Can I do it? My biggest challenge yet!

<div><br /></div><div>So, my dilemma is this - can I take a tired, outdated relic, albeit with good bones and great location, and inject at least a few of my favourite style elements? Or is it just too hard? I think I can, but you know, those doubting Thomases' are sometimes hard to ignore. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>Ok, here's a bit of background info. I live in a dark brick, 70's/80's style home, but what I <i>really</i> want is this:</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierM6zfX9fb-FDsjhyBHBrtxTgH3E8SPfYg_UVzq9xMtcf8dWYdlxuy6MhmHUqIEuZ2GLv8-80LT-ZrvSlyGyO3ivreOzw13lSwoLdj5yNoKpkb05lYf5tFGebO698DJTcaRNE51hHUVs/s1600/arsl01_rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierM6zfX9fb-FDsjhyBHBrtxTgH3E8SPfYg_UVzq9xMtcf8dWYdlxuy6MhmHUqIEuZ2GLv8-80LT-ZrvSlyGyO3ivreOzw13lSwoLdj5yNoKpkb05lYf5tFGebO698DJTcaRNE51hHUVs/s640/arsl01_rose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULMpeTxSPZcKdw0kXN9iadR9i25GLwLxkp1355P3s1oXHSDl-sWR4im7oJJSKH2HnyFJKzgDyWDEqEWLvjD6JfBv4w66M67pZ2BWmYe1aO7wWXVsTk-Y0SdFpoZsNfi9tcoO-qZU5lOA/s1600/106126285al1263605819+18+delecta+ave+clareville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULMpeTxSPZcKdw0kXN9iadR9i25GLwLxkp1355P3s1oXHSDl-sWR4im7oJJSKH2HnyFJKzgDyWDEqEWLvjD6JfBv4w66M67pZ2BWmYe1aO7wWXVsTk-Y0SdFpoZsNfi9tcoO-qZU5lOA/s640/106126285al1263605819+18+delecta+ave+clareville.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf7WYoXHUSMZQHav9oKbSH_NcF4AgWsaN5zAdBU3K0uVyvwphlDUfVjsO3osiqnDlJacklN6HXfShY4K0CNU5B7hkbyw2nHhRL5umsCXw4H2KxV5XTrlp0pW-R3Ath4oI4lf0aaR5nxg/s1600/bellevue+st+avalon3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf7WYoXHUSMZQHav9oKbSH_NcF4AgWsaN5zAdBU3K0uVyvwphlDUfVjsO3osiqnDlJacklN6HXfShY4K0CNU5B7hkbyw2nHhRL5umsCXw4H2KxV5XTrlp0pW-R3Ath4oI4lf0aaR5nxg/s640/bellevue+st+avalon3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJcSn4erw5V0I69mkog8G-TQeIcgg18xwWwIHODKry_IUJbz5KacDuu6YaTjflabYrjUw7Te81nFEZCPTwfJPIDdbj3x4rrl3IwiitW366WhbB40C9IZK8q-NzyQrX__DTqCOfSuzyjM/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJcSn4erw5V0I69mkog8G-TQeIcgg18xwWwIHODKry_IUJbz5KacDuu6YaTjflabYrjUw7Te81nFEZCPTwfJPIDdbj3x4rrl3IwiitW366WhbB40C9IZK8q-NzyQrX__DTqCOfSuzyjM/s400/Picture+1.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDaJUdjTytsXt1ISQOchpmSkUZiZxJQ6ZU3d5QPtTQy3ASyigk2Tz7iueSbptTift-RXsIjAGaKPmPJzRpJHzcxydhbSel8qmC44O6lXaaTn0-xVKmBj_GVe2zW8kE0Y6sA2m3dwtw4A/s1600/southern+living.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDaJUdjTytsXt1ISQOchpmSkUZiZxJQ6ZU3d5QPtTQy3ASyigk2Tz7iueSbptTift-RXsIjAGaKPmPJzRpJHzcxydhbSel8qmC44O6lXaaTn0-xVKmBj_GVe2zW8kE0Y6sA2m3dwtw4A/s400/southern+living.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOzZ06DzkKhFTw-qFNwhcvZVfQpoLQfKsW_yKONenoHU1hrJJex_YSijsTJac46pV7jv-VqS6rtjKWtdq85-i0H3kKlHkRNpXR2vyBmnXVj4jZnFPg33hh1HtVYegeQ7xRCADSp4NEWY/s1600/12+currawong+ave+palm+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOzZ06DzkKhFTw-qFNwhcvZVfQpoLQfKsW_yKONenoHU1hrJJex_YSijsTJac46pV7jv-VqS6rtjKWtdq85-i0H3kKlHkRNpXR2vyBmnXVj4jZnFPg33hh1HtVYegeQ7xRCADSp4NEWY/s640/12+currawong+ave+palm+beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />And I have to say, it doesn't help when I'm surrounded by super-stylish examples of my blog friends' gorgeous homes, that, of course, are in exactly the style I love:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdtejINL0OU9yutwNe9EYYnqySv7eMoOlynIOnQNRaTvic61l4iLihBZx-64YDXEQFDL7WkBWBWrxw9TGvSBWKjVuDv9uaKPzH76TF43bkp2BMmqhP5urRW4QqYPR3tBlyc-zNQoPR6Q/s1600/106166266jl1258953587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdtejINL0OU9yutwNe9EYYnqySv7eMoOlynIOnQNRaTvic61l4iLihBZx-64YDXEQFDL7WkBWBWrxw9TGvSBWKjVuDv9uaKPzH76TF43bkp2BMmqhP5urRW4QqYPR3tBlyc-zNQoPR6Q/s640/106166266jl1258953587.