That’s the festive season done & dusted. Monday morning & it’s a fresh start. Laptops back on. Much of the sparkle carefully packed away & the Xmas window shelf replaced with lovely glassware & faux #eucalyptus stems. Looks lighter & brighter & much more spring like. Which is good, because it’s on its way, as demonstrated by the bulbs in the garden... 🌱🌱🌱 #springiscoming #newbeginnings #januaryclearout #glassware #windowshelf #ourhomeinistria #houseforsale #propertyforsale #istrialife #lifeinistria #movingon #istriareno www.propertyforsaleinistria.com 
The sunshine has returned! Making the dried citrus fruit slice mobile look even more pretty. Each slice looks like a piece of stained glass... #stainedglass #sunshine #citruscolours #istriareno 
High up in the apex ceiling - supersized light shade, with curling vine tendrils... #maskros #ikea #bringingtheoutsidein #istria #istrialife #renovatedbedroom #istriareno 
Winter wreath for #Christmas. #berries #leaves #ivy #willow #winterwreath #istria #istrialife #december #christmasiscoming #orangeleaves #Yuletide #buonanatale #sretanbožić #christmasinistria #istrialife #terramagica #frontdoorwreath #wintersolstice #istriareno 
Snowflakes - we’ve not had the real things yet, but our snow tends to come in January & February. Hope it does arrive, as Istria in the snow, is beautiful. Also, now that this house is finally #renovated, we’ll be warm & cosy. Unlike in previous years when it’s been super pretty outside but FREEZING inside because we’ve had work going on & doors have been continually open or just plastic sheeting for windows ❄️❄️❄️ We’ve now got woodburners, heaters, velvet curtains, all windows thoroughly sealed (so no more gaps for winds!) & best of all - underfloor heating in bathroom & kitchen. So, we are snow-ready! But in the meantime, we’ll made do with our lovely wooden snowflakes... #houseforsale #propertyforsaleinistria - *link in bio* #readyforwinter #winterproof #ourhyggehome #interiors #scandiinspired #letitsnow #christmasiscoming #istria #istrialife #istriareno 
#Monochrome #Christmas #sparkles #cornerofourhome #interiorsatchrismas #shiningstar #blackandwhite #interiors #hygge #scandiinspired #gotoursparkleon #christmasdecor #istria #istrialife #stayathomethisyear #istriareno 
It might be windy & it might be raining, but nothing was going to stop this being lit up this weekend 🎄 #christmasinistria #istria #istrialife #festiveseason #lightitup #christmastree #gardeninzrenj #christmasgarden #christmassparkle #realchristmastree #sparkleinthegarden #houseforsale *link in bio* #istriareno 
Really delighted that the parking area is now finished. Now that it is covered in a nice thick top layer of white Istrian stone chippings, it looks so clean & neat. No more squelchy red mud when it rains. And, when it gets dirty, the hosepipe comes out. After much deliberation about how we were going to do this area, super pleased we went for the easiest - but very effective - option. #gardenrenovation #istrianstones #istrialife #zrenj #stridone #properparkingarea #nomoremud #loveourgarden #houseforsale #propertyforsaleinistria *link in bio* #istriareno 
Once full of rubble & rubbish & overgrown with vines and ivy, this little patch outside our #abandonedhouse has been cleared and levelled & covered with bark chippings. It’s going to become a little #pottedorchard with trees we can take away & eventually plant up. A cherry tree is the first occupant. A neighbour for the wild #baytree in the corner. Already looking a much nicer part of the garden after just a couple of hours... #istria #istrialife #gardening #sundaydiy #sunisshining #outdoorwork #makingthingsbeautiful #ourgardeninzrenj #houseforsale #istriareno 
We’ve flicked the switch from #summerhouse to #winterhouse, as it is now officially very cold in #Istria. The days are bright & sunny, which is lovely, but this means it is extremely chilly! However, it also means we can go full on now with faux fur throws, big squishy cushions, a roaring log burner & lots of candles. Love how the lighting makes the living room so different in the winter. And, if you, or anyone you know, is thinking of making a move abroad, to a beautiful area, tucked in just under the #Trieste region of #Italy, it could be yours, as it’s #forsale... *link in bio* #houseforsaleinistria #propertyforsaleinistria #renovatedhouse #perfectlocation #houseforallseasons #hyggehouse #istria #istriareno 
Soon - no more mud! And, a pergola. It’s coming together in the garden 💚 #istria #renovations #renovatingahouse #blackandwhitephotography #houseforsale #istriareno 
Definitely a day for staying indoors, lighting the #woodburner & #workingfromhome. Fine-tuning a brand new section for @thecheesehamlet #Didsbury #website. A new section which definitely makes the lives of #cheesefans much easier 🧀🧀🧀 #websitedesign #manchester #businesssupport #independentretailers #design #atumnaltones #autumnsky #winteriscoming #pumpkinseason #wintergarden #istriareno 
