Parker Dining Table and Chairs

Our poor Parker dining suite gets the full brunt of the western sun. As a consequence, it needs to be oiled regularly to make sure it doesn't dry out and fade from sun damage.

With the sunroom renovation nearing conclusion, it was time to pay some much needed attention to the table and chairs.

I usually give it a once over with Danish teak oil and some beeswax. This time I tried some Penetrol multi- purpose wood oil. I wanted to achieve a longer lasting finish because it does not take long for the Danish oil and wax to dull - its position in the sunroom does it no favours.

Anyway, so far so good. I dusted the table down and removed all the built up marks before applying the Penetrol. The oil just soaked into the teak. 

I gave it two coats and then an extra aggressive buff with a lint free cloth. 

It looks as good as new for a late 60s dining suite. 

Parker dining table and chairs

close up of the wood grain

Sunroom progress

The extra long weekend has been fantastic for finishing off the sunroom. Dare I say it? It is almost finished.

Sunroom
The study door was rehung to open on the right hand side

We removed the large bookcase which previously lived in this section of the room. It did not work at all in this space but it was worth the try.  It is currently in our downstairs 'gimp' room housing the boys' toys.

We are going to build a bookcase for the separate study to keep our books behind closed doors. Bookshelves on display never look great when our kids are part of the equation. We are paring down in the main living areas.

The walls in the sunroom will be kept free to hang art instead.

Jason also re-hung the study door to open on the right rather than the left. The right hand side is the smaller section of the wall. It will allow better use of the space without a cumbersome door opening onto where our furniture is usually placed.

Sometimes these small changes make all the difference.

Anyway, one more coat of paint on the back and side wall plus two coats of gloss white on the door and we will be nearing the finish line.

The windows are now finished and this entire length of wall is completely done.

Saarinen and Featherston nudes

Our friend Chris who is a photographer is undertaking an art project. The concept is simply a series of individual nudes juxtaposed with iconic mid-century chairs. The photographs he has taken so far in the project are amazing.

One of my favourites is of a heavily pregnant woman posing alongside a Descon Kone chair. Her roundness mimicked perfectly the round form of this fabulous mid-century Australian chair.

A very brave Jason is the first male in the series to be photographed; his shots were taken on the weekend.

I tagged along to get some behind-the-scenes shots and to offer my two cents worth regarding the poses. "Give us your Blue Steel, Jason!"

The shots I took worked out well (if I do say so, myself). They also offer a small insight into a thriving Brisbane arts community, where people like Chris are constantly thinking and creating, no matter how big or small, for the sake of art itself. His chair series may never see the light of day...

Chris will show us his proofs next week, as he still uses film for his studio shots. Considering, Jason has a world wide following, it would be downright negligent of me not to share some of these shots with you.

Please enjoy.

A little bit of make-up before the shoot

Jason with Featherston Contour series chair in leopard skin.
The chair was being carried like a surfboard in this shot.

Posing with Eero Saarinen Grasshopper chair.
Most of the photographs were taken with the Grasshopper chair.

This is actually my favourite pose out of all the shots. Contemplative and at one...

Easter Decorating

With all the electioneering that had been going on around here, I completely forgot to attend to our Easter decorating.

It is too late to make decoupage eggs or crochet little woollen egg garlands; our local florist has closed up shop too.

And suddenly I remembered what we have hanging in our lounge room all year round - two art deco Stations of the Cross, salvaged from an old church. We have Numbers 10 and 14.

Vintage Stations of the Cross #10

Vintage Stations of the Cross #14

They are very tall and heavy; the intricately carved timber frames are just beautiful. I originally wanted the pieces to hang in our bedroom, but Jason hastily vetoed that suggestion. The lounge room was our default position.

Interestingly, they are a great conversation piece and I personally like how they instantly aggravate a guilty conscience in every lapsed Catholic who enters our home...

So, I guess you could say our Easter decorating is sorted.

Happy Easter!

The Concession Speech

Friends!

(Visualise that my arms are raised above my head and I am shushing the vociferous audience...of three dirty children and an overweight budgie.)

Sssh! Friends, please!

Well may we say God Save the Queen, because nothing will save (not even the Nuns at Nundah) the Fun and VJs Best Australian Blog 2011 Campaign. (apologies to Gough)

My friends, it is with a heavy heart that I write this post. We fought hard during this week of blood thirsty campaigning, but there comes a time when we must acknowledge when our good work is done.

And so, this evening I tweeted my opposition to congratulate them on their victory and to wish them well leading the Australian Blogging Community into 2011.

Although we do not see eye-to-eye on matters of blogging, I am confident that their head and heart is in the right place to steer this great blogging nation into prosperity.

I am deeply disappointed with the result, however I am not disappointed with my indefatigable team.

My Campaign Manager, MMMC who believed strongly in the dream. I thank you.

Kerry for her role in knitting campaign leg warmers. I thank you.

Mr Rooney, our loyal builder, for wearing his shorter-than-short shorts to acquire the nun vote. Good on ya'!
(check out how far his loyalty will go here)

To my dear Jason, who suffered terribly at the hands of the nudie run paparazzi....I say to you now with tears welling in my eyes, we will rebuild our lives together. We will continue to renovate the Sow's Ear to its former glory. Our hearts will go on and on and on.

And of course to you my dear readers for putting up with such buffoonery this last week. I pledge to you that I will never, ever, enter another blogging competition I know I will lose. He...he...he!

To that end, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, safe and restful Easter.

Good night!

P.S Oops! I forgot to put a list of the finalists as judged by the panel. Click here. The People's Choice is still open until next week.
PPS And I just found the perfect image for this post!