*More lovely purchases and a new project...*

What a beautiful few days it has been! It's lovely to finally see that spring has arrived, the daffodils and snowdrops lining the driveway are all in bloom and everything is looking as though it is coming back to life at last. We are so lucky to live where we do at present, sitting on the balcony looking out onto the old vineyards and fields, it's easy to imagine you are basking in the Mediterranean sun... *bliss*.

***

Unfortunately we only rent this little Coach House, so it will be a bit of a come down when we have to pack up move into our own home. Although, as much as I adore this house and the incredible surroundings, I am desperate to get into our own home and get my creative juices flowing, and I know we will find something quaint and full of character.

In the meantime however, I will continue to *stock pile*  lot's of lovely things to take with us! A few more of which I acquired this weekend...

I found these cute little clay mugs in a local shop called 'Javelin', they do mostly clothing but also have a beautiful selection of crockery and other homey bits and pieces. They were only £4.00 each so obviously too much of a bargain to not bring home!

I also found this simple little wooden box, I love the colour it is painted so I think I will just tidy it up and rid it of rust, with a view to using it for stuffing brightly coloured napkins into for our summer bbq's*

My Mum gave me this gorgeous bowl, It has been in our family for years and I *LOVE* it. The colours are so pretty, probably one of my favourite pieces and definitely all of my fave colours. I think it is a little Japanese finger bowl or such like? I filled it with little shells ♥

My favourite new *project item* is this fantastic vintage lamp stand, it has been painted in a pale green colour already and looks quite shabby chic with the paint that has chipped off, so I will do the very minimum to the actual stand itself, just a little sanding here and there to tidy up and smooth over some areas. The top of the stand is telescopic too, with a cute little screw handle like an old fashioned tap, I love it!

All I need is some braided cable and a lampshade now! The original bulb fitting only has one ring, so I thought that I would have to replace it for a 2 ringed version to enable me to fit a shade... After some internet searching I came up with nothing in the correct thread size, so I popped into a local lighting shop and was met with a couple of rather stern, fusty old shop assistants that immediately informed me that I would "never find one in that size and that I certainly could not buy the old fashioned braided cable, because my lamp was not earthed and even if I could use the braided cable that I wouldn't find it in the colour I want as they only make a couple of colours"! I then informed them that my lamp was indeed earthed and that you could buy braided cable in a vast array of colours on the internet (so nerrr), I left the shop with a new gadget to hold my shade in place (59p - bargain) feeling rather smug!

* * *

I haven't quite decided which colour braid to go for or what colour shade yet. I am watching a lovely vintage shade in a pale pink on ebay, so I will see how that goes! I may have a go at making my own shade instead if I can find a suitable fabric. Watch this space!

  ♥

 Eclectic Heaven x

Cabinet Makeover...

My Mother gave me this lovely oak cabinet which originally belonged to my Great Grandmother, so I set about transforming it from 'old and fusty' to 'shabby chic'...

I had been looking for a cabinet for such a long time but found that they were all far too deep, so was delighted when I inherited this little beauty! I decided to give it a good rub back first and see what I thought of the bare oak, although it was actually quite lovely, it was just too dark, so I decided it needed to be painted.

I usually don't need to prime the furniture that I paint, so naively assumed that this would be the same.... *wrong*! I applied 2 coats of white matt emulsion and found that the tannin bleed through was horiffic, so set off to B&Q in search of primer. After what seemed like a lifetime of standing staring at a million different types of primer, I decided to opt for Ronseals Knot Primer, which promised to block all resins... sounded good to me! So, me and said primer set off home.

I applied the first coat of primer, hoping that I would only need one... optimistic to say the least. I ended up applying 5 coats of primer, which was more than a tad tedious when painting the doors!

It took me a week to paint the cabinet due to the fact that I had to work during the day, but needed full daylight to check the tannin bleed through. So on the Sunday morning I popped down to the garden room (aka 'creative space') and was pleased to see that the yellowing was much fainter than before, *hoorah*!!

