do you mind if i knit

And action!

I thought it was about time I showed you some shots of the works in progression. With each post I'm going to show the photographs from a particular point. I thought it might be easier to make sense of it all that way. The first few days seemed remarkably neat and tidy. The builders were digging holes for the foundations in which supporting pillars are going to sit, because this wall (and a second wall which I'm not showing in this post), are going to have huge openings in them, or maybe I should put it this way, most of two walls are going to be knocked down, and the pillars will support strong lintels, which in turn will keep our house from collapsing........... Where we once had a window seat, and a window looking on to the garden, we will have French Doors. Where we once had a door, we will have a wall. The other side of this wall will be the kitchen. And this area will be the sitting/dining room. The bit of wall to the left of the photograph will be the second partition wall to be demolished. These last couple of photographs were taken after the builders had left last night. And as I write this, I can hear their radio, and banging and crashing noises.......... I must go and offer them a cup of tea!

Wrapping rooms.

When I look at these images I feel calm. I feel calm because I'm casting my mind back to the peace and quiet before the storm and chaos of the builders arrival.................. Everything that can be covered has been wrapped, in an attempt to keep off the builders dust that seems to glide through the tiniest crack and settle where its not wanted. Even the chimney seems vulnerable to dust penetration............ When I was done with protecting all possible surfaces............. when I had satisfied myself that I had done all that was physically possible to prevent dust spreading, then I was able to step back and stare.......... ........ and wander through the rooms, marvelling at the effect of wrapping things. There was something magical about it. It brought to mind the work of Christo. I have never seen his work in real life, only the fabulous photographs. So by doing my own wrapping project, in my home, I think I am closer to understanding what Christo's work is about........ which is a wonderful revelation! As I was sealing up the stairs that link the basement to the upper floor, it felt symbolic............ this was the point of no return, it was a very final gesture. That was it, our house was going to be an unfamiliar place. It was going to be changed irrevocably. Something that has taken me time to adjust to, which I did not expect at all. Infact, as the bowels of the house are being disembowelled, I've started to have these strange aches and pains......... a pain in my knee that is quite ferocious, a crick in my neck that put me out of action for a day or so.......... and a numb feeling in my left arm. As with the injury I had with my hand, I can see the amusing side to all this. You hear of husbands experiencing pregnancy pains in sympathy with their wives........ well, I seem to be in tune with our house as part of it is being ripped apart....... I'm going through its face lift discomfort............. And yes, you have every right to declare that I am officially bonkers.

What lies behind the wall..........

We knew there was 'something' hidden behind the wall at one end of the kitchen, because the previous owner of our home gave us her photographs of all the work she had done to the house. The photographs showed us some 'evidence'. For a long time Hugo has been wanting to have a look behind that wall............. which could only reveal its secrets if Hugo got a saw and other heavy duty tools to it. We're going to be knocking walls down when we do the alterations, so this was the perfect time do some investigation. In the space of a long afternoon Hugo did a lot of bashing............... ............ and slowly revealed............ ............ a fireplace! A fireplace with a stone surround. After cleaning up the stone, and covering the area above the stone (which is just too much of a mess to save), we're going to put in a hearth, and a wood burning stove. So I present to you the first steps on our alterations journey. The builder was meant to be starting on Monday, but he is behind on a roofing job........ so hopefully he'll start middle of next week............... This is, of course, just the first in what will be a long line of hiccups no doubt.

My favourite room in the house.

st To follow on from this post....... I now present to you, a finished room....... ......Painted and decorated. Furniture moved back in. Cath Kidston rug, from The Rug Company, displayed, after many years of hibernation. Paint brushes washed. Tins with dregs of paint left in them, stored away safely. It was only after we started to put things back in the room, that I realised the red contrasting with the 'Berrington Blue' from Farrow and Ball, livened up the blue we had painted on the walls......... This is elegant, and restful, and very pleasant.......... But this is....... BAM............ Alive!

Elephant's breath.

I really, really wanted to paint the bedroom walls with 'Elephant's Breath' by Farrow and Ball. Who wouldn't want elephant's breath on their walls....... what a lovely name for a paint colour. I imagined saying to people........"I've got elephant's breath on my spare bedroom walls". 'Lichen'..........'powder blue'.........'pigeon'.......'sugar bag light'...........'mouse's back'...............'green smoke'........'smoked trout'..........'tallow'..........'skylight'...........'blazer'.........'borrowed light'...........'slipper satin'........ more wonderful names for paints, but 'elephant's breath' is still my favourite. ..............elephant's breath................. sigh............ You'd be mistaken if you thought we are professional painter and decorators, after seeing this collection of brushes, pots, rollers, dust sheets............. You would also be mistaken if you thought, well, with all that equipment, they must do lots of painting, so they must at the very least, enjoy decorating............ Nope, not at all...........but when I have to do it, I will get stuck in. I do the 'cutting in', Hugo does the large expanses with a roller, and this seems to be the most efficient system. The choice of colour for the spare room is 'Berrington Blue'. 'Elephant's breath' wasn't the right colour for the room. We procrastinated for four years. We lived with the previous owner's choice of mustard yellow walls and salmon pink carpet for four years. It was the last room in the house to be decorated, and we had to put our own stamp on it. We didn't want to......... but we had to. To be continued.......................