Reflections and reflections and reflections... It’s taken such a long time to create a nice space out of the largest bedroom. Looking back, it would have been great to have had such a lovely room, when the big #renovation work was happening, but it would have been continually been dirty & dusty. But, we’ve finally got the room we’ve pretty much always wanted - spacious, uncluttered, double windows, soaring apex ceiling, calm colours. I know - *Let’s Sell The House And Start All Over Again...* Definitely sounds crazy, but the pull of the property we’ve been viewing, is just too strong. It’s a complete mess of a building at the moment - and it will be a very long time before we have a bedroom like this when we finally move - but you can’t ignore those feelings. Something must be in the ether, as opposed to nesting, we’re clearing out. Getting ready for #newbeginnings 😍 www.propertyforsaleinistria.com #houseforsale #renovatedstonehouse #istria #oprtalj #istriareno 
Monday morning reflections ☀️ Super sunny this morning. Lovely start to the week & looking like the #autumn #sunshine will stay with us a good few days. Today is a mix of #designwork for clients & outdoor work in the garden. The paving stones have been laid in place for the cars - they need to be slightly sunken & then cemented into place, meaning that finally, the house will have a levelled, hard surface parking area. No more red mud 👍 #onwithmonday #mondaymotivation #sunnyday #octobermornings #websitedesign #inthegarden #sunshineshadows #morningreflections #autumninistria #istrialife #wearelifestyles #ourhouseisforsale #houseforsaleinistria #starshadow #istriareno 
A gloriously sunny - and quite warm - day in the garden. We are making the most of every second of sunshine, as there’s a long winter ahead... #autumndays #istriasunshine #stayinghome #gardendesign #wherewelive #istria #istrialife #houseforsale #housewiththepaleblueshutters #number64 #zrenj #stridone #istriareno 
We continue to mull over the back of the house, especially as it’s #forsale. But, while we still live here, we want to make it the best it can possibly be. And have it in the best condition possible, to pass onto new owners. We don’t want to spend unnecessary money as new owners might want something completely different, but we do think a lot about a new boundary wall. In the meantime, we had a lightbulb moment at the weekend. Not only did we add more potted bamboos to give more privacy, but we also used the base & one side of a couple of log palettes we were chopping up for kindling. Suddenly realised they were the perfect shape, size & orientation. Once in place, they were temporarily decorated with hanging pots and strings of solar lights - as soon as we get a clear stretch of sunny weather again, these will be both painted in our pale grey wood paint. For very little outlay, we’re creating something which can be easily dismantled if we sell quickly or if we make a decision about the boundary wall. Pretty happy though with this interim measure :) #rearofhouse #temporaryrenovation #barkchippings #upcycle #neverthrowaway #repurpose #reuse #abandonedhouse #magicalgarden #startingtoloveourview #bambootrees #houseforsale #propertyforsaleinistria #zrenjhouse #stridone #zrenj #istrialiving #secretgarden #secrethouse #wastenotwantnot #markingtheboundaries #istriareno www.propertyforsaleinistria.com 
Our pink #pampasgrass has never bloomed before, but over the last couple of days, two feathery fronds have started to emerge. These are potted - I know they’d thrive better if they were planted in the ground - but we wanted to contain them a little bit. I think we’ve probably thwarted them, so am delighted that they are now being defiant! Is it usual for them to emerge in October? #gardendelights #bloominggrasses #pinkfronds #autumncolours #istriareno 
#Autumn #Pumpkins 🎃. Switching the living room from how we have it in the summer, to a winter room. In the summer, furniture is more spaced out, there are fewer candles on shelves & surfaces, no baskets of logs and fewer throws. The room feels light and airy and spacious. As winter approaches, we pull the sofas closer together, fill the log baskets, get the throws & faux sheepskins back on the sofas and fill the room with candles. This year, the wooden table has been sprayed gold & is the perfect place for a collection of autumnal pumpkins. 🍂🍂🍂 Love this living room as its size & orientation makes it very easy to change around - a room for all seasons 🌱☀️🍂❄️ #interiors #ourlivingroom #ourhomeinzrenj #zrenj #stridone #istria #istrialife #winterpreparation #hyggelife #scandistyle #houseforsale #istriareno 
Almost overnight, the #virginiacreeper by the front door, has turned the most vibrant red. If only it would stay like this all the way through the autumn & winter 🍂🍂 Given it was only potted a couple of months ago, it’s putting on quite a show! #autumncolours #allthereds #autumninistria #istria #istrialife #wearelifestyles #seasonalchange #seasonaladjustment #coloursofautumn #helloautumn #istriareno 
