Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Guest Blogger, Cristina Strutt...and a GIVEAWAY!

Today I have something special to share with you all. The amazing Christina Strutt from Cabbages & Roses has been kind enough to do a guest post on my blog, share some tips on decorating and also sponsor a beautiful GIVEAWAY for you all!!!

Take it away Christina!


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DEAR NESS,
I WAS THRILLED THAT YOU ASKED CABBAGES & ROSES TO MAKE
AN ENTRY FOR YOUR BLOG. HERE ARE 10 SMALL TIPS THAT WILL
HOPEFULLY MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE:
1. FAIL TO PLAN IS TO PLAN TO FAIL. DO WHAT PROFESSIONAL
DECORATORS DO AND MAKE A BOARD WITH PAINT COLOURS,
FABRICS, FLOOR COVERINGS AND FURNITURE PLAN.


2. GET SAMPLE POTS OF PAINT COLOURS AND PAINT AREAS IN
THE DARKEST PART OF THE ROOM AND IN THE LIGHTEST THE
COLOUR WILL VARY GREATLY, SO MAKE SURE IT WORKS
EVERYWHERE NOT JUST BY THE WINDOW.

3. IF YOU DON'T ABSOLUTELY ADORE THE PAINT COLOUR -
CHANGE IT - YOU WILL NOT LEARN TO LOVE IT/LIVE WITH IT - IT
WILL ANNOY YOU UNTIL IT IS CHANGED, AND BETTER TO
CHANGE IT WHILST THE FURNITURE IS OUT OF THE WAY RATHER
THAN WHEN YOU HAVE PUT THE ROOM BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.

4. PERIODICALLY RE ARRANGE YOUR TREASURES - PUT THEM IN
DIFFERENT ROOMS OR SETTINGS - I FIND THIS INSPIRES ME AND IS
A CHEAP WAY TO GET A NEW ROOM.

5. FLEA MARKETS AND ANTIQUES FAIRS ARE HEAVEN FOR
ANYONE DECORATING A HOME. ONE MANS TREASURE IS
ANOTHER MANS JUNK SO THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM TO
MANOEUVRE ON THE PRICE.

6. WHEN LOOKING FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PIECE OF FURNITURE AT
A FLEA MARKET, IMAGINE IT PAINTED WHITE - THIS WILL BRING A
PIECE FROM HEAVY 1940'S TO 21ST CENTURY SHABBY CHIC IN AN
INSTANT.

7. FLOORING SHOULD BE A NEUTRAL AND AS NATURAL AS YOU
CAN AFFORD. ALTHOUGH A LAMINATE WOOD FLOORING IS
CHEAPER THAN THE REAL THING, IT WONT LAST OR AGE AS WELL
AS REAL WOODEN FLOORBOARDS.

8. IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO RE DECORATE A ROOM AS WELL
AS YOU WOULD LIKE, PAINT IT WHITE. A CLEAN WHITE ROOM IS
A BLANK CANVAS WHICH CAN BE LEFT STARK AND MODERN
AND MINIMALIST, OR COSIED UP WITH FURNITURE, RUGS AND
PAINTINGS.

9. WHEN INVESTING IN ANYTHING FOR THE HOME BE IT FABRIC
FOR DRAPES, OR A PIECE OF FURNITURE ASK YOURSELF WILL I
LOVE THIS UNTIL I DIE CAN I HAVE IT IN FRONT OF MY EYES FOR
THE REST OF MY LIFE AND STILL LOVE IT IF THE ANSWER IS YES THEN
GO FOR IT.

10. HAVE FUN

XXC

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Thank you so much Christina for guest blogging for me. Your images are gorgeous and your advice priceless!

GIVEAWAY TIME =0)

Christina has been kind enough to offer one reader a gorgeous scented Cabbages & Roses candle, which comes in a beautifully labeled glass jar and box, and also a lovely shopper tote in the beautiful Cabbages & Roses fabric, Hatley in Cherise.
All you have to do is leave a comment and if you would like another entry head over to the lovely Cabbages & Roses blog and leave a comment there - simple!...just let me know in your comment.
The giveaway will be drawn on Monday 5th July, Australian time.
Ness xx
Thanks to Kathrine and Suzie to for all of your help, and of course Christina xx

94 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous post!! I love the idea about the colour white, so very true about being able to paint furniture you find at garage sales white and it immediately be updated. "Will I love this until I die" is something I need to learn how to ask myself more often... would save on expensive furniture mistakes!!

    :) Hazel

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  2. I love your blog Ness! I have just left a comment on Cabbages and Roses too.

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  3. What a lovely and very helpful post! I always find so much inspiration at your beautiful blog!
    ~Elissa

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  4. Hi Ness! thank you so much for this post!!! Christina's tips are so helpful...especially if you're in the middle of a decorating journey and you are qquite to loose yourself!!!
    Also thank you for hosting this incredible giveaway!!!
    Fingers crossed!
    xxx
    Mara

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  5. Hi Ness!
    Love your blog and I love C & R!
    Loved all the tips! So true about picturing the furniture white..white paint transforms anything!

