Friday 16 October 2009

fame at last..........well, sort of.......

Last week I was having my usual Saturday morning magazine fest, this involves a lie in, tea, toast and most importantly time to read in peace. Out of my pile I chose BBC Homes and Antiques and made my way to the contents page. I nearly fell out of bed, for there was a picture of our very own kitchen. Now don't get me wrong, I did know that someone had been and taken pictures of the house (be a bit weird if I didn't, eh) but we didn't expect them to be in the mag until next year. Amanda, the very talented photographer is a friend from school who mentioned about this time last year that she would like to take some shots of the house and see if she could place them with an interiors magazine. Now, although I love my house I can also see all the faults, the dust balls, leaky patches, cracked toilet, scuffed walls and bits of crap everywhere, so I was dubious as to whether it would be good enough. However, Amanda did us proud and took some fabulous pictures and earlier this year we heard that H&A wanted to do an article.




We were told that it would be going in early 2010 so it was a bit of a shock to see our kitchen there, right in front of me. I broke all my magazine reading rules and rushed through straight to page 59 and I have to say it was a great spread. The only downside is the picture of the old crocheting crone in the corner but I can avert my eyes from that bit quite nicely. It's a bit surreal seeing your house on paper, it almost doesn't feel like ours, but it's very exciting . The whole family have been out buying up all the copies , Ian alone bought 4, and it's been a great conversation piece for the last week.



The pictures here aren't the the best quality, I couldn't stop the flipping light shining off the pages, but you get the idea. Thank you to all the lovelies who left some very kind comments about our home, we love it and the children can't quite believe that we're in print.





News of a more depressing kind came a few mornings before the magazine arrived. Ian had to go into hospital for a minor op and stayed in overnight because of some complications. I've never really had a problem about staying in the house alone and went to bed as normal. Next morning I came down to find that someone had forced open our kitchen doors and been in and taken my handbag from the living room. Once the situation had sunk in, and believe me it took a couple of minutes to register what had actually happened, at first I thought I'd left the door open, I immediately thought of the children and I can't describe the cold feeling of dread that went through me. My legs went to jelly and the run upstairs to check them seem to take forever. Needless to say they were fine and none the wiser. The police came straight round and I had to pretend in front of the children that it was all a big adventure and managed to hide my shock until they went to school.



My handbag was recovered, all they'd taken was £6, they must have been so disappointed with that haul. The same night they also went in my lovely neighbour who lives alone. Both of us have now had super locks and burglar alarms installed. One of my biggest fears has always been someone getting into the house at night and to be honest if I sit and dwell on it and consider the "what ifs" it does haunt me, but I refuse to let anyone make me afraid to live in my own home, so life will go on as normal. My peace of mind will not be shattered by the creeps who think they have a right to invade my property and take the things Ian works so hard to provide, to be quite honest it makes me more angry than afraid, but there are so many nicer things in life to dwell on that I'm trying to close this chapter.



Onto things of a lighter nature, since the photos were taken I've had a major overhaul of the kitchen. The blue dresser was never quite right in there and I had a picture in my head of a cube type storage system since seeing it in a book somewhere. A bit of a departure from my normal style, but a couple of trips to the DIY store, a lot of drilling and painting later.........ta dah.........



Ian wasn't convinced about the whole thing so I did my usual trick and bought, built and painted the whole thing before he could argue about it. I think he likes it now but no matter because I love it, all my treasures (crap) are on display and easily accessible and it's freed up some cupboard space. The whole cleaning business will be a nightmare but we'll cross that bridge later.













The dresser has been moved to it's new home on the landing and I'll show you that later, I know, you can hardly contain your excitement, not exactly rock and roll on this blog is it!

Let's finish with a couple of gratuitous fire shots, can't resist. Our boiler seems to have gone into turbo heat mode and we can only have the radiators on at furnace level so we're hiding our heads in the sand and using the fire instead................





Happy weekend all....................

65 comments:

A Thrifty Mrs said...

