Appletree Cottage

Bathroom Extras

2011-09-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to update you on our bathroom. We FINALLY have a shower! Yay! and Yay! again. Initially the poles that came down from the ceiling were too long - and the shower rail only came up to our waists - this was because the ceilings are so low - it did little to stop water getting everywhere, or protect our dignity. So it was back to the drawing board for a while. I found this shower curtain in Wilkinsons (I know!!!) and allowed myself a few roses. The light fitting matched the colours of the bathroom so well - I had to have it - carboot.....£2!!!!

So bathroom is finished - yes a room is finished - and I love it!!!!

Fleur
xxx

My Bedroom

2011-09-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

Before......
We have pretty much finished our bedroom - one or two more touches and it will be everything I could dream of from a cottage bedroom.

Just to prove I do some of the work!

So lets start at the beginning.......The walls were originally cream, which I decided to freshen with white (of course). New carpets were a must - I mean a must! The ceiling's wallpaper was hanging off and so I tore it all down - and for the next YEAR I woke up to brown, torn, ragged, lining paper. Whilst I was away with the children, Karl got to work and re-papered the ceiling, apparently it was not easy - but he did a fine job!

After.........
Then I gave it a lick of paint and now we have a new morning view! Then one last touch - time to get out that one roll of Cath Kidston wallpaper I bought in the sales many, many moons ago. The crowning glory!

The Kidston wall, as it is now to be called, leads to my little dressing room, which isn't quite ready to show you yet. As you can probably see there is very little storage and so my lovely old suitcases keep all my truly sentimentals in -you know; kids drawings, wedding photos, love letters - - if there was a fire in my home - I wouldn't leave the house unless these cases had been flung out of the window first!I have got one or two things to do, I want to paint the door white, the cupboard green (yes believe it) and fit my lovely French chandelier, get some cafe rods up and hang some vintage, French lace. I will post with those titbits as and when! Hope you approve - could your hubby or partner live with the roses? Am I a lucky lady or what!?
Thank you for your lovely comments, stay with me!

Fleur
xx

Dressed up Dresser

2011-09-20T12:15:00.000-07:00

Just a quick add! When we moved in we had to strip the kitchen of everything - this included a not so nice orange pine dresser, but we held onto it - and its been in our garage graveyard since. However, I dusted it off, gave it a lick of paint - white of course - and added a few non essentials - and VOILA!The little girl figure is tape measure!

Fleur xx

Kitschin Corner

2011-08-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

The latest before and afters from Appletree Cottage. I wanted more surface space and something to disguise an ugly washing machine and tumble dryer. So, propped up by one of our old beams (recycling galore!) - Karl put in a sturdy work-top. Then I made some curtains out of remnants - and hey presto - a country cottage corner that hides a myraid of sins! Still waiting for a dishwasher though - - oh hang on - that's me.

Before

After

TTFN

Fleur

Bathroom Happiness!

2011-05-24T11:33:00.000-07:00

So, finally we are almost there with our bathroom!!!! Only the shower rail and light fitting to go. It's been a very looooong road getting here - but so worth the wait. Everything we did ourselves, I say we, the plumbing, wiring and carpentry was Karl - but I did paint!

Before.......
This was before the double sink unit was taken out and before the vinyl flooring went in.
We think it had been used as a utility space.It was extremely dirty and very unpleasant.
So we cleaned and cleaned - and painted the walls with a first coat. Then the flooring came in - just an extension of the flooring we used in the kitchen next door.

The tools came in and Karl began work on the plumbing and carpentry. He was amazing. This is not his profession - but he has done a 100% professional job!After........

What the before pics don't show is how all the plumbing was boxed in with the wooden cladding, mostly behind the bath - which was painted with an eggshell white.

