Mia Bella Winter Garden...

A peek at

Mia Bella Gardens

in Winter…

I Love the gorgeousness of this Solanaceae, 

from the dainty purple flowers to the cute furry leaves!

(which I have now found out is actually a plant called Woolly Nightshade...so must be removed as it is a problem pest plant in New Zealand!)- for more information about this plant and it's toxicity go to:

http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Services/Regional-services/Plant-and-animal-pests/Plant-pests/Woolly-nightshade/ 

 Green fern fronds glow in the winter sunlight...

This variety of fern is a called a birds nest fern.

Pot's of orchids brighten dull corners...

This one is a mini cymbidium,
called ' Melanie Sulphur Valley'.

Pops of pink standard cymbidium orchids

 cheer those who visit on cold winter days...

 In the warmth of winter sun, 

pretty camelias...

 Attract a few brave bees...

 As does this deliciously scented small shrub 

called 'Heaven Scent'.

 Another winter bee attraction is the Jade tree,
which flowers two months long during the season.

 Standing tall like a sentinel at the pool gate.

And yes, if you are wondering it is ' impressively huge'!

Once a pot plant, and now a statement garden plant,

this Jade tree is 30 years old. 

He stands a handsome 1.4 metres tall

by 2.4 metres wide.

The trunk has a circumference of 84cm at the base.

The bird bath is shrouded by potted orchids in bud and variegated grasses...

There is a sea of orange...

I know it's wrong that marigolds are blooming mid winter,

but they self seed and love Mia Bella Gardens glasshouse!

 Ella cat is quite happy 

soaking up the heat from the stone paths...

 Or relaxing on an outdoor chair.

 There are stems of stock, for winter vase picking...

 Pots of lobelia for blue pretties...

Beautiful, and fragrant cane-stemmed begonias...

And ablutions (Chinese Lanterns) too.

There is no riot of colour apart from the marigolds!

Just pops and hints of colour here and there amongst the shades of greens, browns and gold.

Mia Bella's winter garden is still beautiful, don't you agree?

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#southernhemispheregardenflowers

Pink Japanese Anemones...

 I think that Japanese Anemones are a beautiful flower...

These darlings are also known as windflowers.
 Available in single and double blooms
 in white, soft pinks, darker pinks and mauve shades.
New hybrids in dwarf form are being developed.

Some gardeners love them as I do....

others loathe them!

 The original white variety in particular can be quite invasive.  

So beware if you like to be in complete control of your garden beds. 

 There are three varieties of Japanese Anemone at Mia Bella Gardens, 
where I just let them do their thing, they spread as they wish, 

as I don't find it difficult to do an end of season cull to keep them in order.

 Each season a rosette of dark green leaves

 is topped by graceful stems that reach 1/2 to 1.8 metres in height.

The delicate flowers of up to 6cm across nod in their beautiful hues. 

The round seed heads appear once the blooms have finished.

Japanese Anemones will grow in sun or part shade.

 The Japanese Anemone is from the Ranunculaceae family.

It was grown in Japanese gardens for centuries,
 but was in fact of Chinese origin.

In New Zealand, they flower from February to the end of April.

Although not a long-lasting picking flower, 

you can get a day or two from them in a vase.

They don't wilt, and the buds will open.

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#japaneseanemones #windflowers

French Country Masculine Bedroom Reveal...

At last I can show you the French Country Masculine Bedroom...

Yes it has taken forever!!!

But this is what happens when one bedroom makeover turns into two!

The pink bedroom has also had an update, but that is another blog post!

So...this is how it looked

before...

And here is is after...

Unpainted wood and a neutral colour palette with black accents.

The first thing chosen was the quilt and cushion.

 the duvet...

then the curtains.

The crown cushion, and quilt are from Wallace Cotton.

The curtains from Briscoes.

An extra curtain was purchased to make a Roman blind for the window above the bed.

 The etching (top picture) is one I have had for many years,  

but the French word picture is from the Etsy.

This etching is so old it has watermarks, 

but I think it just adds to the character of the picture.

 These French place names are inspiration...

For me to visit France one day!

Initially I put this orchid on the side table...

But changed it to another orchid in a cream pot with black detail,

because it had more of a masculine feel.

And moved the flying pig from the Red Lounge...

The black and white framed photos are above each side table...

And if you want to print them just go to:

http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2014/05/free-mia-bella-gardens-black-and-white.html

 Other accessories in the room were all things I had...

 And the funniest thing is,

this French Country Masculine room has décor pieces from other countries...

 Some gorgeous old English books...

 A French crown and metal filigree ball...

A black and white clock...

And pieces from travels to Indonesia...

 The neutral colours and wood theme continues into the ensuite shower room. 

With more of a beach feel with this original artwork I created many years ago.

 Arabella approves!

In fact, she thinks it's quite a nice place for a nap!

                             Before....                                       And after...

I am very pleased with the way it has turned out.

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#masculinebedroomideas 

Gorgeousness...

Today it is all about simply sharing some gorgeousness…

Enjoy!

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#frenchcountry #rosephotography #beautifulthings

Olive Oil & White Vinegar Furniture Polish...

I am still muddling away on the French country masculine bedroom makeover.

The patch and repairs from the botched previous painting session are now complete.

Ensuite bathroom window now painted, and the floor polished.

The drapes are hemmed, pressed and hung.
All that remains is to sew a new blind for the small window.

The furniture in this room makeover is to remain unpainted 

in all its natural wood glory...

And it was well time for a lick of polish, so today I whipped up a home-made DIY Furniture polish...

Simply made from two ingredients.
Olive oil & white vinegar...
3/4 cup Olive Oil
and
1/4 cup White Vinegar

So as I was mixing this up, I thought, " Wow, what a great gift idea".

Hence, I got a wee bit sidetracked from polishing the bedroom furniture!

So here is the polish...

looking pretty 

with label, gauze ribbon, flowers and pearls...

ready to gift!

Anyway, back to the task at hand,

Which was to mix the polish and polish up the furniture.

The side tables have scratches.

And now you can hardly see them!

I am having a whoohoo moment!

And it just kept on getting better!
As you can see:

The tall boy chest of drawers, with water marks, sun damage, and scratches...

Rescued by my DIY olive oil & white vinegar furniture polish 

that quite kindly rehydrated that thirsty wood.

It was an instant result!

 Miraculously blending all those marks and scratches to almost nothingness.
How did I not know about this wonderful DIY polish before!
I have always had a love-hate relationship 
with this Balinese rosewood vase:
So I brushed my polish onto it, 
and thought...
You are actually quite beautiful!
But can you believe the difference here....

I just don't know how many times I muttered, 
"This is AMAZING!".

It doesn't take long for the oil to soak into the thirsty dry wood!

Now the carved vase has a place to call home in the French country masculine bedroom makeover!

Guess what I'm doing for the rest of today...

Polishing all the wood in my house!

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#diyfurniturepolish