Your house has always been my fave in bloglan. It has just the right mix of all the things I love in a family home. Your home deserves to be in a magazine so it can be adored my many people.

Sorry to hear that you are having a rough time of it. I hope Ian is on the mend.

And as for your bag! No wonder you were shakey. Poor you. How horrid.

x

A Thrifty Mrs said...

That should say Blogland, not bloglan! Neither are real places but I fear Bloglan less so than Blogland. haha.

carolyn said...

Sorry to hear about the break in, this happened to some neighbours of ours a few years ago when they left their pantry window open. Since then I've religiously taken my handbag, car keys etc upstairs to bed with me. Obviously I don't have them in bed like a teddy bear ...
Congrats on the feature I'll look out for it.
Carolyn
(previously of Willow House)

Mary Poppins said...

I adored looking at your pretty photographs in the magazine. A really inspiring article. I had to smile when I recognised a couple of pretties that I too have in my home, I must have good taste then as you home is beautiful ;)Thank you sharing your home.


Thinking of you and hoping you are getting back to normal regarding your bag, thinking of you and I would be exactly the same.

Hugs

X

Attic24 said...

Ahh Julia....SO GLAD you decided to write about your moment of fame in magazine-wonderland, we all know full well that you are a modest soul and love you for that...but the fact remains that you have created a most gorgeous, desirable, delicious home and should be very proud of seeing it in print. It was indeed a lovely spread, and YOU I thought looked great.

What a bugger of a thing to happen with the burglary though, was so sorry to read about that. Hoping you are able to come to terms with it for what it was and put it behind you.

And lastly....can't think of anything more lovely than snooping around other peoples desirable abodes, so don't be too long in showing us yer dresser!!!!

love and hugs to you
Lucexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lesley (Notesfrommydays) said...

i loved seeing your house "in print" it must have been a bit strange for you but it looked fab (as usual) sorry to hear about the nasty incident but you are right to try and put it behind you and enjoy your beautful home :-)
have a lovely weekend
Lesley x

Scientific Housewife said...

That's so awesome about your kitchen in the magazine, I would have fallen over! I'm sorry someone broke in but I'm glad your family is safe and that they didn't take much.

{Love, Love, Love} said...

You must be so pleased to see your house in print; we are waiting for our campervan to be in print and it is so exciting going to the newsagents each month to see if it is (or not) as the case may be!

I am sorry to hear that some saddo broke into your home; I have had my car broken into 4 times over several years and that is bad enough but in your home must be ten times worse. I am pleased they recovered your bag and I hope they catch whoever done it x

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Congratulations on being in print and so sorry to hear it has been tarnished somewhat by sad times.

I completely sympathsise with your fears esp after what has just happened. My parents recently installed an alarm and its so much more comforting.

Have a great weekend

Victoria xx

Susie's country cottage said...

Hi
I think I mentioned on your last post that I'd seen your lovely home in H&A magazine. It must be very exciting. Sorry to hear that some git broke into your house. Its an awful feeling to think someone has been in your house but at least they didnt get much.
Susie

Knitty, Vintage and Rosy said...

Oh, Julia, how wonderful! I have a famous bloggy friend!

Your place is lovely, but it always has been.

So sorry you were burgled, how horrid.

Lisa xo

Thecraftytrundler said...

Love that article on your gorgeous house. It's inspiration to us all!!What a lovely surprise for you : )
Hope Ian is ok now. Sorry to hear about the break in. at least if you have stepped up your security measures, you should be ok.
I was broken into about 5 years ago, they took about £600 worth of playstation,games, video & dvd player! I got my kitchen window replaced with a double glazed, locking window. Touch wood, all has beem ok since!
Have a good weekend : )

Sharon xx

All things Green said...

About time you did a new post and I've worked out how to leave you comments now so watch out! Nice tea cosy in the magazine pics by the way lady! xx

Claire said...

Im sorry to hear your news, it happened to me a few years ago, my ex husband hadn't long left me so my older two were two and 10months, I came down like you in the morning and found someone had broken in, they had taken the computer, my purse and my dads car which I was using at the time!! They did catch them luckily enough!! What gives them the right!!!!! I hope Ian is on the mend!! I'm loving saying to people that I 'kind of know thislady' im the magazine xxxx

Kim said...

