Fine Dining.....

Since starting my blog, I often stress that I have nothing to write about. Contrary to popular opinion, I don't spend every waking moment in charity shops spending all my money. But I keep forgetting that I also started it so it could become a sort of online scrapbook, a record of my journey along this amazing road called life. So with that in mind, I thought I would post about my house and the work we have been doing renovating it.

This is our dining room (banqueting hall as I like to call it!), finally finished all but a bit of radiator paint and a cream carpet. I wanted it done for Christmas Day so this is the one room where we decided to do a "quick fix".  No stripping out everything and re-plastering. We have just painted, wallpapered and put some finishing touches.

 I am not sure if you can see this very well but I have painted "Bon appetit" above the patio doors in red paint. If you click on the photo it's a little clearer. It was my step daughters idea and I thought it was lovely. We needed something to take away from the fact that we ran out of wallpaper and we didn't paper above the doors. At £50 a roll, we made every bit stretch as far as possible. We even naughtily went back to B&Q for an extra long sample to fill the last bit of wall that we needed.

 Eventually I will have the chaise longue covered professionally (pictured below just behind the table) but at the moment a sofa throw will have to suffice. It does the job though. All the dark wood furniture was John's from his old house and again, eventually we will try and strip them down and vanish them as there are a few bits of evidence of where the legs became dog chews (not my beautiful boy I hasten to add).

 I am so pleased with the result. I am going to spray paint the radiator gold, and the plan is for a cream carpet (I wanted red but my friend Harriet made some comment about the red room of pain
from Fifty Shades, so I was overruled).  Cream will mean that it is not a dog friendly room so he will
be most perturbed to be put out at mealtimes, instead of sitting proudly at my side waiting for scraps.

While writing this however, I have been reminded that the gold mirror that takes centre stage on the wall, was in fact from a charity shop in Weston. It was £10 and although not a very popular choice with John (or many others to be honest!), I love it and he can appreciate that it sets the room off nicely.....even if it would never be his personal choice. 

As for other goings on in my life.......

I had a trip to the hair dressers and I have changed my hair colour to red. I do this every few years....I get bored and want a much warmer colour than my own. 

John is making good progress on project "Imelda Marcus" upstairs. The dressing room is starting to take shape.......hoping for a completion date by February. 

And I am trying to get myself into the Christmas spirit but failing miserably. Not sure why, just not feeling it this year. Just watching all the madness in BHS (our little concession is right next to the Christmas shop), it has made me realise how materialistic we have all become. People fighting to get just another item for so and so, or the 20th present for a child that already has a Kindle, Xbox and goodness knows what. I think the essence of Christmas has been lost along the way sadly. Family, food and fun should be the order of the day and maybe a little gift to put a big smile on someone's face.

I have already had my Christmas gift from the lovely people at Santander who kindly gave us a mortgage when so many other fat cat banks said No. So Santa, you can bypass me this year. I am already in credit.