Waylaid

Hello there, I have been a little waylaid lately as I have been getting my interior design business up and running. I am please to announce i have an official page for Audrey Barton Interiors now you can visit it Here. Still a work in progress tho.

But I'm super excited as i can now share the unrelated family bloggish type stuff here!!!!

so here is a little of what we have been up to.

I wanted to practice some still life close up shots on an apple, but there was a little interference!

Woohoo!! It's Friday

Chalk for candles

I have been tossing up the idea of purchasing Photoshop. I love the thought of being able to produce some great photos to share on my blog here. But would I really use it enough to justify the cost? 

in the mean time I think I will work on my photo taking skills.

Yesterday the weather was surprisingly cool considering the previous 35 plus degree days we have had recently. So the girls and I thought we would go outside for a play.

"Give each other a cuddle"

"Can I play in the sand too?"

Making a birthday cake

Chalk for candles

Manhattan Loft Style

The Block: Fans vs Faves has started and I'm totally addicted already. I just can’t get enough of the Manhattan Loft style. To tell the truth, I didn’t really know it was a style, I just thought lofts were an upmarket apartment (technically they are). So I thought I would enlighten myself a little and do a bit of research.

The evolution of the loft as an architectural style property has influenced the whole concept of the New York apartment, specifically due to the nature of its space. A loft implies a large, open space that usually results from a commercial building having been converted into multiple dwelling residential units. Some remain open areas with few internal walls, while others have been constructed into one, two, or more bedroom apartments.

Lofts can be varied ranging from minimalist style to far more opulent and sophisticated. Famous architects and designers have relished in the opportunity to transform these spaces into chic, innovative homes, setting the standard for the highly stylized architectural Manhattan loft.

Manhattan loft style began when striving painters, sculptors, photographers, clothing designers and others of artistic vision found huge empty spaces in old commercial buildings that were inexpensive. They were willing to live in non-residential neighborhoods in exchange for the low rents of these previously undesirable buildings that provided the room for them to develop their crafts into successes.

SOHO was one of the first neighborhoods where this took place in the late sixties and early seventies. As people began to occupy the buildings, a sense of neighborhood began to emerge. Small corner pubs and eateries opened and by the late seventies, SOHO had been transformed into a thriving community with art galleries, avant-garde restaurants and shops.

Many building owners and landlords recognized how appealing loft apartments had become to the general public. They began to renovate their properties into loft-style apartments throughout the entire city. While some retain the elements of the old commercial buildings, featuring 14 to 20 foot pressed tin ceilings, huge over-size industrial windows, exposed pipes and service elevators, new construction developments offer opulent luxury buildings complete with every state-of-the-art amenity from concierge services to health clubs and swimming pools.

The stuff of dreams, don't you think?

Images are of Colourist Rita Hazan's loft, styled by Nate Berkus, via Domino

Darkness into light

Everywhere I look there is darkness.

No I'm not going through a breakdown, I'm beginning to realise my tastes and style. My bedroom is dark. I mean the walls aren’t painted a dark colour, but there just isn’t enough natural light. The blinds are constantly drawn closed to prevent neighbours viewing the everyday happenings of our home. The furniture is dark, the bed, the chest of draws. The walk in robe is a tiny dark hole ventured into via a door located behind another door.

As I rise early and make my way past the dark brown lounge suite, over the cheap burgundy fau Persian floor rug which malts insane amounts of fluff, into the kitchen with the imitation granite, laminate bench tops. Sigh…

I dream of white. A fresh pallet to which I can add any colour my heart desires. White walls, white kitchen cupboards, white bench tops, a white bedroom with light streaming in the windows. A larger walk in robe with floor to ceiling mirrors, and again light flowing in through the windows (which are currently non existant).

A resolution to add to the 2014 list…Lighten up my home!!!

So where to start?  I guess I will start at the front of the house and work my way back. Sounds feasible. Therefore the first hurdle will be the master bedroom, my room. The walls don’t need painting as I have only recently done this, in British Paints Arctic Crossing. Though its not a White white, more of a grey. But I aint going to paint it again any time soon (painting can be a little tedious when there are young children involved).  So here are the issues with the Master Bedroom in point form:

• ·      Blinds: the room is dark due to the blinds being drawn closed ALL the time.
• ·      Bed: it’s a pine bed stained an orange colour (shudder!)
• ·      Bed Linen: though the quilt cover set was purchased with good intentions I just don’t think it goes anymore, particularly since the room has been painted.
• ·      Tall Boy: also stained an orange colour. (shudder again)
• ·      Cameron’s Corner: consists of Guitar in bag sitting on floor. Also his old school photo is sitting on the ground (more on that in another post to come)
• ·      Desk: Its White!! (Thank God!!) though I think I need to organise things a little better.
• ·      The Ensuite: is fine though a little cramped.
• ·      The WIR: its just too small and zoo dark, we need more storage for clothes. Hmm…

Well there you have it. That is the first room for my new New Years Resolution.

