THE SHED- Before & After

AND FINALLY BEFORE!

This post is for anyone who dreams of one day starting their own business.

About five years ago I started a correspondence course in interior design. I have always loved houses and gardens and thought it may be a bit of fun. Not long after I started I fell pregnant with my eldest son, Oliver so the course was put on hold.

At the end of last year I finally decided to open the books again and finish what I had started, I had already paid for it so why not!

The final assignment was a rather large one and involved designing a retail space. It was as I was walking past our shed (looking as it was in the last picture above) that the idea of a little store run from both our farm and online came to mind.

When my gorgeous husband arrived home that afternoon I couldn't wait to tell him what I had come up with, but was a little apprehensive as to what he would say. To my surprise he was incredibly supportive and excited!
 
Over a coffee at Cibo I relayed my idea next to my incredibly talented best friend and marketing guru, Katie of Biskate Marketing who got me working full steam ahead on my business plan, registering for an ABN and business name. Katie helped me immensely with my website, logo, business cards and many, many other things I would not have even thought of! I owe a huge amount of the success and professionalism of the business to her. It took some months for it all to come together and hours and hours of research.

In February this year The White Shed was launched with over 100 locals from all over the Peninsula and a few of my lovely friends from Adelaide attending the opening night. Big thanks to my husband Paul, mum Madelyn, sister in law Jo and mother in law Jill for their help on the night it was a huge success but so exhausting! Jo is due with baby number 3 in October and blames the launch night for this conception!! Might have been the bottle of Moet!

Since the launch my shop opens once a week and by appointment and has had a steady flow of clients visit both local and from afar.

In June this year The White Shed and our house were profiled in Australian Country Collections Magazine. We even made the front cover! Orders and enquiries started coming from all over the country and I decided it was time to go full steam ahead with the online store.

This was launched on the 13th August.  I still have a LOT to learn about the site but I am getting there and I am enjoying evey minute. Yesterday I received a fantastic email from an online customer telling me how much she loved her purchases. That makes me happy!

This is the story of The White Shed so far. I am so excited to see where it takes me!


So to anyone who has ever dreamed of starting their own business I say "go for it and dont't look back, the possibilities are endless"!

My poor little boys!

We have had a terrible weekend. My poor Ollie got gastro Wednesday afternoon and has been very sick. Little Tommy got it Saturday and we ended up at the hospital Saturday evening with both of them. 

Thankfully our lovely local doctor was able to do a something for them. Little Tom is still curled up next to me asleep and has spent most of the day like this. I now have it too! Such a nasty bug. 

These are their bedrooms awaiting their return when they are well enough to leave the couch and our bed!

Letitia 

x

Online Store Now Open!

Finally after this always being my goal, my online store is open!

Still more products to add and a few things to tweak, but it is there.

Check it out at

 http://www.thewhiteshed.com.au/

Champagne tonight!

Letitia

x

New Furniture!

So sorry for the neglect!

We had an extremely busy weekend. Adelaide Friday to babysit my very good friend Sally's two boys, Sam and Will while she was in her sisters wedding. Also did a quick bit of web training for my new site with the great guys Jason and Jamie from Argon Design who have been working flat out on my site for the past month, back to the YP Saturday for the Meet a Mate In Maitland Ball with my long time friend Binks (and way too much champagne), Sunday down to Black Point for my Father In Laws 60th, back to Adelaide for a day trip Monday to pick up the boys! No wonder I am losing my voice.

Have been on the computer ever since working my new site which will go live on Friday!!!!

So here finally are the pictures of my new buttoned linen ottoman and kitchen chairs.

I have rearranged the formal lounge room, also note the painted wine rack (restocked) and I think my ottoman looks perfect in there! The kitchen chairs are divine, I love their french grey colour and oh so comfortable too!

Oh and the Fench style chair in the last pic is meant to be for the shop, I ordered it in as it was so well priced, but it looks so good in my house that I might have to get another one in! (not too sure if Paul will agree to that!)

Letitia

x

Thankyou- My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Huge thanks to the lovely Kristin from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia who recently featured my blog as her Feature Friday!

When I came across Krtisin's blog with her amazing Kitchen Transformation (seen above) I was an instant fan.
I know lots of you already follow her but if you haven't I urge you to visit her!

After months of working for the business for nothing I have finally ordered in some new furniture for myself!

I will post pictures when it arrives later in the week. 

Letitia

x

French Doors

What is it about French Doors? They seem to scream at you .............'open me up!'

We have a five sets of French doors accross the front of the house, two sets side by side at the back and four sets internally.

As I walked Ollie down the driveway to the school bus this morning it was freezing but as soon as it warm enough I opened up the back doors!

They dont have fly screens as I think this completely ruins the look but somehow we manage. I am looking forward to many a spring day and summer evening sitting outside at the back table with the doors open! x

Made Over!

I would like to say a huge THANKYOU to the very talented Katrina Chambers for completely making over my blog! When you don't know what you are doing call for a professional. Still finding my feet with this blog thing though. x

Totally Inspired!

You absolutely wont believe this but this beautiful home is tucked away at the end of a pub!

Yes, it belongs to my darling friend Georgie and is located at the end of the hotel accommodation at the Dalrymple Hotel in Stansbury, SA. This proves that you can do anything with any space.

I just love it when Georgie comes to lunch, beautiful food, wine and home style discussions and tips inspire me to change/paint something every time!

I love Georgie's style and all of the artwork you see is done by her. I am very happy to share with you that I will be showcasing some of Georgie's work at a special winter shopping evening next Friday night............I can't wait.

Also her amazing home has been photographed today for a homemaker profile in an upcoming edition of Australian Country Collections Magazine! Also very proud to see lots of lovely homewares from The White Shed featured in the photos. xx