Chamonix studio renovation - build thread
Discussion
Day 32
Je suis fatigué. Actual work has reached a crescendo just at the wrong time and I've had to pull some seriously late nights over the past 10 days. It's meant I'm not very productive during the renovation time, with all sorts of sloppy work and cock-ups. My cohorts are planning to finish the bathroom tiling after I'm gone, which I'm a bit sad about. I've been looking forward to this part, the finishing touches where it all comes together. I may see if I can get myself out here for another week before the season kicks off to get things properly wrapped up.
The toilet is now finished. It's not particularly glamorous but I've run out of time and budget. The flush works.
The 45° profiles from ECOLED (cheers Guy) are in. That took a bit more channelling, which was tricky as I uncovered more conduit from other neighbours, plus a bit of rebar. I took my time and in the end the profiles were a really snug fit. All I've done is slapped a bit of filler behind them. The LED strip is in. Once the filler is set tomorrow I'll have a go at filling the open face with a rough, rocky texture. You won't really see it as the light will be dazzling you if you look at it, but I'll know it's there and it'll be lovely.
First floor light is now in. Just the UFH and thermostat to go and then this last wall can be filled and painted.
The staircase and the area underneath have had some paint now. What a difference that makes.
The Midi looking magnificent as ever at dusk. I've spent quite a bit of time out here over the past few years and I'm still in awe of the scenery. I hope I never get bored of looking at the mountains here.
Another supply run later and I have got myself a Scoobyfull of concrete for the fireplace. I'm really looking forward to playing with my 'big Lego' tomorrow.
Je suis fatigué. Actual work has reached a crescendo just at the wrong time and I've had to pull some seriously late nights over the past 10 days. It's meant I'm not very productive during the renovation time, with all sorts of sloppy work and cock-ups. My cohorts are planning to finish the bathroom tiling after I'm gone, which I'm a bit sad about. I've been looking forward to this part, the finishing touches where it all comes together. I may see if I can get myself out here for another week before the season kicks off to get things properly wrapped up.
The toilet is now finished. It's not particularly glamorous but I've run out of time and budget. The flush works.
The 45° profiles from ECOLED (cheers Guy) are in. That took a bit more channelling, which was tricky as I uncovered more conduit from other neighbours, plus a bit of rebar. I took my time and in the end the profiles were a really snug fit. All I've done is slapped a bit of filler behind them. The LED strip is in. Once the filler is set tomorrow I'll have a go at filling the open face with a rough, rocky texture. You won't really see it as the light will be dazzling you if you look at it, but I'll know it's there and it'll be lovely.
First floor light is now in. Just the UFH and thermostat to go and then this last wall can be filled and painted.
The staircase and the area underneath have had some paint now. What a difference that makes.
The Midi looking magnificent as ever at dusk. I've spent quite a bit of time out here over the past few years and I'm still in awe of the scenery. I hope I never get bored of looking at the mountains here.
Another supply run later and I have got myself a Scoobyfull of concrete for the fireplace. I'm really looking forward to playing with my 'big Lego' tomorrow.
Council Baby said:
Looking good Darren!
Strangely I used to live at Sadler's Lofts on Tower bridge Road just around the corner from you. A couple of other PHers and I ate at the French restaurant in your London advert 3 weeks ago.
Hmm, so did Gok Wan until recently Strangely I used to live at Sadler's Lofts on Tower bridge Road just around the corner from you. A couple of other PHers and I ate at the French restaurant in your London advert 3 weeks ago.
Before my current place I was at 167 Tower Bridge Road, literally across the road.How did you find Casse Croute? I've not been yet. I can seriously recommend Restaurant Story on Tower Bridge Road / Tooley St. One of the best meals I've ever had. Quick, before he realises he could double his prices.
Edited by Gruffy on Thursday 7th November 20:03
Gruffy said:
Hmm, so did Gok Wan until recently Before my current place I was at 167 Tower Bridge Road, literally across the road.
How did you find Casse Croute? I've not been yet. I can seriously recommend Restaurant Story on Tower Bridge Road / Tooley St. One of the best meals I've ever had. Quick, before he realises he could double his prices.
