I forgot about this... found it in my bookmarks... will try and update more often
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Friday, February 24, 2017
Dining Area for the Coastal Cabin
Since I don't particularly want to spend too much on my holiday cabin I look for bargains to upcycle furniture. I look everywhere, Op-shops (mostly Sally's and Vinnie's), second hand furniture shops, Also I can't forget Gumtree, the free Local Classifieds from all over Australia, to Buy and Sell in your local are. I also browse the Green Shed, which is a second hand building materials outlet.
View of the 'dining area' when I purchased the cabin
I started ... totally cleaned floors and walls, gave away or tossed out all the original furniture left there.
Pictures is with a few newly purchased/up-cycled items
Added a $29.oo white standard lamp, from Bunnings, since there is no direct lighting above the table.
NEARLY ready, walls are still to be painted white.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I paid $20.oo for the table and 2 high gloss finish spray paint, at.$12.oo for both.
The table is small 500 cm x 1200 cm and made from pine, I did like the turned legs.(didn't get an original pic, of course I only remembered to take a photo once I started to up-cycle it)
I sanded all of the table and did a quick base job with old white paint. sanded between coats.
(PS: the cane sofa chairs in the background are for the decking at the front of the cabin down the coast)
I didn't paint underneath the table and love the look of the turned legs
My sister had some lovely cane and wicker chairs she had not used since forever. (Free)
I spray painted the chairs in white high gloss paint 3 coats . ($18.oo)
4 Cushions from The Reject Shop for $8 each. $32.oo.
All the table ceramics table toppers are from one and/or other op-shop. Approx $20.oo
The jute 2 m round mat I bought from K-Mart for $39.oo.
The pictures on the wall are framed water colour sketches I found at Sally's for $24.oo
The walls still need to be painted (white) maybe with some borders... but wont look at that option until it is all painted. I saw some great ideas on the site Hometalk.com. and Pinterest.com
All up the dining area cost me under $200.oo and I am pretty happy about that!! (The cost of the blue, fully lined, curtains I will add in the grand total of curtains purchased)
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Staining Laminate Wood Flooring
Staining laminate wood flooring is a job you can do yourself with easy to follow step by step instructions. Staining is a rewarding job, watching the transformation from raw laminate wood to a deep, rich, color that gives definition and life to your floor. You must have an entire day to dedicate to your floor because once you start staining, you must complete it without stopping. Here is how to approach staining a laminated wood floor.
What You Will Need
Stain
Masking paper
Masking tape
Box of rags
1 gallon paint thinner (mineral spirits)
3 inch china bristle brush
Degreaser (such as quality dish washing liquid)
Floor scrubber with long handle
Floor mop
Step 1-Clean Your Laminate Flooring
The most important aspect in preparing your floor for staining is to make sure your floor doesn't have oily substances on it. To clean your floor, mix degreaser in a bucket of hot water and use your scrub brush to apply, working back and forth to get it nice and clean. When you have finished a 4' X 4' area, use your floor mop with clean, hot water to rinse thoroughly. Do not leave excess water pools. If you have pools of water, use some of your rags and wipe the excess up. Repeat this process until your entire floor is clean. Allow it to dry 24 to 48 hours before applying stain. During this drying period, you may mask your baseboards off.
Step 2-Mask Off and Protect
Run a strip of masking tape along the bottom of your baseboard where it meets your flooring all the way around the perimeter of your room Try not to completely stick the top edge of your tape down. Now, you will run a single strip of masking paper around your room. Just slide your masking paper behind your tape and then press it down firmly. This is why you want to keep the top edge of your tape loose. Now, use a small piece of tape and tag it up to the wall so it doesn't fall. Do your best to go sparingly when sticking tape to your wall as to not damage your wall paint.
Step 3-Apply Stain
To apply your stain, begin in the farthest corner and work your way to the exit. Work in 4 X 4 sections. Shake your can of stain well and open it. Apply it with your china bristle paint brush beginning along the edge, first making sure you apply going with the grain pattern of the wood. Then, using a rag, wipe any excess stain off until color looks uniform. Continue working in sections until your entire floor is stained. Allow your floor to dry the amount of time according to manufacturers label instructions.