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  6. Christina's tips are great, so simple yet so true! Please count me in for your giveaway Ness! xx

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  7. Beautiful photos and great tips.

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  8. thanks for the tips! i love the image of the mirror leaning against the wall. I did that in our bedroom & it makes the room feel so luxurious!

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  9. Hello Ness,
    this post is so precious and I will save the 10 tips in my archive if you do not mind!
    I love Christina, every word she's written is a treasure. I love tip n.7: since I produce, with my family, waxes for real wooden floors I totally agree with her, real massif wood is unvaluable!The older it gets the better it is!
    Thank you for this post,thank you!
    I will be in Christina's blog in 1 second to leave a comment there too!
    Francesca

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  10. What a fabulous post! I love cabbages and roses am off there now to leave a second comment

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  11. Great tips. I have learned so much reading blogs by so creative ladies like you!

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  12. Thanks for the fabulous giveaway!

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  13. Ness, How wonderful! I adore
    Cabbage & Roses! Great advice!

    Jane
    Flora Doora

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  14. Fabulous guest post by Christina! Love all of her tips, especially re. paint (I've done my share of painting and I agree, you will just be annoyed so find the right colour right away).

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  15. Beautiful photos, lovely post! I am heading over there now! Thanks and have a wonderful weekend!

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  16. Wow, lovely! Please count me in too!!!! I am gonna go over to her blog and leave a comment now! Thanks!

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  17. Ness thanks for having Cristina as a guest blogger. So many wonderful hints.
    Great giveaway
    Alison

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  18. I have been over to the Cabbages and Roses blog, so many wonderful posts
    Alison

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  19. I left a comment over at C&R too!

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  20. Love Cabbages and Roses - great interview and giveaway!

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  21. Left a comment for Cabbages and Roses too! Thank you!

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  22. Hi I just left a comment on cabbage and roses...Stanna
    (shabbyloft@aol.com)

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  23. I would love to win...Stanna
    (shabbyloft@aol.com)

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  24. Christina tips were really useful!! And so kind of her to sponsor a giveaway!!!

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  25. I check your blog everyday for new posts. While there are plenty of blogs out there loaded with eye candy, I find yours is one of the few that keeps thing 'real'. Thanks for the constant inspiration.
    And thanks for this chance at such a lovely giveaway.

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  26. a wonderful post...I love Cabbages and Roses!!! And your blog..such beautiful things. I would love to win this give away! Never won anything, but guess there is always a first!

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  27. Doses and doses of lovely inspiration.... Blessings to you and have a peaceful holiday. Enjoy.

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  28. Great ideas and a great giveaway. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed!

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  29. Great advice and great giveaway!

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  30. The label of that candle is swoon-worthy, as were all the photos in today's post. Point me to the white paint and get out of my way!

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  31. Hi Ness *smile* Awesome Guest Blog! I've already sent the quote "fail to plan .... is a plan to fail" to my kids! And, I'm gonna try really hard to practice the "will I love it until I die" thing ... cuz I have messed that up a lot! OHHH .... I love giveaways! Have a great day!
    Hugs,
    Pam
    p.s. I'm gonna leave a comment for Christina too !!!

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  32. These are great ideas, especially the one about the paint. I painted my room thought it would grow on me....over a year later I still don't like it...I guess it is time to paint!

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  33. Pick Me, Pick Me, Pick Me.
    I love your blog, I read it daily. I'm headed over to Cabbages & Roses now.

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  34. great advice-I'm leaving a comment on her blog too-thanks!

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  35. Great ideas. I especially like the first one. I need to do this when approaching to revamp a room of mine. I love the pictures in this post as well.

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  36. I love your blog and all the creative ideas you present. Also love Cabbages and Roses - fingers crossed!

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  37. What a great post and the giveaway is gorgeous - merci beaucoup Ness.

    A tres bientot,

    Leeann x

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  38. Great advice. I totally agree with loving your paint color and the things you choose for your home. It's so exciting to find that perfect piece. I'm heading over to Cabbages and Roses. Have a great day.

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  39. Lovely post & giveaway ~ Thankyou ♥

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  40. It's like 2 for one day! Great advice on a great blog. Heading to Cabbage and Roses to post a comment there too. Would love to win the candle especially.

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  41. such beautiful pictures! i love it all! would love to win these pretties too : )

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  42. Great advice! I especially like number 9. Thanks.

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  43. Each and every one of her tips are just wonderful, Ness!
    Thanks so much for the chance to win. :-)

    Hugs,
    Anne

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  44. Christina's tips are really helpful - especially about that paint color that you are never going to learn to like...(ahem)...

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  45. I have also left a comment over at C&R - thank you, Ness!

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  46. Great tips! Thanks for sharing!

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  47. Thank you so much! These are fabulous tips and what a great giveaway!
    Nina

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  48. good advice, I painted a room, did not love the color, thought I would start loving it...HATE IT!!!

