More bedroom inspiration

While I wait for boring things, like airconditionin and gyprocking in the living room, I am continuing to work on the Master bedroom inspiration files. I have found some gorgeous ideas, here is some of what is inspiring me at the moment:

Callie Grayson via Lona De Anna

via Lona De Anna

via My First Little Place via Rue

Gorgeous stuff, I can’t wait to collect the finishing touches to my bedroom.

xx Romana

Like watching paint dry…

The master bedroom was the final bedroom to be tackled, mostly due to having to move out of our rental before all the bedrooms were reno’d. It was better to reassure the girls with their new bedrooms while we slept on a mattress on the floor for a couple of weeks. Next time, I will save that experience for camping. It is not as much fun in your child’s room ;).

Gyprock up, plaster needing a second sanding.

Due to shortage of time, we had to go with sheets that required two joins. The top join went fine, but the lower join should have had a wider plaster application. Nothing you would notice unless you were looking for it, but it bugs us a little. Of course, we didn’t notice anything until after we painted. Oh well, lesson learnt.

Miss T checking out the progress.

We also had to paint the skirtings before the carpet was laid, but we were out of time, and so the walls were painted afterwards. I recommend not taking an out-of-state trip leading up to reno deadlines (although I had a fab time visiting my sister).

The heater and fan were in the room to help promote the plaster drying on a very wet weekend. Again, natural ventilation is best. The poor lamp with it’s shade nearly falling off was our only source of light, as our overhead lighting was not being installed until after painting.

More shots to come in next few days.

xx
Romana

Fail and frustration

Well, it had to happen sooner or later.
The big stuff-up that seems to come when one least has the energy, time or $ to deal with it.
Ours has been the master bedroom window blind.
It was a special order white timber venetian.
Our window is a slightly odd measurement wide (208cm), hence a special order. Slight problem with hubby ensuring they wrote down the correct measurement (2008mm). Oh decimal place, how I hate you today.
2080 = not 2008mm
So, no pics yet, I feel bummed about the progress. And now with Christmas, summer and a big family wedding on our doorstep, I am not sure how much progress will be made for a while.
Instead, let’s share some inspiration shall we?

Grey and white, so nice.
via Ish and Chi

Loving the bedhead, bedside table arrangement and art. Gorgeous Moroccan bedspread, although I am not going for a red colour scheme.
Via Table Tonic

Adore the mis-matched vintage mirrors above the bedside tables, and use of small desk, lovely.
Via Faded Plains

Not usually one for plaid, but loving these pillows and the throw. Perfect for an Autumn/Winter seasonal bedroom.
Isabel Lopez Quesada via Design Crisis
Ahhh, that’s better!

OK, enough bedroom inspiration for one day. did you have a favourite? I like elements from each, so hard to pinpoint just one room in it’s entirety.
Have a great day
Romana xx

(and who else actually prefers the non-cartoon smilies? I guess I just have to un-html them or something).

Master bedroom

lol
You know why I am smiling right?
I’m not sure if a 4mx3m bedroom qualifies as a Master Bedroom in contemporary design. But, it is what we have to play with in our little doer-upper, so let’s enjoy what we have, right??
So, early pics:

The wall colour was erm, delightful.

The carpet and curtains smelt like someone had died roses.
Random wires hanging from ceiling.

I am all for recycling, reusing, upcycling etc etc.
But it all had to go.


OK, so there’s da bones people.
In the next few days I will post some progress shots.

xx
Romana

Beddie Byes #2

Miss T’s bedroom is taking shape at a similar pace to Miss I’s. Largely due to sibling rivalry:
“Why did she get her light fitting first?”
“My room next!”
“No, I want my bedroom door on next!”
Actually girls, we would all like our bedroom doors on.
Especially mum and dad!
Looking toward doorway from window:

Looking toward window from doorway:

We are working on a red-and-blue colour scheme for Miss T’s room, with some softer hits of pink.
 
