Developing crewelwork at the Royal School of Needlework...

In 2014, I attended another three short courses at the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace. Somewhat ashamedly, I have only just managed to complete the first project, despite actually attending the 'Developing Crewelwork' course back in August.

For two lovely summery days, this was our view from the teaching studio...

Part of me thinks that the view is worth the course fees alone...

During the course we were taught how to transfer our design onto the fabric using the prick and pounce method which was new to me.

And many months later, here is the finished product - well the embroidery is finished. I think I will likely make this into a cushion for the sitting room...but first I need to definitely come to a decision as to what final colour accents I will be using so I can chose a toning backing fabric.

As ever, the teaching quality of the RSN programme was excellent - if you are UK based, or here on holiday it is such a lovely way to spend a day or two...

The main bedroom - adding some much needed storage...

Just before my sister came to visit in September, I spent a week banishing the dark pink walls of the main bedroom, and replacing them with an altogether more serene shade of pale grey (Shadows by Little Greene). However, what this room still lacked was any decent storage for clothes.

One of the jobs I had always intended to do from the time I bought the cottage was to have wardrobes built-in to the alcoves on either side of the chimney breast. To bring back some authenticity to the room, I also wanted to reinstate the Victorian fireplace.

Joe (the builder - but actually a carpenter by trade), spent a week custom building wardrobes for me. They are predominantly made from mdf. He completed all of the woodwork, and then I spent a weekend repeating multiple coats of primer followed by a satinwood finish (Pure Brilliant White Satinwood by Dulux). He also installed a simple cornice all around the perimeter of the room to make the finished robes look seamless.

I'm delighted with how they have turned out - and it is a novelty to be able to store clothes in the bedroom!

I chose a simple shaker style for the door trim, and added small glass faceted door knobs to tie in with the curtain finials and the chandelier...

For the final touch to the room he also installed an original Victorian combination fireplace that I had found on eBay. This chimney is one of those I had capped in the summer, so it was never intended to be a working fire - however, it does allow for positive air pressure to flow from the room into the chimney breast and prevent damp from occurring.

It is nice to bring both some much needed utility and some character to the room. My next job is to finally get some curtains made for the window, and then start to think about the finishing touches in decorating the room...

The kitchen refresh...the final touches

2015! A happy new year to all!

Back in mid-December I had a builder spend the week here completing the first round of small building work I plan to undertake around the cottage.

Part of his efforts was to add the final touch to my mini kitchen refresh. I finished the repainting of walls, cupboards and the re-tiling back in August. However, there was one glaring element that was beyond my DIY skills that I couldn't wait to change...

The original sink (image above) was made of dark grey/black moulded fibre-glass. As well as not being to my taste, I just felt that I was never really able to get it clean - this was mainly due to the difficulty in removing the existing lime scale staining and build up (this is a problem in this part of the UK, as it is a hard-water area).

But, thanks to Joe's efforts, I now have a lovely alternative - a white ceramic sink (Reginox) and a new mixer tap (ikea).

It is actually now a pleasure to wash dishes!

And, until such time as I embark on the kitchen extension, this is the first room that I can say is now complete!