Fancy a Vintage Phone?

I know I am meant to be saving and paring down my collections, but when I saw this on etsy recently I just had to have it!

Isn't it gorgeous?! It an ivory Bakelite 300 series telephone from 1955. We really needed a new phone, so why not a vintage one?  My dad used to work for PMG (the postmaster general before it became separated in the post office and telecom) and tells me he threw out and replaced hundreds of these n the 50s.  Sigh...

The kids have taken to answering the phone in a British butler voice with "Good Afternoon, Clark residence, how may I help you", which is quite amusing.

Joseph at Retro Rotary Telephones AUSTRALIA restores and sells phones in his Etsy Store, which is where I got mine ($220) and you can check out here.  If you want something with a vintage feel that is a bit more high tech, what about these:


The Portable Rotary Phone is an original rotary phone that has been modified to be a cell phone, by inserting your sim card.  It has a functional rotary dial, rings the original, loud metallic bells when a call is received, and even has a dial tone!  Available at Sparkfun for about $200.

The iRetrofone looks like an old Rotary Phone, but is a fully-functional, stationary iPhone dock with working handset and complete compatibility with a USB cable.  It is made of heavy-duty urethane resin and is designed to be compatible with all iPhone's (iPhone 3G, 3GS & iPhone 4G& 4S). Around $200 at iRetrophone.



Cheers
Deb xx

Red, Blue & Yellow in House & Garden 1957

Some images from Australian House & Garden, February 1957, with a touch of red, blue and yellow, and some great lounges.

The cover image of the kids bedroom is so modern (including the lego blocks on the floor) that it could be this years issue instead of 55 years ago!

Don't you love the curves!

Incidentally, I am listing this and other magazines for sale in my Etsy Shop!

What's your favourite decorating era?

Deb xx

Can Red & Turquoise live together?

I love turquoise.  The stone, the color - it's the color of the ocean on a sunny day.  I also love red, and have LOTS of red things, including a red couch.  We haven't yet moved, but with every house I look at I wonder where our furniture could be placed and if my red sofa could fit in - and what colour scheme would look best.  I know I want a beachy, nautical theme, and have looked at red and navy together, but do you think red and turquoise go together?

Lets see:

   

  
   



      

   



I think that's a yes.  What do your think?

Deb xxx

1. About.com
2. Tasha Horsely
3. Interior design it yourself
4. Indulgy
5. Filmore clark
6. Flickr
7. Retro ranch revamp
8. Birds of a feather
9. A trip to Holland
10. SB Chic
11. Juxtapost
12. Houzz.com
13. Wanelo
14. Design Dazzle

My New Etsy Shop & a Lucite Compact

We have been having lots of house drama this week.  Our sale contract crashed and we have now decided to try and keep our house and rent it out, and buy another, which meant a new bank application, which means another property valuation.  The second, cheaper, house I had my eye on sold yesterday, so now we have to start searching for a suitable property again.  Such fun!

Anyway, in the midst of all this drama I have updated my blog theme, and opened a new shop on Etsy.  I have decided I really have to cull my vintage collections of magazines, patterns, gloves, clothes and compacts if I am to afford two mortgages!  If you are interested, please view my shop here.  I will be adding new stock every day or so.  It is called, not surprisingly, Seahorses and Pearls.  Here is my favourite Lucite powder compact that I have just listed - I would love it to go to good home!

Deb xxx

'Calm Blue Ocean' - it's one of those days....

Swimming at Cape Hillsborough

Ever had one of those days? You wake up for third time and it’s raining and not even light outside but you can't get back to sleep. You go to the bathroom and step in something wet, or worse, on the way.  You let the dog out and resolve not to let the kids feed it left overs any more.  In the kitchen last night’s dishes are still in the sink, hubby needs a shirt ironed and the kid's can't find any clean socks for school.  All of the hairbrushes have disappeared, and there is no milk or bread in the house. 

I don't have them often, but this morning I did have one of those starts. It's been a big week and the contract on the house has fallen through and we have to see the bank again. Ugh.....

I was tempted to give up and go back to bed.  Instead I went for my morning walk (in my gumboots) with the dogs a little earlier - the fresh air and the birdsong always make me feel better, even if it's raining.  I also bought milk and bread from the corner shop.

If your morning gets off to a bad start, don’t give up just yet. There’s hope.  What else can you do, especially if you don't have the time or energy for a walk?  

         

      Get clean - a quick shower and brushed hair makes a big difference.  a hot shower on tired limbs is extra good.

Have a big glass of water, or two, and some vitamins if you take them.

Get dressed, all the way. Including your socks if you wear them (you can leave your shoes near the door for now if you don't wears shoes inside). Even if you're not going anywhere, dress like you are.  You never know who might pop in or when one of the kids will need an emergency dash to the hospital. Seriously. Especially if you have boys.  Don’t put your pjs or dressing gown back on.

