Boatshed Revisited

After almost a year, I've decided to take up blogging again. I stopped quite suddenly last July when I came home from Europe, so I could concentrate on finishing my PhD. That finally happened about a month ago, so I'm finding I have more free time now. During the year of no blogging, I consolidated my position on a few things. Firstly, the things I loved a year ago, I still do, namely walls of mirrors, walls of plates, bookshelves, library ladders, French chairs, chandeliers, marble, quilts etc. However, I have also learnt to embrace colour, particularly ones that may not appear to go together. My aesthetic now also encompasses mid-century. I've decided that if I love something, it doesn't matter what period it comes from. So, here on my deck is a 60s chair that I've covered in fabric from Ici et La, teamed with a table from the opshop covered in four tablecloths sewn together:


And my bathroom curtains are tablecloths from the op shop:


The main reason I've decided to revisit blogging is the global financial crisis. A year ago, who knew? Now its effects are ubiquitous. I have always, not being flush with cash, had an aesthetic based on thrift, without (hopefully) compromising on taste. So it really annoys me when stores, hotels, cafes etc sacrifice style when balancing the budget. At the moment I'm researching a trip to Queensland and trying to find accommodation under $AUD100 per night. I'm over the stock-issue quilted peach-toned bedspreads and smoked glass-topped tables. And vertical blinds, don't get me started. I have, however, managed to find a few inexpensive places that make me want to stay there, which I'll post about. In addition, I just returned from a week in New York where I also managed to achieve value for money fairly often and which I'll also be posting on.