Perhaps some of you lovely readers are looking around now thinking your home could do with a bit of a lighten up, or perhaps not. Tell me what your opinion, or perhaps you have some ideas you can share with me, I would love to hear it.

Lighten up everyone!

January Read

Just got myself a new book this morning. Couldn't walk past it! Can't wait to get into it!!

Bloglovin

Hey there, so i have just signed up to Bloglovin.

WOW! what a great way to keep up with all your blogging friends. You can follow me on there now too. Oh there needs to be more time in the day. Just click Here to sign up.

Happy Blog Lovin!!!!


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Just Colour

Sometimes I just need a little downtime, don't you? Ever since I saw this free printable I have been  hanging to do some good old fashioned colouring in. Mmmmm, Mummy down time!

Or so I thought…

Santa bought me a brand new MacBook Air for christmas! I just had to get the internet connected so I could download said printable. Then once I figured out how to print, I just had to download and install the software for my printer. Ohhhh…long story short, here's the results.

Now I just need to find some frames AND somewhere to hang them. It was actually really fun!

Resolute is the key

This year is the first time (as an adult) that I have made a list of New Year Resolutions. I'm determined to make twenty fourteen my year. So here are my top five.

1. To grow my business. Yes it's only a very new business, but I'm determined to prove to myself (and others) Audrey Barton Interiors is worth the investment. I thoroughly enjoy decorating and turning houses into homes.

2. To blog more. I'm new to blogging and I love it. I want to post more, share more, I want to delve deeply into the world of blogging.

3. Get crafty. I have done the odd craft project, some more successful than others. I'm starting to realise DIY could be the key to getting the look for less.

4. Domesticate myself. Don't get me wrong, I'm domesticated! But I want to become a more efficient housewife/stay-at-home mum. I want to be a domestic goddess! I want to bake more, I want to be more organised rather than be diving through to freezer searching for inspiration five minutes before dinner. I want to have a beautiful neat and tidy home (not just sometimes) all the time.

5. More Holidays! It seems to me that I can never get enough of getting away. Even though it can be such a headache with the organising/packing/travelling with kids etc. etc. we do usually manage to have a good time. 

So there are my top five. Honestly, I thought it would be a lot harder to put down in words, but now that it's done I feel like I have my goals straightened out and a direction to travel. Phew!

{ Weekly Wants } Week 1: Neon!

One of my New Years resolutions is to blog more, and what better way than to start a regular segment. And what better to start with than sharing my weekly wants with you. This week I have found my wants all on Etsy

One: neon pink or yellow makeup bag Grey Fox Textiles

Two: neon pink set of two wooden mini bowls Wind & Willow Home

Three: iPhone case Zero Case

Four: ampersand screen print Shop Ampersand

Christmas decor: wishing I had a mantle to decorate

Christmas decor: advent calendar

Styling fun

In my haste to show the finished product of my guest room, I neglected to do some proper styling. Here are a few shots which I have been practicing on.

Guest room makeover: The big reveal!

IT'S FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's right I've finished the guest room makeover! This makeover is the first installation in my portfolio, and I can't wait to share it with you, so here it is...

 

 

iPhone photo app.

FOUND!!! The best iPhone photo editing app. (After Instagram that is). The creators of the blog "A Beautiful Mess" have created an photo app with blogging in mind. 

Yep it's full of great tips and tricks. Etc etc. get on to it!!!

A Mini Bathroom Makeover?

I'm planning a mini bathroom makeover for my ensuite. I'm thinking of a fresh coat of paint, maybe a lick of white paint on the tiles, a few shelves on the wall above the toilet???

Here are a few inspiring pics from Pinterest. 

Alas, it will have to wait till I've finished my guest room makeover. 

Guest room makeover: art

The other day I had the opportunity to shop without children in tow. This was very exciting, as I finally had the chance to duck into the little boutique home wares shops, which I normally wouldn't dare enter with my monster stroller and kids.

I'm pleased to announce I have found some lovely art for my guest room!

I found them at The Magic PuddingThe Magic Pudding in Peel St. They are made by a local artisan, Mark Hampstead of Mark Art. "Feathers" as they are named, are printed by traditional Lino Printing methods. 

The pink one is my fave, followed closely by the black print with blue detail. I have to make the headboard before I can mount them. I will add more photos as the room progresses. 

Guest room makeover: Night stand brainstorm

The other day I visited Pillow Talk, and spotted these side tables. 

I absolutely love them, but sadly they would be too small as a night stand for the guest room. Aren't the colours just fab!?

So I was thinking I could DIY something. How hard can it be...

Bedroom Inspiration

Hi there, here is some more inspiration for bedrooms and nightstand styling. 

All images are via Pinterest.