Plan With Me | April 2022

April's Bullet Journal Set-up is an Easter treat of whimsical bunnies, tulips and daisies. If you too have been super busy and are in need of a catch up, hit play and let's do this together!

You may have a handmade journal like mine, or a branded one you love, either way we are all about making it personal here in Shabby Shac Studio. Follow along as we create the pages together and adjust to suit your individual style.

Plan With Me | March 2022

March is all about being intentional and present in all I do so I am sharing my daily sunset with you this month. Whether I am spending time with my paintbrush or time with my loves, I am always . . . “Somewhere between heaven and Earth” 🙏🏻

Whether you like to add a splash of watercolour to your journal or keep it a little more low key with markers and pigment liners, you will find a kindred spirit in me. Hit play my Friend and let’s get creative together xo

Sunset Over the Water | Watercolour for the Beginner

Rise and shine early with me as I head into the Studio to paint this sweet watercolour sunrise.

This video was recorded in real time and is perfect for everyone, from beginner to expert. Get as real or abstract as you like and paint along with me as I sketch a very basic outline to follow, mix colours, layer on the paint and even fix a few mistakes. I hope to see you there!

Porta Feature Panel - Functionality & Form

We installed this stunning Porta timber panelling to complete a sleek, streamlined entertainment centre in our apartment located on Brisbane’s city fringe. We were looking for something with a little wow! factor. Something unique that would compliment the high ceilings, expansive spaces and contemporary lines of the apartment itself. We found the perfect partner in Porta.

Aesthetics are always a strong consideration with any project, however as an Interior Designer, home owner, investor and busy Mama, functionality will always be my priority. Selections must be hardworking and flexible and decisions are not made without extensive research and collaboration with my partner. Together, we have purchased, renovated and sold many properties throughout the Brisbane, Bayside and Gold Coast regions, and we are about to embark on a new project on the sunny coast that will, once again, feature some Porta magic!

A LITTLE NOTE: Before we dive in too deeply, we want to confirm, first and foremost, that this write up is not an ad. We were not paid for this post and | or gifted the product in any way. This post is written purely from our own personal and professional perspective. Having drafted the plans and installed the product ourselves, we also speak from experience so please drop your questions below and we will answer them as quickly as we can.

Our research began on the Porta website. With so many choices and finishes to choose from, samples were ordered to view in situ. Upon arrival, we were immediately drawn to the warmth of the Tasmanian Oak and the alternating width of the Ridges profile. It is interesting to note that the Contours Range is designed with curved walls in mind, like those shown on The Block 2020. In fact, we look forward to exploring the profiles and finishes available in our next project and promise to share all the photos and details right here on the (V)Blog.

Once our selections were made, we were directed to our local Bunnings to place an order. This is where your skill with a tape measure and some basic math will come into play to ensure you correctly quantify the amount of product required for your project. Keep in mind that timber, like fabric and paint, will display an irregularity of colour across batches. I strongly recommend that your order include allowances for waste and error.

The panels were attached to 19mm batons that were glued and screwed directly to the wall substrate. This allowed us to create a void to hide the necessary, but oh so ugly, electrical cords and cables. We were then able to wall mount the TV directly to the batons for a seamless finish. An angled timber profile was selected to finish the visible edges with most already enclosed by the cabinetry itself. The result was a stunning feature that not only solved a problem, but highlighted the sleek, minimal cabinetry and added a wonderful warmth to the space as a whole.

Porta Contours 'Ridges' Panel - Fits together tongue and groove style

We chose to leave the timber raw and unstained as we had specifically chosen the Tasmanian Oak for the durability, colour and organic finish. If planning to fit to a wet or high traffic area however, it would be beneficial to stain or seal the timber to protect it from moisture, dirty fingerprints and | or staining. Likewise, if looking to install in a space that receives a lot of sun, fading or discolouration is an important factor when considering the finish.

SUSTAINABILITY:

Porta Contours Range is available in PEFC Tasmanian Oak, a stunning Australian hardwood, or FSC Clear Pine, a light softwood that is ideal for painting and staining.

FIRE RATINGS + FINISHES:

Fire Rating for most solid timbers is Group 3 - wonderful if considering for domestic use. Do keep in mind, when sourcing for a commercial project, that Group 1 coatings are available and will need to be researched and discussed directly with Porta. Pre-finished options are also available for both domestic and commercial uses.

PLEASE NOTE: Shortly after posting this write up, Shabby Shac Studio was approached by Porta requesting to feature the article on their site. We were, of course, delighted to feature on their Blog. You can read all about it here xo