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

OOTD...dressing up for domestics!

This Christmas I received a fabulous JCrew necklace from my son and his lovely wife...
thank you my sweets.

You might remember that when I went shopping to the mall before Christmas I found a GAP tee top that was sprinkled with sequins. My DIL encouraged me to splurge and buy it, she also suggested that I could wear it watching TV. I wore it Christmas Eve to an open house where I was with close friends and family.

It's a whimsical foray into FUN.
One that pushes that proverbial fashion envelope a bit when one takes into account my age.
I never want to look dowdy or frumpy, it's a bit of a concern and one that I hope I'll always have the good sense to "know" what is too "Mummsie."

On the opposite side of the scale...
I hope that I do not look like I am dressing "too young."
I wonder what The Fashion Police would have to say on this number.
They may chime in and report if they are not on holidays...

 JCrew and GAP paired together to make my domestic duties more of an event.

worn with basic LuLuLemon black yoga pants

they go with the graphite grey LG machines

my feet are cold though 

as the in floor heat needs to have the electrician install the thermostat

soon I'll have warm toes!

I'll check in with you later as I am working on a renovation post.

All is not yet complete but we are nearly finished.

It's been a long haul and we have worked very hard.

It's such a wonderful space now.

I am like a dizzy little school girl

wanting to do laundry at every opportunity

I washed and ironed my husbands work shirts!

( we've been sending them out for ages )

Are you keeping well?

There are some nasty bugs out there and many family and friends are bed ridden.

Take care.

What fashion styles give you energy?

The kind of energy that one needs to perk you up when "down in the dumps"

 sick or tired.

I'd love to know.

~ ~ ~

Hostess

Domestic Bliss!

Hope that you have been enjoying an idyllic festive season.
It's been very busy busy busy here in The Humble Bungalow and I needed a "slow-mo day" today.

That meant staying in my robe until just before noon...
the second load of Christmas china in the dishwasher, washing and ironing the table cloth and napkins.
I know it's all the glamour around here 24/7...
seriously, our lives are so very ordinary it's absurd.

I am having such fun with the new Steam Turbo series LG workhorses...
they work very well unsupervised.

Look away if you are expecting a fashion post,
I am wearing my cooking uniform, a black apron
with my holiday bling Club Monaco earrings!

I am on the IPAD learning curve

an IPAD mini was in the bottom of my stocking

and my IMAC needs to get with the program

Mountain Lion or Snow Leopard...

HELP!

I am able to play games, search the internet but not able to sync my new device...

soon

"ALL IN GOOD TIME HOSTESS!"

(don't fret)

Did I ever mention that I am tech challenged?

(impatient)

I want it and I want it now!

Clever son,

darling daughter, 

and 

Mr. HB 

are my tech supports.

Thanks guys, 

I love you lots :-)

~ ~ ~

Mr. HB and I went for an invigorating and refreshing post turkey trot

on the waterfront for an hour today,

it was loverly.

More of those brisk promenades in my future as I am going to be getting fitter

retirement plans are scheduled for this June...

I desperately need to get back into shape as I have let my team down.

I know

 I had the best intentions but I have been remiss.

~ ~ ~

Chester had an appetite for the tulips.

He was banished to my hobby room for the better part of Christmas Day.

Tulips might be poisonous for kittens.

Will be back when my technical challenges can be rectified.

Happy Days my lovelies.

Be Kind

and

SMILE!

See you as soon as we can get the technical stuff sorted,

XO

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

It's the festive season!
I am nearly ready to host the family for our annual holiday feast.
I've got a few things left to get done...
so I am going to walk away from my laptop for a bit and put on my apron, roll up my sleeves and get busy in the kitchen.
Christmas music playing on the radio and all is calm...

I want to let you know how much I appreciate your comments and emails.
They connect me to you in a warm and fuzzy way and honestly they often are the highlight of my days.

The Bungalow is decorated in a simple green fashion...

The wee Charlie Brown tree

white lights and vintage ornaments.

Vintage wee pine cone baubles 

and glass garlands.

~ ~ ~

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays

from

The Hostess of The Humble Bungalow

XO

Santa Baby!

Christmas came early to The Humble Bungalow.
Santa has delivered some pretty nice gifts with the Hostess in mind...
Thank you Santa!
Our renovation is almost finished and the rest is mostly decorating and reorganizing the storage areas.

This has been what I have been living like for about 2 weeks....

it's not our usual bathroom look.

Welcome to the new Humble Bungalow workhorses

LG steam machines

They are heavy duty so I can wash our duvets and covers instead of sending them out.

They are lined in stainless steel and are very quiet.

Nothing like my ancient ones which sounded like a 747 landing!

We are so pleased so be able to start putting things back in order.

We'll work at this over the holidays in between hosting Christmas dinner and attending a few social events.

When all is in place I'll do a post on the various improvements.

It's a very busy time for me as I am sure it is for many of you

 I have a few things left to purchase and wrap

and shop for all the food needed to put our annual Turkey dinner on the table.

So I must keep this post very brief

I need to pop by and check in with the blogs I follow as I have been offline for a couple of days.

Enjoy your weekend

Be calm and don't forget to smile.

Hostess

XO