Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Another year of painted furniture

2016 has been my busiest year ever. Over 325 pieces painted this year, all with love and care. Who would have thought this is where life would lead me but I'm so happy doing this business.  A big thank you to all my customers and supporters. Thank you for still reading here and all the lovely comments and emails I receive. 

Here's a little compilation of (most of) my painted furniture from this year. Love to hear what you think.



I've been making plans for 2017 and am working on some paint finishes workshops. I'll announce details soon.


Lilyfield life french sideboard

In the meantime we are enjoying some quiet time at home and the beach. (And I am resting and ice-ing a very sore shoulder - my painting arm so I am taking good care of it. Not from kayaking but not helped by kayaking either)


lilyfield life french console table

Enjoy your day.
Thanks once again for being here. 
I just love hearing from you all.
Fiona xx



Monday, December 26, 2016

Merry Christmas, Kayak, Wine Table

Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

Merry Christmas

Hope you had a brilliant day. We spent the day with Phil's parents and his sisters. Early to the beach for a swim, snorkel and a beach BBQ breakfast. Later in the morning we walked around the cove to grab a coffee and while we were waiting I jumped into the water for another quick swim and I was floating out in the water, looking back at my family and the cafe and all the people onshore enjoying the beautiful day and beach and thought How lucky are we in Australia?


We have a Christmas tradition of spending the morning at Shelly beach. It really is my happy place and means we are all nice and relaxed before Christmas lunch. We always have some friends or family join us and everyone loves it. Not sure I'd make it through Christmas day without it :)






Phil bought me a kayak for Christmas - although we didn't take it to the beach on Christmas morning. I think the first time we load it onto the car there might be some stress and cross words involved and we didn't need to do that in front of Phil's parents on Christmas morning so we will wait till later today when we are by ourselves and not rushed to take it for a maiden voyage :)

excuse my crazy hair :)
I have wanted a kayak since I was in my early 20s and Phil said if I didn't get one now I probably never would. I can't wait to use it. There might be less furniture getting painted next year....


Look at these beautiful cupcakes Sasha made for Christmas. These are Nigella's Christmas cupcakes and there were delicious. The icing is amazing - a soft royal meringue icing - nice and bright white. Nigella uses cranberries and fondant for the berries and leaves but Sasha used red raspberry lollies and french mint leaves from the garden. So Christmassy.


Here's my last piece of painted furniture for the year. I painted this vintage wine table for my lovely mother in law's Christmas present. She always is so supportive of my business and complimentary and she loves the french putty grey colour I use so when I found this table I thought it would be the perfect gift for her.

Lilyfield Life - painted wine table

 She loved it.

Hope you had a great day also and enjoy these nice post-Christmas days. I always love this time of year best.

Fiona xx

Thursday, December 22, 2016

French style consoles, the beach, Christmas carols

Good morning. 
Who is getting excited for Christmas? 
Do you have kids who are?
Today I am hoping to finish up the last of my Christmas shopping and finish painting a piece that I'm giving someone for Christmas so it's one I'll share after I've given it. I'v mad a checklist and slowly ticking off everything that needs to be done. I'll get Sasha to start some baking (gingerbread cookies - wait till you see what our plan is) and we are also catching up with my sister this morning to organise a Christmas eve family lunch on the beach. Lots of good things ahead. 

catherine hill bay beach australia

My beautiful friend, Leanne, and her family are up the coast this week at Catherine Hill Bay - such a quaint little town (no shops and an old mining town right on this beautiful beach). Yesterday I had an epiphany that my Christmas prep and work will just expand to what ever time I allow and it won't really matter if I don't get everything done. What will matter is if I'm stressed or if I'm happy, relaxed and pleasant to be around. Boom that realization is just so liberating ....so the kids and I drove up to spend the afternoon on the beach with our friends. 

oh it was so good.

We went to Christmas carols the other night at Five Dock. We always enjoy it there. Relatively easy to get a park and find a spot to sit, lovely carols and a family friendly evening.  We bought these little candle torches they sell on the evening. Way better than having real candles. 

christmas carols

christmas carols

I remember setting a friend's hair alight as a kid with a real candle while we were singing carols. It was when I was at boarding school and every year the boarders formed a choir and we walked in procession holding real candles. The girl in front of me had really thick long hair and boinged out from her head. The flame from my candle just leapt forward and whooshed up her hair burning a big section. I nearly died. I quickly patted it out and the girl turned and said what are you doing? I just told her she had a fly in her hair and I was brushing it away as I didn't want to freak her out as we were walking on stage although the smell was terrible. I'm sure I owned up to it later :)

Anyway I love these battery operated candles, no accidents and look how good they look on my mantle now. 

french fireplace Lilyfield Life

On the furniture painting front, I did finish (and already sell) these two beautiful console tables. Consoles are some of my favourite pieces to paint and to use in a home. Just a nice little piece to accent a room - pop an ornament and some flowers on and instant elegance in your room.

Lilyfield Life french console table

Lilyfield Life french console table

Enjoy your day, stay sane
Fiona xx

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Almost Christmas and Available Pieces


Good morning! I hope you are all feeling almost ready for Christmas. I still have a fair bit to do but am trying to quell the panic feeling inside my chest. I hate that Christmas puts so much pressure on our society (both in preparation and financially). I've been trying to make it simpler but it's not always possible when you take into account people around you who love a big Christmas and full on present giving. Oh well, I'm sure it will all be lovely on the day. I'm trying to make sure I am calm and happy and pleasant to be around :) I've also been taking some time to decorate the house in between work and kids.


The hallway looks good at least. Took me a while to scrub off paint that I've tracked from my studio on my feet. 




We are having Christmas lunch here with Phil's family then my sister and kids are joining us for dessert - after the morning at the beach. Always my favourite way to spend Christmas morning. 



I have a few pieces of furniture still available - last pieces for 2016. Please contact me if you are interested via email or find LilyfieldLife on facebook or Instagram.


Lovely French style console: painted in a soft grey chalk paint and black top. Fluted legs. Solid timber. Single drawer. Gorgeous fleur de lis handle 
105w x 36d x 86h cm
$325




A lovely vintage piece painted in a custom mix greige ASCP and waxed finish. A little chip/damage on a drawer corner (middle drawer, left bottom corner, not perfect but not structural) All drawers dovetailed and slide smoothly. Gorgeous detail and original hardware. 
95w x 45d x 87h cm
$395




Gorgeous old rustic pine cabinet. Beautiful tongue and groove planks. So lovely. Would work well well in all rooms of your house. (Even as a baby's change table due to a slight lip on the top.) Painted in ASCP old white and gently distressed. Waxed finish. 
See photo in comments for interior: one fixed shelf.
73w x 44d x 90h
$325



Lovely cedar backing board turned coat hook shelf unit. Solid cedar timber painted in a beautiful French putty green grey. Rustic and distressed. Three large double hooks.
125w x 15d x 48h cm
$225
Pickup Lilyfield



Good luck with all your preparations. Have a good week
Fiona xx