Master bedroom: before and after

I love 'before and after' posts on interior blogs.....or in magazines, for that matter. I love seeing, side by side, the complete transformation. From dull to dazzling! Do you like 'before and afters'? Is it just me?!<br /><br />I realised I hadn't done any specific 'before and after' posts. So...I thought I'd do my very own!<br /><div><div><div><div><div></div><br /><div>Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Master Bedroom: before and after. Here is the first before shot, taken before we moved in:<br /><br /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505926750516967634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYBplvQYjxjK0TwSgt7f5ILZf67RKiOB1s6adfU56MIT24RkEzPm4AXIC9I9irCHueYNen9Z5OtiwqQvo1ze9PiYUYLROhiXv6erg9pDGprJqLVF0iTomWUPa3HY-mFueXJkj7TlHd3Lf/s400/106_0611.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><br /><div></div><div>List of hideousness:<br /><br /></div><div>Not one, but two, TWO hideous borders. Open hanging rail wardrobe thing. Flimsy tongue and groove covering the lower half. Orange pine shelving unit. What can only be described as a gaping hole in the wall (with broken glass in the bottom). Bed position breaks the room in half, visually and practically.</div><br /><div></div><div>.....and after the renovation: </div><br /><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505929375290974562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju2g66g2rJGXkQF9c3gdSU0FKprl9zlEaWdoG_-aP1YgJLv25woaiFsIBSPbOHcX-UYWWymsdYESCCYMEhD4rr9uB6KYoexOZzcyp6ggAvSrarww7slelR5fTzdgg5Y9RK6lEhCHROw37/s400/1july10+011.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505926762308178194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTtem-qhpCRkVDXPgR5cOrXMLbRp6Q4sCedaGjUJzXwhRzB6QJ9fh59xTY39dBUsCrVJ8AKhFZNlnldhQHbUQn12qDtfx2W9aZW4ZTeJ55RXmCXRX59TpEqqFasCG38jW92EOJyzHxN1Z/s400/1july10+200.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><br /><div></div><div>We had builders and carpenters and plumbers and electricians and plasterers and decorators in to:<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>rip out the shelving unit;</div><div>rip out the hanging rail;</div><div>reposition the attic hatch outside the bedroom;</div><div>remove the tongue and groove and TWO borders (!);</div><div>move the door by 90 degrees so that we could reposition the bed;</div><div>put in two large Velux windows, rather than the teeny tiny ones in before;</div><div>reposition the radiator under the sloping roof to give more usable wall space;</div><div>build cupboards to look like original Edwardian cupboards to match the age of the house;</div><div>move the light switch and light;</div><div>move the plugs from on the beams to above the skirting board;</div><div>change the door and door handle and architrave around the door;</div><div>fit a new skirting board.</div><div></div><div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505926779573905442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7mDcrl6iKs6L5H8cPi7xIPqHf9V9wT6G7g2u-Dh5iLlVVyjGzLW8MMF1FrdHc86EbZomyH8AZvOJyQm1956gH5RBHGV0pHRyLXQdQzGDZX7ryRmBOszvwlTi5_s7o2CsCWiJ7LnGFHnR/s400/1july10+180.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></div><div></div><div>Another before:</div><div></div><div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505926746536536706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCL0YU5nGeaz9uYhWkY0_VOOVx8XpRtGYvE4xbyxUXxwazJRDqKKDyW9bzSmuMjNhnB4EskCJSAFunQFjNsDEVHFJjYzROYZ2LV6UfUtDG5jdH9NQEH-SlJxL3OFbhbRSChXYs4vFmNIt/s400/106_0610.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div></div></div></div></div><br />Why they chose those windows in the first place, I'll never know! The new ones make the room lovely and bright.<br />We had the walls painted in Farrow and Ball Light Blue, which is possibly my favourite colour ever.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505926763589256690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-eBj6Si1nvmHH-fUluKrfNonebC43v8rKyDkMFaZn3exUqampVQYkWeGLOmZdYnayg0zFp9JAgkLBz02v14ZOmgjBDh8xyuLOFYIbq5gkUYwhrtjsUxCHreYQHY145mBLPVFkYXhFQYl/s400/1july10+196.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /><br />It was a wonderful moment when it was, at last, completed (this along with two other rooms downstairs). The house was back to ourselves (although, I should add the workmen were fantastic on the whole). <br /><br />We had gorgeous weather on Sunday afternoon. I hope you had a lovely weekend. Aren't those two days off heavenly?

Master bedroom: before and after

I love 'before and after' posts on interior blogs.....or in magazines, for that matter. I love seeing, side by side, the complete tr...