The cast iron bath was off Ebay. The sink was from the en-suite ripped out from upstairs - unfortunately the pedestal had an accident - so we replaced it with one from a salvage yard. The bath needed repainting, the feet were pure rust, but fortunately the inside enamel was great!
All the paintwork was redone in white - it is so fresh and bright!
An old mirror from a local charity shop - it fits just perfectly!
Painted the door!
The shower!!! Not had one yet! Long story short - the shower rail hung too low from the ceiling - and we now have to figure out a way of shortening the poles. Oh the frustration!!!!!
I finally got to decorate my new bathroom with all my carboot finds!!!
I use this Victorian watercress dish to keep flannels and soap in.
And I brought in the old wash stand (which needs a good polish) and used this old bowl inside, I think it goes quite well?
My old bottles - finally somewhere to display them!
This old loo roll holder has been hanging around for years waiting to be used!
And there it is - I will post again to show you the beautiful shower curtains I have bought. From beginning to end it took about a year -but it wasn't so much the amount of work - it was the lack of time - and you know, we were busy enjoying life too. But it's here - and I LOVE IT!!!!
Fleur xxx

Bathroom.

2010-11-01T08:02:00.000-07:00

It's not much better but livable - THAT RED'S NOT GONE YET THOUGH!!!!!

Basically, I scrubbed it clean and painted and refloored (same vinyl as kitchen - bulk buy and all that)Yes I know it's husband in pictures doing all the work - but I am there and he never takes pics of me!!!!

and now I can live with it - but soon - oh yes - soon - I can start showing you the progress we are making on our downstairs bathroom - the grown up bathroom - sigh........my long awaited Christmas present. Finally I will have a shower.

Fleur

xxx

Poppy's Palace

2010-09-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

Well it seems like an eternity ago, but it was actually only March, when we first entered the smallest of bedrooms, which is now Poppy's, my youngest. On the right wall was a huge, black built in shelving unit, that we took out, otherwise poor Poppy wouldn't have got in! There was mouses and cobwebs and all kinds of interlopers.

Poppy's chosen colour was yellow. The ceiling was repainted white, the cracks were filled and a new carpet laid.

A few months down the line and Mummy has chopped up some long gingham curtains and made drapes for the alcoves, behind which I don't care how messy it gets!

I painted chest-of-drawers - which needs new knobs. A few pretties and her school desk and there you go. One little girl's bedroom - and she likes her tiny space very much. For how long though?
TTFN -
Fleur - xxx

Up a Ladder or Creek - unsure?

2010-09-24T05:08:00.000-07:00

Before we start - my Mum said I should have shown a wider angle of the living room in my last post- so always doing as Mummy says - here is one. What do you think?

Look at the slate state of that roof!

Well this week has all been about the roof (or lack of it). Fed up of being dripped on as we descended the stairs for breakfast every morning, Karl put off the inevitable and brought out the ladder. our next-door neighbours gave us some old slates (bless 'em) and Karl bought relevant mending bits (no idea what, on a need to know basis only).

However, the tiles that needed replacing were in a very awkward space and even Karl showed his nervous side about going up there.

"I need some weight on the bottom of the ladder - you'll have to sit on it....please" my husband dared to ask.

Me at base of ladder lending my 'weight'.

"Are you honestly taking pictures for your blog right now?"

"Are you saying I'm fat?" I asked.
Long conversation ensued.

My weight worked - Karl did not have a ladder fly from under his feet and the job is now done.
We shall see how well at the next rain fall? However, as we do not have a shower yet (ahem) - perhaps I should embrace the trickle of fresh rain water I get in the morning.

TTFN

Fleur

xxx

PaintingParty for One.

2010-09-06T13:18:00.000-07:00

So the painting brushes came out in full force this weekend - and once I started I couldn't stop - to the house's detriment perhaps - you tell me???

So, I started with the front door - pics to come shortly - then I started on those cursed beams. Which cursed beams? The ones held together with cement after the adjoining wall was brought down - those. Now I know, I know - it's a cardinal sin to paint beams rather than sand them back to their original, glorious wood - but - big but - mine aren't glorious -mine are frankly, rotting away. So, she says with a big forced smile - paint was my answer to holding them together, so paint them I did. Firstly I bought dark brown, that just looked awful, my beams looked like ....well nuff said. So the only option was black - and after a few "oops" moments....

.....they are now done - and they look better, not perfect but better.

So, then, I faced my fireplace - and thought about whether it would look fresher, neater, brighter in white?

Friend said no - the smoke would dis-colour it eventually. Husband said no - it would make the room look smaller. All signs lead to "don't do it". But I had the painting bug, and it kept calling me and before I knew it I had started....and therefore had to finish.
Not sure whether I have created some kind of igloo in the middle of my living room? But it's done now and I can rest in peace. Or pieces. Jury's out.

