A Green Room

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Hello there my lovely friends!  I thought I’d pop in briefly to say ‘Hi!’ before I disappear for a summer break – like I haven’t been taking a break from blogging already.   But you know, I’ve been busy making stuff, and keeping up with all of you regular bloggers and getting on with life and of course coping with the most dismal spring weather EVER!!

The really good news though is I finally managed to get my green room made.  What you may ask is a green room – no, it’s not the place I keep all my celebrity friends waiting.  I don’t have any celebrity friends……  maybe its a ‘garden room’ but that’s not quite right either.  If you get to the end and have a suggestion feel free to let me know what it should be called.

Here’s the back story:

My tiny house has the most inconveniently placed and useless ‘conservatory’ attached to it that you can imagine.  I have no clue what anyone was thinking when someone thought it would be a really good idea to attach a single thickness glass and metal corridor to the side of this tiny house.  But they did and I have inherited it.   It scorches in the summer and freezes in the winter and, at 150cm wide by 200cm long, is good for nothing much more than hanging coats and storing containers of tools, dog gear and shoes and that’s about it.  It also serves as an entry foyer when you enter by the front door.   It is fully visible from the sofa in my sitting room and from the dining table as the long wall of the living space is all ranch slider.  Talk about living in a gold fish bowl!  As said ‘conservatory’ looks directly at a 2m high corrugated iron fence and the white stucco wall of the cottage next door I have always kept it curtained.  The curtains take up space visually and are difficult to keep clean and tidy.  It may be a utilitarian area, but it is visible and I needed for it to look vaguely attractive.

You all know by now I don’t have a garden to speak of here, and what I do have can’t be viewed from inside.  I miss trees terribly, so an idea starting fermenting a year ago from conversations with my friend Alys.  Then my daughter Danella added her ideas and it took shape and form and eventually all the necessary bits were gathered and voila – just in time for Christmas we have a fabulous green room.

Have a look, and then I’ll tell you how I made it.

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I applied an opaque window film to the glass wall.  Over that two bamboo garden trellises were stretched and wired together.  The existing curtain rod was handy for attaching and tying and hanging all the separate components.   Fabric ivy in three different varieties was threaded through the trellis and the back wall was ready to go.

The open shelving unit that holds my box of tools, another of gardening equipment, Siddy’s not unextensive wardrobe and shoes for walking in all weathers was given a fabric curtain in keeping with the green theme and various faux plants tastefully scattered about.   The green cat has been a friend for at least 20 years and now has a lovely new resting place

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As it is Christmas, a small tree and lights were gifted to me by Danella and suddenly it is magical

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That’s a gnome resting on top of that tree.  I don’t have a star of the right size and he had been made and had nothing to do so I popped him on top and he seems quite happy.  Christmas gnomes are a bit of a theme here at the moment.   Maybe I’ll tell you more about that in my next post………

Here’s Siddy posing for you in his lovely new collar and kerchief all the way from Le Belle France and the very kind and lovely Tialys who also made me a rather fabulous pinny for my art room…….

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He’s really rather be having his dinner……

Thanks for coming by today, I’m so happy that you did!

98 thoughts on “A Green Room”

  1. I’ve just typed a full message that seems to have disappeared entirely. Will you please let me know if it shows uo? Im off to bed as it’s 10:45 pm here. I’ll check back tomorrow

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  2. Pauline it looks amazing! I’m so impressed with the way it all came together and how it makes the space soothing and inviting. I love the trellis, the pretty pattern on the film and the greenery. The ivy looks so realistic too. It’s nice, too, that this creates privacy without the heaviness of the former drapes, providing additional space. Is this still a hangout for Orlando as well? I think your green cat is charming and wonder if he has a name? Congratulations to both of you for making a vision a reality. xo

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    • Hello again Alys 🙂 I love this little space and now that Christmas decorations are gone there is space for Mr O again if he wants it – at the moment it is too hot for him to spend too much time in there. The old green cat has been with me for many years – must be about twenty now – and has never had a name. I’m glad it has your approval xoxo

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  3. Pingback: Christmas Gnomes | The Contented Crafter

  4. Pingback: Pearl Barley and Gnorman Gnome | TanGental

  5. That opaque window film is magic stuff and you’ve used it the best way possible. You still get light but now you have privacy, too. Imagine how lovely that room will be in winter! As I read your post, I couldn’t help thinking about the fact that Lord of the Rings was filmed in NZ and there you have a green room, just waiting for some celebrity hobbits. You even have a welcoming gnome!

