My new house!

August 6, 2015 by Hayley 8 Comments

First of all, I’m sorry for the lack of blog posts in the last week. Moving has been hectic, and we don’t have internet until next week (hopefully), so I’m posting from my phone using all my data, eek!

Yippee!!!

We’re in our new house and I’m excited to share it all with you, but today I’m exhausted, did I mention that moving sucks, so please excuse the short post.

I’d love to show you the reason we bought the home.

Let me tell you – It wasn’t the beige on beige on beige interiors, it wasn’t the boring layout and it most definitely wasn’t the curb appeal. We bought the ugliest house in a great street, but just look at those magnificent views!

View from the back deck. — View from the back deck, looking right.

View from the pool house (I use that term very loosely).

And finally from the balcony (yes I have some work to do with that round pillar). — And finally from the balcony (yes I have some work to do with that round pillar and balustrading).

What do you think? What makes you sign on the dotted line when your buying a house? Is it the views? The layout? The style? or the area? I’d love to know how you make your house buying decisions.

Hayley x

Kitchen styles to ponder

July 27, 2015 by Hayley 4 Comments

Are you an ‘all white’ kitchen lover, or are you brave enough to choose a colour? Or maybe you prefer natural finishes like a blond wood or rich dark mahogany? Do you prefer granite, marble or a man made stone? What about hardware, brass, nickel, stainless steel, or something new and on trend like leather straps? Do you do pendant lights, a chandelier or down lights?

There are so many decisions to be made, and as much as that excites me, they are important decisions. I want my next kitchen to be classic, timeless and to last through the trends, but I also want it to be contemporary and interesting.

Here’s a few of my favourites that I find inspiring …..

I love the coffered ceiling in the rich timber that ties back with the island bench, and would you look at that light fixture!

Am I brave enough to choose a colour? I think it was smart having the kitchen primarily white and then using a colour just for the island bench. I am scared I would tire of the colour too quickly, but it sure does look fun!

Or do I go safe with all white? It doesn’t have to be boring, have a look at the beauty above with the beautiful grey subway and statement pendant light.

What do you think? What would you do? Do you have any advice for me? I’d love to hear it!

Hayley x

All things GREEN!

July 24, 2015 by Hayley Leave a Comment

Yes, I will always be a blue and white lover, but I am currently having a love affair with all things green.

It seems a few of you are loving green right now too. Lets have a look at some ways to add some green into your own home, and some items that are currently on my wish list!

Firstly, plants! I know I always go on about greenery, but I truly believe that every room should have some. It brings so much life into a room, go on … try it and see for yourself!

What about some cushions?

Green and Grey Geo on Linen | I Love Linen

Fans Emerald & In Bloom Emerald | Lee & Allan

Aren’t these cushions beautiful, and they mix so well with all shades of blue too. Perfect!

A lamp?

Small round bright green lamp by Peta Sweatman | Bowerbird Collections

A throw?

Mrs Darcy Throw - Amazon | Ada & Darcy — Mrs Darcy Throw – Amazon | Ada & Darcy

A Rug?

Caravan Stripe rug by Dash & Albert | Winton House

This rug is the perfect colour combo for me!

Art?

I am obsessed with this art by Kimmy Hogan, I will definitely need a few pieces in my new home.

Decor?

Hamptons Link Peony Vase | Jill Rosenwald

Yes, I own the JR vase, and it is one of my absolute favourite things in my home!

On my wish list!!!!!

Palm Tree tea light set | Milly & Eugene — Palm Tree tea light set | Milly and Eugene

Maybe if your really brave, you might paint an entire room green! Or how about wallpaper? I am hoping to use this one in my next home, I am going to make it work somewhere because I love it!

Rosey Posey Trellis in Green | Anna Spiro for Porters Paint

Have I inspired you to try a pop of green in your home? Do you already have some green in your home? I’d love to see! Tag #mumlittlelovesgreen on IG for me!

Happy Shopping!

Hayley x

Beds or Bedheads?

July 22, 2015 by Hayley 7 Comments

When Mel, one of my besties called me in a panic on a Sunday afternoon, I went hunting for a new bed ….. To cut a long story short, she has left her bed at her ‘old house’ while the house is on the market, they have moved into thier beautiful new home, but they are mostly without furniture, they are sleeping on a double mattress on the ground and their bodies don’t like it. Her hubby sent her out to buy a new bed (I know right, lucky girl) and she came home empty handed.

Hence, the phone call – “I need to ask you a very important question. Bed or Bedhead?”

I answered her with another question, I’m annoying like that – “Upholstered, timber, cane, rattan or metal?”

I am definitely not an expert in this area, but I have had a few types of beds and learnt a few things over the years.

I have learnt that putting an ensemble with wheels on hardwood floors is not a good idea, the bed constantly moves and you are forever retrieving pillows and remote controls from behind it.

I have learnt that an upholstered bedhead, although beautiful, is a nightmare to keep clean when you have 3 kids that insist on jumping into bed for morning cuddles with vegemite covered faces. Although I do love an upholstered bed, I will wait a few years until my kids are older.

I have learnt that I prefer a bed with a footer on it. It stops all the quilts and blankets from falling off the end of the bed, which really drives me mad.

There are so many great beds out there, but as a mum with kids I usually have to make some kind of compromise between functionality, aesthetics and budget. So here’s my theory on beds and bedheads for a family with kids – If you want something upholstered then choose a bedhead, it is easier to replace the fabric if you do get a bad stain that can’t be removed, or if you get tired of your fabric choice. If you want timber, cane, rattan or metal go for a bed frame, then you don’t have to worry about covering the ensemble base and your quilts will stay on the bed, instead of in a heap on the floor.

After much chitter chatter, Mel decided on a bed frame and her brief was for something white and clean, not rustic or shabby.

So let’s have a look at a couple of options that we both love.

MEL'S PICK - Cayman 4 poster | Xavier Furniture — MEL’S PICK – Cayman 4 poster | Xavier Furniture

Of course there are many exceptions to my ‘rules’, and each room and situation calls for a different solution. I always like to let the space talk to me, and consider how it will be used and who will use it before making any big furniture choices.

If you are an expert in this area and have some tips to share, please do, I’d love to hear them!

Hayley x

PS. Mel is also on IG, she has just started a new account with all her gorgeous home pics, you can find her at @fortheloveofmyhome

UPDATE : Mel chose the Windsor bed frame from Bed Shed, I look forward to sharing some pics with you when her Master bedroom is complete!

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