Houses

We recently got a new kitchen, well a new element  with plenty of old mixed in. The challenge was to do it on a small budget and yet have a artisan feel to it. I would have loved to have gone for a locally made kitchen but had to compromise, so in the end we went for a flat pack with solid wood worktop. A friend Mark from Bridge Pottery, made the knobs which I love and think they add a handmade feel to the kitchen. The floor is cheap pine which I whitewashed and then sealed, it reflects so much light and makes the room appear light and airy. The subway tiles were a real success, I love them….the other bits and pieces are collect and made over the years.

Andy made these utensil holders a couple of years ago, I think I need some more….I have a weakness for wooden spoons!

None of our chairs match, I have picked them up over the years at auctions and the cupboard in the corner was a fab find in Eclectic Interiors. It acts as a pantry and takes up very little room.

Another great buy from Eclectic Interiors was this dresser which holds all my crockery (a bit of a crazy mix from all over the place, not much matching here) the lovely plate on the side is another beautiful piece from Bridge Pottery.

For the past month I have seen a transformation of my dark dated kitchen (which I have lived with since we bought the house over 2 years ago) into a beautiful light filled room that works perfectly. We did not do any structural work so the light is the same as before but its the difference that white surfaces can make. There is still a couple of finishing touches to be made and then I will show you some photos, but for now I just want to show off some beautiful pressies Andy brought me from my favourite shop in the States,  Anthropology………I can’t get enough of Anthropology its my idea of retail perfection (that comes from someone who is not into shopping) and it has brought spring into my new kitchen….

I’m very fortunate to be able to spend my holidays in this beautiful home in the States. Its a little like a wildlife reserve, the woods are full of all sort of exotic birds and animals (exotic to me anyway) and the house is very simple shaker style.  I get back to work relaxed and rested, that’s all I want from a holiday. I know it won’t be too long before we make the trip again………….

How many people would love to give up the rat race and live an idyllic life in the woods. Well two friends of ours managed just this. They built a beautiful house that’s warm and full of light, (two very important qualities in our climate) in the middle of the most perfect piece of woodland………the gardens look like nature planned them (with a lot of help from Trish). Nothing looks out of place or at odds with the woods, it all fits in just perfect.

Good food, chat and a nice glass of wine shared with friends can clear all the rainy day blues you might have. Our friends have a great conservatory where the rain dosen’t seem to matter and to hang out there on Sunday evening was just what I need after a week of thunder and hail storms………..when is the summer coming?