I’m a frustrated interior designer of sorts. I love trawling online (and on the rare occasion in person) through auction sites and second hand stores, creating rooms in my imagination from the veritable treasure trove of pieces available through auction sites. Well today ladies and gents, the perfect opportunity has arisen to share with you some of my visions. At this very moment, Melbourne based auction house Leonard Joel have TWO absolutely wonderful auctions, that have inspired me to create some lifestyle pinboards ~ showing you how to create some great looking rooms using second hand and preloved pieces. Below are some of my top picks available, which mix depression era furniture, with modernist classics, upcycled creations and some unique artworks.
How would this look in your living space?
Leonard Joel have just uploaded their Monthly Interiors Auction, in addition to a very special studio clear out of local artist Murray Walker’screations and collections he has accumulated over the years. Holding both these auctions at the same time, presents a unique opportunity to pick up quite a few pieces that will transform your space within the next fortnight! Looking through both auctions is like exploring an Aladdin’s cave with oohs and ahhs around every corner.
….. or this?
Depression style chest of drawers constructed from pennant kerosene crates and vacuum oil tins
To say Murray Walker’s accumulation of artefacts over the years is eclectic is an understatement. There is a great collection of upcycled furniture, many of which include Murray Walker’s own creations, and sourced from the depression years ~ an era where being resourceful with materials and using your imagination were very much at the core of everybody’s existence.
Ideas for your kids bedroom
You could easily create a vintage themed kids bedroom. Imagine your child’s books and teddy’s packed high on the green bookcase, vintage Australian maps on the wall, rustic bed made from packing crates, and a requisite rocking horse. Add a few modern day elements like a ceiling mobile and modern organic cotton doona cover and you have “the look”.
Original geometric school aid models – perfect on a mantel grouped together as a historic design piece.
Murray Walker: furniture pieces constructed from tree branches
There’s furniture too that needs a little love and care, but with a little creative vision they could be taking pride of place in your home in no time (above). Add a new recycled timber top to the centre table, spray the branch chair in white and add a bright cushion for a little shabby chic flavour, and add some nourishing wax to the side table to bring out the timber’s natural beauty(left) and paint the top to your desired shade.
Various artworks by Murray Walker
Tractor seats upcycled into stools
Murray Walker: Garden furniture created from old horse shoes
If you ever needed inspiration to re-design all those old “collectables” in your garage, this is it! I love the old tractor seat tools converted into stools, and garden furniture made from old horse shoes!!
I honestly could have spent many hours pairing together various finds on these two unique upcoming auctions. There’s a great collection of Tiwi aboriginal artwork, transformed wooden crates, upcycled sideboards, paintings, pottery, depression era toys, mid century design …. oh just go take a look, and good luck with your bidding!
~~ Murray Walker Auction : 14 Feb 2013 ~~
~~ Monthly Interiors Auction : 7 Feb 2013~~
