Wednesday's Walk-through

Hiding behind the tag Brismod is Anita who writes a blog called Fun and VJs, which chronicles the renovation work on a tired old Queenslander home. Anita’s background is in corporate communication but she has a particular interest in architecture, design and vintage furniture. She is married to Jason (famous for his shirtless renovating) and has three young sons.

Fun and VJs – Lounge room

Earlier this year, we renovated our lounge room in our 1930s Queenslander home. It wasn’t an overly complicated job but with three boys running around the house (the youngest is one year old), it was still an arduous task.


It took approximately three weeks from go to woe – removing and replacing architraves, sanding and preparing the walls, then undercoating and painting the three metre high walls. The noisy work was done on the weekends, while painting was done at night.


The old cream colour scheme in the room made our vintage mid-century furniture seem particularly drab. Therefore our main mission was to make the room appear brighter and airier.


For me, it is still a work in progress in terms of decorating, but at least we have a decent blank canvas upon which this room will evolve over time.


Most of our furniture and art in this room has a story or family connection and is vintage Australian mid-century. I believe a home should have objects with personal resonance to make it a real home.


Furniture, rug and objects – thrifted or handed down from family or friends
Lighting – David Trubridge Coral pendant light
Large art work is from a photograph of my great-grandfather when he was in French Polynesia


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Large modernist screen print by late Gold Coast artist Veda Arrowsmith
Retro telephone table with teak lamp



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This photo shows the breeze way with tulip design which is characteristic of Queenslander homes
The art work is a portrait of my Tahitian mother and the landscape is of bungalows over the water in Tahiti



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This is the shelf directly under our wall mounted flat TV. This is the corner I’m not enthused about. We have the dreaded visible TV cords which are left dangling.
Lack floating shelf from IKEA, objects thrifted or were gifts



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Art deco side table with salvaged Station of the Cross.



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So pop over and visit Anita and feel free to ask her any questions about this room!

We are also discussing lots more houses over at The Decorating Forum today. 

And don't forget our GIVEAWAY!
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21 comments:

Gail McCormack said...

When I started reading, I was a little apprehensive on how Mid-Century furniture would work in an Old Queenslander?

Anita and her husband have certainly made it work - I love it!

Thanks for another great post

Natasha in Oz said...

I love how the room tells a story about Anita and her family. The mix of old and and new works well too...Great job Anita and shirtless Jason!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Sarah B said...

I have been following her blog for a while as I'm also trying to reno our house. I think this room has come up a treat! The furniture is great too - I just love the side table and the tulip breezeway!!

Mise said...

That's the first salvaged Station of the Cross I've seen on the Design Internet and I must pop off to salvage one for myself. With this room's lovely white height and sunny shapes, this is bound to be a winning trend as well.

Jane said...

I love this room the white looks fantastic and the furniture works really well.

In terms of tips - I would get a lamp like the one on the telephone table for the side table next to the couch.

If the TV worries you why not get a carpenter to build a surround for it? With wooden doors so it blends in then the cords wouldn't drive you crazy.

Alternatively you could lower it from the wall and find a mid century cabinet to hide it in.

xoox

Le said...

just lovely - a real home for love and fun - best le

Unknown said...

I love Anita's VJs. I tell her this regularly. I think she is beginning to think I'm obsessed with them and she MAY be right. Now, I am also obsessed with that breezeway.

julie-Ann said...

Hi Anita I love that your home says so much about your family. I feel just by seeing your lounge room I have gotten to know so much about you:) The room looks gorgeous:) But where are the pictures of shirtless Jason??? Lol

Dannielle said...

This house is beautiful. I love that it has so many things of significance in it. I really get the feeling that this house is a home. :)

Kerry said...

What's not to love about a Queenslander? I like the unexpected in this house..the furniture and the artwork that don't immediately say I'm from the tropics...they sit really nicely along those that say I do!

Katrina said...

Thanks Anita! I love your home, I love your style and originality :)

The Pink Poodle said...

HI girls...It looks Fabulous...& kind of brings me back to my '70's days....
which then i was in my early 20's...

when aged!! thought all this stuff was tacky/yucky..
NOW in early 50's...wish I still had ALL of my nannas goodies!!

love your new blog..tooo chicken to send any photos of my house for your site...

x andrea

Kelly said...

I LOVE VJs. I'm living in a old house with 13ft cellings and Vjs from the roof to the walls. I love it

brismod said...

Wow, thanks everyone. You're so kind!
Thanks Jane for the tips. I agree with getting another lamp for that side table. My eyes are always peeled. And I didn't even think of getting a cabinet-maker. A very good idea too.

Alicia ~ time worn style said...

oh yes I do love a touch of retro, I'm always on the lookout for it during my treasure hunting now and have started to incorporate a bit of it in my own home. Do like that lounge suite.
alicia

Unknown said...

What a beautiful house. I love Qld style homes...they have so much character and feel within them

the old boathouse said...

I love this room. It is very calm and very 60's Queensland in feel, but with a modern young feel..I love the way it is simple, classy but still with a sense of fun, does not take itself seriously or is too precious. As to the lamp issue...I know brismod has a pretty fun"ugly" one in the wings awaiting a bit of a revamp...maybe it should move on into the room.

Toni said...

I'd love an old house with character and history. Gotta love a Qld'er :) Thanks for sharing.

Pineapple Villa said...

For some reason i had trouble commenting this from home so trying from work - I LOVE IT - so fresh and full of character. A lovely job indeed and very inspiring. Mel xxx

Oh Gorgeous Baby said...

I really love Queenslander homes and love how WHITE the room looks. Im not sure I would do the same furniture but thats more about my style then yours. I do love how you have a story behind the pictures and how you told us where you found some of your pieces from too. Im going to go and check the rest of your blog out. Well done in getting it transformed in just 3weeks too and with 3 little boys under toe.

Amanda said...

I love how each of the components of this room are meaningful to its owners - such an important part of making a house a 'home' :)

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