We moved into the House in the Woods 8 years ago (we actually got the key Sept11-01) with four kids. It was a little cramped to get rooms for all, and the studio Terje and I were looking to, became a bedroom for a few years. Then the kids started to use their own wings. Torgeir was first out, first a year doing military service in the King's Guard, then three years of studies in Australia. He came home for long vacations and kept his room, but a small corner in there was left for a desk and a bookcase for me. Then Øystein bought his own nest three years ago. Ingrid moved down to his two small rooms in the basement and Marta was able to have to small room on the first floor. A year ago Torgeir was back in Norway and bought a flat of his own, and his bedroom was now made into a kind of mixed room with a desk for me, a desk for Terje, a sofa, a small table, a couple of comfortable chairs, a television set and a wall filed with books.
When guests came we always found room for them......somewhere.....
Two months ago Ingrid and Marius rented a flat together, near the skijump area where Marius spend so much of his life. A dream came true for Marta, she could move down into Ingrid's rooms in the basement. Suddenly we found ourselves with two empty rooms.
The biggest one has been made into a guestroom this past week. Using old furniture, curtains inherited from grandma Olga who died 20 years ago, decorating with toys from the children's childhood. And with old books. Nothing bought new.
Part of Ingrid Elise's old teddy bear collection overlooks the bed.
A teddy bear quilt on the wall. I made this quilt years and years ago out of old jeans and old plaited cotton shirts. Alot of memories here. The quilt has been on an exhibition once, at Maihaugenin Lillehammer.
I bought the Paddington bear in London when I was 19. Had him on my lap on the flight back home :-)
My old childhood doll, a birthday present when I was 4 or 5. Her name is Anne, and she has followed me always. The beautiful pink dress was knitted by my mother.
My collection of smal wooden tops on the table.....
....board games and old toys in the cupboard. Ready for playing.
Young Torgeir and Øystein on the wall.
A quilt on the bed, and the bed is made ready for a guest. When are you coming?
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The other spare room is made into a small studio just for me. I'll show photos another day.....
Do you mostly decorate with od or new stuff?
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By the way, do you see the little knitted teddy bear hidden somewhere? It was knitted by Ingrid when she was a litte girl. Cute as a button! But he easily loose his way......