De Novo Concepts - My Renos

more gardening

2012-01-03T02:51:00.004-05:00

Over my holidays I've been working pretty hard around my house and gardens.

This was the back yard when I moved here in May 09

This is it now after the xmas break!

Clothes line out, paves up and new line on the back of my house.

Little Gem Magnolia planted in the center of my yard.

Just need to get fill for the holes now.

Thank goodness for Bob, he did so much work here

helping me with the 2 clothes lines.

Using the ugly metal fence for something useful, I'll be painting the fence soon.

My parsley

Set up for Zumba in my garage now.

Bought a fan today for this space.

I'm afraid not even that is going to get me out there in

this heat to workout!!!!

Remember this?

2011-12-25T14:51:00.000-05:00

Then painted to this for the boyfriends xmas pressy?

Well here it is now with all his other goodies for his

"Entry Make-Over"

By the way....there was nothing in this entry.....

While I'm on the back yard

2011-12-20T20:23:00.001-05:00

Check out how much it has changed sine I've been here 2 &1/2 years.

Today's Job

2011-12-20T20:10:00.004-05:00

From this in March 2011

To this today, December 2011

The sub tropical gardens should look really good in another 6 months with growth.

Back garden next...

2011-12-18T23:24:00.003-05:00

Why is it that most Australians put their cloths line in the center of the yard? It was one of the things that annoyed me about this place when I bought it. WELL.....no more. Free to a good home, my cloths line is being picked up one day this week by.....someone, forgot to ask their name!

Look at it...they even paved a walk way to it.

The seat has been moved today and I have taken up half the paves already.

This is where my new cloths line will go, the herbs have been taken out today also ready for the

wall mount line.

The rain has stopped, so off I go outside again..... :)

Next project....

2011-12-18T16:02:00.007-05:00

Paint the boy friends hall console for Christmas.

I bought this hall stand a while back at a second hand store, had it outside for a while then decided I didn't want it any more.

For xmas I am giving my man an "Entry Make-Over" for his new house. I have bought a few things that will remind him of his trip to Paris last year, they will all center around this console as you walk in his front door.

First step....paint this gloss white.

And here it is....French Provincial.

Had a lovely time ripping the top off this with my sander to give it a "used" look.
Then I just oiled it with a good furniture oil.

Next time you see this console it will be after xmas in his entry after my make over....

Fabric for dining room chairs

2011-12-18T15:07:00.000-05:00

Finally re-covered my chairs yesterday to match my lounge.

As they were.....

Now after recovering, can't wait to get my new vinyl laid all the colours I have chosen when I moved here

are starting to come together now.

My Little Gem Magnolia

2011-12-17T19:41:00.000-05:00

I planted this plant in April 2010.....this top part of my back garden is doing really well.

From this

Holidays!

2011-12-15T14:35:00.001-05:00

Last day at work today....I've got till the 28th of December off.

YAYYYYY.....

I've got so much I want to do next week it will be interesting

to see if I get it all done.

Michelle :)

New Curtains

2011-12-10T18:44:00.000-05:00

2 reasons for this.....

1) The wicker roman’s let too much light in, there for too much heat in the summer with the C/B fence behind the windows.

2) Pretty sure the guy next door has had enough of looking at me every night if my lights are on.

Needed more privacy!!!

Now I get to control how much light I let in at the 2 windows to the side of my TV. And at night when their closed it makes a nice feature of black and silver.

Fabric for dining chairs

2011-12-07T14:05:00.001-05:00

Picked up my new fabric to recover my dining chairs yesterday to match my lounge. Hopefully I'll get time to do that over the weekend.

Also hung 2 black and silver curtains in my lounge room, will take pics later and post them.

Dolphin Watching

2011-12-04T14:30:00.001-05:00

Had a lovely day yesterday, DD and her man took us all out on a Dolphin watch cruise of Jarvis Bay.
Shocking weather! And yes.... that's me hiding behind 2 weather jackets and totally soaked!
Good news is, we did see some Dolphins....................

Painting

2011-11-17T14:51:00.002-05:00

I really need to start painting again.....just never find the spare time these day!

My daughter is getting married

2011-10-24T15:27:00.002-04:00

Its all very exciting here, Candice is engaged (been waiting a white for this I might add, so has she) eight years for him to pop the question!

