London 1930s semi renovation
Discussion
Harry Flashman said:
Staircases. Neutral grey carpet done for sale. I was going to have a funky runner winding all the way from the ground floor to the loft!
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
DSC_0976 by baconrashers, on Flickr
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
DSC_0977 by baconrashers, on Flickr
Hi FlashUntitled by baconrashers, on FlickrDSC_0976 by baconrashers, on FlickrUntitled by baconrashers, on FlickrDSC_0977 by baconrashers, on FlickrYou will note that the balusters at top floor level (and maybe the doors too - I can't see one on which to comment) are plain compared to those on the first floor landing. This is because the servants lived up there and didn't need posh!
Exactly like my childhood home.
Actually the whole house had plain, square balusters, as seen in the "before shots". I changed them all for spindle designs as the staircase was very boring. Also topped the newel posts wil ball things which look nicer, even if none of this is really period appropriate.
The house was originally built in 1939, as an executive home - so no servants quarters at all, but a more modern family home. It was damaged by a bomb explosion in the blitz, so in the late forties a big,, boxy brutalist extension was added, which you can see at the back of the house somewhere in this thread.
So it wasn't actually a terribly characterful house really, hence my willingness to rip it apart and mess with it the way I did.
Contrast to our new place, which was built in 1896 and has a load of period features in it, which we are trying to be careful to preserve.
The "new" house definitely has the different staircase at the top, where servants' quarters were! The staircase goes from shallow, grand and ornate to narrow, steep and plain on the top floor.
The house was originally built in 1939, as an executive home - so no servants quarters at all, but a more modern family home. It was damaged by a bomb explosion in the blitz, so in the late forties a big,, boxy brutalist extension was added, which you can see at the back of the house somewhere in this thread.
So it wasn't actually a terribly characterful house really, hence my willingness to rip it apart and mess with it the way I did.
Contrast to our new place, which was built in 1896 and has a load of period features in it, which we are trying to be careful to preserve.
The "new" house definitely has the different staircase at the top, where servants' quarters were! The staircase goes from shallow, grand and ornate to narrow, steep and plain on the top floor.
Some slightly less bleak pictures, showing what the place looked like with our stuff in it!
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
Untitled by baconrashers, on FlickrUntitled by baconrashers, on FlickrHarry Flashman said:
Actually the whole house had plain, square balusters, as seen in the "before shots". I changed them all for spindle designs as the staircase was very boring. Also topped the newel posts wil ball things which look nicer, even if none of this is really period appropriate.
The house was originally built in 1939, as an executive home - so no servants quarters at all, but a more modern family home. It was damaged by a bomb explosion in the blitz, so in the late forties a big,, boxy brutalist extension was added, which you can see at the back of the house somewhere in this thread.
So it wasn't actually a terribly characterful house really, hence my willingness to rip it apart and mess with it the way I did.
Contrast to our new place, which was built in 1896 and has a load of period features in it, which we are trying to be careful to preserve.
The "new" house definitely has the different staircase at the top, where servants' quarters were! The staircase goes from shallow, grand and ornate to narrow, steep and plain on the top floor.
Noted. There was me thinking I was commenting on the Victorian house!The house was originally built in 1939, as an executive home - so no servants quarters at all, but a more modern family home. It was damaged by a bomb explosion in the blitz, so in the late forties a big,, boxy brutalist extension was added, which you can see at the back of the house somewhere in this thread.
So it wasn't actually a terribly characterful house really, hence my willingness to rip it apart and mess with it the way I did.
Contrast to our new place, which was built in 1896 and has a load of period features in it, which we are trying to be careful to preserve.
The "new" house definitely has the different staircase at the top, where servants' quarters were! The staircase goes from shallow, grand and ornate to narrow, steep and plain on the top floor.
Well it's all going backwards here now Charlie! Also, in 2002, this area was genuinely rough - stabbings, muggings etc. I bought my flat not far from there in 2004 and would not walk down these streets at night. They installed streetlighting and locked the park at night, and the crims moved on, luckily. House price changes reflect that.
But it shows how vulnerable London prices are to such factors.
But it shows how vulnerable London prices are to such factors.
Edited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 24th April 19:08
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr[/quote]
Harry - I know I am incredibly late to post on this thread, but I had to say this (and the thread about your current place) are truly inspirational.
We are ready to exchange on a new place, but obviously with the way things are currently who knows when we’ll actually get in there. I’ve been moping around because of this, but stumbling across your threads has reignited the enthusiasm, and given me lots of ideas - thank you.
One question, what is the chair and footstool in the picture?
Love the design and colour, and this would look stunning in the new place.
It's a bit weird - mainly because every time I walk past it I make a list of jobs to do, and then have to realise that it isn't my house anymore! Also, it has some traits that I really miss:
- very unassuming on the outside yet palatial inside
- open plan kitchen/sunroom with bifolds was much better for entertaining than the multiple smaller rooms of our current house (although entertaining is not really on the cards at the moment)
- master suite in loft with huge bifolds overlooking a park: you used to be able to lie in bed on weekend mornings and hear tennis being played! Very therapeutic
However, in y much every other way I prefer our new house, so on balance it's all good. And the new owner is absolutely brilliant. Helps that if she has any questions I am able to help her - only one thing has gone wrong in the three years since we finished the build: kitchen tap failed. Could be very awkward if I had done stuff on the cheap, of course!!
Little Bob: here's the chair in our new living room:
2020-03-30_02-18-16 by baconrashers, on Flickr
- very unassuming on the outside yet palatial inside
- open plan kitchen/sunroom with bifolds was much better for entertaining than the multiple smaller rooms of our current house (although entertaining is not really on the cards at the moment)
- master suite in loft with huge bifolds overlooking a park: you used to be able to lie in bed on weekend mornings and hear tennis being played! Very therapeutic
However, in y much every other way I prefer our new house, so on balance it's all good. And the new owner is absolutely brilliant. Helps that if she has any questions I am able to help her - only one thing has gone wrong in the three years since we finished the build: kitchen tap failed. Could be very awkward if I had done stuff on the cheap, of course!!
Little Bob: here's the chair in our new living room:
2020-03-30_02-18-16 by baconrashers, on FlickrHarry, not sure if it bothers you, but I noticed a few filenames here referencing your address, and from this house it took me a second to find the "new" house on Street View (with a grey Volvo V70 on the drive). If you're particularly concerned about concealing your precise location, you might want to purge these threads of any reference to the street name.
Harry Flashman said:
Thanks as ever P6B!
Although we don't own a V70. But I take your point, and thank you.
I presume the V70 must have belonged to someone visiting/working for you? No sign of any of your cars, but the house was definitely in your possession by the time the most recent Street View was taken... considering how much money you have poured into furnishing the second house, I'd hate to hear you'd been done over as a possible result of a well-researched targeted burglary. These things have apparently been known to happen, professional robbers watching forums like this and Houzz to look for rich pickings.Although we don't own a V70. But I take your point, and thank you.
Hope Mrs and Baby Flash are doing well?
RoverP6B said:
Harry, not sure if it bothers you, but I noticed a few filenames here referencing your address, and from this house it took me a second to find the "new" house on Street View (with a grey Volvo V70 on the drive). If you're particularly concerned about concealing your precise location, you might want to purge these threads of any reference to the street name.
The road name is on the floor plan 2 posts above lol.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff