If you don't know where you are going, how can you expect to get there?
My life has been a series of planned and spontaneous opportunities that have presented themselves to me. A mirage, a gift, a temptation that sparks curiosity, passion and focus. This has generally applied to all areas of my life in relationships, career and self growth. Casa de Carlingford began as a Covid passion project, a way of documenting change and transformation in our home and style. As we merge from the Covid cocoon, I find that curiosity brighter than ever and the possibilities abundant, the challenge lies in the focus bringing clarity and purpose. Can this be more than a passion project?
"...A word from Aristotle.."
First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, an objective
Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods
Third, adjust all your means to that end
Relax, no need to stress
“Project Management is a practice where art, science and craft meet.”
Finding your tradie tribe can not only nurture creativity and collaboration but can generate harmony through effective planning, purpose and communication in working toward a common goal. More than just budgetary considerations (which is always the best starting point) a relational trust ensures that the project is delivered within set timeframes with quality and attention to detail. Planning and research around design and materials provides insight into what is available to you in your current situation. Vision boards and reviews are super important to consider, scrolling through instagram and pinterest can narrow your search quickly and guide your direction. Hipages and Airtasker are also great springboards without 'word of mouth' recommendations.
Relaxation spaces | Elevating the everyday | Increasing value
The purpose or intention of the space is important. Over a 6 month period we built the three decked areas, each with its own purpose and separate budget. PROJECT 1 : "The Ivy Deck" was a DIY purpose built deck to house our daybed pagoda by the pool. This chilled space was made with love by my family using pre fab materials, left over paint and trial and error. A quiet relaxation chill zone nestled under palm trees near our fur babies (its namesake's) resting place. PROJECT 2 : "The Front Porch" was a much anticipated deck that spanned over a few years of dreaming. The project evolved, based on materials and budget. The Kmart stone tiles inspired the landing area, adding to the Casa's cottage feels. The merbau timber adjoining deck, carefully crafted by Sydney Gazebo and Bali Huts, is the perfect contrast to the stone adding harmony to our home by matching the pre existing side deck. PROJECT 3 : "Floating Stairs" was another SGBH collab providing a sculptured access to our lower courtyard and acting as a gateway to Casa de Carlingford's backyard haven. It has created an aesthetic feature from all angles of our home. The design, materials, budget and process differed for each of these projects yet the commonality was clear goal setting and communication to achieve the desired feels and purpose.
"To wear dreams on one's feet is to begin to give a reality to one's dreams."
"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak"
Joy: "Marie Kondo your life"...find and keep the things that spark joy, if in doubt move it out
Beauty: "everything has beauty but not everyone sees it." It is not just in the eyes of the beholder but in the heart. Find the stories in your pieces and work the chapters together to tell your own
Function: “a place for everything and everything in its place” creating order and purpose helps to find beauty and joy
Finding value
" It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are." What is it that you value or what is valuable to you? Increasing value in your home isn’t just about the bargain buy or above market pricing or monetary gain. These of course are the icing on the cake in our future focused thinking but if home is where the heart is, then what is making our hearts sing and giving us food for the soul?
Here's the top 5 Casa de Carlingford values:
Value the way we live in the moment, in real time - drink the fine wine, use the good glasses, make the cake and eat it!
Find comfort in our sometimes chaotic world - take the long bath, lounge in the comfy chair, lay on the daybed, holiday at home!
Gather and feast - enjoy the company of family and friends, cook at home, share a meal, drink the coffee, share the stories, embrace the noise and the mess
Live local - get to know your neighbours, walk around your hood, shop locally and share the love of where you live #carlingfordcolours
Think green - visit a marketplace live or online. Invest in the solar and compost and be efficient and considered in living simply #reducereuserecycle.
"Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny." - Mahatma Gandhi