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beach-chic perfection - handiwork of the gorgeous Judy of <a href="http://verandahhouse.blogspot.com/">Verandah House</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9w3iJafHAdmR21wwfJhkef4eFRMKhuq0CsUPysVLKHHYnSRdmrfLqYOLTGBUr9nUFgK1NIaSi3fif8akgfMSimzU_k1Z827KstMI51r73GBs9Uq82Cq-CMshcX5wWky8pxzsw3SxxEw/s1600/2008275255_2_FS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9w3iJafHAdmR21wwfJhkef4eFRMKhuq0CsUPysVLKHHYnSRdmrfLqYOLTGBUr9nUFgK1NIaSi3fif8akgfMSimzU_k1Z827KstMI51r73GBs9Uq82Cq-CMshcX5wWky8pxzsw3SxxEw/s640/2008275255_2_FS.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">of course, many of you will already be familiar with the lovely <a href="http://thehousethata-mbuilt.blogspot.com/">A-M's</a> home - need I say more?</div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpAf92XFEs_AGUsgAD9fUC0B3VLjEkrI7w6IgNd6banc1U1kPnmnxIslt4lShUL1hntc91BVmjMhrvvv4SXqYjsBcPIJbopVt1VXTJb9ekXfB0OFNJQCjgvBrZG6q7lxjGi-0q02o6Ek/s1600/gumdale+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpAf92XFEs_AGUsgAD9fUC0B3VLjEkrI7w6IgNd6banc1U1kPnmnxIslt4lShUL1hntc91BVmjMhrvvv4SXqYjsBcPIJbopVt1VXTJb9ekXfB0OFNJQCjgvBrZG6q7lxjGi-0q02o6Ek/s640/gumdale+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">...and oh my, <a href="http://mylife-myloves.blogspot.com/">Sharnel's</a> home is as gorgeous as she is!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div><div>I've had so many people tell me to knock it down and start again, but in this financial climate it seems so wasteful and irresponsible to demolish a perfectly good home in the pursuit of the right 'look'. Now don't get me wrong, many of the above examples are far beyond what I have in mind for my home, but you get the idea. My brilliant solution (to my mind anyway) of covering our ugly brick with weatherboard is met with howls of protest and scorn from every male I've been foolish enough to mention it to. Is it really that silly an idea? I can't see the problem, and I don't believe that rendering is the only remedy. I think a combination of render and weatherboard could look great, but as it's a little out of the box, I'm finding it hard to garner much support.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>So it's over to you, my stylin' friends - what do you think? Could it work? Do you have any other ideas for me - if so, I'm all ears. And I'm going to print out all your fabulous ideas and brandish them as proof, whenever I'm met with resistance. </div><div><br /></div><div>You know, I'm almost tempted to give it a go myself on my art studio........I'm sure my husband has another work trip organised in just a few weeks......!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a great day everyone,</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Can I do it? My biggest challenge yet!

