tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36911456523812361062024-02-21T02:56:02.167-08:00our house renovation projectAudreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-28288819797722385262013-09-16T13:53:00.001-07:002013-09-16T13:53:34.106-07:00Patching up...Ashamed to say that the whole month of August came and went without a single blog post (I really do suck at this). We have still been slogging away on the house of course. I often wonder if we will we ever be finished but looks like they'll always be something to keep us busy - I guess a house doesn't keep itself. At work I always insist that applicants restoring a historic property always include a long term management and maintenance plan that is costed with schedules including allocating roles and responsibilities. I think we need one too as things will inevitably break, need repaired, refreshed or just go a bit wonky. To illustrate my point we managed to finish the ensuite with the final task of repairing the damage caused by the door jamming, and just as we had the satisfying scoring it off the list sensation the loo started to leak. Back on the list it goes...Although it should never really of come off (in my humble opinion) because it needs a mirror and a toilet roll holder fitted. More importantly however is the fact that the blind is now fitted and we are no longer exposing ourselves to the neighbours - I bet their pleased.<br />
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Other works keeping us out of mischief include painting the porch, weeding, painting some skirting, mowing of the grass, painting some more skirting, chopping up another fallen tree, clearing out the garage, sweeping the paths, more weeding/grass cutting/hedge-trimming and not to forget endless cleaning of white floors. I still ask myself why? If only we could learn to float they'd be perfect!<br />
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Anyway none of these activities warrant a picture. In fact, as you'll have noticed, I don't really feel that they deserve much blogging about at all. So what can I show you? Well our good friends had a gorgeous little baby boy so I whipped up another little blanket. I also customized some onesies (only a small bit of plagiarism involved). Despite appearances they've not been attacked by a permanent marker but a fabric pen. Screenprinting would have created a much more professional result. Live and learn. Here's the pics...<br />
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-73952958883892445452013-07-27T13:24:00.002-07:002013-07-27T13:24:55.610-07:00Making a right dog's mess of it all...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our not so white floor</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I say making a right dog's mess of it all, for once I am not referring to our dubious DIY skills. Instead, I mean when we we had another little furry friend come to stay. We started off being very good at always wiping his paws but what with the constant downpour and his insatiable desire to be let out to play, we eventually relaxed this routine, I guess any floor would be just as dirty but it shows up more on ours. Until they invent the hover dog, I think we may need to be a pooch free zone. It cleaned up easily enough though and my top tip for glistening floors is bicarbonate soda. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, hello again! Yes, we're back on the house renovations and its time to get serious and get this job done. There WILL be more updates to follow.</span></div>
<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-4301650014441920762013-04-29T12:58:00.000-07:002013-04-29T12:58:21.021-07:00flood alert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another day, another mishap seems to be the pattern at the moment. Sold our dishwasher but didn't seal up the old plumbing so this is what happened the first time the washing machine went on. Doh!!! Anyway, a lot of mopping up later, the damage to the floor seems to be minimal. Phew.<br />
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Another incident to report is Craig locking himself in the ensuite which resulted in him jumping naked from the window and shocking the neighbours. Only Craig! He ended up having to take the door off to fix the problem (actually its not fixed) and this has damaged the paintwork. Paintwork that's an off white colour and I don't have any more off it and can't remember what it was so will now probably have to paint ALL the woodwork again. Sigh. Needless to say, I'm not feeling the DIY love at the moment. My mojo is well and truly lost - hence the lack of posts - and Craig is distracted by the new pool table so equally uninterested in all the 'little' remaining jobs.<br />
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Hoping May will be more productive and we don't get too distracted with all the birthday, hen and wedding celebrations that await us. And even if we do, maybe I should just tell you about that instead...<br />
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Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-83235018443453808822013-03-09T06:36:00.001-08:002013-03-10T01:45:03.819-08:00white and wood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's the hall as it currently stands - very light and bright. I'm hoping to make that back wall a feature wall with pattern/colour and also a big mirror (we have plenty). I like the contrast of the wood against the white and therefore hadn't planned to paint the door frames in the living room and hall. However, the husband's painting technique may dictate otherwise as I'm not sure I'll be able to get these emulsion marks off. I'll try. The doors in the hallway also give the desired effect so perhaps that'll be enough, along with our 'wooden' light shades. I don't think the glass doors will suit white however so may need to think of something else. We probably should replace them as they're not made of safety glass. Somehow, I think this is what Craig wants to do.</div>
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Lots still to do. The skirting need yet another coat in places and bits and pieces need tidied up. I should also say friends that are moving house kindly gave us their pool table. I love a game of pool but at the moment it sits, in pieces, in my hall and I'm not loving that. Husband thinks it's fine and its too heavy for me to move - or even him plus me. Next time there's an extra able bodied bloke in our house they'll be getting coerced into helping shift this somewhere more suitable. The ultimate plan is to convert the garage into a man cave but that needs a hell of a lot of work. <br />
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Here's a pic of our new rug - a wee cowhide number. I'm quite happy with it as it takes some of the harshness away and works well the retro table. The table, my gumtree find, still wobbles however. <br />
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Another new addition are the cushions Craig's Aunty made us. V. retro and blend in well!</div>
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And finally for today, perhaps the month, is a wee shot of how the kitchen is looking now. Still to be added are some shelves for my cornish-ware jars and we need to tile around the cooker. One day we'll get new windows but until then I need to decide what window treatment. I'd like a wooden blind but they're too expensive for that big window. Perhaps just a strip of funky material in a mock blind fashion (I know what I mean). Over and out for now. x Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-66170835430979486612013-03-03T12:27:00.000-08:002013-03-05T14:24:06.212-08:00Silent but deadly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR59x0ulXDuewdJX8i3-sS_qDe8rc_Xy4214PcFWxFq092_rQm4pU4fhjb1ABoATz8Sg_FdPKimrZKrlp7e944PM1PjcUmvxkoeN0o2x0ID6kgcyYOG6hwvB1w0krXaYy9s-prxSRnNAQ/s1600/silent+film.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>hought I'd pay homage to The Festival of Silent Film this month at the
Bo'ness Hippodrome by pulling together a little sequence of Craig's
handiwork in the Garden. Some of you may understand the title of this post, and for that I apologise (on Craig's behalf). It however seems appropriate especially as Craig 'forgot' to put on his safety trousers in creating this little masterpiece. Thankfully this is not in the style of "Itchy and Scratchy' show and all limbs remain in tact. Don't do that again Mr Dunn! So, sit back and relax at the wonder of Craig's workmanship. </span></a></div>
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-84558067639350132352013-02-07T12:10:00.002-08:002013-02-07T12:15:20.408-08:00Butts at the ButtsSo my second update of 2013 and what do I have to tell you? The dining room and kitchen area are starting to take shape. That said, the kitchen units still have their plastic protective coats on, the sink unit is on the floor and the leaky tap is still just that. Things are still looking a bit white, well migrane inducing white is probably how I'd describe it. The white paint tin is still out however as the skirtings are still being painted-such a laborious task. I had three blistered fingers last week just from caulking! <br />
