The new downstairs lounge – old meets new

At last!

Except for a bit more sanding and a coat of dark oak matt varnish on the two coffee tables and some kind of window treatment for the letterbox side window the downstairs lounge is pretty much finished.

For that window I have an idea for using an old linen tablecloth with a cutwork edge suspended on zip wire with dragon clips. I saw something similar on Pinterest so am pretty sure it will work.

It’s hopefully worked as a mixture of old and new. Am not sure what my favourite pieces are, for instance I love the big fat new leather sofas but equally the two coffee tables in reclaimed pine make a bit of a statement too.

Then there is the standard lamp made from an old reclaimed tree stump, the oversized repro clock and the antique picture frame I restored.

The different woods and textures work well with the oak sleeper we used as a lintel in the faux fireplace and once I have matt varnished the wood frame of the mirror it should all come together nicely

The Ikea Kallax bookshelves are home to a few of my vintage collectables and favourite books and the tv, this seemed huge when we bought it months ago and am relieved that it has shrunk in size in the big space!

I’ve picked out colours that match the sea and the countryside for the summer for the shelves but can ring the changes with warmer colours in the autumn from the stash of vintage currently sitting boxed in the garage.

Also room for sentimental pieces like this ceramic house that our son Ben made for me many moons ago when we first talked about moving to a house abroad.

Am not precious about art either, the seascape above the sofa is a cheap photoprint on canvas from a warehouse shop, whereas the two small blue pictures were a gift from Thailand and the street print is a limited edition personally dedicated Lowry print.

I have to confess the vintage suitcases are still full of other vintage from my market days but no time to empty them they just got a bit of spit and polish to fill up that corner.

So all in all am pretty pleased with the space and now am just looking forward to using it!