So, my dilemma is this - can I take a tired, outdated relic, albeit with good bones and great location, and inject at least a few of my favo...

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In the picture

I was having a little look through <a href="http://wisteria.com/">Wisteria's</a> latest catalogue last night, and as always there were so many gorgeous things to see. Btw, if any of the good people of Wisteria are reading this post (which I'm sure they are!) I'd like to suggest that Australia would be the perfect place for your new store :) Anyhoo, amongst the many lovely things to see, I came across this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnTgMJv2MiZeqg18fC3U30mYZ_n9l9b-OoiNM-OGaud48Orv954FRt3_YYNnB8G5X9efGO6ud0K9P2-C0ZV0Vns0HcmCrml4JVYiOA6KcgYO6upFXeTQ4s4zhmXseaUWiXLrnbtoiykY/s1600/wisteria+picure+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnTgMJv2MiZeqg18fC3U30mYZ_n9l9b-OoiNM-OGaud48Orv954FRt3_YYNnB8G5X9efGO6ud0K9P2-C0ZV0Vns0HcmCrml4JVYiOA6KcgYO6upFXeTQ4s4zhmXseaUWiXLrnbtoiykY/s640/wisteria+picure+wall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some lovely blue and white paintings that look rather similar to these, that just <b><i>happen</i></b> to be available in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/driftwoodinteriors">Etsy shop</a>:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyRdNDFtFC5SBSThNzrB6AMiXYUqdv15OB6LvSwizS9EoayOOR7SU-uw10BtHSerdEgO0D0vFNZtWUb3t10DmJDGcmjZ6VY0SSVQg7aZli_e_-kDr99uAjwKuRQIPnnSDRv4hfwGItZc/s1600/ming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyRdNDFtFC5SBSThNzrB6AMiXYUqdv15OB6LvSwizS9EoayOOR7SU-uw10BtHSerdEgO0D0vFNZtWUb3t10DmJDGcmjZ6VY0SSVQg7aZli_e_-kDr99uAjwKuRQIPnnSDRv4hfwGItZc/s640/ming.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/originalartbykerrishipp">'Dynasty in Ming'</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF7-tqwL57XDeJtkTTGbMSiZuybbk-IVzUDvcK1WAbhwXDCjJe2ihGzJH1Orc-DrcQ8dvgAqFPoYUXxiNDO5AMydXSgkUB8Hhu9kmgDy3ZL3U3BaDToZkZh_YzLEJX2zSoYR0dRoLM3w/s1600/ginger+jar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF7-tqwL57XDeJtkTTGbMSiZuybbk-IVzUDvcK1WAbhwXDCjJe2ihGzJH1Orc-DrcQ8dvgAqFPoYUXxiNDO5AMydXSgkUB8Hhu9kmgDy3ZL3U3BaDToZkZh_YzLEJX2zSoYR0dRoLM3w/s640/ginger+jar2.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59639173/new-original-painting-ginger-jar-in">'Ginger Jar in Indigo'</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now you've indulged my little bit of shameless self-promotion ;) there is another reason for my post. I'm looking for some lovely, unique frames to pair with my new paintings. I quite like the idea of some sort of chinoiserie frame, but they seem to be few and far between. Any thoughts or suggestions? If you know of any that might suit, I'd love to hear from you. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ok, back to some more pretty pics courtesy of <a href="http://wisteria.com/">Wisteria</a>:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5292tDgyOHn41zpnhYg8a5lSW0ILjf_6C1cC1YJRbW2wB-f_jpkRRBYoCnrgDZv3d66hnPAGMfJGoQrdX9-0_rbt4eGU37fhxgdyLZT1xAsgu-bzIf2rAgVOzOGsveBgQdY1a7-myeHE/s1600/wisteria7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5292tDgyOHn41zpnhYg8a5lSW0ILjf_6C1cC1YJRbW2wB-f_jpkRRBYoCnrgDZv3d66hnPAGMfJGoQrdX9-0_rbt4eGU37fhxgdyLZT1xAsgu-bzIf2rAgVOzOGsveBgQdY1a7-myeHE/s640/wisteria7.png" width="630" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAe8T87xgyENMtCfK0XuFneYrYUKouHanvLDXADom3AwIAuARi2mMKDvHN4up2t-6GZz8chSl8Y5KxW09ZrQGQJB8yNTA3laqKM-bsydR28ryHJEVEeKsf4ruqWnLEBI-clBOIAE_mRkU/s1600/wisteria6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAe8T87xgyENMtCfK0XuFneYrYUKouHanvLDXADom3AwIAuARi2mMKDvHN4up2t-6GZz8chSl8Y5KxW09ZrQGQJB8yNTA3laqKM-bsydR28ryHJEVEeKsf4ruqWnLEBI-clBOIAE_mRkU/s640/wisteria6.png" width="616" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8Dj-_7N9xhT5RF6b3Ai1eZ4tlSHs0Xh8KOpl1FxyjH2T5NozXSHvF8um2srKe72EOskifLUuOfy-6X_X-BwguEAKFtXRaBku6WqOPUuQTy6VzJjWPn7r3_Rif8xFIEH4bahbnBRV8B4/s1600/wisteria+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8Dj-_7N9xhT5RF6b3Ai1eZ4tlSHs0Xh8KOpl1FxyjH2T5NozXSHvF8um2srKe72EOskifLUuOfy-6X_X-BwguEAKFtXRaBku6WqOPUuQTy6VzJjWPn7r3_Rif8xFIEH4bahbnBRV8B4/s640/wisteria+5.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPDRSslbEQkH4fCZKjLcVHgMw4tyLWZkvTXMWHCksE0_EMPPDOFY5ZUUV1LZ3ChVbYjUhg1pvvTmedr6nUFPUGZmACy1RJhYKTPrSbGAWlNqv3vmov09oegtlyXqIvz3mkuBeReeJtWE/s1600/wisteria+blue+and+white4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPDRSslbEQkH4fCZKjLcVHgMw4tyLWZkvTXMWHCksE0_EMPPDOFY5ZUUV1LZ3ChVbYjUhg1pvvTmedr6nUFPUGZmACy1RJhYKTPrSbGAWlNqv3vmov09oegtlyXqIvz3mkuBeReeJtWE/s640/wisteria+blue+and+white4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeACSMYhStpFQaj22QdnupaKAIG3nDu2nHVPVG4r6j2VhyphenhyphenwU6b5Tod9i8qKVTqNQLVqngCK4iDfKZHYuQmIuqg0TbqDrjpwKpAEbuDHU1ERgt8TrSY8AnOo9nveHxmbP3PRL3YQro8OY/s1600/wisteria+blue+and+white1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeACSMYhStpFQaj22QdnupaKAIG3nDu2nHVPVG4r6j2VhyphenhyphenwU6b5Tod9i8qKVTqNQLVqngCK4iDfKZHYuQmIuqg0TbqDrjpwKpAEbuDHU1ERgt8TrSY8AnOo9nveHxmbP3PRL3YQro8OY/s640/wisteria+blue+and+white1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Seriously Wisteria, we need you here. Stat.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>

