Atrixa's Saving Diaries

atrixa

Office is finished! It's looking really good. I'll get the furniture in tomorrow and then it'll be a fully functional room! I'm also working on the living room now. There's still some stripping to do, but the walls are in pretty great condition so I shouldn't need to line them. I've just ordered some tester pots as I'm completely at a loss for what colour to paint this one. I'm thinking a warm neutral tone of some sort as it's north-facing. I've tried a few colours on it already and nothing's working, so I'll likely end up going for a beige/cream. I thought I'd cracked it with a peachy pink, but it's just too pink and it's reminding me of the 80's, and not in a good way.
In the vestibule I'm being much more bold and I've ordered a bright yellow. It's a small space so I can afford to go wild there.
I've also ordered a grey fabric lightshade for the office and a yellow metal one for the vestibule. It's coming together now!

MovingForwards

That's fantastic! Having a dedicated office makes things so much easier.
Have you looked at some of the antique colours, I forget which company makes them. They are more warming and welcoming compared to the normal modern ranges, or mellow mocha (very milky coffee colour). It's so much easier when you can walk into a shop, look at the testers and come home with a few to try, rather than relying on what your PC colour shows it as.
Your vestibule will look great when done.

I can't believe how much you've done in such a short time.

Skint_yet_Again

Have to admit I had to google vestibule 🤦‍♀️😁

Your office sounds great. I have my huge desk & 2 monitors in the living room so I’m hoping we will all be able to have the vaccine by the middle of next year and I can go back to work!

atrixa

Thanks both! Vestibule is an odd one, I remember eavesdropping on a conversation at work where people were talking about what you called it: hallway, vestibule, lobby or porch. I have a vestibule in the front and a porch at the back (at least according to the Estate Agents).
I ordered some more tester pots last night in the sort of warm cream categories so we'll see how that goes.
We got the furniture for the office put together today, took HOURS! I think a desk might be the most awkward flatpack I've ever done. I had to resort to Youtube. I just need to get some bits to decorate it and replace the blind, curtain and curtain pole. The ones left when I moved in were faded and covered in dog hair so I'll treat myself...

MovingForwards

Wonder if the name varies depending on where someone is from. Although a lobby tends to be a waiting room for guests before being shown into the 'posh' room of the house, based on old films. I'm now visualising your home as being double-fronted with an impressive staircase running up the middle and splitting at the top to go left or right 😁

Fingers crossed one of these testers are what you're looking for. An alternative is to find a colour you like on something, take it to a paint mixing shop and ask them to make it for you. I don't think it costs much more than a premade colour.

Some flat packs need more instructions than they provide, or the manufacturer should check their machines a little more frequently to ensure it all lines up with ease.

The B.Friday sales are on in a lot of places, you may get something better than planned for the same price.

atrixa

Haha! No, just your bog-standard Edwardian mid-terrace. Although, it does have an unusually steep staircase.
I'm hoping to have a wander round the shops when they reopen, preferably early morning when it's quiet and see what's in. I've seen a site that does well-priced blinds but the delivery is a bit steep, so I might do the whole house at the same time to save on that.

atrixa

Not much to update really. I've picked out my living room colours- a quite red terracotta (bit retro now, but seems to suit the room) on the chimney breast wall, then the rest is in a lovely warm off-white. Been filling/sanding the room for days now, probably would have been quicker to just line it. 
I got two refunds from my previous energy supplier. Nearly fell over when I saw the money in my account, you usually have to complain then go to the ombudsman to get anything out of them.
I've now sorted my budget (I use Excel) for the next year. I wanted to make sure I knew when I needed to do home insurance renewals and house maintenance like boiler servicing etc. I'll obviously tweak each month as and when things come up but all the formulas are right now.

MovingForwards

Sounds a lovely combination 🤗 all the prep will be worthwhile.
Occasionally suppliers can work quickly!
Annual budgets are a great planning tool.

Irenadler

Oh dear. I have only just got my head round a monthly budget ..... I will furtle around on spreadsheets and see if I can suss it out too....

doingitanyway

Just caught up on your diary. You have done great. Hopefully I will be in your position soon. I hope I have your drive to get DIY things done. Enjoy the new office.