Anyway, there is preparation for the engagement party in Feb. I’m very excited for her!

Into my dining area now.

2011-08-15T16:27:00.004-04:00

I’m never going to get the things that really need doing around this house if I keep spending money on the pretty things that make me happy to look at.

Found a nice light to hang over the dining table yesterday, unfortunately I work right next to a lighting store! Will try and hang off for a while with that, plenty more of those to get.

On Sunday I took the rug out of the dining room, I couldn’t stand looking at it any more.It defined the space too much and made the room look small.

Only trouble is now I have to see more of the ugly vinyl…. which might make me hurry up and have the kitchen and flooring redone.

I have new fabric coming for my dining chairs; I’ve had to wait 3 months for it……that’s what you get for buying out of

Australia

This orchid is a stunning colour this year.

Queen Anne foot stool

2011-07-31T02:47:00.002-04:00

Scoop of the year! Picked this Queen Anne foot stool up yesterday at the second hand shop for $58.

Love it, and its in excellent condition for such an old piece.

Tell a friend and get a discount

2011-07-30T00:45:00.001-04:00

This is what I do, and have done for 5 years.

2011-07-19T04:04:00.000-04:00

So as some of you may have guessed, my favourite past time is plants and gardening.

This is this year’s propagation of bulbs in glass vases, Hyacinths.

They make a nice show when they are flowing. Thought I would give a go at the Violet leaves as well, although never been successful with these, mainly because I do them wrong! Too lazy..... :(

Timber carving

2011-07-18T16:43:00.002-04:00

Love my Indian timber carving. While I was out the front sweeping leaves off my front veranda I actually took a good look at the carving, yes it was hanging on the front of my house.

I decided this needed to come in also, it’s a bit of a waste out where it was, you couldn’t really see it due to the colour of my bricks.

Now on this wall, it really makes a statement.

By the way, I accidentally deleted the best photo so I’ll take another one tonight.

ok... weekend project done!

2011-07-16T01:50:00.000-04:00

As I said a couple of days ago I was going to re-pot this orchid this weekend.

So, this is it now and I love it, all fed new moss and looking good!

And decided to have a go at 2 African Violets again.

Which need a bit of TLC after buying them from K-Mart.

My lady…..

2011-07-15T05:58:00.001-04:00

For 2 years she has been outside, I thought it time for her to come back into my new house.

My old house

My next home and its style.

2011-07-14T16:47:00.003-04:00

Luckily where I live there are some gorgeous old homes in excellent condition.

I’m aiming for one on a bit of land or down by our beautiful Shoalhaven River in Tarara.

But I think that will be a while off yet.

Weekend project

2011-07-14T05:15:00.002-04:00

This is my poor very pot bound Slipper Orchid, over the weekend I’m re potting it into this glass bowl. Just need to get some Sphagnum Moss and I’m away. :)

My art work…..

2011-07-12T17:03:00.003-04:00

The two green leaves you see in the frames are actually plastic place mates from Freedom Furniture. I re used the frames, bought the mats for $20 each. Not bad, and a very cheap makeover for the frames.

The green leaves complement my feature wall in the dining room on the opposite wall.

I bought 2 new lamp shades

2011-07-11T16:56:00.002-04:00

Just from getting different style shades it’s amazing the difference they have made to the spaces the lamps are in

After -

Before -

My new blog

2011-07-05T05:18:00.000-04:00

Come on over....here I answer decorating and painting questions

http://denovoconcepts.blogspot.com/

Unfortunately….

2011-07-02T23:43:00.002-04:00

Heading to the end of this Camilla flowering. :(

Here they come!!

2011-07-02T23:11:00.003-04:00

LOVE Orchids, these are the first 3 spikes for the season…..woooo hoooo!!

Front garden

2011-07-02T04:00:00.003-04:00

So who wants to come weed my front garden tomorrow?

No one? Can’t say I blame you, I don’t want to do it either!

2 days off work……

2011-06-29T17:12:00.002-04:00

Over this cold!!! :(

Lounge Room ….

2011-06-25T18:24:00.000-04:00

This room is now finished!

New rug in yesterday and a new lamp Friday.

