Life on Orchard Road

Spring Celebration Ballet Lottie Doll GIVEAWAY!

2012-10-20T13:46:00.003+01:00

I just wanted to tell you about a giveaway that is happening over on my ballet blog.

You can win this lovely doll made by Arklu

Just pop on over to Tippy Toes Ballet and answer the question!

Good Luck,

Love Nicola

Tippy Toes Ballet Blog!

2012-10-09T22:32:00.000+01:00

I haven't posted for a wee while because I have been busy working on a new blog! www.tippytoesballetblog.blogspot.com

I think I have already posted here about Tippy Toes Ballet., but not for a while.
My good friend Emma and I have a written a ballet syllabus for tiny ballerina's, which Emma has been teaching for a year now in Bayswater, London. I started teaching ballet in Hitchin this term and so far I am loving every minute of it. It is such a joy to see my little prima's every week and I know Emma feels exactly the same.

I think that ballet is such a wonderful activity for little people, it teaches grace, posture, coordination, and rhythm, and gives children such a sense of achievement.

Here is an old picture of me at 8 years old getting ready my first ever professional performance at The Kings Theatre in Edinburgh:

Emma is going to give me in trouble for posting this one! Here we are aged 17 at ballet school getting ready to do a piece based on a Degas painting:

How lovely it is to take what we have learned and pass it on. Surely this is one of life's great joys?

If you are interested in having a look at our new blog, check us out here, we would love you to leave us a comment and follow us.

Love Nicola x

Modern Rustic

2012-09-18T12:56:00.004+01:00

I would definitely say my home style is modern country, but my dream home would be modern rustic.

What I would do to live in a barn conversion in the country with huge high ceilings and exposed wood everywhere, or a cabin in Scotland overlooking a loch with massive windows bringing the outside in.

So on that note, I thought I would bring you some modern rustic spaces and decor to swoon over!

What is your favourite home decor style?

Love Nicola x

Caledonia your calling me...

2012-09-16T12:59:00.000+01:00

It was my granny's 80th birthday last month and we took our puppy Stockholm and our tartan troosers up to the home land.

19 of us went to Gateshaw House near Kelso for a week, some travelled an hour, some 6 hours, and some more than 20 hours all the way from Australia and New Zealand.
It was definitely a week to remember and my granny had a wonderful time. We visited local sites, took turns to make family dinner, played croquet on the lawn, danced, sung, and laughed a lot.

I love living in Hertfordshire, but I do miss Scotland a lot. I think it is the most beautiful place on earth, especially when you get sunny day's like we did.

Here are some photographs of the house we rented:

Stunning isn't it? To see more photographs of the house, click here

On another note, my little victorian house has been featured on the Etsy blog, so go take a peak here

Have a happy Sunday,

Love Nicola & Stockholm x
blog hopping here

Stockholm the puppy

2012-08-09T13:33:00.000+01:00

We got a puppy!

His name is Stockholm.

He is a Bichon Frise

How cute?!

White and grey bedroom

2012-07-20T19:29:00.003+01:00

After a little trip to my favourite Scandinavian warehouse, I came home with lovely new bedding so I decided to show all of you gorgeous people how my new bedroom is coming along.

We still need to fix the wardrobe doors and put some photo's on the wall, but for now I am loving the white bedding from Ikea. The blue pillows are part of another set, but I thought they just added a touch of colour to the white upon white that I love so much!

I hope you all have a great weekend, apparently the sun is going to shine on this little street on Orchard Road, lets hope so!

Nicola x

Ikea inspiration

2012-07-18T10:27:00.002+01:00

Are you a fan of Ikea? I think it is like marmite, you either love it or hate it.

My husband would definitely go to John Lewis any day, but I think there is enough room in this little victorian house for a bit of both!

I am not the biggest fan of some of the furniture, however my friends have just moved in round the corner and what they have bought has impressed me. I guess it's just about picking the right items to fit your home, and keeping in mind that some of what you buy may not last forever.

I am however the biggest fan of the marketplace in that big Scandinavian warehouse.
Frames, pictures, candles, mugs, tea towels, mats, jars, jars, and more jars! Oh, and did I mention how much I love the price tags?

So, you can imagine my delight when I stumbled across the Ikea Family Live Blog, which shows you rooms and houses that real live people live in!

