As I pondered what to write for this post I decided to stick with another home theme to tie in nicely with The Decorating Forum (my little blog is featured this week).
The last four years has been tumultuous with selling an acreage property after renovating the old Queenslander house over two decades, the home in which we raised our family.
Then renovating a brick and tile house to live in all while searching for our present home which involved a relentless eighteen month search, then toil over this major renovation and redecoration spanning five months to revitalise this 1990's design, then sell the interim brick house, then move into this piece of paradise and we are still transforming this house.
Phew are you tired from reading that...you can imagine why it's taken me a year to come up for air and I still get myself confused trying to explain the sequence of events!
The old farmhouse we lovingly filled with antique pieces only to decide on a fresh start in a modern architecturally designed build. Hence this style of furniture did not blend at all with the modern aesthetic. Big decisions ensued and so we sold most of our furniture. Except for certain pieces which hold sentimental value. The big old dining table is made from recycled baltic pine and I discovered her after a long search, when I was pregnant with our first child twenty-six years ago. Countless happy memories emanate from her scratched, chipped service..family gatherings, children's homework, painting and play dough extravaganzas. In the old house antique spindle back chairs encircled this table but now a modern and comfortable padded chair surrounds her.
In fact the kitchen we designed was purposely planned around this dining table. While entertaining I like to have my family or guests seated within close range to be part of the action.
The teak console was my parents and this created quite the dilemma. It included an additional top piece with glass doors and shelves which sat on top. In total it just didn't blend but the decision was made during the move when the glass shelves shattered (our fault not the moving company) and so the top was donated to charity. I procrastinated about this inclusion but am now comfortable with the aesthetic it casts over the predominately white decor of my favourite room.
The rocking chair. Sourced for the birth of our first baby for moi to sit and feed and rock the babes to sleep. You know I nearly lost this chair and one day I will share the story. Never again will I let this piece escape my clutches. Mr red roses restored her as a surprise for my 50th birthday. I cried with joy.
Now I sit in the sun in my pretty room and ponder life and all it's mysteries.
Last but not least the duchess I saved my pennies to buy when the children were little. She was in a sad state when we bought her at auction but after being lovingly restored she has been a constant in our bedroom. An old piece in a modern room but it works.
My mother's beloved bedroom chair. Need I say more, this chair is cherished because it was my mum's and she adored it, not to sit in mind, purely for show!
I have enjoyed sharing this trip down memory lane. At the time of selling our prized furniture and my parents inherited bits and bobs (an old rambling farmhouse always has room for just another acquisition) I felt sad but comes a time in our lives when we need to let go of the past and downsize. As much as we wish to hold onto everything accumulated over many years it's not feasible.
Except for those rare pieces which grab hold of our hearts and won't let go.
Annie xx
