It’s been a busy time with the most exciting development – the installation of our ensuite bathroom. We knew it wouldn’t be an easy task because of the space, particularly fitting the Kinedo shower. We chose Kinedo because it is a self-contained cubicle which means it won’t leak even if there is floor movement which can be a risk with upstairs showers fitted against tiled walls.
Initially we thought the main challenge would be getting it to fit under the sloping ceiling as some of the frame had to be shaved off to squeeze it in. In fact, it turned out to be far more complicated than that with instructions in pictures only and all in the wrong order, fittings provided for all their models with many not needed for ours and a make our plumber hadn’t installed before. He managed to persuade the Kinedo technical advisor based in Bedford to come and help out. A great relief for all of us as it took him, even as an expert, all day to do it.
There is no door to the ensuite yet, that should go on this week, and we have covered the window with newspaper for privacy until we can sort out some shutters. Yet it is still a joy to use and we’re delighted with the end result, a hotel style ensuite bathroom which is the approach we wanted to create.
The same week work started on the ensuite we also went to look at our kitchen being built by The Plywood Kitchen Company. As the name suggests it is built completely out of plywood with a mix of wood and metal veneers to help give that industrial look. Although they’re based in Swindon and some way from us it was worth the trip as we were able to finalise all the details in terms of finish, lights, positioning the sink, etc. We’re delighted with the result and are really excited about how it’s going to look in situ. We think they’re excited too as they’ve posted our kitchen on their Facebook page!
Back home I’ve been busy getting ready for the kitchen including painting all the architrave and filling in and painting the inevitable chips around light fittings and switches left by the electrician. It’s good that I can do this sort of stuff myself rather than pay someone else to do it. A small saving but it all helps.
We’ve also taken up the protective Ramboard revealing the finished polished concrete floor for the first time. After a number of emails and telephone calls with the flooring company I’ve had to accept that there is nothing more they are going to do to improve the finish. I’m still exploring if there is anything we can do ourselves although we’re going to wait until the kitchen is in, that could make all the difference and the perceived imperfections may look fine once the room is in use.
I’ve still had to chase the door company to come back and replace the bowed glass in the two sliding panels. It’s either a phone call or an email every other day at the moment. A more fun task has been moving all our wine into the cabinet and there’s still space for more!
Outside we have planted an Amelanchier Canadensis to replace the Laburnum which gave up the ghost earlier this year. It shouldn’t take too long to bush out and it will have beautiful white star like flowers each spring. M remembers the one in the front garden when he was a boy so it’s a nice link with a different type of past.
With the ensuite done and the kitchen about to go in we feel the end really is in sight. Although it is, in fact, only the end of this phase. It was always the plan that once we had built the new extension and moved the kitchen and utilities into this space we would start restoring the old cottage. Apart from making the space more comfortable and enjoyable for us we feel we are guardians of this house and the work we’re doing will help preserve it for future generations. Investing in restoring the old building also helped secure the support of our local conservation department in getting our plans approved.
Initially we thought we’d have a break between the two phases of the project but, despite all the continued disruption it will bring, we’ve decided to keep going and start the renovations almost immediately. We found a specialist restoration builder through the Listed Property Owners Club some years ago who fixed some of the rotten timber frame. We used him again to restore our chimney and hall last year and are happy with his work so we’ve booked him to start in July.
This next phase will focus on the sitting room which is currently on two levels consisting of the lean to that was the actual smithy less than a hundred years ago and a room in the original cottage at a lower level. It was knocked through in the 1960s and for some reason they didn’t even out the floor leaving a 50 cms difference between the two with steps. When I was in a plaster cast and on crutches a couple of years ago after fracturing my ankle it felt like trying to climb Mount Everest. So part of future proofing our home for old age and opening out the room so that the ‘smithy’ end is more than a corridor to the bedroom and dining room we’re going to take up the floor and see what’s there. As we’ll be lowering the ‘smithy’ floor to the level of the rest of the cottage we will also need to replace the stairs down to the dining room and up to the bedroom above. It is a bit of an awkward house with every room on a different level!
To complete this phase we’ll install the underfloor heating in the dining room which also means replacing the floor. Finally, we will need a permanent link through to the new extension and kitchen although I am quite fond of the rough steps made out of scaffolding board that Ken and Joe, who built our extension, knocked up as a temporary solution to ease our access to the new space.
As we are obviously gluttons for punishment we will repair the outside sitting room walls at the same time as the work inside. Our builder advised us it was sensible as once they take off the concrete render they don’t know what they’ll find underneath. If they have to have to restore some, if not all, of the timber frame and wattle and daub walls this will inevitably impact on the internal work. This phase will take a minimum of three months and experience says it’s bound to be longer. So already another Christmas deadline looms!
From life at the desk to living the dream 