Moroccan Inspiration

Some of the goodies that survived the journey back from a Christmas in Marrakech!

The lantern and mirror and lantern opposite are for the downstairs cloak room.

This is definitely taking on a bit of a Moroccan theme... I have even challenged James to do some coloured plaster work! Whats the worst that could happen? I can always paint over it!

This is to accompany the copper sink I bought and the lovely chunky wall mounted taps.

Moroccan cloakroom by jaykaybee22

I'm afraid the Renaissance ensuite bathroom didn't escape either! I have bought the most lovely plasterwork done by a chap called "Yesi" in front of my eyes... and a Saharan wooden door (from a royal palace no less... ;) that weighed a tonne - I can't believe we were under our luggage allowance!

Dodgy doors and a theology of forgiveness.

"So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them," Jesus

So my long debated, long awaited french doors arrived yesterday, and it was immediately apparent that they were not what I had ordered at all. Made bespoke by a local joiner, and I had had 3 face to face meetings, various telephone conversations, about 25 emails and a drawing, to scale, of what I wanted. Where did it all go wrong? There is no denying that they are beautiful and incredibly well made, but that is somewhat irrelevant.

I blew my top, went nuts at the joiner, followed by a detailed stroppy email to them showing how I couldn't have been clearer about what I wanted and it was all their fault. I threatened to get them to take the doors away and I never wanted to see them again. They wouldn't be getting a penny off me. (That's the last time anyone tries to take me for a ride.).

Then last night, irritatingly, it was our churches monthly worship meeting. God gently reminded me that I'm not perfect, that He might have had to forgive me for the odd thing in the past, and it had cost Him quite dearly.

My joiner rang me this morning to apologize. I ranted. He didn't make any excuse. He understood why I was unhappy. He sounded completely gutted. He had hoped I would be over the moon with his work. He agreed to do whatever I wanted- he would take them away, or alter them or I could have them at a discounted rate...

Grace is a word that makes me smile inside.

I agreed to keep the doors. I said I could think of a few carpentry jobs he could do for me to make it up to me. His tone instantly changed and he got excited about the new work, offering to go above and beyond what I asked for... getting creative about ways he could go the extra mile and impress me.

Before I put down the phone he

was commenting how he was thinking about going to church with his wife...

You win some, you lose some ;)

Week 20 - Doors and Roof tiles

Happy new year everyone!

Well the plumbers worked right up to Christmas eve apparently whilst we were in Marrakech having a wonderful, inspirational Christmas holidays. Will post on my purchases later!!

We got back and opened the door with trepidation thinking there was probably an 80% chance that the heating would still not be on, but joy! It was warm and snug! A nice big new water tank installed, heating back on and hot water pressure that positively gushes! Sometimes I turn on the hot tap just for fun!!!

Things are starting to swing here again - finally James is on site and apparently here now till the bitter end- which he seems to think is only 5 weeks away (!!) - that would be amazing, but I'm not getting my hopes up too much.

The windows and doors have started to go in with the french doors finally arriving today. There are roofers on the roof and slates arriving tomorrow. Justin is doing the barge boards now.

All very exciting... will post some updated pics asap!

Love to all, xxx

Week 16 - Oak smoked undies

This week the plumbers have finally arrives- yay! Deck the halls with copper pipes and monkey wrenches! Three of them turned up on Monday and proceed to rip up all the floors, banging and crashing with an enthusiasm I'm not sure we've seen on site to date.

Unfortunately by Wednesday the day came when the building project really did break into our cosy reality- the plumbers stormed through the house, ripped out the boiler, the hot water tank and have left us with no heating or hot water... probably till the new year!

Of course, as you can can see by the beautiful picture take by my friend in Tetbury, this manoeuvre just happened to coincide with some festive weather... yes, you've guessed it, its snowing outside!!!

