More Flower Photography

I have certainly enjoyed my little foray into the world of photography and have been trying to get some more pictures around the smallholding. Here is another selection of my favourites, lots of pictures.

Our new Azalea in bud

And in flower

The last of the white tulips.

Plum - Marjories Seedling

Apple - Worcester Pearmain

Cherry - Summer Sun

Cherry - Cherrokee

Apple - Greensleeves

Walnut

Fig

Deep Purple Tulip

Gunnera

Rhododendron Monarch Horizon

Blueberry flowers

Beautiful Bluebells

Calibrachoa

Ragged Robin

Armeria

Polemonium Bressingham Purple

Astilbe buds

  

Pretty Violas

Geranium

Rhododendron buds

And in flower

Wild Garlic in flower.

Centaurea Montana

Centaurea Montana Purple Heart

Primula Vialii (Orchid Primrose)

Geum

Rambling Rose

Sweet William

Our first Passion Flower just opened today.

So much colour to enjoy and be grateful for and so much more to come in the garden . However, as we haven't had any rain for about 6 or 7 weeks some may struggle a little but time will tell.

More Renovations

Since we (well M really) completed the renovations in the living room last September we had a little break from decorating. However, M was desperate to get started on the lounge as soon as possible. Once the Christmas and New Year holidays were over we decided it was time to make a start. There may be quite a few photos here but hopefully it will give you an idea of the before, during and after story.


The original decor was pretty plain with shiny cream wallpaper, dark woodwork and a green patterned carpet. There was also an issue behind the fireplace where the wallpaper and plaster were beginning to fall away from the wall.

A rather traditional looking lounge.

We managed to clear everything out except for the settee which was just too heavy for me to lift.

All ready for M to perform his magic.

The old fireplace about to go.

Then it's gone.

It didn't take M long to remove the old plasterwork to reveal no insulation but just struts attached to the brick wall. In the corner he found another alcove with shelves (as we had in the living room) which had been plaster bordered over.


The floor under the left window had dropped a few inches and was also in need of some attention.

The walls stripped back to the bare stone work.

The floor getting fixed.

And boarded over.

   

It didn't take very long until the insulation and vapour sheet were installed in the hope that the room will be much warmer.

We decided to go for larger grey tiles for the hearth, another little job for M.

   
The back wall was insulated and then the 3 external walls were all plaster boarded.

All the walls got the plaster treatment but as this can be tricky we had a very useful plasterer on hand.


It was starting to look almost like a room again once the plaster started to dry.


As always the new plaster had a white wash before it got painted with our chosen colours.


When we were out shopping we came across a dark colour scheme in a furniture store. With the dark teal and burgundy it seemed like a grown up cosy room. Therefore we thought we'd be bold and give it a go.


As with the orange in the living room we did have a few moments of "ooh, are we crazy".


Once it was all done we loved it although it's hard to show the true colours in photos.

Then there was just the fireplace to do.


Some dark red/burgundy tiles for the back of the fireplace.

Then the installation of the fire surround and stove. When we were contemplating the cast iron fire surround it seemed like such a great idea until we had to lift it backwards and forwards.


We spent a very long time looking for a tartan carpet which suited the colour scheme of the room.


This MacDonald tartan has navy and green which combine to match the walls perfectly and the deep red ties in well with the red tiles and our 2 armchairs.


With the carpet fitted and shiny new sockets it was time to start moving the furniture back in.


A couple of days later the lights arrived and we could finally see it all coming together (just needed to get the tv back in and we could actually start using it again).


The first fire made it all very cosy and despite having no curtains (we had a wait of about 3 weeks for them) it was wonderful.

Although it's not a great picture this is the room almost finished, the curtains were hung and looked beautiful (we even managed to get some matching tiebacks). If I could just get the 2 new cushion covers crocheted and a few pictures up then it'll all be done. Now just another little break I think until the next room gets the makeover treatment.