Kitchen - work in progress

At last (or so it seems) the kitchen is started.  It seems a long time ago that I designed it and went to see one the carpenter had previously done.  This week the carcasses go in and I'm too excited to wait for the next site visit or for them to be finished and so go up at the weekend to take a look.  It's stunning (even without doors) and I'm delighted although there's so much space/cupboards I have no idea how I'm going to fill them!  One side has the fridge, freezer & pantry cupboard, the other has various cupboards and then there's a large island in the middle with a gorgeous wooden work surface (to be looked at and admired but not used).

I think I'm most excited by the pantry cupboard - not sure why - but given my "stretch target" to learn to cook property, this will hopefully soon by filled with all sorts of cooking paraphernalia.

So, having got this far, Mark the carpenter/kitchen maker goes off skiing - I sincerely hope there are no accidents (and not particularly as I'm worried about him!)  I won't see the kitchen finished until I move in I think as I'm away next weekend and then it's only one weekend until I move (and loads to do in Kingston)

Site visit

It's a glorious morning - could almost be spring except for the biting wind, but the village looks very pretty with the sun shining on it.  I haven't seen Johnny my project manager this year, although there have been lots of emails and calls going back and forward and so it's a great opportunity to catch up and see the progress on this house (which has been considerable since my last visit).  

The house is full of workers - 6 by my count including plumbers and electricians.  It's full steam ahead as there's still a lot to do.

The new internal doors have been delivered (they're under the brown paper) and will go in over the next couple of weeks - I was planning to have them painted, but Johnny suggests varnishing them, so now there's that dilemma to think about ......

I talk to the electrician about some LED strip lighting to sit on top of a couple of the beams in the hayloft to light the space - I think they'll look good but are a bit hard to imagine right now

They're also going to but some lighting behind the plasterboard in the en-suite which will also highlight the strip of stonework we've left exposed.  As in the main bathroom, the wall is an external one so it would have been too cold to have left it fully exposed.  Now the insulation is in and the room has taken shape we have to plan where the bath, shower etc are going - it's like a jigsaw puzzle, only bigger.  I think the bath will go under the window with the shower on the eaves wall, but we'll see.  I thought there would be loads of space, but am now not so sure.

Some of the internal drawers for the kitchen have also been delivered - can't wait to see it once it's in. The hayloft is becoming a great storage area which does mean (hopefully) stuff won't have to be moved around too much.

Bathroom

The bathroom on the first floor, or family bathroom as the estate agents would call it is also coming along nicely.  The walls have been sealed several times to reduce the dust and one of the radiators is in (and looking good).  The outside wall is insulated & skimmed (too cold to leave the brick exposed), the second fix plumbing is underway & the bath is delivered as are the tiles.  As the walls are very wonky (not sure that's a technical terms) we've gone for mosaics on the walls.  This room really isn't far away from being finished.  Mickey is scraping the old paint off the beam - it's work but it'll look fab when it's done.

Progress in the kitchen

Now the Aga is in, the team are full speed ahead in the kitchen so that the units can be fitted - there's still a fair bit to do before that can happen.  The walls are skimmed and Darren comes up with the great idea to build a little alcove to the side of the fireplace......you'll need to use your imagination to visualise the log basket in the bottom of it and shelves of books above it, but that's the plan

Once the walls are skimmed, they lay the tiles.  It's a messy business and the wonky walls add a challenge, but I think they look terrific.  They get sealed, grouted and then covered up carefully so that the team can get on with the second fix.

The most expensive kettle in the world?

So, the Aga is in - purchased over a year ago (about the same time as I bought the house), it's finally installed - but no sooner is it in than it's all covered up so the team can get on with the 2nd fix in the kitchen and tiling the floor.  I made it up to see it before they covered it up and am delighted with it - clearly not my most practical purchase, but I've always wanted one and now I have no excuse not to learn to cook - or at least there will be no excuse once the rest of the kitchen is fitted in a few weeks time.  I see scones and shortbread in the future!

The arrival of the Aga

For me, one of the most exciting events thus far.  The Aga, ordered over a year ago when I bought the house, arrives.  Apparently, it went in a lot easier than I expected and soon it's fitted and running.  Now I just need to learn to cook so I can churn out shortbread & scones for the village!

New Windows

Great excitement as the hotly contested roof lights go in today - the planners weren't at all keen (thinking the one small window at foot level in the bedroom was enough), but we hung on in there and finally got agreement for three windows in the new master bedroom/en-suite & a replacement for the small window on the 2nd floor.  We had to use conservation roof lights - about 3 times the price of vellum, but they look great and the room has come alive with the light flooding in.  Now the roof lights are in, the guys can finish the insulation & plaster the room.