The title today really does sum up the week perfectly. It's been a busy week, though I should admit that it's 'Nice Busy'. Where to start? Well. The dining room is not yet finished, a few pieces still need to bought/ordered. It's nearly there though.
The shower room work starts next week. Monday is a Bank Holiday here, so the chap will start on Tuesday. I do have to admit that I am not looking forward to it. It's such fun choosing paint and tiles etc, but having disruption in the house is never enjoyable. That comment makes me sound peevish, but I am not. I am just looking forward to using the room once it's done. Thankfully, it isn't the sole bathroom, or I'd really be dreading it.
It feels that both house and garage are full of scenes like this.
Parcels and packages! Everywhere! The garage is busiest though, being absolutely choc a block. Everything needed for the shower room is in there. Tiles, shower, basin, toilet, flooring. Ahh, the flooring. That has been a little drama in itself. Initially I wanted rubber flooring tiles. Don't ask me why, I'd got it into my head that it would be perfect. We found some online, ordered it in what looked like white, and got this ...
the tiles themselves were perfect, but the grey was too much of a dark grey. Had it been very light with a hint of grey then it would have been fine, but in real life it was a lot darker than it appears in this photo. We have arranged for it to be picked up and returned today. The second attempt has been a success. A total change of plan, and now we have honeycomb marble flooring, which is just stunning.
I love marble because it isn't just one flat colour, there are so many variations in it, even pale pink in places. So the mishap with the original flooring ended up being rather lucky. It is funny how the smallest of details become so very important at times like these. It's because deep down you want to get things right, and let's face it, we certainly won't be doing a revamp like this on this particular room for at least another 10 years, if not longer. What seems in the cold light of day like a very stupid 'problem' is really quite important.
Next came drama with the shower head. Long and tedious story about how we could only go for certain types with the actual power shower being installed. I'll spare you the details! We wanted a large, plain shower head. Ordered it. Out of stock until the end of May. Work being done next week. Needed to choose another. It arrived this morning, and I am Oh So Very Happy! A flower shower! Pretty!
It looks like a massive daisy, and is about 7 inches wide! Fantastic. Once everything is done, and I take final photos, I'll add a list of stockists, in case anyone is looking for similar things or recommendations of good places to buy from. The paint needs to be bought, but we know which colour we're getting there, then we can think about window treatments and accessories. I am feeling very happy and lucky today. You know when something is so beautiful and you've wanted it for .. well .. forever really, and you just want to cry when you finally get it? That is how I am feeling.
The new living room furniture arrived from Laura Ashley, and it is perfect. Which is a stroke of luck, as we bought it without seeing it or trying it out first! We felt you can buy with confidence from LA, and that's perfectly true.
The sofa.
Before we had two large sofas either end of the room, facing each other. But it felt too heavy, especially as one totally blocked off the bay window. This time we have gone for a sofa and a chair, not matching.We were going to get the matching chair, but we asked Gorgeous Girl to make the final decision, and she chose this..
.. and I am glad she did. It is absolutely stunning. The fabric is a fine velour in French Grey, and the finish on the wood is a dull gold gilt. On the very top is a little posy of flowers. 
The only 'problem' I have now is deciding if we should have cushions scattered on either. Not sure yet. The room is going to be painted too, a white with a hint of coffee. The Eau de Nil colour looks too sickly as a backdrop to the furniture. I feel I should point out that we are not rich. I wish!!! No, these are plans that have been on the cards for months ~ years, even. It's taken a long time to get to the point when we could put our plans into action. With the furniture, the time was right because LA had such a great offer. At the time of purchase they had no less than 40% off the prices, and free delivery. Too good to miss. I'm so excited about the changes we are making, it really has been a long wait.