Signing-off For a Couple of Weeks.

As promised, I've finally got round to adding some photos of the simple guest bedroom make-over that I completed last week. All done on a very tight budget, by using the existing furniture that was crammed (including a 4' double bed) into what was originally our only spare, and which was realistically just a single room.

Now that daughter number two has moved out, and is happily living in her own flat, its been an ideal opportunity to create a more comfortable room for our visitors.

Previously, our daughter had an oriental theme to her bedroom...

After repainting the ceiling in pure brilliant white, the dominant raspberry red walls needed to be blanked-out with cheap white emulsion.

Then, with my 'buy one get one free' pots of 'spirit' (pale green) emulsion from Focus DIY, the walls were filled-in with this lovely restful colour.

The floor had a fresh re-coat of paint to finish. (I use Farrow and Ball 'Great White' on most of the floors in our home...luckily I had half a tin left from a previous redecoration, which was just enough for the bedroom.)

The light fitting, alongside all the furniture, found its new place on this other side of the house.

Dressing table beside the window...

And French bed and wardrobe on the opposite wall.

When the bed is not in use, I shall cover it in one of my favourite antique French toile quilts.

When guests arrive, this will be swapped for a comfy duvet.

Eiderdown is optional!

It was a few years ago that I tried to unify all of this mismatched furniture with a paint effect. I also added the elaborate pediment to the rather square wardrobe.

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The tiny cupboard under the sink was another project, that I posted here, back in 2007.

A few pictures were hung on the walls...

including this bedtime wish...

With my 'lovely ladies' taking residence beside the dressing table.

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With no room for a bedside cabinet, this standard lamp casts a glow for bedtime reading. I made the lampshade from an old French fabric.

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The curtains, that I once mentioned here, were made from pastel pink cotton sheets and lace tablecloths.

Our eldest daughter is coming to stay for the Easter hols tomorrow, so will be the first to test out the new bedroom! :)

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There has been rather a lot of furniture moving around our home (once again!) - My dolls house has moved up to the single bedroom, where I will be creating a fun place for younger guests to sleep-over. More of that in a few weeks time, after I catch my breath after all the recent shifting about...But by moving the dolls house (and the cupboard that it sat on to my workroom) it freed up this space in our back living room. The slim dresser that I mentioned I couldn't part with after I gave it a paint job, has been ensconced here.

It awaits some of my china to fill its shelves.

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Outside I've been doing a little bit of work...

Auriculas were planted into clay pots, and placed beside our porch.

I just love their old fashioned look.

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Elsewhere it seems everyday there has been more and more plants to enjoy coming into flower. The extremely hot spring has brought everything forward in leaps and bounds.

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I always thought lilacs flowered in May!

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At the shop I've been doing a bit of furniture shifting too! A pretty painted dresser slotted into one corner, and I've bought two new pieces this evening, which will need a little bit of work before they arrive at the shop next week.

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The shop is full of lots of fun pieces just now...including this fabulous 70's tiered cotton dress.

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With several Bank Holidays coming up within a short space of time, its difficult, when self-employed, to take time off unpaid, but I hope to use the time wisely and be prepared for the fairs that are imminent. (Here in the UK we have two days over Easter, one for the Royal Wedding of William and Kate, and then the May Day holiday) I changed my shop's windows, ready for the Royal Wedding, a few days ago and have sold two angels with little crowns on already. I have just one left in stock, so hope to make a few more next week.

I shall be working on a few other last minute items to take with me to next Saturday's Vintage Bazaar, in Frome - Full details here. And it won't be too long before the Talent for Textiles Event at Glastonbury, where I am keen to make the right impression with carefully selected merchandise, as this is the first time that I have attended such a fair. I have added full details of both of these fairs to my website (under 'fairs') as well as to my blog's sidebar.

This will be my last post for a while. I'm taking a short break to concentrate on sewing, spending time with my girls, enjoying the gorgeous sunshine while it lasts (perhaps doing a little gardening), and recharging.

Wishing all who read my blog a very Happy Easter,

Niki x