On the shelf.....

I had mentioned a while ago that Jos and I had put up some wallpaper on one wall in Cranberry Cottage. We used vlies wallpaper which really goes up easily since you spread the paste on the wall and not the paper. It is thick and covered a good deal of problems starting to show on the 35 year old dry walls. We thought this might be a good solution instead of having to go to the great expense of either replacing the walls or having them plastered. It worked so well that I want to now continue with a lighter color of this wallpaper on the other walls.

We picked a sea grey green wallpaper and it really makes the color of the brick in the fireplace come out much nicer now. The paper is so thick that it feels like fabric on the wall when you touch it and it is a perfect match to our couch.

I wanted to take time to decide what to do with the wall as I just did not like the look of the hooks and rail for a quilt which I had hanging there previously with the new look. I found some decorative shelf holders (sorry but I forgot to take a photo of them close up) for our new house. They seemed just right for here instead so we bought a beechwood shelf and stained it. I slipped a rod in the scrolling of the shelf holders for one of my small quilt to hang. I plan to take up my green and beige fabrics to see what ones I want to use and create a few more quilts in the right size to hang here. It will be nice to be able to change them also throughout the year.

Now I can continually change my decorations on this shelf throughout the changing seasons. It will be nice to have space to do that in the tiny cottage. I have been wanting to have a mantle made for the fireplace to do that but we still have not gotten around to finding a carpenter to make one for it. Now I have this shelf and the prospect of 'playing' with it. *grins*

For summer, I have three plants on the shelf with some glass tea light holders, a wool felt picture from a little shop in the village and some gifts I received from Ria - a snail - and Sonja - an iron pinecone tea light holder.

Having done this wall only seems to make me have itchy hands to get busy with the other walls. I am also searching for a lamp that is just right to sit on the shelf. Any excuse to shop is a good thing right? I have not found one so far but I am sure I will with time. In the meantime, let me leave you today with the saying on the wool felt picture.....

"Let me live in my house by the side of the road

and be a friend to man."