Brilliant! Lets have a nosey at a few of these people's houses:

White on white bedding, and gorgeous pillows.

Four poster bed and stripes.

A beach house breakfast.

Stripy blue and white rug, perfect.

I love the industrial lampshades.

How comfy this looks!

Huge kitchen island with lots of storage.

Perfect sitting area with lots of texture.

Happy and stylish outdoor living.

All images from Ikea Family Live

So what do you think? Do you love it or hate it?

Nicola x

Best iphone photo apps and new photography mag just for women!

2012-07-11T18:19:00.001+01:00

I love to take photo's, even though I am still pointing and shooting with my DSLR (one day I will learn, I promise!), but one of the main reason's that I wanted an iphone was because of all the cool camera apps.

There are so many of them, and believe you me, it fells like I have tried out most of them!, but here are my faves at the moment.

INSTAGRAM (FREE)

I used to love hipspamatic before I found instagram, but instagram makes it so easy to add filters to photo's, making you look like you are a rockstar photographer when you may well not be! I also love the sharing aspect of this app.

INSTACOLLAGE (FREE)

This one is new to me, but so great if you want a quick, no nonsense frame or collage for your instagram rockstar photo's! Perfect for bloggers everywhere!

COLOURSPLASH (£0.69p)

I always wanted one of those digital camera's that had the selective colour feature, but with coloursplash, you don't need it. You can make any one object whatever colour you want, and it makes for a really interesting photo.

CAMERA+ (£0.69)

This is my favourite app for making any adjustments needed on a photo. Tweak the color with brightness and contrast, color balance, color temperature, exposure, highlights, hue saturation, shadows, and more. Additionally, you get a handful of special effects.

JUST.SELFTIMER (FREE)

If you need to delay the shutter release, this does what is says on the tin. Great if you need to take a photo of yourself, or need a few seconds to get your shot right.

8MM VINTAGE CAMERA (£1.49)

So this is for video, not photography, but I wanted to add it, as the effects are great. This app turns your video into a retro style film. You can mix and match lenses and films and add that scratchy look from a bygone era.

So that sums up my fave apps for photos, but while we are on the subject of photography, there is a brand new photography magazine hot off the shelf called Pix, and it is especially for women.

There is advice for photographers and interviews with creatives and each issue includes craft ideas and photography-inspired products for the home.

The first issue is free to download, go grab it while you can!

So that's all for now people, is there an app that you love that I haven't yet discovered?

Nicola x

White fireplace at last!

2012-07-05T20:17:00.005+01:00

Our new kitchen/diner was completed a few months ago and I loved everything about it except the fireplace. In a grey and white kitchen, the black surround and exposed bricks looked harsh and ugly.

I knew I had to paint it, and thought at first the bricks would look good if they were white, and the surround may suit a colour. I had painted my front door Lichen by farrow and ball a while ago and had some paint left, so I thought I would give it a go. How wrong I was. The colour around the white looked wrong the minute I started painting, so all that was left to do was paint the whole thing white!

So here it is. White as white can be! I am a big fan of white when I decorate. Some people think it is clinical, but I think if you have a white base, and then add texture and colour, it looks light and airy, and can even look cosy.

My English Victorian house is pretty small, so white makes the space look bigger.

What do you think? Are you a fan of white in your living space?

Bye for now,

Nicola x

Summer Blues

2012-06-22T15:56:00.000+01:00

I have the summer blues! Here in Hertfordshire, England, the summer is nowhere to be seen!

Here is the weather forecast today:

14 C

My cousin Jasmin lives in Maitland, Australia, and she tells me that the weather can be about 14C in WINTER. I bet it's sunny there though so it probably feels a lot warmer than the lousy summer that we are having at the moment!

Anyway, I thought I would do a little summer post in the hope that maybe by July I will get to put my flip flops on and sit in the back garden sipping pimms and lemonade!

I made a summer blue treasury list on Etsy and thought that I would share it with you.

Here are a few of my favourites:

Maxi Summer Skirt $59.99

by Sophia Clothing

What can I say, so cool and feminine.

Blue Charm Bracelet $19.95

by NinasBeadFun

Love the blue beads and the Starfish charm.