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Will soon be jazzing up the walls with paintings, piccies, etc and we even made a start to this as you can see with our nudes. Very impressed with Adam's screenprint interpretation of a photo I took
of Craig doing the Loonie-dook up at the Black Isle a few years ago. My
pencil sketch I did for Craig's Christmas looks so amateur in
comparison. In my defense, I drew it with a pencil from a cracker,
similar to an Ikea pencil. I see I need to up my game!! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnjpbNx095Q2ZOuv9YwpNAZvTINfF038UhTlgbvadiG6FpTR_TnOW2wO-OFzDDHYOQ9n-O-cceDGUL7JrvJEaazJtGiYtQT7Cs4jqOpzz0kZSfk-QdS7MPOEOcOw-jBcfHSp4SL7wwEY/s1600/Craig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnjpbNx095Q2ZOuv9YwpNAZvTINfF038UhTlgbvadiG6FpTR_TnOW2wO-OFzDDHYOQ9n-O-cceDGUL7JrvJEaazJtGiYtQT7Cs4jqOpzz0kZSfk-QdS7MPOEOcOw-jBcfHSp4SL7wwEY/s320/Craig.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks so good someone actually thought it was a Banksy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a cracker!</td></tr>
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-14252641434756365572013-01-21T14:04:00.001-08:002013-01-21T14:04:50.361-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to snowy Kinross-shire! This photo is just a light dusting compared with whats going on outside now - inches upon inches has settled and it's also blowing a hoolie too. All the white outside is merging with all the white inside. Where does the house stop and the garden begin? It's all a bit too white quite frankly and we need to get some rugs down. I'm following Craig around with a mop at the minute...Can't jump the gun however as there's still painting to do.<br />
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The dining table, our 70's habitat gumtree find, is up however. It went up for New Years Day and has stayed put. I'm obviously not showing it off in the best light here, I should be photographing it fully set with the best china. But I don't have time for that.<br />
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The photograph below shows the kitchen before Christmas. It's moved on a bit since then; the floor is now done and the plinths are on. James, Craig's brother-in-law, has done a sterling job fitting it just in time for Craig (not so) surprise 40th birthday party. All went well...apart from the hob getting chipped. Not even used yet!<br />
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Three weeks on and the blue plastic is still enveloping it all leaving us eagerly anticipating the big reveal. Unfortunately, just before finishing, we have a view snagging points. Most significantly, our handle-less kitchen from IKEA turns out to need handles! The current mechanism are not fit for purpose. So on to their customer services yet again and so they sent different ones - they're even worse! Another call later, they advise that they don't recommend the kitchen as we've got it. Err, say what?? That's how they sold it to us!! I'm now waiting for them to get back to me with a solution, which most likely involves handles (FFS). Another issue is that our new tap from B&Q leaks. Groan. Still need to tackle this one. In the meantime however, I don't want to take off its protective coat until all work is complete. So here's our blue kitchen.<br />
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-72568364680252684452012-12-22T11:47:00.000-08:002012-12-22T11:47:03.989-08:00Wet and wild<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's that time of year again when the weather gets a bit wild and unfortunately our new chimney fell victim to the gales. Luckily the stove was only out of action for a day and our installer was really quick in rectifying the problem. A great relief in this cold weather! Another treat was unccovered when he removed our old hot water cylinder revealing this little gem. <br />
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In other news...the kitchen is in the process of going in and we are frantically painting so we can get flooring down in the dining room and hall. More photos and updates will follow. Promise. Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-46069145852575167832012-11-25T08:54:00.002-08:002012-11-25T12:24:42.048-08:00Busy, busy, busy!!As the title of this post suggest, it's been a busy week.<br />
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Last weekend we gathered some man power and the cooker is now in situe. Our plumber is currently in the process of connecting up our heating and we have near to hot water at the moment which is very exciting. Thankfully the moving of the cooker was uneventful but the process still has its dramas. The latest being that the reinforced concrete floor is not in the right position. (it was by our measurements but once seeing it in there, we've decided it needs to be a bit more to the left). Also, our loft hatch has been enlarged (read hacked to pieces) so to fit the accumulator - it was ordered to size and made to size...excluding the insulation! doh!<br />
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Other excitement -our kitchen got delivered! This did not go without incident as this picture of our wall proves:<br />
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Typically, this was the side of wall that wasn't looking too bad. I did feel sorry for the lorry driver however as it was his first day on the job. Whoops! We did have a bit off a faff waiting for IKEA to sort this out for us and it's looking like the job won't get done til after Christmas now.<br />
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That aside, other works have been going well. Ceilings plastered and walls painted. Three bedrooms have now been carpeted. This means our middle room is also finished and and AND we've finally moved in to the master bedroom. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrbaPWwYjaGVJDefQUGiaxoFOMCbGajYF4KMoxLVYLKxcmF4SzGAAYwVm5n0sHFz6ba_YcgRJyGiWm9lr6HN1DhpkMg5L72tpL4mgQB2ASHRHSpzVqmGG74wVSODOqwcoWoFrjzYZN9c/s1600/midlde+room+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrbaPWwYjaGVJDefQUGiaxoFOMCbGajYF4KMoxLVYLKxcmF4SzGAAYwVm5n0sHFz6ba_YcgRJyGiWm9lr6HN1DhpkMg5L72tpL4mgQB2ASHRHSpzVqmGG74wVSODOqwcoWoFrjzYZN9c/s320/midlde+room+finish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here's the finished result of the latest bedroom. This colour scheme uses up spare paint we had from our old place (the hall at North Fort St). The cushions (a charity shop find - £2.50 for the pair), add a bit of colour to it and takes away from the 'beige-ness'. I nearly painted the stripes red too but decided (was told) that might be a step too far. Actually, I initially planned to put up retro wallpaper but as we're on a tight budget, decided to stick with paint. The creation of the stripes was a bit labour intensive but I think it was the right move as the end result is quite a calm bedroom; and bedrooms should be calm places. Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-20911537182229979122012-10-30T03:12:00.001-07:002012-10-30T13:54:21.731-07:00a heated debate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wamsler.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/wamsler-1100-series-central-heating-cooker/wamsler-1100-series-central-heating-white-cut-out-whirte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.wamsler.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/wamsler-1100-series-central-heating-cooker/wamsler-1100-series-central-heating-white-cut-out-whirte.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.firedearth.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/115x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/0/t028_2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.firedearth.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/115x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/0/t028_2_1.jpg" width="200" /></a>Here's a pic of our gorgeous new multi fuel range cooker that is still sitting in our garage eagerly waiting to be installed and start making us beautifully risen cakes, succulent roasts and generally just keeping us nice and toasty. Unfortunately there's been more dilemmas with installing this than we first entertained. There''s all sorts of regulations about how close it can be to this, that and the other. Most significantly, we can't have it sit on a wooden floor and a further 1/2 metre around it can't be wood or other such flammable material either. So we had to re think our whole plans. I was just about to order some nice large porcelain slabs in a light beige colour to do the whole kitchen and dining area when I thought more about the floor and the implications of laying these tiles. It's so bumpy and uneven it would cost as a fortune to create the necessary smooth surface. And with such posh tiles, we wouldn't want to lay them ourselves as they would have to be absolutely perfect or it would show up like the proverbial wart on the end of your nose. Tilers as uber pricey people (should've been a tiler..or a plumber...or a roofer) and we couldn't really afford it without cutting back elsewhere. Although I was secretly happy (sshh) about not having to clean anymore of that white laminate flooring, we've in the end decided to stick with the wooden floor plan and making a feature around the cooker with tiles. I then took to scouring the internet looking for retro floor tiles. I found amazing tiles, reclaimed Minton on ebay but it seemed like sacrilege to put them under a cooker in a 70's bungalow when the should be proudly reinstated in a grand entranceway of a Victorian period house. Keeping with that theme however, I've just ordered these tiles from Fired Earth, which I think have a bit of a retro vibe to them. Are you digging it?