Can I Think About Cushions Yet?
Another box ticked.. the bedroom painting is done.
In the end we went for white. It’s bright. It’s modern. And I can add pops of colour with the soft furnishings in due course. New lime plaster absorbs a heck of a lot of paint, even though the first coat was well watered down. Cue much scrabbling around to secure the local supplier’s last tin. But secure it we did and Mike’s done a grand job.
The upstairs rooms are so much lighter in winter. The windows nestle underneath the overhang of the thatch which in summer effectively shields the interior from the stronger light. When (if?) the sun appears in winter the yellow orb is much lower in the sky. Rays of sunlight shine straight in. With every bit of light so precious at this time of year, reflective surfaces serve to bounce it around the room.
The radiators are up. Better yet, they’re even connected.
According to the weather forecast we should expect nights dipping below freezing this coming week. It’s already been pretty bloomin’ cold. Mike had been leaving the door of this room open to let in heat from the rest of the house, never mind that the temperature then goes into freefall everywhere else. Bastion Study to the rescue once more. Door tightly shut. What a blessing it was that my refuge got renovated first.
The problem with winter, for me, all revolves around feeling the cold. It seems to have worsened as I’ve got older. This year, with a slow and deliberate attempt to lose some weight, a layer of insulation has literally disappeared! So I’ve gone big with the radiators. Taken the maximum number from the plumber’s recommended range of BTU’s, added a bit, and then added a whole chunk more again. It’s better to be too hot. Thermostatic valves can always be turned down, happy in the knowledge that there’ll still be more to play with when it gets seriously cold.
With walls as straight as a corkscrew nothing is easy to fit. As well as the Devon pegs used to gain purchase within the cob the builder had to deploy spacer batons behind each of the radiators, scribed to the undulations of the wall. The plumber’s task was no easier, burrowing through joists in the confined space underneath the floorboards to find an invisible route for new pipework. But we got there in the end. Can there be any better sound at the start of winter than water rushing through valves newly opened and the creak, creak, creak of metal gently heating up?
My thoughts have gone back to our trip to Norway last year. With their concept of hygge, no-one does cosy quite as well as the Scandinavians. And it’s hardly surprising. Given several weeks in permanent darkness and temperatures reaching -40 deg C in the far north, embracing winter is not just a matter of choice.
The place we stayed was extremely warm and cosy. Perhaps too warm, even for me. But it’s not just about the physical temperature inside the room, it’s the little touches of detail which create that psychological comfort and feeling of well being, however cold it is outside.
Flickering candlelight and a comfy armchair to curl up in for the darkest of nights
Textural fabrics, fleeces and throws made from soft natural fibres. Hmmmm..
A secluded corner and plenty to read to while the hours away
Could this be the trick for coming to terms with winter?
Got to be worth a try.
It looks fantastic! The white works great in there for all the reasons you’ve mentioned, and I think you’re going to do a great job making it cozy from there. The sparse Scandinavian might not work as well with the white walls, I think you can allow a little more clutter and give it the lived in look… although the sheepskin might be a must!
The sheepskin is definitely a must. Even looking at one makes me feel warmer. I can’t help feeling sorry for the sheep that lost it though..
Go for it.
Gotta be done.
Looks fabulous – I love white and would use it on every wall in the whole house . . . but that’s a perennial disagreement with Management which requires careful negotiation everything there is any decorating to be done. Probably why, after more than 8 years we’ve still only decorated half the house!!
Oh, I feel your pain. They say opposites attract but having lived with decorating (and other) ‘constructive discussions’ for so many years I really don’t understand how that works.
Your bedroom looks stunning – I can envisage all of those Scandinavian ideas fitting in perfectly.
Thanks Rosemary. Still niggling things like getting the radiators to work properly (full of air) but it does feel as though progress is being made.
Well, the big hairy chap on the wall brings to mind a favourite joke…ahem…’What’s the difference between a bison and a water buffalo? You can’t wash your hands in a buffalo!!’
Sorry….hygge away….?
What is the hairy chap anyway? It doesn’t look heavy enough to be a bison. And surely the pointy bits are wrong for a moose. Or a reindeer.
Once you get to soft furnishings, whatever sort you choose, it’s all downhill. Have fun adding the finishing touches. Having tackled all the difficult work you have created such a beautiful, inviting room – you should be proud of yourselves.
