My dream

My nearest and dearest, and some of my closest work friends would all know what my dream is. I have invested much time in developing the concept over the last number of years.  The plan itself has also evolved and become a bigger project too. THats ok though because the only way l can bring the dream to fruition is if l win the lottery. The bigger the win the bigger the scale of the project.

I will go back though.
The dream is a Tea Room/Cafe.    The name is a close tie between Lavender Hill Cafe or Serendipity.  

When the idea was originally forming in my mind it was a little tea room somewhere with a reading room/little bookstore onto it.Over the course of my travels over the years l have been in all manner of cafes, coffee shops, tea rooms.  Lots of them blur into one but some of them stand out in my mind.  Drinking tea and reading books and listening to music are some of my favourite ways to spend time so bringing them all together is bliss.

Anyway, the blue print is a cafe that has a book section, a book case, like the ones you find in librarys where you leave one of your own books there and can take another.  I really like the idea of people feeling comfortable to come into for a coffee alone and to feel relaxed enough to be there alone and to read.

I have a very full Pinterest folder where over time l have saved recipe ideas, decor ideas, kitchen equipment ideas etc. I also want to have a outside courtyard or garden. I can imagine it on summer afternoons and evenings with lanterns glowing at night.

My dream place would have bright coloured walls, woodfloors.  It would have cosy corners and tables with mismatched chairs. I like having long tables with lots of communal seating, and more intimitate seating too. I love that look, rustic, funky, comfortable, relaxing.
My reason for the white walls is that l would love to give local artists a space to display their artwork and hopefully sell some too.



The evening schedule for THursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights  looks like this:

i.   an evening book club with coffee/tea and slice of cake
ii.  an acoustic music evening.  good tea and coffee in nice ambience with some singing and guitar sessions
iii.  a movie evening with admission at door to include light supper, tea/coffee and movie
iv.  A Salsa supper club with  nice supper then push all the tables back for some dancing

*it would also be available for small private functions, a quirky wedding or birthday party for example.*

I have the decor in my head. I want the outside to have a very colourful frontage with lots of greenery/plants too. I want it to attract people to come in. the kind of place that makes you want to cross the road and peek in the window.
Financially l am not even remotely in the zone to think about such an idea. The idea of having my own business was never on my agenda. However, over the years you start thinking about what you like doing, what makes you happy, what pleases you.
Well l love having visitors at my home, l love cooking for people, l love baking.
I love napkings, cutlery and l love tea sets. l love tea. I love the ritual of making tea. These simple things make me very happy. l feel very fulfilled if we have friends and their kids over at weekends for dinner and everybody has had enough to eat, and has enjoyed it.
I really enjoy clearing off the table and settling kids in playroom with a movie and a treat and coming back in and putting on kettle to make the teas and coffees.
To be a good host, to make others feel welcome and that they would leave your home saying they had a nice time.  That is all very satisfying.