My Lounge Area

I think I have managed to divide the main room, which runs across the whole length of the back of my flat, into four areas which all work pretty successfully; the lounge, dining area and kitchen plus the work/crafty area at the side of the kitchen that I shared with you the other day. It’s weird, when I am in each part it’s as if the other areas aren’t there, if that makes any sense and I achieved it without using any furniture as dividers, it just came together, leaving the room to feel open and light. 

So, this is the lounge area as it was when I had just moved in, with just an airbed, and stool!  I bought the white TV bench from the seller, as it was from the Ikea Hemnes range which I liked, but if I found it didn’t work it wouldn’t really matter, it was a sort of starting point. I had only seen the flat twice before I moved and that was only for about 15 minutes each time when it was piled high with so much stuff.  When the big day came I could barely remember what was where and just spent the first few hours  wandering from room to room, without a clue what I was going to do it it! 

Once I had gathered my nerve, the first thing I did was get the room painted in calico and white gloss, which was followed through to the rest of the rooms and quickly freshened the whole place up.

I then decided to start at the top with the light fittings, choosing two cream coloured, rose chandeliers from The Range to go at each end of the room, my first “executive” décor decision, and from there, worked my way down and around, spending more hours measuring than I ever dreamed possible.

The cream carpet had to go and was quickly replaced throughout the flat by a lovely wooden oak floor, quickly followed by cream, linen effect blinds, fitted to the inside of the window to add depth and maximise light.

A humungous order was then duly placed with Ikea, enough to furnish the whole flat, plus a three seat corner sofa and footstool from DFS, something I had set my heart on years ago, but despite my long felt want, I had a couple of very restless nights worrying whether it would fit or not,  despite all my aforementioned hours of measuring.

When it arrived all my worries were unfounded, it all fit, with plenty of room room to spare!

Two Hemnes sets of drawers were then put on either side of the sofa, up went two floating shelves and a mirror that originally came from the bathroom of The Castle, plus a standard lamp and a coupe of table lamps.

However, after about six weeks later I decided that I still had a bit of space to spare, without it looking too overcrowded.

So, I ordered the Shout armchair to go with the sofa and footstool, which arrived last week and brings everything together.  I never dreamed it would all turn out so well.

I also had another floating shelf fitted over the TV, at first I wasn’t too sure about it, but now it’s like it has always been there.

There is one small touch I added to all the doors and drawers on all of the furniture, it had to be done! All the boring brown Ikea knobs had to go and were replaced by beautiful, sparkly glass knobs from Home Bargains, costing just £3.99 for four. The price is ridiculous, in the past I have spent triple that for just one knob (if you’ll pardon the expression), lets just say I bought copiously, when faced with all things glittery what’s this girl going to do?

I have never put anything together like this before, to be honest The Duke always used to take the lead, as I never really had a clue, but I have to admit to feeling rather chuffed with myself!

http://www.dfs.co.uk/shout/sht13sst5

https://www.therange.co.uk/ceiling-lights/chandeliers/cream-rose-5-arm-chandelier

Revisited/Revised Tiny Let It Snow Bottle Christmas Tree Decoration.

I was asked a month or so ago if I would be making any of my tiny bottle tree decorations, I wasn’t, but then thought why not?

The original version was made in 2014 http://itsallfiddlefart.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/tiny-im-dreaming-of-white-christmas.html

Because I had used up or let go of so much stuff, I had to change the original smaller metal snowflake for a large plastic version, the styrofoam balls for iridescent flakes (The Range) and the beads.

I had also lost the original sheet of labels, so redid it, using a fancier, more flouncy font.  But the basic idea was still there only revised.

The ornamental hanger is made using a silver, metal spacer bead with a tiny eye pin screwed into the cork.

The bottles came from The Works - a pack of 6 costs £1, but I bought in bulk online which saved a considerable amount of money.
http://www.theworks.co.uk/p/craft-storage/72-glass-craft-bottles/kit2

Retro 60’s 70s Genie Bottle Charity Shop Finds

I seem to have started a bit of a collection of 60s/70s genie bottles. It started when I was looking for bits and pieces for my bathroom (before I finally decided to go with decanters). I found the amber one first for £1.99 and then the other three followed in very quick succession, at equally wonderful prices.

At the moment the shelf looks a little sparse, but perhaps one day it could look like the one above, however, that would mean an awful lot of very fortuitous finds, so far I have paid no more than £3 for any of them, but I have seen the prices they go for on e-bay, and I certainly can’t afford to pay that sort of money.