Well at least I feel I'm at last shaking off the dreadful bug that me and (according to my GP) most of England have had to endure for the last month. The log burner has struck up and I have a wheelbarrow full of little off cuts of wood from the building project to recycle as fuel! So at least one room in the house is warm. We only have to survive a week really, as we are flying to Marrakesh for Christmas, which hopefully will be a little bit warmer!

Drying washing is proving a bit of a challenge. I am currently surrounded by piles of it dangling everywhere. The undies are smouldering nicely on top of the log burner. Not sure it would pass health and safety. I should add a sprinkling of chestnuts really, shouldn't I?

Week 15 - Dreaming of bathrooms

Not much action on site again this week, but have been dreaming about my ensuite bathroom which I just couldn't get inspired about. Then I ended up buying a sandstone sink on ebay (yay!) which is ridiculously heavy but gorgeous. It is golds and reds and purples in swirls-

I love it... even if it is a little large for the room. So then I'm thinking I get James to inset it into the wall a bit, like a little alcove. Then I'm thinking sand and water = beach so I could do a sort of shell mirror grotto thing. Very Victorian apparently... (see right).

I found this awesome site called mydeco.com which allows you to do moodboards and things... so I had a go. I don't know why but Botticelli's Venus keeps popping into my head. So I've decided its going to be a Renaissance / classical revival bathroom. Ok a little OTT but who's going to see it apart from us? I promise to try and restrain my self in the rest of house... honest!

Ensuite bathroom by jaykaybee22

What's the general opinion on padded gold toilet seats?... ;)

So, anyways, I have order myself some brass taps to kick off the classical theme... inspired in part by our trip to Auntie Vikki's gorgeous villa in Zakynthos.

Weeks 13-14

I've majorly lost track of time... I think we are possibly in week 15 already!

Well, here is Justin finishing off the roof and you can see the oak beam in place.

As soon as the timbers were in James and Douggan were over to felt it and make it (sort of) watertight. Also the chipboard floors went down upstairs.

The immediate effect was to give it a sense of inside space. You get much more of an idea of a room and your

eyes are drawn to the french doors and (much needed) lightwells- I do hope it won't be too dark in there when we are done! Im sure some light paint on the walls will do wonders, fingers crossed, as it does feel a little like a basement at the minute.

Then all went quiet for a few more days, but I'm pleased to announce I have finally managed to find a plumber who is prepared to take on the job, albeit at twice the cost of what I originally anticipated. But he is allegedly the best in town, so I'm hoping the luxury macademia nuts I'm paying will ensure a highly

evolved primate! We are in essence putting in an entirely new pressurised system which will be future proofed for any number of showers and baths we want to plumb in at any altitude.

Last Friday James and Douggan were back to put in the stud partitioning in the problematic ensuite. I can't tell you what a headache this has been with the lower-than-expected ceiling height, but

by putting in a tiny door, stealing a foot from the bedroom, loosing some of the oak beam (sob!) and integrating the sink into the stud partition wall.... Nick might just be able to sit on the loo and stand up in the shower after all!!! Every centimetre counts mind you- we can only hope it all works out in the wash!

Plumbers supposed to be starting tomorrow, getting everything ready to move the boiler next week. Let's hope the snow holds off for a little while longer as we will be without heating while this goes on!!!

Electrics

Electrician turned up yesterday, totally unexpected. My dear neighbour Sarah came knocking on my door (I was still in my dressing gown)...

"Your electrician is blocking me in so I can't get off my drive"

"It's not my electrician, there is noone on site today"

"Well I can't get off the drive"

"Well thats not my problem..."

It was of course. Sigh!

Funny, but this really does mark Chapter 2 of the building project. We have moved beyond questions of how high ceilings need to be and where the walls go to questions like "what kind of light fitting are you thinking of for your bathroom" and "where are you going to put the TV?" "Do you need a dimmer with that?" A dimmer? Wow! Kevin our sparky brings a new world of opportunity and creativity- and a taste of the future where this concrete jungle is transformed into a cosy home...

It is like the first signs of spring and it makes my heart glad :)