I added another coat of white emulsion and when dry went over with a cream emulsion and some very pale creamy pink just to soften it. I don't really have a solid painting technique, it's more a case of playing around until I get the texture/shade that I think suits the piece.    

                                                        .

Once dried, I sanded the whole piece down with a fine paper and then aged some areas with a medium paper. My *FAVOURITE* bit is when it is all painted and ready to be aged and played around with, It's a like a big blank 'shabby chic canvas' :)

Being hugely impatient and desperate to get my new cabinet upstairs, I even roped the boyfriend in on the fine sanding part ( not the 'distressing' part... that's MY bit!). Now it was time to get the doors back on... *oh dear*. Having never worked on anything with doors that need removing, it didn't even cross my mind to list the location of the hinges as they came off (won't make that mistake again). Once I had the doors back on, they wouldn't actually close... *queue very pouty bottom lip from me*

But, never fear... I have a very handy man! He played around with the doors for an hour and managed to improve them somewhat. He then decided than planing was the final option! So, after taking a tiny amount off of one the doors.... They closed *YIPEEEE*.

Now, it was 11pm and most normal people would have just gone to bed... did I mention that I am not considered 'normal' by anyone that I know? I set about finding paper for the back and lovely things to display in my fabulous new cabinet! Luckily I had some cute paper from Paperchase which I used to give the back some colour. I am not 100% happy with the backing, so will probably change it for something softer in colour when I find the *right* paper.

Finally my cabinet was all finished... I stood and admired it for a while before ridding myself of dust and paint and heading off to bed. 

 ♥

There were moment's when I thought "why did I start this"?! I am so glad that I did though because I  love the finished product. I also *LOVE* that I now have far more room in my kitchen after turfing out the glasses for the cabinet!!

     What to paint next.....

Eclectic Heaven x

Painted Junk Shop Bargain...

, painted furnitureJust a quick post before grabbing my beauty sleep!

I have just finished my little junk shop bargain... I have no before picture which is a shame, but needless to say it wasn't very pretty to begin with. Now though, I love it :) Especially for £4! It's perfect for hiding all of the dvd's in!

I picked up the pretty little vintage cup and saucers from our local antique barn too, so cute with the little sea shells and the cute mother of pearl spoons.

Sweet dreams ♥

Eclectic Heaven x

Fun With Chalk Board Paint!

What a fabulous talking point for your kitchen! Transforming your boring old fridge into a huge chalkboard to have some fun with :)

 

editmycloset.wordpress.com 

 

I love the idea of using it on your walls too, so simple but really quirky...

 

stella interiors

 

apartment 2024 

 

wainscot solutions 

Get your paint brushes out! 

Eclectic Heaven x

Family Affair...

I seem to have been so busy since creating this blog, that I haven't had the chance to post as much as I would like. Thankfully I have a whole evening of 'me' time tomorrow, so I shall sit down and share a few more fabulous things with you all!

In the meantime... I came across these absolutely beautiful family trees today. I am going to order myself the pink and the blue, one for my family and one for my partners family. I will be sure to post the completed trees :)

......"Inspired by her daughter's enthusiasm for family pictures, Julie, the French Designer behind Famille Summerbelle created this gorgeous hand-cut photo frame to hang into her nursery. Fill in one of these beautiful, delicate trees with pictures of your friends and family."

family tree print by bodi and fou, notonthehighstreet.com

You can find more of Famille Summerbelle’s lovely products at www.famillesummerbelle.com.

She also makes such things as this fun paper bunting :)

I am completely in love with this idea from lovliday for your wedding... so simple but incredibly special. Be sure to check out the full range on Etsy!

Eclectic Heaven x

Iosselliani Stacking Rings

Carrying on the birthday theme, my present from my lovely man finally arrived from Sweden today! A beautiful stacking ring from Italian designer Iosselliani... they make the most amazing pieces, very original and make you feel just that little bit more special when you are sporting them. Mine was purchased from the store www.nittygrittystore.com

               It's so lovely on that I keep having to stop typing to wiggle my fingers about and look at it :)

 

                      I adore these ones too... I think I will have one on every birthday list from here on!

