Words on loving life and being happy is what this blogs about. The first part ‘words on loving life’ unfortunately doesn’t always include happiness. Though I try to keep things upbeat, sometimes it’s difficult. Our lives don’t always go to plan and things happen that are unavoidable. I have some sadness at the moment about Boss, which I will post about soon, but first I thought I needed a cheerful post.

Flowers in my garden.

Spring is here and my mandarin tree is in bloom. The fragrance is like jasmine and makes my garden smell like fine perfume. I love getting the yard ready for summer barbecues and outdoor living. I’ve sprayed our aging outdoor setting a bright yellow (summer sunshine) and though it will look eclectic I’ll have to buy a couple of new chairs in different colours (or ones I can revamp) because yesterday the bottom nearly fell out of one I kept. I’ll add bright cushions and table runner and it will look funky, and hopefully last another season.

I believe in revamp before buying. I love painting, so it’s fun to play with colours and give a piece of furniture a new coat of paint or upholster in a fabric that changes the look. I don’t really like shopping, so if I can avoid it I will. I think too, there’s an accomplishment in having your own revamped possessions. I feel proud when I’m asked when I got my new bar stools (old bar stools painted), new fridge (painted gold), unique tallboy (painted with spare acrylic paints) – oh I did that – no big deal.

Okay, I wouldn’t call any of it classy or groundbreaking but it works for me. Maybe you could try it before you take something to the tip or put it out the front of your house for the next council clean up. Here’s some inspiration:

The after and before photos of the outdoor setting show what a big change just paint can make. The bar stools all started off plain cane and brown seats and were revamped for outside (darker stain and white/lime seats) and inside red and black (to match my kitchen). The tallboy was so much fun to pain with black/gold/silver and green – add new and revamped handles and a totally different look to the pine it was.

Looks like a flashy gold fridge but it was plain white and has been pained with cheap metallic paint from the variety store.

For more (or better) inspiration I love Pinterest. Have fun and if you’re not happy, remember happiness always returns eventually, so look forward to it.