Again we have the problem with short curtain length, so I am looking at the same solution as Miss I’s. Not sure what colour though? Red? Blue? Thoughts?
The rug is temporary. Wrong colours and too small, but I wanted Miss T to have something (like her sister. See sibling rivalry above ).

I love the contrast of the dark blue velvety cushion from Ikea. Very happy I grabbed that. The red cordroy and fawn ticking pillows are from Target.
 

Again, the to-to list is long;
1. Paint tall boy. White? Or contrasting red? Maybe new handles.
2. Clean and paint dressing table picked-up from op-shop.
3. Hang mobiles.
4. Find rug.
5. Fix curtain length.
6. Paint bedroom door.
7. Hang art etc. on walls.
Next time – the journey of our Master miniscule bedroom. (I think from now on I will call it the Master bedroom, and you can laugh along with me ).

xx
Romana

Beddie Byes

Well, not quite.
There is still lots that I have planned for the girl’s bedrooms ;) (does it ever end?).
However, the construction side of their rooms is complete and we are loving the results. Here was the progression:
Looking from window towards doorway:
 
Looking from window:

The wall colour is Dulux Antique white USA, although we got it colour matched with Haymes paint. We have painted numerous times with Dulux and have been very happy with the result, but the coverage from the Haymes paint was excellent! The Haymes undercoat-sealer also had a thicker consistency than the Dulux equivalent. I would love to hear anyone else’s thoughts if you have used either of these brands.
The new bedrooms were the perfect excuse to replace the character doona covers with some bright bedding. Bye bye Dora and Fifi!!

Miss I originally asked for a “rainbow” room, and later a purple themed room. I have to admit, I prefered to work with rainbow this time around. We choose the doona cover from Ikea and the rug sourced from Spotlight.
 
The rug feels great underfoot and adds some needed colour to the room. It seems to be sitting quite nicely on the carpet, so I am happy with it for now. Her bed and “drawers” came with us from Adelaide. I will be looking at replacing the material basket liners, but for the moment they work with the colour scheme (and I’m not sure where the sewing machine is packed, lol), so they will stay for now.
So, what is on the to-do list for Miss I’s room?
1. The Ikea curtains have a 2.5m drop, but are still sitting a bit high for my liking. Ideally I would like them to just skim the floor when the curtains are open. I plan to sew a contrasting colour along the bottom edge to give the extra length needed. Miss I has asked for a light blue throw cushion for her bed, so am thinking of making the pillow and matching curtain panels in the blue. Maybe a mid sky blue?
2. Miss I wanted to paint a huge rainbow on her wall.
I fell over. I said no.
Compromise: buy a big canvas and let her go for it. The canvas will hang above her bed.
3. There is no built-in robe, so I found a nice large wardrobe in an op-shop. It needs cleaning up and a paint job, so that is up to me to get onto pronto. It will provide crucial storage for hanging clothes, shoes and some toy storage.
4. Some roll-away boxes for under the bed. More toy storage. Probably a bed-skirt to hide said boxes.
5. Miss I does not have a mirror in her room. In an effort to encourage her to take more responsibility for getting herself ready each morning I will hang a vintage mirror above her drawers. Should look sweet :)
6. Miss I has various mobiles that needed unpacking and hanging. They should add more of the rainbow colour she was hoping for.

I would love to hear what you think of the progress so far. Any ideas welcome too! I will share some shots of Miss T’s room in the next few days.

xx
Romana

Some progress…

The past 2 months have been hectic! Unfortunately, most of the action has related to work/family/study/moving into a half-renovated house, rather than on the actual renovation.
Oh well. We are getting there – slowly.
It is quite frustrating, yet exciting all at the same time. The time it takes, and the effort involved in doing it ourselves, make the results all the more exciting.
Recent conversations have been along the lines of;
“Wow babe, you really got that plaster smooth!”
“Thanks hun. How is that skirting board painting coming along?”
Really exciting stuff here people, let me tell you :)
OK, so some pics:
Miss I’s bedroom.
Walls stripped down to the studs. Lighting removed due to fire hazard wiring (eek!), plastic wall vents removed, insulation better fitted in ceiling cavity.