I love this elevation of our house. She looks lovely when the sunlight in the morning is at this side. It always reminds me of the kind of house you used to draw as a child... #thehousewithpaleblueshutters #istria #zrenj #houseforsale #renovatedstonehouse #threebedrooms #twobathrooms #istrianstone #traditionalexterior #contemporaryinterior #propertyforsaleinstria *link in bio* #istriareno 
Mornings are definitely no longer as sunny. The sun is peeping from behind the clouds, but the light is much paler & nowhere as intense as over the summer. The bedroom in the morning now takes on a different colour - a bit more milky. I love wakening up in this room. I love that it is so high up, we rarely close the curtains. I love that from my side of the bed, I can look out of the window and just see treetops & the campanile, up in the village. This room makes me very happy. #myfavouriteroom #shadesofgrey #freshwhitebedding #vinesaroundthebeams #roomwithaview #howmydaystarts #roomsofinstagram #bedroomdecor #renovatedbedroom #istria #istrialife #wearelifestyles #istriareno #Artwork by @lozeretski #didsbury 🙏 
This lovely room hasn’t been used all summer because, as a result of #coronavairus, we’ve had no visitors this year. It’s usually a very well used room over the summer, but we’ve hardly been in it. In fact, we’ve just taken off the bedding which was put on for our first expected visitors in early April, who obviously couldn’t come. But, this is the room we tend to move into over the winter. Our bedroom is gorgeous in the summer, because it’s big with double windows, can be chilly in the winter, without heating on. So, we swap rooms as this smaller one also has a chimney stack, following up from the living room, so when the woodburner has been on, it’s super cosy 🔥 It might be a few weeks yet before we do the move, because although the autumn rains are arriving, it’s still very mild. #istria #istrialife #autumnpreparation #sundaycleaningday #sortingthehouse #istriareno 
A change around for winter. The room feels more balanced now with the TV on the dark wall. It looks black but I think was due to the morning light - the wall & cabinet are both a deep navy blue, definitely not black. Somehow, the room also seems bigger which is a bonus. Have to say, it’s so nice having the space for two big sofas so there’s no fighting over lying down rights. #loveourhome #featurewall #darkanddramatic #interiors #stylinghowwelikeit #cosyforwinter #hygge #wearelifestyles #homeforsale #istria #istrialife #zrenj #renovatedhouse #contemporaryinterior #boldpaintcolor #upcycledfurniture #newleaseoflife #istriareno 
The most delicate potted plants - and the #pinkflamingo- are now relocated for autumn/winter, on the patio outside the front door. The #virginiacreeper is beginning to turn red & hopefully the the little coloured flowers will continue to bloom for a little longer, giving us bursts of colour. Been working on a little something for the front door, which will hopefully also give us a pop of colour when the days are grey... #autumnpreparation #autumncolours #frontofourhouse #popsofcolour #autumnishere 🍁🍂 #istrialife #istria #autumninistria #alltheredsandoranges #wearelifestyles #istriareno #houseforsale #renovatedhouseinistria #propertyforsaleinistria *link in bio* 
A successful day in the garden. We worked there whilst we still had the sun - in just a couple of weeks, once the sun goes behind the #greenwall, it is *chilly*. So speedy painting of the stone surround where we’ve planted lots of spring bulbs. The pink & white heather plants are loving their new home & will hopefully complement the bulbs when they grow. Already looking forward to spring 🌻🥀🌾🌺 #autumngarden #istria #istrialife #ourgardeninzrenj #zrenj #winterproject #livingoutside #wearelifestyles #springbulbs #heather #istriareno 
Evening light in the kitchen is now so different to just a couple of weeks ago. This window gives us lovely #sunsetviews in the summer, but now in the evening, it’s become more cosy & twinkling. The foreseeable future will be spent #athome so we’re going to make sure that it’s an utter delight to be in. #stayathome #keepsafe #autumnishere #slowliving #twinklinglights #candles #autumnaccessories #brightinsidedarkoutside #istria #autumninistria #istrialife #wearelifestyles #cornerofourhome #hyggelife #changeofseason #embracingoctober #istriareno #houseforsale #propertyforsaleinistria *link in bio* 
Blimey, it’s chilly this morning! Only a couple of weeks ago, we were still lounging on sunbeds in the garden. Today is the day, we start to get the garden ready for autumn & winter. Previously, we’ve had to find places indoors for sunbed & garden seat pads, and cushions & throws, meaning The Snug has always been taken over. This year, we have the lovely shed, and can get properly organised. Time to put on a pair of jeans for the first time in months, and get out the wellies. The #autumnproject begins today... #autumnpreparation #gardenlife #bulbplanting #choppingandclearing #kindling #logstorage #istria #istrialife #dutchlogcabin #ourgardeninzrenj #zrenj #stridone #summerisover #wearelifestyles #autumnchill #changeintheweather #istriareno 