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    • The hobbits all live up north Susanne – but should one wander past I shall entice him/her in and pop them up on the bench 🙂 In the meantime the gnome will keep their place warm…….. This is the first time in any of my homes I have needed to screen for privacy and discovering this stuff was a real boon – I’m a fan. Especially of the non sticky stuff.

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  6. My husband works with musicians, so I know “Green Room” as a standard. Your adorable homage to the standard is perfection. I love the name options all your friends have come up with, but I still love yours the best. Bravo on making your home more inviting. It makes me want to delve a bit into my own place.

    I am always amazed at how Siddy poses with such perfection and cuteness – even while wishing for dinner.

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    • Ha-ha – yes he tries hard. I have just taken a photo with his reindeer antlers on his head – again just before dinner. Again, no smile, just a long suffering look of ‘are we done yet, can I have my dinner now?’

      I don’t know of the song ‘Green Room’ – I shall look it up. I live in quite a small space and so everything counts and has to be of service and also attractive. This was a real challenge – but we got there 🙂 Thank you for your lovely comment x

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  7. In defense of window cling- I use it sparingly, sometimes covering 1/2 a window, plus it’s not expensive, removable, easy to clean- pets can’t visibly nose print it!, and in my elderly years I need a bit more privacy. So I love it. And when I’m gone my kids can cuss away ;o)

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    • There are three light catchers and a rather complex conglomeration of collected bits and pieces masquerading as a hanging mobile – all of which are likely to hit any entering person on the head who happens to stand taller than 5’2″ My daughter is currently plotting a way to have them hang closer to the glass wall so that entering the room becomes less of a duck and dive affair 🙂

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    • Heh, heh! That’s a lovely name – I’d feel like I needed to take my wand in there with that name. It currently lives on the bench in my work room and wouldn’t be out of place in an enchanted room 🙂

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  11. Hello dear Pauline…and magical is the word. I am entranced by your ‘Green Room’ and I adore your Christmas lights. Your creativity knows no bounds! Sorry to hear of your dismal spring, I hope you enjoy a wonderful summer break to make up for it. My memoir took over my life these past few months, I had to finish it and I did. Then got ill…but trying to catch up now before signing off for Christmas and then face the edits I await from the editor helping me get ready for publication (submission to, that is). I have missed you, my friend, as I have many of my blogging friends. Wishing you a Happy Christmas and New Year with love and hugs 🙂 ❤ xxx

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    • Well done on getting the memoir to the edit stage – I imagine delving back into the past would be a depleting process! Hopefully it will be plain sailing from here. Neither of us are blogging much these days – maybe it will pick up again next year. Love and hugs to you too and all good wishes for Christmas and the New Year xoxo

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      • Thanks so much, dear Pauline. At least we can keep in touch even if here and there. And I really do still want a light catcher…I haven’t forgotten, just sucked into this writing ‘thing’… The binge writing of the last few months utterly drained me…not recommended but it was the only way I could keep the flow after years of derailments and intense frustration at having to put it down! But then…it can’t be rushed…arrgh! Happy Summer and see you in 2019! 🙂 xoxo

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  12. I’d no doubt that you would come up with something beautiful, Pauline. I love the greens and think “Green Room” works well. You’re so inspiring. You make me want to tackle some of my home hurdles. 🙂

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  13. Pauline, is there no end to your creativity?! The room looks fabulous! Congrats on turning it into not just useable, but gorgeous space!😘
    Have a great summer break!

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  14. PS: Enjoy your summer and blog break. Just letting you know (without saying too much) I will be starting (probably in January) a new weekend series that I’m 100% confident you will enjoy. Letting you know just in case you get the urge to stop by. 😉

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  16. I cannot believe the transformation you wrought! I’d call the room a Secret Garden–it is so appealing and lovely now! I’m really impressed by your ability to come up with a way to take a problem and turn it into a delight–makes me want to wander around my house and think of ways to spiff it up!

