I did a ‘snapshot’ post on the (slow) progress of our house renovations a few months ago, namely the amazing Charnwood woodburner and the living space. In the last few days we have started using the stove in the evenings and without a doubt, it is the best investment we have made since moving to the country. It is a cliche but a real fire does turn a house into a home.
This weekend we added a few more tweaks that I thought you might like to see:
Firstly, the upcycled bookcase. Now my favourite nook in the house:
This now diminutive white wood bookcase, fitting snugly into the recess, was once a pair of 8ft dressers that sat either side of our chimney breast in our Victorian London home.
In our new streamline 60s pad they’ve always looked a bit awkward and bulky, so the clever OH literally cut one down to size and it now nestles happily beside the sofa with all my books easily to hand. It’s got a large top too, just at mug-resting height. The eagle-eyed amongst you will have spotted my desk lamp that has found a new home here, alongside my treasured vintage board game collection (I just bought the original Cluedo set on Ebay!).
The other big changes are at the other end of the room:
The other side of the fire is a larger alcove, that housed one of the big dressers. Now, in pride of place, sits our newly inherited Moro Architects 20th Century antique rosewood and brushed stainless steel sideboard. It belonged to the OH’s Italian grandparents and he has loved it for as long as he can remember, running passed it in the hallway of their North London home.
This area is still a work in progress, we are not sure what to hang above the sideboard and the pieces we display on top are TBC, too.
At the moment we have put some of our Murano collection there (we started collecting when we go married, courtesy of our wedding vouchers for the incredible Alfies Antiques Market in Marylebone). There is also a lamp we inherited too that is waiting to be rewired. I’m going to do a separate post about this and some other pieces that we intend to end up here later in the month when I can show you the lamp working!
Finally, I’ve saved the best till last. The chair. We have no idea of its provenance, it’s another heirloom passed on from the OH’s grandparents (yes, before you say it, we know how incredibly lucky we are they had AMAZING taste). The soft buttery black leather is in perfect condition and the chrome and rosewood frame echoes the sideboard perfectly. Most importantly, it is unbelievably comfortable (the OH remembers his dad snoozing in it every Christmas Day after lunch).
Country Bebe has taken rather a shine to it, too.
We have a new rug and curtains coming in the next few weeks, so I’m sure I’ll do another update again – just thought I’d share our progress!
