Putting inspiration into practice

I think I must have been living under a rock for the past number of years as I have only recently discovered the amazing world of blogs...I hate to tally up the number of hours I have spent immersed in some beautiful and inspirational blogs over the past couple of weeks. Over the coming posts I hope to highlight each of those that have really resonated with me - and those over which I continually drool in terms of the beautiful home design and decorating images. They are certainly helping to keep me on track with my budget/saving resolutions so that I achieve my own space to decorate sooner rather than later!

In the meantime, I'm dealing with the same issue as many others - how does one stylishly decorate a rental property...and one that doesn't have a great deal of storage. Two of the earliest blogs I read had great posts about picking up a piece of furniture cheaply, and then renovating/restoring it to fit within their homes. Here are the links and the finished products that set me on the path of my own little project.

A Field Journal

The Thirties Dresser

The finished project as published by A Field Journal (I love this blog!). This dresser was purchased for $5!! I was immediately inspired to start searching ebay etc for storage that I could restore to add both beauty and function to my little flat.

Life Begins at Thirty, Right?
Craiglist Chairs Makeover

The before and after pictures as posted by Life begins at thirty, right?
Isn't it amazing at how much a change can be wrought by some new paint and fabric? I love these chairs.

...So, this brings me (finally) to the whole point of this post. Taking my inspiration from these posts, I am now the proud owner of a lovely little glass fronted wooden cabinet purchased for £20 on ebay...not the $5 bargain that A Field Journal sourced, but still a bargain I think (and to be honest I'm just delighted I actually won an auction on ebay...I never usually win those).

So, here is the before picture:

I'm thinking some eggshell white paint, with perhaps a contrast colour for the interior...stay tuned for the 'after' pictures...

Making cushions...

Whilst I wait (...and wait) for the day when I can finally put into place all of my long-held aspirations to renovate and decorate a home, I have to be content with the little touches I can make to my tiny rented flat.
I love all of the embellished neutrals that are currently so popular, but in the interest of making do and mending, I decided to make two new cushions for the sitting room. I started with some cheap french linen that I purchased on ebay several years ago that had been sitting in a storage container under the bed, and this was the result...


Using mother of pearl buttons for a simple embellishment

White embroidery

A closer view of the embroidery...

The reverse side of the embroidered cushion - backed with a lovely Amy Butler fabric for some added quirkiness

I'm quite pleased with how they have turned out...what do you think?

Welcome...

So, here is my first blog post... After coming to the realisation that I have spent far too many years focusing on building an education and a career, I am now conscious of how much I have missed the simple pleasures in life - those timeless and simple pursuits that were passed down by my mother and grandmother about how to live gracefully and elegantly.

These two women have been such an inspiration in my life - even if, as a result of their tutelage I now have skills and interests that are far more suited to a regency-era drawing room than they are to the times we live in today.

So, this blog is about trying to recaputure the simple pleasures that sewing, embroidery, quilting and still to be learnt past-times can bring to one's life. It is also about exploring and enjoying all of the little things that inspire me to live an elegant life...