</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now the fun begins in actually laying them and creating the smooth look that's in my head where the two different times of flooring come together effortlessly with a perfect neat, smooth join. Help!</span>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-70486378562178955242012-09-20T13:33:00.000-07:002012-09-21T02:32:44.441-07:00showery with a chance of tatties<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally our bathrooms are finished and I must say, we're quite pleased with the results. For a start they're not the colour of baby poo (do you remember the avocado suite and it's brown patches?). Instead they are clean and white and sparkly and this is very pleasing indeed. Although we did our best to source the best buys, the cost for totally refurbishing two bathrooms is disturbing. At least I think it is but I'm not actually going to add it up; we certainly spent more than a penny. (haha, get it?!)</span><br />
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Sorry. Anyway, moving on...</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The main bathroom has grey porcelain tiles from Tile Star, bathroom suite from ebay (a good deal with some tense bidding on my part), the lights are from B&Q.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The ensuite tiles are also from Tile Star - the black mosaic ones were quite pricey -hence why there's only a few off them- but the white ones off set that.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The bathroom suite are also more ebay buys.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm especially chuffed by the 'designer look' shower fitting from Plumbworld at a mere £75!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">main bathroom</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">main bathroom</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ensuite</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In other news, in case you didn't notice, it rained a lot this summer in Scotland. If you look closely at the picture on the right, you can see that there's actually a waterfall cascading down our steps.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQrNIp6QAqXzPzTI4cW6R3y_QCY4ZOoWw49NJ6NXO-F6K19S8YGHjHAe3lzYG-cnUR4mkSxEJ1DEfRb837HVvTC3_p6mYECRuMJPwYfZVMcw5OuFgZXZDIZv7OImvq-LKaQG0gWl6pF4/s1600/puddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQrNIp6QAqXzPzTI4cW6R3y_QCY4ZOoWw49NJ6NXO-F6K19S8YGHjHAe3lzYG-cnUR4mkSxEJ1DEfRb837HVvTC3_p6mYECRuMJPwYfZVMcw5OuFgZXZDIZv7OImvq-LKaQG0gWl6pF4/s320/puddle.jpg" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnwNEGrkc2dbv700_LKtdQAiIrPCUPgab7NQdvbM__dpCC0JQdlm8ZoBpMQIMXT4AU2JgiKAJrNNKgqRzyH7xNOrwKvF3kHxfv-WJvSCxlW6N6WXFcCjSJ1hr0R2nZsAb2qS3_McHNmA/s1600/rain1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnwNEGrkc2dbv700_LKtdQAiIrPCUPgab7NQdvbM__dpCC0JQdlm8ZoBpMQIMXT4AU2JgiKAJrNNKgqRzyH7xNOrwKvF3kHxfv-WJvSCxlW6N6WXFcCjSJ1hr0R2nZsAb2qS3_McHNmA/s320/rain1.jpg" width="214" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNBQz5wimjK-I2B7h3qNCRW8NKQLc43XyKzy9szG_Tc0PV9fsefeR0sfrg0_QPujjEJr3HcSWyIcJu3fdAWUyKV44DgRVDGeLfdkebyXrT6gRdysY36MGd1NQdheUXDxS3qJDXPfzsA4/s1600/our+veg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNBQz5wimjK-I2B7h3qNCRW8NKQLc43XyKzy9szG_Tc0PV9fsefeR0sfrg0_QPujjEJr3HcSWyIcJu3fdAWUyKV44DgRVDGeLfdkebyXrT6gRdysY36MGd1NQdheUXDxS3qJDXPfzsA4/s320/our+veg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And here's some of the veg we've managed to grow. Definitely on the way to living 'the good life'!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-q-CMpLGnaWQZgxcdSCOGlNBtKXzOpuk3Wnydi3jO4Wi3RvKqx68kspi32HxIUt2RXq_ctv-d_VYvX2MtafnfPt9YdEGHpugDahIlriqVO7SHvnCs5ZB4iMEWZjo5Uj38AkbqEkV8cQk/s1600/tatties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-q-CMpLGnaWQZgxcdSCOGlNBtKXzOpuk3Wnydi3jO4Wi3RvKqx68kspi32HxIUt2RXq_ctv-d_VYvX2MtafnfPt9YdEGHpugDahIlriqVO7SHvnCs5ZB4iMEWZjo5Uj38AkbqEkV8cQk/s320/tatties.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-40801792886731467742012-08-21T09:48:00.000-07:002012-08-21T10:08:07.419-07:00Demolition Man <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPbviTyvemnygJqwpk_6-wiG2VB-9qr5eLf7FvM6gb20vfe6kim3iHkcOEenpqQV2kV6dwkhtWYOSWSjpEyPQh4dNXvBIwA3tscAtQD5jkaL1Oyx1ZkJuvfkbj1l2-BTkwp8305eNnKE/s1600/demolition+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPbviTyvemnygJqwpk_6-wiG2VB-9qr5eLf7FvM6gb20vfe6kim3iHkcOEenpqQV2kV6dwkhtWYOSWSjpEyPQh4dNXvBIwA3tscAtQD5jkaL1Oyx1ZkJuvfkbj1l2-BTkwp8305eNnKE/s320/demolition+man.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">demolition man<br />
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So here's the man himself, proudly wielding his sledgehammer and admiring his handiwork. I am very impressed at how seemingly effortless Craig made this look. I went to B&Q and wall was in tact and came back to it being no more. Just like that! If you look closely here you can see that Craig didn't even bother to remove the glass vases on the window sill. That's also his good jeans and boots he's wearing too.<br />
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Hmmm, best not to dwell on that...<br />
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The not so fun part is that we are currently without a kitchen. Instead we have a make shift operation in the front room (I should really take a picture of that too). We have a microwave, steamer, slow cooker and could always bbq (if it ever stops bloody raining)!</div>
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Despite all the rain, Loch Leven is looking lovely - I took this photo during a brief sunny interlude. This was me walking back from the wee shop in Kinneswood where I bought a loaf and 1/2 dozen eggs. Overpriced by quite a margin but I thought, oh well at least I'm supporting the local grocer. Once home discovered both items were out of date -eggs by almost 2 weeks! Ah the dramas of living in the countryside!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loch Leven</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-48223922831811366802012-08-05T06:39:00.001-07:002012-08-05T06:39:02.329-07:00bathroom progress<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIJXy7MQYR-hau9kbay0gJe8C5inc9nIoytK0xW5chuBBCFCAeNnbX0PrRTxBDXZSPxhfmRfmKjuiq4BohLgpEsO-wcp7H0kFAi-777_zl1KlhZSeHbJkAiLMUzPuqBbRZQ8L3oEDcjU/s1600/DSC04479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIJXy7MQYR-hau9kbay0gJe8C5inc9nIoytK0xW5chuBBCFCAeNnbX0PrRTxBDXZSPxhfmRfmKjuiq4BohLgpEsO-wcp7H0kFAi-777_zl1KlhZSeHbJkAiLMUzPuqBbRZQ8L3oEDcjU/s320/DSC04479.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bathroom in hallway!</td></tr>
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We arrived home from a short break away with a small glimmer of hope brewing that perhaps our bathroom will be ready for us when we got back. Instead we were greeted by the bathroom in the hallway! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting there</td></tr>
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A few days later however the tiler did arrive and this is now the state of play. Getting there. Apparently the plumber won't be back to finish things off for another couple of weeks. It's tantalisingly close to being finished and us having a clean, sleek bathroom to call our own. I can't wait for my first bath in here:)<br />
