Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Wednesday 30th October - getting closer.......
Render going on the old brick walls at base of the house
Saturday, 26 October 2013
The floor is drying out, with the help of fans and a dehumidifier!
Some more items in the bathroom and en-suite shower room, electric radiators and heated mirrors!
The floors have been finished, so we had to be away from house for a couple of nights - no access to bathroom, and now only able to go in in bare feet. But here are some pictures of the floors drying. Slightly odd colour in some of the rooms so need to seek a solution to that. Then there will be two coats of Epimac to seal the floors and then they are done! Another step closer to taking up residence.....
The outside to still be done though.
The floors have been finished, so we had to be away from house for a couple of nights - no access to bathroom, and now only able to go in in bare feet. But here are some pictures of the floors drying. Slightly odd colour in some of the rooms so need to seek a solution to that. Then there will be two coats of Epimac to seal the floors and then they are done! Another step closer to taking up residence.....
The outside to still be done though.
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| bathroom radiator and |
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| mirror |
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| bathroom shower |
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| shower-room mirror and radiator |
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| and shower |
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| bedroom |
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| looking through to the halls |
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| kitchen |
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| hall |
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| sitting room |
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| sitting room |
Sunday, 20 October 2013
Sunday and another week - 20th October
Another week, and it all goes so slowly, doors now off and stored. Mark and I have today primed the shower areas in both bathrooms and have covered the basin stand with reclaimed copper from the original house. Just need to finish polishing it and it can go into place. Then need a copper tap to go with it!
Starting from Monday we hope the following work will be done:
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| topside |
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| underside |
Starting from Monday we hope the following work will be done:
- emulsion paint final coat
- gas pipes moved around the house and the boiler hung and commissioned
- final screed on the floors
- two coats of Epimac sealer on the floors
Ready for the following week, when the doors will be hung, the architrave put around them, shelves to go in the cupboards, and the kitchen worktop installed (along with my washing machine so I can do some washing at long last...... without imposing on Mahala or going to a launderette).
There isn't a launderette in Haddington, so take the washing sometimes to the place that does dry cleaning and they also do bag washes - but it takes forever, and I have my washing inspected to make sure there aren't any shirts, as shirts are a separate item. Once the bags have been rummaged through the washing no longer fits neatly so I am told I need a larger wash than the one I was going to have. Does this happen to anyone who appears to be poor and in need of having some washing done.
Maybe we will be able to get our things out of store by end of month. Then only have to have building control to come and check that we can move in.
AND OF COURSE - THE EXTERIOR STILL HAS TO BE DONE!
Will we be in by Christmas - will I be able to have my first alcoholic drink since making myself a rash promise in June 2012 not to have a drink until I moved into the house!
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Wednesday 16th - clearing out day
John and the boys have started clearing the house out ready for the floor to go down. Doors and tools, etc. are being stored in the 2nd bedroom which will be floored last. Bits and pieces of work will be carried out over the next few days, and the floor will have its adhesive coating and then, hopefully, the flooring team will be assembled on Monday. Then we won't be able to enter the house for several days - maybe have to stay with someone, or just manage with a bucket toilet, and studio washing (no shower). The end might be in sight.......... well as far as the interior is concerned! We are not holding our breath.
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| levelling the en-suite shower room.... |
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| ..... and shower tray |
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Tuesday 15th October
Just a few pics today, the worktop in progress; the shower tray waiting to be resined and a view of the lovely shower; the washbasin in the en-suite waiting for its tap to be created!
Monday, 14 October 2013
Monday 14th October
Not much to show, but can tell you that all the doors are on, and have their fittings: the shower tray in the en-suite bathroom is formed and almost ready for the fibre glass waterproofing layers. Still waiting for the gas safe engineer to hook up the gas, and commission the boiler. Plans for the exterior seem to be coming along, and we have had communication from Rockwall about the specialist wall we had to have installed.
I am really enjoying walking about the house in the evenings looking at the space and wondering where we will fit all the furniture, or which pieces of furniture will have to find new homes. Also pondering on the placement of pictures, rugs, etc. It really does feel that close. Hopefully we won't have to have our furniture in store after the end of this month.
Am planning design for the painting of the bathroom wall and have bought some sample paint pots of the colours I think I need. Large abstract shapes I think, against a white background, fading into rust colours.
Today, the doors are going to be adjusted, and tomorrow I think the house will be completely cleared ready for the floors to have their final levelling coat, and then when dry a top coat of sealer.
We have the timber for my bespoke kitchen worktop. Don't get excited, its just plain wide timber, which will be washed with white and then varnished. I don't like fitted kitchens, so this will be a fairly 'un-fitted' kitchen. The cooker I am looking for is a free standing range cooker, possibly a Fisher & Paykel, and a plumbed in refrigerator made by them too. Having a pantry, I won't have to store foodstuffs in the open kitchen itself, apart from the tea and coffee on a shelf next to the mugs.
When we were on holiday in Turkey we bought some cushion covers made from old kelims, and some embroidered ones, for the rush seated kitchen chairs, and a kelim saddlebag which may go in the sitting room as a big cushion, or it might hand on the wall of our bedroom. Need to find fillings for the cushions.
Well, that's all for this morning. Will update again when there is an update!