Fleur
xxx

Living Room

2010-08-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long gap in posts. You know how it is. Well, also, I am a little bit embarrassed by my living room. The kitchen I am loving as it progresses - but the living room is just not me - at all. We slapped down a cheap, yukky brown carpet, just to have the place carpeted, but it looks vile. And the over sized fireplace is a monster, it is only a small chimney, so why it is that size I have no idea - it takes up so much space. I am thinking of painting it white - it can't look any worse. All my dark furniture which used to look fine in a large house - now darkens the room, so I may attack everything with a white wash. Anyway here it is. I bought the settee and chair off Ebay for £20 all in!!!! And that is the look that I will try and nurture - bright, fresh, floral - something, clearly it isn't yet - but - it's comfortable and you can see by the before picture that we have come a long way in a few months! We do need to paint those beams where the wall has been knocked through and hide the wires hanging from the ceiling though.

I will try and update more I soooo promise.

THANK YOU all for the sweetest comments you have left - they mean so much and make my day. I'll head over to your blogs now and have a nosey!

Fleur

xxxx

Kitchen Update

2010-06-12T08:53:00.001-07:00

I love my kitchen, or at least what it is slowly becoming. Frankly, every small achievement makes me deliriously happy, especially when I look back on these 'before' pictures......

BEFORE

AFTER

(my microwave looks like an old TV - cool eh?)

BEFORE

AFTER

What do you think of my papered ceiling. Great for covering over the cracks - but seriously difficult!!!!! Here it is in close-up.....

BEFORE

AFTER

I love having free standing cupboards, even when they have a handle missing! The one on the left was from Ebay, before these kind got super expensive and the one on the right was rescued from a skip.

I'm sure I've shown you this before, my painted cupboard? I painted it ages ago and has been used as a toy cupboard, craft cupboard, junk store.......but now is back where it should be and I love having everything in one place.

BEFORE

AFTER

So it's getting there - well it's certainly comfortable, clean and prettier! And don't the summer months make a difference? I can't tell you the feeling I get when it's a sunny morning and I come down to my 'dream' kitchen. Proper old farmhouse stuff isn't it? Very, very rustic, but I love it.

Living Room to show you next.

TTFN

Fleur
xxx

Kitchen Update

2010-06-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

It's a Sign......no really it is.

2010-04-22T01:13:00.000-07:00

I thought we needed a better sign to our house - more so now, as we are starting to invite people over - and we are tucked away a bit. Below was our current sign - one we inherited - barely visible. I decided anything would be better than this so with little patience or time, set about knocking one together.

A while ago I looked online for some apple transfers, but the only ones I could find were ceramic transfers (and I'm not even sure they are apples!!!!) I decided to give them ago anyway- unfortunately they didn't come with any instructions - so I had to wing it.I used an old cupboard door from the kitchen and painted it white. (very quickly and very badly)

Then the transfers.....and by trial and lots of error, discovered if I soaked them in boiling water, they lifted from the paper and then I just stuck them in place. Unfortunately, I now realise I put this one on backwards. Nevermind - who'll notice?Then what I should have done is traced some lovely typeface, but I didn't I free-handed it (mainly due to broken printer). This sign was going to be VERY shabby - maybe not even chic with it!
A few more transfers and Hey Presto! A house sign!!! Not perfect, but neither's the house.

Slightly more welcoming?

TTFN
Fleur
xxx

Kitsch In Sink.

2010-04-21T08:25:00.002-07:00

Oh I am a happy lady and all because of my kitchen sink (truly pathetic I know). The first thing I bought for Appletree Cottage, many moons ago, seen back in this post- and my vision has been realised. I know it's basic, but I love it.

I really wanted this kitchen to be 1950's fresh - bright whites and bold primaries. It seems my favourite colours are beginning to reveal themselves as reds, whites and blues - how Regal! Well it is the Queen's birthday today.

Husband did all the cladding and I painted it white - but it was a little to clinical. So, I decided to use some of my vintage transfers on the cladding, just to take the edge off the white- and I love the results.

Tiny little roses......

I LOVE them - just what I envisaged and something pretty to wash to whilst I live without a dishwasher (vintage living!). Now I'm wondering - should I add anymore? I'm also thinking of replacing the handles (which are replacements) with original red ones - just wondering where to source them?