Thanks Kate. We have almost got to the fun bit, at last.
It looks so nice. I too love the white. It brightens things up and you can always add color with decorating. I love the concept of hygge. Just recently read about it.
Hygge is a bit of an eye opener. Perhaps where I’m going wrong is resenting winter, because it’s horrible to be outside, and not looking at the alternatives.
We have white walls here too, and I also add colour with soft furnishings. I am feeling the cold this winter as well, but I have also lost weight this year so thank goodness for the Rayburn and the radiators. Your place is coming along a treat, and I love that you keep sensitive to the original cottage and don’t modernise everything in a rush to get the renovations done.
Unfortunately there have been too many insensitive ‘improvements’ in the past, some of which we’ve been able to reverse like exposing the old fireplace. It’s lovely to see the character coming back.
What a lovely room! The idea of doing a ‘refuge’ first proved a good one for us/ We did the bathroom – the idea of the hot soak in a beautiful clean room at the end of the day often kept me going. Here’s to a hygge winter and your timing seems just right. Cold here too.
I was looking at Ikea today and they have those sheepskins for £10. How do they do it?? Speaking to the plumber, he was suggesting we do the bathroom next. It will probably be the most disruptive room of all. The current one is functional, it could just be so much nicer.
I’ve been waiting to see what colour you choose. I’m renovating our bedroom and bathroom over the winter. I love white. It always looks so bright and cheerful- and goes with anything. So you’ve helped me decide. And I’m just trying to decide on carpet or wooden floors. We can’t have under floor heating- but I do love the look of wood. Might just have wood and lots of rugs. I’m enjoying your house renovation project almost as much as you 🙂
I hope you are enjoying it a lot more than we are!!
I’d love to have underfloor heating, especially downstairs under the stone and brick. But there are no foundations here so excavations might be dodgy, even if we were prepared for all the hassle.
Oh yes, a moose, you must have a moose. The room is absolutely wonderful, you’ve made a really beautiful job of it. I shall look forward to seeing your finishing touches. CJ xx
Thanks CJ. He had those eyes that followed you round the room. I couldn’t be doing with that, even though it wasn’t me who did the dreadful deed. I’ve got a fluffy moose though, will that do?!
Fabulous! Moving into a newly finished room is such a treat.
Hi Eleanor!
It is. Each room is such a monumental project here it feels almost like moving house.
Living where it can get really cold, I recommend rugs, a cosy throw on the back of every chair, lots of candles, and fingerless gloves for time spent reading or at the computer. My husband always wears flannel-lined jeans in the winter. And, of course, a good supply of warming spirits in the larder.
I’ve been known to resort to the fingerless gloves inside the house. They really do make a difference.
Lots of rugs and throws, thermal undies, hot water bottles/wheat bags and a nice fluffy onesie to change into as soon as you get home – a lots of tea! Thats what I do to keep out the chills anyway!
Your room has so much beautiful potential, I think it’s going to be gorgeous.
Hi Julie and welcome!
Absolutely. I bought some Ugg type boots a few years ago and they’re lovely too. If my feet are warm the rest of me tends to be too.
Exciting times
Getting there. About a week of work on the floor, liming and waxing. Oh my poor knees. I’ll get excited after that!
Looks great. White is a smart choice for a clean, bright look and flexibility.
Flexibility is right. With a neutral background I can ring changes with the furnishings. Thanks Susie.
You do such a great job of whatever you are tackling – this looks wonderful. I agree with you on the subject of heating too – you can always turn them down, but being cold is a nightmare. And you will certainly notice it more this winter if you’ve lost your personal insulation (Well done, again!). I like there to be a focal point of heat too – a series of candles, or something in the warm colour range – red/orange – in the decor. That always makes me feel warmer.
I seem to have always lived in cold houses and it is a nightmare. By the time we’re done though this one will be toasty. If I ever did another house it would be from the ground up. Super insulated, quadruple glazed and underfloor heated!
Decorating a renovated space is just as fun as planting a new garden bed. Enjoy yourself! Even in southern California, we find ways to cozy things up in what passes for winter here.
It is great fun but can be extremely frustrating too. At the moment we’re searching for reclaimed wood for wardrobe doors, covering many miles and spending too much time in cold salvage yards. But it will be worth it in the end!
