbles laid out, a crisp white canopy for shade and a few furniture pieces.

Above: A small patio transformed into a idallic space with bursts of colour.

Above: How stunning is this pink??? I just love it!!! Again, reeds as covering from the sun during the hottest time of day.

Above: I love this couch, flooring and carpet. Also love the lanterns!!! It just adds that something special.

Above: Another colour scheme with screens installed at the back to offer privacy.

Above: Not a very big patio, but beautifully decorated and perfectly functional.

Above: Just love the colours and furniture. Very arty!

Above: Another space created with small bamboo screen giving privacy and protection, thin cotton canopy in colour for shade, seating and a small dining space!

Above: WOW, Just love this. It is so rich, and yet relaxed, just a beautiful space! The curtains offer protection from sun, so needed in our South African summers, but can be opened and closed as desired.

Aboev: Toooo cute!!! And just love the string of small oriental lights from pillar to pillar.

Above: Perfectly beautiful for a small family to relax or a romantic dinner.

Above: Colour, colour, colour. It really does play such a big role. Look at the woven blue covering just softening up the space above and tying into the antique blue chairs and the dashes of blue on the door and other accessories.

Above: Corner couch!!! Definately works with a lot of these patios. Lovely splash of colour. Definately suitable for summer.

Above: A antique french feel in this corner of the patio. Wish I could see what the other side looks like. I love this. It is tooooo darling!