February was long-anticipated because who actually likes January? It’s been a month full of productivity, design ideas, and near-completions are now in sight. And what’s probably the most exciting thing of all, is that Spring is within reach and our farmhouse is ready to blossom again, with the open fields bringing nature right to our doorstep.
We’re back on our renovation game, my good people. As you know, January was a break for us – living with deadlines, budgets and dust can sometimes become a bit much, but February hit and we were craving it again. Despite the occasional stress it brings, there’s a joy, blessing and thrill in designing a space and seeing it come to fruition. And we’re not far off seeing that happen with one room in particular, and some others to follow suit…
Progress Peek:
John has been really cracking on with the family bathroom this month. The beautiful green tiles are completed in the shower enclosure and have been grouted and siliconed. We chose Agadir Selva tiles from tile.co.uk, and decided to go for a stacking pattern as the tiles have a variation in their shade which almost looks like water is running down them, so we decided to mirror this effect with the composition. We also chose to use a grey grout as opposed to white, as white makes the lines stand out too much for the waterfall effect we were going for.
The Ca’Pietra floor tiles are also fully laid now which are a beautiful terracotta – however, this means they MUST be sealed before we grout them. If we miss this step, they’ll be ruined forever, so 2 sealings are next on the list for this weekend before they get grouted. Then the shower screens need to be installed, which is a terrifying feat by the way. Two of us carrying colossal sheets of glass up a flight of stairs? Oh, and did I mention that John is the clumsiest person I know? I. Am. Scared.
In The Details:
Something about renovating which I’m learning as time goes on, is that we will make mistakes that are not rectifiable. I kind of learned pretty early on that we’ll figure stuff out as we go along, such as making little mistakes with painting, panelling etc. But, what happens if you make a mistake about the layout or purpose of a room? You can’t really change that once those decisions have been implemented, and sometimes that stresses me out because I don’t want to continuously make the same mistakes and do wrong by the house.
For example, in the kitchen, about 6 months after it was fitted, I suddenly thought of a different layout. It just struck me like a highly annoying piece of wisdom, and I realised, wow my brain chose a really inconvenient time to gain insight. I’ve since had the same thought about the bathroom (don’t tell John), and now I’m worried I’m missing something about the 17 rooms we have left to do. So what do all normal people do when this thought strikes them? We pace the house for an hour at nighttime, of course, measuring walls and staring intently at alcoves.
Once the bathroom is finished, we are starting the living room. It was a toss up between that, the garden room and the garden itself, which we posted in-depth ideas of on our YouTube. You guys voted, and the living room won as the next project, which we’re really excited to get started with, just as soon as the bathroom is finished. But I’m worried I’m missing something. Is there a purpose or layout change I should do, before it’s too late? I posted 4 different designs on Facebook and Instagram, and although it was very close, I think most people voted for a ‘Bridgerton’ kind of scheme: feminine, heritage and typical English country. I’ll post the picture below; I’m going to make some amendments to it as my mindless late-night wandering wasn’t so mindless after all, and I was struck with some new additions to the design.
I did suggest to John that maybe we could get that room done before April, but he said it would only be possible if he stopped working on the bathroom, and that’s a big fat no. The day I can shower again like a normal human being will be a day worth celebrating.
Farmhouse Finds:
Palette Pick: Panama by Fenwick & Tilbrook. It’s named after its beachy vibe, and as a warm neutral, it’s the one you guys voted for on my story as the winner to go on the bathroom walls. It goes perfectly with the reclaimed vanity unit we’re using as the sink base, and will complement the dark oak colours wonderfully.
A brand I’m loving: Dusk.com. We have found some stunning sofas and chairs for when we commence the living room project that really fit the below aesthetic. It can be hard to find furniture that is comfortable and also looks traditional, but Dusk.com seem to have that covered. Now I just need to sit-test them haha.
Photo of the Month:
Here’s the living room choice that got the most votes on social media: feminine, statement and totally fitting to the era of our home. Gorgeous, right?
Around The Farmhouse Table:
As I mentioned, decisions about room purposes plague me at night like a very normal person, and so I asked you lovely people what we should use the garden room for. We have had window quotes, and just for the garden room alone, to replace all 6 windows and the French doors, it would cost £31k. So that’s a no. How can we use the room instead then, without the need to replace all of the windows?
Here’s what you guys said:
- “Make it a hybrid room – you can buy dining tables that double up as snooker tables!”
- “It should be the room you spend the most time in! A fabulous dining room/snug/bar room with a log burner.”
- “Just dig a hole and make it into the swimming pool you want. Go for it.”
Looking Ahead:
It’s my birthday next month, and I have decided to host a Georgian-themed party! I’m super excited about this very extravagant but very fun idea and need to get my dress sorted. I’d love to know any ideas from you guys about what you would particularly like to see: outfits, decor, food/drinks?
I’ve also found what looks like a hidden fireplace in the laundry room. I have yet to find the original blueprints of the house, but there is a chimney on the roof in that location. Original scullery, perhaps?
Until next month you beautiful bunch,
Shanice 🤍
The Georgian Farmhouse 
Leave a comment