Looking towards bedroom door. Miss I’s bedroom shares a wall with Miss T’s bedroom (where hubs is standing). The rubbish came by the wheel barrow load.

Miss T’s bedroom:
Standing in the doorway or so.

Looking towards common wall with main bedroom (Master bedroom is a bit of a stretch given its’ size, lol).

Standing near the window, looking out the door. Across the small space in the smaller bathroom. Have faith people! We have plans for that area ;)
 
One aspect I have enjoyed in this reno has been unearthing some of the history of the home. This has included finding the use of newspapers underneath the old lino.
In Miss I’s room:

In Miss T’s room:

OK, enough pics for now.
I have some preliminary after pics to come. Wish me well as I am still vacuuming dust out of the couch and rugs, not to mention my poor computer. A drop-cloth would have been handy ;)

xx
Romana

Floors

We are deciding upon our floor coverings. I thought it would be fun, but it is actually really stressful! It is quite different to look at a picture and say “I love that!” than to actually look at samples and say “I want that throughout my house!” lol. But we are getting there.
Originally I wanted quite dark floors, but without the red undertones. I adore the look of these, what can only be solid timber floors. Devine.

Source unknown via La La Lovely

We are going for floating timber floors, and I have been disappointed with what is available in the darker range. Mostly they have a distinct red tone or wenge, which wasn’t what I am after. Hubby suggested a lighter, almost limed look instead. I think I am liking it!

Schappacher kitchen via Little Bits of Lovely

via Traditional Home

We are going for white cabinets but are still deciding on bench tops. I love the second picture, especially the contrast between the countertops and black stools.
Any thoughts on the flooring-bench top combination?
xx Romana

Kitchen inspiration

I have an obsession with lovely white kitchens…..luckily my husband doesn’t mind them, although he is drawn towards more modern styles than my traditional preferences. When I opened this page in the Oct/Nov Belle mag, I jumped with joy. It was definitely what i have been trying to describe to the hubs. Mmmmm.

Justine Hugh-Jones Interior Design

Oct/Nov Belle

Romana xx

Day two – debris!

The demolition has begun, with all the walls and ceilings being removed from the bedrooms. Wow, is that a messy job! We tackled a stunning combination of bad 70’s fake paneling, gyprock and the 1940’s gyprock (forgotten the name, lol). Miss I wanted to keep her fake paneling. We said no.

Main bedroom.

Mmmm, nice curtains! Only improved by the, ahem, lurvely wall colour.

Gorgeous pine flooring found under revolting carpet (and 1940’s lino under the carpet…and 1940’s newspapers under the lino). Unfortunately this is the flooring, so it is just too cold in this neck of the woods to leave the boards uncovered. Sob. I have to wrap my head around finding a carpet I can live with – bedrooms only.
Hubs and I are desperate for some advice as to how/what sort of face-mask to wear as we both wear glasses and they just fog up?? Any ideas greatly appreciated.
More pics to come as the week progresses. Promise :)

Romana

Well hello lovelies!

So happy to be in the new digs!
For those that have com over from Under the Pepper Tree, great to see you again! For anyone new to my blog, welcome and I hope you enjoy!
So why the change from UTPT? Well, life took a change for me and although some content will be along similar lines, I really feel that I have a clearer picture of what I would like to record and share, for myself and my readers.
In the past month I have sold our first home, moved nearly 500 kms away back to my childhood home and moved into a rental (ugh). Nouveau Traditionalis is a record of my efforts in creating the life I have always wanted for myself, my children and my marriage. I will be posting all things related to making “new traditions” – special routines with my daughters and family, inspiration for our new home, and any other bits of goodness that I come across.
So, enjoy and let me know what takes your fancy!
xx
Romana

For Sale: a do-er upper ripe for a crazy couple…

Well, it is happening! We have brought a renovator’s delight and are just delighted by all the um, fun, ahead of us. It will be a slow process – are you ready to join in? Good – I’m going to need your help!
Photos to follow…