Frames and Plates

Eclectic Bedroom design by Omaha Photographer Jonnie Andersen

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http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

http://www.houzz.com

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

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Get That Look!

news.com.au

Hey friends! If you've been a keen watcher of Channel Ten's Offspring like I have then I bet you're constantly swooning over Nina and Patrick's house. In today's blog post I am going to show you how you can replicate their style using reclaimed woods, vintage and retro items and better yet, what you already have!
Now ofcourse it would help if you just happen to live in an old coat hanger factory, but it is certainly not esssential. Make the most of your windows by dressing them with wooden blinds, long draping curtains in whites or greys or better yet, dont dress them at all (if privacy is not an issue for you). Walls should be kept simple with exposed brick work and a colour palette of white or grey for a concreted look, however this should be done on few walls as darker colours will make your rooms look smaller, where as whites will make your rooms bright and refreshing. Since the industrial look is what we are wanting, any rustic crates, boxes, equiptment or furniture you can find or might already have would look fantastic in your new industrial living areas. If you are in desperate need of some key pieces then I have put together a short list of must-haves that can be seen below:

1. Dining table made by Michael Hayes Furniture using recycled timbers.

2. Photo frame made by Mulbury  using recycled timber.

3. Industrial coat hooks by Mulbury using recycled materials.

4. Cushion by Medwin and Mcgarry made from pre-loved denim.

5. Distressed dining chairs by Rustic Boutique made from pre-loved chairs.

6. Chalk board bottles by NAKEBA using vintage bottles.

7. Industrial step ladder from Old New House.

8. Vintage rolling pin from Epoch Co.

9.  Upcycled lamp by Red Zebra Designs using old books.

10. Storage basket by Been & Done made from old coffee sacks.

11. Hand painted pot plant by Birdsnests For Hair.

1. Vintage kantha quilt from Fossik.

2. Original 24 inch acrylic painting by ELCdesigns.

3. Upcycled jewellery display hanger by Ayliss made from repurposed wood and old knobs.

4. Upcycled teak dish painted with acrylic paints by ELCdesigns.

5. Hand made 'Be Brave' cushion by NZFINCH.

6. Bedside table by GHIFY made from repurposed woods

7. Upcycled metalic glass bottles by NAKEBA.

8. Vintage alarm clock from White Space Vintage.

9. Repurposed wood table lamp by BRZ wood DESIGN.

10. Vintage AM/FM radio from The Fox And The Spoon 

Ofcourse all credit to this gorgeous home goes it its real-life owner Adriene Strampp a Melbourne artist who's work can be seen above nina's sofa in their living area. If you are interested in purchasing one of her master pieces you can fin her here.

Instagram Challenge #1

@aliceintheeve - I love this simple vignette made from a vintage garden chair,watering can and jar. Inspired!

Today is the day! It is the first official blog entry for our instagram challenge: #livingthriftyaustralia !
This week we have had a great and inspiring responce from people all around the globe and it has truely touched me to see that there are so many environmentally concious and style savvy people out there. So without further adeu, the pictures in this post are my favourite from this past week (in no particular order) and there were a few more then five that stood out, so here are my 7 favourite, I hope you like them as much as I do!

@sheiiybeiiy - I love this thrifted office setting, simple and stylish. (Drooling over that old kitchen hutch!)

@fawnandfiligree - I love this use for old crates, such rustic charm!

@aliceintheeve - I am inlove with the idea of using old corigated iron as a splash back in your kitchen!

@birdiebirdie_ - I am looking forward to seeing the finished resto project!

@treehouse_girl - Love the look of thrifted plates all clustered together!

 

@mariessmak - This retro side board is to die for!

DIY Decoupage Tray

Todays DIY is a super easy one, all you need is a blank tray (mine I have previously spray painted white), various coloured tissue paper and a decoupage finish (I used Royal Coat). For my tray I decided to attempt an 'ombre' effect with pink/orange but you could do practically anything.

Step 1: Ensure surface is clean and dust free

Step 2: Using a flat brush, spread small amount of decoupage finish on suface of tray

Step 3: Cut circles of tissue paper and press firmly down to ensure they have stuck, with no air bubbles

Step 4: Paint layer of decoupage finish on top of paper

Step 5: Repeat until finished.

