THe Humble Bungalow makeover...

It's been about a year since we embarked on a major restoration and renovation
of the lower level of The Humble Bungalow.
It's been a labour of love and a long and arduous undertaking.
Time, energy, sub-trades and money...not necessarily in that order.

Mr. HB has the design sense and vision, I had a desire for a more finished space, something that was not a basement as such. A bright light place where I could be comfortable while accomplishing domestic chores like washing and ironing.

There are two other rooms already finished that are functioning as a guest room and a hobby room. (where I dabble in paints)

Please understand that we have not put all the finishing touches on the space just yet.
There will be some more "decorating" or "feathering the nest"items as we find things and are in no rush.
At the moment I am considering painting a few more rose paintings and hanging them
above the washer and dryer.

back entrance

laundry area

washer and dryer set

I am contemplating a shelf or future paintings

for the wall above the LG workhorses.

view at bottom of the stairs

in laundry area

zinc bucket for flowers cut from the garden

basket for leafy greens

colander for rinsing beets and potatoes from the veggie patch

bowl for rinsed produce

all handy waiting for next summer's bounty

hallway to guest room at the end

hobby room on the left at the end

storage area on the right at the end

bathroom on the right

storage area

awaiting organization

I am so delighted with the full length mirror

bathroom

bathroom 

Theme:

black and white

keeping things simple and understated

employing the rough edges

the imperfect 

and 

not trying to be anything but honest.

I hope you've enjoyed our wee tour...

this small home shelters and helps to keep us happy and cozy.

Have a great New Year!

Hugs from The Hostess

XO

Out of the closet!

Clearing out the closet has been the chore keeping me busy these past few weeks.
Can you say RUTHLESS!
I said farewell to several bags of gently used and unwanted garments.
Clothes that felt like "albatrosses"  items that one hangs onto "just in case"
I feel a fresh new start and have empty hangers waiting...
for a very select new and needed garments.
With Spring just around the corner there will be a few things that I will need to replace, white tank tops and T shirts are always on the list.

I mentioned before how tiny our Arts and Craftsman Bungalow is and that storage is minimal at best.
Prepare yourself....

This is the lower portion of our bedroom closet

Mr. HB has the upper area.

This is my basic winter wardrobe.

Here are the longer winter items.

I have a small wardrobe downstairs which holds dresses and out of season clothes.

I am not kidding when I said that I have pared down...

feeling a bit more like Jennifer Scott's "Madame Chic."

Blogger Mette recently purchased a pair of jeans

 which got me thinking that I could use another pair.

I found a pair of Gap wide legged jeans at the consignment store

where I met and chatted with Sheila from Ephemera.

I'll wear these with heels...

 red shoes would be fun!

Jones of NY

sweater jacket

in shades of grey...

a thrift shop find this week.

Speaking of grey

Pepper's catching some ZZZ's

The weather has been dreary and grey

 so I have imported some lovely scent and colour to The Humble Bungalow

I'll plant these hyacinth bulbs in the garden when they are finished cheering things up inside.

These may look like twigs

but they are so much more...

these cuttings will be abloom with pink and red blossoms in a week or so.

Perusing this coffee table book has inspired me.

The architecturally designed homes featured inside are beautifully decorated 

in a rather rustic Pacific Northwest fashion.

Antiquities, books and massed collectibles add such richness to these amazing abodes.

Rather like those trusted true accessories that add interest to a minimalist basic wardrobe.

Do you have a walk in closet or a teeny space like mine?

Is your wardrobe style more

or less?

Hermes, books, decor and more....

Do you get inspired by seeing beautiful images of home decor?
Does it make you want to change or rearrange or repurpose some of your current rooms?

I fell upon two great books recently
they were a breath of fresh air.
I sat with my tea and perused each page and pondered.
Is it time for a change?

I might like to redecorate my bedroom and paint it all in shades of white
while keeping the arts and crafts furniture in the dark oak original finish...

It would not be difficult to say goodbye to the floral wallpaper
and the Vintage Redoute Rose prints...
or to ripping up the seafoam wall to wall carpet
and refinishing the wood floors.

It would be hard work and there would be upheaval here for a few weeks...

Sounds ambitious and perhaps a bit daunting...

It might need to be my summer project we could sleep as guests in the room below
and I could action some serious change...
(or maybe not!)

I wanted to share this image from the book with you

an oyster shell encrusted fireplace!

I would never have thought of this would you?

 I can see this shell-y treatment in a beach cottage... 

The second book

Scrapbook for Living 

is a great resource for organizing the home

and it is conveniently divided into chapters focusing on the revamping and refining the home

chock full with lots of lovely images...

like this one

my favourite floral colour combo

white, green, and lime!

(picture taken from the book)

These books are very current comments on contemporary housing and decor

and they show large rooms with ample storage space

which is far from my reality

I am very comfortable and content living in our small Historic Bungalow...

it keeps my tendency for over consumption in check

as there is little space for more than the basics.

I must think carefully and chose wisely what I bring into the home...

(my rule is when something new comes in --- something old must go out)

The Humble Bungalow dates from the early 1900's

so there are tiny rooms

with

minimal closets

The bedroom closet

which I share with Mr. HB

I should have neatly stacked and folded the sweaters

I've captured the closet as it is...

 black, white and grey 

are the wardrobe workhorses

a punch of colour

is found in a lime Royal Robbins quilted vest (far right)

is a bold interloper

 just the ticket for a drab and dreary rainy day....

 I keep it to wear with this

 My collection of Hermes scarves

are 

not stored in the closet.

Hermes 

scarves are stored in their original boxes in a drawer

and they do not take up much space.

(I have room for more!)

I love Hermes scarves for their

 artistic designs and colourful patterns

Wardrobe in the Bungalow basement

contains

mostly out of season clothing

and special occasion wear

I am in the process of bringing up my summer clothes

and putting away my winter wear

and I have discovered that I need to go shopping!

What is on your shopping list?

Bungalow Books...storage angst and solutions.

Mr. HB and I are readers...he keeps most of his and rereads them.

 I take mine to the local bookstore in the village where they give me credit to feed my habit!

I keep a few choice books but as a resident here in the Humble Bungalow (read as space challenged)

I cannot keep much of anything.

I got tired of looking at a shelving unit down in the unfinished portion of the basement that had books stacked haphazardly this way and that.

I set out to find a solution and look what I found.

This is an improvement, neatens up the space and I can walk by without wincing.

Warning look away...

The drywall mud is still scary!

 I want to have the unfinished part of the house finished...

I hope it happens before I retire!

Now I need to tackle this mess...

"The Wave" was painted shortly after we returned from Tofino last May. 

I was inspired by the storm watch and the surfers as they rode the curls...

if I had a beach cottage it might be hung there...it's far too big for the Chris Craft!

Spring weather inspires me to de-clutter and pare down.

The sunshine illuminates the cobwebs that have gathered in the dimly lit days of winter,

hence the cleaner in me is awakened!

It's a renewing of interest in the domestics on the homefront that spur me on and fuel my actions.

The garden needs weeding and the edges need trimming and how fortunate that the sun is shining!

 I am planning to go to the nursery sometime this weekend and choose some vegetables to plant in my new raised beds.

Enjoy your weekend,

Hugs from the Hostess!