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  19. What a great little space. You must be so pleased to have it all refreshed and attractive while still serving its storage purposes. It looks really cute–and I like your little gnome. He’s perched like a lookout, watching for…whatever gnomes watch for.

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  20. Pauline, I just love your green room. And it looks like Siddy does, too. Thanks for sharing the transformation. I can’t wait to hear more about those adorable gnomes. Enjoy your break, but please do hurry back when ready. xx

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  21. I think you’ve done a great job and I love the name you’ve chosen. You’ve created a small private area which looks peaceful and inviting without being open to the world. Our spring was up and down too. It was either boiling hot or very chilly and none of the usual mild weather we all love. Summer has begun quite cool too.

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  23. Wow, you did a lovely job with the green room! I see your crystal cascades! So funny about Siddy’s outfits, after the discussion over on my blog today!!!! Not unextensive. Is that what you called it? As in, he must have oodles of clothes?!!! I couldn’t help but read Leprechaun Bordello above. That is pretty cute. Siddy must be surprised at the transformation of the space! Enjoy your time away from blogging, but don’t be too long!

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    • Yes indeed, he has an extensive wardrobe of collars, harnesses, bandanas, kerchiefs etc. Harnesses come in all possible colours to match his huge variety of collars. He has waistcoats and bow ties for special occasions and a sequined red harness with sequined brown bow tie for Christmas day. He even has a maple bandana to wear on Canada day a gift from a Canadian friend. He always hops up on a chair whenever his box is brought out and will indicate quite firmly if he has a definite preference . He also has a laundry basket filled with his ‘fetches’. A variety of soft toys mostly gifted by his doting aunties and visiting friends. He shows great fairness in his choice for games of fetch. The toys get rotated on a fairly regular basis.
      Your interview about the little kitty was so touching and so filled with kindness and love, it made me really aware of how lucky my last two pets have been. I’ll still be reading – and may even find time to make another post before taking another break 🙂

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  24. Now i have this thing – and it’s not a positive thing – about plastic glass coverings, having had to remove above three acres of the stuff my MIL put on all her windows in her house before we sold it earlier this year – despite living in a part of England that is so far from anywhere that NASA hasn’t yet found the budget to send a probe, she was of the view that every visitor was compiling a dossier on her movements for when the world ends and we all become tea cosies. However I’m sure yours is both practical and tasteful (two adjectives that could not be used to describe the MIL) so moving on…
    A name, huh? My parents had a tiny room that had been stuck on the end of their house as an afterthought which Mum always called the West Wing, so maybe the Green Wing, or given the cerebral contemplation you intend to undertake there maybe the Sage Wing. Or if it has the tendency to range in temperature from the Phew to the Brrr, it could be The Intemperate Zone or have names for the particular climate at any one the time: Ice Station Siddy, The Tropic of Pauline… or if you store a lot of stuff there The Glass Repository… or with you and the pets in residence, the Grass Menagerie …. ah, I could go on….

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    • In my defence of plastic window coverings – this is the thoroughly modern version where the covering is adhered by the ingenious use of dampness. Removal for cleaning is easier than peeling an orange and putting back on is also very easy. Moving on. There’s a story there in that MIL snippet! I knew I could count on you to come up with some fine alternatives for naming the room – any or all of them could be applied as you point out in a variety of situations. Though as I have, as my Malaproptic aunt once commented ‘aspersions to grandeur’ saying ‘It’s in the Green Room’ has a nice, genteel ring to it don’t you know. I confess I did wonder when I put up the photo of the gnome atop the tiny Christmas tree what story you would come up with for it………..

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  26. I love the idea of a leprechaun bordello!!! You make me laugh. It turned into a lovely green room and I get how you look at a space and let the ideas ferment. It feels happy like that. Siddy is looking quite handsome in his new kerchief. I would think a cozy chair would be lovely to have a place for more ideas to percolate. It’s a perfect name for that space and you have done a wonderful job of making it happy. Sorry to hear about your spring. There is crap weather in every corner of the world these days. So far, we are quite lucky. Hugs to you.

