A few weeks ago I gave Bessie a good old clean up, as the Aga man was coming. She had been turned off all Summer to save on the oil bills. She was going to be re-stuffed, and turned back on poor thing. She's about forty years old now, and she's wearing a lot better than me. I was counting down the days, until the big switch on, I do miss her when she's turned off. But finally he came, and the heart of the home is restored once more.
When we first moved in Bessie looked like this. In fact everything looked like this - BROWN!
I tried to Bertie things up a little bit by throwing some white paint around, and a little bit of my favourite red, as we saved up for a new kitchen.
That day finally arrived just over a year ago.
And this is how she looks now. I just love before and after pictures don't you?
But she's still not finished, I can't decide what to do for my splash back. I've collected lots of inspirational images over the years. I keep them all in a big folder. Here's just a few.
I like this idea of writing delicious words on the wall.
Or maybe hanging a shelf for my bits n bobs.
This red one has just been painted and left, I think it looks cute.
Or should I tile, or tongue and groove? Oh I can't make up my mind. Please help, your points of view would be greatly appreciated as you all have such good taste x.
22 comments:
Oh I do love before and after too Bertie. She looks very gorgeous as she is and there is something about the simplicity of the light on the wall behind. A rack would make it a little cluttered for me, though I do like racks. Love the idea of words subtly painted on (but then I would wouldn't I?) x
Oh yes I do love before and after pictures, esp. of decorated rooms. And after over a month or so of doing decorating in our house how I wish you could press that fast forward button in real life! I am so impatient.lol.
Well although I think it looks lovely just as it is, I did read somewhere about a piece of glass or plastic (not sure which) where you can put wallpaper of your choice but its done in such a way so you can change it. Which really appeals to me as i love to have a change about in my home! dont know whether that appeals or not.
Hope you have fun deciding whatever the case.
MBBx
i think im a little bit in love with bessie!!!...
it looks lovely as it is already
im loving the colour of your walls..can i ask what colour paint that is.. as it looks great with the red.. somthing i may copy haha!!
I think Bessie looks gorgeous 'Oh' for the love of an Aga!!
I would probably go for a mosaic of tiles, but that is just my taste. Though you can get some magnificent twist on desgins these days.
Have a lovely day,
Nina x
I too love my before and after pictures, makes you wonder how you lived through it, back to making bessie look good, words are lovely or what about the faded union jack look, I'm sure whatever you decide will look great.
lynn x
a friend of mine has just had a piece of plain coloured glass fitted behind hers in a really dramatic orange and while that colour may not fit in with your scheme it adds a modern twist againt an aga.....and it looks fabulous at night....
Your kitchen is gorgeous and so is Bessie. When I put my Aga in I did tiles behind. I went for cream because my kitchen was cream and pink but I really did want brick style tiles with 'herb wording' and I still kind of regret not going for them, but as I only have a 2 oven Aga the space behind isnt too wide for too much going on. I would pick tiles everytime, but something plain as the Aga is the star and like me you have lots of accessories on the shelf above that brings colour and at least they can be changed X
I would go for ..."writing delicious words" then a couple of years down the line if you wanted a change you could tile it only when you'd found "just the right tiles" of course. Do keep us posted love Lucey xx
I think tiles...rustic uneven of course...with maybe a border of red or even better still and it looks great, 4" tiles turned triangular...they give a lovely quilty effect tiles with a rustinc sheen look fantastic.....myself I wouldn't go for a plain colour I think you need something to lift it.
Beautiful AGA and you look after her very well.
What about commissioning a tile artist to do you a unique splashback?
hmmm I'm not sure, but I would definitely have something red in it! Like you, I have had to wait for a new kitchen, since 1982 in fact! Now, finally I'm getting the sink unit sorted out, week commencing 23rd November. I am excited and will be posting some before and after pictures just like you.
Getting back to yours, tiles, red and white, not too much red, just a flash of it.
Blessings, Star
Bessie is lovely, I think tiles would be good, nice cream subway tiles!!
Sue xx
Long live Bessie!
What a fab girl to have in the kitchen. Kitchen is looking fabulous, much nicer than the brown! As for the back - I like the words on the wall, though I'm in the leave it plain camp and let Bessie shine on as the real star of the show.
Probably because I'm american, but I have to say, I've never in my life seen a stove like that. with the first couple of pics i was asking myself "what in blazes is that? A heater? A wood burning stove?" that is really lovely, and so vintage!!! (i *am* right yes? it's a cooking stove...right?)
My son and his wife have something like a Bessie. They painted behind black and chalk messages,menus etc on. I love your red. You could have a red chalkboard!
Bertie...I am sure whatever you decide will be perfectly lovely. You know, I have always loved the red accents in your kitchen. The white and red make a wonderful combination and look quite fresh and clean. So, maybe, red and white tiles...mixed together like a checkerboard??????
I tiled behind my aga, as I have an alcove, like yours and it gets quite warm in there! But I love the words idea . . . . . . not easy this decision making thing!!
Love Helen
I think words. I'd like to have a line of poetry above my bed but am not good enough to do it myself and can't find anyone willing...very frustrating! Loving the kitchen!!
have you seen the Union Jack made in muted coloured tiles over at Cherry Menlove's blog - fabulous :)
t x
Hello Bertie, I'm very late to this but have a peep at my bathroom splashback
http://www.silverpebble.me.uk/?p=474
A bit of vintage tileyness may be an idea (although you may have decided now). There's a link to a great little online antique shop in my post. Emma x
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