London 1930s semi renovation
Discussion
dmsims said:
I was pulling your chain, I expect you still have a very long list, I know I do 
So, so long! And I seem to be making very little dent in it. Builders finish the driveway on Thursday and we are finally done with them. Now a tonne of decorating to do.
We recently had the house surveyed - nice surprise that it now measures 2933 square feet internally, from the 2317 it was when we bought it: soi we have added a decent amount of space!
Harry Flashman said:
DElectronic protractor less that £20 off ebay/amazon proves invaluable here, as does that circular mitre saw I bought last weekend...
Some toys are actually v v useful. I bought a Bosch laser-measure (it had a laser; much of the purchase was based on that and playing) but it has proved invaluable in the "will x fit in y space," and "are these 2 screws level for the picture / mirror I'm mounting," when trying to set up our house. Much easier to measure several options than move heavy furniture / drill incorrect holes in walls for the hell of it (and much quicker than using a tape).
Thanks guys.
We used our builder - it was not really a hard job, after doing the planning bit. Dug foundations, insulated floor, screed and underfloor heating pipes shared with kitchen, built a new wall and roof, insulated and services run, and made it all look nice. Wall knocked through to kitchen at the same time.
I originally wanted to do a glass box but energy efficiency (not great no matter what the companies tell you) meant it would not be a good plan with the open plan layout. These things work well if linking two buildings, not so well if you tack them to the end of an open plan space as even with the latest thermal technology they get hot in summer and cold in winter. They also cost an absolute fortune!
Some pics. Back of the house is quite ugly, but planting climbers etc will deal with that. The grey paint was chosen as it hides the house from the park - when it was painted white it stood out too much for my liking. The grey also looks modernist, which I like!
Balustrade by baconrashers, on Flickr
At night
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
We used our builder - it was not really a hard job, after doing the planning bit. Dug foundations, insulated floor, screed and underfloor heating pipes shared with kitchen, built a new wall and roof, insulated and services run, and made it all look nice. Wall knocked through to kitchen at the same time.
I originally wanted to do a glass box but energy efficiency (not great no matter what the companies tell you) meant it would not be a good plan with the open plan layout. These things work well if linking two buildings, not so well if you tack them to the end of an open plan space as even with the latest thermal technology they get hot in summer and cold in winter. They also cost an absolute fortune!
Some pics. Back of the house is quite ugly, but planting climbers etc will deal with that. The grey paint was chosen as it hides the house from the park - when it was painted white it stood out too much for my liking. The grey also looks modernist, which I like!
Balustrade by baconrashers, on FlickrAt night
Untitled by baconrashers, on FlickrHarry Flashman said:
Some pics. Back of the house is quite ugly, but planting climbers etc will deal with that. The grey paint was chosen as it hides the house from the park - when it was painted white it stood out too much for my liking. The grey also looks modernist, which I like!
Balustrade by baconrashers, on Flickr
The rear is very different to the adjoining neighbouring property, was this a planning nightmare for you?Balustrade by baconrashers, on FlickrNo - because it was all done years ago, before we bought the house. We only did the loft dormer at the top and the conservatory infill. The big ugly box on the right of the picture was done at some point in the late 1990s, and is a full two storey extension.
All we did with the old extension was replace the windows, insulate, damp-proof and render to bring it up to modern energy specs.
All we did with the old extension was replace the windows, insulate, damp-proof and render to bring it up to modern energy specs.
kambites said:
Christ, how did they get planning permission for that monstrosity! 
It's Lambeth - they probably bribed someone. ALso it's not a pretty Victorian, so planners seem to have cared a lot less what people did to these '30's houses.Edited by kambites on Tuesday 13th June 15:14
The front is quite different to the back - in early stages of being prettified: need to add some kerb appeal.
Rotten garage doors being completely replaced with new wood ones that will be bleached, limewashed and sealed. They aren't actually the security doors - behind them is an electronic roller shutter connected to the monitored alarm.
Front door is similarly ugly/functional - rim-locking steel security door, with CCTV. There's another (original 1930s) door behind it after the porch, with its own set of locks.
Basically, the idea was to make robbing the neighbours more appealing than robbing us, especially as a number of them are much wealthier than we are. What lovely people we are.
One of the reasons I like this house is it looks pretty unassuming from the front - behind the plain 1930's facade is a lovely near-3000 square foot home (we just had it surveyed 2993 square feet) done up to my demanding standards. To the front, hiding behind a couple of over-large bushes, is a plain 1930's semi. To the rear, the grey paint and black windows blend it in from the park so when you look at the house bordering to the park, eyes are drawn to the white-painted houses and Edwardians, not ours.
The 2002 Focus tip snotter that will live on the drive will complete the look!
Untitled by baconrashers, on FlickrEdited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 13th June 15:51
There is a specific house we want - so ours in on at a very keen price (means we don't lose, but don't make any profit) to attract a chain free seller so we can offer on the other house.
Not going to be too upset if we don't sell and we stay though: after months of it being a wreck, ours is getting prettier and more finished every day.
Not going to be too upset if we don't sell and we stay though: after months of it being a wreck, ours is getting prettier and more finished every day.
Harry Flashman said:
Basically, the idea was to make robbing the neighbours more appealing than robbing us, especially as a number of them are much wealthier than we are. What lovely people we are.
I did similar but unfortunately the neighbours did get robbed - we've not spoken much since. Great project - as said before shame to sell such a nice place. I might have nosey this weekend as I'm driving past your locale .. but not for criminal purposes I hasten to add!fido said:
I did similar but unfortunately the neighbours did get robbed - we've not spoken much since. Great project - as said before shame to sell such a nice place. I might have nosey this weekend as I'm driving past your locale .. but not for criminal purposes I hasten to add!
Have a look! Wife's American friends are are staying this weekend whilst in London for a couple of weeks but we're actually in Italy for my 40th...
Harry Flashman said:
And here's a pic of one corner of the house that looks vaguely finished - my reading chair in the front living room. Window shutters get fitted in a couple of weeks in a limed wood finish. Lady F wanted the strong dark blue, I wanted green - but this deep teal colour is lovely in real life. Cosy and relaxing, and makes the most of a room that doesn't get much light anyway.
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
oh thats stunning Harry, beautiful colour and a lovely mix of pieces, I like the merchants cabinet shown in the later pic the other side of the chimney but oh the stag print not being centered on that chair is making my fingers itch.Untitled by baconrashers, on FlickrGassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff