Tuesday 7 January 2020

Lounge Makeover

It is blowing a gale outside with winds reaching 75 mph.  The electric has been flickering a little and keeps goes on and off so time will tell if I get this post done today or not.  We are just about to light the stove and have soup ready and sandwiches in case it does.  There are no ferries today and they were cancelled yesterday too.  It has become part of Island life and barely has any effect on our lives at all.  We always have a fully stocked store cupboard and freezer as well as plenty of logs and kindling for the stove and for that we do feel very blessed.  It must be hard for those who struggle financially to keep extras in.  Whilst the peat is free it is hard work digging it up and drying it out.  I do love the smell of peat burning as it permeates from the chimneys around the village, bringing some wonderful images of a bygone era.  Did any of you watch Call the Midwife over Christmas?   The Christmas edition was filmed here on the Outer Hebrides and showed some of the beautiful scenery that we sometimes take for granted and some of the hardships endured back in the 50s.

Gerard and I have finally manged to get our little cottage back to some normality, all the Christmas decor has been packed away ready for another year.  It took awhile to get things packed away and rearrange the furniture but we are happy with the results.  We painted the lounge before Christmas and shopped the cottage to find accessories to match.  A cupboard was built in along with shelves giving extra storage and all the pipework from the work to the bathroom have now finally been boxed in.  All in all it is pleasing to the eye and comfortable using things we already had so not costing a fortune.


I love the stag head handles adding to the hint of a Scottish theme.


The table cloth I made using a remnant of stag fabric and added some ribbon to the candles.



I did make some napkin rings to add a little glamour.



I crocheted a table mat for the newly stained box we are using as a coffee table.  The wine cooler holds a set of bulb lights which are battery operated so very handy when the power is off.



It is fresh, warm and cosy.  We were amazed how little we needed to spend as we already had the wood, paint and as said previously we shopped our cottage for the accessories.  We now intend to give our bedroom a little facelift to freshen it up and shopping the cottage once again is definately on the agenda.

Do you buy everything new when you decorate or do you shop your home for new ideas?

Thank you so much for your wonderful comments and your warm welcome back to blogging.  Both Gerard and I have found the whole experience so very humbling and feel so blessed by this amazing community.

See you soon.

70 comments:

  1. Reading your blog gives me a warm,cosy feeling.

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  2. Agree with above!
    And everything looks lovely!!!!

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  3. Sometimes new, sometimes from around the house and alter. Lately though, if we have the money, often new. Does your lounge door lead straight outside or into a porch?

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  4. Beautiful. We haven't bought new furniture for ages. Our house is a rented 3 bed semi, so it's a good size, but we don't have a lot of furniture as we don't like clutter. In the lounge we have 2 sofas, 2 small side tables and coffee table, 2 pouffes and the TV. We move things about the house for a change from time to time too. Best, Jane x

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  5. Looks warm and cosy.
    I watched the Midwives and loved seeing the Hebridean scenery.

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  6. Nothing like a cozy home !!!!!
    Hug
    Anna

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  7. It looks warm and cozy, fresh and clean...can’t ask for more. I always enjoy reading about your menu with a weather description thrown in for further coziness. I’m three hours from lunchtime and already thinking about soup and sandwiches. 😏 (Yes, I love shopping the house.)

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  8. Warm regards to you :-) So nice that I found your blog.
    I got to know peat and peat cutting in September last year... i was in Kerry for 14 days and it was so wonderful. I was in an English-speaking country for the first time and was so excited that I am now learning English. I live in East Germany and write my blog in Norwegian because we travel there a lot.
    Thank you for showing and describing such wonderful pictures, I am very happy to see them.
    Happy New Year to you. Viola

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  9. How warm and cozy this looks!!!!!!!

    And I love to see inside the homes of Dear Bloggers. But I guess, we all do.

    Terms... "Lounge".. Is this, what we call, the Hearth Room? Where we sit, in the evening. Etc. Ours has our fireplace, couch and favorite chairs, and tv. I think they are the same thing. Just different names.

    ⛄😊⛄

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  10. Every thing in our house, is placed where it "has" to be placed. Where it has proved to be the best spot, for years. So we don't rearrange.

    And we only buy, what we need, for the house. We do not re-decorate.

    Guess that answers your question...

    ⛄😊⛄

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  11. You're looking really smart for the new year, those touches of red make it look so cosy while the wind is battering away outside.

