Bastle bathroom.....

Well the purple bathroom seems a distant memory now,

First the rotten ceiling boards were replaced and the old cracked plaster removed from the stone walls. In fact, the building has been taken back to its basic structure, removing the 1980's makeover and allowed to "breathe" once again.

Black treacle beams painstakingly cleaned and left au naturel.

The tiny attic room window now exposed to allow light into the once windowless bathroom...chimney breast and walls lime pointed....and a new cathedral style ceiling installed revealing the roof timbers.

Limestone tiles on the walls and tumbled mosaic on the floor....

A "Magic" mirror that illuminates when a hand is passed over the sensor,

A rain head shower...

And my favourite...

A rustic chandelier suspended from the ceiling.

Which at night creates shadows on the wall....

 and a new, intriguing light source in the village.

 To think, 400 years ago, when Northumberland was in conflict with Scotland, this little window would have been the look out post for marauding Reivers coming down the valley, intent on stealing their neighbour's property.

I have sat at that window many times during the renovation and often wondered who had sat there before me all those years ago....

Julie x

Shopping distraction....

A visit to the historic market town of Hexham, Northumberland involves a pull up Hallstile Bank from the main car park to the Market Place. 

Tuesday is market day and the best place for good fruit, veg and fish.

Thankfully I can now stop halfway for a breather and visit a new shop.

Chatelaine run by an extrovert Scots lass called Helen. You never know what she is going to do next....Certainly not the shy, retiring type.

The shop is a mix of nice knitting wool with an earthy feel, American inspired fabric and a good smattering of vintage things all displayed beautifully in a lovely 18th century building. 

Think beams, old fireplace, whitewashed stone walls, sea grass flooring....a nice shop.

Shop aside,

Spot the "surprise"....leaping off the old push chair... 

Helen's new addition to her family.

Little Robyn spaniel....

Very wriggly and quick on her paws....hard to get a good "un blurry" photo of her, the little tinker.

9 weeks old and totally gorgeous.

Did I buy anything? 

Yes....

A clever, needle felt hare with the biggest ears and maddest eyes...

Which now incidentally,  has pride of place on my Winter granny coat ready for the colder weather.

Of course if I could, I would have smuggled little Robyn out in my bag....

Who wouldn't?

Julie x

A surprise gift....

I came home the other day to find this on my doorstep....a huge frame.

I had been talking with a dealer friend a few weeks ago and said I really wanted a large frame as a statement piece. He said he thought he had one in his barn and true enough he delivered this.

Missing some pieces and a broken fillet, old woodworm on the back....but still beautiful in a battered way.

To paint or not to paint..... So I did.

Annie Sloan French Linen with dry brushed Old White over the top for a chalky, shabby look.

With a quick fiddle and shift around of favourite pieces, it is now propped up on the grey cabinet.

Love it!

Then this weekend he said he had another one....

A little bigger and in almost perfect condition.

Exactly the same mouldings, perfect fillet, still a bit of woodworm...

But this one will NOT see the paint brush..... as firstly I am under pain of death from Mr CS and also I am quite liking a bit of gold bling.... It is quite dramatic.

Of course. I now have to find somewhere to put it.....wall? floor?

Decisions....

Julie x