Issue 05: August 2025

It’s been a slow, quiet summer which wasn’t planned, but was much needed – and now it’s back to grafting!

August has been a little different here at the farmhouse. We took a step back from sanding, painting and panelling to actually just chill out and spend some time together not covered in renovation dust! Family time has been the focus during the summer holidays, because from tomorrow my diary gets very full again when I return to work. Even so, progress has gradually ticked along.

Progress Peek:

The hallway is finally complete, and we absolutely love how it has turned out: it’s one of those spaces that makes the hard graft feel worthwhile every time you walk through it. The downstairs bathroom is well underway too, with only the wallpapering left to tackle. Just like the last makeover of that infamous room (haha), we’ve chosen something bold and characterful, which will hopefully tie the whole scheme in together nicely.

We’ve also taken the time to sit down and make proper plans for each remaining room, even working out budgets so we know exactly what we’re aiming for. Originally, we thought this whole house project would take us five years, but looking back, most of the downstairs has been completed in just a year and a half. It feels good to realise we’re moving much faster than we ever expected.

Farmhouse Finds:

Palette pick: Sulking Room Pink by Farrow and Ball. We’ve tested a few patches in Everly’s room and she (and we) love it! We originally sampled Cinder Rose which is much more baby pink, whereas Sulking Room Pink is a bit more sophisticated, dark and musky, which feels more in keeping with the vision I have for her room. Everly obviously has a big say but she is 3, so I’m afraid it can’t all be bouncy castles and Haribo machines. If it were, I’d never be out of there…

A brand I’m loving: R U Comfy. This company does such beautifully soft and gorgeous indoor and outdoor furniture, and have very kindly gifted us some giant beanbags and cushions for our garden. I was drawn to some of their frilly and striped range which are lovely and feminine to soften our modern garden sofa and table, and I’m so pleased with the result!

In The Details:

The next big job on our list is the family bathroom, and we’re determined to make it a real showpiece. Think Georgian panelling, a reinstated fireplace, and if we can stretch the budget, a statement bath that feels like a real ‘wow’ kinda thing. We want this space to balance old-world charm with modern cleanness and comfort – the kind of bathroom that feels calm, classic, and extremely fancy after a long day.

Beyond that, we’ve set our sights on something we’ve been dreaming about since moving in: turning the garden room into a library! This excites me a lot, so let me talk you through it… We picture floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a ladder on wheels (!) warm wood, maybe even a reading chair or two tucked by the window. It feels like the perfect counterbalance to the bigger, messier jobs, and basically a space that’s less about practicality and more about comfort and a bit of extra-ness, because why not?

Taking stock this summer has made us realise how far we’ve come. When we first moved in, we imagined five years of solid work before the house started to take shape. But here we are, just 18 months later, with most of downstairs already complete. It’s been faster (and occasionally more chaotic!) than we expected, but watching this house slowly become a home has been worth every bit of dust, paint splatter, and budget spreadsheet. And to be honest, you guys are a big reason as to why we’ve been able to do this quicker than we thought. If it weren’t for you following me, commenting and supporting my content, we wouldn’t have had the opportunities of working with the brands that we have, which has undoubtedly sped things up. So thank you, you absolute dreamboats of people. We really appreciate you.

Photo of the Month: Thank you so much for all of the love on our hallway renovation. It’s hard to believe it’s taken us 6 whole months to do it all, but that did include new flooring, mould correction, re-plastering, panelling, new doors, painting and new carpet. So maybe not too bad a timeline, after all, but we’re just so glad it’s done and we can welcome people in proudly.

Around The Farmhouse Table:

I asked you all what you’ve been up to this summer, and after many lovely conversations, here are some highlights:

• “Watching my grandkids do their sports.”
• “Moving house!”
• And to the many of you who have shared stories about your holidays, from Devon to Scotland, to Australia and the bank holidays in the US, I hope you’ve all had a wonderful time!

Looking Ahead:

September is always the start of a busier season, so renovations will need to slot neatly around work and school life (if that’s even possible.) The family bathroom is at the top of our list, but we’re also keen to turn our attention to the library/garden room, and we’d love to hear your suggestions for making it a space that feels like an absolute showstopper!

Until next month you beautiful bunch,

Shanice 🤍