 

Eclectic Heaven x

Yummy Orange, White Chocolate & Crème Fraîche Cake

Somehow, the age of 32 crept up on me last week and whilst I was whisked away for an afternoon of present shopping by my lovely Dad, my partner baked me a birthday cake... now, having experienced his 'attempts' at cooking on a few occasions, I was dubious of the outcome (& the mess) to say the least. However, I have to say that I was more than pleasantly surprised... the kitchen was spotless and the cake was delicious. I would go as far as to say that it is one of the best I have ever had!

Ingredients

175g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
175g golden caster sugar
Finely grated zest 4 of oranges and juice of 1
4 eggs separated
100g self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
100g ground almonds

For the Scrummy Icing

200g white chocolate
200ml crème fraîche
100g white chocolate to decorate

Preperation

1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter two 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment. Tip the sugar into a mixing bowl and add the butter and orange zest. Beat for 1 min or so until pale and fluffy, then beat in the egg yolks. Sift flour and baking powder over the cake mixture and fold in lightly. Finally, fold in almonds and orange juice and a handful of fresh raspberries. Whisk the egg whites until they just hold their shape. Fold one-third of the egg white into the cake mix, using the whisk. Repeat with another third, then the final third. Take care not to over-mix or you will lose the lightness of the egg whites.
2. Divide the cake mix between the prepared tins and bake for 30-35 mins. Cool in the tin for 5 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack, peel off the lining paper and leave to cool.
3. To make the icing, melt the chocolate over a pan of barely simmering water or in the microwave on High for 1½ mins, stirring every 30 secs, then leave to cool. Whip the crème fraîche until thick, then fold in the white chocolate. Set one cake on a serving plate or cake stand. Spoon half the icing onto the cake and top with the other cake. Spread with the rest of the icing, decorate with raspberries and  allow to set in the fridge for at least 1 hr.
4. If you want to make the decorative curls, melt the chocolate in a bowl over simmering water or in a microwave and spread thinly over a baking tray. Leave the tray in the fridge for the chocolate to harden a bit, then use a fish slice or angled knife blade to scrape chocolate curls. Pile the curls in the middle of the cake and serve cut into slices. 

Nutrition per serving - serves 10 (although probably best not to look)

567 kcalories, protein 9g, carbohydrate 45g, fat 40 g, saturated fat 21g, fibre 1g, sugar 37g, salt 0.7 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine 2008

Eclectic Heaven x

First Post! Eeek...

Well, here goes... my first ever blog post!


I have spent this morning searching for some inspiration, on what is a rather miserable looking day beyond my balcony doors! I am planning to muster up the enthusiasm to venture down the the VERY cold garden room and start stripping and painting some more furniture, in the mean time I will sit a little longer in the warm and share these finds with you...


I can spend hours just browsing beautiful images and find so much inspiration for my home on the internet. I have a love for the old wooden plate racks at the moment, they look so beautiful filled with pretty vintage plates. Unfortunately our kitchen is far too small to accommodate one, so I shall have to save this one for the next house.

I love all of the pretty vintage colours coupled with the little lights...

While I am on the subject of plates, I absolutely love the use of these plates as wall decoration. Although I do find it hard to find pretty plates, often sifting through lot's of crockery at fairs and charity shops. The prettier they are the more expensive they seem to be. Still, it makes it all the more rewarding and special when you do find one or two!

I absolutely LOVE this little space, so much fun :)

I also really love the neutral coloured 'more grown up' plates, so pretty and romantic...

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During my searches, I also came across the idea of re-using using old wooden ladders in various manners, I love this idea and will be keeping my eye out for an old ladder or two on my travels...

A great way to find space for scarves, jewellery or belts

I love this idea for the kitchen too... great if you have a tiny kitchen like me and need extra space.

Much more space needed for this one, but I think this is brilliant idea for a studio/workspace!