Casement Windows - first set installed

One thing Jason does not lack is motivation. I literally had to hold him back so that the paint could dry before he whacked these up.

During the long weekend he installed the first of the new old casement windows which we picked up second-hand from the "Weekend Shopper" for-sale section of the newspaper.

The photographs do not do the windows any justice - my photographic skills are shadowy. It really looks fantastic. Trust me.

With the first set of windows up, we can see how much open our bedroom will appear. There are another four sets of windows to install over the next few weekends.  New frames will be added and a new sill will be built to finish the look.

Again, a fresh coat of white paint on these windows makes a big difference in brightening the room. The old windows were painted a yellowy cream colour.

The curtains which are currently there will be made redundant. Although the patterned glass panes give us more privacy, we will still need window coverings of some sort as our bedroom gets the morning sun.

I learnt saying "Don't fall out the window!" is not a useful comment to make.

 New and old windows side by side

For a white-collar dude (he should've got a trade, he derives so much satisfaction from manual work), Jason is managing to turn this Sow's Ear into a silk purse. I'll give you a progress report next week.

Lounge room - before and after

It is incredible what a difference a fresh coat of paint makes to a room.

This is the lounge room "before and after" set of photographs which I have been taking to chronicle our renovations.

The before photograph on the top is from our second visit to the house.

The lounge room was tired with the condition of the paint work average. The colour was ok too but because the lounge room forms the core of the house (with no windows, only doors leading to other parts of the house); it tended to be on the dark and gloomy side. The previous owners also had a very traditional period/country style decor which is popular in Queenslander style homes.

The changes shown in these photographs although fairly small were highly effective from our perspective. It illustrates how colour can transform a room.

We painted the walls with a Dulux white acrylic 101 wash and wear, low sheen. All the doors and trim are painted with a Dulux white acrylic gloss. It is a bright, crisp white which works well with our 60s style furniture, art and other decor pieces. Our stuff looked extra drab in the old colour scheme.

We removed the picture rail in this room too. Unfortunately, there was no way of retaining the rail without it being visibly crooked. Removing it has given us more flexibility with hanging art, but most importantly it provides a seamless uniformity which makes the room appear larger.

Jason replaced some skirting and damaged door hardware. The light fitting was also changed. We are very happy with the Coral pendant light. It looks equally amazing in the daytime as it does illuminated at night. I think "wow" every time I see it.

On another matter, I do intend to recover the lounge suite to something less mustardy and less vinyl or we may replace it entirely if something fabulous comes our way. For now, it is just immensely practical with little ones.

So, there you have it - our new improved lounge room.

Spider plant and coat hooks

Taking Susan's advice regarding what to plant in my new old anodised bullet saucer planter, I went looking for a Spider plant.

I had a feeling my Mum had a spider plant lurking somewhere in her overgrown garden. I asked her if I could have it for my planter - Mum's are good for giving you the things they no longer really want.

It looks better at my place anyway.

This is a photograph of the other side of the front entry (I'm sitting on the green butterfly chair).

As you can see, I use the door knob from the study door as a coat/bag rack. (I carry a hand-made cherry-red fabric tote, the other bag is #2 son's library bag which I still haven't packed away.)

Jason can't stand that I use the door knob. What can one do? It is the first protrusion I see when walking through the front door, so I dump my bag there while I bundle the brood into the house.

If I leave my bag on the floor, #3 son does a runner with it. The child shows me no mercy.

Therefore, I need a hook; preferably a funky hook. I didn't realise how many takes there were of the humble coat hook.

Here are a few of my favourites:

 Eames Hang-it-all

 image from living edge

This was originally my first choice but I'm starting to think it has been overdone. I don't know. I shouldn't over-analyse, it is only a coat rack, after all.

cubby coat hook  image courtesy of Materious

This is a very cool idea. It would mean never having to lose keys ever again...

 

jack and jill coat hooks image courtesy Great Dane

This is actually meant for a child's room or the beach house (that's what it says in the spiel). How limiting. If I was their copywriter, I would say it was meant for everywhere or for the whimsical...I shouldn't let their spiel put me off, I shouldn't let their spiel put me off, I shouldn't let their spiel put me off...

Or, should I just keep it simple?

Hot Cross Buns, one ha' penny

two ha' penny, Hot cross buns.

Home-made hot cross buns for Good Friday are really the best. These were the nicest I had ever made. They were soft and light. Delicious. If you are toying with the idea of making some, it is well worth the effort.

I used an old Australian Women's Weekly recipe, which you can also find here.

Tulips and awards

I bought some tulips today. Pink ones. 

These flowers called out my name when doing the grocery shopping this morning.  Good Friday and Holy Saturday are such sombre days that beautiful things are needed to decorate this old house.

On another beautiful topic, the lovely Lesley from Life at Number 10 gave me a Sunshine Award.

How cool is that? It is so nice when people acknowledge that they like reading you. Thank you so much for this award, Lesley!!

1.Put the logo on your blog or in a post

2.Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers

3.Link to the nominees within your post

4.Let them know they have received it by leaving a comment for them

5.Share the love and link to the person who gave you the award

As you may already know, I'm not really great at giving out awards. Most of you have already received this award and most of you read the blogs that I read.

So, if you write a blog and I read it and/or leave comments, it means I think you rock. Really, you do.

However, I will mention a new blog I'm following which I think is really cute.

Travelling with Ana

It's a blog by a 3 month-old baby girl who will be travelling quite a bit this year with her jet-setting parents. Ana hopped on the plane to New Zealand earlier today. South America is also on her travel itinerary.

Yes, this child will be better travelled than me by the time she turns one. Lucky girl!

Anyway, it is a new little blog which is a bit of light fun. And who can resist a back-packing infant?