Monday 14 January 2013

Keeping warm and cosy

Brrr!! The weekend was freezing here in Northants and it has been snowing all day today.

First thing this morning.  The snow has become thicker and there is less greenery around now.
Whilst I love the cold, sharp air and frosty landscape in the morning, our house feels even colder than usual.  Our heating is ridiculously inefficient, the roof space inadequately insulated and an icy draught seeps in through the windows.  The thick walls and cold ground-level floors make the place difficult to heat. 

At this time of year I am envious of friends who live in warm, modern houses but it seems I am drawn to the old and crumbly.  Previous houses have included a tiny thatched cottage with shutters at the windows (chocolate-box pretty but it was a playground for mice and permanently dark inside), a converted barn with exceptionally high ceilings (the windows were a nightmare for showing up every smear) and a beautiful old town house with the most amazing timber sash windows (but being right in the town centre, we had to endure the sound of drunk youngsters singing and throwing up all the way down the street at the weekends).  

The house that we are in now is my favourite of all, despite its draughty rooms.  We just need to take extra precautions to keep snug.  


We had wood burners fitted a couple of years ago and it was one of the best things we did.  We have this one in the living room and another in the dining room.  At this time of year we keep the fires banked up  for most of the day.  We've found that a combination of coal and logs burns most efficiently and once it has been going for a while, the room gets toasty.  

We keep plenty of blankets to hand in each room; my favourites are the checked and striped ones I bought at Avoca.  My stepson's favourite by far is the cream faux fur blanket I bought from The White Company - we keep it across the back of the sofa year-round and he has been known to wrap himself up in it to watch TV in the middle of summer! 


We had curtains made with extra-warm thermal lining for living room, including this long curtain that covers the (unused) front door.  The door is an old wooden one and sports a few little gaps that enable the wind to whistle through!  

It isn't so difficult to stay warm upstairs but our bedroom is freezing because we have a small open fire that lets in a constant draught.  I've now bought two sets of the flannelette bed linen from John Lewis (one red and one natural) and then layer up with an eiderdown from Peony & Sage - the plumpest, heaviest eiderdown ever! - and a blanket or two.  It is impossible to get up in the morning, we are so comfortable!


The snow looks set to continue here, for the early part of the week at least.  I have made a huge vat of creamy tomato soup (low fat, natch, I'm on a NY diet) and we are spending our evenings on the sofa catching up on Grey's Anatomy.  Obviously, cuddles are an essential way to keep warm too.   

Have a good week.

Nicki 

x

27 comments:

  1. I'm so jealous of your house, drafts or no drafts!x

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  2. Your house is gorgeous!!
    And that first picture of the snow is amazing!!
    Have a lovely evening, pretty lady! xx

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  3. Your house looks amazing and so cosy! I would love a house like this, the drafts are a good excuse to get all snuggled up under your many blankets and drink lots of hot chocolate!

    Hope the snow doesn't cause you to get too cold though!

    xx

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  4. I think it`s very easy to look too romantically at old houses but I too am drawn. We don`t live in one at the moment but I`m working on it! The kids certainly wouldn't hang about in the bathroom that's for sure! xx

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  5. well your house certainly looks cosy :0, We have an open fire in the living room and we just put in a woodburner instead of an open fire in the dining room and its made such a differece to our house! we avent had to put the heating on at all this year yet, but then its a good job our wood is free as we've used tones!!

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  6. Your house is so beautiful. I'd put up with the cold and the draughts, just about. It's really snowing here. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a snow day tomorrow :)

    Jen | sunny sweet pea xx

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  7. Your house is so lovely, when we were buying a house we looked at a old cottage which was so beautiful but the winter weather would have been a nightmare. Your dogs so cute too,

    I recently found your blog through instagram and im so glad i did :)

    http://pamperedpout.blogspot.co.uk

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  8. I went to view a cottage this week... my dream cottage that it is and the lady was so honest in saying that when you live in a cottage you are so aware of the weather and of the seasons. To be honest, that just made me love it more because I am a huge weather watcher and I love the elements warm or cold, sunny or snowy. Good excuse for a log burner/aga, so cosy! Your house is lovely and a constant inspiration, I hope I get a cottage like this one day too! xxx

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  9. You have snow! This is so unfair ... we have rain, again!!!

    Keep warm Nicki x

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  10. We are having our first winter in an old property having lived all our lives in modern houses and it's frrrreezing. I've already invested in electric blankets for us all (including the pets!) and have a chap booked in to fit a log burner which cannot come soon enough.I shall take your advice and run it with coal too. Next job is thermal linings for the curtains.

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  11. Despite what you say Nicki, your home looks really warm and cosy! I live in a 1930's house so a lot newer than yours, but yours is so charming it surely makes up for the draughtiness ... just throw another cardi on!

    Beautiful pictures

    Claire xxx

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  12. No snow here either but I do still want to come and cosy up in your house!! I live in a modern house and it lacks the character I would so love! Your home is beautiful! Cx

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  13. Your house is beautiful Nicki, you've made it all cosy and welcoming with your lovely style and Lizzie looks more than happy on your bed!! There really is no place like home is there :) xx

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  14. I have only this week found your blog and i love it. Now on my favourites.

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  15. What a beautiful home you have, it looks so cosy.

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  16. Loved this post. We had a wood burner fitted recently and I struggle to keep it going, I think i'll have to research how to keep a fire going! L xx

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  17. Just found your blog think it's lovely will by passing by again - love your house x

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  18. Beautiful pictures (:

    xx

    http://laurathroughthelens.blogspot.co.uk/

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  19. Your house looks so cosy Nicki. I highly recommend an electric blanket for beating those winter chills. I got one for Christmas and am completely converted, not sure I could go back to sleeping in a bed without one now! Just wanted to say Hi *waves* as well. I discovered your blog around Christmas but have only just got round to commenting. I love it, keep blogging x

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  20. You live in my perfect home! It's amazing. Lots of snuggly blankets and a cute doggy!
    I have just come across your blog and I love it.

    Harriet x

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  21. Everything looks so warm and cosy - just lovely
    anniex

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  22. Looks lovely, and reminds me of home!

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  23. I love your cosy cottage. I would choose this over anything else any day. The log burners are brilliant and perfect to create that homely feel. Interlined curtains are a must. I had them in my lovely cottage, which I sold and now sort of wish I hadn't. The interlined curtains were quite efficient. Cxx

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  24. It may have been snowing but your home is very very cosy xx

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  25. Your house is gorgeous....looks so so snug and cosy
    We have a log burner too.... We love it xx

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  26. Hi Nicki!! I love your house.. amazing inspiration!!
    There's a blog award for you on my page! Kisses!

    Stefy

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  27. It really effective for a relax time. You can also install some supportive equipment for the bed. You can use bed table, rails, side rails, bed lever for comfortable sleep.

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