I thought I’d explain why I’ve been a bit quiet. You, my regular readers, may not have noticed but my friends in the Blogosphere will have done! Well, the renovation of my tiny little London flat has started!
After pondering for what seems like forever we have decided not to move and stay in London. Once our mind was made up it was guns blazing! At present we are renovating the two bedrooms. It’s been a big upheaval I’m not going to lie!
Plus a couple of hiccups along the way but my little spare room is well underway and I thought I would share some of the renovation progress so far.
who’s big idea was it to do two rooms at once?!!
I came up with the idea of doing two rooms at once. Budgeting as per, I decided to do it that way. One delivery of wardrobes for two rooms, get it all done as quickly as possible. Ha! Who was I kidding? I didn’t give how much space all those flat packs would take. Oh well!
Plus I didn’t allow for a small pipe in our measurements, and when the first lot of wardrobes were put together it was like square peg round hole!
My room renovation is nearly finished first
My room, I call it that because that’s where my clothes are kept. A guest room I should say but because it’s easier for us to visit family rather than they try and cramp themselves here.
I want to take my filming more seriously this year so I wanted to work around that too. You can find my channel here ( wink wink!)
I can’t tell you how happy I am with the new wardrobes. I had two three-door pine wardrobes in an L shape but now I have a whole run of floor to ceiling wardrobes across one wall. So instead of one rail, I’ve put in double rails to take more clothes.
I’ve had to have a huge cull too. Sad to see so many good clothes go but I just can’t keep it all! I will be setting up shop online somewhere or it will go to the charity shop. I’m going to need a step up for those wardrobes though!
I want my room to be bright and feminine
I’ve painted the whole room White (Best for filming) and the wardrobes are White too. White and Silver or White and Gold? I’m still deciding. but I want it to be bright and feminine.
New skirting, coving, all the boring stuff has been done. I’m on the hunt for some sort of unit to go into the room and haven’t quite found what I have in mind yet. I’ve been thinking more about how to store everything.
The flowers were a gift from Mum around two years ago. She was Peony Flowers mad! I kept this arrangement boxed until the room was done or for a new home. Shame she’s not here to see it.
In pride of place next to that is her trinket box that she was given as a wedding present. I love it.
I love this Silver Tray from Laura Ashley. I purchased this in the sale a couple of weeks ago. It’s available in Gold too and I might get that as well! A bargain at £30.00
Trying to preserve space I bought loads of sticky hooks. I used these before in my other wardrobes. I hang everything from belts, fashion jewellery, scarves and lightweight clothing. I even hang my sunglasses on them!
I have this long shoe caddy but if you have watched any of my films you may have been able to see the piles of shoe boxes! I’ve ordered four more to store my shoes in and I found Ikea to sell the best ones.
I will share the whole room with you when it’s finished. I’m just starting to edit the film I’ve been shooting. Do you have any space saving ideas? Do share!
Right. I will carry on emptying the bags and hanging it all up! Erm, I think I need a step up too!
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Xo Laurie
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An exciting project! I have zero tips to give back to you at the moment unfortunately, as we are on the first leg of properly sorting out our bedroom. I love the idea of floor to ceiling wardrobes. Where did you find them? We are looking into whether to buy something or getting it made. Thanks for joining us for the #dreamteam Laurie xx
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These are the Ikea Pax wardrobes, Annette. You can buy them in two different heights. I’ve had them before and really impressed with the quality xx
Yes you have been quiet but we did know why. It’s going to be exciting when it’s all done. Funny as I grabbed a back of door hanger thing from my dad’s bedroom two days ago. As you know he died 15 months ago. It’s a pretty hanger so I’m glad I can use it.
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Yes I know what you mean Anna. The little things like that are so much more important once the parent is gone. My room is a little bit of a shrine to mum. xx
What a great idea to sotre the belts! Perfect. So the buckles won’t scratch and you always can see all what you have!!
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I’ve been using this method for some time Nicole! There will be a lot more hooks added. I store my sunglasses on them too xx
exciting! I hope it all comes out great for you and you get the room exactly how you want it. Thanks for linking up with us at #OMHGWW !
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Thank you! xx
It is so excited to give a new fresh look to your apartment. I’m looking forward to see more. Thank you for sharing with My Red Carpet.
Anna
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Thanks, Anna. I will be glad when it’s finished. It’s coming together slowly xx
My wardrobe is in definite need of a cull, but I’m such a hoarder, I rediscover old things and bring them out again paired with something new. I do like your belts on the door, I’m always loosing mine. #DremTeam
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Oh! I’m famous for that too. I’m a terrible horder and hate throwing stuff away xx
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Oh! I’m famous for that too. I’m a terrible hoarder and hate throwing stuff away xx
Can’t wait to see more L ! I love the pull out draw racks from IKEA for shoes they fit in the bottom and you can see exactly what you have !
