Aqua Guest Bedroom Reveal....❥

 The guest bedroom makeover was much needed.

And although a walls and ceiling upgrade were not in the budget, 

I freshened up the whole room by painting out the golden woodwork using white on the trims, 

and grey chalk paint on the built in dresser that was also golden wood.

I'm totally AQUA crazy so there was no question what colours to use in this room.

The duvet is one I already had (moved in here from the lavender bedroom), 
and I bought one new velvet cushion. (on sale of course!)

Old furniture finds were upcycled.
A new curtain rod and drapes put up. (Bought on Sale)

Then the room was dressed with my collected aqua bits and pieces.

Here are the furniture before photos:

I picked up an older lowboy dresser,

and a side table for $120 at the second-hand shop.

They received a much needed makeover with grey chalk paint.

Here are some after photos:

You can see how the grey chalkpaint has brought out the beautiful detailing on the lowboy dresser.

An old oak chair was painted white, and the seat recovered with pretty fabric.

 I found the gorgeous soft aqua coloured velvet cushion in a sale.
The painting is one of my own.

 The 'Doily' cushion that I had previously made was added to the bed vignette.
Find out how to DIY a doily cushion HERE.

The furniture and accessories are all French Country inspired.

This old oak bed I have owned for many years, and it was once black.

It's now painted in white and distressed. 

This tray is a wood one that was painted white and then has had 'old plates' mosaic detailing added.

Find out how to do this HERE.

Curtains are from the Briscoes standard range.

I waited until they had a 60% off sale to purchase.

 And from my 'AQUA' collection, I added a few favourite pieces.

The guest room is now visitor-ready,

and is now one of my favourite rooms in the house!

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#nzbloggers #diy #furnitureupcycle  #aqua #interiors #decor #budgetmakeover #frenchcountry

Chunky Knit Blanket 'Bling' Fixer Upper....

Don't you just love it when you stumble across a major BARGAIN!!!

And that is exactly what I found with this throw at Briscoes a few months back.

It was everything I love in a throw....

It looked like a hand knit in its heavy chunky gorgeousness.

It was creamy white.

(Even though I LOVE colour - I also LOVE neutrals)

And the price was outstanding -  

$159.95 - marked down to 59.95!!!

But there was just one little problem with it...

The bling metallic stripe was rose gold and my living space has gold accessories!

But I bought it anyway.

So you can see the problem here...

Gold and rose gold.

 So I foraged in the lace store box and found this pretty crochet style lace.

How perfect was that.  

 I stitched it on via the sewing machine...

And now have the perfect throw 

- with a little bling still showing through the lace.

Just enough to avoid the Rose gold and gold clash problem I had before.

#nzbloggers  #crochetlace #blanket #throw #homedecor #upcycle #fixerupper

Trolley Table Upcycle with Reverse Image Transfer...

Meet my 'Trolley' table rescue turned French Country Upcycle.

Here's the before photo.

It was destined for the rubbish pile.

But I just loved the circular design.

And I knew I could upcycle it to fit my decor.

 The top level detail bars were missing.

So I used a filler to plug the holes.

Squeeze filler into holes.

 Then scrape over with a knife.

Once dry sand lightly.

Then using chalk paint (I chose 'Pure White')... 

 give the table two coats.

After a few days drying time, 

we are ready to transfer a reverse image onto the top of the  table.

Use scissors to cut around the image. 

To apply the transfer using Mod Podge.

1: Brush the mod podge onto the printed side of the reversed image label.

(there are plenty of these available free via Pinterest - just search 'reversed images')
2: Smooth it onto the surface gently pushing out air pockets.

3:  Then leave it to dry for 24 hours.

4: After 24 hours, wet the paper of the transfer with a sponge or cloth.

Then 'carefully' rub to roll the paper layers off.

Note: Mod Podge is available from most craft and stationery stores in New Zealand.
Or you can buy via Amazon.

To brighten the chrome - gently rub down with a steelwool pad.
The final step to the Trolley Table Upcycle is to coat the table with a coat of wax.

Viola!  I'm loving this transformation.

This table is movable and the perfect size for a side table.

It has created a new favourite spot to sit in my chair
 and journal in the sun.


