Original Victorian Kitchen Range

Now having become quite nostalgic in the previous post I thought I would give you an idea of the kitchen range we had in the cellar of the house I grew up in. This is almost the same range!
The fire would roar and the heat travelled up and away through the house plus it also heated the hot water!
Needless to say we did not use it often but occasionally on cold winter nights the whole family would descend into the cellar and play games in front of the warm flames.



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Quilted Comforter

 

I cannot think of anything that evokes my childhood more than a handmade quilt or a quilted comforter. This is an example of simple, classical elegance which could fit most types of decor except  the futuristic modern.
This reminds me of the large Victorian house I grew up in with the original cast iron stove in the cellar, complete with bread prover. The high ceilings, fireplaces and huge surrounds which were 5ft tall! The winding staircase all the way up to the rooms at the top of the house which were clearly used by the servants of old. I never failed to be out of breath once I reached the top!
Sounds rather romantic but it was a big old draughty house and cost a fortune to keep the wind, rain and snow out plus the garden was far too small for such a grand house. Still it did make a great place to play hide and seek in with my siblings and friends!

 
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Wood Burning Fires

My sister-in-law lived in a beautiful cottage with a woodburning fire which stamped its authority on the room! Big, bold and pumped out an impossibly high level of heat on a cold, frosty day.
I have yet to see another one as striking.

This  example is from a company that specialises in all types of fires/stoves. They can be contacted here and I love this one for its sheer simplicity which would suit most types of rooms.

Throw down a beautifully soft rug, wine at the ready and dim the lights...!

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Shades of Purple

Purple can be quite a strong, overwhelming color if used without careful thought. Here is a good example of using the palette with grey and chrome to create a cosy boudoir feel.

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Green Lounge

 Hold onto your sunglasses! This room has attitude and although the coffee table should be placed onto the nearest skip, the room is thoughtfully created. The high ceilings and recessed books are similar to the home my parents live in. I would tone down the color every so slightly but it is a bold statement, nevertheless.



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Shower Power

I do try to highlight gems, fixtures and fittings of particular interest to me and this epitomizes all that this blog is.
I showered in a friends home who had something very similar to this (he wouldn't allow me to take pictures, shame!) and what a treat! I closed my eyes and suddenly I was under a mini-waterfall. Beautiful. I would like to recommend his particular model but he bought it in Germany on his travels many moons ago.
In short, it was the best showering experience I have ever had.

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Lounge

This room has echoes of the 60s and 70s - low simple seating, earthy tones with splashes of muted pastels all add that slight retro feel. I don't particularly admire the light feature, but it all seems to fit in a rather haphazard way.

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The Living Room Fire

Simply does it. Just moved house and have a decent fireplace? Then make it a feature by placing 2 (inexpensive) sofas facing each other, a small coffee table or even have end tables (if the space between is limited), add 3 or 5 photos or art work, fling a cushion or 2 on the sofa and add a colourful throw. If the fire isn't ready, willing or able to be fired up then add candles or wooden logs (not both at the same time, of course) and then step back and admire your handiwork.Voila!
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Homely Porch

I love this porch as it is clearly lived in and does not have an air of being 'for show'. The natual wood, artifacts and family of rocking chairs tells me that people who enjoy being close rock away together as the sun goes down.
Splendid!

Yellow Kitchen

click the image to enlarge
I love the simple honesty of this kitchen. For once it isn't trying too hard and you must be able to see yourself in this space!?
A melding of old and new with 2 swathes of a beautiful color - more mustard than yellow, would you say? Add splashes of black, stainless steel and white. Yum!

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Holiday!

That is it. I am honestly sick of the cold and am now planning my escape to somewhere hot.

Many moons ago I stayed in a wonderful thatched cottage with simple rustic furniture deep in the jungle. The early morning mist would rise in the valley and engulf me whilst I swung in a hammock drinking my early morning brew. Wonderful!
Holidays where you are herded from A to B to C does not appeal to me and so my wanderlust spirit loves this kind of unscripted environment where the animals are all wonderful and sometimes dangerous.
Just thinking of it makes me feel a little less cold!!!

How do you plan to escape from the dreary weather? - (assuming you are experiencing that where you are.)


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Spring Clean

Yes, I know it isn't spring, but I use the new year to evaluate the 'things' I have around me and if there are items that could be cleaned, used, thrown away, given to relatives/friends or to the local charity shop.
It just seems an opportune time to clear the cobwebs of the previous year away and embrace the new with a clean slate. Plus, changing the window dressings, wiping down walls, vacuuming behind places that can be easily overlooked, rearranging furniture, throwing out chipped or cracked items, old bedding and that chair that has been in the shed for x number of years which one has not got around to repairing... - is good mind and body exercise.
Why don't we try it together?

Sorry I was away for so long!


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