Taking out fire places was a very dusty operation but it had to be done.
We want to put in a woodburning stove in the front room. In the back room, we are keeping the space open for storage.
Finally, we are getting the doors we wanted installed! It's taken nearly 9 weeks for them to arrive but they are finally here.
The second stage of our renovation started at the beginning of a long weekend towards the end of July. We began by stripping the wall paper in the front two rooms. We have decided to do these rooms ourselves for cost reasons and to see what we can achieve by doing it ourselves. It might be a total mistake but if you don't try you never know.
The wallpaper was relatively easy to take off in the back room and the plaster work seemed quite good. It was a different story in the front room and we realised quite quickly that this room would need a total re plaster as the walls were in a state.
Finally, I have a working kitchen after weeks of delay with the cupboard supplier. It's still not completed by the work top is now in and I have a kitchen I can use.
I have changed my bathroom sinks twice now! First time, it was the wrong kind of sink and the second time, it was the cloakroom sink that had to go back because it was far too large for the size of the room.
The sink now sits on top of a piece of wood I was given by a kind 86 year old man who had been in the lumber trade for over 70 years! I had it polished and varnished and it looks quite cool with the bowl and tall tap.
On top of that, I would have to order the work top separately and the colours would have to coordinate with the tiles and pebbles I'd ordered for the rest of the bathroom. I knew I had a problem.
Very annoyingly, we have a two week delay on the kitchen now because the kitchen designer miscalculated the amount of panels we needed. This means that the kitchen work top people had to be put off, Russ the fitter can't finish his job and we can't use our kitchen! It's not good and I am not very happy about it. The kitchen company have promised to do all they can to hurry the process a long and have promised to throw in a few things to keep me sweet. It still doesn't make up for being able to move in and use my kitchen.
We also have a delay in the bathroom as the fitters have discovered a few scratches in the tub. This has to be ordered and fitted before the tiler can get on with his job. As soon as we have a bath/shower, a loo and a sink in place we are ready to move in.
Our kitchen was delivered far too early and it's only now we are finding out about all the missing bits. Never pay the full amount until you know it's all there. Luckily for us, they delivered the whole lot before we had paid for it.
What a wonderful event we had on Sunday with the Big Lunch street party held on Ramsden Road. Not only did the event raise money for charity but it was the perfect opportunity to get to know the neighbours.
Shame about the rain but it didn't stop people coming out to enjoy some delicious home cooking and splashing around in the puddles.
ve a window into the dining room and the next - it's gone!
Ed the plasterer has always looked a bit off colour to me, he has a ghostly palour of powdery off white about him. I am assured this is not a physical condition but a thick coating of plaster dust! Poor man.
The back bedroom with 60mm of Gyproc Super insulation boards.
The door company was very apologetic, they had ordered an express door because I had asked for a quick turn around unfortunately, no one informed me that this would be at the expense of the door I really wanted. They are now changing the door and ordering the one I wanted. It would take another 6-7 weeks - oh god! never mind, bear the pain for a bit longer. At least we will be able to keep the existing doors in situ until the new doors arrive.
The sliding doors arrived early this morning along with my kitchen units! This is not what I was expecting as delivery was not confirmed and the floor is still to be finished, it is most inconvenient for the builders. As a result, an unfortunate person from the kitchen suppliers had to listen to an earful of my unhappiness.
The men in all their glory stopping to pose for a snap with the bewildered home owner.
Nearly there lads - put that shirt back on Vlad what will the neighbours say!
Julien the electrician on top of the floor insulation. There is over 120mm of Celotex there, it should keep my feet warm in the winter months!
The kitchen floor is getting a make over...
The pipes are laid...
The bath, sink and loo from the main bathroom have gone. The walls have been knocked out and put back together and windows have been bricked up and one has been expanded. We now have the basic plan for what will eventually be the back bedroom and guest bathroom - and it's looking good despite this picture.
