We couldn't live with our hotch-potch, partly-removed 1960s kitchen anymore. I loved the colour, the look and our industrial worktop with integrated sink, but the layout and cupboard spaces were driving me crazy. Taking out or putting away plates and cups became the task of us taller ones ...the kids regressed in their dishwasher emptying duties. We needed a new small, but … [Read more...] about How to design a Small, but Practical Family Kitchen
Home improvement
Capturing memories in times of change
How often do we just rush from one thing to the other to the other? At the moment, I'm trying to get my head around our new life: Dadonthebrink in Sweden, the rest of us home in England. Sure he's back on some weekends, but I miss having him here every day. And the kids really miss him too; he's always been a very hands-on dad. We've been so lucky over the … [Read more...] about Capturing memories in times of change
Smartening up the playroom with Farrow & Ball
Mission was accepted: refresh our family room and playroom with some paint. It was time for this relatively new space to get a refresh. (Here's how project playroom refresh started) On the surface, it didn't seem such a large project. The room is 4m x 4m (13ft x 13ft). The walls were good, plasterboard skimmed and painted with emulsion. However, since being built 4 … [Read more...] about Smartening up the playroom with Farrow & Ball
Some pre-Christmas decorating with Farrow & Ball
It may not be that obvious to regular readers of the blog, but I love houses, architecture and interior design. In general, I'm great (and modest about it ;-) ) with the architectural bits- the technical stuff about joists and beams, heating, cooling and so forth; As well as the practical stuff, like flow and space efficiency. However, I totally loose confidence when it … [Read more...] about Some pre-Christmas decorating with Farrow & Ball
Central heating configured for savings
We live in a very cold house. An early 1900s, single skin brick wall construction house. When we moved here I didn't quite realise the problems such a house poses for damp, mould and heating costs. I am of the ilk who bends the house, or at least tries to, to our lifestyle instead of the other way around. As part of our refurbishment a couple of years ago I … [Read more...] about Central heating configured for savings