furniture

DIY Metallic Side Table

by Chavah Kinloch on June 1, 2011

If you know anything about me, you probably know that I love all things shiny. If it glitters, sparkles, shines, is over the top with bling and catches the eye, I’m in. I love it, it makes my heart sing. I’m like a magpie.

Well this is how I felt when I spotted these side tables below:

I saw them and I instantly thought “Ooo shiny”. Now, I have no idea where you can purchase those barrel like tables and even if I did, it wouldn’t be in my budget; so once again I decided to set off on a DIY adventure to create a shiny side table for Miss V’s bedroom.

Using what I had on hand I grabbed 1 x small square black table, a can of primer, a tube of silver paint and a tube of black paint. I sprayed it white, painted it two coats of silver and then made a black glaze to finish it off. It gave an antique silver result. I really like the way it highlights the texture on the under corners of the table.

The whole process didn’t take very long at all, maybe an hour or two. The longest parts being waiting for the layers of paint to dry. I was going to try a DIY with tin foil for this project but it appears our household doesn’t really use tinfoil – there was none in the pantry and we haven’t noticed there hasn’t been any for months hehe.

On a side note: as I finish writing this I’ve just had another idea on how to make a different sort of metallic side table. Hmmm!

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Interview with Belinda Simon of Pregoli

by Chavah Kinloch on October 24, 2010

Ever been pregnant and not felt like the most attractive self you can be? I think most women could relate to this. That’s why I I love what Belinda Simon(with a ^ over the o that I can’t figure out how to do) has created over at her boutique online store, Pregoli. They offer stunning maternity lingerie, stylish maternity clothing, children’s clothing, furniture and accessories. Each and every item in Pregoli’s range has been selected, tried and tested by experienced mothers and their babies.

When I jump on your website the first thing that crosses my mind is how sexy the pregnant women look and how during my pregnancies I really wanted to feel good about myself but had no idea where to shop. I really think you’ve hit to nail on the head with your marketing. Was that a big inspiration behind your company’s brand?

Definitely, when I was pregnant I wanted to continue dressing as I liked, and to celebrate my bump and to look and feel great. I found a lot of black.. And lot of tops and dresses that were what we call “tent” style, not flattering at all – especially when you’ve had the baby and are feeding, or in the transition stage. We wanted to show that pregnant women can look and feel sexy and gorgeous – and that they deserve too!

What time does your day usually start and finish?

Each day is so different! Anywhere from 5am-2am.. Depending on kids and workload.

Most of your time is spent…

Adding more things to my to-do-list

Do you have a favourite item in your store?

Oh so many! I can honestly say that I’d wear or use everything we sell. This week I’m loving the Huckleberry Lane PJ’s for kids – if only they made adult sizes

Do you have your eye on any upcoming designers?

Yes, always keeping an eye out

People should shop at Pregoli…

Because we have the best quality products at the best prices. Fantastic service, fast delivery & you can shop in the comfort of your own home.

Your major motivation in life?

I have goals set which I work towards, in all different areas – the following answer is near the top of the list!

If you were responsibility free for a weekend what would you do?

FIJI – drinking cocktails by the pool.

The craziest thing you’ve ever done…

Launch an online store while 6 months pregnant with a 14 month old son.. :)

When I want to relax I…

Have a bath, glass of wine and read a book!

I am absolutely addicted to…

Goody goody gum drop ice cream actually any ice cream. I’m trying to cut back!

In my handbag you will find…

Wallet, eight hour cream, pens, business cards, flyers, iphone, snacks for kids, matchbox cars, sunnies, stickers my b.box and the odd raisin.

Dinner tonight is…

I’m trying to convince my husband to take me out – if I don’t succeed it will be chicken pasta.

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DIY Project: Boston’s Comic Book Drawers

by Chavah Kinloch on October 7, 2010

What do you get when you cross this:

With this:

You get this!

Do you like them? I know they won’t be everyone’s taste but I, personally, LOVE them. I can’t believe how great they turned out! They are going to look so good in Boston’s room.

The children can’t stop going near them, so I think I’ve created a hit.

I went searching for 2nd hand comic books locally but had no luck, I found two tiny ones. One was totally weird and I just had to buy it because it was so weird. Andrew and I had a good laugh reading through it; I’ll use it in another creation some day. The second comic I found was an Archie comic. I loved reading my cousins Archie comics! I’ll also use that for something else in the near future. I got those two comics plus another really pretty colour book for all of twenty cents. So as you can see, I didn’t get what I wanted for this particular project but I bagged a bargain; even if it wasn’t what I set out for. :P

Growing up my brother had a tonne of comics so naturally, I would borrow them to read. Xmen, DC comics, Asterix etc. Loved them all! Now that I have a house full of boys (and one lovely little lady) I want to introduce them to all sorts of things I enjoyed as a child and show them how to be creative. I thought these drawers would be perfect for that.

