Our house, in the middle of our street

Actually it's closer to the end of the street. But that wouldn't have sounded quite right. This is a "what I call" intermediate post (hello Miranda fans!) that doesn't feature every little detail of every little room. In fact I just realised one room has been left out altogether (the office: Boyfriends' mighty kingdom, a fortified castle made entirely of guitars and paperwork). I'm not showing the cellar because I don't think it's fit to be seen on a blog. Or the terrace, because the harsh sun and the slugs haven't been kind to the flowers left by our landladies. 

So let's just start with the sofa-less lounge. 

I seem to be going for a typical early 1970's vintage overkill look here. The furniture arrangement is bad, very bad. But there's something in the way:

A beautiful but completely pointless fireplace that has been blocked up. It also sticks out about a mile into the room and doesn't even have a mantelpiece to put pretty things on. In short, it hasn't got much going for it. Maybe one day I'll live in a house with a fireplace that actually works. Then I'll be complaining about the dust it makes. Dear fireplace: it's not you, it's me.

Anyway, back to the only fireplace / radiator / window free wall in the room:

Long time readers will recognize my lovely cocktail cart. Now to the left, we have: my first (and probably last) major Etsy purchase! I love it but I paid far too much for this beauty that was supposed to be in excellent condition. And it was delivered two days late. Also, I need to paint over the doors because those colours aren't working at all. Why anyone would want to paint it before selling it is beyond me. It makes a nice book case though.

Two of my favourite new things: a vase that my brother bought for me at the Hebden Bridge antique shop, and a fruit bowl that my neighbour gave me after we bumped into each other at the vintage fair in Skipton. She asked me what kind of vintage things I liked, I said "all the things!!" and ended up with this and a really cute biscuit barrel that belonged to her great-grandma.

Now let me introduce you to my second love: Nathan table and chairs! They were sold together but they don't actually match. They look good (this is a euphemism for "I love them and don't care that they take up the entire room. I'm keeping them!"). I've spent ages cleaning them but haven't got the courage to open up the table and look what condition the extra leaf is in. Maybe if the Queen and her family ever come for tea or something.

Long time readers will also recognize this little fellow who came with us from France. I didn't have the heart to sell him, and I think he's looking pretty good in his little nook next to the fireplace with the new vintage mirror that can't be hung on the wall because it weighs a ton.

On to the kitchen, also known as the smallest and ugliest room in the house. But I love it because it's my first ever real kitchen with real counters and integrated appliances and a view. A new basil plant has moved in!

Along with 4 new vintage mason jars for £1,50 each! Please ignore the udon and peppers, a feast was being prepared.

The bathroom needs a bit of work doing to it. To be precise, the washing hamper needs to go and be replaced with a beautiful one. And the tropical plant needs to stop turning yellow. You can't see it because it's ugly, but there's a shower cubicle to the right of the hamper. And a toilet to the left of the window.

It's all very blah, but it's a big bright bathroom with a window that opens, so you'll never hear me complain about it (except when I have to wash my face with either stone cold or boiling hot water. And when I'm hoovering the linoleum, which hasn't been stuck down except around the edges, but not in the corners.).

Behold, our new twin beds! Not to brag or anything but our "bed" is now as wide as a kingzise. Or superking, or whatever you call it. It's niiiiiiiiice. It's also nice not bouncing up and down each time Boyfriend turns over in bed. AND we now have separate duvets. Very sexy. I can already tick the sleep mask and ear plugs boxes you know. We're well on our way to becoming the trendiest couple in Hebden. I'll let you know when we push the beds to opposite sides of the room and start wearing false teeth. 

And now, just because, some random pictures of flowers (and my good old desk)!

And to finish, our first housewarming present! It says "live well, love much, laugh often" and it was very well chosen by our friends Sarah and Blair. Now if only we had the courage to hang some other pictures up... this no holes in the wall business is giving me a bit of a mental block. Anyone know where I can buy this isopropyl rubbing alcohol that's needed to clean the walls before hanging damage control strips that can only hold a tiny frame anyway and must not be used over a bed? *sigh*

In the next episode of Bunnies & stripes: take a walk in the poshest neighbourhoods of Hebden Bridge and drool over some beautiful old houses!