Wednesday 25 June 2008

Busy, Busy, Busy

On returning from our holidays, (now nearly three weeks ago - how time flies!) it seemed to begin with, that we were still in the holiday swing, We had a couple of evening picnics on the beach and a lovely trip to Peasholm Park in Scarborough when we had one particularly mild evening. Peasholm Park opened in 1912 and was designed by Harry Smith. The design and layout of the park was created to echo the famous 'willow pattern' china.



There is a lovely lake where you can go on the dragon shaped pedalos or rowing boats and in the centre is Peasholm island with its lovely waterfall and pagoda at the top. the first picture is looking across to the island, and the second picture is taken from the top of the waterfall looking back across.



Real life soon kicked in though, and we decided it was high time we decorated our hall, stairs, landing, stairs, landing (its 3 storey!) - Somehow we have managed to live with this disgusting colour scheme since we moved in 18 months ago - I suggest if you are easily offended that you avert your eyes from the next photo!



It may not be obvious, but all the walls are artexed and painted in two different shades of gold/tangerine, and who in their right mind paints spindles mustard? - Don't even get me started on the carpet.
Decorating has proved to be like painting the forth bridge - unfortunately funds don't allow for us to remove the artex at the moment, but we thought a new colour scheme and a new stair carpet would freshen things up - We have been decorating every night for the past 10 days from arriving home from work until at least midnight - and we are knackered! - We have got through over 4 litres of white satinwood and about 20 litres of pale duck egg blue emulsion. I can't believe the difference it has made - Just having fresh white woodwork makes everything look so much brighter and cleaner and the pale matt emulsion seems to distract from the artex so you don't notice it so much. As I write this, the carpet is being fitted, so more 'After' pictures to follow.

We have also been busy with the business, we are going to start selling our curtains etc on the internet and so last Thursday saw our dining room being turned into a photo shoot for the sites homepage. Hubby wanted the hompage to show a woman (me) looking lovely and relaxed (don't know how I managed that) browsing for curtains on the internet. The pictures came out really well, but I will let you be the judge of that when the site goes live!

Finally, after subjecting you to my hideous hallway, I thought I would show you a prettier shot - here is the shelf in my kitchen - except it now has the addition of two lovely little wooden birds, sent to me by Zia Koko - I'll tell you more about that in my next post.


Bye for now - Natalie x

16 comments:

Claire said...

How exciting, can't wait to see the website!! Kitchen is not being fitted until sunday so once it all done I'll be in touch about fabric!!
Very tasteful colours in hallway, they matched the carpets in my house...lol! I love your shelf and bits and bobs on display!!
Sounds like you've had a lovely and very busy time over the last few days....claire xx

Just Original said...

I bet you need another holiday after doing all that decorating. I'm looking forward to seeing the after pictures.

Great news about the website idea, you will be a busy bee!

Vanessa x

Carol said...

I have been there with the decorating bit...it is great when it is all finshed though! but then you find something else that needs sorting! Looking forward to seeing the new website.
Your little shelf is pretty. I do love a shelf!
Carol x

Unknown said...

Oh Natalie, how on earth have you managed to live with that colour in your hall? I am sure that it looks gorgeous now.
Can't wait to see it.

Rosie x

Miss sew n sew said...

Hi Natalie
You have been busy it's hard to fit in decorating when you've got children and working too I Know I've been there myself. I like the colour's you've chosen your staircase looks like it's got lot's of character I'm sure it will look gorgeous when it's finished and all your hard work will pay off! I agree what ghastly colours! Good luck with the website.
Sarahx

periwinkle said...

Painting spindles is an awful job, believe me I know and I think the colour of yours definately has to go. Looking forward to seeing your after pics
lisa x

Ragged Roses said...

Oh you have my sympathies about painting the hall! We did ours this year and it seemed to go on and on and on. It's finished now (apart from the wall wear the coats are and I just can't be bothered to do that!)
Kimx

Chocolate Cat said...

Looking forward to seeing the 'after' photos, must agree it was a fairly hideous color scheme already there!!

Louise said...

Thanks for the info on Peasholm Park in Scarborough. I'd really love to make it up to your area sometime in the future? Thank goodness we have duck-egg blue in our lounge and not mustard yellow! x

Carol said...

Hi Natalie...I guess you still very busy. I hope you are well and coping!
Carol x

LinenandRoses said...

I'm feeling all nostalgic after reading this post as Peasholm Park used to be somewhere we visited regularly when I was little. Do they still have the little train? We always used to go on it which I would love apart from when it went through a little tunnel half way. So I spent most of the ride with my eyes closed waiting for the tunnel and would only open them when my Mum or Grandma told me we were through to the other side!
Your new stair decoration sounds like a huge improvement. Will be back to see the 'after' photos.

Lace hearts said...

Our hall is still not done, and is absolutely horrible, but I have to admit, mustard spindles are a new one on me! It's going to look lovely when it's done. I'll have to pop back and see the after pics. x

Jennie said...

Can't wait to see the 'after pics' of the hall. Though how you will dare to part with the mustard spindles is beyond me!
Glad you had a nice time in Scarborough!

Pixiedust said...

Hi Nat, been decorating here too. Love your little kitchen shelf, its really pretty. Sounds like a great holiday. take care Pixie xxx

karen said...

some lovely holiday pic's there hunni.
Well done on the decorating, I keep putting it off but I really must get going with it.

Anonymous said...

Well Natalie, that sounds like a marathon painting job! I hope that you will soon be able to sit back and take a rest after all that decorating.

Isn't it amazing what a difference a few coats of paint make?

Enjoy your weekend.

Marie x