Thursday 23 August 2012

Last Days of Summer

An Old English Farmhouse Restoration update:


After 14 years restoring this old Elizabethan house (dating from around the early 1500's) it is so exciting to see the rooms finally coming together! At times the work has been an 'uphill' struggle, but after all the long hours of toil, this 500 year old house is suddenly ready for the finishing touches that will make a home.  It is a complete joy to see fresh flowers, treasured photo's and possessions filling each room.  Here are a few pictures of one of the finished guest bedrooms and bathroom.


One of the newly restored bedrooms:
Above image: The Paper Mulberry - a guest bedroom: The fireplace has an original Georgian hob grate of cast iron with decorative mouldings of sea creatures and lion's heads (sorry for my bad photography which may not show it!) I cleaned away layers of paint with a wire brush before polishing with black shoe polish and a toothbrush! Quite a few hours of hard work but we're really pleased with the results. The woodwork is painted in Laura Ashley 'Ivory' eggshell with the walls in 'Antique White' emulsion from B & Q The grey willow wreath on the fireplace was from Heals
 Above image: The Paper Mulberry - a guest bedroom: my Husband made the cabinet which is painted in Laura Ashley 'Ivory' eggshell  glass door knobs also from Laura Ashley the wall mirror is vintage. I had intended to shorten the curtains (made from unbleached loomstate cotton) but I loved the puddled drape! 
Above image: The Paper Mulberry - a guest bedroom

The Bathroom
Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: we tiled the  bathroom with plain white gloss ceramic tiles on the walls with a white rustic, tumbled travertine marble floor and co-ordinating white tumbled travertine mosaic tiles on the plinth(which hides the plumbing!) The vintage glass pot contains white stones fragranced with The White Company's 'Seychelles' oil which is one of my favourites! The porcelain rose also holds the fragrance oil. I'm pleased to say that the woodworm in the oak beam is now treated and gone!!!
Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: the tongue and grove panelling on the bath is painted in Farrow and Ball 'Stony Ground' shade 211 with the bench painted in Farrow and Ball 'Shaded White 201 The floors on this level are made from limecrete (a 1500's version of concrete) making it impossible to conceal any pipework. In the bathroom the pipes and waste for the bath, basin and toilet are concealed within the wood panelling.
Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: the tongue and grove bench is painted in Farrow and Ball 'Shaded White 201
Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: we tiled the  walls with plain white gloss ceramic tile and white rustic, tumbled travertine marble on the floor with underfloor heating for the chillier months! The tongue and grove bench (which also conceals the pipework for the bath and shower) is painted in Farrow and Ball 'Shaded White 201
Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: the bathroom accessories are from Samuel Heath ('Curzon' Collection)
Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: I filled a tall florists glass cylinder vase with seashells. The floors are white rustic, tumbled travertine marble and the skirting board is painted in Farrow and Ball 'Shaded White 201 eggshell. We tiled the bathroom ourselves to preserve the uneven floor and walls that we love so much! It took me quite a few hours to do the grouting and although it may not be perfect I do now appreciate the back braking work that professional tilers go through!
  Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: the waffle shower curtain is held back with grey tassel. We painted the tongue and grove storage cupboard and skirting in Farrow and Ball 'Shaded White 201 eggshell with crackle glazed porcelain knobs on the cupboard doors




With warmest wishes



39 comments:

Bluebells and Lavender said...

What a beautiful home and such a labour of love. The guest bedroom is just exquisite and I love how the drapes puddle on the floor...it's all been sensitively restored and decorated. Beautiful! Have a lovely day. Sharon

somewhere on the avenue said...

You have worked so hard and at last everything has a place and a meaning, quite stunning! x

The Snowdrop Project said...

Aaah Glenda!
Another beautiful post showing us your wonderful home.
The guest bathroom is a delight and as usual the colours you have used suit the calmness of the house.
You must be very proud of how the project has come together, and I hope you have been able to enjoy the summer.
Hope you have a lovely day,
Lizx

Susan T said...

Darling Glenda it is all SO beautiful. You are very lucky to have a husband who can custom build such wonderful furniture. Snap - The White Co 'Seychelles' is one of my favourite scents. I can only imagine how blissful it would be to lie back in that beautiful bathroom drifting on a cloud of perfume.

You must have worked your socks off and the result is a stunning home. Much love and hugs from here. xxxx

bec said...

Everything about your home is so elegant and homely. I adore the bathroom tiles you have used and that angled mirror and lightshade are exquisite.
Nice job!
Bec x

Marjonel M said...

Beatutiful home.

Marjonel

paisleysummer said...

What a wonderful feeling to reach this stage.
I love the mirror framed photos in the bathroom, along with lots of other details!
Penny x

Anonymous said...

You have created just the most serene and elegant home, so beautiful!