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  49. Of course I want to be in your giveaway!! :)

    /helena

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  50. SO many great tips! Thank you!
    I'd love to be entered in this giveaway, please.

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  51. I'm trying to remodel and soon redecorate my little cottage. Your tips are a big help, I only wish I had more time. We are on a time constraint since we moved out to renovate and cannot pay 2 mortgages. I have had to make major decisions so fast my head is spinning. I just hope I will love it for the rest of my life!

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  52. I'm trying to remodel and soon redecorate my little cottage. Your tips are a big help, I only wish I had more time. We are on a time constraint since we moved out to renovate and cannot pay 2 mortgages. I have had to make major decisions so fast my head is spinning. I just hope I will love it for the rest of my life!

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  53. Loved the tips and today I am going to move a few things around to make the house look a little different. Thank you and I promise to head over to the Christina's website and add her to my dashboard!

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  54. Isnt she amazing? I love her work, so inspiring to me.
    Jenny
    ps. love your blog!

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  55. Great advice tips and great giveaway. I am a huge fan of Cabbages and Roses.
    ~Sam

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  56. Wow Ness, what a post, and what a giveaway! Please count me in, and I'm heading straight over to the Cabbages and Roses blog for another chance too! K xx

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  57. Eeep, Ness!! I hope you find my comment all the way down here ;) You know how much I LOVE C & R, so I would very much like to enter your gorgeous giveaway! Wonderful tips from Christina:) Thank you so much for the chance to enter. Hope you have a wonderful Thursday. Hugs ~ Tina xx

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  58. Gorgeous blog and great advice!

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  59. Great practical advice and the photos are as always inspiring!

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  60. Great tips, especially useful for someone like myself who is getting ready to build a new house. A lovely give away to!!

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  61. I love all of the tips! We just moved into a new house and been having a lot of fun collecting pieces to decorate with.

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  62. Lovely post...lovely blog! Please enter me in the giveaway.
    Blessings,
    Helen

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  63. Thanks Ness, for the lovely opportunity, please count me in and I am off to Cabbage & roses for another chance! They were great tips, all so simple yet practical.

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  64. What lovely advice and what a lovely giveaway.... hope your kitchen and miners' cottage projects are going well too. A x

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  65. great advice about the sample paints! so true!

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  66. 10 great tips, it is always great to live and learn from others in the know.

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  67. Beautiful post and thank you so much for the tips.

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  68. SWEET GIVEAWAY!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!
    LOVE,LINDA

    jldouglas@wispwest.net

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  69. Beautiful pictures.... and I love all the great tips, and what a sweet giveaway!!! Blessings~~~Daphne

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  70. I love her advice, all simple but so true! What a fun giveaway. Thank you Ness and Christina.
    xoxo~
    T

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  71. I'm in. I love Cabbages & Roses. I have an image on my blog which i adore. i*m heading over to Cabbage & Roses blog to leave a comment there also.

    Best regard Elisabeth Borgs blog

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  72. Love your blog. And the decorating tips are great. I will leave a comment with C & R also.
    Linda C

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  73. what a great giveaway! i love candles and that bag is simply gorgeous. it would give me jus another reason to go shopping! :)

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  74. That is one gorgeous bag + candle.. add my name in the hat baby!

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  75. Ness please count me in what a fantastic giveaway. thankyou Sandy x

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  76. Such an excellent post...great advice thanks for sharing and I would love to be included in the giveaway...Kym

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  77. That table and fab chairs in photo 3....oh my! Love!

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  78. I love all her tips! Expecially like how she suggests to draw it out with color, the pictures are amazing! Have a wonderful weekend Ness!
    XO
    Kristin

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  79. Hi Ness..
    just left a comment over at C&R..
    please enter me in this fabulous giveaway!
    warm sandy hugs..
    Loui♥

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  80. I have her book and her style is just wonderful. I would love to know the paint color in the second picture. The fabrics on the bed are just wonderful!

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  81. Hi Ness! thank you so much for this post!!! Christina's tips are so helpful...especially if you're in the middle of a decorating journey and you are quite to loose yourself!!!
    Also thank you for this incredible giveaway!!!
    Hugs Annamaria

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  82. I really have enjoyed reading Christina's tips! They are very useful!! Especially tip N01!!! It is so true!
    I go over to Christina's blog now!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    xx
    Greet

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  83. great inpirational tips, i think the last one is most important sometimes i cant always decorate the way id like so finding new ways or cheeper ways is half the fun as seeing the end result

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  84. Fab post Ness, I love all those tips especially the 'paint it white' ones, I always picture everything white!
    Flick :)

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  85. I just popped over and left a comment at C&R... cheers!
    Flick :)

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  86. great tips and ideas - i'm keeping this post to remind me. the giveaway is fabulous as well...hope i win!

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  87. What a lovely post. I could get so much work done at that lovely desk with the side-by-side chairs. Such inspiration!

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  88. i think (know) i have to get this book! wonderful reminder to keep things mixed up and renewed. beautiful fabrics say it all.
    Cindy at drj1s@sti.net

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