I'm so happy to hear that your home has been featured in a magazine -- what an honor! And, well deserved, as your home is just too,too darling & homey. I would be just over the moon with excitement. In fact, I'd probably cut out the article & frame it!

I'm so sorry to hear about the break in. That must have been terrifying.

Annie said...

I loved looking at your house in Homes and Antiques, just didn't realise it was yours ! Sorry to hear about the break in, I have had a similar experience and it leaves you pretty shaken for a while.
Ann x

French Knots said...

Goodness how exciting to be in print, your home is lovely and so inspiring. Cosy, colourful and eclectic. And I want to move into your bathroom!
Sorry to hear about the break in, so unsettling and scary. Hope Ian is doing ok.xx

Bobo Bun said...

When I turned the page to your home I didn't register it was you for a bit. So I felt excited to be looking at a home that is my thing and ooohing and aahing over it all until I spied you sitting in the corner. Then I looked to see who it was and I realised why it seemed familiar. It was such a lovely warm and perfect article.

Virtual hugs to you for such an awful thing to happen. Hope you are both feeling much better.

Lisa x

Emma Bradshaw said...

How exciting, I will buy a copy in the morning and you can sign it for me, now you are famous! Awful news about the break in, but glad it hasn't got you down, hope your hubby is OK too? Take care, Emma ;0)

prettyshabby said...

hello again I jumped the gun a bit with my last message but how funny that you didnt know that your house was going in the magazine!..love the cubes, We used to do lots of displays with cube units when I was a window dresser and they always looked fab, I'd quite like a whole wall of them one day. Sorry to hear about the break in, we had all the bikes pinched once and its a horrid feeling that someone has invaded your space and like you said, taken the things you've worked so hard for.Horrible. Hope Ian is on the mend too..ps you looked lovely as always NOT like an 'old crone' one bit you daft bird!!! x

VintageVicki said...

Oh I shall treat myself to a copy of H&A. How lovely to see your own home in print :)

Sorry to hear about the break in. Sme neighbours had similar happen a couple of years ago. Since then I've always taken my handbag & phone upstairs at bedtime.

MelMel said...

I just love your house, so pretty!

Sorry about the bag/breal in...its a dreadful feeling, we were broken in to earlier this year, makes you feel so scared....Ian is on the mend soon....take care
Melxxx

Nadine said...

Congrats on your house appearing in print. I've recently started following your blog and your house is beautiful, I'm very jealous!

Sorry to hear about the break in. Hope they catch the tossers.

Anonymous said...

Oh Julia so sorry to here about ur bag. We were broken into years ago and our car keys were stolen, then the car, it was the fact that someone had been into the house that was the awful thing rather than the missing written off car. Your home is where you feel safe & that is taken away, mongrels!
Love the mag feature & the new cubes are delightful, I've been looking for old wooden boxes to do the same thing but not collected enough yet, maybe borrowing ur idea. Keith feels the same as Ian..crap & Junk! How rude!!

Fondant Fancy said...

Straight out to buy it! Love glimpsing your home in blogsville x

Rubyred said...

How lovely to have your gorgeous house in a magasine! I could look at pictures of your home for hours, so homely,pretty and interesting too!Love your new cube system and can't wait to see your dresser too!
Sorry to hear about the break in and I hope hubbys on the mend now!
Rachel x

Mrs B said...

oh!!!! Your house is just beautiful!! I want to sit by that fire with some hot buttered toast and and the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe!! I would burst with 'house pride' if I were thee!! xx

Butterfly said...

Wow, I've always wanted to get my house in a stylish homes magazine, I shall have to purchase a copy. Well done you!
Sorry to hear the bad news though. Hopefully that's it and its all good things now. Naughty people breaking in, glad they only got £6. Karma will catch up with them. xxx

Teena Vallerine said...

