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.

Woodstore

The old outside store is almost falling down and so it's carefully dismantled and is being rebuilt.  We will replace the rather unattractive tin roof with a cotswold stone one which is more in keeping and has the added benefit of providing better weather proofing.  The area between the store and the house will be a very sunny spot ideal for morning coffee or a glass of something chilled later in the day!

Progress....

So, now we have most of the planning permission the guys crack on - this will be the top floor bedroom in due course.  The insulation and insulated plaster board go in and then the room is plastered or skimmed (I get a bit lost with the technical terms) before a coat of white paint goes on.  It will still need to be painted once I chose a colour - suggestions anyone?

   

Hip Hip Hooray

The public consultation on the revised application closed yesterday and much to everyone's surprise, the consent to the application came through this morning.  Phew! After months of incompetence and very slow response, the local planning authority seem to have pulled their fingers out.  Much cause to celebrate......but still have the appeal to do now for the extension and the tie beam on the top floor, but at least now Johnny & the team can crack on with the rest of the house.

Gardening

While I'm having to contain myself and not do any gardening yet, the garden has become somewhat overgrown over the summer & so Brian uses his mini digger to remove all the weeds and self seeded flowers, bushes etc - it looks a whole lot better.  As the house is in an area of outstanding natural beauty, you have to get permission from the planning authority to remove any and all trees which is a bit of a pain.  Given my ongoing troubles with them, we'll leave that until the house is finished and then ask for permission to remove a couple of trees and tidy up the pine trees at the back of the garden

The Glass box

We're having major problems with the local planning authority who don't want me to put the glass extension on the back of the house.......so that will go to appeal once the initial planning permission comes through, but in the meantime, the builders lay the cement block that will form the floor in the "barn" which will form part of the glass box.  They're making the most of the glorious autumn we're having here and doing as much outdoor work as possible

New Floors!

After the pipes are laid, the guys screed them over on a Friday so it will dry over the weekend - I am visiting with some friends and we're told in no uncertain circumstances not to walk on the floors no matter how dry they seem, so I manage to take some photos hanging in the door, hence the odd angles....  but they look great and the house is now showing real progress.  My friends Jakki & Paddy saw it 6 months ago and can see significant differences which is a huge relief!

Pipes, pipes & more pipes

The team start laying the pipes for the underflow heating in the kitchen & the snug - around 500m of pipe in total!  My feet should be toastie warm under this lot.  I did wonder about telling them that some of the pipes weren't quite 100% straight.........but decided better not too!

More kitchen work

They raise the head height of the door coming into the kitchen from the hallway and remove the hideous old fire surround