Long But Rewarding Day

We’ve only just come in after a very long day working on our barn conversion – making the most of the time we have while I am off work to make progress with tiling in the bathroom. It’s a tricky job – especially as in an old building – nothing is straight! There are noContinue reading “Long But Rewarding Day”

Why I Like Imperfection in My Home

Today I have been working on clay plastering in what will be our bedroom in the barn conversion. There is still a little finishing off to do, clearly visible in the image above, and of course as it is not yet dry it looks rather patchy still. But we are definitely not going for aContinue reading “Why I Like Imperfection in My Home”

Sustainable Living: How to Find the Time

One of the reasons that people often give for not living in a more sustainable way is that they just don’t have the time. But I have definitely discovered over the past few years that thinking just a little differently can mean that you can ‘find’ more time for sustainable projects and tasks than youContinue reading “Sustainable Living: How to Find the Time”

Barn Conversion – Getting a Cast Iron Bath Upstairs

Today has been an eventful day on our barn conversion project. This morning I was working on the top clay plaster layer in what will be the bathroom. And this afternoon we hit rather a big milestone – getting our big cast iron bath upstairs. We had to think carefully about how this was toContinue reading “Barn Conversion – Getting a Cast Iron Bath Upstairs”

Proving the Benefit of Insulation

We’ve had a busy day today working on our barn conversion. We’ve been working inside the upstairs portion, starting to install some ceilings, and the insulation above them. It has been a lesson in just how much difference some insulation in a roof can really make. We’ve been adding ‘Cosy Wool’ sheep’s wool insulation inContinue reading “Proving the Benefit of Insulation”

Feeling Tired At The End of the Day

There is something satisfying about feeling physically tired at the end of the day. Those of us who do not have manual jobs do not feel this way on a daily basis. I am sure that there are many people who, like me, spend quite a lot of time working online, who do not feelContinue reading “Feeling Tired At The End of the Day”

Thinking About Interior Design

Tonight I have been spending some time thinking about interior design. As a permaculture designer, I usually think more about gardens – most of my creative energy goes into outside spaces. But since we have been working on our barn conversion, I have been thinking more about the inside of what will be our foreverContinue reading “Thinking About Interior Design”

Planned Reuse on Our Barn Conversion Project

Since we are working on a barn conversion, we are living in the midst of rather a lot of reclaimed material. This means that things in our yard look rather a mess at the moment. But we definitely have plans to reuse as many of the old materials as possible. Above you can see someContinue reading “Planned Reuse on Our Barn Conversion Project”

The Benefits of Clay Plaster

In our steading/ barn conversion, we are aiming to use materials and finishes that are as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible. One step we are taking to make a healthy and sustainable build is using clay plaster. In finishing one wall prior to the arrival of our Rayburn (delivery has been delayed but it isContinue reading “The Benefits of Clay Plaster”

How We’ll Heat Our Eco Barn Renovation

While we’re both still working full time, my husband and I are working on the renovation of an old steading, or old stone barn. We’re doing most of the work ourselves – slowly – on weekends and the occasional evening. Today, I thought I would take a moment to explain how we’ll heat our newContinue reading “How We’ll Heat Our Eco Barn Renovation”