Georgian (Story) Boards

Get set for another before and after story. This time we feature the original Georgian floorboards and their stories.

Like every other room, the hallway was scrubbed and scrubbed dozens of times with a pericarbonate solution because of the cat destruction, leaving the boards stripped and dry. 

(Read about it here in "Win Some?Lose Some") 

As you can see, otherwise, they are in pretty original condition and carry the decades of wear upon them. Note the colour difference and tack line where a carpet runner decades ago was tacked into place and of course the paint spills from previous "handy men". The boards have aged incredibly and still hold a dead straight line and some faintly show the pit saw marks. There are gaps but this allows the boards to swell and contract and we are not subject to draughts because of the solidness of the foundations and the special draughting tunnel built under the boards

(Read about that here in "What Lies Beneath")

The entire area was prepped by a thorough clean down with methylated spirits. Beeswax was gently melted in a ratio of 2:1 with Gum Turpentine. This creates a pliable, softish wax that is skimmed lightly across the boards to put down a thin layer that is then worked and polished with ultra fine steel wool (like size 0). The friction creates warmth and spread the wax in an even layer and helps it to penetrate the timber fibres, nourishing and evening, leaving a hard protective coating but most importantly, a breathable finish.

Rather than plugging holes and filling nail heads, we leave in full view the tribute to a time when every nail was hand made. Many people are tempted to sand back to perfection and then coat with a polyurethane finish.  I find this natural product and glowing finish to be the perfect treatment as we step as lightly as we can upon the history.

Countdown To The Wedding

If I appear a little quiet....fear not for I am busily putting together the wedding decorations. My eldest gets married in just under three weeks and I am trying to coax the flowers to ignore the sweltering heat and keep coming towards fruition.

Maybe there will be a lot of foliage and seed heads....

Working with living things and trying to plot their course on a calendar....isn't it exciting!!!

I'm gathering together pieces to interpret her "Boh-ho" vision. Her brief "Not really a colour theme, sort of Turkish rugs and candles, not cottagey, a bit Lux....vague...mutterings and hand flingings....

oh and we'll be in a paddock don't you know.

I've been watching a lot of floristry tutorials to learn how to do really large scale event pieces. Fingers crossed.

I just found out we also want bunting for the marquee....

again, a bit vague on a colour story so I have chosen to pull out the accent colours within the Persian style rugs that we are scattering everywhere with straw bale seating.

The upside is that the stash is getting a really good bust-a-long and thank goodness for the invention of cutting mats and wheels. My very clever man also zipped out to the shed and knocked up a template for me in lovely acrylic so I can cut accurately and quickly.

Big Love.

All the while it is coming into preserving season and I am pressure canning lots of vegetable soups, curries and casseroles for shelf storage to try to use up the zucchini glut.

So I am still here, just reeaaalllyy busy.

#markandtedwed

The Lights of Garfield House

We are known for our lighted windows here at Garfield House and it carries on from a very old tradition. Being on a main road, many travellers pass our door and just as in times of old, our lights show there is hospitality within, a safe haven or a helping hand.

Can you imagine making long slow journeys by horse and cart into areas unknown and without the convenience of modern communications or lighting? Particularly here in Tasmania in the winter months. I remember as a child, many homes would have their porch light on symbolising friendship and welcome. Less so in these economic conscious times when we only tend to use a light to see our way.

Many things have changed but we are still here helping to light the way and sometimes it means as little as just helping someone mark the distance off. Seeing the lights of Garfield House and knowing that their home is not far away. Or sometimes it means a lot to someone travelling home from a funeral, feeling sad and lonely and knowing that within is a shoulder to cry on and comfort to be had. Sometimes it is other mothers' sons off on an ill-prepared adventure and a late night break down. Perhaps even more so in this fast modern world, we need to be a light for someone. It is often a hard thing to reach out for help, but a welcoming light offers encouragement. I want you to think about shining your light for others too.