When you are ready to face your family/room mates/guests etc, smile and be nice - it can be hard when you are tried and grumpy (believe me, I know), but smiles are usually returned.  Hug a child or pat the dog or kissed your loved one too - it really makes you feel better.

Put on some music - even just the radio, just not a depressing news station.  I love classical fm in the mornings as it's relaxing, but they also have the odd number we all love and sing or dance to.  I keep meaning to get my resident teenager to make a selection of music for difference mealtimes, but we are still working on that.

Eat something. Coffee or juice by itself doesn't count, and don't even consider soft drink or soda. You need breakfast even if it's just a smoothie (fruit with greens such as spinach blended with a little water or orange juice is great). Setting the table for breakfast with the family always make me feel organised and calm. Home made wholemeal bread (sliced from the freezer) toasted with a little jam makes me feel special, and porridge makes me feel extra healthy.

Do one thing to make your house or room a little better and less messy for when you get home - make the bed, open the curtains, clean up the dog vomit (no, I am not kidding) clean the sink or turn on the dishwasher.

Have a magazine or book of quotes near the kitchen or porch so you can read a little in a spare minute (like while waiting for the kids to get that one last thing or change their shoes, again). 

 Breathe......think  (life is good)........imagine (calm blue ocean).........

Then remember to grab some long life milk for the pantry and extra bread for the freezer on the way home - and don't forget extra toilet paper because that is the most important grocery item ever.

Do you eat breakfast?  What grocery item can't you live without.

Deb xxx

Nine Nautical Accessories for your home

Some ideas for little nautical touches for the home - can you tell I loves seahorses?!  Click on the links for other great nautical ideas from the same suppliers.
    

     

    


1. Do like Pottery Barn and turn vintage oars into artwork
2. Seahorse cushion from Emporium Botanica
3. Decorative Anchors from Sounds Like Home
4. Sea Horse Salt and Pepper Set, from Ebay 
5.Port Hole Clock from The Lighthouse Man
6. Lighthouse Lamp from Sirocco
7. Vintage Life Buoy on Gumtree
8. Driftwood Seahorse from Saiyan Style,
9.Ships Wheel from Robin's Dockside Shop

 
I really love the driftwood sea horse - I might try and make something similar as the kids are always bringing home armload of drift wood from the beach.  And I am going to keep my eyes open for vintage oars and buoys - anyone got an old boat they don't want?!

Deb xxx

Living where your heart is happy

We are having some ups and downs with our moving plans, but I think it's made me just the more determined to move.  Maybe I have become a bit obsessive - I've changed my blog style and name for example - but my blog is a reflection of me, and this is what is important to me at the moment.

Why do I want to move out of town and onto acreage?

We lived on 40 acres ten years ago before we moved to Queensland.  We built our dream house, 5 bedroom, 3 bathrooms, stone with a dormer roof, on a hill overlooking a lake with mountains in the background.  Then my husband got a job in Mackay, and we moved into suburbia - just for a while.  Two more children and ten years later we are still in suburbia.  It's a great suburb, close to the CBD and the beach, with lots of forest and great places to walk, but I still miss having a bit more garden and space.  My heart yearns for something else.

Another reason is so that my beautiful girl, Tana,  is close by and I can see her every day.  And if she hurts herself (see the cut on her chest - that's two weeks old and has re-opened a bit) I will be there to help her, or to call the vet.  I can also put the $100 agistment I pay each week towards the mortgage.

If we have our own paddock we can also buy another horse or pony.  This one is my son's favourite.

And this is my daughter's favourite. They are so happy when they are riding.

We'll also be able to have chooks and a veggie garden.  We did have chooks in town until the neighbours  dog got in and ate them (and another ate the guinea pigs), but we don't have enough sunny spots for a veggie garden here- we have too many trees.  We'll also be able to have more of them, especially fruit trees.

 

We'll have room for the dogs and the kids to be outside and run around, and we won't have close neighbours using power tools and mowers one after the other all weekend.
I hope.
I also get to redecorate and possibly renovate, which is always fun, and I get to have a big clean up, de-clutter and be able to start fresh.

I can't wait to move. I hope everything goes to plan!

Are you living where you want to, or do you have plans to move?

Deb xx

10 Nautical Rooms for Boys

When we do move I am hoping that my youngest son will get his own room, or at least his own space, that will be pink and 'my little pony' free.  He has shared a room with his twin sister for all of his 7 years, and I think it's time for something a bit more boyish.  In keeping with the red, white and navy nautical theme I plan for the rest of the house, here is some inspiration:

 
    

     


1. Decor Pad
2. Colourful kids rooms
3. the Marion Housebook
4. Design Dazzle
5. Colourful kids rooms
6.  Fresh Air Interiors
7.  Digs Digs
8. The house that AM built
9.  Digs Digs
10. Cathy Glass Designs