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The design has changed a bit and I didn't get my dookits but overall I'm happy with the end result. We do however have a big pile of the black tiles either broken or covered in adhesive that the tiler refused to work with. At £5 a tile we really do need to find some sort of use for them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHUmSRbAEAZ8-Z4HMv2LbKgVgSesCYToU7cHnSJ15UfNLNmksK_omaP3yCPZP1NCbURImwOHWrddOUY20p90rpT7eaxjrVi4kYLnuNjZ9winelsaa_a3OGWNkhE6HiOpx01bqKOemrzY/s1600/DSC04481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHUmSRbAEAZ8-Z4HMv2LbKgVgSesCYToU7cHnSJ15UfNLNmksK_omaP3yCPZP1NCbURImwOHWrddOUY20p90rpT7eaxjrVi4kYLnuNjZ9winelsaa_a3OGWNkhE6HiOpx01bqKOemrzY/s320/DSC04481.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new tiles</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I now need to get a mirror and blinds. The tiles are porcelain so we require a special drill bit to put up the mirror. It costs £200 for the bit so hoping our plumber has one in his tool kit.Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-66380090397872271662012-07-07T06:35:00.000-07:002012-07-09T04:06:24.658-07:00Lottie's quilt inspiration<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozjXr37hrOWGuo5zvTfuyedOC-NSOmwZ1EQ46CrFon0y1z6ZtZJN4P9Iax6zRyRX1o8Bg_OiammKlNeK2LTRbZNycwTmkyejnjQscUawNriFfE0GAGl64vlkRJSfRff0mDhAf-38DMMc/s1600/DSC04421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozjXr37hrOWGuo5zvTfuyedOC-NSOmwZ1EQ46CrFon0y1z6ZtZJN4P9Iax6zRyRX1o8Bg_OiammKlNeK2LTRbZNycwTmkyejnjQscUawNriFfE0GAGl64vlkRJSfRff0mDhAf-38DMMc/s320/DSC04421.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home made baby blanket</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJ1Q0K5tD9VJKS1iYl6qMl0luywOpvUaM-TDrir5EaAhYSZ_XnSn2c1jjexX6iSXn5aHT_7Eq8T9BMfQ5jG7pXIBxOf36zUeOSR5ATdQwOcc__eVFCclzk_xf4vHedyh9gJD12IK5K5c/s1600/DSC04418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJ1Q0K5tD9VJKS1iYl6qMl0luywOpvUaM-TDrir5EaAhYSZ_XnSn2c1jjexX6iSXn5aHT_7Eq8T9BMfQ5jG7pXIBxOf36zUeOSR5ATdQwOcc__eVFCclzk_xf4vHedyh9gJD12IK5K5c/s320/DSC04418.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brickwork pattern</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Another blog post where I have start apologising for being so slack with my updates. There's really not been a lot to report on recently unless you want to hear about boring plumbing or electrical stuff. Yawn. We are about to order a kitchen so watch this space, its all going to take off any minute....Any minute now...promise.<br />
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As you've probably guessed, I'm about to go off topic slightly by showing you what I have been working on. Quilting is now my new craft passion I stumbled upon accidentally when trying to think what I could make for my best pal's baby. My brief to myself was that it needed to suit either sex, be personal and not too challenging. By challenging, I don't just mean in terms of skills required, although that too was a consideration, but also due to our recent loss, it couldn't be something that would push me too much emotionally. I had my moments but overall I quite impressed myself by focusing on celebrating a new life and not just thinking of our own tragedy and what could've (should've) been.<br />
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Making Lottie's quilt was not altogether straight forward. For a kick off, I started too late and even though Lottie gave me a few extra day's grace, I was still well behind resulting in the scaling down of ambitions. I 'cheated' by going for a brick pattern as this saved having to have all the squares of equal size and trying to painstakingly line them all up. Also the applique is machine done. I'd recommend taking the time to hand stitch this. The bit I was dreading the most was actually the easiest -the binding (Pimps as they say up here). I think I may have just got lucky. Anyway although the baby quilt is clearly miles away from house renovating it does still tie in as I think I may make a quilt or two out of retro fabrics for the house. This would please me. Now all I need to do is to find the time (and the right fabric). What do you think?Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-32731536993414222062012-04-15T09:12:00.002-07:002012-04-17T06:43:27.198-07:00kitchen pornSo you must all be wondering what is happening at the Butts? (that's our house name for those of you who've forgot - I know it's been a while but like you could forget that!) You are probably imagining that everything is now complete and the Dunns are smugly sitting in their perfectly polished house too busy admiring its shiny wonderfulness to be bothered to blog. Well, hah, if only, is the answer to that.<br />
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I guess I need to get in to a better habit of updating this blog as the whole point of it is to record our progress, the highs and the pitfalls of this Do-It-Yourself game. A tedious long winded game I might add. And recently we've been down more snakes than up ladders. And, we've been up a hell of a lot of ladders.<br />
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So, what have we been up to that's not to photograph and share with you lovely people? We've been dealing with a lot of shit, that's what. Can I say shit? Yes, I think so and my mum's not reading this anyway. In fact, probably no one is... Apart from you, my dear friend.<br />
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It has been problem after problem, expense after expense since the bells rang in 2012 thus putting a swift halt to the decorating. Firstly, as you know, the trees and fence came down, then a sewage pipe burst (nice, and yes that's the shit I refer to), also we had the leaky roof and then we had solar panels fitted to then discover that the house is not earthed so we can't turn the blasted things on. Needless to say, fixing all of that costs a lot of money but with not a lot to show for itself. Pfffff.<br />
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Gardening, gardening, gardening has been the main source of entertainment however as clearing up costs nothing. The trees are finally disposed off (thanks again to those who helped) and we now have enough wood to see us through next winter (yay, a positive!). The grass has had its first haircut of the year and we've started a veggie plot as well as growing things in the greenhouse. My fingers are actually green. Must buy gloves.<br />
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Before we can make any progress inside, we need to get the heating installed. Going to go for underfloor heating which I like the sound of as its nice not having ugly radiators. You'd think that this would be a simple process but we seem to be struggling to get anyone to actually do the work for us, for a fair price anyway. <br />
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Our next big task is to get the extra wiring done that we need for the solar panels. Craig says we need to dig a trench. That sounds quite hard, think I'll just dream about getting a nice new kitchen instead. Ah kitchen porn, that never fails to cheer a girl up!<br />
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<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507365416/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache9.pinterest.com/upload/26740191507365416_oIyw8Sir_c.jpg' border='0' width='550' height ='550'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://www.thehandmadehome.net/2012/02/small-spaces-kitchens/'>thehandmadehome.net</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/audunn/' target='_blank'>Audrey</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div><br />
<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507324220/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache2.pinterest.com/upload/26740191507324220_kVmU2Gi7_c.jpg' border='0' width='500' height ='668'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://style-files.com/2012/01/25/white-kitchen-with-blue-stove/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+style-files+%28style-files.com%29'>style-files.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/audunn/' target='_blank'>Audrey</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div><br />
<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507596897/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/26740191507596897_8P3G6WNP_c.jpg' border='0' width='554' height ='443'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://www.mabeslor.com/modern-classy-kitchens-furniture-from-schiffini/'>mabeslor.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/audunn/' target='_blank'>Audrey</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div><br />
<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507215391/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/91268329917941544_16VLgCy0_c.jpg' border='0' width='550' height ='632'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://papernstitchblog.com/2011/09/08/interior-obsessions-the-painted-kitchen/'>papernstitchblog.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/audunn/' target='_blank'>Audrey</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div><br />
<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507246491/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/26740191507246491_T5hfKXGD_c.jpg' border='0' width='500' height ='710'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://style-files.com/2011/05/25/a-modern-rustic-kitchen/'>style-files.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/audunn/' target='_blank'>Audrey</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div><br />
Mmmmmm. Delicious.Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-1968398169175294242012-03-20T14:18:00.000-07:002012-03-20T14:18:16.259-07:00Blog progess 0, house progress 1I am a bad blogger, I am a bad blogger, I am a bad blogger... (repeat 100 times). Although the blog has been neglected of late, please be rest assured that work does continue on the house. Small jobs have been undertaken: starting to tile the bathroom then, ahem, untiling the bathroom (Master tiler Craig unhappy with his workmanship). Another room painted, the mighty curtains made -coming in at nine metres wide and two and half metres tall, more wardrobe doors have received a fresh lick of paint with new handles added and shiny brushed steel sockets fitted. <br />
