So I’ve had a really busy week. I’ve managed to achieve quite a lot. On Tuesday I had the trellis replaced in the court yard. I took the opportunity to paint the top of the fence before the new trellis was put in place. When we were buying the trellis I couldn’t help treating myself to a huge Olive tree. It was at the DIY store for a fraction of what an Olive tree that size would normally cost. It beats my previous best plant deal which was an Acer from B&M for £19.99. The gardens looking great but I am spending hours each day watering due the hot spell we’ve been having. I am worried I will lose my newly planted hedge if I am not careful. It already showing signs of stress although it’s ablaze with flowers.
I also replanted the Leriopes as the earth beneath them had sunk. I ordered nine bags of compost but only used four. I replanted the bulbs but I am pretty sure they won’t flower. Still it’s a small price to pay as the Leriopes look so much better. I also touched up the painting on the fence, the planting trough and the gates. All in all I pretty pleased with how the Court Yard is looking as I completely weeded it the week before last, in the pouring rain. This is a vagaries of the British Summer.
I managed to get my new black metal mirror put up in the spare bedroom. This is on the wall mirror rather than the dressing table mirror that was there before. It means there’s more room on the dressing table and makes the room feel more spacious.
I also got an old photograph that I found of my street framed and put up in study. It’s from 1910 and you can see horse poo in the street. There is no electricity in my road although you can see that there is on the main road beyond. Only one house now has the original distinctive gates. Mad to think it’s over a hundred years old. My road is now a colder-sac, blocked off when they created the one way system in the 1980’s. And I am jolly glad it is as well.
I continue my mission get declutter. I put the printer up for sale. I can easily print stuff off at work if I need to. I carefully photographed it and put it on Facebook sales only for Basil to knock over a glass of water that was on top of it. So now I am going to have to throw it away. Also it’s left a nasty stain on the work top. But the desk looks much less cluttered without it.
I also got the paneling done in the spare room. Really I had wanted wall paper but it was £140 a roll and I needed two rolls. Plus I would have had to get my handy man to put it up. I’ve never had wall paper in any house I’ve owned. But really I think it would suit this house. But it wasn’t to be. Turns out paneling is cheaper. I just got the paneling done to picture rail height so as not to risk the room looking smaller.
Today I primed it and painted the first coat. Skimming Stone by Farrow and Ball. I love their paint names. But I can’t bring myself to buy paint called Dead Mole. I had to fill hundreds of little holes from the nail gun. Still it looks good and I should finish this week.
But the big project is my new fitted wardrobes. Once again my board game parlour, which I have never played a board game in, came to the rescue, housing all my clothes from the old wardrobes.
Despite having got rid of a third of my possessions I still have too many clothes and accessories. I’ve already made a pile for the charity shop. I might sell a few handbags on eBay. I am determined to have less possessions. Obviously fitted wardrobes will have more space than free standing ones, but I intend to bring down a couple of the bags from the loft. My next mission after clearing out my shoes and clothes is the loft. I want it more or less clear.
And so the refurbishment continues at pace. Next up is to get a quote from the tree surgeon.