Author Archives: Editor

Board and batten ceilings

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Editor

There are essentially three different ways of ‘restoring’ the appearance of an old board and batten ceiling of the type common in New Zealand houses of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Ceilings often survive the redecoration and renovation of … Continue reading →

Posted in original surfaces, practical matters, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The year [well almost] in review

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Editor

At long last we managed to get rid of them. Like a divorce or other painful separations, they kept wanting to come back. The painters wanted to wedge themselves in between Christmas and New Year. They did not understand that … Continue reading →

Posted in practical matters | 2 Comments

Emile Zola and the thyme border.

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Editor

I’ve talked before about how Gustave Caillebotte (1848 –1894), the French impressionist changed my attitude to Dahlias and how Beverly Nichols’ the English between-the-wars writer turned me onto Heliborous. Well this is another literary reference for the garden – this time … Continue reading →

Posted in gardening, inspiration | 4 Comments

Deck the Halls …

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Editor

Merry Christmas – to all Decor Extremes followers from Peter and me. Now I ‘m not generally one for Christmas, although I must say I am settling into the rift this year – with excellent presents – the new Constance … Continue reading →

Posted in colour, gardening, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Avoiding Violet

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Editor

In order to obey the household rule regarding the purchase of small paintings (no more it is decreed), I’ve been on the look out for larger Victorian paintings. These are few and far between.  What’s more I’ve discovered that we … Continue reading →

Posted in art, auction finds etc., colour | Leave a comment

An Absurd Luxury

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Editor

Luxury by its nature is absurd. It is excess – not what is needed – but what the heart cherishes and the mind daydreams about. The ‘plate room’ is Douglas and my luxury item in terms of the renovation of … Continue reading →

Posted in auction finds etc., colour, furniture | 4 Comments

Enclosure but no closure

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Editor

1. The builders are still here and what was a ‘nine to ten week job’ enters its 6th month and we wonder if there are going to be men in the house into the New Year. Don’t get me wrong, … Continue reading →

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Dusk is the perfect time to imagine.

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Editor

  Dusk is the perfect time to imagine. Hard lines blur and imperfections cease to nag. It is  one of my favourite times in the garden. You can imagine how things will be the next year, when this year’s plantings … Continue reading →

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Not Going to Dannevirke

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Editor

I’ve been told that at least one reader looks forward to reading a Decor Extremus posting every Saturday morning (total flattery I know) and that recent tardy posting habits are to be redeemed by good behaviour and regular posting forthwith. … Continue reading →

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find me in the morning room

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Editor

We have for a long time had a ‘sunroom’ it was a small room with low ceilings and horizontal picture windows designed to catch the sun. However it offered up little else in terms of aesthetic pleasure. An earlier owner … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments