Our build thread, renovation and extension

Our build thread, renovation and extension

Author
Discussion

vxsmithers

716 posts

200 months

Friday 6th February 2015
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sleepers for me, they look more in keeping with a garden (more natural), rather than an office car park. I guess it depends how you do them though, and what else is around them (maybe the second picture is misleading as to what you'll actually do).

The poles would work better in a structured contemporary garden rather than a country garden so depends on the setting - what look are you aiming for?


Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Friday 6th February 2015
quotequote all
I'm not sure there is a particular look for the front garden, I guess it's more "old" than anything else.

The sleepers will have gravel at the bottom for the driveway and assorted planting above it.

LouD86

3,279 posts

153 months

Friday 6th February 2015
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SLeepers do have additional cost, but I think give a more finished look. With the effort youve put into the rest of the house, I think they will work better for you

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Friday 6th February 2015
quotequote all
I am inclined to agree I think.

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Friday 6th February 2015
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I've got quite a good price on used ones, I think they will look a bit better, a bit of creosote never did me any harm when I was little... I've got a couple of chainsaw blades leftover that just need sharpening from my latest escapade. The weight of them might be fun but I won't be doing it on my own.

Tumbler

1,432 posts

166 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
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I installed a raised bed around 6 years ago made by https://www.woodblocx.co.uk

I had the bespoke option as I had particular space I wanted to use it in, for the price and easy install it has been excellent.

In another section of the garden I've used http://www.linkabord.co.uk another great product which provided a really quick and easy solution.


Craikeybaby

10,402 posts

225 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
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I also used Woodblox after a recommendation on here, when I priced up against normal sleepers the price difference was negligible.

oscmax

157 posts

127 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
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If you're planning on staying in the house, use the sleepers. I've tried both of the ideas you are proposing, and the "poles" have rotted off after about 5yrs, and yes, they were tantalised, treated etc... The sleepers are however indestructible, even the ones that have never been used and are not covered in evil gunk.

singlecoil

33,537 posts

246 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
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Muncher said:
By way of update on the Wren kitchen saga, Tesco Bank only bothered to get thinks moving once a complaint with the FOS was raised.

Wren delivered another load of drawer fronts on Friday, 2 weeks after they had promised them. First signs are not good, there are only 3 large drawer front boxes instead of 4. Second signs aren't any better, the finish on the handles is slightly improved but still not as good as the rest of the kitchen. Third signs even worse, opened up the next box and picked the first one out, big deep white scratch across the handle.

I've now given them 14 days to resolve it or I will issue proceedings.
How are the proceedings proceeding? Or did they get it sorted out?

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
quotequote all
I haven't issued proceedings yet as Tesco have now passed it to their lawyers, they have given up trying to get a resolution from Wren. Hopefully they will resolve it.

I've decided to go with the sleepers. I have seen the woodblock things, they're ok but I don't think would be right here.

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
quotequote all
Our danish pendant lamp finally arrived (12 week lead time!)

Difficult to photograph but it looks really good.






Craikeybaby

10,402 posts

225 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
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That works really well with the island/ceiling detail!

paulrockliffe

15,679 posts

227 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
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Surely you'll be casting your garden walls in a lovely polished concrete to match the kitchen worktops?

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
quotequote all
paulrockliffe said:
Surely you'll be casting your garden walls in a lovely polished concrete to match the kitchen worktops?
Too much like hard work!

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Sunday 1st March 2015
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A shedload of rubble crushed!





Edited by Muncher on Sunday 1st March 20:32

Tuna

19,930 posts

284 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
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Where did you get the crusher from? I have a load of rubble... and a mother in law...

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
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Tuna said:
Where did you get the crusher from? I have a load of rubble... and a mother in law...
A company called Eastern Contractors, £245+ VAT with delivery. It wasn't until the end of the second day filling it with stuff that we realised there was a throttle lever that we can missed, no wonder it kept jamming so much, we were only using it on part throttle for most of the time!

furtive

4,498 posts

279 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
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Muncher said:
Our danish pendant lamp finally arrived (12 week lead time!)

Difficult to photograph but it looks really good.

I got a similar one from John Lewis for my dining room:

http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-felix-rise-and...

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Monday 16th March 2015
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I have been making lots of mess in the front garden the last few days.

The plan is to have the raised bed made from 2 layers of sleepers around the outside, which frustratingly are still sitting somewhere in Holland.

The rest is then being scraped back, a geotextile membrane layed and 150mm of crushed concrete compacted above it, with a surface covering of some kind of gravel once the garage has been built and the ground is no longer being churned by heavy vehicles. Other than a magnolia tree being planted in one of the beds I don't have any other plans other than plants in pots underneath the front windows.

If anyone has any better ideas as to how to improve the space I'd be keen to hear them!













cossy400

3,161 posts

184 months

Monday 16th March 2015
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Im guessing you will of thought about it, but my only concern with a gravel drive way is your on a slope, which will surely as your turning on it push all the stone one way....

I gather that it will be the case what ever happens but IMO and its IMO only as its your house I would get annoyed with it doing so.


Its more work and possibly you d have to go to 3 deep on the sleepers but can you not level it all before you start.

Hang on just reviewed the pics again levelijng it would be a hell of a job.