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.

Master Plan Kit and some lovely feedback

Last week I posted out a Master Plan Kit to a client in Queensland on how to decorate and furnish her entry way -  she sent through her details via email and I pulled together the rest - this is her moodboard. So yesterday I received this lovely email from her, when she received her Kit in the mail.........

Hi Kylie

Finally cleared my PO Box on Friday and we are over the moon with the package! Just as I had hoped, you took a different perspective on the room which was really what hubby and I needed - we had been "too close to it for too long" (so to speak) - you know things are off track when you are arguing heatedly over the size of bookshelves!

Unfortunately my dryer died last week and was closely followed by the washing machine (you wouldn't read about it!) so finances are now a bit at the stretched point - however we did paint the buffet on the weekend (high gloss black) and it looks great! I also "borrowed" a bookcase from my son's bedroom and have painted that in a semi gloss white which we will make do with until we can get the lovely Freedom ones. Funnily enough I actually have a "tram roll" from Print Dolls (or Penny Farthing Design as they are now) which I have been carting around for years - this is the first house I've lived in where I've said "it's shame I don't have anywhere to put this" - well apparently I do - thanks for the tip!

So trips to Matt Blatt, Ikea and Freedom are on the cards over the next few weeks as the bank balance improves - our mind set is now "Wow we are going to do a really good job here" rather than thinking "God where do we start?"

Thanks for sharing your expertise Kylie - it's a great service and I would certainly recommend it (and you!)

Kind regards

moodboard - gOLd ChaLK

Spoiler Alert - I just completed my dream project

super excited to share my latest project with you all - I have just completed this fantastic home, it will be listed on the market in the next few days  - I worked with an international client on this one. They are based in Hong Kong and have decided to sell their home here in Melbourne and I got to create this!!!!!

 more on this project later in the week - promise!!!

all photos taken by gOLd ChaLK

Kip and Co - Trending NOW

watch out guys, Kip & Co are about to get huge - if they aren't already!!! - now, don't think I've gone banana's but their new range for AW13 is SUPA COOL! this range is designed to be mixed and matched - Use it for kids rooms and adults alike - I got a feeling we are going to see lots more from these very talented girls!!! keep your eyes out! 

love this banana pillow slip! super cool and groovy

love how the range can be mixed back with neutrals to tone it down if needed - love that Porters Paint Wallpaper!

 

 cushions, throws, covers and pillow slips -you name it -Kip & Co have you covered!!! literally!

how and why I was on the cover of a magazine!!!!!!

Yesterday I got to appear on the cover of the Herald Sun Home Magazine, how did this happen????, I hear you asking!!!!! Well I was lucky enough to work with the very talented Julia Green from Greenhouse Interiors as her assistant for the day.  How did I land the assistant role??? well, I kept knocking on her door, I didnt give up and I was prepared to do whatever it took. Assistant roles are never paid roles, but the experience gained is invaluable, and if you are lucky enough to get a gig with a fabulous mentor who is not afraid to share her knowledge, the benefits are two fold!

This was a Porter Davis display home that we injected some colour into (prior to Julia arriving, this home was fully Black and Silver!!) and the result was amazing! 

I learnt so much from her on the day, got to see how things really work behind the scenes and most importantly, I now really understand how different property styling is to magazine styling - both are extremely tough gigs -  your car is always filled with props and stock on loan from shops, suppliers and even your own home - you pack, un pack and then pack it all up again - and although the end result can look very glamorous, it's bloody hard work - you have to love it, you have to have a keen eye for detail, the hours are long and often grubby, but when you see the end result and your name in print, the hard work all seems so worth it!!!

gOLd ChaLK does Adore Home Magazine!!! YAY!!!

What an absolute thrill to be a part of the latest Adore Home Magazine, loved pulling this Blog Loving page together, these are really some of my favorite things at the moment. Fingers and toes crossed this is the first of many more magazines I get to work on - see me and many more fantastic articles in the latest edition of Adore Home which hit the stands today - view it here

see me on pages 10, 18, 19 and 34!

Adore Home front cover

that's me - listed as one of the contributors - how fabulous, especially to be in the same company as some of my most admired colleges.

Love contributing to this page - I especially love that home nearly always takes it cue from Fashion! - I have some of these pieces in my space!

Lastly, this fabulous E-magazine is trying very hard to fund a hard cover book - it will be the "must have" coffee table book, help make Loni's dream a realty and pre-purchase her book - I have!!! you can pledge your support and read more about it here!

it's been a little while between posts lately - lots of good stuff happening that is keeping me very busy, hope to fill you all in on more soon, but hopefully the wait wont be as long!!!