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I started so I'll finish (honest!)...

It's time for a confession. I know I said in my last <a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com/2010/07/another-home-made-snuggly-cushion.html">snuggly cushion post </a>that it would be only a day's pondering to decide how to finish my second snuggly cushion. Well....I'm afraid I didn't pick it up again until yesterday. Actually, that's a lie (to further add to my list of crafting sins!): I <em>had</em> picked it up the odd time, only to sigh and put it right back down again.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502298152661283698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXtlW_IbNVnQO5_x1YfOBbJiCL6DA108YDrHkfxopdv2Q_qSrTvxgZmnvTTAW8W1QwU4bG5RGTCK-9yL1ajj4aLDiLe03GjZ3AfeucJnE5PwqICuwsuhZUOFZMHxxgULnxJpUyl6aj0ul/s400/13july10+074.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope I have redeemed myself somewhat, because, yesterday, I (drum roll, if you please)....finished it! </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>I had a Eureka moment (very much like a blinding flash, I find. ;-) ) and decided that the opening could be the ornamentation (I don't even know if that's a word. But if it's not then it should be!).</div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502303929430151458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQM3PYrTqPHgcLhYKtOuH9anQGUWBijJi-ZsXAFMDJj6SktdKEvBRyqlEBB_vunDp0eB4p7iq6t5nQdmDs94iIMMz2NC_D6AFzhBqrnMKVSeq_baHsp4ev60ItrhsCw1LbZZwdDCCvuX_o/s400/5aug10+149.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /><br /><div></div><div>I used mother of pearl buttons (do you recognise a theme here at Modern Country Style? Yes, I like mother-of-pearl buttons and I'm proud of it!) to form the closing, at one end. I needed them to be closely spaced so it wouldn't be gappy and show the inner peeking through. </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>I used two sizes of button in a three-medium-then-one-small repeat kind of pattern. To be honest, that started because I used the wrong sized button on my third go but I kind of liked the variation so kept it up.</div><div></div><div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502298127262836194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvZ7hQmWqZ55r8YbESZwiJgpefmg2I1w8bhusnXfh1zMpnSIqTvvLG-3RYeKCWTJDnzjm59VO3ESbHVbSBkPU0SlUfs6Q2gaad3sCIOKVYHC0LbweC42byGJWx8JiwYhbaocq1D12ho7K/s400/5aug10+144.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502298132826684562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd5ibA4lMQgkXxRxszLZSvQfb4O3HO1wULpFlg1b-nZsrEUPF-L297XrOguGYsubZXs08X40ZBTF_p-9Nk_u9m7tGEUDY1uzK7ccEAf20xNjNh4Vw2cudSx-UHMqYnk_k52z1Mbzo4aF3/s400/5aug10+147.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><br /><div></div><div>Yes, you're right, that was a lot of button sewing! But aren't the buttons pretty with their dull iridescent lustre. What's not to like?!</div><div></div><div><br />I sewed each button in the middle of a ribbed row of knitting as the potentially messy back bit was going to show on the outside otherwise. Now, instead, I hope it looks like a neat(ish!) seam from the back:</div><div></div><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502298139592253202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejQS4QhKt8OUVtd_hzepeRXpRnhKAJwof1ivhGwgVnU1ndOG1EMcZTQF8KgCreYY3-tTjzgLVMoa20BgXa4vGa7762AaR4XHLJUyFaKWHTFDYv1P_bYuU8esqndIiNm5RUElZOF7OjTvE/s400/5aug10+154.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>The two cushions look good together, I think. Matching snuggliness and out of one cardigan too!</div><div></div><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502298149945278130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRx0CZYT-3bo-TRPKnOwctl3glpkNn0pZ0yq2RtndTyESLubj58MZR_MFyKRCZxRwMA3zZHCcLQFKt01ZRUJO08Q6h-uC9go5X-24Sh0U-rZjHvJjBDwscMI9nX2mMY6Eg8qRG5VU26HBK/s400/5aug10+161.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></div><br /><div></div><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502303916031247042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTchE4YLsDdz1O2ZCb4GA6MML31QSwspaEwaajY-yWzns7oHJ8Bh2JUyIs0_HqPN6WrQMCkgkxvtDWZTCNhpuKzj79iMMVV_0n_F6WDBxQlno7rD8jjJ2InSshhnMjGECitV20eA2QIY9y/s400/5aug10+156.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />A big warm welcome, by the way, to you, especially if you are new to Modern Country Style. Have a good look around and do, please, make yourself right at home.</div><div><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502303923485599298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXED1IMt9iUSKRavLjRqxYV7tURspcAIbZRnB7xzx6b-JZQBN_V5UtY9Dms7Y0eh_fP8XHWcdyXoJ-wnspET7Be_a8PcyY7dRDijMqYXpyQDuumExgq_f7zCRGNMreWkemmRhyYn1xF78C/s400/5aug10+158.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/search/label/Iron%20Crafter" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503469318493721650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUMIQfNGO0Xaq1igw_m-9va_Xp-hUo-P3FAprbHV5htrpsboPjqnPrkH8kMt52ckbww5RoIcdsnWozcCTJAafAhM4kNxYqU2u6ldUSBvxIfntsrLwapwPG4QDzP_EABQUKKoeXwiNNmE/s400/iron+crafter+2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a>

