Winter Evenings Cosy and Warm

Old houses can be so cold ⛄⛈🔥 over the winter period and despite central heating and modernisation of pipes / boiler etc it's still quite cold – the walls in some places are 2 foot thick and can't be insulated in the modern sense. I try and offset the temperature with the ambience and warmth of candles. Now I love my candles but I use the ALDI range for everytime burning. They are not too scented and burn well - especially at 4 or 5euro a pop. I reserve my special candles for spa nights and special occasions. Molton Brown are a big favourite but others brands like La Bougie and Max Benjamin are just right... Here are a few little recent pics, nothing special.

FInal Final Re-do's – Craft Room / Bedroom Suite

You have to live in a house to really know what is needed and what doesn't work – well my craft room has always been a problem. Not enough storage, too small, wrong light etc etc. Well my ground floor re-hashed room is just perfect. A cheap fitted kitchen from Ikea and some small old pieces from my shop days. It's clean, functional and still pretty. Delighted and look forward my Christmas orders.
Also now that my craft room has moved downstairs I had a lovely 'ante' room which is just what I always wanted. More a bedroom suite than anything with discreet wardrobes and storage but a lovely luxury (but cheap) finish.  LOVE it and a great hideaway from kids and dogs... although they will always find you!

Guest Bathroom Makeover

Finally got around to this final bathroom - badly placed on ground floor behind dining room. No light, air or ventilation really. Still if you are stuck it's handy!  I love the tropical trend, so colourful and modern but still retaining colonial undertones. Again I'm on a cheap and nasty budget. Mirror EUR47, Shelf EUR18, Plants EUR40 - all The Range. The Wallpaper is a favourite from Woodies. Paint is Egg Shell frinish from Dulux colour range. All in about EUR160. (Sanitary ware withstanding). Molton Brown is the perfect match for this interior -- so it's off to Kildare Village for the 'Buy one get lots of free things' range!!

Bathroom makeover

This is the last room of the house to be renovated and although it looks very similar in the before and after it was the mother of all jobs. New pipework, new position of sink and shower, new tiles. All done on our usual shoe string. We retained original ceramic fittings (out of necessity) and the bathroom cistern which is wall mounted fits in really well with the overall look of the room. Pale blue making a serious comeback too .. well a certain shade of pale blue.

Slow and steady wins the race

'It's only November' – hearing that bleating parrot of a sentence makes me implode. I want Christmas. I can see it, I can smell it and I just want to start surrounding myself in blissful colour schemes and intoxicating festive smells. So there it is, time to start decorating the house.
This wreath is from The Range. It was EUR24 and has an in-built set of warm Christmas lights. Perfect for front door or internally as I have used it here. Image does not do this justice.
Now for the rest of the house...

Cosy Autumn Corner

Love this little corner where I watch my favourite TV programmes and crochet my heart out. This area in the house is quite close to the main road so a good high spec window supply and installation was critical. We used Munster Joinery and choose a PVC Black Ash Sash Window.  It's warm and cosy here in the Autumn as the sun shines in the daytime. Perfect crafting space.

Work in Progress 'Before'

Cosy corner for Crafting 'After'

A little 'Make and Do' on this sunny September morning....

Repurposing is one of my favourite hobbies. I love the whole transformation process. A yard of fabric, a nail gun and some old wood – hey presto! a lovely new 'To Do' Chalkboard. I need this badly, some accountability is no harm when you are self-employed .. and the bigger the better. This old bookcase is transformed and big and all as it is I need it to be HUGE. Busy season ahead, it's the one time of year where I work all hours, it takes care of the leaner Spring season. So here it is, soon to be full or orders, delivery times and ideas.