This week I discovered a new cafe called Rockefeller Cafe + Kitchen that recently opened in my neighbourhood. To my delight it is full of the most amazing collection of 1950s kitchen tables and chairs.

So today I thought I would go down and test out my new camera, and as predicted absolutely no shortage of cool photo opportunities! As a "welcome to the neighbourhood gift" I gave the owners Georgia and Maria a set of my Good Health retro posters, so we may see some Retro Delights love adorning the walls very soon!

I went a bit crazy with the camera so check out the full set of photos on my flicker page here > and don't forget to visit Georgia and Maria and their amazing collection next time you are in Largs Bay.

Rockefeller Cafe + Kitchen
Shop 5/ 245 Fletcher Road, Largs Bay
Open: Wed - Sun 7:30 am - 4:00pm


Toodle-pip!

Light, bright and happy space to work in!

Looking back towards the laundry.

Finally our kitchen reno is complete... and I can't tell you how happy we are with the end result.

It was a challenging project, with us undertaking the design, electrical, plumbing, tiling, plastering, painting, building, installation etc. We did employ the services of our floor sander guy to keep our floors consistent throughout the house.

Definitely a hard room to configure considering there are two doors and two windows to work around. But I am pleased with the layout, and the fact that we managed to preserve one wall of the original wallpaper! My big sparkly new white stove is also a winner!

Incorporating my old meat safe was a brilliant idea. It breaks up the white, but it also adds a bit of character helping the kitchen to not look so modular!

So overall, all I can say is happy happy joy joy. Thank you to my clever husband Denis for all his hard work and long hours to complete this tip top job! Love ya!

Take the photo tour here >


PS: Cupboards, shelving, bench tops, sink, tap and handles all IKEA.

You have seen so far that our kitchen reno is a complete DIY project, so it would come to no surprise that Denis and I decided to tackle the tiling too. Having never done tiling before, it was a wee bit scarey, but once we got into the groove of it we actually found it to be really enjoyable! I am pleased to say we would be happy to tackle another tiling project again sometime - maybe upstairs bathroom!It is amazing how much money you can save if you give it a go yourself. The tiles cost about $130 + grout, cement and spacers. It was a tricky job as the wall wasn't so even, plus we had to go around the windows and sills. But overall we are pretty wrapped with the outcome.

First thing I noticed is how the white tiles make the wall colour (Dulux Pale Tendrill Half) simply POP! We did the laundry as well and now both rooms look almost finished.
Final before and after pics are on their way! 

Enjoy!

We could hang this shelf here with our clock above it. Currently quite an open space with a print hanging between the two windows.

Or my original plan was to hang the shelf here on the wall paper wall. Now I am not sure which...

So how did this happen you ask? Well I ended up sharing a before and after pic of our laundry reno and kitchen time-lapse video on the IKEA Facebook page. They loved it so much they asked if they could feature it on their website homepage!! So I am proud to say that our kitchen reno is a wee bit famous now with over 1500 views!! Classic hey!

Country Style Feb 2012

Cherie & Damien top left. My rustic hard rubbish ladder found a home in their bedroom!

Absolutely adore the custom made kitchen cabinets to match one of the original kitchen cupboards

The warm and welcoming rustic kitchen

I'm so excited to see my dear friends Damien and Cherie featured in this months Country Style Magazine - and what a beautiful spread. The old ladder I once found in hard rubbish, now resides in the bedroom displaying old books.

My favourite room of the home has to be the rustic kitchen. An eclectic mix of furniture from different eras past, mixed with a bit of modern. I have spent many an evening being treated to some of the best food that I've ever eaten from this cute kitchen. Cherie and Damien always put so much love into their cooking, and I believe this is probably their favourite room too!

This country abode is also the home of Scullery Made Tea! If you are not a tea drinker (yet), try Scullery Made and you will definitely be converted! The "Wine and Roses" blend is fantastic chilled and served from a vintage punch bowl. Great idea for when you have friends over for dinner (or lunch) and want to impress or try something a bit different!

A quick time-lapse of our complete kitchen reno. Denis and I have had so much fun putting this together. Although it was hard work during some very hot and sticky days! It has taken us two weeks to get to this point so far.

Tiling still to come and then the floor needs to be re-sanded. Will post official before and after photos very soon!

Denis's little movie creation of our Laundry renovation (almost) complete! Yes we are strange creative types. Who else would do a movie masterpiece of their Laundry!

Absolutely loving this Kitchen display found in "Decorate", a book I bought from One Small Room last week. Definitely need to start collecting an assortment of green, white and brown crockery!