Farewell and a fresh start!

Wowser's ;-(... I think I'm going to miss this place...this old blog of mine. Now do tell me, is that normal when you move sites?? I am terribly good at any sort of change aren't I?? Anyhoo I've come here to warn you that things are still very green over at Hip Brown Home... yes, upon your arrival you will be surrounded by many imperfections... but its definitely time to expand on all of those ideas I've had rattling around for my new blog and business and allow them to flourish/ be. The finer details will develop along the journey!

I do want to say that whilst my blog is going to run along side a business...It's my mission to stay as creatively connected to it as ever. I am still very passionate about blogging and oh my gosh, I hope I don't get stage fright but I have many ideas that I am looking forward to work-shopping ;-0.

Thankyou to all the lovely friends I've made here, you have seriously inspired me in soooooo many ways. Do hope you will join/ follow me over at the new hang.

Rach xx  

Sunshine and completing the decor look!

 

When I am craving a little warmth, a little sunshine, this is where you will find me at my house. Now, even if I only have just five short minutes to sit and enjoy being here... most days I'm content with that!

Where do you like to be when you need some outdoor light and warmth?? Do you too have a favourite pose-y that you like to be?

 

 

Have to tell you, that I am loving my outdoor vertical garden; it makes my favourite spot even more enjoyable!

 

 

I have also added the above hanging plant.

 

I do love how finding the décor-essence for one wall, can help you complete an entire look.

 

Rach xx

 



DIY Vertical Garden For Under $30!



Hello,

I hung a little fern on our wall. It is called a "Slender Bracken Fern". I bought it from our local Native Nursery; our's is super cheap, I call it the $2 nursery! Not everything is $2 but very close to. Do you have one in your area too? I simply planted the fern in a glass jar; I used coloured sand in the very bottom for a little drainage and then packed in planting-soil to surround the actual plant. I then used picture wire to wrap around the jar, twisted it several times and then made a loop so that it could be easily latched on to a wall hook. I love it because it's very simple and looks a little bit sweet... Do you think so too?? I think I need one in our new bathroom too!

 I do think there is something about planting plants or maybe it's having nature around you that is a little bit addictive because hanging the above fern also inspired me to create a vertical garden on our balcony. Again, it was super easy to do and I think you could use any type of jars you have at home. I wrapped picture wire around both the jar and the lattice wall that surrounds our balcony but you could use hooks or even an old picture frame to do this on any wall at home. An old frame with added picture hooks would give your vertical garden a very fancy finish too!

I like the little jars in the top row best but I may change my mind once the ferns start to mature. Am I sounding like I have a green thumb yet? Ha! 

You could add some jute string too if you wanted to add extra sparkle.

Now, do remind me to water them... please.

Rach xx

Visiting Ivy and Elephants

P.S Please read on RE: Caring for your fern's

That's a wrap on #7vignettes!

 Did you play 7 Vignettes on Instagram?? The above collage is my wrap-sheet from the entire 7 days. I thoroughly enjoyed playing this month! It can be a time zapper but creatively very satisfying from a styling point of view.  

 

The below vignettes were some of my favourites from the above bunch of snaps; each theme is headlined above. 

 

MONOCHROME 

 

I think the clock vignette above was my favourite of my entire vignette's however I am not sure that I can articulate why... it's just a little bit of fun, you know.
 

 WINDOW

 

 

Now, should I add the above sign to my Hip Brown wares collection?? Hee hee, it could read "HOME" on one side and "NOT HOME" on the other. It could come in really handy especially on those very rare days you just want to hide from the world (very rarely happens!)... then I think that maybe you're just lining yourself up for regular break in's! Best not!!!

 

 

HANDMADE

 

Lastly a vignette of one of my hand printed, handmade lime & coconut decor bags becaue I do love making them in a "non sweat- shop but pop-up shop-ish" kind of way. Check out Jen Bishop's Interiors Addict for the details if ever you would like to join in the fun.
 

Hope you have a great week! 

 

Rach xx 

A perfect house takes work and commitment

 

Hello
 I’m posting a picture of my house looking a bit special and tidy but don't be mistaken for thinking that it's like this here every day because unfortunately the reality is, that it's not; as you would already know a perfect house take’s ongoing work and commitment to keep it that way.

 

I am actually quite ok with the wheels falling of the cart every now and then. Are you too? Truthfully, things are a little shabby around here for one reason or another...I have a spare room full of washing that needs folding, it’s also Jen Bishop's #7vignettes on Instagram so styling props are everywhere and my four year old (who thinks he is the real Mr Maker) has been very busy cutting things up and leaving stuff everywhere.

This snap is actually to add to my portfolio on my new website, speaking of which if you live in Brisbane and know a Word Press expert please send them my way... it is just about finished however I do believe that I need to employ a professional on board just to do some extra tweaking.

 

Next time your house is looking a bit fabulous, do remember to take a picture, stick it on your fridge just to remind yourself that it does happen!

 

Rach xx

 

 

Kettle/ Teapot Cleaner Tutorial

 

Hello,

It has been a while since I have done a tutorial on the "HBT blog" so I thought I would share a "Kettle- cleaning tutorial" that has been handed down through the generations in our family. My grandma first showed my mother how to do it and it was sooooo good I still do it today! It's hard not to spot the safety-yellow coloured Berri Lemon juice (since 1942) above but I can assure you this is not a sponsored post on behalf of Berri. It's just berri good ok ;-). Ha, no seriously, I am sharing it because I've been doing a little spring cleaning of late (go figure??) and thought if ever I had a trick worth sharing this might be it; it really works a treat on kettle/ teapot scale without using any harsh chemicals. For the record I have tried to be all hippie and use just plain lemon juice but it does not work, at all. You need to use the real lemon squeeze concentrate!

 

 

Pour Lemon squeeze directly into your kettle at least 2cm deep, swirl it around and close the lid.  

 

 

 Pour a small amount of the squeeze into a small porcelain dish. Using a brush or cotton wool bud, also clean the outside of your kettle. This will remove any build-up and also make it look shiny and happy again.

 

Don't forget to swirl the lemon squeeze around regularly inside your jug so that it will reach the areas up high.  

 

 Leave your lemon squeeze inside your kettle/ teapot for 1-2 hours, this is mine already looking very shiny after about 1 hour. You can even leave it overnight if you would like.

 

When happy with the look of your kettle; rinse and boil your kettle a few times over to remove any lemon squeeze residue. 

Do you too have any spring cleaning tricks that have been handed down through your family?

 

Rach xx

How to make a sweet home!

 

 

I made a chalk board for one of my clients; it's ok to try it out on my kitchen first, right?? Love playing around with different looks and could not resist! I needed a lil kitchen-y type accessory to go with a clock I had previously sourced and a lovely canvas that my client already owned. I am happy to report that all three look very fabulous together in her kitchen and make a lovely wall vignette. I will show you the reveal over on my new site, very soon ;-).

 

The same client also sent this very sweet snap of her children helping paint the kitchen furniture. I know, bless them!

Admittedly the perfectionist within me was a little worried about application... but seriously "phht", who needs perfection! This lovely family will remember this time for years to come and I do think memories are the things that really make a home a sweet place to be.

 

Visiting Ivy and Elephants linky party

xx