Pink Petals from Red Bubble

Pink Petals by Lyn Evans via Red Bubble

I've just come across this amazing website for Australian artists - Red Bubble. There are some amazing pieces of art on there at realistic prices, from a card to a wall print. Go and have a look and I dare you not to buy something. They really do need a wishlist...

Love is

Embrace - Jack Vettriano

Today is the day of love - Valentines day. Unfortunately it has become commercialised and lost a lot of its significance. Why do we need a day to express our love? Lets express our love everyday in the little ways. Even those three little words, although sometimes trite, have such power.

I Love You - DaniB via Flickr

Whatever your plans are for today, have a lovely day.

Hurrah!

I've just taken a call from our bank and our loan has been approved! We didn't really have any concerns over it being approved but its still nice to now know that it is all official. 5 weeks left now until settlement.

Speaking of having our new home, I have decided on a painting concept for the 'old' part of the house. This is the current scheme, which although traditional and matches the stained glass around the front door, it isn't my style.


I know at least two of my friends will consider what I want to do very boring but, well, that is me sometimes. I like things calm and serene, especially as this is the sleeping end of the house. I plan to paint below the rail (which is painted textured wallpaper - quite effective actually) a creamy tan, the wall above the rail a quarter strength of the colour below and the architraves, corbels at the archway and ceiling, white - architraves in gloss. All of the doors have been stripped back to their original wood as you can see on the front door, so this will all tone in lovely.

A photo gallery in dark wooden frames will be hung in the hallway which will tie in with the dark fireplace.

The fan and light fitting will be changed, including the one in the entrance, as will the window treatments, but I'm not sure what with yet. Suggestion would be appreciated! This will be my husbands study at the moment but will end up becoming the kids loungeroom in future years.

Now the hunt is on to find an eco friendly paint to use. Painted Earth might be the place. Their UltraSaten looks interesting and can be colour matched to any local colour charts. I think I've got some more research to do though. I'd better get on with it as I'd like to paint this room before moving in as I don't want to move my husbands 7ft x 4ft bookcases stuffed full of hardcovers any more than I have to.

I am falling more and more in love with our new home and can't wait to move in. Hopefully the last time we move for a long time.

Happy Day!

Today is our 7th wedding anniversary.

Image by Linda Norris

We have come a long way since then. My Husband was studying to be a teacher after a varied career. I was working full time and we lived in Western Australia. Now we are parents to two wonderful boys and live in regional Victoria where my Husband is finally teaching the areas he trained to teach and has a real passion for. I am able to be a stay at home mum and once the boys are in school, I can pursue whatever I want.

Today is an extra special day though as this morning we signed a contract to buy our first family home. In the past 7 years of married life, we have lived in shared or rented houses and rarely in a location of our choice. Our eldest son has lived in 4 different houses and he hasn't turned 3 yet! Add to that a month of being 'homeless' where we stayed at holiday accommodation between rentals and we are well and truly looking forward to making a real home. A place where we can hang our pictures and paint the walls. So, all things going our way, we become homeowners on the 20th of March, 2009.

Image care of Realestate.com.au

I'd love it if you would follow my decorating journey as I make this house a home. Those of you who don't have the opportunity to decorate a home yourself can live vicariously through me as I'm sure to be asking for opinions and suggestions.