Finding a bottle with the top intact is also a bit of a find.

Green and amber seem to be the most common colours, it’s the blue, red and purple ones that seem to command the highest, and so, out of reach prices. For me though, it’s the fun of the find, so I just need to be patient and keep my eyes peeled and when I have a bit more time I intend to do some more research to find out more about them, shapes, patterns etc.

The funny thing is that almost as soon as my interest started I noticed this modern version on sale in Next, perhaps genie bottles are the next decor trend, I must ask Marc!

http://www.next.co.uk/search?w=genie%20bottle&isort=score&af=

Another Jewelled Mirror

This was the first crafty project I started about a month after I moved and will be a Christmas present for my stepmother Marcia.

I found the mirror base in one of my favourite Evesham charity shops, The Vale Wildlife Rescue Charity Shop, (http://www.vwr.org.uk/) I must pop in there at least two/three times a week, there is always a quick turnover of stuff which is always interesting and the prices are always very reasonable, which is why I have been able to find and furnish my flat with so many bits and pieces, which I hope to show you in following posts.

The mirror, which measures approximately 18ins x 14ins cost me just £1.50 and because of the finish I found that I didn’t have to spray paint it as I have done on some mirrors in the past.

A lot of the old, broken jewellery used came from Marc a while ago, along with bits and pieces that I had before.  The pink, plastic roses came from elasticated Poundland bracelets, and whenever I see them I always buy 5 or 6 at a time.

As per usual, I used E900 glue to stick on the broken jewellery and gems to the mirror frame.  It is a little on the expensive side, but it doesn’t help that I am so very heavy handed with it, however it sticks even the heaviest piece of jewellery with rock solid firmness.

I estimate that the mirror took me about 6 to 7 hours to complete, it’s filling the little gaps that always seems to take the most time.

I need to start collecting jewels again with renewed vigour as I now want to make a couple more mirrors, one for my spare bedroom and another long, narrow one for over the bed in my bedroom, so several trips to various Primarks, Poundlands and charity shops are firmly on the cards.

The Grand Tour - My New Bathroom And It’s Charity Shop Finds

The biggest surprise for me when I viewed my flat for the first time was the fact that it had two bathrooms, well, a slight exaggeration, it has a main bathroom off the hall and a shower room to my bedroom.  I’ll be honest, as there is only me living here, in the perfect architect world, I might have sacrificed the shower room and half of the very roomy bathroom for a small box (craft) room, but that’s just being picky.

 

Originally, I wanted to go mad (and to be honest, still do) and replace the ordinary, cream marble affect tiles with a whole array of Moroccan design tiles round the bath/shower area and above the sink.  But then, Lu the voice of reason (and an accountant) made me see sense, for the time being, at least, in pointing out that as there was nothing wrong with the tiles, the flat only being 6 years old, it would be spending money after good, especially when compared to the bathroom in her new house, (now thankfully replaced), which was quite frankly, a ***t hole!

So, for now, I am restraining myself, and “making do” instead with just a Moroccan style lampshade from The Range, which was the very first thing I put in the room, after repainting the walls calico from the original white and replacing the cream carpet with a more sensible vinyl floor covering. Discovering that the shade cast beautiful colours and shapes on the ceiling and walls was just an accidental extra bonus.

https://www.therange.co.uk/ceiling-lights/pendants/jewelled-square-pendant#109562

The shower rail and its curtain were then replaced by a folding shower screen, with having the babies staying over and having a bath, I thought it might be a bit safer than an ordinary flat glass screen.

With that, I could start all the frou frou starting with purple towels and bathmat to pick out the purple in the aforementioned light shade (but, with all the new patterned towels now available, I am thinking NEXT, perhaps in a weak moment, if the colours were right, I might just have a re-jig)  and then lots and lots of glass shelves (from Argos http://www.argos.co.uk/product/8333535). It then became obvious that I needed a mirror but what? Next followed a wonderful Ulrika moment, the old, copper arts and crafts mirror belonged to my gran, I can still remember it in her house from when I was a child and always loved it. It was also one of the very few decorative items I bought from The Castle, as I wasn’t ready to give it up, however, I didn’t have a clue where it could possibly go.  But after trying it fitted and it went!!!  I was thrilled.  A theme was coming together all be it in a very haphazard way.

Then, very spookily Aldi, up the road, had a promotion of copper bathroom accessories, which I naturally I decided to go for, especially after comparing prices elsewhere online. They had a matching mini pedal bin which was also duly purchased. My only regret is not getting the loo roll holder too when I saw it, so at the moment I am still looking for a free standing one, should anyone see one.