The next step will be to sand your floor to prepare to apply a finish.
Staining laminate flooring seems like a such a big task to tackle, but anyone can do it. It doesn't require special skills to be able to do it. Just a few short and easy steps is all it takes to know how to stain a laminate floor yourself.
What You Will Need
Stain
Masking paper
Masking tape
Box of rags
1 gallon paint thinner (mineral spirits)
3 inch china bristle brush
Degreaser (such as quality dish washing liquid)
Floor scrubber with long handle
Floor mop
Step 1-Clean Your Laminate Flooring
The most important aspect in preparing your floor for staining is to make sure your floor doesn't have oily substances on it. To clean your floor, mix degreaser in a bucket of hot water and use your scrub brush to apply, working back and forth to get it nice and clean. When you have finished a 4' X 4' area, use your floor mop with clean, hot water to rinse thoroughly. Do not leave excess water pools. If you have pools of water, use some of your rags and wipe the excess up. Repeat this process until your entire floor is clean. Allow it to dry 24 to 48 hours before applying stain. During this drying period, you may mask your baseboards off.
Step 2-Mask Off and Protect
Run a strip of masking tape along the bottom of your baseboard where it meets your flooring all the way around the perimeter of your room Try not to completely stick the top edge of your tape down. Now, you will run a single strip of masking paper around your room. Just slide your masking paper behind your tape and then press it down firmly. This is why you want to keep the top edge of your tape loose. Now, use a small piece of tape and tag it up to the wall so it doesn't fall. Do your best to go sparingly when sticking tape to your wall as to not damage your wall paint.
Step 3-Apply Stain
To apply your stain, begin in the farthest corner and work your way to the exit. Work in 4 X 4 sections. Shake your can of stain well and open it. Apply it with your china bristle paint brush beginning along the edge, first making sure you apply going with the grain pattern of the wood. Then, using a rag, wipe any excess stain off until color looks uniform. Continue working in sections until your entire floor is stained. Allow your floor to dry the amount of time according to manufacturers label instructions.
The next step will be to sand your floor to prepare to apply a finish.
Staining laminate flooring seems like a such a big task to tackle, but anyone can do it. It doesn't require special skills to be able to do it. Just a few short and easy steps is all it takes to know how to stain a laminate floor yourself.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Recipe for Removing Water Stains and Marks from furniture:
Olive Oil
Table Salt
- Mix the olive oil and the salt in a bowl to make a thick paste.
- The salt draws out the moisture, and the olive oil feeds the wood. And it is magical.
- Then, simply rub the paste onto the damaged area. I made mine pretty thick, and just sat it on the areas where I had damage. Leave sit for approximately :30 minutes, and wipe all excess paste off of furniture.
All of the stains will magically be gone!
Monday, July 4, 2016
Saturday, June 18, 2016
New Ideas
I did a scale model of the lounge/dining area of the Cabin and the furniture that I have purchased and I have decided to review the layout of the furniture.
So I decided that the long 1.5 m side table that I had refurbished is too long and decided to search for something different. I found a Display cabinet on Gumtree (this is a "Free Local Classifieds Ads from all over Australia, Buy and Sell in your local area") On the ad it was called a Buffet. Besides, being a great price, as many others that looked decent were well over $100, this was only $30, this 'buffet' was a much better size. Yippee! The width of the buffet is 106cm with a depth of 42cm.
I am going to most likely paint the cabinet white with chalk paint and use it as a TV cabinet, I have a small 24" HD TV.
My sister suggested I keep the wood original as I do have a couple of older pieces in a very dark wood. PS: I am not very good at guessing what kind of wood is used. I will also change the handles to make it more of the "Hampton look" style. ( I wonder what others think??)
The metal shelving I will use in the kitchen of the cabin.
It was easy to remove the metal shelving, which was a blessing for transporting the whole unit in my sister's SUV. It was very heavy.
