Bentwood chairs in the dining room

I have been at a loss with what to do with my dining room. It's been a couple of years since we painted it a rich, dark blue and since then ... nothing. We never use it. It's a passage way, a sad old table used as a dumping ground. But that's about to change. When one of our advertisers, RelaxHouse, offered to send me some bentwood chairs to try out I jumped at the offer. Dining room you're getting a shake up.

After I stripped the room of all furniture (and boxes and assorted crap), I moved in a cowhide and my old trestle table. We (hubby, a friend and lots of bossing opinions from me) hung a wooden bead chandelier I had left in its wrapping since March. And then I waited for the chairs to arrive. Not very long as it turned out. A couple of days after ordering, two boxes with my beauties arrived at my door. The Vienna 18 and the Le Corbusier B9 Armchair, both white, both with natural wood socks, both seriously sexy. The chairs come directly from the Polish factory (founded by Thonet's son) that has been creating them for well beyond 120 years. The quality and finish are fabulous. But there was one problem. I wanted to use them all over the house. Dining room, kitchen table, hallway, office, even in the bathroom.

I have settled on my original plan. I'll be picking up a few more to complete the set and I think they will work as a perfect foil against the dark blue walls. But maybe I should get pink, or yellow, or green. That's my next problem. The chairs are available in a rainbow of colours as well as a black and natural socks combo. Decisions. Decisions. Then there are the Czech made Brokis lamps and lighting. Yum. Might have a get one of those too!

This post is in partnership with RelaxHouse and Huset but all opinions are my own.

Mixing it up with Freedom

Winter is almost over in my part of the world. Hooray! Summer is on the way. This time of the year is about beautiful sunny days, making the most of Australia's great outdoors and, of course, entertaining family and friends. What better time to banish the old white crockery to the back of the kitchen cupboard and shake things up with Freedom's bright and bold new tableware. There's Sorrento, organic shapes in knocked-back hues of Seafoam, Nougat and Duck Egg. Jett is totally tactile with retro shapes, matte exterior and high gloss interior. Colour is big this year and Jett is available in Midnight Blue, Pomegranate, Stone and Canary. I'm a sucker for the Drift range. Think hand painted stripes and drops while Impressions allows you to layer up your everyday plates with boho ikat patterns.

How do I know all this? I have to come clean ;) Freedom flew me to Sydney and wined me and dined me and provided wonderful company (magazine editors, stylists and fellow bloggers). A stylish restaurant (The Sailor's Club at Rose Bay), stunning scenery and a beautiful summery table full of Freedom's wares. Fabulous styling by Mr Jason Grant. Thank you Freedom for a wonderful day! The fact that I love your new range isn't because I drank too many Bellinis. It's because it really is fantastic. Available in store now.

Lighting frenzy

{ this is a sponsored post }

I've mentioned on countless occasions that I am a lamp tramp, a lover of all things related to lighting. Give me the chance to devour the website of a leading online lamp and light fixture retailer like Lamps.com and I'm ALL OVER IT. They have a few new brands they are now carrying (Feiss, Dimond and Currey & Company) so I thought I'd do a round-up of my favourites. Floor lamps, table lamps, pendants, chandeliers, wall sconces.....GIDDY-UP!

Feiss: 1 ~ 2 ~ 3 ~ 4 ~ 5 ~ 6 ~ 7 ~ 8 ~ 9

Dimond: 1 ~ 2 ~ 3 ~ 4 ~ 5 ~ 6 ~ 7 ~ 8

Currey & Company: 1 ~ 2 ~ 3 ~ 4 ~ 5 ~ 6 ~ 7 

Psssst....

A little birdie told me that Freedom is having the perfect sale is you need a sofa or more importantly two.

What: Buy a Freedom sofa, get the second sofa free. Update your home with a new sofa, in time for Winter entertaining at home.  

Where: Participating Freedom stores

When: Saturday 20^th – ends Wednesday 24^th April

(Same little birdie told me that Mr Jason Grant did the styling on these pictures. Cool! What I wouldn't give for a wall of shelves like that!)

Sarah's chairs

Remember our Matt Blatt competition? Those fab chairs? Sarah, the lucky winner has sent us a pic.

"I just wanted to say another big thank you for picking me as the winner of the Matt Blatt Acapulco replica's, they've arrived and are as comfortable as they look. I prefer using them outside but when I'm not, they make a nice little nook under my favourite painting in the lounge room!"

Very cool Sarah!