Pretty new addition...

Sorry I've been absent of late, but I've been sick with the flu or a virus or a bug of some sort that just won't leave. It's been so persistent, it's stuck around to play havoc with MONT as well.

He is not happy about it either, I can tell you!

Anyway, here's a photo of my latest purchase.

A cute little ginger jar that I found during my search around eBay...where else?

I love the colours...they're a little different than the usual blue and white on offer and although I love them too, this really caught my eye.

OK, well, I'm back to lounge in front of the heater with a nice hot cuppa and try to get some of my energy back...if only I could shake this darn cough!

Waiting, waiting, waiting....

Thanks so much for all of your lovely comments about the Number 10 kitchen renovation

I'll have a few more from other rooms later in the week. Unfortunately all of the pics from way back then have to be scanned and "brightened" up a bit...no digital cameras for me back then.

This photo is of my old girl, just sitting at the front gate, waiting for, who knows what.... she can't jump too well any more, her back legs aren't as strong as they once were, but for a girl who's almost 20, well I think she's doing pretty well...in fact she's sitting at my feet now telling me in no uncertain terms that it's time for dinner...so I'd better run.

Duty calls.

Number 10 - Renovation Junkie

I thought I'd show you a couple more before and after shots of Number 10, starting with the kitchen.

In 1997, when I first saw this little house up for sale, I knew it had major potential. Even though every room was painted yellow and it had a range of floor coverings, from polished timber to green and yellow carpet to vinyl tiles in the front hallway and kitchen, I knew I could transform it into a comfy home.

Unfortunately, I failed to take any photos of those rooms. Darn it! But I did take a few during the (first) renovation process.

This was once the laundry, that you accessed through a back hallway and a couple of doors. It was located right behind the kitchen, so we knocked out the wall, relocated the hot water service outdoors, and made this part of the kitchen.

This is what it looks like now.

Plenty of storage. Have I mentioned before I LOVE storage?

after

This one below is looking from the kitchen alcove, that now has the cook top in place, through to the study, which is yet to be plastered.

Now there are very pale grey bench tops with a white subway tile splash back.

The cook top was also relocated when the new bench tops went in.

I really like the way it is now. It's much brighter and very easy to clean

Number 10 Before and After

BOTH COMPACT AND SPACIOUS.

"Constructed during the middle of this century (1950's) this compact timber house, although small, has spacious rooms."

That's part of the ad that accompanied the photo for Number 10 when it was up for sale 13 years ago. I found it while going through some old folders and papers the other day.

This is the rather enticing photo published in our local newspaper in December 1997.

Anyway, as you can see, (or not) the front fence was painted roofing iron....and while the garden all looks lush and green, some of those trees just had to go. One was quite dangerous as it was covered in thorns and prickles and another was one of those trees that give you a rash....are they Russ trees?

Anyway, that's the before photo of the front.

Here's what it looks like now.

From the street.

Front fence with hand cut hearts, thanks to MONT.

New front path and garden bed

The driveway while it was being constructed. The whole process has taken quite a while, but I like it that way. It's nice to be able to watch and enjoy the transformation.