4.2.17

Old room, new room


Since the day Andy and I moved into the cottage over four years ago, the front room has been a dumping ground for removal boxes. The boxes have shifted about a bit, more added and some of them even unpacked, though not until much later. Boxes, especially when sealed for some time, can be memory sinks and I avoided them for the first couple of years.


When Joe moved in last year,  we tidied it up a bit, so that he had space for his computer and model collection. But last month we tackled it properly. First we went through the attic and sorted that out. We had a jolly good clear out.

 

Eight boxes of books and many boxes of odds and ends went to charity shops. My record collection, which I've had since I was sixteen, is sacrosanct and not going anywhere.

 

Although just to get it out of the way, it now lives under the stairs. All of the boxes were sorted through, and many things went in the attic to be dealt with another time.


Then the other week at the local auction, we picked up this battered old bureau for almost nothing. Nobody wanted it and I paid the ridiculous price of £11 for it. We had no idea where it would go, but we did save it from the skip.




Brian-next-door helped me get it home the next day, in his trailer.



And then it found its way into the newly tidy front room. You can actually see the nice little fireplace now and I have a work bench almost ready for action. (I have several old sewing machines and some old filing drawers to tidy up, but that's another story).



Like the rest of the cottage, the walls are still in the parlous state they were when Andy died, after we'd stripped them down ready for renovation. There's no money to do anything with them at the moment,and the electrics need doing anyway. So they have to stay 'interesting' and 'rustic'. But we don't mind. It's home.



If I'm not around much, it's not necessarily because there is anything wrong. I'm still in the process of rebuilding my life and healing from the carnage of the last few years; working out what happens next, especially with my career. Whether Joe and I are able to stay here is still very much moot point, but at least we finally have an almost respectable front room - even if it is a little scruffy and eccentric by ordinary standards.

9 comments:

Karren said...

What a marvelous slightly scruffy, fascinating home you have. As long as it works for you, that's all that matters. So nice to hear that you are making progress in your life. We who watch your blog are happy for you. May you have many happy hours in front of that wee fireplace together with Joe. Such a deal on that beautiful dresser.

Lyn said...

I agree with Karren above, so glad you are sorting space and mind one step at a time xxx

Frances said...

Dear Gretel, bravo to you on keeping those records! I am the same way with all my albums from back in the 1960s, 70s, 80s...even if no longer have anything to play them on at present.

I also compliment you and Joe on the auction find, and on your being able to transform that front room. Well done. The right time for that sorting arrived and you all recognized it. xo

Mac n' Janet said...

Home is where you are with the people you love, the surroundings don't really matter.

Vicki said...

Just look at this cozy little room! How nice it would be to curl up with a book and sip a cup of tea and wait for inspiration to come calling and get one creating. How different this is from my home but so much more comforting and cozy and I love the old walls.
Find your way at your own pace and in your own time. I hope that joy and happiness shall find you if you don't seem quite able to find them. Blessings.

Acornmoon said...

Sorting through boxes of memories is indeed a tough one but well done you for tackling at least some of them. It is good to see your cosy cottage again, I think your new furniture find is a treasure, what a bargain! I am sure it will soon be filled with your books and creations.



Penhill said...

I do hope you can stay in your cottage,the room looks lovely and cosy.Also never underestimate the value of a kind and helpful neighbour,I speak from experience having suffered the other kind!

Granny Sue said...

There is so much in this post, Gretel. Hard stuff, good things, future ideas, and most of all a sense of moving ahead. I am so happy to see your front room again and remember our visit with you in September. I loved your home, and you and Joe. Sending love and hugs across the water.

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

love that piece of furniture you showed. A "secretary" I believe. I've been looking for one and one fell right into your hands! lucky you.