The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Real Living March 2011

I had a really good surprise in the mail today: the latest issue of Real Living Australia! Well it wasn't exactly a surprise since I had been eagerly waiting for it... Even more so after this morning when I saw it on the shelves at the servo gas station and thought: where is my copy?

Without further adieu, here is my best and worst of this month's issue of Real Living.

The Good: Ok, first of all I felt really guilty having only one good thing to say against one bad and one ugly thing because overall, I really loved this issue! So I'm giving you three good features about this month's issue:

1- The cover - What gorgeous colours and stunning space! Love the George Nelson lamps and I really want/need that sofa (but I won't buy it - see why in The Bad)!

2- Old home, warm heart - remember that hallway that went all around the blogosphere a while back? Of course you do. Well, the whole house is featured in this month's issue and it is stunning! It's borderline too scandinavian for my taste - but the colors (that dusty purple) the glossy black floors, the mix of old and new, and all that natural light won me over.

via Desire to Inspire and 79 Ideas

3- A surprising terrace makeover - if you love a good before and after, this one is for you! The transformation of this terrace house is truly phenomenal and I love how they've kept the old charm in the front and a sleek bright, airy, updated and extended kitchen in the back - just like our house! The owner, Anne Bowen, is co-founder of Gallop Lifestyles, an online homewares shop filled with pretty products. Go check it our or see more of Anne's home's "after" pictures here.

both via Gallop Lifestyle

The Bad: I was a little disappointed with real shopping this month - it featured 4 sofas, none of which were mid price range! It went from a lavish and stunning $4480 three-seater (on the cover) to sofas from Fantastic Furniture and Ikea sofas ranging from $249 to $399! What about all the readers (me, for instance) who are looking for a sofa in the $1000-$2000 mark?? Or anything between $400 to $4400 for that matter!


The Ugly: Handy Woman - when a coworker told me about how bad this month's Handy Woman was, I thought she was exaggerating. Ok so a candelabra made out of plumber's piping didn't sound so appealing. But, I had somehow imagined a rustic metal one that looked relatively ok - if you're into that kind of stuff.. I hadn't imagined a bad cheapy PVC one!! EEEK! Let's just say I'll be looking for DIY projects elsewhere this month...

PS - How did you like my little "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" feature? I really enjoyed sharing my thoughts on this month's Real Living issue and I'm thinking about keeping this format to review other shelter mags... Note to self - I should really consider a scanner if I'm to keep this up!