Before & after: White paint magic

How fabulous are these before & after pics! It just goes to show that sometimes all you need is a tin of white paint, and a little imagination. We found these photos via the blog One Simple Addiction.

Don't forget to send in your before & after pics to real living.

images life in the fun lane via one simple addiction

Sneak peek: John McDonald's fave sunny spot

John McDonald, chief sub-editor, shares his fave sunny spot:

"This is where I'll sit to read the paper in fine weather. We have some cushions stored in a little hollow in the lounge room cabinets especially for placing on the rather hard metal chairs when we have a summer dinner party. So I drag a couple out and pop my sunnies on.

"My partner Michael inherited the outdoor sitting from his sister. Every few years Michael will give it a new coat of weatherproof metallic paint and buy new plastic for the top.

"We are planting some kangaroo paws beside the water feature behind the chair - that's why they're all over the table. The border plants are gardenias - you can see the most healthy ones here. On some parts of the fence border they are less vigorous - it's a mystery why."

We're loving: Chloe's house

I was just going through some old images and came across this one of Chloe. She belongs to a very proud Carolyn Innis, creative director of our advertising department. Don't you think it's just the perfect home for this pug princess?! (Oh, and the house was bought at Dogs And The City.)

Sneak peek: Andrea Healy's fave sunny spot

Summer is coming! In celebration I thought you might want to see the real living team's fave sunny spots at home. Today, here's a peek at acting deputy art director Andrea Healy's.

"This little spot in my bedroom by the window calls to me around midday when the sun streams in just so to fall upon the pillows and invite me to rest. The perfect place to read the weekend papers for an hour or so if the schedule permits." - Andrea.

Sneak peek: Objet & Maison homewares fair

A vertical stack of coloured suitcases - cute storage idea.

"Handmade Egyptian light fittings - very big at Maison & Objet
and in Store at Filly's Stable in the New Year."

"OBJECT M - It was fantastic to see what’s going on the European design circuit very inspirational and exciting we wished we could take it all home with us and fill our homes with it!"
Lena (left) and Lauren (right) taking in the view over the River Seine.

Don't these girls have the best job! Lena Mendez and Lauren Nicholls from Melbourne's fashionable and fabulous shop Filly’s Stable (they also have the fashion label, Green Pony) wanted to share some pics they took at this year's Maison & Objet homewares trade show in Paris. Love the outdoor room!

images courtesy of Filly's Stable

We're loving: Christmas 09

Christmas in Australia is unlike Christmas anywhere else. And have you noticed that in recent years we're really celebrating this fact. We open the doors wide to let the sunlight in. We cook food that's not so rich or exhausting to prepare in the heat. We even let humour have its place in decorations - well, our clever contributing stylist Zoey Bourne Milczarczk certainly did. I love her kangaroo snow dome. That's definitely going on my Christmas table this year. Would love to know your creative Chrissy ideas... and what you think of the issue.

images real living

We're loving: Christmas 09 issue

I know, I know. It seems unbelievable to have a Christmas issue on sale right now (on the newsstands today). Well, that's how the team were feeling when we first started to pull the issue together - a few months ago. But then over the weekend I had to write the date down and it struck me - oh no! - only two months until Christmas Day! Can you believe that?! So, we did get the timing right after all. Because this issue - dedicated to all things Christmas - will help you get ready - without the stress. Now, that's perhaps the best gift of all.

image real living

Latest buys: Cool and colourful rug

We always love a bargain here at real living so I had to share this great buy from Spotlight sourced by Viv Mansour - we featured her home in the current onsale issue - November 09.

Size: 140 x 200cm
Sale price: $59.95 for members
Store: Spotlight

image ish and chi

Out and about: All aboard!

Catherine and Bi on board the Crocs boat

Boat shoes never looked so cute

Bi and Kelly working hard on the habour
- well, that's what they told me! hehe

"As much as everyone likes to believe that working on a magazine is all about the glitz and the glamour, it isn’t... well, not always. One perk of the job is being invited to attend some cool events. What a great way to spend a warm spring afternoon - sailing on Sydney Harbour to celebrate the launch of Crocs latest range, which has had a serious revamp. Now back to dry land and deadline. Eek!" - Kelly Hawke, editorial co-ordinator.

Mag extras: The simple life

I can't tell you how much everyone in the office loved this house feature. We were drooling over it for weeks. I still have a pic of the photo from page 94 in the November 09 issue on my pin board. To me it conjures all that is wonderful about Australian-designed homes - the light, the use of natural materials, the casual look and feel. And if you've read the article you'd know that you can stay at the Koskela house too - just click here.

images real living