I feel the cold too in a draughty old house. Wool, plenty of wool I say. Still haven’t come up with a solution for a cold nose though!
A snood? Pulled up high? You’ve reminded me I made myself one of those last year, must dig it out.
That room is looking fabulous. I can just see it with some colourful cushions and throws with piles of books to read. Wonderful!
Thanks Gina. I do hope so. It’s been long enough in the making.
it looks good already. Renovations are all about the stuff you dont see, like the inside of the walls and fixing radiators, boring but necessary. Go mad buy those cushions and then when its raining and cold, you will already have pops of colour and it will give you the push to carry on! Cant wait to see what end up with in there!!!!
Boring but very necessary. They’re also the bits which take up most of the budget. Then we paint over all the work and it’s never seen again (hopefully!). Renovating an old house is a true labour of love. For a future buyer a wall is a wall. Only a few will realise the value of having done the job properly.
Builders of past generations knew how to orientate houses whether to make the most of the light for shading or getting the last ray or having a cold pantry or early morning sun in the kitchen. I fear it’s rather been lost these days when houses are just built to fit the road design. Your room is looking great.
Very true Anne. I often wonder about the builder of this place, who he was and what he did here. One day I’d like to investigate the history, if only to see how far back I can go.
The room looks lovely and your plan has the most important thing for comfort – wine! 😉
And some boxes underneath the bottle to store a few more 🙂
It looks wonderful you must be so relieved. Definitely cushion planning time x
A little way to go yet but the cushion planning is keeping me going! Thanks Jo.
Well done. White is right
I think so. As it turns out, most of the time it looks more like the soft grey I was aiming for in the first place. And when the furniture’s in it will look fine.
The white walls are perfect. You are going to have so much fun creating the feeling you want for this room. Embrace winter and hygge on!
Yep, we shouldn’t have much trouble living with white. Wet and miserable today, need all the hygge I can get.
Candles and heat and cosy furnishings are all ways of making the most of winter – so I’d agree that you should look for those cushions!
We need a quilt as well. I’m contemplating making one, they’re so expensive to buy. That should swallow up a few cold winter days.
Looks good. Living in a similarly old house I can sympathise with you
It seems as soon as you’ve plugged up one source of draught another one appears.
I hear you, sister – I’ve lost 4 stone this year and am missing the built-in insulation a bit.
Your room looks lovely! We have just repainted the sitting room in matt white and are slowly working our way around the cottage, which is currently a mix of matt and silk (silk just doesn’t look right). Progress is determined by daylight now, as well as keeping four Maine Coon cats out of the way – the addition of fur to the wall texture is not a good look.
The central heating was serviced last month – we had to call the plumber back as there was an awful smell of oil permeating the kitchen – only 2 years in and the feed pipe had succumbed to the additives in the heating oil. He replaced the feed pipe and we didn’t lose much fuel, thankfully.
The wood-store is full, there is wood piled up next to the wood-burner and I have been batch-cooking soups and casseroles. All is hygge here too.
4 stone! That really is an achievement, well done.
A full wood store is a very comforting thing. Mike bought himself a log splitter last year and got a bit carried away. Plenty more dead trees where they came from too. I’m glad you got the oil leak fixed, that doesn’t bear thinking about.
The white is stunning, and somehow traditional and modern at the same time. Glad you show some color in the rendering…and candles in the fireplace! I know you’ll make it cozy and perfect.
The candles are a must. They will give me the flickering look of a fire without all the hassle.
Hygge definitely is the way to survive winter! A feeling of general cosyness inside makes us feel grateful and happy, we can look out of the window and feel safe and secure. A sheepskin rug, warm cushions, candles, I am positive the Scandanavians have got this so right and indeed so they should, as you say they certainly know about harsh winters.
They definitely have got it right. There’s a huge social aspect to it as well that’s equally important. Sharing with family and friends and cosying up together. Sort of Christmas all winter and without the commercialism!
Absolutely gorgeous. Just the kind of cosy cottage atmosphere I dream of. xxx
Thanks Isabelle. The wonderful thing about hygge is that it doesn’t need a cottage, it can be done anywhere. And relatively cheaply. Cottages are often the reverse of cosy. They look lovely in magazines but they tend to be draughty, sometimes damp and difficult to insulate. It can be an uphill battle getting warm.
