What is happening to Casa Robot? It's actually starting to look pretty good!
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| This cat: Pippin. Note droopy, melancholy posture. |
Our new fireplace has finally been installed. Yesterday the crummy old stained and chipped stone thing was taken away, and this lovely cast iron and tile one put in its place. I am VERY pleased. For one thing, we've had large bits of iron all over the living room for weeks, getting in the way. We had the chimney swept and got a safety certificate a few weeks ago, so we can use this one straight away.
We used to have lots of things on the old hearth - a jar for pennies, a laquerware tea dish from Burma - and a couple of candlesticks with everything else on the mantlepiece, but I'm reluctant to clutter the new one up. I'll definitely find somewhere for the tea dish, but the candlesticks may go in the attick for now. (I wouldn't get rid of them as they were a wedding present from a friend who has since passed away.)
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| This cat: Ziggy. Note 'love me, I'm gorgeous!' pose. |
As you can see, the new hearth and fireplace are slightly smaller than the old ones, so I'll need to skim-plaster a bit of the wall, and the floorboards will need work, but as it's been 15 years since the wall was last painted we're happy to do that again, and we'd planned to sand and varnish the floor properly too. We're considering replacing our 18-year-old sofa, too. It was the cheapest one Kays did – we didn't have much money, so I bought it from a catalogue and paid weekly – and now the fabric is literally giving way underneath, it's so worn out.
I've also managed to get my act together and have posted Melanie's carnival glass dish, my dad's birthday present, and a little surprise gift for someone who I don't think will read this but I'm not going to say much about it just in case, so I'm finally feeling under a bit less pressure. Phew! A week or so with no aggro, then I'll have to buy Mr Robot's Christmas pressie, and get ready for two deadlines in a month. And the work party. Still, as Rosie the Riveter reminds me, We Can Do It.
I love that fireplace, and it makes me think we really should do something about the ugly contraption we have in our dining room ... Wondering what Pippin is looking so melancholy about ... xxx
ReplyDeleteShe always looks put-upon. It is a lie. Whenever there's trouble, she's usually starting it.
DeleteOh wow how lovely is your new fireplace! It does always create new work though doesn't it. How organised are you?? I am in awe.
ReplyDeleteI keep staring at it in amazemwnt. And it packs out LOADS of heat.
DeleteWe can do it, indeed! I'm feeling a bit of seasonal pressure too, ticked off a couple of Christmas presents this week and have another parcel to compile to send this weekend. I also have a PhD deadline in a few weeks, and lots of social events, so it's all busy here. I have to say, having a nice fireplace is such a wonderful thing to come home and relax in front of when you're leading such a busy life - you have definitely made a worthwhile investment there! Imagine it all Christmassy!! You are doing so well with your home renovations this year x
ReplyDeleteAugh, PhD deadlines must be a nightmare. At least with mag deadlines there's a whole bunch of us working towards the one goal.
DeleteOur next target for renovation is the kitchen floor.
It's beautiful perfect for holidays
ReplyDeleteI'm so looking forward to seeing it all Christmassy! Though we'll probably spend this Christmas like last year, hauling the cats out of the tree.
DeleteOh Ziggy, you're too gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI love the fireplace, it's absolutely fabulous. I could move into that room, steal your cats and quite happily live there. xxx
He is a real looker, isn't he? No stealing!
DeleteMim - the fireplace is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt's my dream to have a fireplace in my front room. It would mean opening up the chimney breast and having the chimney swept then installing the fireplace. It's a very cold room so having an open fire would help to warm it up. Meanwhile we use the backroom as a sitting room and the front room as a (cold)dining room...
Your cats are lovely - they are so going to love the fire or stove when it's lit!
Busy times ahead....
Have a great week
Veronica
It's surprisingly cheap to get the chimney swept. The fire is gorgeous, and packs out loads of heat. It makes me feel very festiva already.
DeleteThe fireplace is beautiful-and having it be functional as well is wonderful. I really like the rug too.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to feel pressured as well-You can do it, but I'm less convinced for my part.
I've had that rug for years. It gets washed every summer.
DeleteAs Yoda would say, Do or do not, there is no try!
How Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteZigs looks pleased about it too!
Both cats are fascinated by the flames, so we've been keeping a very close eye on them. Don't want them jumping in!
DeleteCasa Robot is looking SO good! That fireplace is to die for! I'm slightly envious because you're going to be able to have real fires all winter. What a wonderful thing to look forward to. And a new sofa potentially too. Des res, innit! Ziggy, you ARE beautiful! X
ReplyDeleteWe'll have real fires till the logs run out. Though I suspect Pete will leg it off to the garage to buy more wood.
DeleteIt's wonderful to finally be able to choose things. Hopefully all these things will last us for the rest of our lives.
What a lovely fireplace. It goes really well in your living room and looks fab. I love your floorboards. Poor wee Pippin looks like she has found a mouse then lost it. Ziggy is a very pretty kitty. They are gorgeous cats and look very well settled now. I imagine that they will enjoy your new fireplace really a lot now that the cold weather has finally hit us. Xx
ReplyDeleteDon't talk about mice! We've had three dead rats in the past fortnight... I suppose I should be glad the cats are good ratters, but I do worry that they'll bring one in and let it go alive. I had to take a frog off them a few weeks ago, poor froggy.
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