It was ok but to be fair to them we didn't have a full meal and I was more interested in the wine than the food Before my current place I was at 167 Tower Bridge Road, literally across the road.How did you find Casse Croute? I've not been yet. I can seriously recommend Restaurant Story on Tower Bridge Road / Tooley St. One of the best meals I've ever had. Quick, before he realises he could double his prices.
Edited by Gruffy on Thursday 7th November 20:03
I'll give restaurant story a go soon then, if you recommend it I can only assume it's brilliant!
I wasn't there while Gok was but I did move out after not very long because the hysterical gay couple upstairs were havin really loud bondage sex whilst complaining about my music/TV being too loud
I've had tasting menus at Viajante and Mugaritz this year, which is a similar style of food. Both are in the San Pellegrino 50 Best list (Mugaritz is #4) but Story was so much better than both. It was also a fraction of the price and a much better atmosphere. I couldn't recommend it highly enough. The chef has come from Tom Aikens and Noma and it really shows. He could easily double his prices. I wouldn't be surprised if he earned a star next time the guide comes out.
It's a very small bathroom so a wide shot might be tricky, but I'll see what I can do tomorrow.
There's one at the shower end, about 150mm from the wall and angled 45° towards it, so that you see the light, not the source. This is to throw some downlight on the textured stone wall. The second is about 300mm from the front of the bathroom cabinet (which is itself only 170mm deep). I've run 1m widths, leaving 140mm either side.
There's one at the shower end, about 150mm from the wall and angled 45° towards it, so that you see the light, not the source. This is to throw some downlight on the textured stone wall. The second is about 300mm from the front of the bathroom cabinet (which is itself only 170mm deep). I've run 1m widths, leaving 140mm either side.
Edited by Gruffy on Friday 8th November 20:19
Day 33
I picked up the bed and bedside tables this morning. It was another beautiful day in the valley.
The bathroom lights are in and wired up. Looking lovely and I can't wait to detail the recesses and get the frosted covers on.
The cistern is in and dressed with some plasterboard for tiling. The thermal boards are down on the floor and I've started taping ready for self levelling compound.
The plumbing is now all connected. This runs through the bathroom wall, into the bedroom and then down through the floor, behind the ski locker and then along behind the kitchen to the original 100mm waste outlet. It's a bit of a maze but there was no other way to get the toilet upstairs. Once into the bedroom it has a vent and a rodding point, just in case. That'll be boxed out and turned into a seating area.
The front door has also had a lick of paint. I'm sure it was white once upon a time but since it was last painted (1968) it'd turned an unappetising shade of yellow.
I have just four days until I head back to the UK. There's a hell of a lot to do to make the place habitable and I don't think I can do it all. SWMBO is still struggling in my absence so delaying my return is not an option. I'll have to float the idea of coming back out for a week before the season and see how that goes down. The alternative is to live with it unfinished over Christmas and NY (we're not allowed to make any noise during school holidays) and then fix it when I'm supposed to be enjoying some skiing. I'm sure that'll be her preference but it sure as hell ain't mine.
I picked up the bed and bedside tables this morning. It was another beautiful day in the valley.
The bathroom lights are in and wired up. Looking lovely and I can't wait to detail the recesses and get the frosted covers on.
The cistern is in and dressed with some plasterboard for tiling. The thermal boards are down on the floor and I've started taping ready for self levelling compound.
The plumbing is now all connected. This runs through the bathroom wall, into the bedroom and then down through the floor, behind the ski locker and then along behind the kitchen to the original 100mm waste outlet. It's a bit of a maze but there was no other way to get the toilet upstairs. Once into the bedroom it has a vent and a rodding point, just in case. That'll be boxed out and turned into a seating area.
The front door has also had a lick of paint. I'm sure it was white once upon a time but since it was last painted (1968) it'd turned an unappetising shade of yellow.
I have just four days until I head back to the UK. There's a hell of a lot to do to make the place habitable and I don't think I can do it all. SWMBO is still struggling in my absence so delaying my return is not an option. I'll have to float the idea of coming back out for a week before the season and see how that goes down. The alternative is to live with it unfinished over Christmas and NY (we're not allowed to make any noise during school holidays) and then fix it when I'm supposed to be enjoying some skiing. I'm sure that'll be her preference but it sure as hell ain't mine.
Gruffy said:
I'll have to float the idea of coming back out for a week before the season and see how that goes down.
