Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Totally floored...



This is a picture of our entrance hall floor, it is a typical cement tile circa 1900.  Laid when the house was first built, it is fairly typical in style,but I am quite happy with the colour way, as some can be quite dark.  I especially love the edging tiles which frame it.  I doubt it would be my choice if I had to choose a new floor today, but it's distinctiveness is always reassuring when we arrive home.  It is a little battered and laid on a sand base (the whole thing would need to come up to repair it).   There are a few chips and wobbles which just add to its character.  The funny thing is in the silence of the night we can hear our pug walk about if he is up and not happy (rabbits or poachers!)  -  which means, it is time to get up and investigate!! 

26 comments:

  1. I just that tile! It's kind of like your pug and the flooring are your own built in alarm system! It must be wonderful to live in a century old house. :)

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    1. Hello Janet,
      Thank you and you are so right he hears everything (usually rabbits!) It is a pleasure living in an old house as it is so solid but you have to keep repairs up every year.
      Ivan

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  2. Charming floor indeed, Ivan. A quality that would be difficult to find today.
    Have a great evening.

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    1. Thank you Mr Jim, you can get copies that are more modern but it is the charm of the wear and tear (and the noise of it - strange to say but true). Have a wonderful day after getting your good news!
      Ivan

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  3. What a wonderful slice of history right in your own home! Just think of all the feet that have walked over that floor over the last century, and the stories and secrets and memories held in those footsteps.

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    1. Hello Gillian,
      Yes, a lot of history, it was built and lived in by one family before we bought it off the granddaughter. Her Grandfather, instead of buying the 18th century Château for sale next-door to us (well 500 meters of fields so not quite neighbours!) He wanted a modern house, so we were once the 'new build'!! There is a myth of buried treasure which keep any child visitor excited and busy with our metal detectors!
      Ivan

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  4. I like what Gillian said...the history of that floor. I'm always one to ponder those past lives that shared your home before you. It is a lovely tile and obviously has worn very well. It's a treasure, beautiful indeed.

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    1. Hi Joanne,
      Thank you. It's all quite documented and we love having the old lady (see Gillians reply) for tea in the summer as she just loves the house still. There is always a new story which we really enjoy listening to, as you can imagine. The was also German army camp in the garden during the war.
      You are in my thoughts at the moment.
      Happy Thanksgiving for tomorrow.
      Ivan

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  5. As a huge fan of Mexican tile, i do appreciate the charm and history of this Tiled floor.The border is lovely.

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    1. Hello Chania,
      I hoped you would like these tiles as I can see you must have been through many samples to choose your beautiful pool tiles. Enjoy your rest and I hope you are loving your pool (my dream!).
      Ivan

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    1. Thank you Terry.
      Hope Boomer is getting better each day!
      Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family for tomorrow!
      Ivan

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  7. I have always loved seeing that floor when I enter your home. Love, Harriet

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    1. Happy Thanksgiving, my house is always a happier place when you and Mr.C come and see us...
      Have a wonderful day, Love Ivan x

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  8. As with the rest of the group, I find the floor absolutely charming. And with perfect acoustics for pug patrol :-) Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who will be partaking of the holiday, and for those who are not I wish you could come here and share my huge dinner on Thursday. Take care, Ivan. Linda

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    1. Hello Linda,
      Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Thanks for you kind words and invite, shame it is so far! Hope you have a good day and you must tell me what I missed eating!!
      All my best Ivan

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  9. Love the delicate pastels of this tile. Just thinking of all the decades they have lasted is awesome. Getting ready for the holiday tomorrow, just finished my oyster dressing and the mirliton (chayote) with shrimp casserole, holiday cooking is such fun.

    Hope you have a lovely dinner tomorrow, as well.

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    1. Hello Harriet,
      Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family (special thought for your brave grandson). You are making me hungry, I had to look up the 'mirliton', which sounds wonderful and shrimp is always my first choice on a menu!! Have a wonderful day.
      Ivan
      (still looking for the felt and have an address to go to Saturday!)

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  10. I can hear Aston's claws on the tile now....Sophie has her special sound too in the middle of the night. So the base under the tiles is sand....Is there anything under the sand? Basement or planet earth? No heaving? No frost? Just wondering.
    Ron

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    1. Hi Ron,
      Yes... a wine cellar with a vaulted brick ceiling VERY solid! We keep talking about renovating it but it serves its purpose as is!!
      Ivan

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    2. Phew....thought maybe the floor might give way...no chance!

      PS...love your new header!

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    3. Thanks, no floor here for a few more years - I will do a few photos soon (needs a tidy first!)
      Ivan

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  11. It is very nice looking Ivan!! Beautiful colors and pattern, I love it too when tiles has a few chips and wobbles. It shouldn`t be too perfect, otherwise it loses its charm. We are busy tiling our wc, well I have not begun yet, but next week maybe. I will show later in my blog.

    Wish you a wonderful weekend ~ Amities Aina

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    1. Hello Aina,
      Thank you for stopping by. I agree imperfect is just perfect!
      I have to thank you for the post on 'study/offices' I was motivated by you to get my act together and am very pleased how my new 'art space' is coming on. I love art/crafting and have not made enough time for it of late, so now I will (and I can shut the door on it to hide the mess!) Have a good weekend too.
      Ivan

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  12. So many things to chat about! First, I love your original tile entry floor! Like you I like the colors too! Secondly, that chicken dish looks amazing, I'll be trying that very soon! Thirdly, your Christmas chutney looks amazing & my neighbor has quince!!! Finally, I'm very happy to hear you are feeling better! Thank you for your lovely comments about my pies!

    Oh, one more thing, some of my family will be in Normandy this summer!

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    1. Hello,
      Thank you, (is that four times! I am blushing!) So, so happy you like the posts and I think quinces are forgotten about, so nice to make it into something different. Happily on the mend and so relieved that it is not taking 5 months like before!! As for the Normandy visit, if you want any info or addresses, I am would only be to happy to help - let me know what they like, age group, budget etc, there is a lot see! Have a good weekend!

      Ivan

      (mivanarcfood (at) gmail (dot) c o m)

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