Ocean Photography 8x10 $30.00

by Carolyn Cochrane

This lady's photography is beautiful, take a look at her website

Milk woolen asymmetric long cosy Muse sweather $110.00

by LeMuse

(ok, so I know this isn't blue or very summery, but I love it and would be perfect for the summer we are having here in England!)

Cupcake Queen Tee $18.00

by dressingOnTheSide

So cute, and on sale for a limited time only!

Beach Photography Print 5X5 $13.00

by mylittlepixels

More beautiful beach and nautical photography, I love the dancing light on this one.

If you want to see the Summer Blues treasury list on etsy and some others that I have made take a look here

I hope you enjoyed a little piece of summer on my blog, what is the weather like where you are?

Bye for now.

Nicola x

1. Carolyn Cochrane 2. Sophiaclothing 3. BagEnvy 4. OliveRuePress

5. LeMuse 6. Hildes 7. AtelierEdytaLoukia 8. DressingOnTheSide

9. Jannysgirl 10. EllenCrimiTrent 11. Mylittlepixels

12. Peacelovenpolkadots 13. Ninasbeadfun 14. OrchardRoad

#photoadayjune and Roast dinner!

2012-06-08T21:14:00.000+01:00

I joined in with the Photo a day June challenge from fatmumslim

I started the April challenge and got to about day 3! Since I have managed to get to day 8 this month, I thought I would post the photo's. Hopefully my enthusiasm won't fail this time and I can get through the whole month!

I am totally loving Instagram. It is so easy to take photo's and add a filter to make it look all retro and cool.

If you are an instagramer like me then my name is tinydancernikki if you want to follow along!

Orchard Road has been busy with Jubilee celebrations and Mr H's Roast dinner. I have a very impressive cook in this cosy little house. Thank goodness one of us knows what he is doing in our lovely new kitchen!

Remember to check back as we are getting ever closer to the patchwork pillow giveaway!

Happy Birthday Blog Guidebook!

2012-06-01T09:51:00.001+01:00

It's the Blog Guidebook's 2nd Birthday!

Happy Birthday to such a resourceful blog. I cannot tell you the amount of bloggy advice and tips I have gained from visiting this wonderful blog.

To celebrate the big 2 they are holding a very special June Giveaway, in fact, get over there now as it has already begun!

I am giving away one of these cosy patchwork cushions

They are made with Moda Hometown Fabric and knitted on the back:

If you are the winner, you can chose from the brown or blue one. Whichever goes with your colour scheme!

My giveaway is not open yet, but keep checking back, as it will happen within the next few days!

Once it is open, all you have to do is leave a comment on Blog guidebook and you have entered!

In the meantime, take a look at Orchard Road on Etsy

Life is one long Jubilee!

2012-05-30T19:35:00.003+01:00

It's the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this weekend in the UK and so I decided to make an etsy treasury list of the most british like items I could find! It wasn't hard, seems like everyone is cashing in on this Queeny celebration!

Here are my faves:

Hand Painted Union Jack Tote Bag

Union Jack Wreath

Diamond Jubilee Pillow

Cupcake Kit

Union Jack Tea Cosy

Take a look at my etsy treasury list for more british items for sale.

What are you doing this long diamond jubilee weekend?

Let's hope the sun stays out!

Clay tags in Orchard Road

2012-05-24T22:09:00.000+01:00

I made some clay tags the other day so I thought i would show you how well they have turned out.

If you would like the tutorial, pop over to one of my favourite blogs a beach cottage. Sarah from a beach cotttage lives near the sea in Sydney, and has wonderful taste in home decor on a budget.

I love these tags, they can be hung around the house, on vases, on kitchen door handles, and can be used when wrapping presents.

My mum and I have been busy the past couple of weeks making new cushions for our little shop. Mum has just retired from her work, so she is happy to have something to do to keep her busy!

She went out and bought this sewing machine from John Lewis

Sew pretty isn't it. (see what I did there!)

Patchwork and Chunky Knits

2012-05-19T19:48:00.000+01:00

After spending some time making knitted cushions, we decided to add '& Stitches' at the end of our name to accommodate the fact that we wanted to make lovely patchwork and fabric cushions as well!

We are now selling an assortment of cushions in our little etsy shop.

Here are our small patchwork cushions which are knitted on the back with gorgeous extra chunky yarn.