I started so I'll finish (honest!)...

It's time for a confession. I know I said in my last snuggly cushion post that it would be only a day's pondering to decide how to f...

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Modern Country blog love...

Today, I'm sending some Modern Country Style blog love to <a href="http://vosgesparis.blogspot.com/">Vosges Paris</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhyphenhyphenRaW6zeOhepwwCl5nz6lt7PaNYMgJA7ARS2lWE4xPiI3aqGuftPQLcZ4VcSVdWfG9LgnbyomdnvUVJx_xT37WYreEknC0jo3cXziafm9xvQIbhFqUtZ3-c19qzOdlhHKNcqQzWtXmFf/s1600/tafel.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501116998708311058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhyphenhyphenRaW6zeOhepwwCl5nz6lt7PaNYMgJA7ARS2lWE4xPiI3aqGuftPQLcZ4VcSVdWfG9LgnbyomdnvUVJx_xT37WYreEknC0jo3cXziafm9xvQIbhFqUtZ3-c19qzOdlhHKNcqQzWtXmFf/s400/tafel.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br />Have you seen Vosges Paris blog? It's the phwoar of the blog world. Gorgeous, inspiring pictures. Her style is more industrial than mine but I love being stretched in all directions, and that is what this blog does. Vosges Paris (cool from the name down...) takes industrial and make it to-die-for. <br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501117004329114658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJHoMXFQ-MOOxwWi4z1KlbVI5JmKx8CraFN5wgoDnuIJxzR0FIquYazvRPp5VtOEepwH48o6mxT6d_8wXR-fStJAQCiptE6ctZ1WVCDyN5swcTS5rUFI3uRG1LIwlaESQxFkQ2W-3Wzq5/s400/040.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />Aren't these photos lush? They are all taken by Desiree, the owner of Vosges Paris, and are of her house.<br /><br />Before you know it, you are thinking in terms of zinc and rubber and white. See, you are, I know it!<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501116999104482306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9DDWTqziYvz3zFl7lF1u76EhQxu6fqhW5Y50MMy35TKxtJ0NU-zTuZYD7HHNn-hVphY1Yli7Uab9hyphenhyphenzn5_9dNGLxmGlGbP1ruk6At3yDogUJd-Rr9HdhX4o3fR6lf9QHRNzYYQ7y-w8A/s400/052.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />She has been blogging for much longer than me, 2 and a half years. It's so interesting to read interior blogs that are as old as this because you can watch a person's style develop and refine.<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501117011364578530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4F31M8jqrfCRrSvw3h7Pg2_qVyR_jp5FIwwWs7nK0g9xrPZbViWnf5bAq9NIH4S_3xYe2Hr-sFNm9zxvXPHpfHThk1YFcwnM-1Tt1t5X9pn0YP6exydleqhMUNERw5lvlQCYxIEwd8pBG/s400/8.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />In the words of Desiree, the blog is 'all about decorating my home, photography, interior design, memories, my love for beaches, the seaside, warm countries, city life, all things French and Italian, the color grey, Nordic white, concrete, rusty items, industrial furniture and a touch of nature. '<br /><br />I want this sign: sooooo cool!.<br /><p><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501117014299137058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFpnI2GW9I7uehfZLEAtzX350Wq7kmJTRyeMMmOZWaC5LYsi9-DuhjwczBZDkTRuyjvnEbB4z1Twxr8nD10qwb0PXoL323WiZ70urm5SHQketFGKloI9xGrhUnjK25mXWN_RffZxN9GoR/s400/008.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></p><p>Have a look and let me know if you agree...</p>

Modern Country blog love...

Today, I'm sending some Modern Country Style blog love to Vosges Paris . Have you seen Vosges Paris blog? It's the phwoar of the blo...

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