1960's to now : our renovation
Discussion
I wish I had a fraction of the ability and motivation you have as DIY for me ..... Put it this way I put together a flat pack storage thing yesterday 3x2 six hols for baskets.
Result... I cannot nail straight so 6 went in at an angle and split the MDF... I also put the long dowel into where a short one should have been pulled it out and replaced but it's now loose.
I can smash things down / hack off plaster and do the grunt work but anything else DIY I'm utterly useless. Painting even isn't great.
On the flip side I'm very good in the garden - so sadly for me given the previous efforts I've decided let the professionals do the finishing work and depending on the grunt work at £20-30/day v ruined back and hand full of blisters. Hmm.
Result... I cannot nail straight so 6 went in at an angle and split the MDF... I also put the long dowel into where a short one should have been pulled it out and replaced but it's now loose.
I can smash things down / hack off plaster and do the grunt work but anything else DIY I'm utterly useless. Painting even isn't great.
On the flip side I'm very good in the garden - so sadly for me given the previous efforts I've decided let the professionals do the finishing work and depending on the grunt work at £20-30/day v ruined back and hand full of blisters. Hmm.
I tend to either have a go and figure it out or spend some time researching it online before attempting new stuff
For example I need to level the kitchen floor this week... Never done it but doesn't look rocket science.
Gardens?! I have a gardener because I don't know grass from weeds or plants or other green stuff outside!
For example I need to level the kitchen floor this week... Never done it but doesn't look rocket science.
Gardens?! I have a gardener because I don't know grass from weeds or plants or other green stuff outside!
Craikeybaby said:
Wallpaper stripping is the worst.
Especially wood chip, that's been painted, that's over other wallpaper that also been painted... Over more wall paper that has gaps that match the previous mentioned paint.Id love to find the bloke who invented wood chip and poke him in the eye
matty g said:
Our last renovation we stripped off all the wallpaper......And still ended up knocking it all back to brick and drylining.....Next time we didn't bother with the stripping just got the hammers out
If it wasn't for the fact I've already started I would likely do it that way!Today has gone well... And not so well.
I've still got a shed load to do in the kitchen before the plasterer starts Wednesday evening... Including stripping the rest of the paper, boarding the ceiling, boxing some piping, filling in the chases with rapid set cement, and pva'ing the room... And I've managed none of it today.
Started with a Harris & Hoole large flat white to kick the day off
Found THE perfect flooring to our worktop... Deliberately gone for a grey(ish) wood so that the grey kitchen tones in.
Needed to get the ducting in for the cooker hood and wanted rigid as found the flexi stuff rattles and doesn't do a great job.
Balls.
The hole cut is too far out for the ducting to run straight and down, and not far enough out to squeeze a 90 degree bend and reducer.
So it was time to get all A Team.
Not my greatest bit of plastic welding ever... But I could only find my soldering iron and it does the job.
Attempted to move the old wardrobe (still handy to use) to get access for the Sparks.
Talking of sparks.
We're going to over run which when we agreed a day rate is going to cost me... Unfortunately working around a house of furniture and having the odd issue has held them up.
More annoyingly my plumber has gone into hiding and I'm relying on him running some pipes in the kitchen prior to plastering.
Keeping fingers crossed it comes together... Yet preparing for the worst
Edited by croakey on Monday 25th January 17:22
Edited by croakey on Monday 25th January 17:27
Edited by croakey on Monday 25th January 18:57
Finally something resembling an improvement!
Sparks have 95% finished now bar second fixing the kitchen once it's installed and fitting the CCTV. But the lighting is in and on.
Just now waiting for the plumber to run some pipes this week and then finish stripping the kitchen for the plasterer early next week.
Looks better in the flesh but some pics...
... Yes the scabby number sign is going, there's replacements ready to go up!
Sparks have 95% finished now bar second fixing the kitchen once it's installed and fitting the CCTV. But the lighting is in and on.
Just now waiting for the plumber to run some pipes this week and then finish stripping the kitchen for the plasterer early next week.
Looks better in the flesh but some pics...
... Yes the scabby number sign is going, there's replacements ready to go up!
. 
Lights look great - mind if I ask where they're from?
These? http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-bronx-brushed-stainl...
These? http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-bronx-brushed-stainl...
Edited by olimain on Wednesday 27th January 12:17
I had it my mind it wouldn't fit... Looking at it now I think I could of made it work. Obviously by the time I realised that if already cut it and begun fitting it!
The lights were from Amazon from memory and not overly expensive. I think I've got a better pic of the unit itself.
The outside looks ok; inside is beyond uninhabitable, dust and rubbish everywhere, I need to get cracking tidying! Was going to do it before late shift at work today but massively overslept and didn't get chance!
The lights were from Amazon from memory and not overly expensive. I think I've got a better pic of the unit itself.
The outside looks ok; inside is beyond uninhabitable, dust and rubbish everywhere, I need to get cracking tidying! Was going to do it before late shift at work today but massively overslept and didn't get chance!
These are the light units
And a link ( I think I paid less than this though)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008CPV4DM/ref=cm_sw_r...
And a link ( I think I paid less than this though)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008CPV4DM/ref=cm_sw_r...
Only just had a read through this thread , well done nice job .
My own thoughts looking at the layout sketch on first page , I would have been tempted to go the whole hog and work out how to remove some walls and open the ground floor up some more . Bigger spaces , it's a shame about the kitchen dinning room being partially separated by the hall and stair case , but I am sure it could have been done.mi do like open plan
I like the suggested update to the outside but again that's personal taste and expensive to .
My own thoughts looking at the layout sketch on first page , I would have been tempted to go the whole hog and work out how to remove some walls and open the ground floor up some more . Bigger spaces , it's a shame about the kitchen dinning room being partially separated by the hall and stair case , but I am sure it could have been done.mi do like open plan
I like the suggested update to the outside but again that's personal taste and expensive to .
There will be some layout changes downstairs but not a full open plan rejig.
The plan is now coming from the front door is to block up the double doors directly to the right and then create a wide opening directly infront of you opening into the smaller part of the L
This breaks the space into more usable areas and the cut out will mirror the window into the garden meaning you get a direct front to back view as you come through the front door.
Struggling with motivation at the moment - not one usable room in the house is beginning to grate.
Let's hope it's worth it!
The plan is now coming from the front door is to block up the double doors directly to the right and then create a wide opening directly infront of you opening into the smaller part of the L
This breaks the space into more usable areas and the cut out will mirror the window into the garden meaning you get a direct front to back view as you come through the front door.
Struggling with motivation at the moment - not one usable room in the house is beginning to grate.
Let's hope it's worth it!
You're thread would give me nightmares managing work and budgets etc so fair play for achieving what you have! Being right on the coast I often look at French property prices and dream!
I'm trying to remain optimistic that having done all the major dirty jobs life should begin to get better... Then remember we're still a long long way off!
I'm trying to remain optimistic that having done all the major dirty jobs life should begin to get better... Then remember we're still a long long way off!
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