the grand repurposing of a wee sideboard – stage 2
2012
Isn’t that a marvellous title! To match quite an epic enterprise no less ;-) And especially named for Julian who’s still in Ireland and tells me every night how much he loves the way the Irish talk – everything is either wee or grand – usually both in the same sentence. I’m sure I’d feel right at home – I can’t imagine speaking or thinking or writing without a generous sugaring of joy-affirming adjectives :-)
So, where are we at? Still mostly on the driveway. Scrubbing is finished. Sanding is finished. Cleaning is finished. Oiling is almost finished – one coat more. Painting the dark and gloomy insides – almost finished – one more coat for the far right (oops, that sounds terribly political doesn’t it).
The wood is looking really lovely – despite the top, sides and frame being made in a different timber to the doors (I think the first is in English oak and the second – Maranti, an Australian hardwood – but those assumptions are only based on what I can compare it to in my home and Mum’s, no special knowledge), the overall affect is very pretty – in a humble sort of way.
I’ve still to polish the door handles – they are a pinky coppery colour. And I have something special in mind for the drawer fronts and the shelves that sit inside the cupboards.
Last evening – as I sat painting in the long, golden spring twilight, I was accompanied by a bevy of industrious bees, busyat work in the flowering shrub/tree beside me. It’s a very old shrub and has been espaliered along the side fence, but at the moment – has sent crazy spring shoots in every which way. I’ve no idea what it is – if you know, do pass on the name – but it gets lovely delicate white flowers (with no perfume I can discern) and the bees go mad for it. But only in the late afternoon. All day, for the last two days, I have sat in this same spot and do I hear these busy bees at any other time? Nope! Just the late afternoon, early evening.
After watching David Attenborough’s fabulous documentary on plants in the Kew Gardens, I can only hazard the guess that as the shadows fall and the blazing western sun illuminates this side of the garden, this particular shrub releases some kind of pheromone that attracts the hordes of bees that are heading home to their hives. Maybe?
And where will this wee sideboard be reposing once it is finished? Well …
this is my shameful awful laundry come pantry. Ugh! I shudder each time I walk in – Julian practically has seizures!
And the action in the kitchen – a supporting role – well not in a structural sense, but a “look what else we can do” sense. Wait and see – I think it will indeed be grand!
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I’m so pleased you’re happy with it after all that effort. It is looking fabulous. I rather like the different woods. How nice to be serenaded by the bees as the head home after a busy day collecting their nectar. Such a summery sound. Enjoy your girly weekend.
Blessings Gail
Think it’s a lemon scented verbena.
Fran
Does the shrub get red berries? It might be a cotoneaster (pronounced cot-tone-eee-aster). It’s very frost hardy, has slightly velevty leaves.
Can’t type velvety… sorry.
When you said Julian was going away I wondered what epic project you were going to undertake! but fortuitously one has come along just at the right time!! I’m loving watching the transformation :)
hee! hee! hee! you know me too well ;-)
Do you fall into bed every night absolutely exhausted, Mrs Boot?