Tuesday 4 November 2014

Belated birthday.....



Miss Ottie is now a much bigger girl than she was this time last year.

We have had lots of chewing....


Destroying of garden.....


Lots of play....



Lots of running....



Meeting new friends....


Chilling out with the humans as a grown up girl....
 A Pub lunch at The Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland, Northumberland, beside a huge fireplace.




And of course lots of sleeping....


In her bed.....upside down...


Or on the sofa....also upside down.


Our lives are not the same...this dog has taken over!
A bright, eager to learn, pushes boundaries now and again, shiny, happy dog.
We love her.
Happy Birthday Miss Ottie xxx

Wednesday 17 September 2014

All done and dusted...


The significant lack of blogging at the cloth shed has been due to work, Miss Ottie and the above. Big apologies...

Safe to say though, we are finally done after 4 years of extremely hard graft. Looking back at the old photos it is hard to believe it is the same house.



The rare 'wrestler' roof is happy now with all the new work below it...




And the huge boulder walls are well supported with the new lime mortar...


Inside....the kitchen is full height to the old beams, dramatic iron chandelier and modern task lights over the cooking/work area. Well equipped with built in microwave, oven, dishwasher, induction hob and big ceramic sink.



The original 16th century bastle doorway that allowed the beasts and horses to be driven into the building for safety is now the backdrop to the kitchen table and chairs. 


The boot/utility room with washing machine, Belfast sink and big squirty tap also has a loo....




Up the glass and timber staircase, lit with low voltage lighting... Perfect at night to see your way ....


Along the landing through an original latch door...


To the bedrooms.


A twin bedded room,



The hare room...with its hare head handles.


And the king size bed room with fox head handles!




Cabbages and roses lavender heart from my gorgeous friend Helen at Busy Bee Studio x

The bathroom is the wow... 


Full height to the beams, another chandelier, deep bath, rain head power shower, limestone tiling on the walls and floors...
I love it.



Outside a raised glass and timber deck overlooking the courtyard provides extra seating on a nice day.


Finally the living room....
Beams, exposed stone walls, fireplaces, wood burner, flagstone floor with underfloor heating, comfy, get your feet up sofa and chairs to watch the smart TV ....play DVDs or read a book on the Border reivers of Northumberland.... Safe and warm in your 16th century fortified farmhouse.




We had our first guests last week... From Belgium. The weather was glorious and they enjoyed exploring the coast and countryside of Northumberland.

So I think we are up and running... The website is under way,

www.thebastle.co.uk

And we have a provisional booking for Christmas too.

If you want a historic house with character and comfort to use as a base exploring beautiful Northumberland, Hadrian's Wall, impressive castles and stunning beaches do get in touch at 
info@thebastle.co.uk

We also offer short breaks... A minimum of 3 nights available ... Midweek or long weekends.
Long enough to re charge the batteries and RELAX ....

Julie x




Thursday 31 July 2014

Autentico or Annie?


Take a pair of sturdy, old chairs with 'lovely' pink dralon seat pads.... The sabre legs and scroll arms however, give them a nice Frenchy/Swedish feel.

So, purchase a tin of Autentico....Swedish blue and paint.

Not having used this paint before I thought I would give it a try spurred on by others who have.

The choice of colours is extensive and I must say, very nice to use.
2 coats give a perfect coverage.



Then, polished with clear wax and sanded...
And a nice grey/blue linen check fabric for the drop in seat.

 They have now been transformed into something anyone would be quite happy to park their bottom on.





Verdict?
For smooth, tidy furniture it is great, but I do prefer the texture of Annie Sloan for old, knackered furniture... it is a lot chalkier and sands differently, especially with a stained dark wax. 
It will be interesting however, to see how it wears.

A little aside from chalk paint....

The Bastle is now on a big tidy up..
I started on the boot room today, adding silly pieces like this old carrier bag on the back door hook.



An enquiry for renting at the beginning of September has now got me on overdrive. I will have to clean,  furnish and get everything finished inside.....whilst outside,
The courtyard wall is nearly finished, with the lovely old stable door now in situ and the wall climbing higher.


Hope you are all enjoying this lovely weather.....however, it looks like we are in for a change at the weekend.

Umbrellas and raincoats at the ready...

Boo hoo.
Julie x