Category Archives: Projects

New Fence Phase One

Posted on November 18, 2012 by lavalotti

After waiting over a month, our fence contractor finally put up our new fence yesterday. There’s only one little panel waiting to be inserted on Monday after the cement foundation for the new gate has set, and then this project … Continue reading →

Posted in Our House, Projects | 7 Comments

Metal Banister Rejuvination

Posted on July 27, 2012 by lavalotti

The weather gods have been smiling kindly upon Kassel and have granted us a five day respite from the constant rain. As soon as the last cloud vanished on Monday, I maniacally gathered my painting supplies together and started working … Continue reading →

Posted in Our House, Projects | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Industrial Zinc Tub Project: Water Feature

Posted on July 8, 2012 by lavalotti

Buoyed by the recent success with our industrial-zinc-tubs-repurposed-as-planters, we thought we’d hammer yet another nail into the coffin of our sanity and go one step beyond. “Is this a vintage feeding trough?” I cheerfully asked the salvage dude selling above … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Projects | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Chalkboard Paint Project: Kitchen Door

Posted on April 21, 2012 by lavalotti

Finally, a handy place to keep track of our grocery list. Whaddya think? Here are some befores and durings… I still have quite a bit of paint left. Whatever will I give the chalkboard treatment to next?? Must…chalkboard…every…surface…if not the … Continue reading →

Posted in Projects | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Garden Progress, Borders and the Hunt for Patio Furniture

Posted on April 3, 2012 by lavalotti

I apologise about the gardeny nature of recent posts, but we’re trying to make the most of any time off we have in order to get the garden in, well, order. Having basically zilch experience means we’re naive enough to … Continue reading →

Posted in Our House, Projects | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Re-grouting the Kitchen Tiles

Posted on March 9, 2012 by lavalotti

While the kitchen cabinets in our 1965-build German townhouse were updated at some point in the late 80s (maybe even very early 90s), the tiles are original to the house. This wouldn’t be a bad thing as they aren’t shockingly … Continue reading →

Posted in Our House, Projects | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Hans Wegner “Papa Bear” Armchair Reupholstery: Transformation Complete!

Posted on February 29, 2012 by lavalotti

After a month away from home, our beloved armchair has finally returned from the upholsterer’s, rising like a phoenix from the ashes of its former self, or returning–fresher, tauter, and somehow younger-looking, like an aging trophy wife after a prolonged … Continue reading →

Posted in Projects, Uncategorized, Vintage bits and bobs | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

House Plans 2012

Posted on January 8, 2012 by lavalotti

In the 5 months that we have had access to our house (we have lived in it for 4), the following things have been taken care of: the most dramatically overgrown bits of the garden trimmed and cut back XXL … Continue reading →

Posted in Our House, Projects, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Fabric Swatch Update: Decision Time

Posted on November 24, 2011 by lavalotti

Many thanks to everyone who gave their input in the comments section of my last post. I have spent the last few days nearly reduced to quiet whimpering, rocking-back and-forth-in-a-corner-madness over this decision. The lines of the chair are such … Continue reading →

Posted in Projects | Tagged | 2 Comments

Wegner Armchair Reupholstery: Fabric Swatches

Posted on November 19, 2011 by lavalotti

Those of you who have been following the blog for a while will know that I am lucky enough to own an original Hans Wegner “Papa Bear” armchair which belonged to my grandparents. In the nearly 50 years that this … Continue reading →

Posted in Our House, Projects | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments