Author Archives: Jane Blanchard

Steep Learning Curves

…Been a bit quiet on the Blog Front…there hasn’t been a moment to spare as we race towards the deadline for completion on the Isle of Harris project.  A weekly site visit involves two days’ travelling, with hire vans and … Continue reading

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Cranking up the pressure….

The Harris project has now reached the stage where every detail has to be considered…and re-considered…first of all on aesthetic grounds, then on practical, then on whether at all possible within the curves, and finally whether possible within the budget….Site … Continue reading

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It’s a Family Affair!

It seems that the adventure of each trip to Harris starts long before I even get to the ferry. This time it wasn’t storms or blizzards, but trying to get my poor overladen car out of the car park in … Continue reading

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Work in Progress Vignettes

I’ve been working on a lovely project for the past year and a half – completely gutting and renovating a large house (51 rooms of which I am now intimate with every square inch! –  including 2 kitchens, 10 bathrooms … Continue reading

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From Boat-Building to Bog Wood Tables

Another hazardous trip to Harris – delayed ferry on the way there, van creeking under the weight of the kitchen units, radiators and various bathroom fittings (I had a WC as my travelling companion)…and cancelled ferry on the way back, … Continue reading

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Room With Two Views

This Argyll holiday house has a stunning view over the loch …and a road…. …so it was a rather challenging remit to ensure privacy (the first floor windows are for the master bedroom) whilst allowing in light and, of course, … Continue reading

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Oran Na Mara Site Visit January 2015

This was the weather map for the Highlands and Islands on my way to catch the ferry…towards Clunie (icing sugar mountains, frozen lochs and blue sky) …an hour later and just over the bridge to Skye (white-out blizzard)…     … Continue reading

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Oran Na Mara Site Visit – December 2014

With the gales howling and the snows blizzarding, my challenge was to get the bathrooms onto Harris before the builders were left twiddling their thumbs…so, three cancelled ferries later, the van was loaded and off I went in fear and … Continue reading

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Paper, Glue and Scissors

Anyone remotely techy (i.e. anyone over six reading this) would have such a laugh at me with my paper, glue and scissors, but it does add a bit more character to what would otherwise be spat out by CAD…at least … Continue reading

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Swags and Tales of Woe

…it’s a long time since I’ve done swags and tails, but there are a few windows which are just made for them.  This is a very tall landing window, which needed a dramatic statement in keeping with the character and … Continue reading

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