Grim! Hope you're sleeping ok and your man is back and defending his castle! Remember the burglar alarm when you're doing DIY. We once put a nail through one of the cables on ours - the next time we set it off by accident the bell rang for over 8 hours before the engineers could work it out.... Your house looked stunning! t.x

bibbitybob said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your break in, but I'm glad to hear that your family are all safe and well xx

bibbitybob said...

And on a happier note...the photos look fab, congratulations! :) xx

VintageVicki said...

Eventually tracked down an H&A mag today - what a fabby house.

Cottage1945 said...

Congrats on the magazine article. You have a beautiful and it deserves to be seen by all. Sorry about your purse, good you found it.

Kathy said...

Hi Julia, Hope you are well. Are you coming up to Country Living this year and if so, do you want a ticket? Let me know and I will send you one, Love, Kathyx email Kathyjobson@fsmail.net

Alchamillamolly said...

Oh my goodness I have always read your blog and now you are famous. I love the built in cupboards in your bathroom - what vast storage that must be. I have got excitement from the fact I finally have room in my bathroom for a bakers rack to store my towels on!!
So sorry to hear about your break in that is a horrible thought.Hope you feel secure now.

Mary said...

Hi
Congratulations on the mag cover It all looks fab. Sorry about your intruder. Mary

MarmaladeRose said...

Lovely post, especially enjoyed the last pic of the fire, mmmmmm!

Lula said...

Congrats on the magazine! How fabby, love a bit of H and A.

And nothing like a good sort through and rearrange to get rid of those yucky feelings, bringing your own sense of order back after such a horrid thing is a great idea.
And I have cupboard envy! The cube system- what a great idea for displaying my ginormous collection of treasure(or as you bracketed- crap!!) might suggest it to the chap.

Lula@GoldenAfternoonTearoom
pop by for some tea!

Frances said...

My goodness, Julia. How to reply to such a post.

Let me just go with lots of congratulations on the marvelous magazine coverage. Perhaps I will even get to see the issue within a month over here on an international rack.

However, your break-in story really does show how any place might be vulnerable.

I am so, so glad that no more harm came to you and your family.

Gosh, what a balancing act the gods do give us in our days and nights.

xo

Country Cottage Chic said...

Oh I was excited when I saw the article too! I though "That's "our" Julia!". The photos did you proud & it all looks lovely.
So sorry to hear about your break-in. I'm glad you only lost £6.00 - the best alarm system of course is a dog as they bark before anyone actually gets in. I'm sure it'll never happen again though.

The new storage looks lovely too - I like the look of open shelves but then I consider the dusting....

Hope you'll be able to make it to the V&H Fair on the 14th!

Hope Ian is on the mend now too.

Jayne

Joshy and belle said...

i brought the mag just for your house! I thought it looked and sounded familiar! i love your mix of vintage treasures and how homely your house looks! fliss xx

Garden Girl said...

My god woman, I just got home with a copy of Home and Antiques, and there you were! Obviously I would have known that already if I had read your blog (oh the shame..!)what an amazing article, the house looks fabulous, as do you, tucked away crocheting like a pro. So pleased for you.
Now weirdly, Gav and I know a surveyor that goes by your partners name that works in Cheltenham! is it the same chap, I wonder...?!x

amandadverse said...

Wow! Your house is my dream house. They just didn't make them quite like that here in the states. Your fireplace is absolutely fabulous, I love it.

Carol said...

Hi Julia gosh it has been a while since I stopped by. I just do not get much time to blog lately.
Your house looks gorgeous, so cosy and homely. You should be very proud seeing your lovely home in print.
I am so sorry to hear of the break in. I hope everything sorts intself out soon. Best wishes to Ian and your family.
Carol x

Diane Mars said...

I sure love all the beautiful eye candy thanks for sharing!

Tanya said...

Lovely ..

Mary Poppins said...

Ohooo Julia I don't know if you can help me out with a dilemma I have regarding chapel chairs. I have been wanting a little set for maybe 2 years and stumbled across 2lovely sets at the same time, ones very similar to yours in colour and ones lighter in colour. Now I have to make a decision and get back to the owners to say whether I would prefer the darker set of six or the lighter set of six.