Now it is taking up space in my living room (LOL until I can organize to transport it down the coast.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Bentwood Chairs - Up-cycled
My sister gave me 4 old Bentwood chairs, that she had purchased second hand but never got to use them. They had been sitting in her storage for a few years. 
I thought they would be great for my Cabin.
AND .. they look great with my Up-cycled $10 (Op shop purchased) TableTuesday, April 12, 2016
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Getting the "Shaker" Style
I am looking at different 'styles' that I am considering to introduce into my Cabin. - I really should be looking to give the Cabin a 'Name" - eventually LOL
This one is the Shaker's look:
Get the look
• Colour palette - keep the walls neutral. Bare white plaster is best if your walls are good enough. Stick to the Shaker colour palette: red, light and dark blue, warm yellow, and a blue-green.
The Shakers used natural plant dyes and clays to make their paints and dye their fabrics. The paint should be matte rather than gloss and, for real authenticity, use casein or milk paints; some of them are still being made from the original recipes.
• Furniture - is key to the look. Cherry wood and maple were the most used woods. Choose simple shapes such as ladder back chairs with woven-tape seats in one of the colours of the palette. Use a simple trestle table for dining. Sofas and padded seats were comforts the Shakers did without.
However, as not many of us are prepared to live so austerely, cover your sofa with a fabric in keeping with the colour scheme.
• Storage - everything should have its place. A typical look is peg rails hung all round the room at head height. The Shakers hung chairs off these, as well as mirrors and tools - basically, anything that could go up, went up. This kept the rooms neat and tidy plus it was easy to sweep underneath.
• Wardrobes - wardrobes and chests of drawers can take up whole walls. All the handles should line up.
• Fabrics - choose natural fabrics such as wool, cotton and silk. The Shakers made their own. A discreet check or denim is also suitable and gingham can be used for curtains.
• Flooring - the floor should be bare boards but can be varnished.
• Woodwork - this should be left plain or given an orange stain with varnish.
• Lighting - look for plain candlesticks and sconces, particularly in tin.
• Boxes - oval-shaped boxes in three different sizes, with a beautiful swallowtail and copper pin construction, are one of the quintessential Shaker looks.
• Have a clear out - the Shakers didn't believe in clutter or unnecessary objects. However, small details such as beeswax candles, lavender sachets and wooden toys can add to the overall look.
This one is the Shaker's look:
Get the look
• Colour palette - keep the walls neutral. Bare white plaster is best if your walls are good enough. Stick to the Shaker colour palette: red, light and dark blue, warm yellow, and a blue-green.
The Shakers used natural plant dyes and clays to make their paints and dye their fabrics. The paint should be matte rather than gloss and, for real authenticity, use casein or milk paints; some of them are still being made from the original recipes.
• Furniture - is key to the look. Cherry wood and maple were the most used woods. Choose simple shapes such as ladder back chairs with woven-tape seats in one of the colours of the palette. Use a simple trestle table for dining. Sofas and padded seats were comforts the Shakers did without.
However, as not many of us are prepared to live so austerely, cover your sofa with a fabric in keeping with the colour scheme.
• Storage - everything should have its place. A typical look is peg rails hung all round the room at head height. The Shakers hung chairs off these, as well as mirrors and tools - basically, anything that could go up, went up. This kept the rooms neat and tidy plus it was easy to sweep underneath.
• Wardrobes - wardrobes and chests of drawers can take up whole walls. All the handles should line up.
• Fabrics - choose natural fabrics such as wool, cotton and silk. The Shakers made their own. A discreet check or denim is also suitable and gingham can be used for curtains.
• Flooring - the floor should be bare boards but can be varnished.
• Woodwork - this should be left plain or given an orange stain with varnish.
• Lighting - look for plain candlesticks and sconces, particularly in tin.
• Boxes - oval-shaped boxes in three different sizes, with a beautiful swallowtail and copper pin construction, are one of the quintessential Shaker looks.
• Have a clear out - the Shakers didn't believe in clutter or unnecessary objects. However, small details such as beeswax candles, lavender sachets and wooden toys can add to the overall look.