After having no luck locally, I was still determined to create the set of drawers in my mind so I hit up the internet, of course.

I picked these comics up for from Trade Me. I got five of them delivered to me for $3.50.

The set of drawers were hand me down drawers, to Boston, from his big sister. The drawers I’ve been working on here and the old blanket box I tidied up here, are now hers and I figure instead of buying new things in these renovations, I’ll just use as much of what I have, as possible, to keep costs down and make it unique.

Side note: I have actually finished those drawers now, well the first set anyway but I’m saving the unveiling until I get around to working on her room….so you’ll probably see them sometime next decade.

Anyway, $3.50 for the comics and $21.50 for the totally overpriced furniture glue (IMHO), means the the total of these drawers was $24.50.  Great price for something like this but still too much for my liking.

Now just because I want to show you more angles of the drawers, here are some extra photos:

*The drawers aren’t totally closed in that middle photo.

ETA: I’ve just added this to the Design Refuge – October This is Me Challenge. I think this project is a pretty good representation of my fun, upcycling, eclectic, authentic me style.

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Update on a DIY Project for Boston’s Room

by Chavah Kinloch on September 21, 2010

Last night I got back to work on the chair for Boston’s room.

Did I happen to mention that I’ve never actually upholstered a chair before? I think it turned out pretty well for a first attempt! I’m not finished with it yet. I have to add the finishing touches to cover up my tracks but I’m feeling confident that I can actually pull this off. Exciting times!

The yellow is so incredibly bright, the only way I’ll be able to get a shot with it’s true colour is to drag it outside when the sun is shining. The above photo has been enhanced but it’s still not there. So lets hope, that come the time I finish this chair, the sun will be shining and I can finally show you just how powerful the colour is.

I confessed the other day that my sewing skills are almost non-existent, so obviously I’m attempting to reupholster this magnificent little beauty without touching a sewing machine. This next stage may need me to try to sew a straight line but that’s as far a I’m taking it!

I figure that it’s best I attempt to create my own little yellow chair instead of going bankrupt trying to purchase the likes of this:

Oswald armchair with hakon yellow velvet. RRP of £1495 which equals $3212.90 NZ.

If I had the money spare to buy such luxuries, I would. I do appreciate designers. They are, after all, artists. Like the average stay at home Mum though, their gorgeous products are a little (read: a lot) outside of my budget.

If I had the ability to choose exactly what I wanted to buy; nothing spared, no worrying about money; my home would be a  mix of both high and low end items. I’ve never been a label snob, I like what I like, it doesn’t matter if it costs $1 or $1000. Handmade items are a favourite because of the love that goes into creating them while an expensive designer item has always guaranteed me quality.

Where do you sit on the scale? Are you a bargain hunter or designer diehard?

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A DIY Project for Boston’s Room

by Chavah Kinloch on September 16, 2010

Sometime time last year I picked up this chair from Habitat for Humanity. I knew I wanted a really comfortable single chair in the corner of Bostons room so I went looking around. I came across some really fun chairs being sold at furniture stores and online; but their price tags were in the thousands of dollars region… a little out of my league.

So on one of my trips out to my favourite second hand stores I spotted this chair.

I found it really comfortable for an oldie but it was in dire need of some love; so I brought it home.  The chair only cost me $10. Not bad I think.

I set about removing the old fabric, it was a hideously dusty job.

I must have picked out a million nails, pins and old staples. Very tedious.

I flipped it over and painted the legs.

Then lined the bottom cushion of the chair with clean fabric.

I went out today and bought some new fabric to cover the chair with. I LOVE it. It’s so bright and cheerful, I can’t wait to see the end result.

Want a sneak peek of the fabric?

Let’s hope I can pull this off!

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Sexy New Subjects

Welcome to the first official day of my regular routine! I’ve loved my time off but am really excited to be back painting my paintings and venturing into finishing and starting new furniture projects to take from wreck to ravishing. This is my current project. I was going to make it extremely artistic but now I’m [...]

The Latest Project – Side Table Drawers

Ahhhhh. First off, I just wanted to say I’m feeling great. Thanks for the lovely comments I got all around the place Next up, my latest project! So my favourite places to shop down here are Habitat from Humanity and the dump. This particular project was found at the dump. Shopping second hand down here [...]