Tag: diy

making the most of space #diary #interiordesign

I’ve been helping my son with a large house he bought at auction, where he’s converted it to three flats, providing affordable housing to the community. He’s done it all on his own and I am so proud. The last of the three gets rented out today. Well done!

I’ve been playing with small spaces. I just love nesting. I found two shelves from Ikea I forgot I bought. So I’ve put them up in the kitchen and propped them with things I used for camping to make the walls look colourful. It hasn’t cost a penny and has added character to my basement, that was once just a dark, damp room!

We can utilise space with affordable storage so easily!

None of the walls are level in my basement and hallway, it’s a quirky spot of Leeds. I must add, no more slugs. I’ve had a door bar and draft excluder fitted and sealed all the newly fitted skirting boards! I’ve been very busy writing and doing my D.I.Y. It’s good to share our ‘self’ motivation as I believe charity starts at home and when we connect with our living space it improves our general quality of life. I hope you are all having a beautiful week, full of love and kindness.

TBH ©

by Tiffany Belle Harper

My sons fabulous project and the sacred Babu #diary

My son bought a street pub a couple of years ago where he’s converting it back to a house and an apartment. He’s designed it all himself and used salvaged materials where possible. This creates a unique and rustic finish. He took the place back to its shell and at first we thought it would not be possible due to council red tape and aggravation from planning officers. But it’s all coming together. I am loving the warehouse/factory feel. Love the lighting in particular and the swivel kitchen stools. It’s like a Tardis.

 

It’s a huge space and will take a while to finish. He’s not rushing this and putting all his creative passion into the project. Cannot wait to see the finished pad!

He’s used an old window sill for the step. A piece of salvaged timber for the fire mantle.

 

He’s turned the out building into a ‘retro’ games room.

 

The open living space first stage. There’s the same size again on the other side of the wall.

 

The garden is just beautiful. So much love and attention to nature mixed with nostalgia.

 

A real labour of love am so proud of him! I had rushed over to tell him about my tent but felt rather in awe having seen the progress he’s made with the place. There’s also an upstairs he will be converting. It looked tiny as a pub yet it’s got so much space. It just shows what we can do against so many odds and on a budget.

Anyway, we’re all delighted with Babu. It’s actually huge and we will need a load more cushions and we’ve got some American Twist pile carpet to fit tomorrow. I have also been experimenting with recipes for our new gatherings. I hope everyone has had the most wonderful week. I am going now to try the apple crumble I just made with apples from the garden.

 

Babu

TBH (Mum.) X

 

by Tiffany Belle Harper

Letting Go of the Past in Warwick ‘My Flat’ and a little Video by Tiffany Belle Harper

When I moved to Leeds (2010) I didn’t fight to keep my house in Warwick. It was a case of survival – at the time all I wanted was a new life. It’s been a journey. I also owned a flat that was home to a friend and her partner. As the rent she paid covered the outgoings, I put it on a back burner as it ran itself. For a couple of years I blocked out Warwick and the tragedy that forced me to flee my business and family almost six years ago.

Here’s some photos taken in 2006 when I renovated it. Of course, style and taste has changed since this. Plus, between then it went bright red (courtesy of lodgers – not my taste.) I’ll show you the new pictures when it’s online and for sale …

So moving to Leeds, rock being my youngest son who at the time was a student. I turned his world upside down (and all of his friends …) I hope they can forgive me one day – although … my son has never once complained.

The happiest home I had was my flat. There’s something stable, airy and calming about the place. I’d quite forgotten how lovely it is. I spent all of Christmas there and got to grips with fragments of my elapsed past that had hidden itself in the darker alcoves of memory.

I admit when my lodgers left I felt a great sense of anticipation putting the keys back in the door.

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks giving it an icy white coating of paint. I’ve up cycled the existing furnishings. Cleaned sofa covers, painted pine, scrubbed lamp shades. I haven’t replaced the kitchen and bathroom as the new owners will want to put their own mark on it. The place goes on the market ‘officially’ at the weekend.

It’s taken me a lot of courage to let go of the final piece of my past. I feel liberated.

A couple of days later:-

Here’s a photo ‘after’ the red walls … It’s sold SSTC. Pay off mortgage then the retreat. I so want a place to help the vulnerable, the awake and the wise.

flatsold

Tiffany Belle Harper.

by Tiffany Belle Harper

My Blanket Box by Tiffany Belle Harper

Found an old blanket box at one of my most fave haunts. Swiss Cottage in Leeds.  An eccentrics cave just loaded with often useless yet intriguing artefact.  Plus old bits of furniture that smell of un-kept wood and decades of wax.

swisscottageI just love finding stuff to salvage for my projects. I never understand how people find pleasure with homes full of self-assembly bits and stuff that arrives in a lorry. We have to have variety! You know a bit of old with the new. Mix it up and create interest.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERASo yes, I found this old blanket box to add to my ‘Elephants Breath’ collection. Namely a choice of Farrow and Ball interior paint. I only work with Farrow and Ball. There’s no substitute. It glides on easily, dries fast and covers most imperfections. Tomorrow I will line the interior with what was left of my oh so gorgeous Peacock wallpaper!

farrowandballAbove is a Farrow and Ball outlet. Best to do some research online before you go as the choice is often daunting. But once you get used to the numerology (paint comes by numbers) you’ll be flying. A lot of outlets do not stock the full range so wise to call first.

Another quick tip is to use ‘Purdy’ brushes. The cheapest I have found are at Screw Fix. I do believe with restoration, you get what you pay for and it’s worth investing in good tools and materials. After all, you should be saving money on your furniture by up-cycling.

I am transitional at the moment due to relocating and relinquishing any baggage I may have adopted. I suppose like the butterfly effect. Emerging as the new. It’s essential for the soul.

Tiffany Belle Harper ** on a roll **

by Tiffany Belle Harper