Getting the "Hampton" Sytle
Decorating your home to incorporate classic 'Hamptons Beach' style is easier than you think - and can also be kind on your wallet! This classic decorating style never goes out of fashion. If you invest in a few key pieces of furniture in neutral shades, you can change up your look through the seasons with current accessories.
Hamptons Beach style comes from the Hamptons region of Long Island in New York - a popular destination among the affluent. It embodies the best of classic decorating with rustic influences.
Think of the gorgeous home featured in the film 'Somethings Gotta Give' with Diane Keaton. If you haven't seen this film I highly recommend it (for the house alone!)
If you are wanting to inject some of this classic decorating style into your home, we have some easy tips that you can follow...
Use Light Colors
If you're looking for a classic Hamptons beach style feel, start with color. The idea is to keep things light, breezy and natural. Choose rustic wood flooring that has a sun-bleached look. Stick with white or neutral colored walls. Linen upholstery looks natural and casual, perfect for relaxing after a day in the sun. If you like the look of wicker, choose high-end pieces that don't feel cheap and tacky - white wicker looks especially chic in Hamptons Beach inspired homes.
Create a Style Balance
Interior designer, John Barman, suggests balancing contemporary styles with rustic touches like barn wood elements, original hardware and bead board walls. Using all rustic elements would make the space seem dated and overwhelmingly antique. If all contemporary touches were used, the house wouldn't feel like it was at the beach. Combining these styles is what makes everything come together. It is all about achieving that ideal mix of clean and contemporary pieces with rustic, imperfect touches.
Get Creative with Vintage Finds
Furniture that is interesting and unique doesn't need to cost a fortune! Become an expert at scouring local garage sales, discount furniture stores and local charity shops for distinctive pieces that embody the style you are after. Often these pieces are still in fairly good condition - all that you need to do is give the piece a little TLC to bring it back to life. Sand back your piece, re-paint it in a gorgeous white or duck egg blue and change fixtures such as handles by sourcing these from your local hardware store such as Bunnings. Schots Home Emporium has great antique inspired fixtures also! Thinking about re-upholstering those dining room chairs?
DIY the job and save by getting a staple gun, some quality linen at your nearest Spotlight or Lincraft store in a French toil pattern or beach stripe pattern and fix the material to your dining room chairs for a quick and pocket friendly boost to your room!
Incorporate Natural Elements
Bring the outdoors inside by including plenty of living things into the décor of your home. The most important and easiest way to do this is by using plants and shells for decorating. Inexpensive and always beautiful, live plants mimic the lush plant life of the beach and add some color to the décor. Live plants also purify the air, making your home fresher. Items like driftwood, seashells and sun-bleached sand dollars are great ways to incorporate elements of nature. Display them in clear glass jars and as table centerpieces.
Natural Light
Light is one of the greatest decorating elements available. Huge windows that let sunlight wash into the rooms are a great investment. All the light colors can look drab without the sun illuminating them. Consider installing a skylight for more light exposure.
The above information was given the Blog "The Hampton House'"
Hamptons Beach style comes from the Hamptons region of Long Island in New York - a popular destination among the affluent. It embodies the best of classic decorating with rustic influences.
Think of the gorgeous home featured in the film 'Somethings Gotta Give' with Diane Keaton. If you haven't seen this film I highly recommend it (for the house alone!)
If you are wanting to inject some of this classic decorating style into your home, we have some easy tips that you can follow...
Use Light Colors
If you're looking for a classic Hamptons beach style feel, start with color. The idea is to keep things light, breezy and natural. Choose rustic wood flooring that has a sun-bleached look. Stick with white or neutral colored walls. Linen upholstery looks natural and casual, perfect for relaxing after a day in the sun. If you like the look of wicker, choose high-end pieces that don't feel cheap and tacky - white wicker looks especially chic in Hamptons Beach inspired homes.
Create a Style Balance
Interior designer, John Barman, suggests balancing contemporary styles with rustic touches like barn wood elements, original hardware and bead board walls. Using all rustic elements would make the space seem dated and overwhelmingly antique. If all contemporary touches were used, the house wouldn't feel like it was at the beach. Combining these styles is what makes everything come together. It is all about achieving that ideal mix of clean and contemporary pieces with rustic, imperfect touches.