In the picture

I was having a little look through Wisteria's latest catalogue last night, and as always there were so many gorgeous things to see. Btw...

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In my studio this morning

As it's such a glorious day here in Brissie, I thought I might take you on a little tour of my <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/2010/03/black-white-just-right.html">studio</a>. It's where I spend a good part of each day, and it's where I blog, paint, relax, and sometimes escape to. Come on in!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78vyq_k6OdfeBEu_IMJu5kVxSVq9JZUUhOr23MsbxLSvD26JH94U7qI1TCb1PdZWq-T-PrNiKNxyI2mUk_dzhgBtyq_qFPeNOoGdBUl7DYQS2nUKjfsT3mjMyuWYV6fOwBvPdvEeeobU/s1600/mystudio9resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78vyq_k6OdfeBEu_IMJu5kVxSVq9JZUUhOr23MsbxLSvD26JH94U7qI1TCb1PdZWq-T-PrNiKNxyI2mUk_dzhgBtyq_qFPeNOoGdBUl7DYQS2nUKjfsT3mjMyuWYV6fOwBvPdvEeeobU/s640/mystudio9resize.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>  <br />I've got a little sitting area in here, where I can arrange works in progress on the wall, play around with colour schemes and textures, and arrange vignettes to my heart's content. It's also a nice, sunny space to relax with a magazine or two, and my family often come for a chat while I paint. Btw, I've shared some rather tragic before pics <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/2010/03/studio-style.html">here</a> if you're interested in all the gory details!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5KAaAUxFBIToxtWQw8k1XbYe2wz-wteNS1FyznzxJRPd4ZlHtclPOSTvHPvHsg3CzhE1xEBPnRtFD7qxJtKr0M5eQKUC39dbHQpEwiU61-0MUoAIUyXIhrejLYK463e_zaCsziog3hg/s1600/mystudio10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5KAaAUxFBIToxtWQw8k1XbYe2wz-wteNS1FyznzxJRPd4ZlHtclPOSTvHPvHsg3CzhE1xEBPnRtFD7qxJtKr0M5eQKUC39dbHQpEwiU61-0MUoAIUyXIhrejLYK463e_zaCsziog3hg/s640/mystudio10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>See that little snippet of pretty white overmantle mirror? I blogged about it <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/2010/03/decorating-dilemma.html">here</a>, and as you can see, I couldn't part with it! It will be going on the wall eventually, I just need to decide where.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8fFiR9h7zERth6IXmBapAurydzKlpRsoXT0c9CSyb8pgRIML2jYu7QYi0n9DnVj4ArNyJqqEwCXsK2KDofw0To1_5ZDnRxELPKjG_1mxm-Kew1omt3VkeGOkrqkI1MUFVVNq6pBPJsc/s1600/mystudio1resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8fFiR9h7zERth6IXmBapAurydzKlpRsoXT0c9CSyb8pgRIML2jYu7QYi0n9DnVj4ArNyJqqEwCXsK2KDofw0To1_5ZDnRxELPKjG_1mxm-Kew1omt3VkeGOkrqkI1MUFVVNq6pBPJsc/s640/mystudio1resize.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />In the opposite corner, are my large canvases. I have lots of works in progress, completed paintings, fresh canvases, my experiments (of which there are many!) and lots of different bits and pieces. There's also a newly-commissioned painting similar to <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/2010/03/big-revealpart-1.html">this one</a>, in its inital stages. <br />  <br />  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSz7H-_JtsQVmSJLXJU0J0LeUNtvzyuVYBGUtQYI3eAblCdFhZvJFCtmy0YjcyoDs2-lAXU6vyi1H8QnpmoSzKUw_qE9AZ6ibnQEe-IlWboh9mrYjaI4F2Wo9NMd71OF8YihFJo5Z4FcY/s1600/mystudio2resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSz7H-_JtsQVmSJLXJU0J0LeUNtvzyuVYBGUtQYI3eAblCdFhZvJFCtmy0YjcyoDs2-lAXU6vyi1H8QnpmoSzKUw_qE9AZ6ibnQEe-IlWboh9mrYjaI4F2Wo9NMd71OF8YihFJo5Z4FcY/s640/mystudio2resize.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Whe I first started Driftwood Interiors, my gorgeous friend Suzi gave me this. Isn't it stunning? I absolutely love it, and it takes pride of place in this room, as a reminder of great friends and the wonderful support they've given me.<br />  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqMTwwyl4vpghFjdH6A0zuLLgNJS8wiBZBdeBwRliJkGfJW30K3HoSRhvTo96EoRZnNSVoUUW89Llff5THGprhQzuuekpJkDEn2RtzThaw1yeAjhPhcQmzjHiXMI-GM8rK2y3lu2oZlQ/s1600/mystudio5resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqMTwwyl4vpghFjdH6A0zuLLgNJS8wiBZBdeBwRliJkGfJW30K3HoSRhvTo96EoRZnNSVoUUW89Llff5THGprhQzuuekpJkDEn2RtzThaw1yeAjhPhcQmzjHiXMI-GM8rK2y3lu2oZlQ/s640/mystudio5resize.