I'm out of control!

 

I have always wanted a plan file of my own ever since I was a young (cough, cough) interior design student at the Queensland University of Technology in the 90s. Those were the days when drawing plans by hand was still the way to go and although I was learning Autocad I still preferred a technical pen and T square (cue violin music and out of focus pull shot of interior design students wandering across a quadrangle). Today I bought one on eBay. I no longer need it for plans but it will be perfect for my art. A young friend is just finishing his apprenticeship in panel beating and spray painting and will be giving it a new coat of paint. I just have to decide what colour! That's the hard part. Any suggestions appreciated.

Here's my other purchase for the week. A tiny set of timber file drawers. I seem to have a file fetish going on. These will just get a clean and maybe a drink of oil. (All photos from eBay except the last ... I have no room in my garage to get a clear shot!) These drawers are old enough to have the "European labour only" stamp from the days of Australia's shameful White Australia policy.

No house, more chairs

We went to see a very "interesting" house on Saturday. Strange DIY renovations including lots of badly laid slate tiles and plastic milk crate trim to the window hoods ... don't ask! Busy road, overpriced and filthy. It is large though and would be an interesting challenge. We're going to offer way way below asking price and see what happens as it has been on the market for a year. You should have seen the other people there for the inspection run away, very quickly. I guess I can spray paint it all white and call it rough luxe. In the meantime I won these cane chairs on eBay from the lovely Katherine. I'm thinking sheep skin throw across the seat and maybe a canvas head roll pillow held on at the top by a leather belt. They are so low slung that I fear they will be a trap for old bones like mine. I may never get out!

Bought myself this ...

... from here. Got it for a good price too (about a third of what I can get them online here). I know I know people say the suzani fad is over but I just love handmade textiles especially if they are 335 x 264 cm. And the suzani fad hasn't even really started in Australia ... really! I love that it is a dirty faded red brown. At least I hope it is :) Should be arriving in about 4 weeks. I may have to restyle my bedroom or cover a chair.

 

I love how this eBay seller photoshops the pieces into rooms. Somehow I don't think it's quite this big. A little eBay licence?

Chairs to cheer me up

The house hunt is making me scream. Two inspections today and BOTH were already under contract before we got there. Even though we specifically asked before we arranged the viewing, no, they were sold. We were the back ups in case the contracts fall over. A common practice here. So I went thrift shopping to cheer myself up. Usual bric-a-brac and these. Six pine dining chairs from the late 70s early 80s. I have always loved chairs like these. Look at those sexy rounded ends to the legs. I can't wait till the 80s are in full revival. I don't think I ever left. It was my time baby! I'm thinking new sling backs (they are removable) in leather (if I really want to blow the budget) or perhaps a natural coloured rough textured raffia like fabric. Wouldn't pigskin be fabulous and totally politically incorrect. I'm going for a rough luxe meets retro timber pieces with lots of texture look in the new house. Oh yes I forgot didn't I .... I don't have a new place yet. I hope there's room in my garage to store these!

Thrifting

 

Have I told you that I am addicted to thrifting? I love the hunt, the surprise, the re-use/recycle approach, the fact that money is raised in many of these shops for charities and the fact that I can buy things for next to nothing. Yesterday was a shocking day. I found nothing. But when I piled together my finds from the past couple of weeks I realised I had nothing to complain about. Sadly most of these will be packed away until we move, when we move, if we move. Oh but when we do I'll go on a styling frenzy! You can some of my recent finds here.