TILT: Living Room Make-Over

New Look

I think one of the hardest aspects of moving overseas was leaving everything familiar behind…including our stuff!  I’ve always loved our home, wherever it was, and this was the first time I didn’t feel like we had a real home.  It has taken 2 years and 2 flats, but I finally feel at “home” both within our home and our community.  After a year of living in this flat, we recently got new windows throughout the entire flat!  We were stunned and so, so excited to be the recipients of these wonderful new windows!!  Our biggest fear was that our rent would sky rocket, but alas, our landlord has decided to stick to the same rent, though she has given us warning that it will most likely go up next year, our final year..which means we might be moving this time next year {we are already paying our max amount…I am very sad, but since the kids can share a room, we could have more flexibility in looking.}  However, I am really enjoying what time we do have and thought I’d show you some of the make-overs we’ve done…most notably in the living room.

A little context: We did not have double-glazed windows and most windows leaked or let in a terrible draft, which is brutal in the winter.  So, our landlord got us new windows which open easily and are much, much safer.  Previously, the only way to open the large bedroom windows was to open them so that a child could fall through them.  We were terrified and rarely did it, which made the summer very hot.  Now, we still have the perilous option, but we can also open the windows on an angle from the top, which is much safer.  It took 2 guys 3 days to tear out the old windows and install new ones {plus a week to finish the living room which they had torn out before realizing that the wrong size had been sent…sigh}.  This also included installing 2 and building 3 new window sills.  The kitchen and bathroom are smaller and have acrillic sills, while the living room and 2 bedrooms have wooden sills.  Since the paint was chipping like crazy and sticking to everything, it was wonderful getting rid of it!

Additionally, my mom got me a lovely rug this spring and Rachel scored an amazing “blanket box” FREE which has become our toy chest!  I got some hinges from Christy and Josh put them on so that the lid is hinged safely and won’t smash fingers.  I do love FreeCycle!!  When Kate moved, I bought her fire place screen and you may remember that I got the girl with geese print for 4 GBP at St Machar’s Fayre.  Thanks, everyone for your help!

{My new problem is that I really want to take that box back to the States…hmmmm…}

Window mistake

New windows (and curtains)

Blanket box and rug

RO's fab photography work

New fire screen and Geese picture

Kitchen window

For more TILT & a Modern Eden Give-Away, go to Diaper Diaries.

Related posts:

1. Pics of the Baby’s Room
2. Grocery Shopping {in Bekah’s Room}
3. College Room Mate Reunion!!
4. How to Make a Paper Plate Fish
5. TILT: New Friends & Play Group