Get Creative with Vintage Finds
Furniture that is interesting and unique doesn't need to cost a fortune! Become an expert at scouring local garage sales, discount furniture stores and local charity shops for distinctive pieces that embody the style you are after. Often these pieces are still in fairly good condition - all that you need to do is give the piece a little TLC to bring it back to life. Sand back your piece, re-paint it in a gorgeous white or duck egg blue and change fixtures such as handles by sourcing these from your local hardware store such as Bunnings. Schots Home Emporium has great antique inspired fixtures also! Thinking about re-upholstering those dining room chairs?
DIY the job and save by getting a staple gun, some quality linen at your nearest Spotlight or Lincraft store in a French toil pattern or beach stripe pattern and fix the material to your dining room chairs for a quick and pocket friendly boost to your room!
Incorporate Natural Elements
Bring the outdoors inside by including plenty of living things into the décor of your home. The most important and easiest way to do this is by using plants and shells for decorating. Inexpensive and always beautiful, live plants mimic the lush plant life of the beach and add some color to the décor. Live plants also purify the air, making your home fresher. Items like driftwood, seashells and sun-bleached sand dollars are great ways to incorporate elements of nature. Display them in clear glass jars and as table centerpieces.
Natural Light
Light is one of the greatest decorating elements available. Huge windows that let sunlight wash into the rooms are a great investment. All the light colors can look drab without the sun illuminating them. Consider installing a skylight for more light exposure.
The above information was given the Blog "The Hampton House'"
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
The Cabin
After looking for about 4 months I finally found a Cabin down the Eurobodalla, South Coast region of NSW, Batemans Bay area. I am TOTALLY interested in. I found it on Gumtree. My sister was already visiting the South Coast, she had a look at cabin saving me the 1 and half hours drive to the coast.
I contacted the owners, a young couple, who said they with two young children thought it was too far for them to travel as they lived in Cooma (about 4 hrs drive).
Today, Tuesday, August 18, 2015 I and my sister went and had a look. Spoke to the Manager, Sally, of the Park who came and showed us the inside.
It is a Fixer Upper, AND it is the biggest van/cabin in the Holiday Park. :)
The cabin is 26 foot (8 m) long and and 18 foot (5.5 m) wide, with a enclosed veranda measuring 18 foot long by 8 foot deep (I gotta check on the exact width measurements)
The Holiday Park is 'nice' it doesn't have a swimming pool, which is okay as the cabin is only about 50 foot away from the cabin front door. The Park is gated, well groomed, cut lawns everyone seems to be clean and tidy. The park also has amenities with washing machines and showers and toilets for Park users. It even has quite a few clothes lines. And it is very quiet.. Great!
I had looked at many many Holiday parks in the area, this one would fall in the upper average level. The Cabin is a good price, something I can afford as I also needed extra $$ so I can fix it up.
Next was to organise my money and start dreaming LOL
I contacted the owners, a young couple, who said they with two young children thought it was too far for them to travel as they lived in Cooma (about 4 hrs drive).
Today, Tuesday, August 18, 2015 I and my sister went and had a look. Spoke to the Manager, Sally, of the Park who came and showed us the inside.
It is a Fixer Upper, AND it is the biggest van/cabin in the Holiday Park. :)
The cabin is 26 foot (8 m) long and and 18 foot (5.5 m) wide, with a enclosed veranda measuring 18 foot long by 8 foot deep (I gotta check on the exact width measurements)
The Holiday Park is 'nice' it doesn't have a swimming pool, which is okay as the cabin is only about 50 foot away from the cabin front door. The Park is gated, well groomed, cut lawns everyone seems to be clean and tidy. The park also has amenities with washing machines and showers and toilets for Park users. It even has quite a few clothes lines. And it is very quiet.. Great!
I had looked at many many Holiday parks in the area, this one would fall in the upper average level. The Cabin is a good price, something I can afford as I also needed extra $$ so I can fix it up.
Next was to organise my money and start dreaming LOL
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