You can just see the floor I have put in - I'm thinking I will gradually reveal the kitchen in stages as it all comes together - or falls apart - either way.

TTFN

Fleur
xxxx

What Happned Next?

2010-04-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

Firstly, let me apologise whole heartily for my sudden disappearance. Life just got so difficult and so bad and more than anything I no longer had the Internet. So time to bring you up to speed.

The floors were put in and screened. Layers and layers of rubble, concrete, plastic screening and polystyrene.

But we had a problem - and still do actually. By lowering the foundations to the house we have basically dug a big hole and water is pouring in from the surrounding land. We dealt with this by digging a drain on one side of the house. The moment we opened said drain the water just gushed out. It was amazing and rather frightening to see the effects of our plans.

The water that came from under the house.

So with concrete floors put in we had two days for it to dry before the carpets and vinyl arrived. However it did not dry and we had to move in. The carpets and vinyl in the kitchen could not be laid and so the downstairs furniture went into the garage and stables and we lived in the our small sitting room and conservatory for three weeks, whilst an industrial dehumidifier did its work day and night. It was a nightmare and I hit an all time low.

This was our kitchen. No oven, no taps - we used the outdoor tap - the weather was cold and we were all pretty miserable.

The Horror

Complete Horror. Three weeks people!

But...but but but but - time moved on and the floor dried enough to put the carpets and vinyl in and finally move the furniture in.
Then we had to deal with the plumbing.......

then the electrics......

Then last week we got our oven - no more microwave meals!!!!!

Finally it was starting to feel like home and things settled until we discovered last week that the concrete floor is becoming very wet again, which we cannot ignore and will soon start to rot the kitchen vinyl - the builder returned and we think we are going to have to put in at least two more big drains away from the house. So more disruption, more builders' bums, more "make that 2 sugars love".

This hasn't really dampened our mood though - just our floor. The sun is shining finally and the house and garden are being made prettier by the day.
So from this point onwards - lots of prettifying pics I think......no more ugliness - it's time for the fun part.

Good to be back my friends. You never left my mind. So much to show you!

TTFN
xxx

A Bit of Pretty

2010-02-23T05:21:00.000-08:00

DAYS TILL MOVE : 7

It's silly with all that is yet to be done, but I needed to have a bit of pretty.

So I put up some bunting in the playroom / conservatory!!!!

Whilst I was there I quickly painted the wall (it was so cold and dark though, my hands were shaking and I couldn't really see what I was doing!)I did neaten up the edges.

I turn a corner and see something that needs doing but we have decided from this day forward to PRIORITISE!!!!!
TTFN
Fleur
xxxxx

Wendy House

2010-02-21T11:20:00.000-08:00

So, Appletree Cottage to one-side for a moment and welcome to our lovely Wendy House. It is a bit neglected, no surprises there, but the girls LOVE it and have lots of girly plans for it.

I sort of like it just as is - especially the old painted red door.

It even has a little upstairs and for some reason the old curtains have been taken down.

I just can't wait for balmy summer days, with picnics and teddy bears and fairy cakes and lemonade, a snooze in the hammock and a cuddle under the apple tree.

Sigh.

Fleur
xxxx

Grotty En-Suite, Painting & Heavy Lifting

2010-02-14T05:44:00.000-08:00

DAYS UNTIL MOVE: 15

Karl and I managed to get out to the cottage yesterday and get loads achieved together! But wow, do I ache today. As our bedroom is smallish, we decided (I decided) to remove the rather grotty en-suite and gain a much needed dressing area. (Although I can see me having a little craft room - but don't tell hubby).

Karl is becoming really good at DIY and after extensive reading of various books, knew exactly what needed to be done pipe wise - and then it was time for the heavy lifting. It was no mean feet getting that bath down our little staircase!

The hardest job and the one that pushed me over the edge to the point that I took a hammer at the wall in vicious anger, was these blasted tiles! I thought this was going to be easy, but then we discovered they had been put on with cement. Karl did the rest - whilst I........

....painted our bedroom. Honestly with all the beams and a rocky chocky wall, I could barely feel my fingers at the end of the day.

