Living Room Finale

Weeks have passed without any updates on the progress of turning our house into a home.  I'd like to say it is because we've been so busy with our projects; while that is true the actual reason is that during the upheaval associated with remodeling our living and dining room I misplaced my camera card reader - oops!

It has been recovered though, along with two completed rooms.  First reveal is the living room!  For a quick reminder of what this room looked like a few months ago visit our beginning post here.  What once was a green toned dining room is now a vibrant red living room!

As we worked on this room I shared many of our big decisions, such as the windows, and carpet.  As we continued working, the decisions also continued! 

One of my favorite features of this room is the fireplace (no it's not real) and mantel.  What to do with this space?  The mantel is unique because it is the full length of the room with 2 distinct levels.  

We chose to put the TV to the left of the fireplace using an angle wall bracket.  Although it is a large part of the room it is not the central focus that it may have been if we had put it above the fireplace.

We've kept the center of the mantel very simple, but I think it needs one more thing under the frames.  (when I find the right piece I'll know it!)

We use the right side to display some sentimental photos and "stuff".  (More on the sconce later)

The shelves are hidden by simple doors with rustic hinges, these were a fun project! (More on that later too!)

Everyone is enjoying the new room!  Valentine is very happy with her bed under the windows (yes, it's a bit frustrating to me that her bed doesn't match, but she doesn't deal well with change!). 

Sanka seems to fit perfectly in this little corner!

Updating A Light

Part of making our house into a home is deciding what to keep, what to replace and what to change.  Both the dining room and living room have ceiling fans.  While these are not the most beautiful elements in a home...during the hot summer months they are necessary!  They have a victorian look, which matched the old decor.  They are okay with our new Rustic-Old World-Modern style (I'm still working on what to call it!), but they aren't great.  Or weren't great...they're awesome now!


By simply changing the glass shades we have created a new look...looks like a new fixture! For about 1/5 the cost of a new fixture we purchased new shades.

 Halfway through I could already see how great these new shades were going to be.

I am very pleased with the final result! 

A Taste of Britain in Our Home

Every once and awhile I like to try and make a proper British meal to please the English taste-buds that live in our home!    I decided to adapt the famous Bangers 'N' Mash.   For those that aren't familiar, it's really sausage with mashed potatoes and gravy! I chose to make an upside down Bangers 'N' Mash casserole...VERY simple!

I made mashed potatoes...this was the most time consuming part.  I was able to multi task by browning the sausages and making the gravy while the potatoes were boiling.

I used Bisto to make the gravy.  Bisto is a staple in most British households.  It's hard to explain what it is.  I think of it as flavored corn starch used to thicken gravies or soups.  It's not easy to find in the U.S., but it is available.













I added some onions to the gravy.  I think this is an important element...you could even add them to the mashed potatoes if you choose.

Once everything was cooked I put it together in a casserole dish.  I butterflied the sausages and laid them on the gravy then covered it all with the mashed potatoes.  It baked for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees. 



I served it on our special London plates.  (These were a steal at Marshalls)
It might not be the most beautiful meal, but it's delicious!!  

For those of you wondering, my plate did have vegetables on it...this one belonged to the vegetable-hating British taste-buds! 

We're Back!

The car excitement has worn off...or maybe it was my constant nagging that Easter is right around the corner...either way we're back!  The wallpaper is down and the paint is up! Going from victorian green striped wallpaper to a bold rustic modern gold (allspice to be exact) caused a bit of nervousness on my part.  I never thought I'd be the one that needed my nerves calmed!

A quick reminder of the old wall....and the first coat of Allspice going on.  (Stay tuned for the final dry paint)


There had been a few discussions on how far we would take the color upstairs.  Since the back stair wall goes the height of the house it is a tricky decorating decision.  It made sense to carry it to the top of that wall but then what about around the corner upstairs?  

Well I ran to the store and came home to a completely painted upstairs!  It was defintely the right decision!  It warmed up the whole hallway...BUT..and that's a big BUT...the carpet!!!!!!!!!!!!  It is green...and I mean green!  

Please excuse the exhausted dog & glaring cat above, they are not sure about this color combination either! They have been discussing what we should replace it with.  Hardwood? Carpet? Risk that there is hardwood under it?  Such decisions...