Just wanted to show the progress of my new master bedroom...still needs decorating but finally getting somewhere....

The wall colour is darker than in it shows in the photos but I'm very happy with how it's all coming together.

Our ensuite is almost finished, just waiting on the shower screen to be fitted so until I have a full "after" photo for you I thought I'd share this little idea for our vanity. I purchased an old pot cupboard and a separate basin for the top.

This is the before of the cupboard which I later decided to paint as it clashed with the tiles. Our plumber just hooked everything up and it is now a proper working basin.



I also got this for our towels to hang on instead of the usual towel rail.

Yes time for a change...and also decided on a whole new name for my blog as I haven't been happy with Shabby Windsor Cottage...originally when I started this blog I was all about Shabby Chic and just loved the style however whilst doing all these renovations and basically getting to start from scratch in some rooms and use what I have in others I have come to discover that I don't actually feel that it is for me...although I do still love to see other people's homes decorated in this style and do have a few elements of Shabby Chic in my home.

I guess I'm just decorating to what I like and mixing it up a little...vintage, french country, cottage whatever takes my fancy and just trying to put it altogether. So hope you like my new look (not sure how long this one will last) and the above makes some sense!

And because I don't like posting without a photo...thought I'd share what my holiday cottage is going to look like one day...he he. These come from the movie The Holiday and this was Kate Winslet's little home. It is a must see movie (even just for the decor!). I know everyone has probably seen these a million times but I love them.

(photos are from Cote De Texas not sure of original source)

Just gathering ideas for our lounge room. The first picture below is some inspiration for this room.

I had plans to get our existing lounge slip covered, however I just discovered that it would be cheaper for me to buy 2 new ones!

Love the Aubusson style rugs and pillows pictured below, going with the blue tones and I have an existing storage box that I will paint and put little legs on as pictured below and use this for the coffee table. I will also use my existing display cabinet and am on the look out for an old side table/cabinet for an empty corner.

The walls are painted in my new favourite colour, Dulux Hogs Bristle with White Watsonia above the picture rail.

(source unknown sorry)

Antoinette Needlepoint

Ebay

Antoinette Needlepoint

A quick before and after on the buffet in the dining room. We have also painted over the yellow walls and used Hogs Bristle (my current favourite colour).

I did not realise how much time has flown by since I last posted...sorry about that! So much has been happening around here that it would make for a very long (and probably borish post) to tell you all about it. But suffice to say that things "have" been happening, blinds are all installed (photos to come later), carpet in new master bedroom is being layed tomorrow so will updated with photos on that as well.

But the most important thing about this past month was that my baby turned 4 on Sunday...I know everyone says that they can't believe how fast their little ones grow up but seriously...it is mind blowing how fast these past 4 years have gone and I am more in love with him everyday.

And of course the older they get the cheekier they get!!

This was his 4th birthday cake as he requested...Optimus Prime (Transformers) cake from his Aunty Lisa.

I promise I will be back with house photo updates....promise.

For my birthday in April my boss gave me a "weekend away" on him so I have been searching for somewhere to stay. Whilst searching on the Internet looking for B&B's or Cottages to stay at I came across these...how gorgeous are they? They are located in Asheville in the United States (sorry not sure where this is?).

Biltmore Village Inn

1899 Black Walnut B&B

1899 Wright Inn

Hmmm...now to decide which one to stay at....think I'll go with Wright Inn.

Off to pack my bags.

So this is what I've been up to the last week or so...painting, painting and more painting...and still not finished. Although don't think that will be possible for a long time yet!!

I decided to tackle the dining & lounge room as I was definitely over the yellow. Here is the mess we have been living with! I do love this new colour, although it doesn't come up very well with my camera. It is called Hogs Bristle by Dulux and everything seems to go well with it.
Also thought I would show some before and afters of our extension/renovation of the outside as I don't think I have put them on here before. There is still a way to go mind you. I just love seeing before & afters on peoples blogs...

I didn't get to take a photo of the back "before" they started demolishing it but basically it just had a big covered deck coming straight out of the back (coming out of the french doors stepping straight onto the deck) and it also had an outside laundry which is now inside.

We removed the old garage as it was on a major lean and made of asbestos (which my darling father & husband removed - carefully!!). We are all amazed that it was actually still standing as there were only 3 posts still touching the ground. It was replaced by a slightly bigger than single garage (and not for use by the car...oh no, it presently holds all the stuff we can't fit into the house!!).

And to finish up with my gorgeous little man...and yay he finally fits his Thomas jumper that my Nan made him. This is an extra special jumper and a long time in the making. Thanks Nan xx.