Haff Aware

The front door to my house was, well let’s be honest … not very inviting. When I moved in, there was a rusted gate, cobwebs and an entire ecosystem had taken over the entrance. So like the previous owners, I never used my front door. For the first year I’d enter through the side door aka the back door 😏
Now that’s not good Feng Shui!
🪣 💚 🧼 💚 🫧
A weekend project:
🐛 re home the wildlife to the garden ☺️
✨ Replace outside floor tiles
🎨 Paint the door Plascon, Knysna Forest
💛 New brass lock and door k**b

The smallest changes to your home can have the most profound changes. Welcoming in new possibilities 🌱 💫

In feng shui, a good front door is crucial because it acts as the “mouth of chi,” the main entry point for all energy, opportunities, and prosperity into your home. A strong, clean, and inviting front door allows positive energy (chi) to flow in, while a neglected or obstructed one can deter good fortune. Maintaining the area around the door, ensuring it is well-lit, and making sure the door itself is in good repair are key to attracting positive energy and a sense of well-being.

Do you remember my last post ? 🤭 super impressed if you do, it was 2yrs ago …
I had sanded and repaired the doors of this cabinet that was damaged in my house move.
I did finish this cupboard a year ago on my return from travels in India. Since I kept you hanging, thought it best to show you the end product. I painted the entire cupboard with Annie Sloan Napoleonic Blue, and hated it, so sanded it all off 🙃 sometimes things just don’t end up looking as you thought they would.
You can scroll down to see how it previously looked. It was originally done for my young daughter’s bedroom but was no longer in use. A total change into a funky kitchen cabinet. I do love the different colours coming through on the shelves. Kept the Nepolionic Blue for the top. Changed the legs to hairpin and new handles. TaDa ✨

Don’t toss your “old outdated”furniture, give them a new look and feel

I’ve been pretty busy in my workshop, even though I didn’t post it. Does that mean it didn’t happen 🤔
For those of you viewing this on FB check out on Instagram and follow for more furniture reveals to inspire you

After the storm comes the calm, after the cold comes the sun. It’s so good to have spring blue skies and warm days again in Cape Town. It’s a time to get busy for the summer. This cabinet was broken in my move, yes a year ago ☺️ It’s been a case of outta sight outta mind, as I spent winter studying Vedic Astrology as well as a kundalini course. Which always brings in new teachings of Ayurveda as the three are so intertwined. Winter was a great time to go within, figuratively and literally. A perfect time to hit the indoor pool keeping swimming fit when winter open water swims are scarce with our Cape of Storms seas.

I first had to repair the doors; remove broken glass, sanding, glue and clamp the frame. I’ve bleached the wood, and sealed with wax. Had to get a final wax coat on this morning before I head out to Stellies for my sons 21st birthday 🥳 celebration. Will drop off doors at glass installers tomorrow.

Before the work begins on the cabinet, repair the leg that broke off and a top smashed corner.

I’ve taken on a few orders before year end break, if you have something that requires an update for your summer new look, DM me. Let’s get things done while the sun is shining ☀️

When I bought this chair, there was a sense that this was a well-used and loved chair 🪑

The backrest and arms shiny from use as someone levered themselves on and off.
Black leather seat cover torn, seat foam compacted, cross stretcher caving under the weight of constant use. This solidly crafted chair has a rich history.

I have caressed and restored her beauty and strength. All that is behind you, was in preparation for all that is yet to come. Here's to new beginnings 🤍

Swipe left to see the final result..

It is always such a pleasurable experience working with wood. Finding the inner peace in the joy of what you are doing.

I thoroughly enjoyed re-doing these beautiful imbue rocking chairs for a dear friend 🩵

It’s always very special to have chairs passed down from parents, there is a beautiful energy that prevails. A sense of familiarity into a new world, a new beginning. The wonderment that each new day brings to you. A sense of knowing that you are exactly where you are meant to be in this human experience. Taking the time to connect with yourself, during these times of enjoyment in your art.

Those are very special moments 🙏

Thank you for your stunning upholstery work as always!