Finally I can now move onto the bathroom and get that finished.

Remember the old dressing table, who has one now?

2011-06-22T16:45:00.002-04:00

I remember as a little girl sitting in front of my dressing table brushing my hair and playing make-ups with friends.
I still have one but it doesn’t have a space for a stool to sit under.

My dad did up an Art Deco one for me and it sits in my room with pride and remembrance of my father.

Carpet should be here to today….

2011-06-21T16:42:00.001-04:00

I’m really looking forward to bringing the new rug home to see how long it takes for the man to loose bits of his food in it!!!! lol

You have to love Venice, I did!

2011-06-20T16:48:00.001-04:00

New look profile

2011-06-19T04:22:00.001-04:00

Just changed my profile look, and now the layout is all over the place!
I’ve been at my computer for hours today working on my 2 blogs. I’m running out of steam, just need the page to work right! :(

Plants in your bathroom -

2011-06-18T18:07:00.003-04:00

I don’t know about anyone else, but I love plants in my house, probably goes back from working in a nursery.
If you are thinking of putting indoor plants in your bathroom, remember to choose ones that are hardy, resistant to the steam, and don’t need a lot of light. This would mean plants that are NOT soft stemmed, plants that don’t like a lot of water and so on. Get yourself a little indoor plant guide or Google any questions you have before buying the wrong plant selections.

Carpet Ordered

2011-06-16T16:42:00.001-04:00

Ordered my rug carpet today, should be here next Monday.

Then the guys will over lock for me. Can’t wait to get it here, I just LOVE the texture.

Second Chair

2011-06-11T18:40:00.000-04:00

Got my second chair for my lounge room yesterday....
Nearly finished in here now, just need to order the carpet and have it overlocked into a large rug.

Rug

2011-06-09T16:18:00.000-04:00

I'm thinking of having a rug made fromm this carpet, it looks really good with my new lounge.
I love the shag pile of the carpet and the colours mixed in it.

Camellias…..

2011-06-07T16:46:00.001-04:00

I’ve got one in particular out the front of my house that is flowering really well.

I’ll try and get a photo on the weekend, that’s if the current wind doesn’t blow the flowers off!

Bathroom make-over

2011-06-04T23:11:00.000-04:00

Bathroom when I bought the house

Bathroom when I moved in had it painted

Bathroom after painting for the last 2 weekends

Feature tile - rolled marbel.

More painting, and still more to come over the long weekend, need to start the laundry!
This is as far as I can go now in the bathroom and toilet until I can get my Corrian installer/friend….in to remove the old vanity and put the new one in complete with my new taps and Corrian top, then new vinyl flooring. When the old vanity comes out, the vinyl layer has to come in, skim coat the tiles and glue the new vinyl down. Then the new vanity goes in, it’s on legs, so I can’t run the vinyl to the kicks, there aren’t any.

New Lounge

2011-05-23T16:56:00.000-04:00

Finally after 2 years I found a lounge to fit into my small home
It’s very comfortable; you actually sit on in, not IN it, good for my back.
Still waiting for the second chair to arrive.

Cold!

2011-05-11T06:23:00.000-04:00

Winter came fast! Haven’t even had a chance to go and do my winter clean up for my gardens yet!

2 years

2011-05-10T05:00:00.001-04:00

I’ve been in my home 2 years yesterday, time fly’s by very fast.

2011-04-24T17:24:00.000-04:00

When I bought my little shack, I couldn’t help wonder every now and again why someone would put the garden shed in the centre of the back yard and not in the corner!

It was really annoying me at first, I knew I didn’t want to move it so it had t stay there with much frustration from me!
Now as my yard and my gardens are taking shape I love the 2 zones the shed has help create in my yard!

When I bought the house.

Design for my new kitchen

2011-04-24T17:12:00.000-04:00

Mock up of design for my cabinet maker.

