Author Archives: 19th century modern squared N

OK so I probably haven’t exposed myself as the true shopaholic I really am as yet but here’s the truth (B, I’m sure you are already aware!),  I LOVE SHOPPING!!!!  In whatever form, books, clothes, house stuff, either online or on foot!  Charity shops, designer boutiques or Ikea.  J, my husband, thinks I’m bonkers and can’t understand my endless appetite for looking at pictures of different rugs or searching eBay for the perfect bedside tables or the right dress for that christening in 2 months time, whatever the project I can while away hours browsing the net or trawling the shops, I love it!

Having done plenty of scouring to find the perfect mirror for over the fireplace in our bedroom, I thought I’d share a few of my favourites and the one we finally chose. I love mirrors, they make everywhere look lighter, brighter and bigger which is why they are one of my favourite ways to accessorize a room.

Brissi Josephine Mirror, John Lewis

Brissi New England Mirror, John Lewis

Over Mantel Mirror, Graham and Green

And some of my favourite looks with vintage ones:

Design Sponge: Sneak Peek Paula Mills and Family

Petits Papiers

As you can see we went with the Lattice Window Mirror from Graham and Green which I’m over the moon with.

My bedroom fireplace with the Window Lattice Mirror from Graham and Green

Nx

At last all of the DIYing is finished in our bedroom and i can get started making it beautiful with pictures, fabric and furniture.

The only major thing that we haven’t done yet is replace the radiator for a chunkier and shorter one giving us more wall space for me to clutter up with furniture.  We are planning to do this but not until we tackle the bathroom (next project) so we don’t have to drain the system down twice.

We’ve already chosen the curtain poles, we’re having those made by an iron monger in Worcestershire http://www.genuineforgery.com/  that we found on eBay and i chose the curtain material in December.  To be honest, the fabric was a major impulse purchase but i loved it and it was discounted so i couldn’t resist.  I always buy fabric for curtains in end of line shops and there are 2 excellent ones near my mums house so i’ve never paid more than £7 or £8 per metre (and often less).  I wasn’t brave enough to take on making the curtains myself so they’re being made by a local lady who does them for £10 per drop and i’m collecting them this week!

Nx

So finally a few before photos……..

As you can see the hideous wallpaper was put on with real care and attention!

The stone fireplace was painted white and the cast iron insert had been painted with black gloss paint I think.

And under the radiator there was evidence of wallpaper from a long time ago!

There is the remnants of a pull switch to control the big light which I am definitely going to restore to its former glory, there’s one in the spare room that we’ve been sleeping in since we moved in and it’s really useful and a bit retro i think!

So we’ve done most of the work in this room now and I’ll be taking a few pics this week to post soon and once the floor, walls and fireplace are all sorted then the real fun can begin, making it beautiful with fabrics and furniture!  I’ve been scowering the internet for months now looking for inspiration for this room and collecting it all on my beloved Pinterest board – Night Night Sleep Tight – http://pinterest.com/mrsnsw/night-night-sleep-tight/ .  Here’s a few of my favourite pics

House and Garden via Dahlias, Dreams and Damask.
I love the colours, in particular the rug, the white walls, the baskets either side of the fire (i might get some to keep my scarves in).

Via Marlow 35
Lush floorboards and floor length curtain and mustn’t forget the lovely white walls!

Via Desiretoinspire.net
Really like the neutral aged walls, old suitcases (I’ve already started a collection for on top of my wardrobes), gilt mirror and beautiful chandelier.

Looking forward to the completion of the blank canvas, not long to go now!

Nx

We moved in around 5 months ago and tangible renovation progress has been slow.  We’ve spent time and money on lots of unseen things on the roof that, amongst other things, has made the house water tight again and allowed us to use one of the fireplaces having had the chimney stack rebuilt and a reclaimed pot put back on.    The first of 3 that need doing to enable us to use all of the fireplaces in the downstairs of the house and our bedroom.  We also did a rush paint job on one of our reception rooms to cover up the mysetrious yellow staining on the lower walls (possibly dog wee – yuk!) so we could have Christmas dinner for the family in there.  Overall our new home is livable but very tired having been rented out for a number of years and after rushed DIY efforts in the past, and regrets over not having done things properly the first time, we have decided a one at a time approach to each room is the way to go to get things right and stay sane whilst living amongst all the mess.  The first room we’re working on is our bedroom, before photo’s in next post………….

Nx

The fire was lit which is always a treat and as always they wrapped our purchased books in brown paper and tied them with string which i love!

I bought two cook books, one cake and one curry and an old book called “The House next Door” by A&C Askew.

B, I’ll have to take you there when you visit!  I hope things are taking shape at the new house!

Nx

Here’s a few pics of our old flat, we lived there for 5 and half years.  We contributed a new kitchen, a lick of paint, some new carpets and curtains and some general TLC.  Like B and hubby, we too left a few projects for the next custodians, namely the unpleasant bathroom and the anaglypta in the spare room.

The living room was my favourite room in the flat, mostly because of it’s size, the beautiful gothic windows and door that took us ages to restore back to their former glory and that wonderful original stone fireplace!

Next, the kitchen, although it’s small we felt we made it perfectly formed with floor to ceiling storage, high gloss cupboards with no handles and natural slate on the floor and as a splash back.

Then the master bedroom.

This is the second bedroom, watch out for the anaglypta however it looks much better white than it did when we moved in when it was a dark mauve colour (i reffered to it as sicky purple for quite some time!)

And finally the bathroom.

And so ends the tour of our old place.

Next post i’ll intro the new project, our 19th centruy house in need of sympathethic modernisation!

Nx

Well, having finally set aside some time to overcome my computer illiteracy I am all logged on and ready to go!

I’m left feeling a little melancholy after reading your recent post “Parting is such sweet sorrow”.  Your departure from the city village we have both inhabited since 2006 (and you for longer) really signifies the end of an era with us having already departed last November.    It reminds me of slow roasted lamb shoulder with pomegranate and mint, home-grown sorrel (I really must grow my own this year) and your cosy living room with its especially small sofas that complimented it’s small but perfectly formed space.  And it’s got me thinking about the things I’ll miss the most apart from living round the corner from you!  Our favourite pub with its miss matching lamp shades and furniture, plentiful quality ciders on tap and wicked veggie burgers.  Not to mention the monthly farmers market with its ostrich burgers, organic veggies and beautiful dahlia flower stall, I’ll be growing my own this year!

And then a mention of the home we’ve left behind, after the harassed and hectic manner with which we said goodbye, it’s reassuring to start to remember our beautiful gothic flat for the wonderful home we made it rather than the box filled, fraught space it was for the last 3 months of our time there.

Heres to the start of our parrallel journeys to restore and revive our new homes!

Nx