Monday 16 January 2012

Corners of my cottage

Still things to do round here.

There's a lot of flat black and white in this cottage, and it looks very 'new'.


 (There's also furry black and white....)

I like it - mostly - although brilliant white paint is a modern invention, and not entirely plausible in an old, old building. It can look cold, and it shows up Flossie's huge wall paintings - her Studies In Mud - all too effectively. But it's clean, and crisp, and that's fine for some things, some areas, and woodwork.


The new utility will remain brightly white. There's some sensible advice about adding modern fittings to an old building here.

I like my old, wonky, thankfully-salvaged, door, now gleaming with new paint.


How could I have thought, even for a moment, of replacing it?

I like my new kitchen lights; now I can see what I'm cooking.


I like my battered old bread bins, filled with cat food and pet medications, sprays, pills and potions.






And there's grey. I love grey.



But I want a little more colour in a few areas, a little bit of a softer, warmer look.

Some is added by way of objects, cushions, or a cheerful blind.








Nothing much; just flashes, splashes, pops and surprises.

I have my useful books, full of ideas and inspiration, and a drawer full of paint charts.





So guess what I'm going to be doing on this bright, sunny day?

....the local decorating centre has a 15% sale on this month.

Watch this space!

20 comments:

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Your new house inspires as much envy as your last one !

the veg artist said...

Ha! Blogger comments opened - via Microsoft (but yesterday's still unavailable, even via Firefox!). I suspect part of the problem is slower broadband at weekends here, but we'll see. Just glad to be back!
Personally, I love the idea of living in a white environment, with shades of tasteful grey, but I always seem to end up with dark reds, blues and greens as well. Can anyone explain this? The art work I make turns out so calm. Why can't I make my rooms like this? Really looking forward to your colour tweaking - and to comment on yesterday's post, of course we can never have enough of the tiny details of life in the slow lane!

Dartford Warbler said...

Your cottage is looking lovely. A fresh new canvas for you to make your own. The rescued door was a great idea. It could tell some stories of the comings and goings over a long, long time....

Arthur Ransome said...

Ooooooh, what a treat to go nosing through your new house. I LOVE it, especially the window in the utility room and your wonderful old door. Thank goodness you saved it. What a brilliant idea of the bread bins for the cat/dog detritus. I've just moved the last of the mog odds and ends from my old flat and they haven't found a home here yet, so I may well copy you. I copy so many people, it's great fun.

June said...

Your whole house looks like magazine photos!
I love it.
What do you do with all the rest of the accumulated *stuff* that you no doubt have . . . that doesn't go with your current color scheme?

Jules said...

I love the white with the splashes of colour.

Shelagh said...

Have fun browsing. And do show us what you've decided on!

Lesley said...

Ooooh, how exciting. We live in Magnolia and Gravel (walls and carpets respectively). It is a bit dreary so I think some walls are going to have to change. But when?? It may be some time...

Lesley xx

judy in ky said...

It sounds exciting... I'll be watching! Was that Scooter in the first photo? He looks so big.

MLou said...

Wow...what a utility room! Very sleek. I love grey too.

flwrjane said...

I have the same resin Buddha, mine is red. Yours?

All is looking very chic, but do carry on. Maybe a red wall somewhere?

I do love those red curtains in the picture....

xo jane

BumbleVee said...

Our temperatures have plummeted overnight.....to a freezing -27C.... with ice crystals floating in the air... oooooohhh....and I have to brave it... to go to the sports medicine clinic....acckkk! Hope the old van fires up nicely...I did plug in the block heater last night so it should be okay.... wish I was over there going shopping for fun stuff instead....

Susan said...

oooh aaahhh ! love the inspiration photos. I've been wanting to paint my office n almost black colour - always a fan of mostly neutral also, letting pillows, throws, art & accessories be the "pops" of colour - but I do love the kind of boho chic eclectic decor style that is becoming the trend & with it lots of colour (or wallpaper) on the walls. We're making you a care package. I know, I know with my past package sending record - you should receive an early Christmas gift from us ;-) lots o'love les Gang

Ginnie said...

I LOVE your new utility room. One would never imagine what it looked like when you bought the place.

Were the bread bins used to store baked bread at one time? I can see the rectangular one being used that way, but the round one doesn't seem like it would be the right shape to store square-ish loaves.

Noelle the dreamer said...

Lovely as always Rachel! It is a delight to see what else you come up with!
Flossie's renditions in mud too much? You should see what a Corgi (short stuff you know, stubby little legs!) can do...Maybe that's why ex-RAF flyboy decided on...BROWN wall colour for the living room...ughhhh! I on the other end prefer white, grey and all the colours of the sea (which means I was overuled of course!)
The kitchen lights are exactly what we have! (and unlike you, I do not like them.)
Hugs to all,

Marcheline said...

That is the single most important lesson I learned when "going retro" with my kitchen... using interchangeable items like curtains, table linens, and dish towels for snazzy accent colors. Want a different mood? No need to paint the walls, just change out the doodads! I'd be lying if I didn't say I have my eye on some buttercup yellow wall paint next, though. Hee hee!

Can't wait to see what you come up with next!

zephyr said...

i'm feeling some serious envy.

love those cupcakes said...

You've done a great job and it's all looking so very spruce and sparkling. If you ever decide to visit Cupcake Towers, I'm going to need two weeks' notice. Better make that three.

mrspao said...

It looks gorgeous :) The bread bin idea is fabulous. I think I may have to get one for my kitties food.

rogern said...

hehe, the Meinl tin looks lovely. glad it's a useful splosh of colour r.x

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