WINDOW TREATMENTS

I've always liked the architectural, uncluttered look of shutters and that was my original intention for dressing the windows.  These often work well with short wide windows like the ones I have. 

However, anyone with a cat will know how much they love to sit at windows staring outside - especially in Winter when the radiators are on.  It seemed cruel to deprive her of that simple pleasure so I revised my ideas and looked for the next best thing.  After all, the first rule of interior design is to establish how the space is to be used and that also includes consideration of your pets, as Pepper probably uses the windows more than anybody else.

The next best thing is wooden Venetian blinds.  This way they can be raised to a suitable height to give the Pepper kitty enough space to sit under and survey the world outside.  Decora Sunwood produce the Contour range; stylish curved wide slats that mimicking the look of shutters and that's what I've gone for throughout.  

Days since last cigarette: 44 Days

 

LIVING ROOM: ALCOVE PROJECT UPDATE

It's a grey rainy day today, and another weekend where we can't do any work outside which is very frustrating.  Is the summer truly over?  It seemed so sudden.  Nevertheless, indoors there is plenty of work to be getting on with...

Not a great day to take photographs due to the light or lack of, but I thought I'd post some on where we are now with the Alcove project.

Finished Shelves

Just the doors to complete

Torus architrave was used to trim the sides and top to the walls, which concealed the gaps as the wall wasn't perfectly square - as is the case with old houses.

Torus Trim

  






















Just barely detectable in these terrible photographs is the two colour contrast.  The walls at the back of the bookcases were painted in Mellow Mocha to create a greater illusion of depth. 

Mellow Mocha was used as a feature colour

A gap of 5mm was left between the wall and the bookshelf unit so that speaker cables and any other cables could be tidily concealed behind.

Mind the gap

The window ledge has now been veneered with 3mm ply and painted.  This seemed a faster and less messy way than filling and sanding out all the scratches and gouges in the wood.  I'm really pleased with the result.

Veneered window ledge

I'm also currently working on the bookshelf unit for my bedroom, which will be posted soon.

 

  

LIVING ROOM: ALCOVE INSPIRATION & WINDOW SILLS

I came across this inspirational photograph, which is featured on many sites, and loved how they had painted the backs of the bookshelves with a accent colour.  It's a great way for creating the illusion of depth and adding interest to a room.  I may have to try this myself!

WINDOW SILLS
I'm already thinking of the next job needing to be done after the alcove project is finished.  The interior window sills need attention as they are scratched and gouged, in some places quite badly.  The easiest and quickest option is going to be to adhere a 3mm thick ply wood veneer and then paint white which will result in a good finish.  Decorative wood moulding can applied to the front edge to hide the seam.  The other option would be to fill with wood filler and sand or plane the wood down, which I feel is going to be more laborious and messy.   I think wherever possible sanding indoors should be avoided because of all dust that is created.

Here's the Pepper Kitty modelling the window sill in the Living Room.  It may be snowing outside, but when she's stretched out and hogging the heat from the radiators, she may as well be in the Bahamas!  I'm not sure if that look means 'rub my belly' or 'bring me a Pina Colada, please'.