Renovations to Appletree Cottage

When we moved into Appletree Cottage at the end of January 2010, the whole house was painted a salmon pink. In the loungeroom it was more like smoked salmon on account of the previous owners being chronic heavy smokers.

Needless to say I wanted to change the colours and chose bright colours because after all, it is our house and we own it outright and rather than paint with the idea of resale, I made the decision to paint for ME.

The bedroom is 2 shades of purple with green velvet curtains. Very restful, and the patchwork quilt covers I made 9 years ago from curtain fabric samples picked up at a sale. Matt's bed on the left and mine on the right.

Notice the "caravan cupboards" on either wall which were designed and made by Matthew. They are very handy for extra light storage and break up the large expanse of the walls.

Here is the larger of the two wardrobes which were also designed and built by Matt. One either side of the door. There were no cupboards or wardrobes in the house except for the few in the kitchen. Now we have custom built ones that look like they were always there.

Here is the pantry Matt made. It is made from strips of masonite that have been tapered each side to resemble lining boards.

I am very lucky to have married this very talented man. He loves his woodwork now that he has each day to himself and he can do as he pleases.

Oh and by the way, he did most of the painting too. I did the odd door and window frames and skirting boards.

He also did all the loading of trailers and driving and unloading when we did our big move; over 7,000km Cowra-Lismore-Ebor, but that is another story.

He maintains our lawn and gardens and the lawn in the vacant house next door. All the more remarkable because.......

Matthew has had Parkinson's Disease for the last 5 years. That is why he retired early. He treats it more as an inconvenience than a disease. He is managed well on medication and his artistic endeavours just have to be good for his condition. Keeps the brain active and helps keeps his motor skills functioning at their best. There is no cure at present but we donate regularly to the cause. See... you CAN do anything you put your mind to.

Cheers