Rug I designed at Carpet Court

2011-04-22T16:59:00.001-04:00

selections

2011-04-22T16:28:00.001-04:00

The theory behind my kitchen selections is to have a low maintenance, attractive, but somewhat industrial look.
I was going to have polished concrete floors, but decided that would be eat into my budget too much, so I looked for a flooring to replica that look somehow. I have decided to go with a high quality vinyl for the floor, after 2 years living with the vinyl here, ugly that it is, it is still softer under foot than tiles, and I have taken a liking to how durable it is.
The colour scheme has just happened, I didn’t think for one minute that I would go with a grey scheme, I had that in my old house and I never thought I would do it again.
But from choosing the bench top and then the flooring, it’s just evolved into grey.

New kitchen selections

2011-04-22T16:15:00.000-04:00

2011-04-18T06:55:00.000-04:00

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Thank you Anonomous for your kind words!

Keeping watching for my kitchen renovation…..

2011-04-17T16:47:00.000-04:00

When I bought the house.

2011-03-01T15:37:00.003-05:00

Cut down 2 ugly native bushes here on Sunday, now off to the nursery this Sat to replace with the large Bird of Paradise…..I love gardening, I get so much enjoyment from it.

2011-02-26T22:09:00.001-05:00

Working on my blog, I’m having trouble getting things were I want them!

2011-02-26T04:46:00.000-05:00

I've been painting out the mission brown at my place, and about time as well!

2011-02-26T00:46:00.001-05:00

Hi all been quite a while since I blogged. Life gets so busy!

How have you all been??

Hi all

2011-01-11T23:56:00.000-05:00

Please join me on my new business FB profile. :)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=528522692#!/pages/De-Novo-Concepts-Remote-Decorator/183252075038019

Pebble Garden Finished

2010-10-27T15:45:00.001-04:00

My timber screen out the front.

2010-10-27T15:41:00.000-04:00

2010-09-20T05:30:00.000-04:00

I couldn’t stand the look of my splash back tiles any more, so I painted them yesterday.

Now if only the laminate would change colour over night!

More Balls

2010-08-15T06:13:00.001-04:00

Hall Console

2010-08-14T05:32:00.000-04:00

I bought some nice scented balls the other day from Berry Haven & Space.

They look good as well as smelling nice.

Love the weekends.

2010-08-06T07:06:00.000-04:00

With a bit of luck I can paint this weekend if the weather stays nice!

De Novo Concepts, work I have been commissioned to do.

2010-07-28T05:21:00.000-04:00

Conitson Hotel - Before

After

Melbourne – remote

Queensland - remote

Melbourne – remote

Great Weather.

2010-07-24T19:59:00.000-04:00

Off to mow my front lawns, and do some light gardening, I need to get everything ready for the spring.

I love gardening!

Villa’s I’m selling in Berry

2010-07-19T16:17:00.000-04:00

C/Stone tops, polly wraped cupboards, large ceramic floor tiles.
Not bad for the price.

Bedroom Accessory – My Cat

2010-07-18T02:36:00.000-04:00

Bella in her new bed….and loves it.
Funny thing, I thought she would hate it.

Bella as a kitten

My Bedroom

2010-07-17T03:47:00.001-04:00

I’m bias, I love my bedroom, it’s my zone out space at the end of the day, so for me it needs to be free of anything related to work or stress.
Always remember, your bedroom is the first thing you see when you wake up of a morning and the last thing you see before you go to sleep at night. Try to keep home office’s out of your bedroom, as this means work and your bedroom needs to be a work free space.

Had my first sale last week

2010-07-12T05:42:00.001-04:00

Sold a block of land and now have another house to sell that makes 2, wooo hooo.

One very new modern house and the other a hundred year old cottage on land.
Very happy with the complete different homes to sell.
Still nothing happening here in the way of my reno………..very sad. :(

2 months today in Real Estate

2010-07-09T05:43:00.001-04:00

mmm, still not getting it as quick as I would have liked. :(

Roofing Colours

2010-06-30T05:04:00.001-04:00

Thought I would make a comment about my neighbours and their roof.
They have painted it a deep grey, and it looks fantastic!

Winter

2010-06-29T06:13:00.000-04:00

I miss my old fireplace!

When Friends come for Diner

2010-06-22T15:52:00.001-04:00

How much fun do you have setting your table?
I love it, and try to do something different every time.

Roofing Colours.

