Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:56:59 +0000

This was the first vinyl decal I ever bought for a car. When it arrived, it was nothing but the decal on a sticker sheet in an envelope. No instructions (but really, its a sticker, how hard could it possibly be?). I trimmed it down, stuck it on the car, and went “this is hideous”. It was thick matte plastic on my shiny window, and looked almost nothing like the picture. Finally decided that I wasn’t going to have this hideous thing on my brand new car, and tried to peel it off.

The thick matte plastic was the protective cover over the top of the decal. I didn’t realize it was a three piece item (cover, decal, backing). I had peeled it off the backing, stuck it on, and didn’t take off the protective cover sheet. Once that came off, the decal was slick and shiny, and looked great.

I may have been outsmarted by a piece of plastic, but in the end it looks great. Note to the manufacturer, xerox off an instruction sheet for the idiots out there like me, and it would get a 5 star review.

Do you know what I learnt from the very informative reader survey that you lovely peeps helped me out with in December? I learnt that what you really, really wanna see more of, is Melbourne Homes! I don't blame you - there really is nothing like snooping around in someone else's gorgeous house is there?

WELL you'll be pleased to know that one of my new years resolutions is to post a new Melbourne home every single week. Aggh!! To be totally honest with you, I have absolutely no idea how I will achieve this, but, you know, apparently you should put these things out there and the universe will provide. So, Universe, send me some more Melbourne Homes!

We're kicking things off today with the beeeeautiful St Kilda home of Donna Zimbardi and family. Wowsers is it not the most gorgeously perfect family home??

Donna is one busy lady. She's got two kids to wrangle and a business she runs from home - she and her husband own and manage Aquabelle, three beautiful holiday apartments on the beach in Rye. When she's not manning the phones for Aquabelle, Donna also has a passion for all things handmade - her brilliant candelabra made from carefully selected vintage glassware are available from The Cool Room in Carlisle st if you're interested!

I LOVE the brave colour choices in the Zimbardi home - Dulux 'tadpole' in the kitchen and Lucia's brilliant pink walls especially! But I think what makes this house super special are Donna's handmade flourishes in every room - from the floating paper 'clouds' in the loungeroom (made from cupcake wrappers - genius!), to her exquisite glassware creations. These unique pieces give the house a sense of lighthearted fun and personality... and, well, they just make you smile!

ALSO I love the super long Mark Tuckey dining table
ALSO I love the original Eames DCM chairs
ALSO I love the fun decals in the kid's bedrooms
ALSO I love the fabulous but un-fussy art collection - the work of local artists hangs alongside vintage posters and of course, paintings by Donna's two kids!

Thanks Donna for sharing your beautiful home! xxx