I think the white freshens it all up a little. We tried to paper the ceiling, but it looked awful, mainly due to our rubbish paper hanging and the fact that we don;t have time to properly strip the wood-chip off. So we are going to use that smooth plaster/paint stuff (technical name).

Just to keep me going I image pretty things I can fill the room with. Do you think this light currently collecting dust in my scary garage would look nice?

And then I finished off Lily and Poppy's room. Touched up the paint work, took the carpets out - hard work on your own - and finally a good clean.

And breath.

Another day done. One step closer. Please do know that I really appreciate all your support and encouragement - it means so much to me - I need all the good bloggy vibes I can get.

Fleur
xxxxx

The Builders are Burning my Cottage!

2010-02-11T04:46:00.000-08:00

DAY UNTIL MOVE : 16

They are! To keep themselves warm.

My bottom lip is a bit trembly today. I have this awful feeling we are not going to be ready for Move Day. Would you....looking at the state of downstairs today?
Fleur xxxxx

Kidston for the Privileged & Rich...ish?

2010-02-11T03:25:00.000-08:00

DAYS UNTIL MOVE 16

Well that's how I feel. i only want one roll to cover up this soothing red in the upstairs bathroom. I think it would change the entire feel of the bathroom wouldn't it? Coupled with some pretty, light CK curtains - even better! Oh and then the re - plastering, new vinyl, some painting and a good clean too.

Only problem is, they don't stock this in my local CK Shop and it is sooooo expensive. Must think of pretty alternatives that fit to budget. Suggestions please!

Or do you think I could stretch the budget just a teeny weeny bit?

Fleur

xxx

Lily's Lavender Room & Dead Wasps. Nice.

2010-02-09T02:31:00.000-08:00

So whilst all the heavy duty stuff is going on downstairs I am upstairs getting the girls' rooms ready. They have lived in rented accommodation for 3 years and have had to endure plain white walls as a consequence. As a treat and to help them settle I let them chose their own colours and Lily chose lavender! (this is quite a sacrifice to a home control freak like me - I did draw the line at Rosie's BLACK request though).

However, I am getting what I paid for with the cheap paint I bought. This is the first coat and looks vile does it not?! However I have put a third coat on now and it does look much better. It's really fiddly trying not to get it all on the beams, when you're as rushed as we are!

Cheap Paint

The good thing about replacing all the carpets it that I don't have to worry about drips! I am the world's messiest painter.

Karl was plastering around the light fitting, so I asked him to paint the ceiling in this room, I thought my arm was going to drop off. I'm developing great muscles on my right arm, but sadly not on my left - by the summer I will look ridiculous!

Dead Wasps

Lily continually talks about the wasps nest she discovered in her bedroom and frequently seeks reassurance that these scary interlopers will have been evicted by the time she moves in.
I have to say it was a bit yucky painting with dead wasps around my feet, but compared to the mouse poo in Poppy's room awaiting me, I am gradually getting used to it.

Oh the glamour!!!

Fleur

xxxx

Some Happy Views

2010-02-05T02:59:00.000-08:00

Just for me...I needed to remind myself of the good things awaiting us.

The PaddockBottom of the GardenSome Stables (minus animals)

To get some extra income (vital actually), we are thinking of renting out the stables and paddock. We can't see ourselves doing anything with the land for a while and the girls would love to have horses at the bottom of their garden. We'll see. House first.

TTFN
Fleur
xxxxx

Eeek. No Foundations.

2010-02-04T12:21:00.000-08:00

DAYS UNTIL MOVE: 24

So now the dividing walls between the two smaller living rooms and the two kitchens are down, we have some great open spaces. However. Hmmm. Remember we are lowering the floors? Well first they found water. Not oil unfortunately. Water. Lucky moi, a lovely sess pit right in my new living room. Luuurrrvely.

But the builders weren't too worried about it as the foundations are clay. (Obviously we wet our pants when we saw it).

But today they found a big, old drain and as there is no water anywhere else in the foundations, believe it has something to do with it. So, they have to find out where the drain comes from and where it goes.

Then....our structural engineer informed us that the interior walls do not have any foundations. Which doesn't sound good does it? So husband, builder, engineer all gathered around hole and discussed options, which all resulted in much more expense.

