I have been meaning to write many times. But we have been so busy. in fact I only said to RD today that we have worked through our holidays this year, with the exception of a few days our birthdays and we are feeling it. But onwards and upwards.

During my life I have always loved finding little gems in bric a brac stores, car boot sales (my beautiful antique washstand was found in a car boot sale), and Vide Greniers in France.

As you know during our break at the end of May RD finally took out the blocked up door into the narrow little hallway. This enabled us to close the door from the living room into the hallway. When we moved here we had three doorways into our living room, way too many for such a small house. We had a few aims this year, one of which was to close off the doors in the living room, enabling us to move the furniture and give us more room. Although we have not blocked them off, they are permanently shut now. Tick! We have done that.

The kitchen has been straightened out, I now have more light, and so much more room. The fridge freezer is now in the kitchen, which used to be the hall before RD cut the wall out (and turned into an Irish Leprechaun) rather than at the end of the back room. But that in itself has been a revelation, which I will blog about another day. Another phase was achieved.

But as you can see there is still so much to do. Despite that we have done small things to motivate us…

We have hung our new slimline wall cupboards, they have a clever way of lifting off the wall, so will be easy to move when we come to decorate. Although I am getting into the shabby look now. Perhaps because I have lived with it for so long!

We deliberately bought slimline cupboards, it keeps the feeling of space, and enables the light to fill the room. I love them, they were an absolute bargain, and the colour is perfect.

It’s the small details, like changing the handles for blue and white ceramic handles, each one different. And then hanging small little nicknacks that I have accumulated over the years…a rusty key to your heart, and a handmade (by us) wooden star. A checked heart, bought by my friend Mary, a small Angel.

I collect angels, they are have slowly been coming out of the boxes, and appearing in the house. Bugger it! It will be awhile until everything is done, so let’s enjoy them in the here and now.

We have added our antique French bottle, from Ambrieres Les Vallees. Another large star made by us years ago . Our French vintage metal Champagne Pommery sign. Bought all those years ago, from our first visit to a little champagne bar in Le Touquet. And a vintage turn of the century French Coffee Pot. In the cupboard I have my vintage canisters, again bought by my dear friend Mary. I have various enamel vintage jugs, my rusty star from the Shaker shop

Stars are also scattered around our home, everywhere.

In the bedroom we have added crystal knobs to newly painted tallboys. Yep, for those who have followed all our adventures the tallboys have changed colour again! We bought a console table, and changed the knobs on that, we love it. Behind it we have hung our vintage mirrors. Some from Whitstable, when we used to live by the sea, some from Vide Greniers in France. On it we have added our pretty little cake stand from France. A perfect thing on your dressing table, to add odds and sods to. Along with my little star clock, bought years ago from a charity shop in Herne Bay.

I found the cute little metal floral French Stamp poster in a charity shop here. It goes perfectly with my French cherub on top of my cupboard.

All of these things give us the inspiration and motivation to keep going.

More to come.

Rosie, AKA Moisy