image: book cupboard

I really wish that I’d thought to take a ‘before’ shot so that you could see the above cupboards transformation. I purchased it from our local reclamation yard (my new favourite place to shop). The glass was smashed, it didn’t have sides…or a top come to think of it. When I described it on the phone to Mr Tread Softly he was certain that I’d spent good money on fresh air! I knew, however, that it had potential.

image: old french photos pegged onto hemp string

For those of you who have been readers for a while now, you will know that my studio used to be in the house and that once I moved into the new work space and shop,  we had an empty room to fill. Before the move to New Zealand we wrote a wish list and under ‘little wooden cottage’ we’d written ‘library’. Both being avid readers, a little library, for us, seemed like complete decadence. Well, it was a wish list afterall. Let’s cross that off the list shall we? We now have one – well, the makings of one anyway. It’s a little sparse right now but it’ll get there.

image: the library cupboard

So after a lick of paint, a bit of Mr TS’s carpentry skills and some new glass, I have to say that I’m thrilled with the results. I lined the doors with a gorgeous piece of french antique cloth and it’s just perfect for a selection of our favourite books to live in.

If you’d like to see more of our home and workspace it will be featured in January’s edition of ‘New Zealand House and Garden’ – in the shops from 21st December.

Until next time…

image: hand printed brooches : antique buttons : sage

This Saturday (14th November) I’ll be at the Rathkeale Christmas Fete. Drop by and say hi if you’re in the vacinity.