But, what to put on all those shelves?  Well, Evesham has a wealth of charity shops and over the weeks I managed to collect all these, paying no more than £1.99 of any, which I then filled with a range of different coloured bubble baths.  If I see any more decanters that are more ornate or I like more, they can easily be replaced.

The tea-light holders are also The Range https://www.therange.co.uk/candles-and-home-fragrances/candles/amber-mosaic-tea-light-holder#736992 and give out a very romantic light when I choose to have a candlelit bath!

The final touch was an Ingolf stool from Ikea, which can not only be used as place to sit or put your clothes on, but also as a table at the side of the bath, laden with treats when friends come to stay.

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/chairs-stools-benches/stools-benches/ingolf-stool-white-art-00152282/

So, that’s my bathroom as it is for now …. but I am still not ruling out that this time next year, it might, just might, be retiled!  I always used to say “less is more”, but in this case perhaps “more could be even better”!

Wooden Gift Parcel Tags.

I found these wooden parcel tags in Poundland in Wolverhampton (sadly, Evesham does not have a Poundshop of any description, so I have to get my fix as and when I can!)There are six tags in a pack, in two designs, three of each. They are of a really good, substantial quality and I would have been happy to pay double, if not more for them.  They are perfectly fine to use as they are, but you know me, if there is an opportunity to add a little extra fiddle fart I will.

The tags measure approximately 3.5 ins x 2ins

I removed the original string from each tag and replaced it with a longer length of red and white bakers twine, to which I then added three jingle bells (The Works - £1 per pack).  On some I added small silver bells and on others a mix of larger red, gold and green.  Threading bakers twine is a bit fiddly as the colours sometimes untwine, but it’s worth it in the end. 

Top Tip - I used a darning needle to push the twine through the metal loop on the bell, trying to thread it through on it’s own was a nightmare!!!To add even more bling I glued a liberal smattering of gold coloured flat backed gems in between and around the stars already printed on the tags.  Just a couple of simple things that turned a plain and simple tag into something a little more special.

My New Craft Storage and Working Area.

My new flat is plenty big enough for me, in fact it’s positively roomy, but as I said the other day, I had to seriously downsize.  I have my bedroom with en suite shower room, a spare/guest bedroom, a main bathroom and a through lounge/diner/kitchen (in time,The Monkeys or I will gradually give you the grand tour).

Though I could have easily turned the spare bedroom into a craft room, I had set my heart on making a lovely, welcoming room for when family/friends came to stay, I live in a beautiful spot, which is too lovely not to share, and as such it really meant putting a double bed in, leaving no space for a work desk etc.So, I have had to compromise. I have put in more drawer units than any guest should ever need, but will (in time) house an awful lot of my craft stuff.

I also had two kitchen units fitted (minus the doors) one on top of each other at the back of a narrow storage cupboard off the hall. There was even a bit of space at the top to add another valuable shelf.

I am sure you can now see from these pictures just how much stuff I had to say goodbye to.  However, after a bit more thought, there is still room for a bit more re-jigging.  At the start of the New Year I am having extra storage, in the form of compartment shelving built at each end of the guest room. At the top of the bed end the compartments will be mostly for display and at the other end, above the existing drawers will be for more craft storage.  I already have my eye on a range of storage boxes from Ikea that I think will hold a lot of bits and pieces, while blending in with  the colour scheme, without looking too blatantly crafty.  http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/search/?k=tjena+blue

Well, that’s the theory anyway. the plans are all drawn up and I can see it all in my minds eye, I think it will work.  Then, hopefully, most of the stash in the hall cupboard can be rehoused and be much easier to get to, providing more storage for the more mundane household type stuff.

But where do I craft? Again space and storage were the main priority.  Almost all my furniture has come from Ikea and this gateleg table was no exception. I think I had a eureka moment when I saw it.  It fits perfectly to the side of my kitchen area, in front of the window with it’s wonderful view, and when it is down it takes up very little space indeed.On either side of the table it has three drawers, each contain the tools/materials I use all the time, glue, flat back gems, scissors, pens, etc..

And when I craft I just put up one side, or if it’s a big project, move it forward to open up both sides.  White isn’t the most sensible colour, but I now use a vinyl table cover all the time and am a lot less messy and careful than I used to be!’

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/tables/dining-tables/norden-gateleg-table-white-art-70290223/