Technical hitches!

I was hoping to post a video today as there is so much happening, however for some reason our video camera and PC are just not talking! So some pictures will have to do for now.

Its all about getting things in the right order with any refurb project, however as I am not the most patient person in the world (and prefer to be outside when the sun is shining!) I have forged ahead with having some of our unnatractive Artexed ceilings plastered.  We have decided to just have upstairs and the study and porch done as we are concerned that there could be some movement downstairs when the walls come down for the extension.

Coving and Artex in the hall

 

All of the ceilings will eventually be done and we are also having to cover the existing coving in the hall, master bed and lounge. As we are also having spotlights put in several areas it was important to get the wiring for these put in prior to the plastering being started.  Kelvin, our electrician arrived last Monday and Dave the plasterer arrived on Thursday http://www.davegilbertplastering.co.uk/default.html.  It has been a challenge to empty rooms and swap them about, but so far it is all going to plan.  Four of the bedrooms and the landing are all now done and ready for me to paint and Kelvin is back today fitting the spots on the landing.  Dave (the tidiest plasterer ever!) has now moved in the master Bedroom and ensuite, where he is also removing some arches!

The builders also started last Wednesday, however we have hit a slight glitch here..... a drain is in the wrong place so they have had to down tools until some further drawings can be done! Oh well, you have to expect these things with building work.

The pictures below show the existing Kitchen and dining room which will be knocked together to form a new bigger kitchen. The walls at the back (where the windows are) will come down and the new kitchen will then be open plan to the new family room. Note the chaos caused when you have to move the contents of the study, as well as the boys playstation and the ironing board,  all into the dining room! Oops, and all my upholstery stuff.....needless to say we didnt have Sunday lunch in there!

I am proud to anounce that I have completed not one, but two dining rooms chairs, just 4 more to go! Hopefully, with a bit of technical help, I should be able to get my video uploaded for next time.

MORE BEFORES THAN AFTERS!

Still more befores than afters!!

Well the front of the house is finally coming together, we still need to get shutters for the windows (cant do this until the decorating is done), however I think it is starting to look quite smart and has definately been dragged out of the 1980's "brown" look.  We have enclosed the porch, with the help of our talented carpenter Steve, added new lights and a new number and all in all it has cost a small fortune but I love it! 


BEFORE



AFTER




NEW INNER DOOR

NEW OUTER DOOR

Unfortunately once you make it past the front door, everything is pretty much the same!
I have therefore been keeping myself amused, I have started undercoating the "teak" coloured door frames in white.....there are 21 in total (including wardrobe frames) and all will need 4 coats so no mean feat!  I have also given my humble garden shed a "makeover"....

The reptile house!

 

 

and I have started an upholstery and soft furnishings course to utilise and update someof our existing furniture and curtains, and hopefully saving a few ££££ in the process as most of our budget is allocated to the house and not its removable contents! You will have to wait for the after picture of my dining room chairs!

I have also been busy making mood boards and have found the easiest way is to "screen print" stuff I like from the internet and make a collage using the "pic collage" app.....this means I have a picture of the website I found the product on saved in my photostream for future reference.  The plasterer starts on our nasty Artexed ceilings at the end of the month....along hopefully with the builder.

 

 

 

Before



In between