Blog love & some random facts about me

I was super excited when Ashley from A {blondes} diy life nominated me for a stylish blogger award, then I  was humbled when I also received one from Tara of Lauren Lane Decor.

I would like to nominate everyone in my "Daily reading" if you have made it there is it is because I love reading your blog and am proud to have you displayed on my wall. 

The two super stylish bloggers who nominated me, If you have not already- you might like to pop on over and check them out (Click on the banners below).

Here are seven random facts about myself:

1. I love to have a glass of wine when I am cooking dinner.
2. Over the last two years I have lost 20kg working with my personal trainer, he has been great at keeping me motivated, a little bit of running and cutting the carbohydrates helped too. 
3. I am always writing down ideas in a notebook, I have one in my bedside table and one on the coffee table. 
4. I dream that one day we will build our own home. 
5. I started this blog as a "self development" tool as I have never been great at punctuation, grammar and spelling. I have allot of very smart and beautiful friends who have been giving me great advice. 
6. I love to laugh at myself when things go wrong! I believe that you can't change the past but we can learn a lesson from our mistakes.
7. I always fall over - yes - I am the clumsy friend.

Home office inspiration & My uninspired workday office

I am looking for a little home office inspiration, skirted desks look beautiful and are so practical for hiding all of the office clutter. I have a "No sew" option in mind paired with some Louis ghost chairs, I will let you know how it all goes.

michelle adams via eos

brooklyn limestone

 newlywed diaries

palmer weiss

atlanta homes & lifestyles

Also since where on the topic of offices - let me show you my workday office (not the home office). 

 Inspirational isn't it?

You might also (on the odd occasion) find me playing in the mud - Yes that is me on the right.

I love my job! hardhats, gumboots and all!

Colourful drapery inspiration- Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors

I recently stumbled upon these images via Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors , these spaces mix colour and drapery well! I like that most of the spaces have floor to ceiling drapes, in particular how they have broken up the space by using a contrasting material or colour to the drapes.

The blue circles (below), I think they are painted drapery hanging circles?

 A pop of colour on the blind, flanked by  bright curtains

Take a look at this picture- I am in love with the shimmery velvet drapes - but wait - can you see something that you might have done prior to having a professional photo taken? Let me know what you think it is.  

New year resolutions @ The way we are

Today I am guest posting over at The way we are , with a few of my New Years resolutions.

If you have just popped over from The way we are and are new to Black velvet chair please feel free to have a look around, you have come by at just the right time - I am currently running a Giveaway- Make sure you enter here.

And a few of my favorite pics from The way we are. 

 All pics via: The way we are

The stairwell spruce up & Basil the Gazelle finds a home

Over the holidays we completed many projects, one was to give our stairwell a spruce up and find Basil the Gazelle a home......Yes a Gazelle a home - for Christmas my adorable sister gave me this ceramic Gazelle head. We picked him up on a trip to the Sunshine coast & he traveled back to Sydney with us by aeroplane (he is a well traveled Gazelle). 

 So Basil came quite plain and white - I didn't think that it would be fitting for such a beauty to be washed into our bright white walls, so I set about making him a glamorous home.

 Very happy with the stair project & I think Basil likes his new home!

My favorite chair @ My first little place

Today I am guest posting about my favorite chair over at My first little place, please pop over and have a look.

If you are new to Black velvet chair a big "Hello" to you! Please feel free to have a look around, you have come by at the right time - I am currently running a Giveaway- Check it out here.

Thanks for having me over Sarah!

This wall screams the perfect colour grey!

Black velvet chair - GIVEAWAY!

The decision to join the blogging world has been a truly humbling experience.

I enjoy reading all of your comments and visiting your blogs, I feel blessed to have found so many friendly and creative people. You have all been so welcoming and a sweet!

So as a little thankyou, I have decided to give away this print from Winterberrycottage 

This print- Bird in a cage printed on dictionary paper

Entering this giveaway is easy

1. Be a follower of Black velvet chair.

2. Leave a Comment on this post (winner will be calculated by random.org).

You have just over a week to enter this giveaway, I will post this print worldwide (frame not included).

Winner will be announced on Friday the 14th January 2011.

I LOVE giving gifts, over the next year keep a look out - there will be many more giveaways!. 

Edit- Entries have now closed

Please keep a look out for the next giveaway.