Xxx
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I looked at those but there wouldn’t have been enough room! xx Look forward to your thoughts when you visit
Wow you’ve been busy! I find that renovation often take so much longer than I plan on them taking.
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Well, mines going to take longer than I thought! My builder just had to quit! thanks for stopping by xx
You sound like you have some good plans going on. Good luck with them all.
I am planning to rip my kitchen out and build a new one myself. I just keep changing my mind on what I want!!
Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays Laurie.
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Good luck with that Claire. A much bigger project! I hope you’re going to share? xx
Gosh, you have been busy. I always love renovations, but it’s harder and longer than you always think..ha ha!!
XOXO
Jodie
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100% correct Jodie! I don’t think you realize how much work is involved and how long it takes. PLus allowances for mistakes! xx
That’s so exciting Laurie! I would love a walk in wardrobe. We are off out in a minute to look at areas to move too. We want to get away from the busy road we are near. But then there are aeroplanes to dodge as well. If it was a little more peaceful here I would stay put and do the house up instead. Looking forward to seeing more x Maria
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How exciting Maria! I love moving. I know most people hate it but I’ve always enjoyed moving. This is the longest I’ve stayed anywhere since I left home. I moved three times in a year once! xx
Oh so exciting! I can’t wait to see it all when it’s finished! I was at Ikea a few months ago looking at wardrobes and planning my dream wardrobe with their little online tool, haha! 🙂 If only I had more than the half wardrobe I have now (I share the master bedroom wardrobe with hubby!). One day I’d like more space 🙂
Hope that you had a wonderful weekend 🙂 I just posted my weekday wear linkup, I’d love you to join! 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
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Sorry I’ve missed that link up Mica. I will pop over next week xx
I hate the mess that decorating causes, usually worth it in the end though #anythinggoes@_karendennis
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Yep. I’m not enjoying the upheaval in my tiny flat! xx
Oh this is an exciting project. All that wardrobe space and a room for just you, your clothes and your camera. Wowee. I’m doing something similar and it all started as a simple mattress replacement. Hard work yes, but so exciting for you, you’re going to feel like a princess 👸 in your new room! Hope you keep us updated.
Hugs, Mary x.
thepoutingpensioner.blogspot.com
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I hope you’re going to share yours Mary! xx
Laurie, this is a difficult and stressful time but it is well worth it! I love the way you have displayed the precious things you salvaged from your Mum. You remind me of me – missing her terribly and having to go through everything also brings back some times that we thought were well buried. I’m still healing from it and it’s been 12 years in March! I’m glad you’ve been kind to yourself and you’re setting up the space for where you are going with your YouTube. Laurie I must register – I have watched a couple of your videos but because I’m not signed up I couldn’t comment and I’m terrible with technology!! Sorry for the essay and thank you so much for sharing and I look forward to following the progress!! Donna 🧚🏻♀️❤️🙏 donnadoesdresses.com
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Aw Donna. Just knowing that you are watching is enough. thank you xx
I am so looking forward to see the result. It can not be other then very elegant! Good luck till then.
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Still wading through the mess Nancy! Things are starting to take shape though xx
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I hope so Nancy! xx
How exciting Laurie, hubby and me are the type that start many jobs at the same time!! Quite often ends in disaster lol. I look forward to seeing your new rooms, thanks for sharing. Jacqui Mummabstylish
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Thanks Jacqui. Pretty busy but worth it I hope! xx
We were decorating before Christmas. Nothing major, well, there was a new radiator for the bathroom along with some new lights in the kitchen – The budget was running away I have to say. It’s fab when it’s all done though.
Alison
Xx
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I Know! Adding up all the items you need for a room reno and forgetting the little bits that you need is pretty surprising! xx
How exciting to be redecorating! We did all our rooms about 4 years ago, except the kitchen. I’m dreading doing the kitchen because it’s very small, galley-like, so no pleasure in doing it really. Those sticky hooks are a great idea.
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Exciting and nerve-wracking for me Gail. It took me four weeks to choose wallpaper! Glad you like the hook idea. I use them a lot xx
Laurie, as you know, I am vertically challenged too (a short arse). I have floor to ceiling wardrobes, with double rails, but the top tail has a handle that pulls down, so that the whole rail swings down. Might be worth looking into! I also have baskets in the bottom of my wardrobe. One for socks, tights etc, one for scarves, hats gloves and one for all my hair dryer, straighteners etc. Keep going, the end result will be amazing xx
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The rail sounds like a good idea Kerry. I will look into that. I’ve just bought a collection of baskets for the bottom of the wardrobes. Great minds eh? xx