For some time now I’ve become more aware of household garbage and that everything ends up in a massive dump. But we can hugely minimize that with little effort 🌱

My weekly rubbish is now only one 25lt bag!

Glass & plastic is separated and collected for recycling. All food peelings and cuttings as well as paper and cardboard go to my compost. Slowly growing the best soil for my garden to thrive 🪴

Using 3 pallets as the frame, chicken wire stapled to the inside keeping everything in and dogs noses out, and a simple front door that slides in and out for ease of weekly tossing - I made a compost bin at home 💪

I purchased a straw bale for added
‘carbon’ otherwise everything comes from my garden cleanups, food waste, cardboard & paper packaging, and vacuum cleaner dust bunnies.

Tossing the compost heap is also a great workout. I'm also finding working in my own garden, getting your hands in the dirt, not only therapeutic and rewarding - it's a full body workout! Perfect cross training for all the ocean swimming I do 🌊

7 weeks into this process l've learned - cut food peelings up so they breakdown quicker. Add more water to the compost layers. Cover to generate its own heat to speed up natural breakdown processes.

I hope you find this useful and inspiring enough to take a closer look at your waste footprint. It is doable. I may be a superhero. But so are you.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have, let's learn together 🫶🍃

I've been wanting to try wood bleaching for a while, then this little plant stand came along.

The old varnish came off easily, then a few doses of bleach throughout the day while under the autumn sun.
I love it. The lighter wood grain, now visible, is a bit like a good haircut.
Pealing away attachments. A completely different stand, with its essence still in tact.

The plant stands add height and a different perspective to your indoor plants.

This stand was a birthday gift for a special soul 🤍

DM me if you would like one. These are antique pieces of furniture, it is not probable to find the exact same one. Something similar in style that is only for you, yes.

Super chuffed with the outcome of the wet room reno. Walls are marine ply, giving the room an awesome modern feel.

Have included the before, so you can really appreciate the transformation 🤩

Lemme know what you think 💛

And prep work well on its way. Before and after pics. Next in is the plumber @ electrician

YAY! Making progress 🤸🏽‍♂️🥰

When you get 2 dogs and a cat, and have to start tools stash from scratch. Hoping the crowbar & hammer will do the job

Starting a shower wet room renovation. Steel bath & basin have been removed. Yeah, when last did you see a 120kg steel bath 🛀
Today I attempt tearing down the dray walls 💪🏼

Summer is on its way, time to plan your entertainment area ☀️ Let us do the work for you so you can enjoy your time with friends and family. This was a fun project which will add a bit of quirkiness to any home 🍸

This little drinks trolley was such a gorgeous find. Simple straight lines, in good condition with original castors. A light sanding reveals a beautiful smooth wood finish which we decided was best to keep as is. Always let the piece dictate the finish. Love my orbital sander, there is no other tool that gives the same silky smooth touch to wood.

The legs are painted in Chalk Paint in Abusson Blue. Water down the paint with filtered water to the desired consistency. I prefer to do this separate from the main paint tin in a small container for the projects requirements. Paint a few very thin coats sanding lightly between with waterpaper to eliminate any brush strokes. Allow paint to dry and cure properly overnight. Never rush a project, enjoy each new day’s work. Finish with clear wax to protect and seal. Working carefully in small areas at a time so as not to remove any paint. The clear wax always brings depth of colour to the paint and richness to raw wood.

Our local Glass & Mirror supplier cut a 5mm thick mirror to fit the top shelf and a beautiful ream of paper from is decoupaged to the bottom tray.

DM us for inquiries for custom pieces like this one.

The stain is ready and looking good, strain into a separate container. Brush onto the wood, while it’s drying properly make a mug of strong tea using 3 tea bags. Then brush that on. The tannins from the tea will react with the steel wool & vinegar stain.
Note to self, wear your gloves 🤦🏽‍♀️ my hands are now stained as well. Not a pretty sight.

Off to the Wednesday market now to meet the family. Always a treat to spend time with my sisters, niece and mum

Will wait for tomorrow to see how the table looks 🤩