House Renovation. One Year On: 25/26.05.12

Two days in one post as I didn't get a chance to switch the computer on yesterday.

Here's our entrance hall on Wednesday 25th May 2011; I'm standing in the front doorway looking towards the stairs; the open door on the left goes through into what is now the dining area; the doorway that you can just see the edge of on the right goes into the snug.

And today, Saturday 26th May 2012; one shot with the door to the dining area open

and one shot with it closed, so you can see where our coats live! A bit of a change - new carpets, new wooden flooring, new doors, the bannister, newel post, etc, etc have been painted bright white, new understairs cupboard, new lights.

Here's a lovely shot of what was the downstairs loo, immediately to the left as you came in through the front door.

And now: new window, new radiator, commode chair instead of toilet...

Now, heading outside on Wednesday 25th May 2011; this is a close up of what would become the kitchen window and the french doors to the far left.

i.e. this: here we have new windows and doors, new outside lights, new patio, not to mention actual walls!

Here's a shot of the whole of the back of the house; well, when I say the 'whole' what I mean is, the 'hole' really. There was a day when there was literally nothing at the back of the house except some joists holding up the ceiling. That was a scary day. I'll have to dig that photo out.

And here we are today, Saturday 26th May, swelteringly hot - hence the swimming pool/slide contraption in the foreground that helped keep DC entertained all day (yipppeeee.)

Here's the back of the house the following day, Thursday 26th May; doesn't look all that different from the day before, although some more of the wall had been built to the left of the kitchen window.

What a difference a year makes.

And finally, the obligatory garden shot. This time I'm standing more in the middle of the garden, with the house on my right, facing the fence. Oh, you mean you didn't realise there was a fence there? Yes, and there's a path too, and a step up from the lawn on to said path. Dont believe me?

 See; told you there was a fence and a path and a step. Admittedly, these are new fence panels and posts that hubby and our neighbours erected a couple of months back, but there was an old rickety fence there originally. Also, there was always a gravel path, but hubby has laid new weed membrane and lots more gravel to tidy it up a bit.

 Next job is to clear away the beds either side of the step and return them to lawn; and also to tidy up/thin out the bed along the fence border.

 Still, it's definitely an improvement in the tidy stakes to what it was a year ago (although a part of me does miss that 'Secret Garden' vibe that was going on.) Still, we needed to clear it back in order to get a better idea of what's there so we know where to go from here on.

House Renovation. One Year On. 24.05.12

Phew, exsqueeeeze me while I sweat cobbs (cobs?) taking photos for your delight and delectation. Obviously I'm not allowed to complain that summer has finally arrived, but given the choice, I'd prefer it to be a leeeeetttttle bit cooler, thankyouverymuch.

Thank goodness I only had to take two photos today before rushing back in to the coolness of the house (although due to my and hubby's offices being in the roofspace, it's not so cool up here). For some reason this time last year (ie today and the two days before) we didn't take many shots of the house, I'm assuming we were either away or nothing much had happened that was worthy of a photo. Oh, wait, I've just checked and it was the weekend, so obviously no building work had taken place.

Anyhoo, here's the back of the house on Tuesday 24th May 2011. The (ugly, reconsitituted, but matches the rest of the house) stone wall of the extension is taking shape over the insulation blocks.

And here it is this evening, Thursday 24th May 2012. Complete with summertime detritus well and truly in situ.

Then a quick nip round to the front of the house. Here we have the hallway, sans front door on 24th May 2011.

And today, Thursday 24th May 2012, we are fortunate to have not only a door, but two lovely glazed side panels to let extra light into the hallway.   

Oh, and that hugemoungous bush to the right has been hacked back to its roots. Now we just have to decide what to do with the bare patch under the right window - grass seed is my preferred option. Oh, and I'd like to get another outside light fitted to the left of the front door to even things out a bit and also so that we can actually light the way up the garden path, and I'd  also like to move the downpipe round the corner so it's out of sight and not making the door look all off-centre. But I'm just picky like that.

A LazyHill Kind of A Day

You may or may not know that on Mondays during the "summer" season I work at a fabulous gallery in Abbotsbury owned by my fabulous chums Rachel & Gordon.

Behold the wonder that is Lazyhill Gallery. I'm not going to get too wordy, but be warned there are a lot of photos here. So, grab a cuppa (or a long, cold one since the weather's so good at the moment) and come for a wander round the Gallery...

Here's the view from my perch behind the counter, looking towards the front door.

And here's the view if I turn 180 degrees and look towards the back of the Gallery.

 Now, time for me to get off my lazy behind and take you for a tour of some of the goodies you'll find in store (and available to purchase via their website/by email/phone!) Miniature oil paintings by Paul Dolman

 Silver jewellery made by Rachel and a host of other silversmiths

 Glass ornaments

 Ceramic pebbles by Clare Mahoney

 Felt brooches by Jackie Cardy

 Framed boats by Liz Clammer using driftwood and flotsam.

 Dr Beans bags!

 Poppy Treffry tea and coffee cosies, and more.

 Door stops with character!

 Sarah Jane Brown's fabulous driftwood and metal pieces.

 Felt Me Up's cute birdies.

 Sara Nichol ceramics

 Rupert Blamire's jugs, pots, oil pourers and more.

 Jane Cox's vibrant turquoise range.

 Caz Scott's paintings

 Fiona Kelly's practical ceramic pots, bowls, soap dishes

 Brighton Roc's mirrors

Wonderful decorative tiles and buttons by Caroline Barnes

And much, much, much more. So, next time you're in the area, pop in and have a look round - you won't be disappointed (she says, in her best sales pitch voice!). And if it's a Monday (during the "summer") say hello to me; any other day of the week you could always say hello to Rachel and/or Gordon too - I'm sure they'd be very chuffed to see you.

P.S. You can always call/email/visit their website if there's something that takes your fancy... I should be on commission. Yes, might have to mention that.