"Stripe-ing it lucky"

Couch before recovering. (the day we "moved in")

Below is the couch in all it's glory, very striking (or is that stripe-ing)

Excuse all the puns, it's a family thing.

One of my favourite things to do is to reupholster chairs, sofa's and lounge suites. I learnt this skill attending an adult nightclass years ago in Tauranga, New Zealand and it has provided me with many moments of challenge and fulfillment. I would love to share some of my projects with you over time starting with the sofa that is currently in our "formal lounge" (I use the term formal very loosely). I painted the timber base black and covered it in a lovely wide stripe ( I have a thing for stripes). The couch was an auction find and was in reasonable condition so only really needed recovering.

"Chairfull"

Before (above), After (below)

As an occasional chair (below).

If cheerful means to be full of cheer, then chairfull must mean to be full of chairs, which is what my house/garage is! I seem to have developed a penchant for these four legged inanimate creatures and I simply can't resist them, particularly if they look a little forlorn and in need of some TLC. The other factor that makes them undeniably irresistible is when they do not make a dent in my bank account but , after some creative customising and onselling, they in fact fund my next purchase, and so the cycle continues.....

I have posted some pic's of my latest project, a set of 6 french provincial look dining chairs. A little paint here, some gorgeous fabric there and ....voila...a new lease of life. I am tempted to advertise these for sale in pairs as they make wonderful occasional chairs and I know how frustrating it can be when you only want 2 chairs but they are being sold as a set.

Stay tuned, more chairs to come in the future....

"Stepping Out"

As this is my maiden post, I would like to begin by acknowledging a) my husband, for encouraging me to have a go, and b) my teenage son, whose second language is "computer". My "header" would have been very boring without his skill and expertise.

I guess it's a case of learn as you go but if anyone has any helpful hints...I am all ears!

We have lived in our current house since the beginning of 2008 and I am taking my time with the decorating while I get used to the place and how it "feels" through the different seasons. I have done some painting and added new entry doors so I guess that's as good a place to start as anywhere!