Weekend delights...

Well I had a lovely weekend with my Mum. On Saturday we went to two different auctions and one antique market. The first antique action is a bit of a tradition in our family- I remember every Saturday morning getting up early to go and have a bacon and egg roll and a long troll through the goodies. There are normally four sections- the really good antiques up the front, the glass and ceramics, the old garage sale style junk and the bits and bob boxes- my dad and I fav's are the garage sale junk and the bits and bobs boxes as there normally is the most random array of goodies!

Anyway I always talk about auctions and the fantastic deals they house; Mum said that the other day she saw a butchers block that went at an auction for about $1,000 and now being sold in an up market antique store for $6,500. So there are definitely savings to be made- all it takes is time. Make sure you do your research go to a couple of auctions and see what they are going for, look at the quality of what is around and go into the stores and compare. This to me makes the purchase so much more fun as when you do find the right one you get the joy of knowing what a great buy it was and having a story behind the purchase!

Here are some of my picks from the weekend:

Chandeliers- these two were amazing for a big room...



Some beautiful smaller ones... make sure when you are buying at auction to look carefully at the crystals! Make sure they are all there and in good condition before you buy.





A mid sized blanket box in great condition...



Country Kitchen sideboard- fantastic project.



This was my favourite- a kitchen storage unit. I am not sure how clearly you can see it but each draw is named- there was a even a prune draw and tapioca draw! Fabulous- I asked the price range and it was est at somewhere around the $1,000 mark. So many people were looking at it I noticed so i am sure it will go for more!







A great shabby chic outdoor table...



This was a cool outdoor sign and thought would make a great single bedhead.



A shabby chic single bed for a little girl...



This was a fabulous basket of old shoe forms.... this will be snapped up by a dealer and sold at about $50 each...





I loved this an old movie projector and films...



A great big blanket box (when I first saw it a little girl was inside and it was the size of her- so cute!)... this would be great under a window or the end of a bed...



And lastly I did happen to get something for myself... a fantastic pair of vintage Dior sunnie's that were straight from a shop and never worn... I am totally in love with them!



Sorry the only photo where I am smiling properly I have my eyes closed! I really am bad at taking photo's... :)

I am hoping this blog looks better on your comp then mine as I left my laptop at home and seem to be working on a 1990's style computer which doesn't even have a good version of paint! xox

Spell it out...

I have been wanting to buy some beautiful old vintage letters for ages now. I look every week on David Met Nicole to see what new ones they have or to hunt ones on sale. I first fell in love with the idea when a Stylist I used to work with in London brought beautiful guilded gold letters to a shoot. Unfortunately I have yet to really see quality ones come up at auctions, most of the ones in stores are imported and not local which make them more expensive.

I love this wall of mismatched vintage letters- I also love the casual styling of the french grocery bag.



While not classically vintage I do think the old typewriter keys picture is fantastic!



I am not even sure how this is done but I think it speaks to my love of industrial as I love those blue exposed shelves with the faded lettering above.



This is also not vintage though really easy to do yourself. Just grab some vintage mismatched plates (you can always grab some from bric a brac stores or auctions normally really cheap) and some paint and simply paint a statement!



Bedroom from Marley & Lockyer. This would be a gorgeous way to remember who's side is who's! :) And what a great head board out of an old fireplace (easy to pick up on ebay or auctions or trading post!)



Also from Marley & Lockyer -a simple statement...



This letter is amazing! And probably worth a small fortune... :)



This is a great mix of old frames and a letter. I have lots of these frames, you can easily pic them up now from markets and bric a brac stores.



Check out David Met Nicole for some amazing vintage letters and signage of all sorts of styles and designs or for French Zinc letters Ici et La in Surry Hills.

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Giveaway!

When I was a teen my mother and I used to watch Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic on the Lifestyle channel and *envy* all her amazing finds in flee markets that she then recovered and restored to amazing serene and calm works of art for the home. So much of her design style has influenced my own home and she was the one who really (apart from my mother) kicked started my love of interior design.



So today when I was scrolling through my fav's on my blog list and stumbled across Ness's latest post on Marley & Lockyer that Rachel Ashwell is having a give away for her new book I had to read more! I followed the blog trail to Lu of Dusty Lu an amazing stylist and photographer who worked with Rachel on her latest project for her website... she has now become another one of my 'loves'! I love her soft use of lighting and the way she frames her shots... if I was still working for L.A. in London she would be ideal!

Here are some of my fav shots all care of Lu Trapp of Dusty Lu











Now for you all to enter this amazing comp is:

1.Become or be a follower of Dusty Lu Interiors and read about all the ways you can receive your very own....

Autographed copy of:



or:



...AND IT IS YOUR CHOICE, YOU GET TO PICK WHICH ONE YOU WANT!!

JUST VISIT DUSTYLU INTERIORS TO ENTER...GOOD LUCK!