You may also like to visit me at Fine Art America for fabulous home decor and gifting ideas:

                    Oceanscape                    Ciao Means Hello               Fractured Feather

                                     Finch Fun                                       Fuchsia Funk

      

                                  Blue Seascape                               Forever Grace

  Vintage Still Life Weekender Tote Bag   

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#upcycled ##shabbychic #frenchcountrystyle #diy #chalkpaint #decor #howtotransferimages #reverseimagetransfer

#diypaintedfurniture

DIY Nautical Night Light...

The beach vibe continues with today's nautical DIY,
which is a super quick and easy to create night light.

All you need is:

 a bottle cloche with a base stand

 fairy light mini buds with a clear cord

a focal piece with a rope hanger- I used an anchor for a beach theme

And some dry mini star fish to place on the base below the anchor

some thick twine and scissors.

 The focal I'm using is from  Farmers 'Tilly & Home' range.

On sale at just $4.50.

Thread the battery fairy lights from the top into the bottle.

 (The Bottle Cloche was sourced from The Warehouse also on sale @$18)

 Then place the focal ornament like the anchor inside with the string hanger in the top of the bottle neck.

Pull the string up and thread twine through it.

Wind the twine around the neck of the bottle and tie a knot to hold. 

 Rearrange the lights around the anchor.
Place some dry starfish onto cloche base before place bottle back on it.

 Nautical and  rustic fairy light fun!

 You could use a starfish as a focal inside instead of an anchor.

Or another nautical inspired piece.

But I think this anchor look rocks!

#fairylights #diy #beachdecor #nightlight #nautical

Living With Pain And Invisible Illness - My story...

This week's post was supposed to be all about a very cool Coastal-themed 'Nightlight' DIY...

BUT...

The computer decided to DIE!!!

So here I am on my little ole laptop. 

With no access to photo processing and no way to get the photos from the camera onto the laptop for the above project.

The DIY post has now turned into 'hopefully', an inspiring story.

Few know this part of my personal story.

It is silent.  It is hidden.

I live with chronic pain and illness that is not obvious.
(unless of course, you notice the disability parking sticker on my car or I am limping due to a flare-up).
It affects my life daily.
It is a challenge.
Last week, I read a blog post elsewhere that featured a story about other bloggers who also live with pain and illness.
Their stories were inspirational.
I decided to add my story to the blogosphere.
In the hope it will help someone who's in the early days of diagnosis.
Perhaps it will give them hope when they are going through all the stages of grief as they deal with the prospects of surgery, medication and their effects, as well as lifestyle changes.
For me, the lifestyle changes that I had to make were the most difficult. 
Before my hip deformity diagnosis, reconstructive surgeries, osteoarthritis diagnosis, and heart condition (also which required surgery), I was super active.  
I had a half-acre garden.  Ran the home to perfection. Worked. Volunteered. 
Gosh, I could write an enormous list of how life was.
Then suddenly it all stopped!
Life changed in a moment.
It's taken me many years to adapt to those changes.
It was not easy.
I loved my old life.
Then suddenly I needed to recreate a new one.
I was completely lost.
My friend said to me 'You are still creative - share it'.
In 2012 Mia Bella Passions' blog began.
'Mia Bella Passions' is my creative, positive, happy place.
Blogging was my lifesaver.
Then as time and wellness allowed, I added other things 'I could do'...
Art became my second lifesaver.
And here we are today.
A Blogger and an artist.
Somebody who six years ago thought life was over!
Now - I accept that my path is different.
I have good days.
I have very bad days.
I have learnt to pace myself.
I know when to stop.

I look for beauty in all things, and in places I would never have thought to look before.
Positivity is an important aspect of my life and the way I think.
It takes a while to retrain the brain to think that way, but you can do it.
(Sure - I have challenging days when I am miserable, but the next day I pick myself up and carry on).
I keep as active as my daily pain levels allow.

 The beach is my haven, and a peaceful place to enjoy and retreat to when things do get tough.
I am now able to actively enjoy working in my garden.
Life is good.
I am grateful.
Mindfulness rocks!

And last but not least:
Creativity is incredibly healing.
This leaves me with a quote I'd like to share with you today:

'Do not confuse my bad days as a sign of weakness.
These are actually the days I am fighting my hardest'.