2010-06-22T06:17:00.001-04:00

My neighbors are re-spraying their roof tiles white. If it’s not white, it’s very close. They are doing it themselves!
The house roofing now looks like a blob of igloo to me, and it’s bright! To make it worse, the bricks of the house are very dark brown….not a good look IMO
I dread summer; I’ll need sun glasses to be out in my yard or to look out my kitchen window.
Think about what you are doing if you are contemplating changing your roof colour, all colours need to flow and complement each other. Otherwise you will end with a home that is a mix match of colours.

Camellia Plants

2010-06-12T21:07:00.000-04:00

Hardiness Zones: Camellias are generally hardy to Zone 7 but new varieties are being introduced hardy in zone 6, especially with winter protection. Open camellia flowers are damaged by frosty temperatures below 15 degrees so plant camellias where plant tissues will thaw out before being exposed to direct sunlight.

Bloom Time & Color: Camellias often bloom during the cool season, varying according to the species. Winter blooms are common, flowers appearing October-March. Blooms on camellias range from pure white to dark red. Some camellia cultivars have multi-colored or variegated flowers! Flowers can be saucer shaped single flowers or double blooms. Peony form camellias have ruffled double blossoms.

Plant Category: Camellias are woody perennials. Most camellia plants are shrub sized but compact cultivars produce camellias suitable for ground cover, raised bed or container planting.

Fruit Blossoms

2010-06-11T05:30:00.000-04:00

Fruit blossom, like any woody-stemmed plant, needs a little extra care to ensure a reasonably long-lived arrangement. Blossom should always be cut when the buds are tight, and either early in the morning or in the evening. If it is cut early in the spring before there is much sign of life at all the buds will open in the warmth of the house. It is particularly important to keep flowering blossoms out of a draught. And remember that all woody-stemmed flowers need crushing or smashing at the base, or slitting up an inch or so, so that they can absorb enough water. Then give them a long drink in a cool, dark place before you arrange them. Use only three or four stems in an arrangement so that their shape can be appreciated.

Listed my first house!

2010-06-10T05:22:00.001-04:00

Check out my website on the tips page you will see it.

http://www.denovoconcepts.com/

What you miss in your home when you are there all the time.

2010-05-26T04:45:00.001-04:00

I’m heading into my 3rd week in RE now, and I feel like my home is a stranger…..not really, but you know what I mean. I leave for work at 8.30 in the morning and don’t get home till 6pm.
LONG DAY for me! Plus I work every second weekend….good grief what was I thinking!!! :(
But, I have noticed sine not being here all the time, how well my front garden is doing.

I missed that while I was home 24/7, you tend to take the little things for granted!

Nothing happening here, no time as yet.

2010-05-24T04:55:00.001-04:00

Next project….timber screen fence across the front of my yard, and then hopefully if I can get him, my Corrian guy will install my new bathroom vanity and Corrian top. :)

Started my new job in Real Estate.

2010-05-18T07:49:00.001-04:00

Pretty full on, and I’m loving it.

Been there a week and a bit already, done an open house, sat up on land for a few hours like a shag on a rock. Have my first house viewing next Monday…..
Moving along quite quickly I think……(shock!) they really like to throw you in there.

Anyone want to join me on facebook???

2010-05-06T01:26:00.001-04:00

Decorator Remote
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000467147930&ref=profile#!/profile.php?id=100000467147930&ref=profile

Progress of my back corner garden.

2010-04-25T23:14:00.000-04:00

This is what makes a renovation worth while, watching all your hard work come to life!!!

When I first moved in

mid way

And today as it is now, one week before my fist year here in this house.

Painting my timber fence today.

2010-04-18T17:24:00.001-04:00

The only one I have here, the rest are colorbond, feel pretty lousy today, no sleep, sore throat. Being out in the sun might help a bit.

River rocks are still not finished…..my work computer has a problem, so no photos till that gets fixed.

Hope everyone is well…….. :)

River Rocks

2010-04-13T18:41:00.000-04:00

I had possibly a bad idea while I was getting the river rocks the other day.

I chose a few really big ones, so I need to put those to the back of the garden or out all together. Anyway, we ran out of rocks…so I need to get more of the smaller ones, will move them all around when I get more rocks.

Ohhh NO!!!!

2010-04-11T23:26:00.001-04:00

I have just discovered all the comments have disappeared off my blog!!!! :(

WT?????!!!!!

