Sunday, November 25, 2012

Coffee-sack Deckchair Revamp

Hello, 
How was your weekend? For me, a "fun weekend" is being able to fit everything in whilst still being able to relax and enjoy doing a little of nothingI love doing nothing even if it is only for just 10 minutes. Do you too?  A "great weekend" is still being able to fit everything in, getting to enjoy some family time and completing a craft or decor project. It is the small things in life that make me very happy ;-). I like to remind myself of that this time of year because it can get a little crazy busy, wouldn't you agree?


I loved this deckchair from the moment I saw it.



It had such a strong frame and was beautifully made.



It was rather unloved and faded when I found it; nothing a sand, white wash and coffee- sack revamp couldn't fix though.




I particularly love the red- pink colour of its branding stamp.
Loving doing deck-chair revamps right now! So tell me, what have you been up to? Popping over to Tanya's, come check out her rad vintage ladder.

Rachael xx





Thursday, November 22, 2012

Make Do and Style for the Senses

Pictures that speak a thousand words, amplify beauty and transport you to another time and place.

I adore the sense of memory, love and history found through simple vintage-styling. Do you have a favorite vintage piece that reminds you of another moment in time?

This palette of white, charcoal, cream and red layered on a distressed mantle whispers dreamy elegance! Do you too swoon over those vintage books? They are simply divine. Where could you place some cute vintage books in your house? Styling and photography by Leah. Follow on Instagram @ leah_theinsidestory2
*Hand picked

 Sea green vintage bottles with shell and palm decoration. I do love vintage bottle styling. This vignette is so coastal-cool, with a hint of fifties styling! Photography and Styling by Cheryl from Beachcomber26
Follow on Instagram at beachcomber26
*Hand picked

A beautiful vintage pot jammed packed full of lavender. There is something so stylish about lavender in a vase; it can transform a room particularly it's smell ;-). Photography and styling by Jo from Coastal Home Love. Follow on Instagram @ coastalhomelove. This blue daisy-trio design actually brings back sweet memories from my child hood; I remember my mum had this exact design on a casserole dish... aw bless her!

Eyes of God, Photography and styling by Mia. Follow on Instagram @ Mrsmiagoding. Do you heart native American crafts? Love this gorgeous wall-vignette, especially the sweet feathered one! Also such a sweet coastal pallet of blues, green and white. So simple and inexpensive to do!
*Hand picked

Vintage lace rosette made from the lace of my mother's wedding dress. Yes, it is a tad Sibella Court inspired, I am quite the fan. The number 7 is also a very lucky number for our family. Styling and photography by Rach. You can follow me on Instagram @ hipbrown.

Such talented lovelies, thanks to all for taking part! Do you too have a Make do and style snap to share? Than please tag #makedoandstyle on Instagram or Twitter, feel free to share @ hipbrown. Popping over to Chic on a Shoestring for Flaunt it Friday.
Rach xx



Monday, November 19, 2012

Rosette made from Antique lace

Just between you and I like, yes, let's please keep it a secret... I can be quite a girly blouse when it comes to storms. Loud claps of thunder have been known to make me squeal- quietly like ;-). I try not to be too overtly dramatic because I would like my boys to grow up feeling strong, safe and secure in their own company, no matter what the situation. So I hide being a big chicken... and I get the giggles instead! Fierce lightening does kind of get the heart racing, wouldn't you agree?

With all the stormy weather at the weekend, there wasn't too much deck chair revamping going on so I turned my decorating focus indoors instead. I made this Rosette for the family -wall/ vignette using the lace from my mother's wedding dress which was also used as a hair piece for my wedding. I heart antique lace, it is so beautifully made! I hand printed a number 7 on it because 7 is a number that always seems to just pop up. Both my mother's and my birthday are both on the 7th, Oliver (my eldest) is born on the 17th and August (my baby- well he's not really anymore) is born on the 27th. So I feel 7 is a very lucky number for my family! Do you have a lucky/ favourite number?
 
 Rosette made from the lace of my mothers wedding dress... if my maths is right, this piece of lace is just over 40 or so years old.






Ok, it was raining but the other thing I discovered is that I think large fat twine balls make the best pencil holders!

