Mia Bella House Tour - The French Masculine Bedroom...

The French Masculine Bedroom consists of neutral earthy tones...

with a pop of black.

The drapes are pulled back with brass and rope curtain tiebacks.

Find out how to DIY make them HERE.

For the DIY photographic tutorial on how to make them, click here:

Rope & Brass Curtain Tiebacks

Wall art is an original vintage etching and a Paris graphic that have been framed in black.

The furniture has been left natural wood to compliment the wooden skirting and door frames. 

The large basket is to collect the clothing that would normally be left on the floor.  

(And it works a treat - training does not take long to complete!)

The dado rail in the ensuite is also oiled wood,

and guess what?

The love of shells continues here as it does in the 'Blue Bathroom'!

There is a bit of a original beachy artwork on the wall too.

The duvet was found at Briscoes...

I love the pin-tuck effect.

The crown cushion in natural linen and black is from Wallace Cotton.

The quilt is also from Wallace Cotton.

The leaf print is very masculine.

I discovered it in the online store sale.

The bedside table displays the flying pig,

a black metal crown, filigree metalwork ball,
 and...

a huge crystal rock.

Note how Mr Pig is sitting on a few vintage books.

This is referred to as displaying using a riser.

The other bedside table has a basket to hold all the 'bloke' bits...

A stylish basket is the perfect solution to bloke mess!

I'm loving the open weave and the cool metal handle.

Above each bedside table are some framed images...

These photographs are some I took and had printed in black and white.

You could choose to create something similar.

On the antique tallboy sits a moth orchid in a bowl.

The knick knacks are items collected on holidays to Bali and Fiji and continue the natural wood, stone and black theme.

Moth orchids are a favourite of mine.

Especially the white ones!

The centre of the flowers look like angelic doves....

So beautiful!

To make your own orchid bowl,

click here for the tutorial: DIY Moth Orchid Bowl

Arabella enjoys the afternoon sun in the French masculine bedroom.
It's a room with subtle colouring,
 but I think the black accents and natural wood give it a wow factor!

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#masculinebedroom #masculinedecor 

DIY Bottle terrarium...

A terrarium is an interesting focal for on a shelf,

and as it was time for 'something different', and a rearranging session on my bookshelf, 

I created this DIY Bottle terrarium...

You will need:

 a large clean bottle or container made from clear glass

Some potting mix

Bark (I used orchid bark)

Fine white stones or gravel

A plant

 An interest item like an ornament, a rock, or a crystal.  
(I used an old brass bell that was my Grandfathers.)

2 x thin sticks.

Piece of wire. 

My plant (a miniature anthurium) was too big,  

  so I broke it up. 

I actually got six plants from this one, and used three pieces for in the terrarium.
The flowering part of the plant was re-potted back into the original white container.
The other two pieces added to a hanging basket on the back porch.
Don't you love it when one plant turns into many?

Firstly put a layer of bark in the bottom of the bottle,

then add a layer of potting mix.

Use the stick to make a hole in the middle. Place your plant here.
Use the sticks to manipulate the plant into position and to push the soil around the roots.
Water lightly.

 Now add a layer of white stones or gravel.

Once again use the sticks to move the stones into place.

 Finally add your interest piece.

Use the wire with a hook bent on the end to place the interest item in the bottom.

 Finished and in place on the shelf...

The DIY Terrarium most certainly adds interest to the shelf display.

I love the way it compliments my old bottle collection.

#terrarium #diyterrarium 

DIY Anchor Pallet Artwork...

Pallet everything is so on trend at the moment!

 So here's my take on a pallet anchor picture...

It's a step by step photographic tutorial,

so gather your supplies and join in the fun!

You will need:

 Four pieces of pallet each cut to 45cm long,

plus two small offcuts to use as a backing.

The pallet pieces should be pre painted.  

I used white paint, but you can choose any colour you'd like.

Set the four pallet pieces tightly together, painted side face down,

 then place the backing wood as shown. 

 Nail the backing boards in place.  This stablilises the pallets and holds them in place.

 Print the free anchor template from here:

http://www.whychristmas.com/i/chrismons/chrismon-anchor-large.png

Use this as a guide to free hand draw the anchor onto the wood. Or enlarge the template slightly, cut out, and use as a template to draw the outline.

 Choose your paint colour (mines charcoal grey) and paint the anchor.

 I have seen this done with a coloured backing board and a white anchor, 

which is also really effective.

 Set aside to dry.

 When dry, add some highlights in silver or gold - whichever suits your colour choices.

When dry, seal with a coat of clear matt sealer.

 Attach a hanger.

I've used some rusty chain, but you could use chunky rope.

Hang and enjoy.

The DIY Anchor Pallet Artwork - a little rustic nautical fun!

#anchorcraft

Custard Lime Kisses...

I could call these biscuits, 

but kisses sound so much more deliciously romantic, don't you think?

And as we are having a everything lime time at Mia Bella Passions,

I adapted a very old family recipe to create these...

Custard Lime Kisses...

Oh yummo!!!!

We are right back on the sweet treat radar with these, 

as the kisses are sweet flavoured with custard,
and the tangy lime flavour is in the custard icing.

