As a kid, I was a big reader. I fell in love with books and in love with the inspiration and imagination they opened me up to. Some of my favourite authors we’re Dr Seuss, Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl. But my all time favourite, whose books I read over and over again was May Gibbs. I think it was the combination of the storylines in her books, along with the fact that I lived in the country, so the bush theme throughout her stories resignated with me. I remember wondering if there were really gum nut babies and Banksia men living in the bushland behind our home and would often keep an eye out for them during walks. Fast forward to almost 20 years later and I’m rummaging through a local op shop and come across a copy of a May Gibbs book (see right). It instantly brought back such happy memories for me. As soon as I got back home, I started researching May Gibbs and gum nut baby themed home decor. Now, as much as I would have loved to give my own bedroom a bushland makeover, I’m not sure that my husband would be on board. Or that it’s OK for a 33 year old mother of two to have her bedroom decorated in a May Gibbs theme… So naturally, the next best thing to do was to push the idea on to my 1 year old daughter who has can’t tell me no yet. And so Harper’s May Gibbs Room makeover began.

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It’s funny how some times in life, things are meant to be. I was meant to find that book that day. Because soon after when I contacted the lovely people at May Gibbs, they informed me that October 2018 was the 100th anniversary of May Gibbs releasing Snuggle Pot & Cuddle Pie. What are the chances! So this opened the door to an array of home items which were coming out as a part of a collaborative range between May Gibbs and some well known Australian home decor and clothing stockists. So fortunately for me, I was gifted some absolutely amazing stunning for Miss Harper and her room, as well as finding some items perfect for the room from some large and small retailers. Below are some image’s of how the room came together, as well as a product list of all the items I’ve used. I am so happy with how the room came together and feel that it is a special place that suits the natural look of our home while paying homage to one of my favourite authors and both of our love of the Australian landscape.

I wanted to create a real feature dedicated to May Gibbs on one of the walls in the room and so decided to add in a gallery wall. I enlisted the help of  Perth business Vertical Print to print an original May Gibbs image directly on to the wall. This process was amazing to watch and I am beyond happy with the final piece. Something unique and very special to treasure for years to come. I also used various pieces from Spineless Classics, Head in the Cloud Gifts, Minky Dinks and No Longer Lost, as well as images I collected from books and ones I already had in my possession that fit the theme.

When it came to the colour scheme of the room, I drew inspiration from gum leaves. As they age, their colour goes from a vibrant green to tones of earthy yellows and pinks. So I purchased a quilt cover set and throw blanket from Adairs which brought in these tones, as well as a pink floor rug from IKEA. To bring in the green element to the bed, a gorgeous custom made pillow slip from small business Princess Panda Pants and plenty of artificial greenery. The amazing cane bed head was a find from a Facebook buy and sell page which I picked up for just $25. I’m so happy to have found it as its a real feature in the room.

• Bedside table Kmart.
• Perspex shelves Vivid Styling.
• Wooden dining chair op shop.
• Timber tree Happee Trees.
• Australia earrings Winter Meadow
• Gum nut babies print Boho Art Styling
• Artificial gum leaves Adairs.
• Gum leaf garland EBay.
• H print Hustle Living.
• Jute floor rug Kmart.
• Curtains BigW

When I found out that Walnut Melboure were releasing a kids clothing and shoe range in collaboration with May Gibbs, then first thing I asked of course was if they made it in adult sizing? Really, I am that obsessed with Snugglepot & Cuddlepie 🙊 Their range is simply stunning and the quality is amazing! It includes onsies, shirt and pants, baby blankets, bibs and shoes. My little gum nut certainly looks adorable in her storytime onsie and shoes. To view the rest of the range, head here.

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May Gibbs have also collaborated with two fantastic Australian home decor brands to bring out a range of children and home items to celebrate the anniversay. Make Me Iconic, who have released a wooden puzzle range and Ecology, who have brought out a range which includes mug and coaster sets, placemats and coasters, gardening tools, aprons, hunting, toiletry bags and more. May Gibbs have also released a range of toddler and children’s books inspired by the Bush baby friends as well as a 100th Anniversay edition of the complete adventures or Snuggle pot & Cuddlepie. Head here to view the entire book range.

A big thank you to everyone who was involved in this makeover. Especially Rosalie at May Gibbs. None of this would have happened without her help and guidance and also for arranging some of the beautiful pieces in the room. You have not only made a little girl very happy, but her Snugglepot & Cuddlepie loving mum as well 🍃💚

Zoe Gilpin – The DIY Decorator 

 

 

The most gorgeous Santa sacks you ever did see 😍 Perth business Onyx & Smoke are known for their amazing hand made pieces like cushions and ottomans. This year, they have released the luxury personalised velvet Santa/toy sacks. Made from quality Warwick fabrics velvet, and available 14 beautiful colours, and in two sizes, each sack is personalised with your choice of initials. These stunners come in two different sized and start at $220. A Christmas item which is sure to be cherished by young and old on Christmas mornings for many years to come. Onyx & Smoke are kindly offering my followers 25% off their sack range. Simply use discount code DIYLOVE at checkout. Expires Sunday October 21st. Shop here.

