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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

{Going Green for our Bedroom + Confederate Jasmine in bloom}

Just before we went to Florida on vacation, Pieter did complete quite a job. Last year in August I had been searching for the possibility of having sliding shutters for our bedroom's French doors. Well, due to Pieter's open heart surgery on September 3, that ended the entire plan... Let's have a look at our bedroom and balcony.
These sliding French doors exit onto our balcony and right now, the Confederate Jasmine is blooming at its best. This Jasmine is making a pretty evergreen arch and if you could only smell their perfume as well! This is also the south west side of the house so in summer when temperatures are between 35°C and 42°C it can really get hot. So that's why we do have solid oak indoor shutters on all our windows except in the kitchen and veranda. Also this French door had the linen shades that we did buy in The Netherlands and I added a hand crocheted filet lace border.
This photo lets you see my hand crocheted filet lace border and also the highly fragrant Confederate Jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides, more in detail.
Two birdfeeders for chopped peanuts and nuts...
From the inside looking at the linen shades with my hand crocheted filet lace edging. I used French DMC Cébelia size 20 thread.
Removing all the old molding to fit a new molding for the sliding shutters in order to go Green. That will have quite an impact on our electricity bill as well for cooling in summer as heating in winter.
Instead of having some costly sliding shutters, Pieter worked out his own, more economic version!
Bye-bye linen shades after serving us for almost 18 years. But they never darkened the room at mid-day when Pieter needs to take his nap... One more reason for replacing them and going Green!
The new made-to-fit frame is on, and the Masonite bi-fold doors are hung from their rails.
Tomorrow I will show you photos of our entire bedroom so you can see how these six panel bi-folds go perfectly with our solid oak indoor shutters. We also have them on our build-in closet.
I felt mighty proud of Pieter for being able to manage such a project again, after his open heart surgery!
The third panel is being attached with two hinges each and folds outward on top of the bi-fold. On a cloudy day we can leave the center section open. It is even more romantic than having the shades pulled up partly, as that only worked for the full width. Clever design by my dear Pieter and for a fraction of the cost from those offered on line.
These photos I made yesterday while the Confederate Jasmine is still pretty.
It is so romantic to wake up to such a view... Two bird families have a nest on top of the pergola, in the Confederate Jasmine. They are protected underneath the roof extension and gutter. Often we get an early morning bird-concert when they want to express their happiness.
Tomorrow I will show you the bedroom itself! See link below...

Related link:
{Our 'GREEN' Bedroom} | All done...

14 comments:

  1. Hi Mariette,

    I love your beautiful shutters and the pretty Jasmine, can imagine the fabulous fragrance.
    You must be so proud of your husband and he has done a wonderful job.

    Happy week
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  2. That truly is a beautiful view Mariette. I can just imagine how lovely the scent of that Jasmine must be on a warm evening. Your lace border is gorgeous too. Sorry to hear Pieter had to have open heart surgery, but glad that things have gone well for him.

    Hugs

    Lisa x

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  3. Inderdaad, wat een geweldig ontwaken met die Jasmijn voor je raam.
    Ik heb er zo een in mijn serre staan, vast in de grond dus die doet het ook goed. Buiten kan hier niet :(
    Ik kan niet wachten tot ze bloeit, die geur... fantastisch!!

    Ik vind de shutters erg mooi, daar heb je goed aan gedaan.

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  4. Wat een schitterend huis hebben jullie Mariette!! Ik krijg helemaal zo'n koloniaal gevoel, ben heel benieuwd naar de rest.

    Lieve groet
    Brigitta

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  5. Wat mooi Mariette...je jasmijn...en die luiken !!! prachtigggg...geniet van een heerlijke week liefs Ria....xxx...

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  6. OhhhhhooOOOOOH mariette!!!!! Wat PRACHTIG!!!!! wat een GEWELDIG plaatje zo!!!! Uren op dat balkon?
    TOPJOB!! Hurray voor Pieter ;)!

    Liefs,
    Lynda

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  7. Dear Mariette,
    shutters are really a good idea and I am sure they will turn out very lovely as everthing, you design. But I am really envious for your Jasmine. Oh my God, I can imagine so well the heavy scent of this huge plant. I brought this plant several times from Italy with me but without much luck. After a short while every plant died here. So I remember the wonderful fragrance from the south.I am also redoing my bedroom at this time, so I am curious what you will show next.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  8. It looks fabulous - and what a great view with the jasmine.I had no idea of the temperatures where you are , but if it is 42 degrees, you are indeed better off with wooden shutters as it will isolate so much better !!!!

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  9. I didn't even know were you were away since you were still posting. :) Glad you had a wonderful trip. Your balcony is so lovely. All the greenery and that gorgeous jasmine -- so full and beautiful. Great idea for the shutters too. So much nicer than curtains, easier to clean. Would love to wake up to a view like that. Best wishes and blessings, Tammy

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  10. .♫♫♫ Olá, amiga!

    As fotos estão maravilhosas.
    Os jarmineiros também estão maravilhosos... imagino o perfume que fica no ar!...

    Boa semana!
    Beijinhos.

    Brasil.♫♫♫

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  11. What a talented husband you have. He must be so-called "do it yourself" person.
    And I don't think we can see such a fabulous balcony with beautiful jasmine here. How magnificent it looks. I wish I could enjoy the fragrance first hand!!!
    Thank you for your kindness!!!

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  12. i can't believe how great the shutters look! and that jasmine! beautiful.

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  13. Hi Mariette, who well you've returned from your vacation with more vigor and resting, surely you entered the rest coming few days relaxing fine as long as we refresh our perspectives! What beautiful photos, the French doors in your room with the balcony that looks out to this beautiful sight, artfully placed flowers look dreamy! Beautiful! Imagine how to spend leisure time relaxing in the extention of your room, from enjoying a cup of tea, read a good book or simply enjoy the beautiful view, you are blessed Mariette, Greetings, Rose Marie

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  14. Prachtige jasmijn Mariette, wat zal dat lekker geuren!
    Mariette, ik zie naar mijn weten alles op mijn blog wat ik wil zien, ik mis niets bij mij op rozenboetiek?? Mijn email nog ontvangen met het winkeltje in Groessen?

    Liefs Janny.

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Mariette...