Lana said...

Love it. This has been a labor of love I am sure. I like the drapes pooled on the floor.

designchic said...

What a gorgeous home and love the warm and inviting feel. Your guest must feel so pampered in the beautiful bathroom!!

Fresh Vanilla For C said...

It is gorgeous!!!

Hope you are having a great week
~Cheryl

Donna Reyne' said...

Your home is so gorgeous!
I too have undergoing a renovation for an long time...it is such a joy to see it all coming together!
So happy for you!
Have a wonderful weekend
Donna

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

It's a delight to look over these photos of your meticulous work. The colors and details are wonderful. The puddled curtains are just full of drama! So glad you shared. i always look forward to your posts.

Kristie said...

I can only image the sweat and hard work that has gone into your renovation. I love everything, it all flows together beautifully. :)

Seawashed said...

Its really beautiful. So calm and soft. What lucky guests!

Greet Lefèvre said...

So so beautiful!!! You have done a wonderful job my friend!!!
Hope everything is going well with you!!!
Hugs and kisses!
Greet
PS I am so busy these days but I am always so pleased to see you have wrote a new blopost!

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Aaaaah! So pretty! I love it when you show us your home and we get to see how you put your lovely ideas into practice!

Sarahx

Unknown said...

So charming bathroom!
Hugs
Mari

Notes From ABroad said...

And this goes into my file of what to do when we buy our own Old Old House :)
You did a brilliant job, everywhere, from the colors to the type of tile to the accessories.
I am just going to copy everything you did lol.
besitos, C

Tricia Rose Rough Linen said...

It is absolutely lovely Glenda, personal and well loved, and the ducts inside the panelling are wonderfully ingenious.

I read a book a long time ago which theorised the pyramids were made of limecrete, ancient stuff!

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

Your home is so lovely! When I want a pick-me-up, I go to your blog and look longingly at your house and furniture. Someday I hope my new house has just a little of the charm yours does.

Joanne Bischof said...

The cabinet your husband made is just lovely. All those shades of white look so cheerful. Such a pretty room!

Jayne said...

What a truly beautiful home you have. I could live quite happily in your spare room, as long as I could use that gorgeous bathroom. Truly inspirational thank you! jayne x

Anonymous said...

Oh Glenda,
It looks absolutely beautiful!! You have done a fantastic job!
Have a lovely weekend.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Anonymous said...

It all looks so beautiful Glenda!!
You have done a fantastic job!
Have a lovely weekend.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Susan said...

What a really beautiful home. All of your hard work has certainly paid off. Thank you for sharing the photos. I like your paint colors and the simplicity of your updates.

Burlap Luxe said...

My kind of patina, if I were one of your guest I would never leave, you would have to evict me :)

I only add color in my home when is a special event, Your design style inspires soulfully.
xx
~Dore

helen tilston said...

Hello Glenda

Your home is absolutely beautiful and even more so because of how lovingly you have restored it with your own incredible design taste and hard work. It shines through in each item, so perfectly exhibited and collected with love.
I would overstay my leave if ever you invited me to your guest room.

Thanks for showing your home

Helen xx

The Paper Mulberry - Glenda Steel said...

Thank you all so much for your kindness! Warmest of wishes - Glenda xxx

BECKY said...

I just love your decorating style,Glenda! So serene, and lovely in it's simplicity!! Would love to achieve more of this look in our home! Thanks for sharing your beauty! So inspiring!
Hugs,
Becky

therelishedroost said...

What a breath of fresh air!! Lovely post to end the summer!!
Karolyn
The Relished Roost

No21 said...

Stunning .....but not surprising looking at the styling on your blog No21x

Anonymous said...

Your house is looking amazing!
I can only imagine the hard work behind restoring that house. You guys did good!

Monica said...

Simply fantastic, Glenda! Love the muted colors. At Christmas, your home must be awesome!!
x

Arbrasgallery said...

Nice outfit!Beautiful image:)
Silver Cutlery

An Urban Cottage said...

Can I ask where you got that great crystal sconce above the mirror? Beautiful bathroom. Love it!

The Paper Mulberry - Glenda Steel said...

Thank you so much! The 'Pineapple" crystal (actually acrylic) shade is from Homebase (around £15)! The actual wall fitting/sconce was left by the previous owner of the house. We have used the same Pineapple shade in our new house as a pendant light in the guest ensuite.

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful !! Can I ask where you found the tall clear vase for the sea shells ? I have been looking for one that’s tall like that .

The Paper Mulberry - Glenda Steel said...

Thank you so much that is so kind of you! I purchased the tall glass vase (filled with seashells) from a florist supplier online, unfortunately they are no longer trading but If you do a search online for 'glass cylinder vase' plenty should come up. I do hope that helps.