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The biggest excitement has been the fitting of solar panels and then discovering that the house isn't even earthed. Until this problem is fixed these panels are currently blooming expensive roof adornments. The greenhouse has had a good scrub and things are even starting to grow - fast growing lettuce really is fast growing!! More work has taken place in the garden since the weather's been fairly mild recently. Craig has a new toy, a chainsaw, and has been hacking away at the overgrown bushes to create an opening for his veggie plot and potatoes and carrots have been planted. I've tried my hand at topiary and reshaped the hedges (as one does). Despite receiving a lot of help clearing up storm damage, that is still ongoing*groan*. Alas all this means is that no job is fully complete and we can't provide you with any big reveal, no 'changing room' makeovers for you (or us) to enjoy. Instead hopefully these little snippets of images will show that we are still scoring off the 'to do list' at pace.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoxy9GFgV2aMQDdZGIvNlyJcB-fDtL5J9kvA56TrpPzg_q5RDvFLfhRgGza3valIcCIFH7JRh1FQR5h33qzi_Au-JOODKIoHeF5ocvj9b5CSA-0QAe08Gc2DZ1-OJ9bY-Cz_NI9qQsTo/s1600/DSC04357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoxy9GFgV2aMQDdZGIvNlyJcB-fDtL5J9kvA56TrpPzg_q5RDvFLfhRgGza3valIcCIFH7JRh1FQR5h33qzi_Au-JOODKIoHeF5ocvj9b5CSA-0QAe08Gc2DZ1-OJ9bY-Cz_NI9qQsTo/s320/DSC04357.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these curtains are a patchwork of 3 curtains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb430S4QdncnEvFXMQMbzmh4Si2rAzWZQ8F3_Kql1ZZWupBplAmo5KnIfRQq8b_KTVGEPQKbAmjG7inDXyC4X_FsPd21tqeOc1k4LxjjcbQKyrzLlQHfBsuqH8RPG6gbQP-e1P69-caCU/s1600/DSC04360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb430S4QdncnEvFXMQMbzmh4Si2rAzWZQ8F3_Kql1ZZWupBplAmo5KnIfRQq8b_KTVGEPQKbAmjG7inDXyC4X_FsPd21tqeOc1k4LxjjcbQKyrzLlQHfBsuqH8RPG6gbQP-e1P69-caCU/s320/DSC04360.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we have doggy visitors and you can see their paw prints on the white floor here</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNDBLJzOoKrtQWeYX0a27DOB6_nhEGe02Kzs63Pwxnhrob7hl6owbYLR65Axo96sKbpB_NVkQbu-uEYA9dPBAgShedA0jR9dgVErIIEKl3-AQfnPd93X-xOR7eWgCuCUefN5JEZl0YxA/s1600/DSC04363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNDBLJzOoKrtQWeYX0a27DOB6_nhEGe02Kzs63Pwxnhrob7hl6owbYLR65Axo96sKbpB_NVkQbu-uEYA9dPBAgShedA0jR9dgVErIIEKl3-AQfnPd93X-xOR7eWgCuCUefN5JEZl0YxA/s320/DSC04363.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nearly complete</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OiwJh_2qqghmusp1QGj_LDb8gJF_YWqaXT9TKqAqYPgSRCENz4kXPAwAXCQmABVBf-rHagkH_bU5TozZ9FtNo7xgtO3HNTnez1Ca-N3KUkYmmRlMPy972sA_NV3-fS2l3WrEvyV72UE/s1600/DSC04367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OiwJh_2qqghmusp1QGj_LDb8gJF_YWqaXT9TKqAqYPgSRCENz4kXPAwAXCQmABVBf-rHagkH_bU5TozZ9FtNo7xgtO3HNTnez1Ca-N3KUkYmmRlMPy972sA_NV3-fS2l3WrEvyV72UE/s320/DSC04367.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a sneak peak at the master bedroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-5152945194367159572012-01-25T13:19:00.000-08:002012-01-25T13:19:06.001-08:00living room and fireplace update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPy61H9a6m9E1HhASP6vpZPDD86pfkm0YBbGrdV58sZtpu-efw4upv17T4qj6WDIE5Kbjrh5dbx8shcZ2U3AuqZhhC8c5MicYwGPCBe5PX-HYwsS8Vtnevln1tyM2JLaBBBha5OZajFU/s1600/living+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPy61H9a6m9E1HhASP6vpZPDD86pfkm0YBbGrdV58sZtpu-efw4upv17T4qj6WDIE5Kbjrh5dbx8shcZ2U3AuqZhhC8c5MicYwGPCBe5PX-HYwsS8Vtnevln1tyM2JLaBBBha5OZajFU/s320/living+room.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As a little reminder to you and to us, this is what our living room looked like when we moved in. The sculpted artex walls, stone fireplace and dark wood all seem like a distant memory now. We've been living without a living room since the plasterer's visit in early December. Jeezo, plaster/plasterers makes an almighty mess.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3G1ZkWjb3mPcB7Dhq-nFSxC9nVjVROsG_437uxiBPWY6-N0Mla1srvPMWJVvVuYF1VsiHQeBpgsoUMbUqf1pyeW_bBaGZlJ1Q1a-mIEqnZX9iYwK26prM1ErozJhU-BuWjI1-vuteaOg/s1600/fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3G1ZkWjb3mPcB7Dhq-nFSxC9nVjVROsG_437uxiBPWY6-N0Mla1srvPMWJVvVuYF1VsiHQeBpgsoUMbUqf1pyeW_bBaGZlJ1Q1a-mIEqnZX9iYwK26prM1ErozJhU-BuWjI1-vuteaOg/s320/fireplace.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmCUlOatebskjT1voBXAEBc-w1tDLGLEaJolus-OT0AM24N4jtWQNTL6yubX8mGnv-gEjpNTMtK2Z2kBuDEnbb0pKHpSYM7J1WiNBUM3gzP47zmxA_cuRs8aBvjL2Kgiw-HOILIMGhM8/s1600/DSC04310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmCUlOatebskjT1voBXAEBc-w1tDLGLEaJolus-OT0AM24N4jtWQNTL6yubX8mGnv-gEjpNTMtK2Z2kBuDEnbb0pKHpSYM7J1WiNBUM3gzP47zmxA_cuRs8aBvjL2Kgiw-HOILIMGhM8/s320/DSC04310.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We've been painting like demons til our fingers bleed and finally the walls and ceilings are done. New lights have also been fitted and all (all!) that is left to do is fit the laminate flooring. As you'll see we've gone mad with white, top to toe. The chimney breast wall is painted grey however. It turned out a bit curvier than anticipated as those pesky stones were very lumpy indeed and although perfect straight edges would've been sooo good, we didn't want the fireplace to get any bigger that it already was. I felt that we couldn't go for white here as although I do like interior design from the northern snowy fringes, igloo was not really the look I wanted. However, until we have new heating, I'm sure an igloo would probably be warmer. I'm not caring though as I can see the end in sight for this room and I am very excited about that. The walls will need jazzed up by some artwork but that can happen later. Soon, we'll be able to relax on our couch again and watch the TV. Bliss....<br />
Ok. That's that thought over with as there is still far too much to be getting on with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxGqEtAw6sAJvkezuvYcwLfYNkHp3tog7K-nN6nIF-6n_gtJ2YLz48KWEosJj0qDOHerFn6t75ymxkyOydug46_vK3MbR8-qcATBEPjub32JBHnrpPBd8CJlq3jil0cC_3h0mrgpzDTw/s1600/DSC04306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxGqEtAw6sAJvkezuvYcwLfYNkHp3tog7K-nN6nIF-6n_gtJ2YLz48KWEosJj0qDOHerFn6t75ymxkyOydug46_vK3MbR8-qcATBEPjub32JBHnrpPBd8CJlq3jil0cC_3h0mrgpzDTw/s320/DSC04306.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Since we're here I also thought I'd include some photos of the old bookshelves that is also a recipient of the white (and grey) treatment. I've painted the shelving white and their backing grey to give them some interest. That's saved me a trip to IKEA for a billy bookcase!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqFb8CUsAyknIhAlOkHRhZYPbumrxi9hSpcvkyGswannNomA0HeIa5S1l8zPFyvu_O4ryyMfOMl_9Y0X0YQIWCbhVtM3oUbOSmxSHk-ft3SVF4R1HUs2PMqrcmeQSc3iarOMfCXE12k8/s1600/DSC04304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqFb8CUsAyknIhAlOkHRhZYPbumrxi9hSpcvkyGswannNomA0HeIa5S1l8zPFyvu_O4ryyMfOMl_9Y0X0YQIWCbhVtM3oUbOSmxSHk-ft3SVF4R1HUs2PMqrcmeQSc3iarOMfCXE12k8/s320/DSC04304.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREc4it1lSyF8Svv_WSXCb2-Zp-31xraQWAZ5T1oOeeBxooKcQ8R5TfktjOQg_oFhD9OUiT3oA3d2LUsRuf6IhhTkXo9KAX7IvUQYdrzpPps9TSTGni624hX5h2K0PZxrQ1i3fVUJtssg/s1600/DSC04307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREc4it1lSyF8Svv_WSXCb2-Zp-31xraQWAZ5T1oOeeBxooKcQ8R5TfktjOQg_oFhD9OUiT3oA3d2LUsRuf6IhhTkXo9KAX7IvUQYdrzpPps9TSTGni624hX5h2K0PZxrQ1i3fVUJtssg/s320/DSC04307.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSKNREOTiHdqQR1NCy5AiAsCAE7MWbcyRtD55tlwwBM81P0_ceyhR3PEjlfxpg_jQkBst6a0_EQAe6NRzZs-D37IzIqLeuQQdbc84jdxDDakVEBDfUV4idEt_HfXpw34xU0idW1PyYFI/s1600/DSC04309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSKNREOTiHdqQR1NCy5AiAsCAE7MWbcyRtD55tlwwBM81P0_ceyhR3PEjlfxpg_jQkBst6a0_EQAe6NRzZs-D37IzIqLeuQQdbc84jdxDDakVEBDfUV4idEt_HfXpw34xU0idW1PyYFI/s320/DSC04309.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-69173941093877850412012-01-14T15:07:00.000-08:002012-01-15T02:47:26.290-08:00A stormy start to 2012.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwFRBXAa8ZUvGZOkNROfLVniapedaeDZm_THDmuwVCr2LTHTopowRnsMpOlqQ0-sCzkjTxH5BwEgsW3fUGx40WVM7NBMOcJV-YeXH0For_C0CKhlFUpZS4Dz7qkmfoQbtYx-rO3GnKXs/s1600/DSC04289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwFRBXAa8ZUvGZOkNROfLVniapedaeDZm_THDmuwVCr2LTHTopowRnsMpOlqQ0-sCzkjTxH5BwEgsW3fUGx40WVM7NBMOcJV-YeXH0For_C0CKhlFUpZS4Dz7qkmfoQbtYx-rO3GnKXs/s320/DSC04289.jpg" width="214" /></a></div> Apparently it has been a bit windy when we were away. We returned from a short holiday visiting family in Skye and on our approach to the house, we felt that the place looked different somehow. "Don't we normally have more trees than this?' I said to Craig as he drove into the drive. Bizarrely the answer was yes, two were not where they were supposed to be. One narrowly missed the house and the other had decided to move in with the neighbours. Luckily no serious damage was done - the neighbours have a squashed wheelie bin and a flattened hedge. So, the news really wasn't hamming up their weather reports after all. We didn't even feel a breath of it up north where you expect the weather to be lousy at this time year. Being a Tiree lass I do enjoy a good gale, nostalgic memories of childhood, that said I was glad we were away when this happened. Two trees coming down either side of the house must've sounded like the world was ending! Exactly why there's no trees on Tiree. Looking on the bright side, we were planning on taking these two down anyway due to their close proximity to the house. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietNijyK2WKOoLeCnKlBP40BApxLWDgTLH4N_Yfmzh9bMlNtZG283wHlPEWqSIAbkkskpfBh0A1fVtH8qCsYfI5fyBHO4wpVSaqsN3XLFJopsGb0ziQczNFZgD3PCp_43_zAQWPFKMpeg/s1600/DSC04292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietNijyK2WKOoLeCnKlBP40BApxLWDgTLH4N_Yfmzh9bMlNtZG283wHlPEWqSIAbkkskpfBh0A1fVtH8qCsYfI5fyBHO4wpVSaqsN3XLFJopsGb0ziQczNFZgD3PCp_43_zAQWPFKMpeg/s320/DSC04292.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