The moment I saw these beautiful wooden tea light holders from Stump and Co, I knew that they needed to be on my Christmas table this year. The perfect addition I think to any Christmas table. As well as a gorgeous items to have out on display throughout the year. The stumps are available to purchase individually or as a gift set which includes both a mini and small holder, as well as 4 x scented tealight candles. And let me tell you, the scent range is amazing! The tealight wooden gift set is just $39.95 and can be found here. Use code THEDIYDECORATOR20 for 20% off. Expires December 9th. Pppssst, they also have afterpay!

 

Christmas crackers that are almost too pretty to break in half! The Aussie animal Christmas crackers from Paper & Style Co will be a feature on the Christmas table this year and will certainly be enjoyed by both adults and children. Australian illustrator and stationery designer Di, whose drawing skills are next level! Inside each cracker is of course, a cheesy joke, and a gorgeous resin gum leaf tree decorations. The crackers are $44.95 for a set of 6 (there’s two designs) and can be purchased here. Be sure you get in quick as orders must be in by October 31st to ensure delivery by Christmas.

 

 

OK, so this one may not be an actually Christmas decoration…but I feel that it’s something that parents in particular will appreciate in the lead up to the holidays. Cocktail Kit is a website where dreams are made. They stock an Australian gin Christmas advent calendar for adults, which consists of  25 x 30mL hand-picked Australian gins also comes with a tasting booklet with 25 ‘scratchie’ slots. Find the slot for that day and scratch to reveal interesting facts about the featured distillery and gin for that day. Merry December to me 🍸 Also available is an Australian whisky advent calendar and both can be found here. Prices start from $269. Use code DIYDECORATOR for 15% off until the end of November. 

What is a Christmas tree without some personalised decorations? These beautiful acrylic Christmas baubles from Perth small business Strachan Creative are perfect to buy for yourself, your kids onto give as a special Christmas gift that is sure to be cherished for years to come. Also available in wood finish and a range of other colours, a set of three decorations are just $15.50. There are also two other style designs which can be found here. For 15% off storewide, use code DIYDECORATOR at checkout.

 

Don’t have room for a Christmas tree or looking for an alternative? Moonface Studio offer a Christmas Tree wall sticker available in matt silver, gold, green and white. Available in either medium or large size, the Christmas tree is supplied with baubles and a star as individual items so you can customise your own tree. Made from premium grade removable vinyl, these stickers look great on walls and doors and are priced from $43. Moonface Designs would like to offer 10% off code to my followers. Use code DIYDECOR at checkout. Expires December 31st. You can view the full holiday sticker range here.

 

To me, smell plays a role in the lead up to and on Christmas day. Last year, my family burned gorgeous hand made Christmas candles from Sydney company Aria Rose Collection. Their Christmas scented candle range, with scents including mulled wine and gingerbread are the perfect addition to such a special day. The stunning amber glass jars with a simple white label design, tie in beautifully with other Christmas decorations, plus they are also a great gift to give to a loved one. Prices start from $25 and you can find the Aria Rose range here. Use discount code DIYCHRISTMAS at checkout for 20% off. Expires December 24th.

 

It’s always nice to have a special family piece to bring out each Christmas. The Colour & Spice Bamboo family wall hanging is a lovely addition to any family home during the festive season which can be reused year after year. This gorgeous 20cm wooden wall hanging is made from bamboo and is available in a choice of dark bamboo plaque with light bamboo wreath detail, or light bamboo plaque with dark bamboo wreath detail. Both come with red and white twine so they are ready to hang. Priced at $65 each and with free shipping Australia wide from the Melbourne studio. You can find them here. Use discount code THANKYOU10 to get 10% off at checkout.

Who wants a boring old generic Christmas card this year? Not me! Well Drawn Cards are makers of hand drawn, designed numerous themed cards, printed in Yarraville, Melbourne. All cards are created with love and humour onto a 300gsm C grain watercolour paper and come with a beautiful brown craft string tie envelope. Priced from $6.95 (includes free postage), these cards are perfect for that special someone in your life who enjoys a laugh, each card is blank on the inside to allow for your own, personal message. Shop here.

 

If you are like me and like something a bit different when it comes to Christmas decor, you will love these iconic Christmas decorations from Make Me Iconic. There are five mini wooden ornaments to decorate with: iconic map, lamington, iconic greeting, iconic cockie and kookaburra and Vegemite. The perfect addition to any aussie home, or what a great gift to give to someone who might be overseas during the holiday period to remind them of home. They are priced at $29.99 and you can find them here.

Happy shopping!

 

 

 

 

Zoe – The DIY Decorator