Come on a journey of inspiration & adventure while renovate & restore a beautiful Victorian home 'St Elmo' in the picturesque Hunter Valley, Australia & laugh at a few of our family adventures along the way.




Showing posts with label study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label study. Show all posts

Saturday, February 6, 2016

What happens when you over challenge yourself.


What happens when you over challenge yourself?
 Is that even a correct sentence, over challenge or over commit to challenges.
 Ha ha, great english Trish!!!





I have become a little obsessed with learning or bettering myself this year. I am participating in 5 daily photo challenges now plus one weekly to improve my technique & creative thinking in photography. They all have such different themes, its very inspiring but clearly addictive.
Some of my photos I use my DSLR & others my iPhone as I would like to take great photo's with each of them. I have been thinking I would like to try out some of the clip on lenses for iPhone photography. 
Have you used any?



I am also trying to learn how to edit using Lightroom & Photoshop, which has meant I can now take photos with my DSLR in RAW mode instead of a jpeg. This gives you a lot more detail in your pics but it also means you DO have to edit them.I am only doing the basics in Lightroom at this stage.
 This weeks focus will be creating design boards using Photoshop so I can do a really nice visual presentation for my clients & maybe one day I will be clever enough to do online design work for people, sounds exciting hey....watch this space.


I have had people approach me about doing interior design work with them even though I haven't finished my studies. Not one to refuse a challenge in 2016 I have jumped in feet first... Why not!
It is such a great way to learn & build a portfolio. They are well aware of my experience level. It's so nice to have people have so much faith in you.




The down side to all of this photography & interior design work is that I am not studying as much as I should, I am not keeping on top of my housework as much as I need to, so it resembles a bomb site most of the time, especially the kitchen.
 I need to train my minions better, messy little rascals!




My fitness and nutrition have also suffered, I think I am still in festive season mode in this area & its really showing around my waistline. Either that or as they say "gremlins have snuck into my closet & seen my clothes smaller." Eeeeekkkk!!!!




So what is the plan of attack I hear you say. A tried & true method used by highly organised people.
ROUTINE!!!!
Sounds simple doesn't it.....for me not so much. It is going to require some serious self discipline & a change in  my mentality when it comes to my children's mess.I have gotten into the habit of thinking it is easier to do it myself, but they are getting increasingly lazy & even messier of late.
I began making them clean up after themselves more this week & ensuring they actually do the chores assigned to them.
 It has decreased my work load but certainly upped the nagging factor, ha ha ha not to mention some teenage boy grumpiness.
I have set a post dinner study time so TV off, all technology that isn't involved in homework is off & doesn't come back on until all homework is complete & the kitchen is clean.We begin this torturous addition to our day on Monday, so if you hear on the news a mother in the Hunter Valley was murdered by her children you will know that it was me & my new routine hasn't been embraced.
I will keep you posted on how well, or if this works for us.
Exercise wise I am working towards getting up early again & going for a walk, it really is a great way to start the day. In the gym I will be picking a muscle group or two each day & doing  different exercises on each muscle group. If I can get in the gym for 20 minutes  most days & go for a 30 min walk of a morning I will soon get back that craving for exercising which also brings with it a taste for clean healthy food  & hopefully my clothes will be comfy again in no time....problem solved!

Wish me luck.

CHEERS
Trish xx


Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Calender Style


This is by far the most stylish chalkboard calender I have ever seen

Love Love Love it!!!!!


With a little patience I think this would be a doable DIY project!

CHEERS
Trish xxx

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Inspirational Entertaining Designs

We have an open plan kitchen, meals, living area in the dream house.
I have been seeking inspiration as well as drawing up a few sketches to try & make the whole TV & computer nook fit nicely into the decor without being to much of an eyesore.



Normally I would just shove the computers off into another room keeping it all out of view, but because we have young children  & they learn to be so technology savvy through school these days, I really want the computer to be where I am able some form of watchful eye peeking over their shoulder reguarly, so the main living space it is!!!



I think if the joinery is the same style as the kitchen & there are plenty of doors to hide the unattractive but necessary stuff ,as well as some open shelving to create a few vignettes , adding some style, I might just get away with it....
That is if I can NAG teach my kids to keep things tidy!!!




I love this idea from BDG style, simple yet stylish, dont you think?


Not to mention that the colour scheme is also right up my alley.

Do you have any fabulous suggestions or ideas from your own home you can share with me?

CHEERS
Trish xxx

Friday, January 27, 2012

Stunning Study Nook

Ok I think this space speaks for itself...

Image via Diary of a Renovation

What a fantastic use of space & a great way to finish off the underneath of a staircase.
I could see myself happily blogging away in this little study nook...
How about you?

Happy friday everyone!

CHEERS
Trish xxx

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

A barn door design to crow about

Fav Architecture Designs exterior
Image via Houzz

I am seeing an increasing trend toward  the use of barn or warehouse style doors in homes & I have to say I really do like this style when done right.

source unknown

Used as the entrance door to this house, a large door like this gives me a feeling of security, it looks like a big strong door that protects & keeps its occupants nice & safe

Shingle Style Basement Media/Office/Fitness Space contemporary media room
Image via Houzz
 
These gorgeous doors on the left really are a feature for this room


source unknown

Certainly an office space I could be inspired by...

Image via The Inside Story

The timber of this door along side the vase of sticks & leather couch really add warmth & texture to an otherwise all white scheme.

Source unknown

So many styles & uses for barn doors, they really add to the farm house feel of this gorgeous kitchen.

Image via SVK Kitchen & Bath

A fabulous pop of yellow would be a cheery sight to wake up to in the mornings, this door adds so much character to a more contemporary styled room.


Image via Massucco Warner Miller

Welcome to my humble abode....

Image via A View on Design

What an inviting entrance,
I can envision some wonderful little fairy lights entwined amongst the ivy, that lines the ceiling over the entry .
It would look rather magical, don't you think?

CHEERS
Trish xxx




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