This pic on the right shows how close the tree came to squashing our wee house. So much so it actually dislodged some of the guttering.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJNDGAtdRC7gJatnYdFu8I7imNoGZE1BKrgoipDC-cuErP1yKxhWDsRUCDwXMjPXYP8zk6je_gWdZU6BYJ2H-l06USvQ6baqDJEKX3Fv4OT88rNz0R_qwU3Qwg4OQnZlEWqvwFypnYwM/s1600/DSC04294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJNDGAtdRC7gJatnYdFu8I7imNoGZE1BKrgoipDC-cuErP1yKxhWDsRUCDwXMjPXYP8zk6je_gWdZU6BYJ2H-l06USvQ6baqDJEKX3Fv4OT88rNz0R_qwU3Qwg4OQnZlEWqvwFypnYwM/s320/DSC04294.jpg" width="214" /></a></div> Here it is from the other side -totally uprooted!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGX-yr0senqIf1T4pJGRp9dMGMMUzbgCnM6A0aZCLpShJ36CG9MSeORO8mr8ZYAyGrnFeh23LwkEMoS_aEErYlsH-shwYn8TQLe2pOABUxPe-oFlhJOZkAHOexPJxsVsomcPPpoiAGitw/s1600/DSC04296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGX-yr0senqIf1T4pJGRp9dMGMMUzbgCnM6A0aZCLpShJ36CG9MSeORO8mr8ZYAyGrnFeh23LwkEMoS_aEErYlsH-shwYn8TQLe2pOABUxPe-oFlhJOZkAHOexPJxsVsomcPPpoiAGitw/s320/DSC04296.jpg" width="214" /></a></div> Our fence is also in bad nick. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbMHkfMvbXRVonUvvjcG5Td82Kr2zpjxP3-f3jnrLTIctoOaLyVC7V0mfThKAoaksszkUaS3EuevkyJxFkkA8YOecibkqRDaJDnAkvJ62_ryFjUlGdRPk0ZAXb_hNvTpbbMSDJJdDHh4/s1600/DSC04298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbMHkfMvbXRVonUvvjcG5Td82Kr2zpjxP3-f3jnrLTIctoOaLyVC7V0mfThKAoaksszkUaS3EuevkyJxFkkA8YOecibkqRDaJDnAkvJ62_ryFjUlGdRPk0ZAXb_hNvTpbbMSDJJdDHh4/s320/DSC04298.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>And that will be some ex roof tiles. Now we are in operation clean up and neighbours have been coming to our door with chainsaws revving and even machetes at the ready (and that was just one guy! - note to self, don't cross John). This would normally worry me but we've been glad of the help as it's a hell of a task trying to move their mighty bulk.Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-62668411255381160532012-01-05T13:15:00.000-08:002012-01-05T13:15:44.260-08:00the dining area - work in progress (with a little help from our friends)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGdLxfBe9yETbxwL4-rbjH0L-oDwhD57mPD3N03CaotBkmMoAKtt9aA8YeoVsyq1GOkh9ZH22u4WnG_K8Gqt5SfgwbMu_VuGpvvE15K_fuAO2U4aQpL5o90Z0V3Qc7NXmsHk_NTNe1kI/s1600/dining+hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGdLxfBe9yETbxwL4-rbjH0L-oDwhD57mPD3N03CaotBkmMoAKtt9aA8YeoVsyq1GOkh9ZH22u4WnG_K8Gqt5SfgwbMu_VuGpvvE15K_fuAO2U4aQpL5o90Z0V3Qc7NXmsHk_NTNe1kI/s320/dining+hall.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>This is our dining area on move-in day. Big ideas planned for this space as we want to knock down the wall between it and the kitchen to create one big area for cooking and entertaining. However, the kitchen makeover is down the list of things to do right now as we need to save up for that one. In the meantime we are trying to improve the space the best we can. This has meant yet another paint attack on the dreaded pine ceiling. I couldn't face it myself so luckily our good friend Asta volunteered her services for beer. We were happy to oblige. Another (also good) friend, Les, helped re position the hall lights in a row. More beer coming right up! Now looking nice and retro and will go excellently with the Seventies Habitat dining table I bought on Gumtree which is patiently waiting in my mum's garage until everything is ready for our first dinner party.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQA-cFAMpcA_A6HB1dceLf81wXasFUp0xdusw9JRgQOfQZK9A3wftaAsMU47kVcXkgUMUJI9gsHFSRqX0cBj3p6vnEPRyfWBcmiYeLz46bv2oarLf1_a10b9KolGLFRNKJdWSIcQcATE/s1600/asta+in+hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQA-cFAMpcA_A6HB1dceLf81wXasFUp0xdusw9JRgQOfQZK9A3wftaAsMU47kVcXkgUMUJI9gsHFSRqX0cBj3p6vnEPRyfWBcmiYeLz46bv2oarLf1_a10b9KolGLFRNKJdWSIcQcATE/s320/asta+in+hall.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvNKwWExJbFr8TsjUhPBSgG5LRneONfnj767giXpIt6FnhoVgb6qFtPg7gA-lro9ckb4gFxGS2OTPE2QCPf97OMS6u4e3_XyEvvmOfwXvRNjdpZ3_nXdX_z3RoJxvsYVQ5vVuepWu39o/s1600/dining+area+with+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvNKwWExJbFr8TsjUhPBSgG5LRneONfnj767giXpIt6FnhoVgb6qFtPg7gA-lro9ckb4gFxGS2OTPE2QCPf97OMS6u4e3_XyEvvmOfwXvRNjdpZ3_nXdX_z3RoJxvsYVQ5vVuepWu39o/s320/dining+area+with+flowers.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmChr9ohc6RYWMB1idInwESoIg2fRAIJsxntn-8fFWg-nw0_Grou7D4_fvStGVIPo7K275RnF41Zvi_Q6-GbSI4wwQRGYOrwUU5SsOBlo3wUN8nqEXlfy1umTLmUCze0bmzplmu7Dco7g/s1600/dining+area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmChr9ohc6RYWMB1idInwESoIg2fRAIJsxntn-8fFWg-nw0_Grou7D4_fvStGVIPo7K275RnF41Zvi_Q6-GbSI4wwQRGYOrwUU5SsOBlo3wUN8nqEXlfy1umTLmUCze0bmzplmu7Dco7g/s320/dining+area.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UTUENZDHT1dgHdEqOBvsarLtfMVrgI9Hj1WK8YPY0CN6lNPNlUIfrJv0H3Uv8EZhoMf_UUYa16IP4n9O9pED9f2-7ZWJXw5T71fgRvZWt-oL6azb2Xa6LJDVbeZgH8k8mEVahj-jifc/s1600/dining+room+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UTUENZDHT1dgHdEqOBvsarLtfMVrgI9Hj1WK8YPY0CN6lNPNlUIfrJv0H3Uv8EZhoMf_UUYa16IP4n9O9pED9f2-7ZWJXw5T71fgRvZWt-oL6azb2Xa6LJDVbeZgH8k8mEVahj-jifc/s320/dining+room+lights.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span id="goog_404455912"></span><span id="goog_404455913"></span>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-35642210139826881942011-12-27T09:43:00.000-08:002011-12-27T09:43:45.979-08:00Deer goodness!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDk4a0Nx5WDGMk61CSWL2Bpw5y4pMclqkVyNDlbm6rHjcG4aV4wURH4PiabAcEjBcPiEd_0GNIOAa-iG7AQqNI4c67hsLEPaROO_zELxo3hHS8s8JxjdZLOU0bXYKnbd8UufJ253ujheE/s1600/deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDk4a0Nx5WDGMk61CSWL2Bpw5y4pMclqkVyNDlbm6rHjcG4aV4wURH4PiabAcEjBcPiEd_0GNIOAa-iG7AQqNI4c67hsLEPaROO_zELxo3hHS8s8JxjdZLOU0bXYKnbd8UufJ253ujheE/s320/deer.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
Lately I've started collecting images via pininterest (http://pinterest.com/audunn/house-inspiration/) enabling me to store interior design ideas and inspiration. On sitting back and perusing these delights I suddenly realise a common theme - deer. Perhaps a result of me finally seeing deer in the fields nearby to our house? I was beginning to think that people were winding me up when visiting and commenting on all the deer they'd seen on the drive here as I'd been doing the route for six months and not seen a (venison) sausage. Then, a wee winter morning's stroll in the woods and I stumble across not one but two deer happily skipping away with their little fluffy white bottoms bobbing off into the distance. So I'm smugly happy now that I'm at last one of the gang, a fully fledged member of the exclusive 'I've seen a deer' club or at least relieved that people have not been winding me up. Anyway, it looks as if this has inspired my interior design choices as my piccies are full of deer/stag imagery of 'must haves' for the home (I've also recently noticed that I have amassed lots of elephant themed 'stuff' over the years). The deer fetish has even influenced my christmas paper buying. So, for your sheer joy and amusement, here are some of my deer little indulgences, none of which I own. Yet.<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507222034/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="554" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/26740191507222034_AIUb9CXe_c.jpg" width="554" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.occa-home.co.uk/deer-bed-duvet-cover-pillow-set/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">occa-home.co.uk</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/audunn/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Audrey</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507218119/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/26740191507218119_AexBOfqi_c.jpg" width="353" /></a></div><div left;=""></div><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507207651/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="575" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/26740191507207651_1jdycAGE_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://style-files.