'Ombre' effect

My tray is now in its new home on my studio desk, holding all my jars willed with paint brushes and pens. Where will yours live? This project took me only an hour so if youre looking for something quick and effective to do, then this is it! (Time excludes painting the tray)

Today We Are Loving:

Today we are loving these awesome sofas by designer Adrian Johnson. Two guesses what they are made from?! 
Well the first answer is obviously car seats but what is the second? Do you give up? FRIDGES! 
These totally quirky sofas known as the 'Fridge Couch' are the meaning of upcycling! Priced from $5000-$7000, every couch is unique. See more here.

Chair-tastic

 

Todays post is full of fabulous ideas about what to do with a thrifted chair. If a chair took your fancy in your local thrift store, or you found one calling out to be saved in the local hard-rubbish you're probably wondering how you can jazz it up a little. I am a bit of a chair collector and have spent many hours  trying to decide which move to take in updating my chairs. Today I am sharing my research with you in the hopes that I can make something wonderful happen. 

Giving a chair a new look can be as simple as giving it a new coat of paint, 'dipping' it in the paint (a current trend) or trying your hand at some simple re-upholstering. If you feel like a challenge then there are many options for you; distressing your chair, decoupaging your chair with fabric or your choice of paper (comics, maps, wrapping paper, etc), removing the legs and making it into an out door swing, putting two or more chairs together to create a bench (by removing existing seats and replacing with longer wood/metal to stetch accross all seats), hand painting delicate patterns or even yarn bombing your chair!

Truely, the possibilities for this project are endless so let your creativity run wild and show me your finished project!

http://www.mrkate.com

http://diyremodelingpins.com

http://100percentdelicate.blogspot.com.au

http://www.kokokids.co.uk/

http://www.ravelry.com

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Wood on the Walls

www.cupofte.blogspot.com.au/

Are you bored of those plain old walls in your abode? Why not spice them up with some rustic wood panelling! Wood on the walls can suit any type of home from the ultra modern to the shabby chic and it is super easy to do. Most salvage yards will have a section of woods, but for this project you will be looking for weathered wood, for that rustic look. If you dont have a local salvage yard why not post an ad? For Australians I would suggest advertising on Gumtree. You would be suprised how many people have wood stashed away in their sheds which they will never use. To get the semi painted look (as above) just paint the wood with your regular house paint and to distress it use sand papers and even hit it with a metal chain to give it chips and dents.
If you decide that this is a project for you please email me pictures of your walls to livingthriftyaustralia@hotmail.com

www.sfgirlbybay.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/woodwoolstool/5427832811

Facebook!

Did you know that Living Thrifty has a facebook page?

Head on over and show us some love!

www.facebook.com/livingthriftyaustralia

Thrifty Gifty

Upcycled Maps: www.etsy.com/shop/NobleEarth

Is there a birthday or special gift giving event coming up within your family or circle of friends? Are you looking for ways to save money or give your gifts a unique touch? Why not create some upcycled gift tags using things you may have lieing around? Why not have a look at these examples;

Paint Chips: www.etsy.com/shop/looneyjoontees

Playing Cards: Unknown

Upcycled Childrens Book: www.etsy.com/shop/moonparade

Sheet Music: www.etsy.com/shop/42Things

Christmas Cards: www.upcycleyourlife.com

Fancy Fences

Surf Board Fence

 
After yesterday's post about upcycled bottle fences I was inspired to do some more research into other eclectic fences that anyone can make. If you feel like a project then put on that thinking cap and decide what your fence will be made of, you could get away with almost any item these days. When I finally have a propper house with a nice garden, I will be collecting doors to make that gorgeous door fence!

Ski Fence: media.englishrussia.com

 

 

Door Fence

Street Sign Fence: carex.tumblr.com

Pallet Fence

Cafe Komodo - Prospect

Cafe Komodo is one of Adelaides best kept secrets. Down a narrow alley way on Prospect Road you will find this eclectic urban cafe. Cafe Komodo is situated in a large old shed joint to the back of another local shop with two cute little court yards shaded with trees and vines. The walls are covered in old vinyl and posters and the furniture is all pre-loved. 
If you can spare a moment to tear your eyes away from the crazy cool decor be sure to order something yummy! Cafe Komodos menu will suit any taste, with meat for the meat eaters and veg for the veg eaters, not to mention delicious sweet treats.
If you are looking for eclectic inspiration or something pretty to look at head to Cafe Komodo.