OK - so - Houston we have a problem. Set back and more money needed. These things should be expected though shoudn't they? Note to self must get head out of sand/clay/foundations.

Today I also got my first quote for carpets & vinyl for whole house. Total:£3000 *gulp*.
However they need to know by tomorrow in order to get them in before we move in, but now as the builders are delayed I don't even know whether we will have a floor to carpet!!!!

Gosh - what a load of babble - I'm sure none of that made any sense - rest assured as a sum up it all says STRESS, DEBT, STRESS, SHOCK, HORROR.

TTFN Fleur

xxxx

The Kitchen

2010-01-31T12:13:00.000-08:00

Did I mention we move into this house in 3 weeks time?

Kitchen 1
Kitchen 1

Appletree Cottage was formerly two cottages, which we are going to knock together, although there is an internal door from Kitchen 1 into Kitchen 2.

Kitchen 2. Internal door to Kitchen 1.
Kitchen 2.
Kitchen Sink 2.
Kitchen Sink 2 GONE!

The ceilings are incredibly low and so we have decided to lower the floors by about 8 inches (20cm) We are praying that the foundations are deep enough!

Need more head room!!!!

This will be taking up most of our budget, so much of the work has to be done by us. This meant Karl had three days this week to knock all the kitchen units out, remove the cookers and take out the sinks before our builders arrived to knock down the internal walls, creating one big kitchen.

Bye Bye old Cooker.

It's been really, very hard work (for him!) and he has been leaving our rented home at 5amish to put a few hours in before going to his paid job!

On the 5th day the builders arrived and began taking down the dividing wall- which was very successful. I can see now just how big a kitchen I will have (yay) enough room even for a table to feed the children.Kitchens knocked Together.

It has however left us with a delightful decision to make!

Feature Wall?Keep it?

The builders left part of the dividing wall, (can you see the one with the radiator and vertical beams?) as they weren't sure whether we wanted to keep it or not? The large vertical beam you can see has to stay as it supports the ceiling, but we hadn't intended to keep anything else there - but now, I'm wondering whether it looks pretty (don't laugh!) - or - is it going to get in the way? Really.....what do you think. Oh and no pressure I have to decide in the next couple of days.

We have met the neighbours who seem lovely, which is a huge relief (you can't chose your neighbours!). This week my to do list is....

Confirm my children have a school to go to!
Sort carpets and lino for entire house.
Buy a front door (long story)
Buy a bathroom (even longer)
Be a Mum and do some paid work.

So there we have it ! Week 1 at Appletree Cottage and I am thoroughly exhausted - yes.....I have been working too, but that's another post! But I feel on top of the world...I am living my dream!

TTFN

Fleur
xxx

Everything but the Kitchen Sink!

2010-01-04T04:54:00.000-08:00

That's what Appletree Cottage has NOT got - everything but the kitchen sink, because I have just bought one from Ebay. I had really wanted a lovely freestanding butler unit, but having monitored prices for sometime, realised that mini dream wasn't going to be honoured. So, 1950s kitsch is where it's at! With double ceramic drainer, 'rustic' wood cupboards (that will no doubt change colour over the years ahead) and lovely old taps - how could I resist for a modest £40 (£50 delivery) .

What do you think? I'm going for a bright, airy 1950's free standing look, not only because I like the idea, but because funds only allow for it. It needs re-enamelling, but I should be able to do that....right? Which reminds me - can anyone help me find blue & white chequered vinyl flooring (the cheapy roll kid)? I'm finding it (or not) IMPOSSIBLE!!!

So one thing ticked off the list - just need to brush up on my plumbing skills.

TTFN

Fleur
xxx

Welcome to Appletree Cottage

2010-01-03T14:13:00.000-08:00

So here she is - and I am really dancing with Lady Luck and jumping the gun rather because we haven't completed yet - but the contracts all seem to be going through, so being ever the optimist I'm already starting the Blog!!! Although, I have to say this is all rather terrifying, the whole house is, well for want of a better word, a pit. Robbed of all its former glory (perhaps) the cottage has been left to rack and ruin and having completely maxed out on our mortgage, we are going to be trying to do a great deal of work on a shoe string........nay a little bit of thread.

But life's an adventure isn't it? And if I fall flat on my face, you'll hopefully be here to pick me up?

Always hopeful

Fleur
x