The room looks just lovely! I’m new around here so just seeing this for the first time. And I do agree about the cold: it seems to affect me more the older I get. Thankfully, six years ago we moved to a warmer climate!!! Oh, I see many of the virtual friends in the comments above: must beTHE place to be!
Hi Libby and welcome!
Yes, I think I could get used to North Carolina. I feel a bit of a wimp really, there are people on here who live in far colder places than me. All I can say is, they must have much thicker skins.
You can never have too many cushions!!
True.
I can’t possibly imagine why you have been trying to lose weight, Jessica. You are perfectly sized already! I couldn’t agree with you more about the wonder of radiators. Whilst we were never cold in our Sydney house (we had more heating appliances than the rest of Sydney put together) we didn’t actually have radiators and there is nothing quite like them for evenly ambient warmth. I’m loving mine! And congrats on the bedroom; it looks fantastic.
Ahh, I was a good way along the weight loss journey back in July. I’ve only lost about four more pounds since then. Must have reached the level because it’s getting harder now. It is quite nice to cuddle up close to a radiator, which is more difficult with underfloor heating!
I love how the room is coming together. There is something about plaster walls that is so warm and comforting to me. I’m so glad you went white (although it looks like the most perfectly warm bright color to me). Still no frost here! It is unbelieveable … not even one in the forecast for the next 10 days. All very bizarre and has me wondering just what to do with my dahlia tubers.
It has turned out to be a slightly off white which is fine by me. I fear a cold winter here. Some forecasts suggest as much but then they say that every year and last year was the warmest winter on record. Enjoy your balmy autumn while you have it!
Your bedroom is going to be brilliant. Definitely time to look for cushions, candles and cosy accessories. Enjoy.
Thanks. It’s that time of year isn’t it. A bedroom does need to be a cosy room. But will I be able to get up in the morning to go into the (cold) bathroom? Perhaps that had better be the room to do next.
I like the light and airy look of it, I can just imagine the sunlight shining through the window.
It’s so light and airy at the moment that I’m almost dreading putting furniture in it, especially wardrobes, because then it will feel so much smaller.
It’s looking great, Jessica. Not sure about all that wood – or the cow’s head – in the Scandinavian look, though ‘cosy’ is certainly has to be an objective. I think white is right, too; it gives it space.
The Scandinavian building was a new build, constructed entirely from those huge beams which they then left exposed inside and out. I would have expected gaps and cracks where draughts could get through but it was super warm, even to the touch on an outside wall. Amazing.
Looking good, Jessica. Your room will be so cosy and warm that you’ll be wishing winter lasted a bit longer. (Maybe) I love lots of rugs and blankets everywhere. Wish I had a log burner, even if it would be totally superfluous in my tiny flat.
Big, big maybe! November and December are the worst months for me. Once the days start getting longer and the snowdrops and witch hazels are out I’m back on track.
The bedroom looks great, Jessica. A labour of love restoring this place? 🙂
Absolutely. If we continue at the present rate of progress it will take six more years. And then, surely, the first room will need doing all over again?
You think about cushions all you like–you and Mike have done heroic restoration work on your home and deserve some indulgences. Radiator is modern but doesn’t look the least bit out of place.
Cold, I remember that. We’re expecting +32C the next few days. My sister sent me a beautiful warm jacket for Christmas three years ago, and I’ve never been able to wear it. It hasn’t ever been cold enough.
Thanks Hoov. I’ve been trying to keep the modern essentials minimalist in design. Hopefully that helps them to blend in as much as possible. If you ever visit England, bring that jacket.
Yes, doesn’t a newly completely room look so airy and spacious? And then the furniture goes in… ? You must breathe a sigh of relief whenever a room is ‘finished’
A huge sigh of relief. They are more like building projects than decorating.
It looks beautiful. I love the simplicity of white walls and lots of natural wood around a room, it looks so good as it is it seems almost a shame to put anything in there.
The hairy animal head looks like he’s a cross between a goat and a donkey …. do you know what he actually is?
No idea Sue. Perhaps some strange arctic circle hybrid, perpetual darkness hides a multitude of sins. Maybe even new to science?
Hi, both. I believe the beast is a musk-ox.
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/musk-ox/