We used Moda Hometown fabric for our patchwork cushions, and because we loved it so much, we couldn't resist making a bigger cushion entirely made of patchwork squares:

We also made a nautical cushion with some decorative buttons. I love this material, it makes me think of summer.

So what do you think? We are still knitting, and as I speak, my mum is knitting up a gorgeous chunky knit cushion entirely made of wool, but we just couldn't resist making these fabric cushions too!

Orchard Road Knits

2012-05-15T01:10:00.001+01:00

Orchardroadknits.com has had a facelift!

My mum has recently retired, so we have decided to knit some more! (if that is even possible!)

You can go to our etsy shop to purchase a knit that we are displaying, or you can ask us to knit you up something custom made, and we will give it a go!

Mum is a tea cosy expert! If you would like one or anything else for that matter, just fill in the contact us form on the website and let us know what you had in mind.

We will do our best to knit your item up asap and will keep you updated as to how long we think it will take to get it delivered to you.

We don't cut corners or use rubbish yarn, in fact if you called us "wool snobs", it wouldn't be too far from the truth!

Visit us today at www.orchardroadknits.com and please like us on facebook with the button below

Thank you! You have made our day!

Friend Printables

2012-05-13T11:07:00.000+01:00

How are you all doing? It's a happy day.

The sun is shining on Orchard Road

I had a friend visiting yesterday.

This friend is a very special one, we have been friends since high school, wow, 16 years!

Anyway to honour friendship everywhere, I have made free printables for you today.

Download

This week my parents are visiting Orchard Road, I will be making drawstring bags, teaching a couple a dance for their wedding and knitting a cardigan, hope to see you lurking around!

A Dance Clinic in the UK, at last!

2012-05-01T18:02:00.000+01:00

I am so pleased to hear the announcement that the NHS in the UK has opening it's first dance injury clinic. British people's knowledge of dance has come a long way since I was a wee girl.

Talent Television shows have showcased dance more and more over the years, and people are beginning to realize that dancers are athlete's as well as artists.

I have been lucky enough to have physiotherapy and chiropractory paid for over the years from whichever company I happened to work for, but not every dancer is as lucky, especially freelance dancers who don't work for one company at a time.

I am just wondering if one clinic is enough? I hope that all doctors throughout the country have been advised on how to treat dancers, and that waiting 6 months for a physiotherapy appointment really isn't going to help anyone.

Treatment has to be immediate, after all, every professional dancer's body is their work tool, and without it working properly, they can't do their job.

On that note, I am going to leave you with this trailer of First Position, a documentary that I can't wait to see when it comes out in the cinema.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/center&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;
What do you think? Looks like it's going to be great, doesn't it?

Sew! by Cath Kidston

2012-04-24T21:33:00.000+01:00

I bought this book a couple of months ago, but since we have had all the renovations going on, I have only got started making something lovely from it.

I am a big Cath Kidston fan but my husband isn't too keen (little bit flowery for him!)

I really loved the look of this cushion, and thought it was very modern country, just perfect for this wee house.

This yellow oven glove took my fancy, and I reckon it is just what my new kitchen needs to add a pop of colour.

But to start off with, I made this little bag.

I am going to use it to keep my yarn and needles in.

What do you think?

Now all I need is a new knitting project, any ideas!?

Wash Cloth Knitting Pattern

2012-04-23T20:28:00.000+01:00

I had some lovely Debbie Bliss eco baby left in my stash, so decided to knit up a couple of wash cloths for my new bathroom.

Here is the pattern:

Supplies needed: 50g of Debbie Bliss Eco baby

Size 3.25 mm needles

CO 63 stitches

Rows 1 - 6: Knit every row

Row 7: Knit

Row 8: Knit 4, Purl to last 4 stitches, Knit 4

Repeat rows 7 & 8 until preferred length is achieved.

Last 6 Rows: Knit

So easy and so quick, if you are a beginner knitter, this is a perfect project.

Burford White Kitchen Reveal!

2012-04-18T21:54:00.002+01:00

I am super excited to be able to show you the photo's of our new kitchen/diner.

Here is a picture of what it looked like when we moved in, and a picture of the old back door:

When I saw it I wasn't thinking "ooh what a lovely shade of orange that is on the wall"!

I also don't have a cat, so had no need for that cat flap and didn't appreciate the draft that it allowed in.

