Spring Blossoms

As a change from all the in progress work photos, here is a sunny photo of some spring blossoms. Notice how the grey vase is almost the exact same colour as our grey walls - what a lucky find!

Bedroom Fireplace Test Colours

Because the bedroom fireplace tiles are a butter yellow colour we think that painting the surround white (bottom) just makes them look dirty. In this image you can see the test we did for a very rich dark grey (middle) and a more subtle pale grey (top). Currently dark grey is the clear winner... we think it will look really sharp against our newly painted crisp white walls that you can see in the background.

Front Door Swing

Initially, we had this very 'special' detail at the entrance to our living room where the front door swings into an architrave that had to be carved out so the door could actually open!

When we installed the original taller door we were able to remove this make up piece of wood. Alas now the funny quirkiness is gone, but in its place we have a nice clean lined door frame. We have also been thinking about how best to replace our front door and sort out that mess in right side of the photos.

A day to relax

As it was Flo's birthday weekend we took a break from all the dust and painting and relaxed a bit like this guy in the garden next door. The weather is getting better so we really just want to be done with the renovation so we can go outside and play...

Toilet Door Knob & Lock

We were going to get a new lock for the toilet but while doing our online searches we discovered that the one we had was a really high quality lock worth £36 new! Needless to say we cleaned off the caked on paint and re-installed it along with the key hole escutcheons.

We were so excited to have yet another door knob in operation that we couldnt stop opening and closing the door!

For reference, its a Union Wellington Waterloo 2 lever roller ball mortise sashlock.

A Door Knob at Last!

After living for 3 months without doorknobs (or even doors for that matter), we finally installed our first door knob last night. Who would of thought that simple finishing touch could make us so happy?

When we arrived in the flat all door knobs were different, there was even one door with a new white ceramic door knob on one side and a brass lever handle on the other!

After doing some research we learnt that interior Georgian door knobs were typically black cast iron. As there was no original door knobs, and we didnt like the look of iron - we went with some ceramic knobs with antiqued bronze roses to match the one remaining Victorian knob that was probably put in at some point in the houses long history.

These mortise knobs were only £12.99 each from www.theceramicstore.co.uk

Living Room Door Extension

The living room door was the only internal door that didnt have 4 panels (it was a new flat panel door) so we were keen to replace it with something more in keeping with the other historic doors in the flat.

Luckily, the previous owners left us an original Georgian door which they had in storage, however it was an inch too short for the opening. A few hours later in Flo's workshop and the problem was solved.

Here you can see the extension he put on the bottom two weekends ago. Today we finished painting and installing it.

Goodbye Yellow Ceiling Paint

Today we say a not so sad goodbye to the yellow ceiling paint in our bedroom.

Camel Goes for a Walk

For my last orange themed entry, here is a photo of our little Moroccan camel taking a leisurely walk along our mantelpiece.

An Amber Bowl

While on the subject of orange, we thought we'd also say thanks Miranda & Sergio for the sweet polka dot amber bowl house warming gift. Look at how cool the mini polka dot reflections are!

Orange Gloves

A thank you to Flo's parents for the orange workshop gloves they sent us when we first moved in. They have been the item we have used the most, protecting us from splinters, scratches, and wall paper stripper chemicals.

Vielen Dank Margret & Lothar!

A Splash of Orange

Here is a splash of vibrant colour to start the week. I bought these flowers (Ranunculus) at Borough market on my way to work on Friday morning as a treat for the flat. Flo had to work all weekend to get his installation out to Milan, so the renovations were on hold. That gave me the perfect excuse to have a girls brunch with Elisabeth and Inge on Sunday at the Albion. http://www.albioncaff.co.uk/bakery/

Spring Blossoms

It was a gorgeous 18C today and when I opened our windows I could smell the cherry blossoms from the tree in the garden next door. This is the view today from our back windows.

Our living room - Before, During, & After

Here is a photo of the living room when we moved in, during the works, and as it is today. At last, after 2 months, Zen has been restored at last, even if we are just living in one room!

Happy Birthday Connie!

This post goes out to say Happy Birthday to Connie! Hope you have a happy day. xo - Julia & Flo

Fireplace Colours

Last Thursday night we celebrated Stuart's 30th birthday at the Woolpack Pub on Bermondsey Street. In their upstairs function room the grand fireplace was painted a very dark grey (bottom right image) and it got us thinking about our bedroom fireplace.

The fireplace tiles are a creamy-yellow colour so we dont want to paint the surround white or the they will look dirty. The leading contender is dark grey, but look at these other colours I found on the internet. If I was feeling really brave I'd go for that red!

A visit to the Crystal Palace Antique Warehouse

We've delayed buying any furniture so we dont have to constantly move things around during the decoration. However, as we were staying in town for the Easter weekend we decided to treat ourselves to a bit of junk-shop/second hand furniture shopping today. We've been keeping our eyes open for a small, beaten up, farmhouse style wood table for our kitchen, and today we found one!

We took the train a few stops south to the Crystal Palace Antiques Warehouse (Imperial House, Jasper Road, SE19 1SJ) - four floors packed full of antique and mid century furniture including a pair of early Fritz Hansen chairs. All very tempting... but we managed to resist and walked home (literally) with just our farmhouse table. Here I am on the train saving the £25 delivery charge!

Flo's Workshop

Progress for the bedroom has been slow as the hallway is taking much longer than expected. Its the smallest space in the flat, but I think the 5 doors explain the slow pace. Either that, or the fact that Flo enjoys having one room to himself to use as his own personal workshop! Hmmmm...

Our new green chair.

Last weekend when Flo and I took a break from all the painting and sanding for a coffee in East Dulwich we saw this second hand green chair for sale at the East Dulwich Market. As green is my favourite colour, I couldnt resist buying it. Ive finally had time to get the photos off Flo's phone, so here he is carrying it home...

Happy Easter Weekend

Wishing you a happy Easter weekend!
The British Daffodils are now in season, so I bought some to enjoy over the weekend as we are in town this time. Our plan is to catch up on sleep after both having super-hectic weeks and to finish up the hallway.

Living Room Paint Specification

While we're on the subject of paint, you asked about our living room paint specification and colours. Here they are:

Walls - Dulux , Vinyl Matt Finish in Night Jewels 4

Ceiling - Dulux Matt for Walls and Ceilings in White
(The super Economy solution!)

Wood Trim - Farrow and Ball Eco Friendly Estate Eggshell in Brilliant White
(Its low VOC so we help to save the planet, it dries in just 4 hours, and we can clean our brushes with water - Brilliant!)

Basecoat to Wood Trim - Farrow and Ball Eco Friendly Interior Wood Primer and Undercoat.

Floor - Farrow and Ball Eco Friendly Floor Paint in Brilliant White.

We'll use most of the same paints for the bedroom in terms of trim, ceiling and floor.