WASHING-UP LIQUID YOU NEED TO TRY

One of my thoughtful and very kind friends has just given me a lovely gift ...washing-up liquid from Daylesford . 

Lucky for her, she visited the organic farm in Gloucestershire this weekend.

She certainly knows how to spoil me and knew it would appeal to me. I can't believe how excited I am about it!!

I've just cleaned some very greasy saucepans and spoons.  This is not just a pretty bottle of washing-up liquid, it effectively washes grease and grime leaving dishes sparkling and clean. 

 Environmentally kind, biodegradable, sensitive to skin with a beautiful scent of rosemary. It even looks good in a clear bottle with simple white and grey graphics so if you're anything like me, you won't be embarrassed to leave out on show in your kitchen. 

 I can't rave on enough about it.  All in all a perfect product...10 out of 10!!!

You can buy it online here.

HALL RENOVATIONS - A STONE FLOOR

Our hall has a grandness. It has remained, the same as it was originally built back in 1870's. 
The staircase is the prized feature, with its deep stairs and mahogany handrail. 

This is the hall as it looks today... 



and looking the other way towards the front door...

When introduced to The Manor House, it was the hall that we walked into first. 

Standing all together, our first impressions was of a room in need of updating and some renovations. High ceilings, large staircase, lots of space, mostly a light and airy room with beautiful original doors to rooms that had to be explored.  

Once we'd moved in and started renovating the house, generally our motto has been that not everything has to be expensive to update.  We always try to use what you have or clean, mend or add too it. 

Under a green carpet in the hall, we found a natural stone floor.  It was an exciting moment.  
We suspect that the sandstone had been sourced from a Mansfield quarry in Nottinghamshire around the 1800's when this part of the house was built.  



(above) detail of stone floor

After many years of walking on the floor, especially into rooms that were probably occupied by servants, some areas have become worn and indented. We were keen to discard the carpet and see the distinctive beauty of the natural stone floor. 
It's a durable, unpretentious, honest flooring that will last many decades and beyond.


BEFORE (below)
We had to take the hall carpet up as soon as possible because I hated it (we didn't even have time to take any photos). The stair carpet we had to live with for many years before we decorated the hall and came up with a better solution.

BEFORE (below)

2014 WINNER OF THE GREAT INTERIOR DESIGN CHALLENGE

Congratulations Sarah on winning BBC2's final of 'The Great Interior Design Challenge' tonight.

Sarah Moore (41, vintage homeware designer) was one of the 28 amateur interior designers to take part in the show. She wowed us with her unique, always original and very stylish designs. A lot of repairing, a bit of restoring, lots of upcycling of furniture and rooms....a very talented lady. 

I have really loved watching the 12 episodes of this series and have some new insights into interior design.
An inspiration for The Manor House especially as I have some time on my hands now this programme has finished. Can't wait for the next series, if there is one!!!!