Decorating

I wasn’t intending to blog about this but it’s such a major part of our lives at the moment that it’s difficult to fit everything else in. The major constraint is time and the fact that Colin has to go back to work in the UK next week. So, it’s full steam ahead on the painting front as we redecorate an ancienne chambre in the building that was set up to be a b&b originally. Those of you who know the place already may not remember the original colours of light yellow beams, light pink walls and salmon pink woodwork with……a green carpet. Not my choice I hasten to add and not as bad as it sounds – honest! Anyhow it is now undercoated in white which took us a good part of the day with all the preparation etc. In true workmen style we had a cup of tea before we started…painting that is!

This is the following days efforts: two coats on the sloping roof and window recess and one coat of the second colour on the walls and beams.

Given that any paint isn’t that eco, we are trying to use traditional products in keeping with the organic idea behind the chambre d’hote . The paint we are using on the walls and beams is a mixture of limewash and natural pigments bound by casein (a milk based product) – 98% d’origine naturelle according to the blurb. The glossing of the woodwork is next and we brought some paint with the european eco symbol on it for what it’s worth – I’m not wholly convinced but it’s the best we can do given the task, not to mention the cost.

Sometimes it’s like a rich man’s game being eco but I won’t get on that hobbyhorse now. I’m off to do some vegetable gardening which is something more financially accessible and very rewarding too.