I love the character of the darker ones though wondered if in my light kitchen diner, stripped floors, painted dresser they may all be a little oppressive.

Anyway I wondered how you have found your chapel chairs, which are adorable by the way, would you always have plumed for the dark ones.

You can see the chairs on my blog, I thought I wanted the light ones though now think I want the dark ;)


I am normally so good at making a decision too.
X

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Congratulations on being in the magazine. You have a beautiful home. It is so lovely to look through your blog too! Have a nice day! Twyla

JuicyFig said...

omg - I am not around for a while, and all hell breaks loose!

congrats on the magazine - it must have been very exciting, and strange!

and so sorry to hear about the break in - what a nightmare!

Hope everything is good for you now though

Kath
x

Irma said...

Hello,

Today I first visited your blog and I love all your beautiful antiques and the enamel stuff.
I've enjoyed all the pictures
A very nice weekend and greetings from Irma from Holland

Mary Poppins said...

Julia

Thank you so much for taking the time to get back to me, well we plumed for the dark in the end, not my normal choice I have to say dark wood, but as friends have advised, the dark chairs against the white, lighter background would actually highlight those light areas, a little like a painting. Thank you for telling me about the table, Mmmmm think a shopping trip is in order,
the chairs are quite low aren't they.

Thanks again and hope you are all well

Mary

X

gayle said...

I don't think I left you a comment. After my cheeky comments about 'how to get into a magazine...' I meant to get back to you and say hello. You know it's just envy that makes me write these things! Do you know I have gone and missed your magazine shoot, I meant to go and get it. The photos look so good! With doing all our renovations I think I could have got some ideas, so I will try to find it somewhere. God, I'm writing an essay I should have just emailed you. Gx

Janean said...

congrats! i just found your blog via another one...lovely home.

Nita in South Carolina said...

I live in the southern USA and just found a copy of the magazine this afternoon! Can't wait to find a few quiet minutes to sit and look at your lovely home.

Clover Yard said...

Thank you so much for your comment Julia. Was very excited to see your beautiful home in the magazine - recognised that it was you. I'm always so tickled when I see fellow bloggers in my favourite mags. Your house is beautiful! So sorry about the break in though. I have had a similar experience - came home to find 2 burglars in our flat (previous home). I think they were more scared than me as I lobbed things over the bannisters of the stairs as they made their getaway! I mean, how dare they! Horrible to lose your handbag though - especially as us women carry their wordly goods in it! Hope you've managed to put it all behind you.
Carolx

Unbuttoned said...

Wow your home is just gorgeous! How exciting to be in print too!
Cant imagine the feeling of a stranger breaking into your own home. .. glad that's all they did though.

Tilly Rose said...

Loving your house and piccies! I love your cube storage idea that's fab!
If you get five mins drop by and say hello....
www.tillyroseblog.blogspot.com
Byee for now
Karen x

gayle said...

I'm having withdrawals, please blog again soon. I want to see your Christmas decorations! And I didn't find a copy of your house, all sold out, damn!

Lesley (Notesfrommydays) said...

Hi Julia - wanted to say a big Happy Christmas to you and your family and I hope you enjoy the festivities! you are missed in blogland but hope your enjoying the run up to Xmas :-)
Lesley x

Country Rose said...

I accidentally stumbled across your blog, but I really have to say you have one of the most beautiful homes I've ever seen.. Something like what I've imagined my dream home in the future to look like.. x

YarnRoundHook said...

Happy New Year. Now I have only just found your blog and am selfishly disappointed to see that it hasn't been updated for a while. Would love to see it continuing.

cottonreel said...

My bag was scooped off my shoulder by a boy on a bike , It was recovered later with just cash taken
I,m off to look at my homes and gardens mag , I want to nosy . I love what you are showing--------------cottonreel

cottonreel said...

I thought it was homes and gardens now I have to get homes and antiques, I,m trying to be thrifty but it will be worth getting---------cottonreel

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