Garden done, just need the river rocks this Saturday.

2010-04-08T02:35:00.000-04:00

Hard work, I’m getting too old for this!!

Before

After

More Shopping

2010-04-07T16:39:00.000-04:00

Back to the nursery to get a Balinese Lantern.
Hopefully I can get all this done this afternoon, although the weather is looking a bit yuck.

My favourite thing to do is go to the nursery and shop!

2010-04-06T02:54:00.000-04:00

So off I went this afternoon and bought a few pots.
These black ones (which weigh a ton!) will replace everything in the front garden
I’m pulling everything out across the front, laying down river pebbles and putting the pots there.
I’ve ordered 3 variegated plants ……(gone blank can’t remember their names)
Anyway, here’s the before shot, now the work begins.

Corner Unit

2010-04-05T18:37:00.001-04:00

I bought the little white porcelain candle holder to the right of the photo from the Hunter Valley when we were up there seeing Fleetwood Mac. It’s the cutest little candle holder, now I wish I had of bought more, it was only $12.
I would like to get more now for my place, I’d like to put some outside.
They are just gorgeous when lit at night.

Marraya's In

2010-03-30T22:45:00.000-04:00

Boy.....I didn't relise how dry the ground was out there!
Anyway...heres my new hedge..... :)

Grevilleas out.

2010-03-30T17:02:00.000-04:00

Poor things have been neglected over the years, so the best thing was to put them out of their misery…..plus I’m not fussed on Natives.
The BF took them out yesterday for me, now its time to replant.

I have bought 6 Mock Oragne/Marraya’s, so if the rain slows a bit this arvo I’m out to put soil rejuvenator in and plant my new hedge.

I LOVE gardening!

Got my Cert Today!!!

2010-03-28T23:39:00.001-04:00

Hooray!!

Certificate from the guys I did my real estate course came today!!!
Now off the Department of Fair Trading to get the real one so I can actually work now.

My Nephew’s Blog

2010-03-26T16:43:00.000-04:00

I have started a blog page for my nephew who is a chippy soon to be builder.
He needs some followers, anyone want to follow his blog?
Thanks.XXX

http://brenthebuilder.blogspot.com/

Framing on the cheap!!

2010-03-26T02:54:00.001-04:00

I bought a nice white frame today, it cost me $42 from Spotlight.
What’s in the frame cost me $4…it’s a metallic wrapping paper.
When the lights on it sparkles, very pretty.

Not long now….

2010-03-24T19:03:00.001-04:00

And I think my decorating days are over!

Once I get into real estate, I don’t think I’m going to have time for anything else.
Could be a good thing to, after 16 years, I think my patience is running out for some clients.

New colour….done finally.

2010-03-22T17:24:00.000-04:00

But I guess you can’t see the difference?
But it is a big difference in colour, second Colour is Dulux Toffee Fingers.

Off to buy more paint!

2010-03-18T16:21:00.001-04:00

Let’s see if I get this one right……LOL!!
Anyone want a can of Dulux C/B – Dune???

It’s full………….. LOL :)

Finished Painting…..

2010-03-18T00:14:00.000-04:00

I’m not sure if I like them, good grief, being a colour consultant for other people is easy. ME I’m never happy with my stuff!!!

What do you think?
The before photo is on my previous post. 3 posts on the veranda?????
I don’t think the old house has had a paint since it was built….30 years ago!

Its no drama to re-paint them again, the hard work is done; sanding them back took ages to do.

Off to do some painting today

2010-03-17T16:58:00.000-04:00

IF….I don’t get sidetracked!

One more task done – re-pot the orchids.

2010-03-16T00:48:00.000-04:00

My poor Orchids have been so neglected!
Yesterday I bought orchid mix, and this morning I did the re-potting.

A very quick re-spray of the stand.

A new position for them, as they were getting way too much sun, and now they are re-potted and fed. Maybe I’ll finally start getting some spikes and flowers now.

Flowers from My Man

2010-03-10T19:25:00.000-05:00

Having a slight celebration at the moment.

I’ve applied for a real estate job, and we think I may have it.
Will let you all know tomorrow after my meeting.

So my man bought me “just in case” flowers, isn’t he special!!