(Belated) New Year Greetings!

Better late than never - a Happy New Year to you all!

Christmas seems such a long time ago and we are now into 2008.  The Christmas decorations are still up as I can't be bothered to get out the ladder, go into the loft and bring the boxes down. 

I have been spending my time on far more important matters such as re-painting the cloakroom.  It was done on a whim at the weekend.  Which meant that at 7.00pm on Saturday night I whizzed along to HomeBase to buy the same colour paint that I had seen on Kim's walls.

Shameless copying there Kim.  This is quite a radical departure for me as I am a cream and white kind of girl in the decorating states.  And whilst I love it, and it shows off the venetian glass mirror beautifully, I can only cope with it in the cloakroom.

And it took three coats of paint to cover the white walls - by this time my patience was definitely wearing thin.   Of course, I couldn't just paint the walls and woodwork and just leave it at that.  The plant was half price whilst I was buying the paint and the little Dutch girl print was moved from the bedroom.

I even raided my vintage fabrics stash and made a valance from vintage Sanderson fabric.

The finishing touch was to make a new lining for the basket and to add Kim's pom pom.  Perfect.

Next on the hit list is Ethan's bedroom which is badly in need of a coat of paint as the walls and woodwork are so scruffy.  The reality of this is that the Christmas tree may be up for a few more days!

Just to prove that I haven't been chained to a pot of paint all holidays, we braved the winds and cold weather at a local beach.  Stephen, the boys and two of their friends.

Bracing would be an understatement.  But it was worth it for chips and ice cream at the cafe afterwards.

Comments

[kim]

Happy New Year to the Plump Puddings from the Ragged Roses! I love your cloakroom, I have to admit that I haven't bothered to paint the woodwork yet in my room! Love the valance too. Wishing you lots of success in 2008 and thanks for the mentions!!!!!
Kimx

[Jools]

Hi Samantha, Happy New Year to you all from Rob and myself!
I love the colour in your cloakroom. I've been toying with the idea of painting the living room. We only painted it when we moved in just over a year ago, but I'm not a magnolia girl, I love colour! I was thinking of doing it a similar colour to the one you've used. Something not too vibrant, but with a hint of colour. Of course, I haven't mentioned this idea to Rob yet!

[mijk]

Oh that painting is so so precious. I love it.. (said the dutch girl)

[Linda]

I think it's perfect!

[Janette]

hi,

I love the colour for the cloakroom, it actually looks very similar to the paint in our dining room which I really love. Beware though one room of colour can very quickly lead to another room, then another and another..... We were a white house family but over the last year we have painted the whole house each room more vibrant thean the last........

have a lovely and colourful 2008

Janette

[heidi]

oh its perfect!! and it looks ever so part of your style. i am in love withat dutch girl! happy new year my dear!

[sarah]

Happy New Year Samantha, all the best for 2008 !

Sarah x

[nonnie]

A very happy New Year to you. Wishing you lots of happiness and success in 2008. Love the new colour in the cloakroom.

[Christina]

Happy New Year!!

[anna]

Janette is right- it is addictive! I was accused of being a white and magnolia girl for years, but finally decided to be brave and my Dad (the decorator extraordinaire) painted our lounge dark olive green and white (sounds weird,looks fab)Colour does seem to add quite a lot of personality to a place, I think. Your downstairs loo looks fab, and I love Kims' pom pom too..

[Jen]

Welcome back and Happy New Year. That's a gorgeous looking cloakroom! Lovely colour, and I feel for you - I hate decorating! I still have to paint my dresser white, and my excuse is that I forgot to buy white spirit, so there's no point starting when I won't be able to clean up after... LOL

[Claire]

Happy new year. Love the transformed cloakroom. I must admit I have been a bit crazy buying paints and decorating in the last few years, but this house we are renting is floor to ceiling cream (with the exception of a pale green kitchen which I love) and it's great not having to decorate yet another house! Hope that 2008 brings you all you wish for yourself and your family x

[Tricia]

Happy New Year all the best for 2008 (love the cloakroom) Tricia

[the homely year]

Hi, that's really pretty, love the wall colour and fabric...looks really fresh. I have plans for our tiny laundry room and have just bought a cream peg rail with a shelf as a bit of encouragement. Just need the time now!
A very Happy New Year to you...look forward to reading your blog during 2008.
Margaret and Noreen

[paula luckhurst]

Happy New Year to you also.
I can't wait to see what wonderful new things you will make this year.

[snapdragon]

Happy New Year Samantha - doesn't Kim's ragging look wonderful against your new colours?
J
x

[stuffed]

Loveliness! Happy New Year. :0)

[weirdbunny]

Nothing better than the beach on a windy day in the Winter, along with a bag of chips !

[saraeden]

Happy New Year Samantha !!

Sara x

[Ravenhill]

Happy new year to you and I can see you are already spending it well - being creative! What a lovely room you have made. The lined basket is so pretty!