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  12. Hello,
    I shop my home, and my garage. I also keep my eyes open at second hand stores and yard sales.

    Do you mind me asking whereabouts you live? Your post was intriguing. I live im Missouri USA right in the middle.

    Be blessed,
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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  13. Good Morning Lorraine. (It's morning here anyway.) I loved seeing your home. The cottage always looks so warm and welcoming. How brilliant of you to have battery operated lights handy and ready to use. They look great there on the box too. I can just imagine visiting and spending hours there by the fire, listening to the wind howl. A nice cup of tea and good conversation. What could be better?
    I'm praying for you and Gerard. Please keep us updated on your health too my friend.
    Blessings and love,
    Betsy

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  14. Good morning. I like the stag head theme you've got going with the tablecloth, cupboard handles and pillow. It all looks very cozy and warm, just the ticket for January weather. There's been wind here, too, and ferry cancellations. Tis the season.
    Enjoy your cozy home.

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  15. Oh, I hit the publish button before answering your question - yes, shopping our home is what we do most often when freshening things. We did a furniture shuffle over Christmas when some strong backs were available to help.

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  16. I always shop our home, Lorraine. Your new built in looks great and so cozy in your lounge. You and Gerard have a wonderful place to stay inside and enjoy! We did see the Call the Midwife Christmas special. I thought of you both immediately! It's so lovely where you live, my friend!

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  17. I love your question. I recently "shopped" my closet to redecorate some areas. Feels good to use it and see it, and not have to buy so much new. Love the look you did!

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  18. Yes I enjoyed that episode of Call the Midwife. Your home looks so cozy.

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  19. I do shop our home when the mood to "redecorate" moves me. I also like to shop thrift stores. Your home looks very cozy and inviting... keeping your warm and safe against those strong winds!

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  20. It's very cozy. I love all the special little things you did to make it that way.

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  21. Bravo on giving your cozy home a fresh bright look for the new year! We also packed away our xmas decor and tree and I have a bright tablecloth on the dining table and did some dusting and glass cleaning and it looks nice.

    I get a few new things here and there but don't get ALL new when changing the look of our home.. mostly I also "shop" from what we already have.

    I'm glad you're back! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  22. I wasn't sure what you meant about shopping the cottage at first. That's a great little sentence and perfectly describes the practice. I love to change things around a bit and seldom need to buy anything

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  23. We've had a BIG clean today after taking down all our Christmas tree, lights and cards. Like you we now feel cosy, tidy and fresh and its also lovely to be back to normal days.

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  24. We watched the Call the Midwife that was filmed in the Outer Hebrides and enjoy the scenery ( as well as the show itself).
    Your cottage is looking very cheery!

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  25. It looks lovely MM.....and those stag door handles are beautiful.
    We saw Call The Midwife and enjoyed it very much.
    Hugs-x-

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  26. Wow...75 mile an hour winds are like a tornado!! That would cause a lot of damage.
    Your house looks wonderful. It looks all fresh and new. Very cozy and inviting. You did a super job!!!
    Debbie
    xo

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  27. Your lounge looks very welcoming. I love it.

    God bless.

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  28. I love your cozy cottage - perhaps partly because I have the same grey armchairs! :-)
    I have just finished packing away the Christmas decorations, moving furniture around and shopping my apt. to do a bit of redecorating. I switched out cushion covers and throws - moved books & other items between cabinets and I'm quite pleased with the results. It also gave me the chance to clean and declutter so I feel as though I'm starting the year off in a good way.
    I think that I will make a big pot of soup this weekend as we are expecting some foul weather and I plan on staying home! Hope those gales die down soon.

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  29. Shopping your cottage sounds like a great idea. I still have items put away in containers. Have a lot of Christmas items I need to go thru and pass on to other people. Windy this evening and rainy. Cozy in the house. Good idea to stock up on items we need for storms and earthquakes. You need to take care of self after disaster happens. A friend of mine was looking for a metal gas can so when could have gas in case something happens to oil in the the Middle East. I enjoy seeing interior of your cottage. Many lovely pieces! I need to get little tree down soon. Hugs and have a blessed week!

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  30. We were on Western Isles over the xmas period. Particularly enjoyed the Heritage trail and the East side of the Island which we have often overlooked in the past. And yes the ferries were disrupted, its a chance you have to take. Blog to follow. Warm wishes, Mark.

