Sunday, June 13, 2010

working hard

it is the Queens birthday weekend here & dutch husband and I have spent most of our time at Villa Maria ~ doing as much as we can ..
since having the trees cut down last week, the orange tree has bounced back already [I actually harvested the oranges from the tree yesterday.. the possums were destroying all the fruit.. dutch husband and I shared oranges for morning tea this morning.. still alot of cleaning up to do in the garden after the tree fellers came..

[a path in the back garden that goes along by the citrus trees..] I am going to put an old gate at the beginning of the path and it will be known as 'the Alice path'.. welcome to Wonderland..

[the white rabbit is the first you will meet.. don't be late!.. ] any ideas of what I can put near him?.. I have old tea cups hanging near the Mad Hatter.. and mirrors near Alice.. still working out the Queen of Hearts [pictures will come in the next few days]

[dutch husband has spent the past 3 days constructing Villa Eggplant.. the new home for our chooks.. ]

[a few weeks ago, I planted garlic at Villa Maria. it is now sprouting!]

[the is taken from the backyard, looking at the back of the house.]
it is not very attractive and has alot of work to be done. our plan is to bag & paint all the brick work.. roughly, like an old italian villa. the colours that I have chosen are earthy colours. the front door is going to be either red or aubergine.. still not sure

tomorrow, we go back again. the last day of our long weekend. and start painting my art studio.. pink walls with a feature wall of lime green & window sill is purple..
odd you think? wait for pictures! i have bought the most brilliant handles for the doors..

16 comments:

J C said...

I love reading about your progress at Villa Maria. The green man looks perfect, like he is satisfied in his new home. Daisy would be happy. I'm surprised at the colors you picked for your art studio. It just doesn't sound like you. Now I am anxious for pics!

xoxoxo

Paula - Buenos Aires said...

I´m in love with the Alice path. What a lovely, wonderful, magical concept! Send the rabbit my love. :)

A bird in the hand said...

I know it's hard work for you, but I'm really enjoying seeing the progress!

I love the white rabbit. Maybe dangle a tea cup somewhere, but that's all I would do. He does sort of say it all!!

xxoo

mxtodis123 said...

It's so exciting....making it into the home you have always dreamed of. I just know that Villa Aria is going to be a very special place...and I cannot wait to see the finished product.
Mary

Debra She Who Seeks said...

How exciting to be decorating a new home! And lucky chooks, they get a new home too!

Sheila said...

It is already showing signs of your belonging Robyn. The Alice path is a lovely whimsical idea, and your art room colours will inspire you no end.
The plants and the chooks are going to be well catered for, and obviously the trees are already responding to your TLC.
I can almost hear the house sighing with happiness at being bought by you.
Hugs
xx

Janet said...

I wish I could stroll down the Alice Path! Before you know it, you're going to have such a beautiful garden and home. You seem to have the magic touch!

Your art studio colors sound just perfect to me!

Everydaythings said...

I'm excited every time I read your progress at the house! what energy! aubergine for a front door... hmm I think youve given me a great idea!

Manchester Lass, Now and Then said...

Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous♥ Crikey did you and Joe write a book on Hard Yakka, the definition should read Robyn and Joe. Seriously, I am in awe of the progress you have both achieved already:) I just love the White Rabbit♥ What a wonderful home Villa Maria is going to be:) xxx

C said...

wow things are certainly happening there......... its looking amazing... loving the rabbit lol i woul have to put clocks or hands with him as he was always worried about being late. cant wait to see pics of your art room colours sound very inspiring hopping you have a fabby week x x x x

gma said...

Your art room is going to be fantastic. Is the purple window sill on the lime green wall? Love those colors together. The pink will be magical as well! So glad you are having fun with all of this. Love the Alice path.... You are full of great ideas.

Anonymous said...

I love your white rabbit ~ where ever did you find such delightful Alice statues? I can't wait to see more photos of your magical Villa Maria +

Anonymous said...

Oooooo - how exciting! Time theme for the rabbit maybe? Sundial close by? Little pig-face daises that open and close depending on the time of day? Late-season flowering plants or vegies? How about scouting flea markets or the like for anything that's being discarded from broken clocks to make a theme-related Robyn-created masterpiece. I'm sure you'll come up with something.Remember those tic-toc biscuits? Do they still have them? What a great place in your garden to sit and enjoy one with a cup of tea, Mad Hatter-approved tea of course - and watchout for the dormouse!xx

Cheryl@Gingerbread Crafts said...

Oooh I love the idea of the bagging of the bricks. Can't wait to see the after shots.

amelia said...

I can't wait to see pictures as you continue your work. It doesn't look any smaller than Inglewood, is it? It looks as if you've got quite a large home there!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, you have been busy bees !!! The colours sound wonderful and I can't wait to see the pictures.
The rabbit, does he have a clock yet ??? Maybe you could hang little clocks near him ???
Have a wonderful day.

"She seemed to come suddenly upon happiness as if she had surprised a butterfly in the Winter woods"
(edith wharton)