And, almost as if a switch has flicked, it is #autumn. It feels so long since we’ve woken to mist, rain & much cooler temperatures. Also, wakening up to a toppled over #waterbutt, the second one which we bought yesterday & hastily installed as the heavy rain started. Too hastily, in hindsight, as the base wasn’t steady & a loud crash woke us up in the early hours. Yes, all of that carefully collected rainwater, all over the path - the very thing we were trying to avoid 😩- and a bit of a battered waterbutt. Nothing quite like starting the first foggy day of autumn, rebuilding a stone platform in the rain ☔️🤓 #rainwater #gardenlife #autumnhasarrived #istria #istrialife #mistymorning #timetobeindoors #zrenj #stridone #wearelifestyles #atmosphericweather #istriareno 
A very simple, inexpensive, green glass vase can make faux blooms look very pretty. We did a move around in the living room last weekend & brought down the gold sprayed table from one of the bedrooms. It’s a lovely table - long and thin and so sits perfectly against the spindles which overlook the stairs down into The Snug. It also means that there is now a place for lots of beautiful objects we’ve accumulated from travels etc. The layout of the living room is now very cosy, and will be gorgeous in the winter - just hard to imagine it at the moment, when all windows still open & fans still on... Sunlight still coming in, but starting to get out the #faux #sheepskins. Just for decoration at the moment, but they will be used in the winter for warmth & cosiness. #accessorisingthelivingroom #goldtable #fauxblooms #sheepskins #septemberlight #istria #autumn #istrialife #wearelifestyles #glassware @jyskhr #homewares #interiors #istriareno #makingahouseahome #houseforsale #moving on *linkinbio* 
Good job our friend has a head for heights! Because, we don’t... #uptheladders #vinesandivy #thegreenwall #zrenj #istria #istrialife #wearelifestyles #stonehouse #istrianstone #outdoors #ruralliving #inthegarden #istriareno 
Log delivery done. Think we’ll be ready for #winter this year 🔥🔥🔥#logdelivery #woodburner #heatingsorted #stilltoohottothinkaboutwinter #zrenj #stridone #istria #ruralliving #istrialife #wearelifestyles #terra #istriareno 
Early autumn morning in #Istria ☀️We’re making the most of this late summer sunshine. At the height of summer, we have sunshine in the garden until past 8pm. By late afternoon now, it’s dipped down behind the house in front of us so less sun lounging. So, it’s lovely to get out and about earlier in the day, when the garden is in full sun. We’re very lucky with the weather - it’s still warm enough to sunbathe and no rain is forecast so everything can stay outside. Gorgeous time of year. #keepingsummergoing #septembersunshine #sunflowers #ourgardeninzrenj #houseforsale #propertyforsaleinistria #renovatedgarden #sunnypatio #istria #istrialife #wearelifestyles #istriareno 
After the rains have gone... #latersummerdays #umbrellastillup #cloudlesssky #blueabove #wearelifestyles #sunnysunday #suninseptember #istria #istrialife #oprtalj #oprtaljlife #blueandwhite #alwayslookup #miniheatwave #indiansummer #zrenj #stridone #portole #terramagica #istriareno 
September morning sunlight flooding into the living room. Although temperatures are set to rise again this week, it does feel there’s been a definite change. Dewy grass in the morning, only one fan needed at night, moving the sunbeds to get the last rays as the sun is now much lower. But, autumn will bring its own delights 🍂🍂🍂 #lastofsummer #septembersunshine #wearelifestyles #zrenj #istriareno #thehousewiththepaleblueshutters #stridone #whitenavygrey #interiors #renovatedstonehouse #houseforsale #istria #istriapropertyforsale *link in bio* 
Thank you to our neighbour, Nataša, for the additional palette. Got the water butt emptied (and re-filled as we tried to keep as much of the rain water as possible), the tap fitted & the drainpipe connected & we now have a collection point for the rain water. Have no idea what we’ve planted in the empty paint can - could be weeds - but they’re growing, look pretty & about to flower. The palette platform will eventually be painted, but it’ll be covered in plants in the meantime 🥀🎋🌱 #freewater #waterbutt #waterontap #gardentales #gettingautumnready #gardendiy #gettingourhandsdirty #reuse #recycle #slowliving #consciousliving #gardenpalette #keepingtheplantshappy #growingthesecretgarden #istria #istrialife #septembersun #ourbeautifulstonehouse #stonehouserenovation #propertyforsaleinistria #diy #wearelifestyles #istriareno 
