2 Min Armoire Makeover
More often than not I end up going for a seaside coffee with other mummy's in the morning but sometimes I prefer to go sit on my own. Today I did this, you know sometimes you just don't even want to talk to anyone? There are a couple of cafes I go to on such occasions, my favourite is a real greasy spoon, no niceties, it is hustly and bustly, the coffee is great and cheap, the service rocks...the other one is more of a place for 'types' as I call them, I hope you'll get the picture - just about everything is organic, there are reams of lists of green tea and sugarless things, it is dark, furnished with shabby old mismatched bits, women in long flowing skirts and no make-up and there are books lined up the walls and magazines and papers floating everywhere and the coffee is not bad. I so don't do all that baloney but I do come here to people watch and read.
Today I found myself in there and there were a couple of Emily Chalmers books, I sat and flicked, I already own these books myself but hadn't looked at them in a while for sure. Some of the pics and styling is gorgeous, if not a little unreal for me (*says she with a white home and 3 kids) and some is just a bit too shabby that it would make me feel decidedly squalid about myself. Anyhow, I came across some inspiration in the form of pretty clothes hanging about in a boudoir and thought hmmm just what I need to brighten up that bargain armoire I scored a while ago. So when I came home I whipped out the book, my fave summer dress and foofed up the armoire in 2 mins.
Can you imagine the comments from Mr Beach Cottage on this one? Heehee, I moan at him if he leaves *any of his stinky old things around...





























Isn't it amazing where the inspiration comes from sometimes, the ballett slippers are the perfect finishing touch.
Posted by: Pearl | November 05, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Well i think that looks lovely ! Love sitting in cafes people watching, its very interesting isnt it!! My girls say stop gawking at everyone mum! Mel xxx
Posted by: Melinda | November 05, 2008 at 05:32 PM
love it! Just got back from holidays, will have to catch up SOON!! I will be free next week if you are. Going to go and check out all your beautiful posts I missed! xx
Posted by: nel | November 05, 2008 at 07:09 PM
That looks wonderful. Men will never understand - LOL.
I could sit and watch people for hours - I just wish I DID that every now and again instead of running here and there.
Posted by: Suzann Oppenlander | November 05, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Yes if I am out I always find time for a coffee and I do love to just relax with a book or paper and not have to make conversation and other days happy to join someone and catch up but I need both .. I can also take myself off to the movies by myself at times... Yes today I had a lot of running around chores to do but it really is a pleasure mostly to drive around here with ocean vista's to die for although today we have had lots of rain but even that is comforting but not great for the hair when I had to dash here and there...
Posted by: sharon | November 05, 2008 at 10:26 PM
CUte idea! I love the ballet shoes!
Posted by: Jen r sanctuary arts at home | November 05, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Oh my... wouldn't you know, this very morning after I dropped off child #2 to school along the beach road... I came home and started chatting with hubby... he abruptly told me to stop the "shopping chit-chat" and to find a lady to babble with! lol Sounds like I should have been in Oz having that chat with you instead! lol
Posted by: beachy | November 06, 2008 at 01:24 AM
I am laughing so hard. I was thinking- what will Mr. Beach cottage have to say? The hubbies don't get this sort of thing.
And you remind me this morning of afternoons spent at cafes in Germany with amazing coffee and my own company.
Posted by: Kim | November 06, 2008 at 01:30 AM
Wow...little cafes by the sea...it sounds like you are in heaven!! I absolutely LOVE that armoire foofed or not!
Posted by: Darlene | November 06, 2008 at 02:18 AM
The perfect touch.
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | November 06, 2008 at 02:44 AM
you brightened my day too cute and sound like a fun cafe...love people watching, i love the part with the hubby LOL
Posted by: LuLu | November 06, 2008 at 04:11 AM
tee hee, just adorable! I love the ballet flats!
We have the same armoire! I took the doors off of mine because it's a TV cabinet! :)
Posted by: megan | November 06, 2008 at 04:34 AM
Nice foofing. I love the toe shoes. I had one toe shoe left of mine, and years ago I hung it in a guestroom closet that had the world's most adorable small window. My mother gave me some antique linen borders to line the shelves, and I added some other treasures like hatboxes, paintings, and toys. I love to foof! The door was always open, and people always smiled!
Sheila
Posted by: Sheila | November 06, 2008 at 05:30 AM
I definitely have days where I don't want to talk to anyone...in fact I'm having one today. And I'm at work. And I work in communications. So this is not good. ;-)
I rather like the white blankets folded on the top of the armoire. Nice touch!
And p.s. I never, ever knew voting in Australia was compulsory. Amazing!
Posted by: Laura @ the shorehouse | November 06, 2008 at 08:38 AM
New reader here!
That is perfectly wonderfully lovely! The ballet slippers are just the greatest.
Posted by: Laura | November 06, 2008 at 08:50 AM
It is absolutely beautiful. I know what you mean about people watching. I love it myself. It wsa so much fun when I took a trip to Paris with my mother, father and sister and we sat at an outside cafe...all the chairs purposely faced towards the sidewalk so you COULD watch people. :)
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | November 06, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Love your 2 minute makeover and all your distressed furniture. I pictured one of my china cabinets on my blog today- I would love to paint and distress it. My DH loves wood "why do you want to cover up that grain?"- I might just get enough courage up to do it ( I have to get that yucky wallpaper off first though!!!) Love your blog!
blessings to you!
mary
Posted by: mary (megardengal) | November 06, 2008 at 01:53 PM
ahhh, this is so cute and so...so...relaxed looking. I so love your style....
And, don't cha know that it's ok for US to have our things out cause they look cool...
THEIR'S, on the other hand, just end up looking messy!! It's the law of the land !! tee hee....
love, bj
as you might guess, i have fallen behind in my visiting in Blogland and am playing catch-up today....
Posted by: bj | November 07, 2008 at 11:26 PM