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">style-files.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/audunn/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Audrey</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507222037/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/26740191507222037_qyUv5XtE_c.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=deer+cushion&hl=en&sa=X&biw=960&bih=485&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=tRit_-LkyogxiM:&imgrefurl=http://www.chocolatecreative.co.uk/product/handmade-cushion-on-natural-fabrics-green-deer-cameo&docid=BdWi7a6dPwk3rM&imgurl=http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/44433969/green-deer_cushion.jpg&w=962&h=918&ei=fcL4TsvfKoj98QPatOTPAQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=455&sig=103163532381620318712&page=2&tbnh=118&tbnw=124&start=10&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:10&tx=45&ty=92" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">google.co.uk</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/audunn/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Audrey</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507217984/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/278660295663224930_CNZHJWOw_c.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://oliviakcarter.blogspot.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">oliviakcarter.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/audunn/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Audrey</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507217567/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/26740191507217567_gtG0J1dS_c.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=deer+print+cushion&hl=en&sa=X&biw=960&bih=485&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=rcOQKJZ4xNRuRM:&imgrefurl=http://www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/orwell--goode-dandy-deer-print-5237-p.asp&docid=_HG8i1IUICwzwM&imgurl=http://www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/ekmps/shops/rockettstgeor2/images/orwell-goode-dandy-deer-print-5237-p.jpg&w=400&h=617&ei=x070TqqEIoG48gPRxbDFAQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=648&vpy=74&dur=1758&hovh=279&hovw=181&tx=99&ty=251&sig=103163532381620318712&page=2&tbnh=125&tbnw=81&start=10&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:10" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">google.co.uk</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/audunn/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Audrey</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-28307135065461332592011-12-21T14:15:00.000-08:002011-12-21T14:28:42.315-08:00From drab to fab, our calming coastal inspired bedroom<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46JrFZ1v0f21xoeUSt0gBBrU8Yf2dBRPQUdpKYzyecdxjHg-JzF5l04wkzkLpF7uOGLBVjCIyFhonrIc_WhHo0uAhq4C-F4kIWfVp9LO8IJIyrbvnrj2nvMPJUTrr0qhauJTjf_2HFDM/s1600/bedroom+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46JrFZ1v0f21xoeUSt0gBBrU8Yf2dBRPQUdpKYzyecdxjHg-JzF5l04wkzkLpF7uOGLBVjCIyFhonrIc_WhHo0uAhq4C-F4kIWfVp9LO8IJIyrbvnrj2nvMPJUTrr0qhauJTjf_2HFDM/s320/bedroom+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98SITtqxgEkTG-W-wwlTpS4-3IL-Owp71TzJ9Z26jox_TNuqf-8vLo9WPCqRaI4egz_y2MictjXYi7v03MPhmqc9ORcPiGUdxmrxRbQrvCyjkRE1bz3XDDhUcqSOIiNvqXqJrhgapCz8/s1600/blue+bedroom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98SITtqxgEkTG-W-wwlTpS4-3IL-Owp71TzJ9Z26jox_TNuqf-8vLo9WPCqRaI4egz_y2MictjXYi7v03MPhmqc9ORcPiGUdxmrxRbQrvCyjkRE1bz3XDDhUcqSOIiNvqXqJrhgapCz8/s320/blue+bedroom2.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after: coastal inspired bedroom</td></tr>
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</div>First job here was to replace the defective window with help from Craig's brother in law, a joiner (www.finessejoinery.co.uk), so here's a big up to James whose services we hope to use again in the near future (please!). We then ripped out the wardrobes - sorry Caroline and other fans of the built in 70's wardrobe but there's another set we may keep - we also need to accommodate our own that I spent ages sanding down and painting when in our old flat and can't let this hard toil go wasted. I hope you'll all however agree that the textured zig zags and woodchip wallpaper also had to go? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8Xgb4GjRz2Zk42E776cI-OGQQnGEJzC-6xOm4z3K19pIto0bagS7Wi2ZIoZQOFDudmK84WjbmXa3fAnpOYi6zYWLxCofCBWYPB25eRirH33anry0SxxurSat-vXmSLQ__BJ7xCpXDaY/s1600/bedroom+1+wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8Xgb4GjRz2Zk42E776cI-OGQQnGEJzC-6xOm4z3K19pIto0bagS7Wi2ZIoZQOFDudmK84WjbmXa3fAnpOYi6zYWLxCofCBWYPB25eRirH33anry0SxxurSat-vXmSLQ__BJ7xCpXDaY/s320/bedroom+1+wallpaper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzhIk1lvIFM6dEO0TdVhlZbXjWwVE3GTkCeLXhUICKUfBIi-bhqZrhRIHONANWK7Sts_Bgl2ARNai2jUAv0wqamyAb2BbDizEnzFFlISIl8qJuPqat_jnm2GcgFl80lFFDoP1KtTSeCM/s1600/bedroom+1+wardrobes.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzhIk1lvIFM6dEO0TdVhlZbXjWwVE3GTkCeLXhUICKUfBIi-bhqZrhRIHONANWK7Sts_Bgl2ARNai2jUAv0wqamyAb2BbDizEnzFFlISIl8qJuPqat_jnm2GcgFl80lFFDoP1KtTSeCM/s320/bedroom+1+wardrobes.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Next up was to line the walls and the lining paper we got from Homebase. This simply involved pasting the wall - quicker and less messy than the pasting table approach where everything but the walls ended up covered in paste. I'm a big believer of 'waste not, want not' so, with this in mind, I went for a good ol' rummage around in the garage for some old paint to reuse. Good old Dulux came up trumps with 'before the snow'(I think but painted over the label so not too sure) and mineral mist Once for the feature wall which I used every drop off. Once, hah! The curtain pole and curtains are from B&Q - my old curtains aren't wide enough for these windows but I have a cunning plan for them which you'll see later if you stay tuned. To finish off the look and keep in with the coastal inspired colours, I've hung up a couple pictures of the Isle of Tiree (where I grew up). Still needs a carpet and I need to edit down some of the furniture once other rooms are done, but I'm quite happy as its now a calm oasis away from the craziness of the rest of the house.... and relax!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSFIovIOlAhZVRF3sedkjUZDRhTSyu2LzXxcawoEKbBIyoVxDrHg2ikRML7faRzkDrHViYZgQkzHSRdVsOlR9a90sUhWBbMw6rAAt0dt3vpKJ-sdhzK85o-zl_PWK7NmJW_AQ9ZGSGYQ/s1600/blue+bedroom+wardrobe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSFIovIOlAhZVRF3sedkjUZDRhTSyu2LzXxcawoEKbBIyoVxDrHg2ikRML7faRzkDrHViYZgQkzHSRdVsOlR9a90sUhWBbMw6rAAt0dt3vpKJ-sdhzK85o-zl_PWK7NmJW_AQ9ZGSGYQ/s320/blue+bedroom+wardrobe.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BRs4R7rWD76ni02HU6zDtqHVu5_2fgLKArnuBXVGMeBXRMpE9O0KBtc6kUdWDsJ9HDtNYzfBnO8FEwytSIvR7-3HroUkeX3n0N3D-3bfXcAj_sEH60F3tWaLkhsvHpFEcI8H4QFMa14/s1600/blubedroom4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BRs4R7rWD76ni02HU6zDtqHVu5_2fgLKArnuBXVGMeBXRMpE9O0KBtc6kUdWDsJ9HDtNYzfBnO8FEwytSIvR7-3HroUkeX3n0N3D-3bfXcAj_sEH60F3tWaLkhsvHpFEcI8H4QFMa14/s320/blubedroom4.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElTxjKIMq9dNZSytwz1RjfAi0_JtXyHxp1N1F1rkGid8T_kjq3naK5nvufLndeYE-eTvt3PtsyDhJu658v2kTEKdR4JSQxugaWQHGEZ6-1uA10RWpBHDPPOrFSf0kDhMQyXMRl8rYMvU/s1600/bluebedroommirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElTxjKIMq9dNZSytwz1RjfAi0_JtXyHxp1N1F1rkGid8T_kjq3naK5nvufLndeYE-eTvt3PtsyDhJu658v2kTEKdR4JSQxugaWQHGEZ6-1uA10RWpBHDPPOrFSf0kDhMQyXMRl8rYMvU/s320/bluebedroommirror.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-16466444064373551422011-12-19T02:54:00.000-08:002011-12-19T12:05:35.705-08:00Back to the Living room and the fireplace dilemma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHBLJW2Pq3ze-EXWfsJce_qvwguCpVvPXsu71_Ro7zgWZ58ZuRMnVLSPmaFtCO_L38LuVTO1FWHKO1ZMOUrRl3o6YCefMf5cIsNlsEKh0pgs94mfTNJHgNirJL49bAMdkHE52vFoFQ0c/s1600/living+room+ceiling2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHBLJW2Pq3ze-EXWfsJce_qvwguCpVvPXsu71_Ro7zgWZ58ZuRMnVLSPmaFtCO_L38LuVTO1FWHKO1ZMOUrRl3o6YCefMf5cIsNlsEKh0pgs94mfTNJHgNirJL49bAMdkHE52vFoFQ0c/s320/living+room+ceiling2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitcaEj2f0tcPxN_Y8CSh8n5Xb9MUOSprQBdFnApOq91jYWLBVEuImFsZP0C2ejQAKZtzb_1GzD_1w3aUI5NWeb5X3Fs5NZqhTNkC7srkRacisi9x6VUlkpLlBpuwSirOvKpZ2Wz5_XE8/s1600/living+room+ceiling3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitcaEj2f0tcPxN_Y8CSh8n5Xb9MUOSprQBdFnApOq91jYWLBVEuImFsZP0C2ejQAKZtzb_1GzD_1w3aUI5NWeb5X3Fs5NZqhTNkC7srkRacisi9x6VUlkpLlBpuwSirOvKpZ2Wz5_XE8/s320/living+room+ceiling3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In the living room we firstly decided to start at the top by tackling the oppressive wood lurking above our heads. It seemed that the easiest thing to do was to paint the ceiling white. Turns out, four coats and multiple hand blisters later, this wasn't going to be such a simple fix after all. We did it though (but please don't make me do it again). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfdKNkOm0YBtZ_N8qK01eLhUknexPQ4g57svxshBP5lZI7VuZIVGpzJkkFPXwQjLv3yHGczjh_2QTPtc7MmO-njVVIU6O7Xsa8HgUJ1hcVjmE3q9zPrzlBCMYKEhzvfCPZ5AUnjHt7zk/s1600/DSC04012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfdKNkOm0YBtZ_N8qK01eLhUknexPQ4g57svxshBP5lZI7VuZIVGpzJkkFPXwQjLv3yHGczjh_2QTPtc7MmO-njVVIU6O7Xsa8HgUJ1hcVjmE3q9zPrzlBCMYKEhzvfCPZ5AUnjHt7zk/s320/DSC04012.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX_n8dMSUb00eVpUMfo1mkDiw2vy4Xd9YBdHyMk_W2Jnyejjqvw4j9kRW0g89y3u6kwy9GCSCSC41kp0Q6DzMY8_eoHIXDefJf1eyDS1dndaKa1ASesIbnHlagTcgpgDb_7qWnvZHiNM/s1600/DSC04013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX_n8dMSUb00eVpUMfo1mkDiw2vy4Xd9YBdHyMk_W2Jnyejjqvw4j9kRW0g89y3u6kwy9GCSCSC41kp0Q6DzMY8_eoHIXDefJf1eyDS1dndaKa1ASesIbnHlagTcgpgDb_7qWnvZHiNM/s320/DSC04013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRWdJfCV3vogcSqwwHGgyto-FGqn3CseykeXYepuX-0mtHKycrUGX0D3dJ2ChKkjHnPRqk7DjidNzzqeii6wcI3iCDg_86mcs-g8vl4cPz6IWfUpnAPcBBUukxTJUNk00YWZ160vdafE/s1600/DSC04015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRWdJfCV3vogcSqwwHGgyto-FGqn3CseykeXYepuX-0mtHKycrUGX0D3dJ2ChKkjHnPRqk7DjidNzzqeii6wcI3iCDg_86mcs-g8vl4cPz6IWfUpnAPcBBUukxTJUNk00YWZ160vdafE/s320/DSC04015.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>Next we moved on to the walls. Removing the artex was far too scary an option so we've gone mad with the plasterboard. As you can see from the photo, Craig works at a super fast speed. We are now proud owners of smooth walls. It's the small things in life that make you happy...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjki6NJjUZXx3FyQVHN2U89StSFcqworCJeQ74R71lxX6QqBCERfLr7T8FzNqcLN_w_4x_zQAI7KcJzWsZ1BVGOr_5SG5Po-n-WaY5DjvHLzY3EsbtzFKsjruZT2FkcjeZyk9COI3VtCwc/s1600/fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjki6NJjUZXx3FyQVHN2U89StSFcqworCJeQ74R71lxX6QqBCERfLr7T8FzNqcLN_w_4x_zQAI7KcJzWsZ1BVGOr_5SG5Po-n-WaY5DjvHLzY3EsbtzFKsjruZT2FkcjeZyk9COI3VtCwc/s320/fireplace.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
Now what to do with the most dominant feature of the room, the fireplace? Do we go with the stone clad countryfied look? Perhaps paint/limewash it? Or more plaster to make it nice and smooth? We could even grab a sledgehammer and take out some of life's frustrations on it? After our rough road recently the latter quite appealed to me but in the end I was too worried that I would bring the whole house down crashing around my ears. It's been a tough call to know what's achievable here, so I turned to the net for inspiration and advice. <br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507196977/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/26740191507196977_ZsZpwQpB_c.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://alifesdesign.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-10-07T08:38:00-04:00&max-results=7" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">alifesdesign.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/audunn/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Audrey</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507204133/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="719" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/26740191507204133_XZZo4dUP_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://style-files.com/2011/04/26/renovated-dutch-farmhouse/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">style-files.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/audunn/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Audrey</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><div class="ModalContainer visible" id="Repin" style="display: block;"><div class="modal wide PostSetup" style="margin-bottom: -141px;"><div class="ImagePicker"><br />
Note the common themes here - chunky wood and antlers! I might keep this in mind. Well, it would be interesting to know which one you prefer, but we've cracked on deciding that the stonework really must go. We then made the wise move (not like us, I know) and decided that this was a job for the professionals. The plasterer is currently busy at work but here is a wee taster of how it looks so far. I better go and make him a cup of tea -'three sugars please'.<br />
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</div></div></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-48214493356425386522011-12-18T13:49:00.000-08:002011-12-18T13:52:36.858-08:00step back to 1971<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo314EumxpELRZT1z88sWE6fJ3l7GWu5DXEnB803P2F8HR4EzCxe-f3ud01DmPpHMkLOjAtog0rYmgtX3jRYjxKnqkXwkPRA7cf1vwniKISF9btOPjqZNrwm43YOq0MZSdGJswAi_nM2I/s1600/bathroom+mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo314EumxpELRZT1z88sWE6fJ3l7GWu5DXEnB803P2F8HR4EzCxe-f3ud01DmPpHMkLOjAtog0rYmgtX3jRYjxKnqkXwkPRA7cf1vwniKISF9btOPjqZNrwm43YOq0MZSdGJswAi_nM2I/s320/bathroom+mirror.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6k5yw8U5C35_d_adb4-qc81zFCVP-6RXOu8HKVnBlPo_23S9CeNZ4Y_k3zyaN4EsLcLcRRCS2nuCe9_BwQaQJn2v-fnmYE2Um-X3V5ndAtMQLuwkFHNnoXtNrRkAoBFi4cZzcrms9_4/s1600/retro+right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6k5yw8U5C35_d_adb4-qc81zFCVP-6RXOu8HKVnBlPo_23S9CeNZ4Y_k3zyaN4EsLcLcRRCS2nuCe9_BwQaQJn2v-fnmYE2Um-X3V5ndAtMQLuwkFHNnoXtNrRkAoBFi4cZzcrms9_4/s320/retro+right.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-9896644641635026022011-12-18T13:30:00.000-08:002011-12-18T13:30:57.280-08:00the living room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbi5TCFXIjV-0K6VK7MJExvBM5NcHtpSbdDhAKbPr6Zb2XGRozjeajkK0IFUIiTJVQ2W4ySxkdc5do28p5N2uFJp9GrSgdot-FZrFwNOl_oE32iAlrAR7qce5AmXpUWKTAPLmTbOSbdvk/s1600/fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbi5TCFXIjV-0K6VK7MJExvBM5NcHtpSbdDhAKbPr6Zb2XGRozjeajkK0IFUIiTJVQ2W4ySxkdc5do28p5N2uFJp9GrSgdot-FZrFwNOl_oE32iAlrAR7qce5AmXpUWKTAPLmTbOSbdvk/s320/fireplace.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qyc9PZvT4j2vXK0JYYWVAAhnRWWy5fAry4jIw0JPiTqjSWnp4gdBLN2SM34cJ7Vwd9d_EA13IjHzZdUyzYzG_2gHo8WdjlLmEZ5AkewaKCHp5lbfbKRsZ23mNvIn-K72HIxh0X2VaZQ/s1600/living+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qyc9PZvT4j2vXK0JYYWVAAhnRWWy5fAry4jIw0JPiTqjSWnp4gdBLN2SM34cJ7Vwd9d_EA13IjHzZdUyzYzG_2gHo8WdjlLmEZ5AkewaKCHp5lbfbKRsZ23mNvIn-K72HIxh0X2VaZQ/s320/living+room.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>No this is not Santa's grotto. This is our living room which must win some sort of prize for having crammed so many bold textures together into one little space. You are of course missing the full effect as Craig was that quick in ripping up the spirally carpets I hadn't even unpacked the camera. I'm sure the photo doesn't do it justice in showing off the sculpted walls. The artex has fairly been slapped on and it feels like being on the inside of a christmas cake. The fireplace is clad in sandstone and the look is completed by the orange pine ceiling. Strip lighting is the only light source concealed above the windows and the buzz is deafening. Speakers have been built into the walls and were hidden behind rather drab greeny brown curtains (quick to make their way to the skip). The previous owners built the house and no doubt would've been very proud of this look back in 1971, so much so they kept it forty years. We now need to decide what to do with it. I have to admit it is so wacky I almost like it!Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691145652381236106.post-52095763207508348892011-12-15T13:14:00.000-08:002011-12-15T13:48:02.957-08:00Our House<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGDDp8TSBlKR5dx7-Yp2sL349BY5zzgY1wzuCNkM4AzKDzVl-y7zQRtyFDucSFvDKnvos4AWMbOaSDdvZywH_0FAFo_LDVZRgvmVKPDaO3gN-yf3Lr65TouRcz3eqaxYrjgg3JK0gyjE/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGDDp8TSBlKR5dx7-Yp2sL349BY5zzgY1wzuCNkM4AzKDzVl-y7zQRtyFDucSFvDKnvos4AWMbOaSDdvZywH_0FAFo_LDVZRgvmVKPDaO3gN-yf3Lr65TouRcz3eqaxYrjgg3JK0gyjE/s320/house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So, <i>THIS</i> is our new house. After many years together of city living in a lovely flat in Edinburgh, full of period character, we decided to up sticks and move to the country. The house we bought is not at all what we thought we were after. We (that's the royal 'we' of course) thought we'd end up in a little countryside cottage full of charm and quaint little features. Oh no no no, that would've been too easy. Instead we took some insane notion and put all our hard earned cash into a 1970s retirement bungalow (I hate bungalows!) in desperate need of a revamp. It's not really that insane though as we are in a lovely part of the countryside yet commutable to Edinburgh and we have a huge garden to do lots with once my green fingers arrive. The word here is potential with a capital P. So stay tuned to follow our progress on how we transform this on pretty much a shoe string budget. We will be trying to incorporate many of the better retro Seventies features where we can. One day we hope to get an architect in to give it a whole new lease of life but until then, its just us equipped with a paintbrush, a few power tools, some elbow grease, little knowledge and lots and lots of enthusiasm..wish us luck! </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back view of our house (its better side!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464202550749296798noreply@blogger.com0