Things happen, life fills up the days

Since I last wrote life has been rather hectic, but we have managed to do some work, and change the IKEA cabinet a bit - more narrow drawers and a splendid black tile to go on the top.  Can't believe that it took almost three weeks to eventually get it together how we wanted.  Anyway, working well for us now.

before

now with right configuration of drawers

Also, I have cut the curtains, need to make them up next, so hope to do some of that today.

Over the past week and the weekend we have put up the white corners, and infilled above the small windows which had been lowered, leaving a gap above them.  They now have insulation and a metal plate well secured with Puraflex 25.  We also used this to put up the white corners and seal them.

Another step nearer to completion.  We are just waiting for some timber to be sized correctly and we can put up the corner posts to each of the big windows, kitchen, bedroom and sitting room.  Maybe the actual building will be complete by the end of this month!!!!!!

Delays due to illness have put us back on the level entrance which we are having at the kitchen door.  Investigating some other people who might be able to do it for us.  That also means the paving for the garden and front door entrance is delayed too.  Hopefully we can get this underway soon.

 East Lothian sunflowers, from a field where you could cut your own, £1 for 3!

The IKEA cabinet finished today, 2nd August!!!!!

Well, the cabinet is finally complete and about to be attached to the wall!!!!  A few minor adjustments to the "kit" and some head scratching over the images, but it is now done - just the swearing as we attach it to the wall, and then, yippee, somewhere to put the cutlery.

Phew.

I have also been cutting the curtains and making a pattern for a cover for the new chair..... so not been slacking.

This and that and IKEA

A positive week.

Collected the new corner posts; the ones to cover the discrepancy between the Rockwall wall and the Rendalath wall, and the new corner post for the third corner window.  Took them off to the powder coater and collected them on Thursday.  That seems very efficient especially with the length of time it usually takes to get anything done.  Just waiting for some timber to be sized and then we can fit them.

Andrew finished off the roof completely yesterday, lowering a couple of corners which seemed a bit proud, and capping some bits of roof where it was likely a nail would protrude in due course.  These are the expensive, extra long nails which had to be purchased, and which were not put into the joists, but just protruded through the insulation and osb board (first builder's failing).

George has been to finalise what we want for the paths to the house.  Start in a couple of weeks.

Our young plumber is coming to put a tap by the gate on Monday.

Mark spent all Friday morning building the drawers for the new kitchen unit, only to find that they had sent one which were too big for the carcass.  IKEA very helpful and new drawers being sent and old ones collected, next Tuesday.

We have sanded and varnished the sink worktop as the varnish we put on was lifting with hot cups on it.  Hopefully the new stuff will solve the problem.

Some pictures:  

The IKEA parcels

Where the new unit will be sited 

worktop varnished

- ditto -

Curtains and Kitchen

Spent part of the weekend and today putting up the curtain track in the sitting room.  

Close to the garden wall

and the other big window track

Pigeon holes installed
and glasses, mugs, plates etc., on them

We also went to Ikea and bought a stainless steel unit thing to go next to the cooker - it has drawers in it which will solve the problem of us trying to make drawers to go under the worktop.  Just waiting for it to be delivered as they didn't have what we wanted in stock.  Then the fun will begin trying to put it together.  Four drawers and the carcass........

We also bought a bargain armchair, just the size we were looking for, but it needs a loose cover on it, so the hunt for some jolly fabric will begin shortly, once I have made a pattern and worked out how much fabric I require.  We also have a very elderly chair, which is falling to pieces fabric wise, the woodwork is fine,but it has a metal spring frame - I am swithering whether to have it reupholstered professionally or whether to do it myself with foam cushions.  Watch out for pictures of chairs.

Thats all for tonight.  Thanks for watching.

This week has been mostly.........

WOODWORK

So far this week I have painted the studio door, which was something that had needed doing for a loooooong time.

Whilst doing this noticed marks on the cedar woodwork, like someone had been scratching.  Discovered the culprit to be a wasp which was stripping the wood for a nest, which I think might be under the roofing felt.  Have looked up on the internet to find out what was going on, and what we should do.  Undecided yet, as the roof edge is going to be finished with the unused trim from the house, and don't want to incarcerate the poor things that will be in the nest.  


