ChaLK TaLK - where have you been?????? includes some hints and tips for getting it right

well, it has been awhile since a last wrote up a ChaLK taLK post - I have to say I have hardly had time to scratch myself of late and squeezing blog posts in where I can. Juggling life, work and kids has been a bit tricky lately and I have been struggling with the whole balance thing, but since Megan has come on board, things just seem a whole lot more manageable which has been fantastic for all concerned!!! So his is my "come back" ChaLK taLK - hope you enjoy the read, and thanks for stopping by!
This week I got to work on as semi rural property, where I got to meet all types of creatures, great and small! first up was a Bat! hiding behind a mirror above the fire place, then a fox, kangaroo and kookaburra - wildlife everywhere!!!! Hay what would you expect from a property situated on 33 acres.
here are some of the before and after photo's. Not many good before shots - sorry!but you sort of get the gist of it!!!

 kitchen before above and after below

lounge/dinning after 

I don't usually like to re-post houses, or pictures that are not my own work, but as a stylist, I just cant take my eyes off this fabulous house on the coast of Victoria at the very trendy Barwon Heads, this house has to be MY all time favourite - it ticks all my boxes!, so I wanted to point out a few things that can help you achieve this look at home if you too fall for it like me!!?!

some of my hints and tips for making your place great!

 first impressions count - make sure your house number is clear and visible, use large bold numbers,and make sure your garden is looking its absolute best! When you walk in your front door, have something that makes your visitors go WOW! Its a transitional space, you don't  spend a lot of time here, so you can afford to go a little wild!! - For example - a bold rug? a cow hide on the floor, a large unforgettable print - bold and functional = good combination for entries.Don't be stagnant, mix things up - add fresh flowers one week, something quirky the next.

 I love the mixture of textures here - mix dark and light, concrete with wood, lively rugs, bold pendant lighting - available at Beacon lighting - I personally love that big wire basket (from Country Road Home), which is hanging on the wall as art - great idea - also love the mirror wall - everything just looks so much bigger, and it creates interest, it makes you want to keep looking!ooh, and another thing that you can do - mix your wood types! 

 This is a perfect example of pendant lighting where you just wouldn't expect to see it - this is a fabulous idea and highly impactful - again, not being afraid to mix different eras of furniture together, but keeping the colour palette tight makes it work.

 rugs used outside instantly creates another room - it softens the space and makes it more inviting - wood off cuts as side tables - also a fabulous low cost idea.

 Dark walls, lots of natural light and light bedlinen (from Target) looks fabulous - mix it back with some more expensive cushions and you have a sophisticated casual look.

 don't be afraid to add colour to a neutral interior - especially the bathroom, all too often I see clients playing it safe with matching towels and wall colours - find a colour you love and start introducing it - it truly will make you smile - here a green Missoni towel from Safari Living in Prahran has been used to create a bold casual statement - image that room without that towel!

what a cool space - love this room, lots of texture mixed in together - love the cowhide, its the universal  floor covering for me. its a real mix of modern and old and a little bohemian.

 the new fabric range out by Ikea is always a winner, I can't help but think the range above reminds me of the Kip and Co range - surely not and at a fraction of the price.

Lastly, its one thing to style a home for sale, its another thing to sell it! this week I received a lovely text message from a client who sold there house in three weeks. The clients had there house on the market for close to a year without a result, and after spending lots of time and money on a failed marketing campaign. Three weeks ago, I went into the home and styled it with hire furniture and got the vendors to make some small changes - the result was amazing, so lovely to end the week on such a lovely note. 

 before and after of the lounge room

happy Friday all, talk soon!

Californian Bungalow makeover

I walked into this house about eight weeks ago, the location of this home is amazing, right next door to the very famous Monsalvat art colony. This Californian Bungalow is home to a lovely family of four, who are sad to part with it, but due to travel and work commitments, the house is for sale. It was an amazing home to work on - I truly fell in love with it. My plan for this house was to keep it contemporary whilst also remaining relevant to the local market and look and feel of a Californian Bungalow - I hope I have done it the justice it deserves. If this place tickles your fancy, get in quick - I don't think it will last!

lounge room before and after

Entrance before and after

 Kitchen/dining before and after

  

 main bedroom

 second living room

keep in touch - please like gOLd ChaLK on Facebook xx

video tour

well, finally the video tour, of one, of my last jobs, it gives you a little bit more of the detail, which I so love! take a look here!!

say hi to Megan!

 This is the very lovely Megan, who has joined up with me to help me get through the busy times as my business grows - thank goodness for her, I say!!!! she has been a breath of fresh air and made my job so much more enjoyable and manageable! Megan is a very talented stylist in her own right - she is learning the ropes and getting a feel for what life as a property stylist is really like! - MAD AND FRANTIC (I keep telling her!!) - I hope she knows what she's in for!!!! Anyway, here she is in action, she started off doing work experience with me and was so good that I asked her to come along and help me for like ever!!!!!!! Lucky me!

 ooooh, by the way - we worked on this house today - absolutely amazing and about to hit the market - a Californian Bungalow in Eltham - Can't wait to share more of this home with you and the transformation! hopefully later this week.........stay tuned!!

 

please don't forget to like us on Facebook - if you haven't already - nearly 100 likes!!! yay!!

 

hope you all have a great week, and thanks for stopping by x

what a difference........before and after shots

 It still amazes me when I see these pictures - I went into this home after the owners had no success in selling their biggest asset. Mind you the before photos here are from the real estate agent who had the property before, so these are the pictures the owners had on the Internet showcasing their home - I can understand why it didn't sell!! Then I was asked to have a look at the house and make some suggestions to help them get it ready for sale.  Firstly I got them to remove the old air conditioner and plaster the brick wall, we changed some light fittings but basically that is all we did to the bones of the house!!!!! then we shipped out all of the old furniture and sent in some modern hire furniture and accessories,  and take a look at the difference!!!!! It's hard to believe furniture can transform a space so dramatically, but the right selection makes all the difference - in saying that the proof is always in the end result - can't wait to see if this one sells!! and how quickly - see it here, while it lasts. 

lounge room before (above) and after (below)

main bedroom before (above) after (below)

 

 kitchen before (above) and after (below)

isn't it amazing what a rug and the right table setting can do to a room, the black and 

glass setting was to harsh for this space - it needed some warming up.

 living room before (above) and after (below)

my dream job goes live

well, its official - my dream job is on the market - after weeks of planning and days of setting up, it has finally been listed and is ready to be snapped up by a lucky buyer.  This house took three full trucks of furniture , five delivery guys and two full days to set up - it really has been a dream come true - I loved every moment of it. Check it out here while it lasts.