Before and After... Main Bedroom

Before

In my very first week of blogging, I posted that "work has been underway for six months now and several rooms are nearing completion". In retrospect, that comment lay somewhere between highly optimistic and slightly delusional. Eighteen months on, and with a greatly enhanced awareness of the realities of renovating, we are (finally) ready for our first Chambers Before & After (sincere thanks for your patience lovely readers!).

The image above shows the main bedroom on the day we moved in, complete with awkward rectangular window, external door and the fondly named 'spew carpet' that took us almost twelve months to replace. Here is the bedroom today...

After

I like a bedroom to be simple, understated and serene, with a neutral palette. Our pets are prized residents, so a custom dog bed was essential for Georgia the Corgi. Belly the Ragdoll previously slept on the black velvet armchair until our cleaner banned her last month. Now she hops straight on the bed and uses Farmer Joe's feet as a pillow.

Also, if anyone knows where I can source a clear Edison filament globe with a screw fitting, please let me know (the pendant light just doesn't look quite right without it).

I'm always happy to share my sources, so here's a list if you are interested:
Upholstered headboard: Interiors Online
Bedside tables, lamps, pendant light, clock, picture frame, marble bowl: One Rundle Trading Co
Chest of drawers, black velvet armchair, black velvet pillow: Laura Ashley
Hurricane lanterns, metal ampersand: Two Pairs Homewares
Custom dog bed: Ada & Darcy
If there's anything I've missed out, please email me.

Sleep tight!

Loving... My Monogrammed Dodocase

I have to confess... I've been neglecting the blogosphere in favour of hours spent with my new iPad. As a first-time iPad owner, I've gotten a little carried away with the joy of evenings spent shopping online from the comfort of the lounge, with a roaring fire and a glass of wine. (It's done nothing to benefit the bank balance, of course). So I was very fussy when selecting a cover for my new technological accessory. I found everything I wanted in a personalised DODOcase. As a self-confessed 'Queen of Beige', I selected a sand-coloured linen-look cover with simple gold foil monogramming. If you're not as colour-shy as me, DODOcase have some stunning bright hues in their range, including the appealingly named 'Poppy', 'Meadow' and 'Sunrise'. Most of all, I just love the contrast between the traditional charm of hard-cover book binding and the modern new technology inside. You can check out DODOcase {here}.

Farmhouse inspiration and a progress report...

image via pinterest

There's so much that I love about this kitchen - the antique butchers' block, the marble splash-backs and the copper accent pieces. Not to be fussy, but it does feel let down by the generic white canisters and the bamboo roller blinds..

Meanwhile, on the renovation front... lovely hanging lights have been installed in the main bedroom and walk-in-robe, making this space complete. That means the first ever Chambers Before & After shots are coming (as soon as I find time to iron the bedding for photographs). The iron orb chandelier also arrived, and we unpacked it only to discover a very odd brown splotchy finish over the metal work. The lovely ladies from Two Pairs were on to the supplier in a flash, so I'm sure we'll have the kitchen light hanging soon. And my long awaited landscape painting for the entrance has arrived and is currently at the framers. I'm thrilled with it and can't wait to show you!

If I had to pick an all-time favourite...

... it would be a classic black and white stripe. (I know, who doesn't love it?). And my pinterest boards continue to swell with more gorgeous examples of this print in action. The hardest part is not completely draping the House on Chambers with striped fabric (I've limited myself to three rooms... so far).

all images via pinterest

Tour the White House...

Let's take a tour of the White House, a renovated 1850's brick cottage in Daylesford, Victoria. Decorated with a mix of industrial and vintage pieces, the house features original 1930's bathroom fixtures, hand-painted wallpaper and vintage art finds.

Best of all, the White House is available for holiday rentals - view availability and pricing {here}. And if you've never been to Daylesford, put it on your list. This foodies' paradise delighted Farmer Joe and I on a mini break last year

all images via Dalani Magazine

You can view the complete home tour {here}.

The first crisp days of Autumn...

The first snap of cold weather for the season arrived over Easter. After shooing a slightly dishevelled sparrow out of the chimney, Farmer Joe lit the fire (and if last year is anything to go by, it won't go out again until Spring).

There's nothing quite like a crackling fire for creating a warm and cosy atmosphere...

above images via pinterest

Almost time to pull out the scarves and boots, I think...

Decision made... (really this time)

It amazes me that I chose our entire bathroom fit-out in less than an hour, but it has taken me eighteen months to select a feature light for the kitchen. Finally, after excessive bloggy agonising, indecision and desperate emailing to girlfriends, I have ORDERED and PAID FOR this beautiful orb chandelier from Two Pairs in Adelaide. At 66cms diameter, I'm hoping that it will provide the atmosphere and character I've been looking for, while still leaving enough head room over the island bench. If you're having trouble visualising it, here is a similar light fitting that I spotted on Decorpad...

images via decorpad

I'll update you the very minute she's installed...