Thatched cottage project (Cambs)

[mattnovak]

Should be fun! Total basket case. Had the keys for a couple of weeks and it’s a much larger project than we anticipated. Plus, I work in finance and Mrs Novak is a Doctor, so we’re not exactly old hands at renovation. God loves a trier though, right? I have a whole load of progress so far pics which I’ll post over a bottle of Barolo tonight if anyone is interested?

[mattnovak]

The rear of the property has a ‘later’ extension. Given that the house is 1750’s, the surveyors best guess is that the extension is Georgian.

[mattnovak]

Check out how dirty the dining room carpet is! The former owner had 2 dogs and a cat... and I’m not sure she ever cleaned! Carpets are all out now.

[mattnovak]

....just paint around the furniture

[mattnovak]

Thanks for the responses all. Couple of quick answers:

Emma - thatch is watertight but will need doing shortly, this will form part of a larger project as we open up a bedroom into the eaves and generally fix the upstairs walls. Plus it looks a mess!

J80jpw - it’s a CB24 postcode

In the short term, Christmas is looming so we’re focusing on getting it habitable for us and guests. We originally thought we could salvage the original carpets and replace them in the new year, but it was obvious in the first few days of cleaning that they’d all have to go.

Pretty sweet inglenook:

[mattnovak]

When I said the previous owner wasn’t particularly fastidious about cleaning.... this is from behind a radiator in the kitchen! This theme continued throughout the house.

[mattnovak]

Both sides of the chimney - first pic is the landing side, second is the master bedroom. De-carpeted and gripper rods now also gone. Lovely floor to cover up!

[mattnovak]

Missing first picture from previous post!

[mattnovak]

Thanks Harry - I’ve been following your project when time allows, it’s spectacular!

Why would you carpet this lovely staircase?



God knows how many years of dirt... I’ve clean the upper step for contrast:

[mattnovak]

Kitchen coming along nicely. Ghastly splashback needs to go.

[mattnovak]

Answers in no particular order:

Yup, it’s insured via Thatched Owners Group - chimneys being inspected and swept next week.

Harry - the kitchen is going to be built to my specs, but that’s for next year. Just a lick of paint to make it Christmas ready.

I reckon the big barn could fit 5 cars, but for now at least it fits on the drive:

[mattnovak]

Oh and yes, it’s Grade II listed

[mattnovak]

Hi singlecoil, I’ll change my settings - wasn’t aware that I had messages blocked. From your user name I assume you are a Fender man?

[mattnovak]

Not averse to a P90 myself

[mattnovak]

Okay - so in addition to the large barn (which will be either a self contained residence or a 5 car garage, depending on who you ask) we have 2 further outbuildings, rather generously described by the EA as ‘excellent’.

The first picture is of the larger of the two, around detached garage size. The door is wedged shut so that is a quick pic through the gap - the door inside looks interesting (and maybe salvageable) but the fireplace looks beyond repair, which is fine as the open fire and log burner both have the original inglenooks. For this, we are considering a home cinema / music room / summer house.

The second picture is of ‘the copper shed’ - this is where washing used to be done, and as such has a open fire, large copper pan and chimney etc. This is in a state of disrepair, but we would like to retain as much as possible when we repurpose it - I threw a pic up on Facebook and top ideas so far are pizza oven / tandoor / smokehouse.

This thread will likely run for a decade or so, given that we need to sort out the parts we actually live in first but curious to hear PH’s views!

[mattnovak]

Second pic added (again!)

[mattnovak]

Rubbish photo but our local has a picture of our house on the wall! Entitled “Post Office corner, 1905”

They also serve a decent pint (in the correct glass) of Pilsner Urquell - which I took as a sign to buy the place, having lived in Prague for 6 years.

[mattnovak]

Hi James, yup - give me a wave! Do we live in the same village then?

Had the chimneys swept today. Log burner is aok, but the open fireplace has a flue made from asbestos! So, no Yule log for us this year - which is a real shame to be honest. We’ll have to get some quotes in! No idea how much it’ll be; any pointers chaps?