Lead balloon would be an understatement. I'll have to see what I can do to make it habitable by Tuesday. I think we'll be seeing in the new year with a bare concrete floor and an untiled wet room.Gruffy said:
I've had tasting menus at Viajante and Mugaritz this year, which is a similar style of food. Both are in the San Pellegrino 50 Best list (Mugaritz is #4) but Story was so much better than both. It was also a fraction of the price and a much better atmosphere. I couldn't recommend it highly enough. The chef has come from Tom Aikens and Noma and it really shows. He could easily double his prices. I wouldn't be surprised if he earned a star next time the guide comes out.
Should have read this thread yesterday - staying for the weekend on Bermondsey StAny tips for the best breakfast place
I'd recommend Maltby Street Market if you're looking for that kind of thing. Coffee @ Bermondsey Street is great for kicking back and reading the papers with a brew. For a sit down breakfast my favourite is a little cafe/restaurant on Bermondsey St. I can't remember the name of the place but it has a brown front and is opposite Tanner St Park on the west side of Bermondsey St.
Day 34
I'm on my own for the weekend, but Maurice will be back on Monday for the final push. This morning was an early start to go and find a 180x200 mattress. Nobody stocks them at all, but I've managed to buy one and arrange for a collection on Dec 23rd; the day after I arrive back in France. We'll sleep on the sofa-bed the first night. I also collected the stone counter for the bathroom. I had to leave the fireplace hearth with them as it needed a bit more refinement. It's yet another bank holiday on Monday so they've agreed to leave the piece outside somewhere I can pick it up over the weekend. And I bagged what I hope will be the last supply run. More mortar, SLC, some wee drill bits for drilling into the cistern frame and some bits and pieces for the consumer unit door.
The first proper job of the day is to lay the underfloor heating. Take 1 didn't go so well. The cable can't be shortened and the mat was much too big for the space.
The solution was to pull it off the mat and lay it freehand, a little closer together, but still within specified limits. I still had to break a rule about not laying it anywhere it will be covered. It's only a laundry basket under the counter so I'm sure it'll be fine.
A quick brush over with adhesive primer.
And it's time for another point-of-no-return. The self levelling compound is going down.
A quick lesson on installing laminate flooring.
The noise curfew is really strict in the residence and the sour faced caretaker is ever-present, so the hardest part about starting the flooring was trying not to get busted. That meant a hand saw. Tapping them into place was super noisy though so I had to knock that on the head until tomorrow. It's easy enough though.
Kitchens, wetrooms, plasters. There's literally no end to my DIY abilities.
Three days left before I have to head back. The race is on to get the bathroom to a functional standard so that we can live there while I finish it off over Christmas.
I'm on my own for the weekend, but Maurice will be back on Monday for the final push. This morning was an early start to go and find a 180x200 mattress. Nobody stocks them at all, but I've managed to buy one and arrange for a collection on Dec 23rd; the day after I arrive back in France. We'll sleep on the sofa-bed the first night. I also collected the stone counter for the bathroom. I had to leave the fireplace hearth with them as it needed a bit more refinement. It's yet another bank holiday on Monday so they've agreed to leave the piece outside somewhere I can pick it up over the weekend. And I bagged what I hope will be the last supply run. More mortar, SLC, some wee drill bits for drilling into the cistern frame and some bits and pieces for the consumer unit door.
The first proper job of the day is to lay the underfloor heating. Take 1 didn't go so well. The cable can't be shortened and the mat was much too big for the space.
The solution was to pull it off the mat and lay it freehand, a little closer together, but still within specified limits. I still had to break a rule about not laying it anywhere it will be covered. It's only a laundry basket under the counter so I'm sure it'll be fine.
A quick brush over with adhesive primer.
And it's time for another point-of-no-return. The self levelling compound is going down.
A quick lesson on installing laminate flooring.
The noise curfew is really strict in the residence and the sour faced caretaker is ever-present, so the hardest part about starting the flooring was trying not to get busted. That meant a hand saw. Tapping them into place was super noisy though so I had to knock that on the head until tomorrow. It's easy enough though.
Kitchens, wetrooms, plasters. There's literally no end to my DIY abilities.
Three days left before I have to head back. The race is on to get the bathroom to a functional standard so that we can live there while I finish it off over Christmas.
Edited by Gruffy on Saturday 9th November 20:46
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff