Mine own worst enemy :o(

The “utility” room has been fragged. I’m at that stage where there is more mess than order and as I’m standing there staring at the destruction – I had a vision (of sorts.)

If you understand how “Victorian” houses like mine work, this will make sense.

Back in the day, the vicar and his wife and family would only ever use the front door. They’d come in to the big hallway with the Vicar’s study and the staircase on the left and the family dining and living rooms on the right. At the end of the hall is a door that blocks off the pantry, kitchen and utility room…the servants’ domains.

At the back of the utility room we have the scars of what was once called the BACK STAIRS.

Servants were never allowed to walk up the main staircase.

The backstairs led into what is now my bedroom. And when the wonderful Mr Lawrence visited us with his son and grandson, to show them both the house that he had grown up in from the 1920’s until after WWII – he (Mr L) told me that my bedroom was once the nursery. So the maid, cook and the children of the house had full access to each other.

I bet that Mr Vicar and Lady Vicar never once used my back door. It was the servant’s entrance. Access to the house for the gardeners and stable boys and tradesmen etc.

There is still the fireplace alcove here.

What fun these workers must have had together, gossiping about the village activities :o)

P.S. The image above is of our half renovated stables. The project was started to house my boys’ grandparents. A kitchen/diner, living room, shower room/loo, loft bedroom. UNDERFLOOR HEATING!

Now my son will move in…I’m thinking of charging him money if ever he comes to the main house with all his dirty washing etc. LOL!