Definitely don’t want these summer mornings to give way to more autumnal mornings. Love the light which floods into the bedroom, making everything feel bright and airy. I think at this time of day, this is definitely my favourite room in the house. Hard to get out sometimes though, when you have comfiest mattress in the world :) #eve #yellow #summermornings #riseandshine #sunlight #brightandairy #istria #istrialife #lifeinthecountry #latesummer #zrenj #evemattress @evesleep #istriareno #houseforsale *link in bio* 
Eeking out every opportunity to still live outside. Given how quickly this mad summer is going, it’ll soon be autumn & before we know it, the garden will be packed up, it’ll be winter & no more al fresco dinners. So, until it’s just too cold - and until then the firepit will come into its own - we’ll be outside, keeping summer going. #summer2020 #holidayathome #garden_styles #outdoorliving #latesummernights #stargazing #istria #istrialife #jamieoliverrecipe #ourgreenwall #Illuminatedwall #istriareno #houseforsale - *link in bio* 
New red berries, now standing out against the newly painted wall... #firstsignofautumn #redberries #naturephotography #istriareno 
Beginning to turn the back of the house into something so much nicer. Until recently, it was overrun with weeds & nettles and the industrial pile of treasure (!) belonging to a neighbour. Now, our boundary walls are marked out - so we can get a sense of where a wall might be built - and the ground has been cleared. We’ve even found a home for the wrought iron #vintage garden furniture. Potted plants & lights on timers make a huge difference :) #gardenrenovation #secretgarden #istrialife #zrenj #stridone #houseforsale #suntrap #istriareno 
Waste not, want not. We’d run out of pots to do a bit of planting up & then realised we had many empty paint cans. A bit of Brillo pad action, holes for drainage - and voila - a homage to the endless painting we’ve done! Plants happy in their new homes in the #secretgarden at the rear of the house. #gardenrenovation #plantingup #creatinganewspace #nooneknowswearehere #suntrap #farrowandball #reuse #recycle #upcycle #plantlife #hagueblue @farrowandball #wastenotwantnot #istrialife #creatingagarden #smartspace #istriareno 
Feels like a new garden 🌱🌾🌱🌾 #istriareno 
Hurrah!! The steps & the platform outside the front door are FINISHED! They are painted the same colour as the rest of the main patio & the big stone trough. That’s now been emptied of past-their-best miniature wildflowers & a #cordyline has been planted to provide some spiky structure. Almost ready to take a whole new set of photographs for the #houseforsale website. www.propertyforsaleinistria.com >> link in bio ##propertyforsale #renovatedhouseforsale #houseinthesun #holidayhomepotential #rentalpotential #beautifulcountry #istria #croatia #hrvatska #croazia🇭🇷 #aplaceinthesun #istriareno 
The tree that just keeps on giving... #damsontree #istria #ourgardeninzrenj #damsongin #damsonchutney #istriareno 
Possibly the first thing that’s been in this window for decades. Maybe well over a hundred years. The little house is still unrenovated, but she’s looking better day by day. And it may be a little premature, but we think this purple bloom is creating a little bit more prettiness. Our house may be #forsale, but we’re still living in it at the moment, and whatever we can to help restore it to its former glory, we will do. However small what we do is. #secrethouse #secretgarden #lookingbetteralready #istrianstone #istrialife #ourhomeinzrenj #istriareno #houseforsale *link in bio* 
I love this little corner of the big bedroom. It’s a recess that’s just a bit too small to fit the bed into - this would have been the perfect spot for the bed as the two windows are opposite. So, we decided to create something a bit more unusual here. The wall of ivy has worked out better than I thought it would - we just attached the squares of faux foliage from #IKEA, and it was immediately transformed. The mirror was a gift & was originally black, but the gorgeous surround just disappeared into the foliage - a can of gold #spraypaint later & it now looks perfect, nestled in the ivy. Two #vintage style #birdcages have been attached to the side of the wardrobe, which sits outside of the recess - and the green glittery birds clipped onto them. Behind the birds, I’ve hung a very pretty & delicate paper mobile from @flenstedmobiles - five Scandinavian swans, symbolising the five nations of #Scandinavia. These have come into their own since the fans have been on constantly this summer. It’s still a source of real happiness that we finally have a bedroom big enough to create a magical little corner like this 🌿🌱🍃🌾🦢🦜 #cornerofourhome #magicalmoments #bedroomdecor #accessorisingourhome #flenstedmobiles #lightandairy #ourhomeinzrenj #houseforsale #ourcreativehome #deliciousdesign #birdsonacage #vintagebirdcage #scandistyle #istriareno 