SUNDAY saw the arrival of Howard, with the pigeon holes for the kitchen and the timber to finish off the corners where the windows join on to the brick chimney, which now just need to be oiled.  

before

after

Yesterday I put a white wash on the pigeon holes and today finished with a coat of clear acrylic varnish.  Some discussion as to painting the wall behind them before they go up....... always a concentrated discussion on colours; lime green, bright turquoise, pink?  Watch this space.

pigeon holes before

the split shelves for mugs and cups

washed with white paint and varnished

Soon be putting up the curtain tracks, and making the curtains.

Been away - not much building work happening. Hopefully it will all be done by end of month.

Had thought that the roof corners, the interior woodwork and the exterior corner posts would either by finished, or at least in situ........ still waiting.

Have been away for a family get-together in Shropshire, which was wonderful to have everyone together again (except David, who was working away in Spain).  Maybe the next one will be in Spain too.  

Am in process now I am back of chasing up suppliers, workmen etc.  But had a surprise yesterday morning when the re-covered settee was delivered, totally unexpected, and of course I couldn't find any keys to open up gates, or big windows, they had been put in a safe place....!  Managed to get it in through the door on its side.  

without cushions

and with

Always a worry when you choose fabric, how the finished look will be.  Think the plain fabric goes well with the style of the settee and that although it keeps its antique style it looks quite modern too.  

Next on list is two small contrasting armchairs that are light enough to move around from tv viewing area to main seating area.  Have one very old one, which needs re-upholstering, so that may be next.  We haven't seen any new ones that are comfortable and light enough to move easily, apart from on-line and you can't try them out!  Did go to a store who sell online, having seen some chairs we thought might be o.k. but, in real life they are not right.  Not high enough to support your head, and too heavy.   Maybe we will find a second hand one that needs doing up.  Keep looking. 

That's all for now, will be back when more building moves happen.

Here we are, slightly better photos of the lights

Apart from fitting lights, and waiting for REA (supposed to be here at 8.30 am this morning and not here at 10.00 am) come and finalise the Rockwool wall (Rockwall person here since then), we have been visiting gardens as part of the East Lothian Open Garden's Trail.

Had a lovely couple of afternoons viewing gardens, looking at plants and design ideas, and having a cup of tea (well coffee for me).  Here are a few pictures I took.

drift of pebbles and plant growing through

trough next to

chunky raised bed, sort we would like as they will be on tarmac

herb garden around a lovely pot

sandstone trough with pebbles

sandstone bench

Another week goes by

This week we have

put up shelves in bathroom 

ditto in spare bedroom wardrobe

and solved the problem of overhead lighting - 

Because the ceilings are so low, under three metres, the pendant lights looked silly, and we were finding it really difficult to find a compromise for lampshades. I don't like the ones that are glass and face up to the ceiling, or even screw onto the ceiling, and any normal lampshade would come down to low (sons banging heads on them, etc.)  So we have found some very slim batten holders from a nice company called The Lightworks.net and some ES bulbs that are like globes, Calex, from good old John Lewis.

The bulbs may not have the highest energy rating, but they are long life and we don't use overhead lighting very much, as we tend to go for side lights, and there are huge windows and sky lights in the hall.

Very satisfactory weekend, as you will see:

bathroom shelving (they are level, I wasn't standing straight)

Slatted shelves in part of the wardrobe
(the books are there to hold the slats down whilst the glue dries)

light bulb and fitting

lit light bulbs

Will take pictures of the bulb and holder when the next shipment arrive and we have not wired them in so you can see what they really look like - also might help if I took photos in the daylight.  

Off to watch some footie now.

Not much happening outside - rain and shortage of materials

However;

have put up some pictures

have made decisions about the pathways (well, enough decisions to be able to discuss with George)

made curtain for study and put up a blind in the spare bedroom

put up hooks for towels and shelving in the bathroom and en-suite

and, Mark digging trench for tap by garden wall (where have all the plumbers gone?)

Roof Trim going on

This weekend the roof trim has been going on, and I have cleaned up all the metal work, removing splashes of render etc. Next big job for me is cleaning all the exterior windows, which are very mucky.

The Rockwall wall is to be finished and cleaned up, mastic to go around all the joining points, windows, cills, etc.

The end might be in sight!!!!!

trim to front 

brackets in place for trim

kitchen corner front

kitchen corner to the back

chimney finishing bracket

Wall almost finished

The sun shining on the sparkling white Rockwool wall - its almost finished....

And the windows are free from the tarpaulin, daylight at last (don't look, I know they need cleaning, but not until all the work is finished).