I Heart London!!

I love London. It is a wonderful city with so much to do...you could never get bored. My favorite thing about London is the theatre shows. The last show we saw was Chicago and there is something special about seeing a great show in London...like the movies!  The SoHo district is amazing and then China Town is just as wonderful. We occasionally travel to London to take in a show, grab some great food and lovely coffee street side so we can see the infamous taxi's and hightop buses. London is about 1 1/2 hours drive from where we live, however, if we take the Fast Virgin train, we can get to London in 45 minutes. The fast train goes 120mph and is awesome! Of course we had to do the touristy things as well so here are some shots of our touristy, Chicago show weekend. I heart LONDON!!

Master Bathroom Project Day 2...

So, we are still working hard on the master bathroom. It is a mess but as they say...it get's worse before it get's better. I wonder who said that...probably someone who lived in a maculate mansion in Manhattan!! We have struggled with the countertop because it doesn't really offer any storage space and looking to resale, we need storage space in the bathroom. It's funny how a countertop can take up a day of your life. We decided on underneath cabinet storage, which posed a problem in itself due to the depth of the countertop. Most bathroom storage units fitted underneath bathroom sinks are shallow so.....we went for a kitchen cabinet...problem solved...at least for now.

So as you can see...the kitchen cabinet is on the right side of the countertop...which has dual purposes...1. hides the pipes for the sink tap and 2. the necessary storage. To fill the space on the left side, I believe that I will get a nice stool to be able to sit....do makeup...you know, all the important things.

The shower tray is now installed. 

The ceiling has been plastered and the light fixture installed (that is temporary)!!! 

The sink tap has been installed (please excuse the mess). 

And...all the good stuff for the toilet has been installed. You can see a circular push button at the top. In the UK, they have push buttons for flushing and not handles. And in most cases, there are two options for flushing...yes, you get options for flushing. Half of the push button is for HALF a flush (which I still don't get) and the other half if for a FULL flush. I think it has something to do with water saving, sewage and being GREEN. Well, from experience...it will go GREEN if you use the HALF flush option!!! 

You will notice here the extra wood and window seal that has been put in to place to make the countertop and the window base even. This will help the fluidity when we start tiling. BTW...the countertop has a clear plastic on top so it won't get ruined. It's a mess in our bathroom!! I need to get Steve to write these entries...I feel like such a girl when trying to explain these things. The "push button thingy" is how I use to describe things! LOL!! 

Taking a break from our Reno Project

One of the best features of our cottage home and living in a small village is the nature and the real life farmville we get to experience everyday. We have acres and acres of beautiful land right on our doorstep. It gives us a great break from our reno project which is essential!! Today...we took a break in the morning and enjoyed the sun (which is a rarity in England) and some delicious blackberries. Steve said "now you can bake an apple and blackberry pie." Yeah...like that is going to happen! Well, maybe...sometimes I even surprise myself.

ELVIS!!! 

Steve picking blackberries which he THINKS will go in a pie a bit later...that's why he is concentrating so hard! 

Our potatoes...now showing some promise...

YES!!! 

ELVIS!!! 

So, we shall get back to work on the bathroom now...I think today is plastering day...which means Steve is plastering and I am making tea...or blackberry and apple pie!! 

Master Bathroom Project...

The house renovation is moving ahead and we are finally making some good progress. I have changed every room layout and the main house layout that HAD been put in to place by Steve....like the "what will be's." Well, we are women...we know best! And, I am a big "everything has to be centered" person. I think that comes from my lack of experience with this renovation and decorating thing. Like if you had more experience, you could possibly be comfortable with things being off centered and using decorating items to balance a room. Maybe I will get there. For instance, while I was in the States, Steve worked on the bathroom, mainly installing the Jacuzzi bath. When I got back, I immediately wanted to change the entire layout of the bathroom because....nothing was centered. Apparently, it is not easy to change things because of the plumbing...or something. :o) But, Steve being Steve, he changed it around. So I am posting pictures, step-by-step of our bathroom renovation. The bath, toilet and sink are all Jacuzzi from www.jacuzzi.com.  I have been in the bath about 20 times already and just close my eyes, click my heels and I am in a glorious and brilliantly finished bathroom. And then I wake up!

The Jacuzzi sink and the stand alone black granit countertop.

Our awesome Jacuzzi hot tub bath, which was on the adjacent wall...then Meg changed it! 

The Jacuzzi toilet...self-explanatory.

We were just standing the top up to see what it would look like. 

My hardworking man in his cute work vest.

This is where the shower will go...to the right of the bathtub. 

...and the plumbing begins...I think Steve was soldering...which I actually know what soldering is because of my novice jewelry making...see, I do know this stuff.

All the tools...I'm sure they all have names.

So, as you can see...we are in the beginning stages of the bathroom renovation. Apparently, the best thing I can do during this is bring Steve tea. He says "you can never have too many cuppa's while you work." I know my place. Come back tomorrow for an update on our bathroom.