This room would normally be full of visitors during the summer. Family & friends visiting & getting to know #Istria. But not this year. Hopefully, it’ll soon be back to being a room where our guests hang out - but until then, we’ll appreciate not having to do piles of bedding washing and changing 😂 There’s *always* a #silverlining... #ourhouseinzrenj #zrenj #stridone #ourhouseisforsale #roomwithaview #relaxationspace #renovatedhouse #ourcalmhome #sleepzone #lightandairy #loveourhome #istria #istrialife #ourhouseinthesun #istriareno 
Throwback to just a couple of weeks ago, when our stone trough was full of vibrant mini wild-flowers. Although we keep them watered, the hot August sun & some torrential downpours and winds seem to have put paid to them. They’ve been so pretty & am so reluctant to cut them back, but they just look limp & straggly now. Question : they were grown from seeds so if cut right back, will they grow again next year? If they won’t, don’t want an empty trough until next spring when we could put more seeds in, so thinking something that makes a statement, like a big pinky/red #cordyline. Decisions, decisions... #statementplants #mygardeninzrenj #outdoorliving #closetonature #instagarden #storyofmygarden #myseasonalgarden #slowlivinglifestyle #botanicalpickmeup #flowertherapy #istrialife #anistriangarden #istriareno #houseforsale www.propertyforsaleinistria.com 
Fallen #damsons, cleaned up & being given a final burst of sunshine, before freezing for our #damsongin :) #rusticgarden #upcycle #fruitfromthetrees #plums #ripedamsons #ourgardeninzrenj #summerfruit #slowliving #likeastilllifepainting #vintagestyle #istriareno 
Just for you, @suzannahreeves 😂😂 Making the most of the weekend. Computers off. Sunbeds out. Total day of zoning out & relaxing in the Istrian sunshine. All of the essentials gathered - cold water for feet, sun umbrella to cover face, suncream, music, cooling fan (!) #summerinthehills #istria #istrialife #summersaturdays #feetupday #onourholidaysathome #istriareno 
Morning sunlight flooding the landing. Love this time of year. All windows wide open. Gorgeous light. The house feels perfect at this time of day, at this time of year ☀️☀️☀️ #summerdays #augustsunshine #hotandhumid #summerinistria #istrialife #istria #goldenwings #houseforsale #goldenlight #summerheat #houseinthehills #istriareno 
*HOUSE FOR SALE, with additional dwelling, ripe for a #renovation project to the rear of the main house, also included* ⬇️⬇️ https://www.propertyforsaleinistria.com This is a just a little bit different to the garden wall we had back in #westdidsbury in #manchester, which was clad in #scaffolding planks... When we eventually leave here, we’ll miss our #greenwall. It’s beautiful during the day - deep, rich green, and at certain times of the day, shafts of sunlight come through the “windows”. It’s home to birds & bees & butterfles. And probably spiders but I won’t dwell on that. At night we light it up & it takes on a completely different look - it’s almost like the wall of a castle. At night, bats swoop in and out of it. It is absolutely magical - and we know for sure that no other house has a wall the same. It is completely unique... #closetonature #instagarden #uniquefeature #naturalwall #ivyandvines #secretgarden #fairytale #istria #istrialife #oprtalj #history #ouruniquehome #natureperfection #greenwallbackdrop #houseforsale #propertyforsaleinistria #dreamhome #summerhouse #winterhouse #houseforallseasons #scaffplanks #didsbury #didsburylife #fromdidsburytoistria #istriareno 
Looking down into the #livingroom. It wasn’t that long ago that these stairs were still completely open - no back on them and with poorly fitted treads. Like the spindles & handrail, they were that awful yellowy pine colour. The floorboards were the same. It was a pretty uninspiring place in the house. Fast forward to now & it looks totally different. Whilst we have recycled & upcycled quite a lot over the course of our #renovationproject, paint is one thing we haven’t scrimped on. This satinwood paint was the closest we could get to our favourite #Railings by @farrowandball and the difference it has made is incredible. The stairs, all upstairs floors (landing, bedrooms & bathroom) and handrail/spindles are all painted in this colour & there’s now much more a feeling of cohesion. A big #upcycled cabinet also sits on the landing & we’ve painted this in the same colour. As a way of disguising the spindles & handrail a little more, we’ve added faux #sheepskin rugs which soften the dark colours. Delighted now with this space in the house 🏡 #renovation #upstairslanding #darkcolourscheme #sophisticatedcolours #darkanddramatic #enclosedstairs #whitewalls #cosyspace #mybeautifulhouse #loveourhome #slowliving #slowdesign #viewfromthelanding #istriahouse #istrialiving #contemporaryinterior #interiors #cornerofmyhome #instahouse #homesofinstagram #wearelifestyles #istriareno 
