{new house-the beginnings!}

Hello blog readers!

Since I got the keys to the new house I've spent three days frantically painting, pulling up carpets & doing as much as I can do before I move in. I've taken a couple of days off of work, but I have two big publication deadlines looming, so it's all a bit crazy! I'm looking forward to blogging about all the renos and you joining me through this process!
After an initial stage of being overwhelmed, things are starting to come together, bit by bit...and I can start to see the future finished product. Of course this will be months, years even. But getting rid of some of the horrid stripes and removing the ugly carpet has already started to transform things!
Here are a few pics from the last week.
So I decided to tackle the bedroom first...
This is what it looked like when the previous owners lived in it--purple stripes and the bed was covering up the darling fireplace...

{how the owners had it previously}

Next I ripped up the carpet off the stairs and had to remove a million staples! Walls will DEFINITELY need to be painted, but all in time....

 I'll likely leave the wood at the centre and re-paint the sides of the steps.

& then the kitchen required an eradication of the red...the tiles still need to go and the cabinets need repainting and the hardware needs to be changed, but again, all in time!

{this is how the previous owners had the kitchen}

{painted walls white...much more needs to be done!}

Then the lounge...well the stripes had to go! how many coats does it take to remove stripes? only time will tell...

{as the owners had it}

 

I had to remove the carpet, and then all the carpet grippers, and then underlay, and under that were these boards...but finally, got down to the wood!

{hard at work!}

{gorgeous floor boards that just need some TLC. Eventually I'll open up this fireplace again}

{pile of carpets growing & growing...}

{early morning view from the guest bedroom}

& I finally took a break and went for a walk along the canal to the charming local pub!

{The Globe Inn--lovely seats outside on the canal in the summer months, charming cozy fireplaces inside in the winter. so very oldy worldly}

Until next time! (& by that time, I'll likely be moved in!)

xo, 

L

{quotable thursdays}

Hello Blogland!
I've been busy with painting and pulling up carpets! That's right, last week I got the keys to my new house and have started transforming someone else's house into my home!

{beautiful words from Morris}

Here are a few pics from the last week:

{got the keys!}

{the previous owners left me a bottle of prosecco to celebrate!}

& then I got to work! In the master bedroom, I painted the walls, pulled up the carpet (floors still need sanding & varnishing), replaced the lamp & curtains...

{BEFORE}

& VOILA: 

{AFTER!}

Certainly a lot more to do, but it's a start!

until next time, 

L

{quotable thursdays}

Today I pick up the keys to my new house! There is lots to do--painting, pulling up carpets etc... and I'm doing it alone. I feel rather emboldened by the task that lies ahead but I know in a few days I will likely feel deflated and overwhelmed. Here are some quotes to remind me that this is the start of something new & fabulous & wondrous!

{beginnings}

{things take time}

Soon I'll have lovely wooden floors & will say goodbye to the awful stripe wallpaper. soon!

wish me luck!

xo, 

L

{musings from the little red book-think pink!}

Today I officially own a house! I'll pick up the keys tomorrow and start measuring and planning the painting & decorating!

One advantage of being a single woman owning her own house is that I can do whatever, yes, *whatever* I like.
I could paint the door pink!

{bright bazaar}

{even the shutters are pink!}

{pink & roses}

Lovely inspiration can be found all over the UK...I could have a pink globe: 

{pink globe}

or sweet feminine touches everywhere: 

{fashion framed}

or pink walls: 

{what elegance!}

{old world charm with pink walls}

or maybe, I can frame a big portrait of my cat in a LBD & have it prominently displayed: 

{HRH Simla}

Anything is possible!

stay tuned for more...

xo

L

{new home owner}

{good news!}

Some exciting news ladies and gents!
I bought a H O U S E !
Yes, my first house! It's all so very exciting!
It's a Victorian terrace, that is in good condition but needs some TLC in terms of decorating (& some reinstating of its original period charm). Just my cup of tea!

{cuppa?}

Perhaps you can sense my excitement by the number of exclamation marks I've used? I'll have plenty of more pictures to come when I show you some before and afters...
but here is a little shot of the front of the house:

{SOLD!}

This does mean that I'll be bidding London farewell. My little house is in a small medieval market town in Bedfordshire--much closer to my work, but still only a very short train ride into the capital. The good news is I'll have loads of country walks at my doorstep, including a lovely canal that links lovely little villages & canalside pubs...

{the canal}

{the town on market day!}

As you can imagine, I've been thinking about all the lovely things I can do to the house--paint colours, floors, beds, furniture, curtains. Can't wait!
Here are a few images I've been using for inspiration (you can of course check out more on my pinterest boards, particularly under home inspiration)...

I'm currently loving greys, and I think they're a tone that's timeless and soothing. Who can resist Farrow & Ball? Although I've recently fallen in love with Little Greene (who have some heritage colours in association with English Heritage):

{colour scheme by the Paper Mulberry}

I think some William Morris has to make a presence on a feature wall somewhere:

{bird & pomegranate}

I certainly need bookshelves everywhere!

{bookshelves in a lovely shade}

{I'm loving dark greys & golds/bronzes in the kitchen (even though some are saying this is already out!-I think if done right it can look timeless)}

The bedrooms have little fireplaces, so I've been looking at small fireplaces for inspiration:

{the pink is totally tempting!}

One thing I'm absolutely thrilled about is it has a wood burning stove in the sitting room. Fantastic for cold wintry nights! Can't wait to have a little home for me & my sweet Siamese cat:

{we're moving!}

I'll have the keys in my hands next week!
Stay tuned for more & looking forward to you joining me in the renovating/decorating projects that lie ahead! (There will be surely more posts in the series 'musings from the little red book')
xo,
L

{quotable thursdays}

{indeed!}

Things feel a bit impossible at the moment, but there will come a time when all my 'to do's are all done!

{come on, you can do it! and you can do it in style too!}

xo
L