The Golden Fleece Cafe

This morning the sun was shining and the sky was blue, so I decided to go exploring. Willunga is a town that I usually pass straight through on my way to Victor Harbour but today I decided to take a chance and see what it has to offer. I knew of the Golden Fleece but had never visited until today and I was very impressed. I was immediately greated with smiling faces and funky retro decor (see pictures). I treated myself to a berry and chia smoothie and drank in my surroundings. Each interior table was dressed with fresh flowers and a deck of cards and the out door tables were adorned with succulents in terracotta pots. The charming mix matched furniture teamed with an open fire place and retro pendant lighting created a very warm inviting environment and the floor to ceiling windows with succulents in tea cups was the icing on the cake!
If you are ever passing through Willunga I urge you to pull up and visit this cute cafe in such a gorgeous historic town. (Golden Fleece details in my Cafe Directory)

Upcycled Shelf Ideas

http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com

Todays post is super short with a lot of pictures. I am always looking for cool ways to display my things and I am just loving these inventive upcycled shelving ideas and I am sure you will too!

unknown

http://dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.co.nz

lisaroyblog.blogspot.com

http://www.casasugar.com

http://www.psbydila.com

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)

Instagram!

ELCdesigns

Today I am posting a little feature on my art/design business ELCdesigns.
My main objective is to create beautiful homewares and fashion pieces by using pre loved items to be as earth friendly as possible. My best sellers are dishes in the 'Triangle Holiday' range, they are teak platters in different shapes circa 1970 that I have painted to give a new lease on life and bring a pop of colour to any room. I also sell jewellery made from beads I find in thrift stores and hand made polymer clay beads and I am currently working on a range of tote bags and cushions usig my signature pineapple fabric and pre-loved bed linen.

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

Unknown

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.