So anyway, as soon as I could, I painted it all and it looked like this:

At the time, I did think it was pretty amazing what a lick of paint can do, but I was never truly happy with the kitchen. The main problem was space. We had barely any room to put anything, and hardly any work top space, so there was no room to enjoy cooking, which was a real shame.

There was also no dish washer and a very small sink.

Our plates didn't even fit in there!

So when we decided to renovate, our best bet was to knock some of the wall down between the dining room and the kitchen to make it more open plan, and we moved the back door from in the kitchen to the dining room.

I have still to paint the fire surround grey and the bricks white, but

apart from that, it is all done:

I find myself sitting at the table just staring at it!

I am so happy with the tiles and the work tops.

Oh, and the belfast sink (have I mentioned that before?!)

The dishwasher is my new best friend, and I love how the microwave is integrated in the wall so it doesn't take up any work top space.

So that's it, my lovely new kitchen, what do you think?

Kitchen is Burford White from Howdens

Bathroom reveal!

2012-04-17T20:55:00.000+01:00

Here is my lovely new bathroom. Oh what a joy it is to actually have a toilet and a shower and a bath in my house!

Four weeks of living without a bathroom was hard.

The portaloo has gone from the front garden, thank you very much! And if it wasn't for our dear friends that live round the corner, we would be very smelly!

The plumber and carpenter did a great job, but the star of the show was the tiler, who put those beautifully aligned subway tiles up as quick as a flash and they look great!

I love our new shower, it is like standing under the rain! Not cold, grey, horrible England rain though, warm lovely rain, like we got everyday when we went to Koh Samui in Thailand:

Wow, wish I was there right now!

Anyway enough dreaming, back to the bathroom...

The bath mat is from H&M home, and I got some towels to match, just lovely

So that's it, what do you think?

Belfast Sink and grey subway tiles.

2012-04-15T07:39:00.000+01:00

Life on Orchard Road is still very dusty and not quite there yet, but it shouldn't be too long. Perhaps by the end of the week it should all be done!

I have managed to lose my battery charger for my DSLR camera. I know it is somewhere in this house, and I will probably find it today when I tidy up, but for now I have taken a couple of iphone photo's to show you the sink:

I love her even more now she has her tap and those gorgeous grey tiles surrounding her!

And here is Mr H's favourite part of the refurb! The shower!

Once I am reunited with my camera charger, I will be back to show you more!

Happy Sunday!

At last - A TOILET!

2012-04-10T11:33:00.000+01:00

I don't feel like I am camping anymore!

3 weeks without a toilet in our house and a portaloo in the garden was no fun whatsoever!

Luckily for us, our friends live round the corner, about a one minute walk, so we have been able to use their shower every day.

Honestly though, if I ever have work done again I am moving home, yes, home to Scotland to live with my Mum and Dad!

Anyway, I reckon by the end of the week the whole thing will be done done done! Woo hoo!

I really want to be able to take great photo's but there is a constant mess everywhere, and you should see the dust!

But, loook at my sink with the worktop on it, oh she is getting prettier every day!

Hope you all had a Happy Easter, I got the biggest baileys chocolate egg I have ever seen! Thank you Mr H!

Did you get any eggs?

Oh what a mess, but the belfast sink is in!

2012-04-04T21:28:00.000+01:00

Yes, this is what my belfast sink will look like, and no this isn't my belfast sink, but mine is in place, and Oh how I love her already!

Here is what she looks like right now:

Yes, yes, I know she is bare with no cupboard doors or no beautiful oak work top around her, but I am so happy that she is in my kitchen, and guess what will be by her side tomorrow?

A DISHWASHER! I can't believe we are actually getting a dishwasher!

The subway tiles are nearly all on our bathroom walls:

I am really pleased we chose them. Right now they have no grouting in them, but it will soon be white so they will look like this:

It took me a while to decide if we would have white grouting or grey grouting, but after looking at images on the internet, I felt that the grey grouting looked very masculine, and very London Tube Station if you know what I mean. The white grouting just cleans the look up and softens it for my little bathroom.

Did I do the right thing do you think, or would you have had grey grouting?

Anyway, I thought I would just leave you with a photo that sums up what I have been living in for the past 3 weeks...

...but it's getting there, it's really getting there!