Country Chic

If we can't go to the countryside, I have decided, then the countryside will come to us. It seems a logical step.

In other words, the redecorating bug is upon me. I've been mooching around the Manor, casting a critical eye over the Malarkey decor. It's been at least 4 years since any major painting 'n' papering was done, and this time I've decided we need a change of style. I say 'we', but really I mean 'me' because Andy shows about as much interest in decorating, and colour charts and wallpaper as say, Mrs Miggins shows in Applied Physics.
'You know my brain is more wired to an appreciation of the arts,' says Miggins.
'I do,' I say.
'Then I guess you'll be consulting me about your imminent interior design project,' says Miggins.
'You guess wrong,' I say.
'Huff,' huffs Mrs Miggins.

So, given the free reign I have vis a vis decorating decisions, I have decided to go for the countryside chic look. Lots of flowers and pretty stuff. And pictures of bees and chickens. And more flowers. And hand-crafted-by-me things like quilts and cushions and tapestry and cross stitch. I'm thinking 50s nostalgia meets Laura Ashley meets Country Living magazine meets lying-in-a-meadow-of-wild-flowers-watching- bees-whilst-a-nightingale-sings-overhead-and-a-cute-bunny-sitting-nearby-washing-its-ears.

I said to Andy, 'Is it all right if I do a bit of decorating?'
'Yes,' he said. 'Just don't ask me about colours and stuff.'

So yesterday he caught me looking at wallpaper on the interwebbly.
'Where are you thinking of putting wallpaper?' said he.
'Up the stairs,' said I. I have big plans for the hall, stairs and landing. Plans involving paint, wallpaper, dado rails, wood flooring and a candleabra.
Andy went a bit pale. I knew what he was thinking. He was thinking high ceiling, long walls, stairs, dodgy ladder 'n' chair combos, wobbles, broken legs. He wasn't thinking comedy wallpapering moments.

Today, I said, 'I've contacted a proper malarkey painter and decorator. To do the stairs.' And Andy looked suitably reassured.

I've started a notebook entitled 'To Countrify a Manor.' Well, it'll keep me out of mischief for a while. You see, I'm already living in this environment inside my head. And, as it looks like we're going to be staying in this house for while yet, I might as well start projecting my imaginings onto the walls. Turning a semi into a Manor? There might be a blog in there somewhere...