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    • My mind does quantum leaps sometimes Marlene 🙂 And I think the cosy chair idea is percolating too. One lovely thing about having a room with a glass roof is when it hails and rains (which it is doing with monotonous regularity) the sound is quite dramatic and exciting and demands our attention. A cosy chair would provide a great place to sit right under it and still stay dry!

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  27. Oh my! Green is my favorite color and you certainly did it justice, Pauline. What a beautiful space. Thank you for sharing it with us…and of course, the handsome Siddy! Enjoy your summer. We have sleet and snow showers today…yuck! Take care of yourself. ❤

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    • Hi Jill. We had hail a couple of days ago – again. Another reason why having a bit more usable and enjoyable indoor space became important. I don’t suppose you get a White Christmas where you live, but it still is winter.

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  28. I love your Green Room, Pauline. It’s beautiful. I can’t think of a better name for it, either. I think Green Room is the perfect name for such a magical place. 🙂

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  33. It looks lovely. That window film works a treat doesn’t it – I have some on my downstairs loo window because it’s looked over by the outside terrace which wouldn’t be pleasant for anybody involved..
    You have made a little oasis indoors. Have you tried some of those little air plants you can get which you could scatter about or hang up in nice little containers – I think they are almost maintenance free and would counter balance the tastefully scattered faux plants.(example here https://goo.gl/SxA1uh)
    Siddy looks a treat and certainly deserved his dinner after posing so patiently.
    It seems weird to be saying this as we are about to embark on full blown winter but I hope you have a wonderful Summer and a peaceful, happy festive season. xox

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    • Clever you! Those particular air plants are just delightful with their bling and so forth – what a brilliant idea. I did wonder about them at some stage, but thought they might get scorched in the summer heat – it gets like a furnace in there when the sun shines. Maybe I shall buy just one plant – of the unadorned less pricey variety – and try it out. This summer is looking like a non-starter so it would be the perfect time to try to acclimate one. I put my apron on yesterday and swanned about tidying my work bench up, it matches the room perfectly 🙂 ❤

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    • Siddy is very lovable!! He looks like a teddy bear doesn’t he. I tell him constantly he’s probably the best puppy in the entire world. But he did want his dinner when I was taking those photos and that is not his best camera face.

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  37. Hi Pauline, It’s lovely to hear from you and hear about and see your gorgeous green and magical multi-purpose room. Green cat looks very happy there and Siddy looks very handsome in his new outfit. While I don’t see a comfy seat, it looks like a nice place to sit and think or read – it’s not quite in and it’s not quite out. I look forward to hearing more about the gnomes but I’m not sure I agree with you about how comfortable that one looks. But maybe that’s just because I wouldn’t like to be sitting atop a pine tree, no matter how beautiful. 🙂 Have a wonderful break. Enjoy the season. Best wishes.

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    • Ah ha – I think you must have been catching my thought process Norah. I have a spare vaguely comfy seat – better than the kitchen chair that is there now anyway – but it is too big and gets in the way of the front door being opened – otherwise it would be grand to sit out there and listen to the rain on the glass roof. As to the gnome, you are right – I made him as a wine bottle topper but he was too big and so had no job to do. I thought he might object to being placed there – but he continues to stay on and seems quite content so I’ve left him. If I find a star the right size though he will get a reprieve 🙂

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      • Sounds like things aren’t quite measuring up to be as comfy as you’d like, Pauline. I’m sure you’ll get it all worked out and have it organised in the way that suits you best. How lovely it would be to listen to the rain on the glass roof. I’m sure gnome would enjoy that too. Have a wonderful Christmas. Best wishes, xx

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        • The trouble with living in a tiny house is the lack of options when it comes to furniture placement. On the plus side, housework is a breeze 🙂 And I can still hear the rain on the glass room when I’m in my living room. If I don’t catch up with you before, Happy Christmas to you and your family too Norah xo

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          • Seems to me, there are advantages and disadvantages to everything, Pauline. As long as the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, we’re not doing too badly. 🙂
            Thank you for your wishes, returned many-fold. ❤

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  38. Oh, you clever, clever, creative people. This is magical. I think Green Room suits it very well, unless you want to make it Green Cat House, which is true, but rather clunky. Have a lovely Christmas break.

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