Whilst many of our neighbours will have the real deal on their walls - hunting is a way of life in these parts - we’ve gone for the @juliettehamilton #willow option. We love this piece, bought a few years ago when Juliette did the West #Didsbury #makersmarket. One day, when we can work out how to get it here, we’re definitely treating ourselves to one of her willow cows 🐄 #willowweaving #naturalmaterials #artonthewalls #stagshead #fromdidsburytoistria #istria #istrialife #deliciousdarkdecor #homesofinstagram #lessismore #interiors #darkinteriors #closetonature #istriareno 
Outdoors on a summer night. Fires & flames & lanterns. #greenwall #abandonedhousesofistria #concretepatio #gardensofinstagram #istrialife #gardensofistria #closetonature #summernights #istria #istriareno 
Hopefully that big cloud & the distant rumbles signify a storm is on the way. The air is so thick & still & muggy, so hopefully it will lift and freshness will follow 🔥🔥⚡️⚡️⚡️ #summerinstria #thunderandlightning #stormwatching #amazingclouds #stormoverzrenj #zrenj #istria #istrialife #campanile #countrylife #summerstorm #muggyweather #rumblingthunder #ominoussky #cleartheair #istria #istrialife #wearelifestyles #houseforsale #propertyforsaleinistria #istriareno 
Patio being transformed with a lick of paint. Almost. Done... #istriareno 
Summer evening colours in the garden. The #goldenglow, and the #firepit. We’ve started small with the pit so that we can hone our #firestarter skills before going big 🔥🔥🔥🔥 #istriasummer #summernights #outdoorspace #outdoorliving #fireinthegarden #eatingalfresco #istriareno 
We thought we’d planted #springonions. They do look like spring onions but with these beautiful flowers... #inthegarden #growyourown #tooprettytoeat #istriareno 
I am a massive #concretefan, but not concrete which doesn’t look good. Like the concrete on our patio. So #OperationMakeover is starting. Before the beautiful pale blue/grey concrete paint is applied, it needs to be cleaned up. Unfortunately, the Karcher power washer has chosen right about now to malfunction, so it’s wire brushes at the ready. Although it’s pretty warm at the moment, we’re not skipping the prep... . . . . #gardenrenovation #concretemakeover #patiolove #outdoorliving #outdoorlife #exteriors #design #gardenroom #instagarden #buddha #whitelavender #loveourgarden #closetonature #istria #istrialife #ourgardeninzrenj #stridone #summercolours #istriareno 
#Buddha & #jasmine. #istriareno 
Sometimes I question why we are putting this up for sale. Then I realise we’ve taken this home as far as we can, having seen the next #renoproject. It’s time for someone else to fall in love with our #renovated #stonehouse in #Istria... 💚💚💚💚 www.propertyforsaleinistria.com #greenwall #backtonature #silenceisgolden #escapetoistria #propertyforsale #terramagica #zrenj #stridone oprtalj #livethedream #tenovatedhouse #houseforsale #loveistria #istriareno 
When the sun shines, I couldn’t love this house any more! So proud of what we have achieved in just over three years in a new country. Renovating a house isn’t easy at any time, but having to do it with no initial contacts, no idea of where you can actually buy anything with which to #renovate, no idea of anything really - but, it just shows, put your mind to something and somehow it will happen. So, it’s time to do it all again. We’re ready to move on & take on the next renovation challenge. We now just need to find the new owners. They are out there somewhere & when the time is right, they’ll find us. Until then, we’ll thoroughly enjoy our little corner of #terramagica & soak up the sunshine. And enjoy the little luxuries like not living on a building site, having a bath and a shower, having a garden etc. You get the picture 😂 #houseforsale #propertyforsale #istrialife #sloveniaonthedoorstep #italyonthedoorstep #locationlocationlocation #renovatedstonehouse #housefulloflove #oprtalj #istria #stridone #zrenj #housewithaview #lookingfornewowners #anewlifeinthesun #holidayhome #vacationrental #housewiththepaleblueshutters #popsofcolour #istrianstone #stonehouse #istriareno www.propertyforsaleinistria.com 
The fresh mint is thriving in the birdcage. We usually manage to kill it within a couple of days, but this one seems happy in its home. #freshherbs #inthegarden #zrenj #istria #istrialife #wearelifestyles #mintforthecocktails #vintagebirdcage #accessorisingtheshed #palegrey #ourgardeninzrenj #slowliving #propertyforsaleinistria #istriareno 
#istriareno 
Didn’t know #whitelavender was a thing. #lavandula #angustifolia #newplants #gardenrenovation #summerinthegarden #istriareno 
Double #rainbow over the house. #zrenj #istria #arcobelano 🌈🌈#istrialife #wearelifestyles #oprtalj @visit_oprtalj #summerevening #goldenhour #ourgardeninzrenj #relaxation #istriareno 
The sky has suddenly turned from grey to an explosion of sunset colours... #istria #istrialife #zrenj #wearelifestyles #earlysummerinistria #summerevenings #istriareno 
Garden #renovation has started. #lockdown #summer #summernights #loveourspace #houseforsale #didsburylife #istria #istrialife #istriareno 
