Tuesday 24 August 2010

In the midst of hostess frenzy

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:

Downstairs lav

After:

Downstairs lav1

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:

2010-08-24

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:

P8247008

 

More tomorrow, if I can get my poor beleaguered brain to work at all.

14 comments:

  1. Looks alright to me - mind you, I grew up in a house full of woodchip!

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  2. That does look good. I've always liked lots of pictures and lots of books. Also slightly intrigued by the perfume collection!

    Hope the frenzy passes and you have a great time with your visitors.

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  3. my first home with Smug Ex was covcered in woodchip, we just kept a'paintin' on over it!
    It looks charming

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  4. 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!
    Enjoy Sarah's visit - I'm sure you will be so busy talking and cooking she won't notice the wood chip!

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  5. That's not my age - so glad to know I am not alone.

    Kate - 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.

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  6. I'm thrilled to discover your blog, I loved the book!

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  7. Looks lovely to me. I'm a fan of the many, many pictures look.

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  8. No 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.

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  9. Morning 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

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  10. You know, I think it looks rather glamourous!
    Impressive 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.

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  11. 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.

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  12. Hello,
    We 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.

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  13. 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.

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