room for living

This week I thought I'd show you around our place. Starting in the living room/study/dining room/craft room, the first of our two rooms. We live on the first floor in a typical British cottage that was built sometime in the beginning of the previous century. It has been split into two levels, the door to the downstairs living areas is bricked up which creates two flats.

This room is our living room where we have our meals, where I do my acupuncture studying and where I have my craft corner. I have a perfectly well suited, spacious desk to do my studying at (bottom right corner in photo) but I quickly made myself comfortable at the dining table as it has the most wonderful view.

Note the piles of college handouts on the floor, I just swipe the table top when it's time to eat. :) I love watching and listening to everything that goes on outside. There's a yearling deer venturing out of the woods several times per day, the wild rabbits are always out hopping around, the doves swoop over the trees and yesterday there were two young boys galloping their horses up the field.

The leaves hanging in the window is a mobile of sorts that I make every autumn. I hang a piece of thread with a glass bead at the bottom to weigh it down. Then I take leaves I've found that have turned vibrant colours and I wrap the thread around the stem to hold the leaf hanging. It's very easy to do and doesn't require any tying but it's a bit difficult to describe. I'll give it a try anyway - you hold the leaf upside down, stem down, let the thread wrap from behind the leaf to the front (basically just crossing the stem once) and then let the leaf drop to hanging down, which should twist the thread into place, holding the leaf in the same place. Err... or you just do it anyway it works! I like having the leaves in the window where they feel like they're still on the tree and the light shines through them.

Comments

[Anne Maire]

First of all: I love the colours in your living room. It looks so calm and serene! Makes me relaxed just looking looking at the photo. Second, the leaves hanging in the windos is such a beautiful idea. I am going to try it out. No wonder you love sitting by the dining table. Beautiful Caroline!

[Amy]

Oh my, that is a wonderful setup you have in your home. I know if I had a view like that, I wished I could stay home all day! :)

[Angie]

I like your idea with the leaves :-) We painted my husband's home office almost the same shade of green as yours- love that color!

[caroline]

Anne Marie - thanks! I'd love to see what you do with the leaves!

Amy - oh yes, I already have that problem! Lucky I am tied to the desk and computer most afternoons, doing my homework. :)

Angie - ah, I'd like to see a whole room in that colour - must look great! Peaceful office :)

[Abbey]

Your style is so simple and elegant! I love how organic your home feels -- everything in its place and very in tune with the views out the windows. I love your sewing area and the lovely way you bring nature into your home.