Lil earthiness for your creative space and office no? maybe?
Rach xx 
Hooking up over at Anne's

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Beautiful bold ways to "Make Do and Style" this season

Grab your vintage suitcases lovelies and lets go find us some beautiful bold ways to "Make do and Style" our homes this season.
Rustic on rustic; weathered vintage suitcases on an old hardwood/metal luggage trolley by Jamie. This would look absolutely divine as a vintage feature for a large living area or balcony. Photography and Styling also by Jamie,  
follow on Instagram @ Eclectic Me
Create a vignette made from treasures found on your last holiday. This vibrant collection of framed postcards from Hula, Hula Hawaii is by Hayley. The frames were a wee $6 bargain from Target. I am no double agent but I am beginning to think that Hayley of "mumlittle" fame is quite the Tarjay regular... I am also thinking they should definitely hire her as their stylist! Do you too like a territorial shop where things are easy and familiar? I do, I must confess I have my fav's but I also love a shopping adventure too! Styling and photography by Hayley, follow on Instagram @ mumlittle
Beautiful homemade "Maison Des Vins" sign by Kylie from Stylish Settings. Photography and styling also by Kylie, Follow on Instagram @ stylishkylie. Homemade= oodles of soul! Wouldn't you agree? Gorgeous bottle styling too!
Try a homemade take on a traditional "flowers in vase" setting. Make your own homemade paper map- print flowers in recycled bottles" by Juz Savage. Sweet styling and photography also by Juz Savage, follow on Instagram at Juzsavage
Planning a simple Xmas with a handmade quality this year? Loving these homemade and very affordable doily- baubles by Cas from
Peaches and Maple. Photography and Styling also by Cas, follow on Instagram at peachesandmaple

Once again massive thank you to those who tag #makedoandstyle. Loving what you bring to the table each week! 
Thanks for popping by!
Rach xx 

Joining Chic on a Shoestring because I feel this linky party definitely works with the Make do and Style resolve. Tweet or instagram your Make do and style snaps with tag #makedoandstyle to join in the fun. Feel free to share @ hipbrown

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Make do and style: With your home finds!

"Make do and style" is one of those decor tags that can mean different things to different people; I think, that is what I have grown to appreciate about it most. I was reminded just this week, it can also be a celebration of making the most out of what you already own. Tanya from Scandi Coast Home likes to refer to it as ShoPPin' the HouSe and I have noticed that it is a common movement among other decor bloggers right now too. I love it! It is definitely NOT about NOT SPENDING MONEY because we love that, right? I believe it lays within the wish that most of us now days genuinely like to be resourceful; it gives us and our homes meaning. Have you tried it? I dare you to ask yourself this question, "What do I already own??" Have you thought of something? Now, can you maybe slap a little paint on it, decorate it with a tassel or better still simply bring it out from the attic or cupboard as it is and show it off in some way? Maybe you could do a vignette of home finds? I bet they end up being treasures that you will love and appreciate for a long time.

Love this roadside "antique tea trolley" find, come herb stand. Can you believe that it did not even need to be painted; it was already this lovely antique green?? Score envy! Divine Styling and photography by Jamie Walsh. Follow on Instagram @ Eclectic Me

*One of my #makedoandstyle pics! Love the simplistic styling of this snap and its ultra-vintage accents. Styling and photography by Rach Jackson of Mint and Pear , follow on Instagram @ rachjax
*One of my #makedoandstyle pics! I love the sweet white furniture, the blue coloured door and the lovely crocheted cushion. Cottage Perfection! Styling and photography by Kris of The Bouse Life, follow on Instagram @ kris_avondalecottage

Sharing more crochet sweetness! Styling, product and photography by Villblomsten, follow on Instagram @ Villblomsten


Another great roadside find with fabulous bones by Eclectic Me. Loving the pop of yellow detail too (ahem people, that rad yellow lamp feature would be from Target!). Styling and photography also by Jamie Walsh.  Follow on Instagram @ Eclectic Me



  A sentimental and sweet "make do and style" with "the Lady that used to belong to my grandmother". Photography and styling by Kylie from Stylish Settings. Follow on Instagram @ stylishkylie. Why not work those sentimental beauties into your everyday landscape?? 
Tweet and Instagram your snaps (albeit your vignette of home finds) to #makedoandstyle
Loved that you popped on in!
Rachael xx 

Sunday, November 4, 2012

A Therapeutic Deck Chair Revamp

I've had one of those weeks where the wheels have fallen off the cart quite a few times so to speak. Just one of those crazy busy weeks, I guess. I am sure it's quite common with that "running a small business from home and looking after young children" combo. Actually, just one of those things by itself is enough to make that happen. Would you agree? It was the week for 4 years old's to face plant into the cement on halloween, doctors visits, x-rays, a poorly feeling mummy and diving through the washing machine for swimmers because apparently its swimming at school today mummy; Offcourse it is!. Lucky, I like using a little elbow grease to wind down. Seriously, funiture revamps and some kind of physical work out is how I keep sane. I also just love the opportunity to style something in my own way! Giving old things like this deck chair a new lease on life makes me very happy.

Do you like old deck chairs? I do
Right now, I am loving them painted white and revamped with beautiful textures or fabrics. 


This is one is revamped from a recycled coffee bean bag. I do love a Reverse Garbage purchase!



I think, that I would really like to do these in my shops. Logistics may be a tad tricky, we shall see. Rach xx

Visiting Scandi Coast Home , Chic on a Shoestring and Show and Tell Friday