I am really enjoying walking about the house in the evenings looking at the space and wondering where we will fit all the furniture, or which pieces of furniture will have to find new homes. Also pondering on the placement of pictures, rugs, etc. It really does feel that close. Hopefully we won't have to have our furniture in store after the end of this month.
Am planning design for the painting of the bathroom wall and have bought some sample paint pots of the colours I think I need. Large abstract shapes I think, against a white background, fading into rust colours.
Today, the doors are going to be adjusted, and tomorrow I think the house will be completely cleared ready for the floors to have their final levelling coat, and then when dry a top coat of sealer.
We have the timber for my bespoke kitchen worktop. Don't get excited, its just plain wide timber, which will be washed with white and then varnished. I don't like fitted kitchens, so this will be a fairly 'un-fitted' kitchen. The cooker I am looking for is a free standing range cooker, possibly a Fisher & Paykel, and a plumbed in refrigerator made by them too. Having a pantry, I won't have to store foodstuffs in the open kitchen itself, apart from the tea and coffee on a shelf next to the mugs.
When we were on holiday in Turkey we bought some cushion covers made from old kelims, and some embroidered ones, for the rush seated kitchen chairs, and a kelim saddlebag which may go in the sitting room as a big cushion, or it might hand on the wall of our bedroom. Need to find fillings for the cushions.
Well, that's all for this morning. Will update again when there is an update!
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
9th October 2013
No pictures today as you can't really see much more than in the pictures from yesterday. The doors have been adjusted, and a frame has been made for the boiler room from which to hang the door.
Have been researching primer paint for the cement board - came up with some Valspar primer/undercoat recommended by Hardie the manufacturers of the board.
John, our builder has been researching some timber to make the worktop for us, and has found some 8" board which he will use. Then I will put a wash of white paint over it and varnish it. Might have a sink and worktop by the end of the week.
The floor of the shower cubicle in the en-suite shower room is waiting to dry out enough for the fibre glass covering to be done.
Still awaiting the arrival of the gas safe engineer to connect the gas supply to the house and hang and commission the boiler - then will have hot water, and heating!!!! I could even have a bath.
No news from the architect yet on the queries we have re the rendering of the exterior. Hope this gets resolved soon as winter draws on.... a chilly and windy day today, although the sunshine has warmed the sitting room beautifully.
The house interior is so close to being finished. Maybe get our furniture and belongings out of store at the end of the month.
Have been researching primer paint for the cement board - came up with some Valspar primer/undercoat recommended by Hardie the manufacturers of the board.
John, our builder has been researching some timber to make the worktop for us, and has found some 8" board which he will use. Then I will put a wash of white paint over it and varnish it. Might have a sink and worktop by the end of the week.
The floor of the shower cubicle in the en-suite shower room is waiting to dry out enough for the fibre glass covering to be done.
Still awaiting the arrival of the gas safe engineer to connect the gas supply to the house and hang and commission the boiler - then will have hot water, and heating!!!! I could even have a bath.
No news from the architect yet on the queries we have re the rendering of the exterior. Hope this gets resolved soon as winter draws on.... a chilly and windy day today, although the sunshine has warmed the sitting room beautifully.
The house interior is so close to being finished. Maybe get our furniture and belongings out of store at the end of the month.
Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Tuesday 8th October....... nearly there
Radiators fitted today, after the walls were finished being painted yesterday.
Reina Nero Radiators in main rooms, and Reina Savona horizontal radiators in the small bedrooms, under the windows.
Reina Nero Radiators in main rooms, and Reina Savona horizontal radiators in the small bedrooms, under the windows.
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| Master bedroom |
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| Hall |
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| Kitchen |
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| Bedroom 2 |
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| Sitting room |
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| sitting room |
Monday, 7 October 2013
Monday, 7th October
Work in progress today - by lunchtime the ceilings had been painted, and some levelling has been done where needed, the shower tray has also had a levelling coat put on it.
The wash basin and the taps are on in the en-suite shower room, and most of the doors have had their first hanging and are awaiting their catches, handles, etc. and the door the the kitchen has to be glazed, coming along......
The exterior is causing a few headaches, but hopefully the problems will be solved soon, and the bags of render will be on the walls before too long.
Nice to see that the lights are now working, and we can go to the loo at night without using a torch!
The wash basin and the taps are on in the en-suite shower room, and most of the doors have had their first hanging and are awaiting their catches, handles, etc. and the door the the kitchen has to be glazed, coming along......
The exterior is causing a few headaches, but hopefully the problems will be solved soon, and the bags of render will be on the walls before too long.
Nice to see that the lights are now working, and we can go to the loo at night without using a torch!
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| under the sink plumbing |
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| kitchen door waiting for the glazing |
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| hall cupboard |
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| levelling at threshold to bedroom |
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| bedroom cupboard |
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| en-suite shower room door |
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| en-suite shower tray |
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| en-suite washbasin |
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| render |
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| not a drain, but one of the inset lights in kitchen |
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| pantry doors |
Thursday, 3 October 2013
3rd October - how disappointing
Disappointing to come back and find that builders have been ill, but are now back at work.......
In the meantime here are some pictures of ancient drains (at Ephesus), crumbling Greek houses, and Artemis Temple - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world?
In the meantime here are some pictures of ancient drains (at Ephesus), crumbling Greek houses, and Artemis Temple - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world?
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