Monday 1 September 2014

DIY .... a family affair in this house

I wanted to share the following for a long time with you but there was still something missing .... curtains !
Now they finally hang I can't wait to show you what my husband kept very busy this past Spring.

It all started by buying new covers for my Ektorp sofas you can see here. I bought the sofas several years ago with the Blekinge white covers but wanting something different I decided to go for the also natural but more coloured Risanne natural cover.

Once home I put them on the sofa and it just didn't felt right. What followed next was that within minutes the whole room was turned upside down (by me if that wasn't obvious yet) leaving a gap in the bay window where used to be one of our two sofas ....




I don't understand why I didn't come up with this idea earlier because how perfect a seat would fit in my bay window . Luckily my husband was also enthusiastic being the one who should make it. And like always one thing leads to another, because we also decided to replace the single cabinets for built in on either side of the window.

Quite a project, but what I love about my family is that with this kind of 'adventures' our boys are always supportive. In this case having a son who is in his last year of the Academy of Architecture the design of this idea was quickly outsourced ....




When the design was finished building could begin and eventually took many weekends to complete. In the beginning under 'close supervision' of the designer himself, including testing and drinking coffee. At the end my husband was a bit fed up with the whole project, being busy with it for many weekends. So it was a welcome surprise that our youngest son ( who really isn't into DIY at all) volunteered to give him a hand with the painting.




It was a long project but I'm still so very pleased with the end result and of course very proud of my husband. Beyond the fact that we now have more seats it also makes the space much larger ....




Because the back of the seat is tilted, it's also really comfortable ....




I bought the foam seat cushion at the market where I also found this beautiful fabric to upholster the seat ....




So very pleased how the old dressing table stool that belonged to my mum also found his new destination in my home ....




The door knobs are from Sissy-Boy Homeland ....




The linen curtains AINA are from Ikea and have just the natural look that I was looking for. They also have the perfect curtain rod combination for a bay window for sale with as accessory this corner connector . The beautiful heart shaped garland was a gift from the lovely Kate from Oyster Bridge & Co ....




The warm air of the central heating circulates through vents ....




By the length of the curtain, there was enough left to also make curtains for the side window (even managed to squeeze out a skirt) by using the following gathering tape ....




Since it's finished it has been the centre of birthday celebrations , family gatherings and favourite
chill space of the son who has his own home for over a year now but still spends quite some
time at home .... 




And for me it's my special place in the morning, enjoying the morning sun just like these
two little sheep ....




Now we're on the subject sun .... in spite the arrival of Autumn they forecast an Indian Summer for this upcoming week, enjoy it!

Anita
~xo~

17 comments:

  1. It looks absolutely stunning, and how lovely that it was a whole family affair.

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    1. Aww ... thank you and I guess it makes it even more special, to have done it as a family! Anita xx

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  2. How lovely it is. It adds such warmth to your home being a cozy spot to rest in. Your curtains are lovely too bringing another layer of comfort. xxo

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    1. It really is Kerrie .... a cosy spot I still enjoy every day! Anita xx

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  3. Hello Anita. You must be so pleased with your project as it is absolutely beautiful and so right for the room. Actually, I know Kate and have the same heart garland above the fireplace in my dining room, as well as some of her hand made cards which I plan to frame, they are so lovely! Perhaps I should do a post on all the lovely things I have incorporated into my home and which I have found in her family's shop in Suffolk over the years. What a coincidence!

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    1. Hi Marianne, that's really a coincidence. I don't know Kate personally but I shared her work on my FB page. As a (really not necessary) thank you she send me not only the beautiful garland but after asking what my favourite flowers are also two (especially made for me) cards, how sweet is that! 'm also still looking for the right frame. If I'm in Suffolk I will definitely visit their store. And not a bad idea at all to do a post about the lovely things you have in your home of these very talented ladies! Anita xx

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    2. She is such a lovely girl. The shop is in Long Melford and is called Rosehip. I hope you do visit Suffolk one day - it a very beautiful county and very convenient from Holland xx

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  4. wonderful family project!
    I love built ins and window seats and this is simply the best of both worlds.
    the perfect reading spot.

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  5. Wat woon je prachtig Anita en wat is je window seat geweldig geworden. Dat is iets waar ik ook nog altijd van droom. Complimenten aan je mannen!

    Fijne avond,

    Madelief x

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    1. Dankjewel Madelief en ik zal de complimenten overbrengen! Anita xx

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  6. Oh yes yes yes it looks absolutely fabulous!! I must say your boys did a marvellous job doing that!! As for the final touches 10/10 to you my dear! You really have made a complete transformation and I love every inch of it! Sending you much love (ps really love and appreciate all your lovely comments and support on IG, I value our friendship!). xoxo

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    1. Aww .... thanks Hannapat and that feeling is certainly mutual! Anita xo

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  7. Oh Anita, how gorgeous it all is! You have so much class and style! xo Jen

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    1. Thanks Jen, that's so sweet of you to say! Anita xo

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  8. Hi Dear,
    just found you and don't want to leave without posting a comment! Absolutely adorable. You do have an excellent taste! Looks like you all had fun together!!!
    All the best to you and your family from Austria
    Elisabeth

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    1. Thanks for your visit and the lovely comment! Anita x

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