Trendy Bombe Chest

 

Don't you just love this chest of drawers (in bombe style)?  what an awesome mix of old and new - restyling and re-using in a modern way!!!

images from Freshome.com

Gena

10 Steps to a quick home "revamp" at little or no cost

With the economy being what it is, most people are cash strapped or quite simply do not want to spend unwisely. This is of course the perfect time to work with that you already have in your home (storeroom, garage, shed.....) and get creative with revamping your space

As a number of people are in the same boat and would love to make changes but do not want the expense that goes with it, here are some quick and easy ways to revamp a room or even a home without much or too much expense. Admittedly you may need some strong muscles to assist with moving things, some cleaning materials and a few tools.

So let's get to it ... 10 easy steps to a revamped home!!!

1. Declutter: first thing, take out as many things as you can from a room - this includes accessories, rugs, furniture, art, whatever ..... if it's in the way, it needs to go! If it's things you love and want to reuse in the same room, keep aside, the rest, box up, label well and remove them.

2. A good 'spring clean" even if it's not spring: this always make a huge change to a room. Move as many furniture items as you can away from the walls (or if possible out of the room), vacuum, dust and wipe.

3. Rearrange furniture in the room. Or even bring in the table that's been lying in the garage or spare room. Try different things, ensuring that access and flow through the room is maintained. TIP: If I move something and I'm not sure of the change, I live with it for a day or two and if I still don't like it, I move things around again .... nothing is really permanent!

4. Tidy up the room and bring in accessories. if it's a bedroom then make up the bed with clean, fresh linen, add throws or blankets, add rugs, brings in scatter cushions in wonderful colours and/ or textures. TIP: Remember to use what you already have, so it may mean using the scatters from the lounge for example, if the colour, texture or whatever works better.

5. Bring in the Art: Bring in art from other rooms or move art around. Place it differently, or on a different wall. Or have some simple prints framed, or hand up mirrors rather than prints, the options are endless - see my previous post on simple art forms.

6. Work on displays - create small tablescapes with a few portraits, a lamp and some books, for example. Remember to keep like with like, it just works and looks better. Thereafter keep all surfaces neat and tidy. See my previous posts on displays and accessories.

Now if you have a little bit to spend, my suggestion is to do one or all of the following:

7. New paintwork in a clean, sharp neutral - it last longer and goes with most things, always giving a room a massive lift, and somehow everything just feels new again. If you like strong colour, paint a feature wall in a vibrant red or in a sandy brown textured paint - just something small which adds "volume" to the room. TIP: Remember to choose wisely so that you don't get tired of the look quickly.

8. If you have carpets, get the carpets professionally cleaned. Or purchase new rugs - again choose wisely in colours and patterns that go with what you currently have, but also that are timeless enough to last you through a few changes or even in another room.

9. Fabric: invest in some good quality fabric and have new curtains/ blinds made up (or if you are handy, make them yourself).

10. Accessories: purchase new artwork or have existing artwork reframed, purchase a few scatter cushions, or a new lamp shade, or even a new accessory to go with your already existing collection, a new throw or even new good quality bedding.

A Patio revamp: the furniture was moved around, items were brought in from storage and rooms within the house, a rug added, scatters in various colours ..... see next pic ...

As simple tablescape and an empty column with small mirrors - now - what a difference!!

And there you have it .... quick and simple ways to revamp a room or a home. Good luck and have fun!!!

Gena

To read previous posts on displays: click here

To read previous posts on accessories: click here

To read previous posts on art forms : click here

To read previous posts on revamps: click here

Johannesburg Revamp

These pictures have been scanned in from the latest (South African) Conde Naste House & Garden, of a wonderful renovation project undertaken by amongst others', decorator and artist, Lesley Myles.

It a wonderful combination of old and new and the entire home was done in tones and shades of whites, creams, sands, taupe i.e. natural shades. Very elegant and timeless.

Picture credits: scanned from Aug 2009 Conde Naste House & Garden

An "Impressionist" garden

This picture is of a kitchen window, believe it or not!!!

More often than not, we tend to get stuck for ideas on what to do in the out of the way areas, the so-called "difficult spaces". From my perspective it normally doesn't take much to enhance a space: a little bit of vision, a few materials and voila!

As this home already has a rustic, Provencal look and feel, a shutter was added to the window, painted in the same blue already used elsewhere on the property, the creepers and climbers from the courtyard and garden to the right of the kitchen (not shown) were allowed to clamber towards the window, creating an established feel. A few low growing shrubs and seasonal annuals planted, and you have a great impact area - almost an "impressionist" painting!?

You don't have ground/ soil in which to plant? Use pots or containers, and plant shrubs, topiaries or even, a lemon or bay tree in them, under plant with groundcovers and/ or annuals and the effect will be just as stunning. Just remember to take the light in the area into account, and also since pots do dry out quicker than the ground, do ensure you have the time or someone who can water (appropriately) for you. Also ensure that you select plants that are not by nature very thirsty or that require loads of attention - the objective is to create a beautiful space to enjoy, not to spend hours watering (not good for the environment anyway) or tending to them.

The best part of this little area, is that you can change the look seasonally, so every 6 months, in summer and in winter, different annuals can be planted. But for now, before you go shopping, look around your garden, shed, garage for any unused pots or interesting containers - everything looks better with a fresh coat of paint. If you need further info on how best to create this type of garden, contact me. (details under contact me).

Have fun

Gena

Photography by Gena. Highcloud, Irene, South Africa

A study in shades of white

I came across an article in the latest issue (June 2009) of Livingetc. magazine(UK), about a renovation of an old home, which has been done out in various shades of white, off white and other neutrals. What appealed to me was not only that this soft, understated use of "colour" looks absolutely stunning, but also the fact that the "old bones" of the home were brought to the fore and enhanced, and reclaimed wood and other materials were extensively used. To me, this is a great example on re-useing, recycling and revamping a space by making the best of what's available.

One of the many pictures of this renovated home. Livingetc. magazine

For more info and pictures on this renovation: http://www.livingetc.com/houses/Cool_calm_renovation_article_281402.html#showpic

Wondering what to do with a wall space that's begging for attention? (1)

We all have them. Those spaces... an entrance area, a courtyard, an empty wall, where we either don't know what to do, or no matter what we do or try, nothing seems to look or feel right. Inevitably we simply give up.

More often than not, the secret is to get the scale and proportion of the area in question, and the items selected, in balance, and whatever you do, keep it simple.

Here's some inspiration! Three examples of how easily you can transform a small wall space, courtyard or entrance, into an appealing garden area.

Until next time. have fun.

Gena

PS. Before you go buying new items, first look around your garden for what can be re-used or used differently, even if it needs a coat of paint to make them more interesting.

Pictures: Gena D Photography - various sites around Johannesburg, South Africa