Singing the Blues in Interiors

Have you guessed I'm enamoured with blue - all blues
from the soft blue with a hint of aqua to the deep inky navy and slate blues!

No points for guessing the program.
YES - the marvellous Downton Abbey!!!
I actually photographed our television screen
during an episode filmed in Isobel Crawley's house
because I needed to record the transluscent Duck Egg blue on the walls.
My husband thought I had completely lost my marbles!!!

One has to be careful using blue on walls in small spaces
 as blue is part of the cool colour spectrum
and it can feel cold during the winter months.

However, warmth can be added with furnishing fabrics
rugs, art works, books, table lamps, candles and other decorative pieces.

I love this kitchen/family room.
The kitchen area is white and modern.
The tones of the wooden table, french style chairs and flooring
tie in with the elegant living area in the other part of the room.

Yellow daffodils bring warmth and life to any room.
I think this room is so inviting - what do you think?

The pretty chest of drawers above is painted in

Annie Sloane chalk paint.

2 parts Aubusson Blue and 1 part Duck Egg Blue.

I'm joining Maggie for Mosaic Monday
Thank you again for hosting M!

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Thank you for visiting.

Five on Friday

First up some exciting news!
This Saturday 7th March, my blog is being featured on
Saturday Spotlight
over at Kris's lovely blog

Junk Chic Cottage
So if you would like to know a little more about me
I would love you to pop over and have a look!

I told you a couple of weeks ago of the impending
visit of my oldest and dearest best friend.
I was all of a flurry cleaning the house from head to toe.
Everything had to be perfect
so the windows were gleaming - the cushions all foofed up
flowers and candles in place, baking treats in the tins
all ready for our very special VIP visitor!
My husband mentioned a couple of times
'is the Queen coming to see us'!
They just don't get it do they.

After work on Tuesday I picked Ange up from the airport
(I snapped the photo above as we left the airport on dusk)
and we didn't stop talking until she left on Friday morning!

That's what best friends do!

In preparation for Ange's visit

I decided the guest room needed freshening up

I painted the old dressing table with

Annie Sloan chalk paint in French Grey

then finished it with several coats of AS Soft Wax.

I was thrilled with the result - Merci Mary dear!

My friend Mary at A Breath of Fresh Air

inspired me to try this colour!

Do pop over and visit her gorgeous blog and please

tell her I sent you!

We enjoyed an action packed few days
visiting the 'Wow' exhibition at the museum
(I'll do a post on that next week).

Also the Auckland Art Gallery where we both loved
the "Soom" installation created by a very talented
Korean/New Zealand artist Seung Yul Oh.
It comprised of sixteen oversized transparent PVC bubbles.
'Soom' translates as 'breath' in Korean.
It was quite magical!

And all too quickly it was over and she was gone....
we had a wonderful time with lots of laughs and reminiscing,

On Saturday morning things were back to normal.
 I spent a couple of hours
'dead-heading' the roses in the Nancy Steen Rose Garden.
I'm part of a group of volunteer rose lovers
who help out to ensure this public garden is looking it's best
at all times. It is visited by a huge number of tourist
who join the city bus tours, so we want them to
leave with a lasting memory of a beautiful garden!

My long time blogging friends will know I'm a lover of
old fashioned roses.
I belong to the NZ Heritage Rose Association
you can go here for more rose photos!

On Saturday my blog is

I'm joining Amy for Five on Friday

Take care and
be kind to one another

Merci à bientôt


Shane

Old friends - Best friends & Giveaway Winner Yeah!

A couple of weeks ago I had a phone call from

my dearest girlfriend - who lives in Brisbane.

She is coming to stay for 3 nights

I can't wait to see her again and have a catch up.

I've got lots planned for us to do!

Angela and I met at school when we were both 10

and that's over 60 years ago!
Then we went away to boarding school together!

I decided it's time to spruce up the guest room

in readiness for her visit.

My husband asked quizzically

'is the Queen coming' - no she's my best friend silly!

Ange was matron of honour at our wedding

45 years ago this April.

Boys just don't get it sometimes....

Not quite a 'make-over' but a few new things

to make her stay as comfortable as possible.

Wallace Cotton in Newmarket stock

beautiful cotton bed linen and I chose

two pairs of these self striped sheets.

I also bought some cans of Annie Sloan chalk paint

to paint the dressing table and nightstand.

Recently my friend Mary of the beautiful blog

A Breath of Fresh Air

posted about the re-do of her French table here.

The colour is French Linen which I'm painting

on a base of Old White and then rubbed over

with a coating of Soft Wax.

I'm sure most of you are familiar with this paint already.

I have been meaning to do it for ages and

what with working and spending lots of time in my garden

the DIY was put on the back burner yet again.

Thank you Mary, your post was the catalyst I needed

to get started!

I'l post photos next weekend hopefully.

We received some very sad news last night

one of our dear yachting friends has died at 68yrs.

It's so sad because we were looking forward to

sailing with Dave and his wife Mary once

our boat 'Seamist' is back in the water.

Life can change so unexpectedly.

Please keep this family in your prayers - thank you.

Now for my big announcement!

The winner of my Grow Your Blog Giveaway is 
#29 drawn by Random.org

Faye of The Blessed Hearth

Congratulations Faye, I am emailing you now!


A very big thank you to Vicki
for hosting 2015 Grow your Blog party!
Vicki you deserve a medal.
Thank you.

I'm joining Karen for Sunlit Sunday

and

Judith for Mosaic Monday

Thank you all for reading my blog 

and for your warm comments.

Take care and

be kind to one another

Merci à bientôt

Shane