For The Kisses:

225 grams softened butter

1 1/2 cups caster sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla paste or essence

3 Tablespoons custard powder

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda that has been dissolved in 2 tablespoons warm milk.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Prepare two trays - lined with baking paper.

Cream 225 grams softened butter and 1 1/2 cups caster sugar

Add 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or essence and beat until pale and creamy.

Add 3 Tablespoons custard powder, 2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon baking soda that has been dissolved in 2 tablespoons warm milk.

Mix to a dough.

Roll into small balls, and press lightly with a fork. Bake 12 - 15 minutes.

When cold, ice with custard/lime icing and join two biscuits together.

For The Icing:

50 grams of butter

1 tablespoon of lime juice.

1 Tablespoon custard powder

1 and 1/2 Tablespoon milk

1 and 3/4 cups icing sugar.

Melt 50 grams of butter and 1 tablespoon of lime juice.

Add 1 Tablespoon custard powder

1 1/2 Tablespoon milk

and 1 3/4 cups icing sugar.

Beat until creamy.

Makes 20 joined biscuits or 40 single biscuits.

 You'll find a printable recipe HERE.

Custard Lime Kisses will disappear within hours of baking....

with a guarantee, there will be shouts for:

More kisses please!

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#custardrecipes  #limerecipes, #kissesrecipe #joinedbiscuits

How To Plant a Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid Bowl....

 Planted orchid bowls are pretty simple to create...

All you need is:

One large shallow bowl

Three orchid plants

A bag of premium orchid potting mix

Some orchid stakes and clips to hold the flower stems to the stakes.

 In the bowl, place about three cups of orchid mix.

Then arrange the orchid plants.
(I've used white Phalaenopsis Moth orchids)

Top with more orchid mix, stake and clip the flower stems,

 Until the roots establish themselves, 

you may need a few extra stakes to support the flower stems.

This bowl of orchids was planted in November last year,  it took about three months to stabilise before the extra stakes could be removed. 

 It also grew a new flower spike, having just finished flowering - 

an amazing 5 months later!!

The conditions in this room, are bright light with no direct drafts.  

No direct sunlight gets on the plant.

Though I did leave it in the bathroom where the light was much brighter (but still diffused) for a few hours when the plant was watered.

Moth Orchids are possibly my most favourite of the orchid species...

How can you not love these flowers?

DIY Rope and Brass Curtain Tie Backs...

I have been searching for quite some time 

for the perfect tie back for the Masculine French Bedroom to no avail.

A few years back I saw somewhere on the internet a DIY rope tieback.  

 I thought rope is quite masculine = perfect....

so this is my version...

For four curtain tie-backs, you will need:

(all materials for this project were found at Bunnings Warehouse in New Zealand, but elsewhere in the world your building supply store should stock everything)

4 x 20mm snap hooks

4 metres rope (thickness of your choice)

4 x brass olives (in the plumbing section) or brass rings

1 roll of 1 ply Sisal Lashing.

A glue gun & glue

Cup hooks 

(note chain is in the photo as I was going to use this, but didn't.  :))

Cut rope into 4  pieces.

I wanted a nice drape effect on the tie back,

so I cut my rope to 4 pieces measuring 90cm each.

If you want a tighter tieback shorten the length, 

making sure you allow for the turn-backs.

Put the snap hook through the rope... 

 Use the sisal lashing and the hot glue to fold back and bind the rope as shown.

 Do the same with the brass olive or ring.

 Trim the excess hairy bits of the rope to tidy it.

 Follow these instructions for the four tie-backs.

 Use the cup-hooks to attach at the back to the window frame or door jamb...

Make sure you measure the height from floor for each hook,

 so that the tiebacks hang at the same level.

Rope and brass curtain tiebacks are a whole lot more masculine...
The French masculine bedroom now has a hint of nautical...
French meets nautical?
Yes - I LOVE it!

Visit my 'Saatchi Art & Photography' store HERE

Original art store HERE

#curtaintiebacks #rope #diy #brass #nautical

Quick & Easy Ginger Oat Slice...

Don't be fooled by this healthy looking slice....

because the icing is completely off the healthy radar!

 Oaty coconut goodness....

topped with an insanely sweet and creamy ginger icing.

This recipe makes a good size slice,

 that is a perfect treat for the kids or adults lunch boxes...

It is quick and easy to make because it is a one pot recipe.

                         Quick & Easy Ginger Oat Slice

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius               line with baking paper an extendible slice pan that is open to 33cm by 25cm in size.               In a large pot melt:              300 grams butter              4 Tablespoons golden Syrup              1 cup sugar              1 teaspoon vanilla essence or paste

               Add:

               1 1/2 cups rolled oats

               1/2 cups coconut 

               1 heaped teaspoon ground ginger

               2 cups plain flour

               4 teaspoons baking powder.

               Mix well and press into slice pan.

               Bake for 25 minutes until pale golden.

              When just warm, ice with ginger icing:

              Melt: 

              50 grams butter

              1 tablespoon golden syrup

              and 2 Tablespoons milk.

              Mix in:

              1 1/2 cups icing sugar 

              and 1 teaspoon ground ginger

              When smooth and creamy,  ice slice.

              Cut into large slices when cold.

              Store in an airtight container.

ENJOY!

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#Oatslice #gingerslice #slicerecipes