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  31. Your lounge looks very cosy, you have avoided the 'dull' look that always seems to follow taking christmas decorations down:)

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  32. what a cosy and welcoming space. I hope your electricity stays on!!

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  33. Happy New Year, Lorraine! Oh, your lounge does look so nice and cozy. I'm sure you're thrilled with the new built in and the extra storage! I've never experienced 75 mile an hour winds. Was that scary? I'm always impressed with your pretty crochet. Love your doily and the color is lovely too. Thank you for your sweet comments.
    Here's to blogging with you in 2020!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  34. Your home looks so nice cosy. I did shop last week and found some Christmas ornaments at 75% off. I am getting rid of some also.
    Greeting from Canada. Thelma.

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  36. Such a cozy little spot you've created in the lounge, new paint does such wonders, and it is always fun to shop at home, and just rearrange a few things! That 75 mph wind sounds crazy! I hope you manage to keep the electricity on! I've never smelled burning peat, but I'm sure it must have a very unique smell. Enjoy the cozy of your newly redone space :)

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  38. Imlike your idea of looking around your home to re-use items already there, Lorraine. We have done the same. When we relocated to NH from VA and before that from NJ we kept furniture and other items from previous homes including book cases, small tables and accessories. We did buy new BR furniture and a new dining table after selling previous ones. The fire sounds warm and cozy.

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  39. oh my goodness........75 mph winds are no fun! You are wise to keep everything stocked up! Your home is so pretty and cozy! I hardly ever buy anything ......we have abundance to re use in other areas,

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  40. I watched Call The Midwife and thought of you. Your lounge looks lovely and I love the idea of "shopping the cottage". It's good to have you back. x

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  42. Your lounge looks very welcoming and cozy.
    xx Beca

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  43. Very nice! Most of what I have is from my parents' home or antiques I've found second hand. I love old furniture, lamps, and decor.

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  44. Very cosy mama! I like the way to decorated the table even thought there are just two of you - I think it shows a care and zest for life. Jo xx

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  45. Your lounge looks wonderful — bright and cozy! We did watch the Christmas Call the Midwives special and just loved the scenery and thought of you while watching. Happy New Year to you and yours.

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  46. It really looks so warm and cozy in your house ! We have celebrated our 50 wedding anniversary, are still living in the same house and still have the same furniture in the living only the bedrooms changed when our son moved out. If I find something nice second hand, I don't hesitate, I don't need new, it has to please me that's all !

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  47. Just running my latest blog by you as you live on the enchanting isle of Lewis pauseandreset.blogspot.com best wishes, Mark.

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  48. Where did you move from, if you don't mind my asking? I ask as my best friend has worked in the Outer Hebrides a few times now and absolutely loves the place and might make the move one day.

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  49. I love what you've done, it looks so snug. We are juts about to redo our lounge. It will be a work in progress as I will pick up bits as I go.

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  50. Hello, good to see you back and the cottage looks fabulous! I like all your little details and the stag touches. The throws and rugs look very cosy and all the colours work well. We built a shelf when we redecorated using some wood we had left next to my two seater as my table wouldn't fit. I much prefer to use what we have, paint it up or shop the charity shops. I redid my mums 70's chairs to match my décor that she was throwing out last year, it is much more satisfying to re-use when you can. Keep safe and warm. x

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  51. Thanks for a tour of your latest cozy lounge makeover, Lorraine. I especially admire the clever stag head handles and your crocheted table mat. Even after a super major downsizing before moving into my condo a year ago I can still go shopping in my closets for makeover materials to change the seasonal decor around me :)
    When I moved in I took the two storage/seating chests I used separately in my former living room and grouped them together in front of a new hide-a-bed sofa here to use as a coffee table although they can still be moved around and used for extra seating as well. xx

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  52. Very cozy. I like the tartans and the way you make use of what you have. A nice, inviting, warm place to gather in the stormy weather. Phil, MN

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  54. I think your home looks so warm, cozy and inviting.

    The winds have been very strong recently in many parts of the UK. Stay safe and warm.

    All the best Jan

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  55. All looks so cozy and inviting there! You done great.
    We always have almost everything on hand here when I do re-arranging and moving rooms. I even keep tubs of paint from our rental so we have paint on hand most of the times.
    As for decorations, i always just "Shop" around my own home. lol. It always appears new to me when in a new spot.
    -Lisa

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