Posted by Tania Kindersley.
You can see it is so bad that I did not even have time for a blog yesterday, and you know how I hate to miss a Monday. I was madly reorganising the entire downstairs loo/utility room. This is not the life of glamour I dreamed of when I was a girl.
My house is slightly curious. It is a little bit oddly laid out, and also, because it is rented, there are various things that I put up with, because I am too mean to spend the money. (Or you could say cautious and prudent, although it must be said I am not known for those particular virtues.) So: I made a nice new kitchen and built bookshelves in the drawing room, but I could not face spending a fortune on having the woodchip removed from the downstairs lav and putting up proper blinds, and changing the horrid white 1970s lavatory itself. I have learned to live with woodchip (I know; you are amazed), and, as with all things in the day to day, I don't notice it that much. Of course, the moment people are coming, I suddenly do notice, and recoil in horror and shame.
Pictures, I decided, were the answer. You should have heard the hammering and swearing. The older niece was so alarmed she rushed in to investigate. 'Pictures,' I shouted. She seemed to understand, although she left looking slightly baffled.
It's not the Louvre, but it's very slightly better than it was.
Before, I am afraid to say:
After:
I do not think that World of Interiors shall be beating a path to my door, and I shall still have to rely on personality, but at least there is a small sense of improvement.
Do you think I am taking sharing with the group a little too far? I am so tired it is all I can think of.
There are aspects of the rest of the house that look reasonable:
But there, it was always going to be a battle against weeks of disorganisation. I have never had such a tight deadline on a book before, and I had not quite realised how much my domestic arrangements had gone entirely to pot.
The dogs, needless to say, are not amused:
More tomorrow, if I can get my poor beleaguered brain to work at all.
Looks alright to me - mind you, I grew up in a house full of woodchip!
ReplyDeleteThat does look good. I've always liked lots of pictures and lots of books. Also slightly intrigued by the perfume collection!
ReplyDeleteHope the frenzy passes and you have a great time with your visitors.
my first home with Smug Ex was covcered in woodchip, we just kept a'paintin' on over it!
ReplyDeleteIt looks charming
We are just about to move to Dorset from Brussels and as I pack up the house I suddenly realise that it looks rather tatty and enormous amounts of dog fur everywhere - I think I could knit a sweater!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Sarah's visit - I'm sure you will be so busy talking and cooking she won't notice the wood chip!
That's not my age - so glad to know I am not alone.
ReplyDeleteKate - how kind you are. The myriad bottles are from a phase I went through of collecting old glass; they are mostly Victorian, and I love them, although they are the devil to dust.
GoldenGirl - another fellow woodchip sufferer. Why did anyone ever think it a good idea?
Dragondays - ah, yes, the dog fur. I have little tumbleweeds of it, rolling about in dark corners. Both dogs put on a butter would not melt look, as if it has absolutely nothing to do with them.
I'm thrilled to discover your blog, I loved the book!
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely to me. I'm a fan of the many, many pictures look.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks wonderful. x
ReplyDeleteNo I don't think your sharing with the 'group' has gone too far - love seeing your home and your books - all those wonderful books. You're a genius with the pictures - I am going to look at some of my walls today. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures 'lying around' but I do have lots of photos of grandchildren, so shall see what I can come up with.
ReplyDeleteMorning Tania - just catching up having been away and it's lovely to read your words again. It's strange how one can miss 'blogging and bloggers'; I felt abit out of touch! Dare I say I missed your ridiculously handsome doggies... Lou x
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think it looks rather glamourous!
ReplyDeleteImpressive Things have been done with a mere rental...
I adore your book: I bought it last week and have been devouring it. Well, in controlled bites. Because I want it to last.
How unbelievably lovely and kind you all are. I feel most reassured. And thank you so much for kind comments about the book; it is so thrilling that people are still going out and buying it.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteWe are interested in placing a fashion related ad on your site,. Please get back to me with rates info when you are available.
Thanks for your time and look forward to working with you soon.
Helena - am incredibly flattered that you would want to put an advertisement on my little blog, especially a fashion one. At the moment, I am devoted to keeping it free from ads for as long as I can afford to. It's mostly a matter of aesthetics. I like a clean, uncluttered look. Although I am sure that your advertisements would be very elegant. If you would like to leave your email, I can always get in touch with you, should I change my mind in the future. Thank you again, Tania.
ReplyDelete