Converted, finally

Before . . . 

. . . and after. 

 The garage conversion is finished and more or less furnished.  I must remember to refer to the new space as the guest room for that is what it will be and it is good to now have a 'proper' bedroom for visitors to stay in.  When we first looked at the property, the estate agent showing us around said the garage was 'crying out to be converted', and although it was not at the top of our list of things to do, it was a project to think over for the future.  We ended up doing the work sooner than we had originally anticipated but in the end that probably wasn't such a bad thing - if we had put it off, I think there was a chance it might not have got done at all.  We feel that it may be a selling point for the future, and presents more options for using the rooms available.  The fact that N was able to labour for our builder helped to keep the cost down; we think we have kept a firm grip on the budget.  There are one or two finishing touches we will probably add to make it feel a little more homely but for now we can safely close the door on this project.

Furniture as follows:
 - second-hand bed-frame, mattress bought new last year
 - wardrobe and chair we already had
 - chest of drawers is older than I am (!), made by my father at night school, or so I recall being told many years ago.  This piece of furniture has been in every house I have lived in, and the drawer fronts have changed colour accordingly.  (Lilac doesn't really go with anything else in the room and I may need to get the paintbrush out again.)  
 - bedding kept when the children moved out over 10 years ago.
 - quilt originally made by my son when he was about 8!
 - meter cupboards as previously mentioned; an unwanted bathroom cupboard, and the other made by N from offcuts in the shed.
 - curtains courtesy of Save the Children charity shop.

We will eventually get a double-bed but in the meantime the single will suffice.

It is a relief to have this completed and to see an end to the renovation.  How people who work full-time, or have a young family (or both!) manage this kind of long-term project - well, I have much admiration for them.  All I can say is that N and I are glad there's no more to do!

However, there is still the garden . . . .