It’s a balmy, humid, storm-incoming, kinda morning. Windows can finally be thrown wide open, meaning that the warm early summer storm winds are blowing the curtains, into the room. There’s something really lovely about not having to be up & about at the crack of dawn. Lying in bed, at the top of the house, just listening to the sounds outside. This morning, apart from the wind, blowing down the side of the house, outside the windows, there is so much #birdsong. Every now and then a tractor will roll past. A few more cars can be heard as people start to stir from #lockdown. And for the first time, in I can’t remember how long, a plane has just flown overhead. Maybe the winds are blowing everything away... 🌬🌬🌬#summerstorms #lifeinzrenj #relaxintotheday #soundsofsummer #loveourhouse #roomatthetop #abovethetrees #houseforsale #istria #istrialife #wearelifestyles #istriareno 
The beautiful #greenwall in the garden is looking stunning. It’s thick & the most gorgeous shades of green are emerging. It covers the external wall of the #abandonedhouse we’re attached to - it looks even more spectacular when shafts of early evening sunlight stream through the window frames & into our garden. #uniquebackdrop #zrenj #istria #istrialife #houseforsale #wearelifestyles #istriareno 
Bamboos have all been stripped of dead leaves & stalks, so looking a bit more sparse. They’re still potted, having survived the journey from #Didsbury - in much bigger pots now, but reluctant to plant as it would mean breaking up the concrete patio & we’d like to take them with us to our next #renovationproject. Hopefully, the pruning & regular watering and feeding will keep them going until they find a permanent home. #welltravelledbamboo #inourgarden #istrialife #istria #zrenj #stridone #earlysummer #wearelifestyles #istriareno 
Now that frames are being painted, the shutters now so obviously need attention. #Caulkgun out & splits in the wood being filled, before sanding & repainting. All of this because I wanted a #windowshelf 😂 #repairdontreplace #makingbetter #diysunday #springinistria #lockdownlife #lockdowndiy #weatheredshutters #wearelifestyles #istriareno 
One job always throws up others, doesn’t it? The new #windowshelf looks so lovely, but the brass handles on the windows didn’t. So, I sprayed these #anthracite. But, some of the spray went on the painted frame, which on closer inspection, definitely looked like it needed a freshen up. Can’t believe it’s three years since we did them! I’ve learned from last time though when they weren’t done methodically. Because each frame of all of the windows can just lift out, they’re being done a frame at a time. Once this one is dry, I’ll replace it & take out the other one and paint, before moving onto the next window. We have a week of sunny, warm weather coming up, so my aim is to finish all downstairs frames & windows by next weekend. #diy #windowrenovation #neverendingprojects #palebluepaint #kitchenwindows #istrialife #wearelifestyles #istriareno 
Window area finished! Now tiled & grouted, and the #windowshelf, that I’ve had in my head for a long time, is fitted :) Tomato seeds have been planted in the orange cups, and will be potted once they start to grow. Fresh mint, ready for snipping. This shelf will become our indoor #herbgarden. Easy to just lift off when we want the window open. #diy #renovation #indoorplanting #windowgarden #windowwithaview #ourzrenjkitchen #zrenj #istrialife #houseforsale #renovatedstonehouse #haguebluewalls #haguebluekitchen @farrowandball #istriareno 
When the window panes & the shutter bar are removed, we get to see what a #picturewindow would look like. In the next house, this is what we’re having. Uninterrupted views. #outsideourkitchen #nature #zrenj #istria #wearelifestyles #istriareno 
Last day of April. Morning sunlight starting to stream into the bedroom. The colours at this time of day are beautiful. Gold framed mirrors from @dunelmuk - safely packed & driven back from #Manchester to #Istria. #triptych #reflections #sunrise #morningsunlight #lightandairy #accessorisingmybedroom #renovation #istrialife #wearelifestyles #trioofmirrors #goldstyle #mirrorimages #lazylockdownmorning #slowstart #appreciatethelittlethings #slowliving #oursurroundings #springtimeinistria #istriaterramagica #bedroomwithaview #istriareno 
Always known that * one day* we’d have a black bathroom suite. OK, this is the old bath sprayed up, but has made us see how utterly stunning it would be. Next project we #renovate - #blackbathroomfurniture. This was going to be planted up with potatoes, but it’s looking far too chic for crops, so the #honeysuckle is being replanted. Gorgeous, hot day for a bit of gardening activity in #Istria. #istrialife #upcycle #wastenotwantnot #becreative #repurpose #spraypaint #oldbathnewbath #wearelifestyles #accessorisingthegarden #bathwithaview #inthegarden #istriareno 
Our house in the trees. Once the trees spring into life, it’ll be completely hidden from this angle. Perfect in summertime, as it’s so private. #houseinthetrees #zrenj #stridone #istrialife #wearelifestyles #countrylife #istriareno