House tour continues and recent finds
Sat, 4 Dec 2010 7 Comments
This is my kitchen before. So much potential but what a state it was in when we first moved in. I think I mopped the floor three times! Not much will happen here for a year or two. We need to spend our money on other parts of the house ... like an upstairs bathroom! It's about a 25m walk to the little girl's room from where we sleep, down two lots of stairs and several level changes. But back to the kitchen. Slap white paint everywhere. Thinking black paint on the lower cabinets. Pull the top of the 50s wall unit off and put up rustic wooden open shelves. If any money is spent it will be for wooden benchtops, maybe IKEA and I'll change out the lampshades for some industrial ones I have. That's it all done for the time being. At least the stove is new.
I'm loving the thrifting and antiquing here in Ipswich. Great finds at great prices. Here are just a few treasures I have found. The little industrial side table/stool was a steal and will find a home in the living room or Kelvin's office next to his leather chair. I totally love this little handmade piece right down to the name burned into the underside. Ipswich has a history of railway workshops and I'm thinking this may have been made in one of them.
The murano glass bowl is like liquid caramel. I really want to lick it ... almost. It has the most beautiful aventurine sparkles in it. I haven't unpacked my art glass yet. I can't wait to find permanent homes for my favourite pieces. The metal "pot" is a chinese incense burner. Just what every girl needs. Two heavy bronze "chalices" will sit with my tribal pieces quite nicely and that piece of Indonesian ikat was only $3 at Vinnies! It's a couple of metres long. Might use it as a throw.
I've always wanted some Indian clubs so when I saw these three at The Vintage Advantage I just had to have them. If you are in Ipswich anytime you must drop in to this store. It's a treasure trove! The coffee pot is a thrift store find. Made in England I love its cartoon shape.
I've started another box to send to Kim and today I found the perfect piece to include. How cute is this little trophy! It's for the best short hair cat at a cat show in 1972. Too much fun and how apt! I found something else for someone else too. (Hey I'm running out of space to keep collecting for myself and I'm seriously addicted to thrifting.) Anita does son No.3 need a horse pillow to go with his soldiers? Or was it son No.1 who was doing horses in his room? Either way vintage barkcloth for $1 is too good to pass up.
The painters start Monday. Hooray!!! I am so excited to finally get started on my own house after several years renting. Can't wait to have some afters to share with you!
Reader Comments (7)
Jo, I'm having deja vu watching your video. Our house was filthy, filthy when we moved in, we had the same lampshades and the kitchen was 50s era (with late 80s refurb). Our houses must've had the same owner/decorator!! But your house is seriously good. So much history. And yes please to the bark cloth. I showed it to Son #1 and he likes it. Love all your other finds too! The best cat in show is a gold find. xx
Couldn't help but laugh at the "dirty house" comments as we had the opposite situation. In 15 years our house has never once been as clean as the day we moved in. The previous owners (bless them in their godly pursuit of cleanliness) had a strip of immaculate off-white broadloom IN THE GARAGE!
JO it all looks great and is going to look wonderful as you proceed, after doing 6 renos inlast few years i know how impaitent you will be to get it all done but take your time and savoir it. you will have lots of fun memories
Lots of love Bevxxxxx
Jo this is so fun! Thanks for sharing. I actually really love the upper (glass) cabinets in your kitchen. I wish they were in my kitchen. But I do think the rustic ones you plan go better with the house. I love seeing your things getting unpacked, and your new purchases. Have you been planning on decorating a home for years? I can't wait to see your tribal collection unpacked, and your art glass! And oh yes - your art! I saw a vase that reminded me of you the other day and didn't have my camera with me. How silly. Thanks again for sharing this journey.
I can't wait to see the kitchen spruced up a bit. It's go SO much character. And the trophy could not be any more perfect. I've always wanted vintage trophies and this is even cat-related! THANKS BUDDY!!
Anita I have put aside the prancing horses for son No. 1 but I promise I have more saved up for you ;)
Lin if only my house was spotless! The new tenants in my now old rental moved into an apartment where you could eat off the floor. I know that at least!
Beverley you are the undisputed queen of renos!
Peggy I have lots of things I must send to you .... I'm so bad that I haven't done it yet.
Kim when I saw the little trophy I knew it had to go live in Canada. What do you think of cricket trophies? They have heaps of those :P
Hmmm, thinking I might have to do a post xmas Ipswich antique shop hunt~~