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />These are a few of my tools of trade, and at the moment, I'm loving this Windsor and Newton travel set, which I've been using to paint some of my <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/2010/10/chinoiserie-watercolours-and-huge-thank.html">watercolours</a>. And as you can see, my trusty water tub has been well-used over the years!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ee2Si4Iy91zylCKHF1M70W8XxyOb45XYsWej7CkmzJMKUXlXtim0yQ_uIU1Cc-6C8PrtXGzTzxsSeb5vMcJfiev4gd5HQs7BrHucBw_iCB-RKOCn0Qt_BgpQ3ddGrcB-_JQDbSFeEzU/s1600/mystudio4resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ee2Si4Iy91zylCKHF1M70W8XxyOb45XYsWej7CkmzJMKUXlXtim0yQ_uIU1Cc-6C8PrtXGzTzxsSeb5vMcJfiev4gd5HQs7BrHucBw_iCB-RKOCn0Qt_BgpQ3ddGrcB-_JQDbSFeEzU/s640/mystudio4resize.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Under the pretty white cover in the previous photo, is this. When I'm painting, I like to cover my tabletop with heavy cotton duck, and use it as a drop sheet/doodle pad/colour sampler etc. A friend of mine suggested cutting it and framing it as well, as an abstract!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKfO8TBHFVjeGBzjNZKjVajQaSoSelknH0iJ0f0C-qUdGr9x8qlYDEia1viwSDLtjzO1d0Lp0SbreNt_9zdx4Dx-sCkRLsAnz6mj0Plzabd6SbWKosHxtilayUuN8N_T3rqkJmZlT5ig/s1600/mystudio6resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKfO8TBHFVjeGBzjNZKjVajQaSoSelknH0iJ0f0C-qUdGr9x8qlYDEia1viwSDLtjzO1d0Lp0SbreNt_9zdx4Dx-sCkRLsAnz6mj0Plzabd6SbWKosHxtilayUuN8N_T3rqkJmZlT5ig/s640/mystudio6resize.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've popped a couple of my Sea Fan paintings in simple white frames, and hung them on the wall. I'm also using some different frames and styles, and will post pics as soon as they're finished. It helps me to look at the big picture (pardon the pun!) and how they'll appear in situ.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwz-2WSFO68gdX9lZ7TNufR7lxbKJ4dyFSGjejTm-o5Mn0_TW5GMc_TVjcjOumd7f8TycsSFwof1kidp91hZ8-Tdc0jyRUqS6nIcXavaC780cZJQD-9stByCVTtRHDR6nVXo2PvJ0IIY/s1600/mystudio3resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwz-2WSFO68gdX9lZ7TNufR7lxbKJ4dyFSGjejTm-o5Mn0_TW5GMc_TVjcjOumd7f8TycsSFwof1kidp91hZ8-Tdc0jyRUqS6nIcXavaC780cZJQD-9stByCVTtRHDR6nVXo2PvJ0IIY/s640/mystudio3resize.jpg" width="443" /></a></div><br />My <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/2010/04/ta-da.html">rattan settee</a>, which I gave a fresh coat of white paint (you can see the before here) is still with me too! My client went with an old silky oak day bed instead, so I happily kept it here. It's still not finished, as I haven't recovered the seat cushion, but for now it's covered in some summery Ralph Lauren loveliness.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrEqR_vCkG6Whyphenhyphenm45mUI5NvCXhXdEH4Yiq6uP1Ox1KqhgTxdkaKC7Cwy4l3qc63ePaumr1a1Ql5w7OYzKvqmvxawGZFrNEIoNSL88czuST-iNd4eHze8Wik4mRqB0JWwSuQYgBkwgfS4/s1600/mystudio7resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrEqR_vCkG6Whyphenhyphenm45mUI5NvCXhXdEH4Yiq6uP1Ox1KqhgTxdkaKC7Cwy4l3qc63ePaumr1a1Ql5w7OYzKvqmvxawGZFrNEIoNSL88czuST-iNd4eHze8Wik4mRqB0JWwSuQYgBkwgfS4/s1600/mystudio7resize.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Well that's about it - I hope you enjoyed the tour of my studio. As it's getting a little bit of a makeover shortly, with new storage and a few little extras, I'll keep you up to date with the progress as it evolves.<br /><br />I must apologise for being a little awol on the blog scene lately. It's been so crazy around here at the moment, with so many painting orders to fill (thanks so much everyone, your support has been amazing!) and the ongoing design projects I'm already working on, that I've been so slack with commenting on all of your wonderful blogs. I <i><b>have</b></i> been visiting you all, but haven't had the time to comment, but I'll make sure I do better, I promise. Don't want to be the recipient of the 'Bad Blogger Award' now, do I? <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

In my studio this morning

As it's such a glorious day here in Brissie, I thought I might take you on a little tour of my studio . It's where I spend a good pa...

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