First-time house renovation

suisidevw

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Wow, I'm really envious! It looks wonderful after you sanded it. Is your fireplace going in this week? That'll be so exciting.

Sounds like a lot of work! Will you be taking it on yourself? Contractors etc? Very exciting! Views are stunning!

Yes, fireplace should be finished this weekend. Found vermiculite in 100l bags for £8 compared to homebases £7 for 10l!

Jim, ship up some pics of your fireplce and what's going in there etc!

ukmaggie45

suisidevw wrote: »

Sounds like a lot of work! Will you be taking it on yourself? Contractors etc? Very exciting! Views are stunning!

Hi suiside, we think we'll probably get the builder who did the extension on DD2 and SiL's Grade II listed cottage. They have warned us he's not the cheapest, but he's done a fantastic job on their home and they are really pleased with the quality of the work. We met him when we were looking at the bungalow (long time ago that seems now! but only May-ish I think) and he seems a nice guy. I know it's the quality of the work that counts, but it doesn't hurt if you like the guy too. DD did warn us that his bricky is a tad eccentric , but he was very fast so was only there about 2 days.

But I think our first job will be to have a chat with Planning to get an idea of what they are likely to allow. And then there's the question of getting plans looked at by the original property company that built the house (1956) as there's a covenant requiring that, and it appears the company is still around. So guess we'll be trying to find an architect now.

There's no way we could do the work ourselves. I have ME/CFS so severely lacking in the requisite energy. And OH is a complete duffer when it comes to DIY, I couldn't take the hassles and the ensuing shouting matches! :eek:

Looking forward to seeing pics of your fireplace when it's installed.

Maggie

jimbugalee

Here's our fireplace as we're up to now. This week we're expecting a peice of slate for the hearth and then putting in a Stovax Stove - http://www.stovax.com/products.htm?cid=4&sid=8&pid=200 when we return from holiday next week. sooooooooooooooo excited!!! Sorry I haven't got a better pic of the rendering but we filled the fireplace with bags of wood all ready

ukmaggie45

TomsMom wrote: »

Today very cold, d-i-l is Lollipop Lady in village of Bontddu about 7 miles away, it was -3C there this morning. Very cold here but I'm not venturing out, I'll take her word for it. There is some snow on some of the hills today but not as much as Saturday.

My uncle used to live in Bontddu. He took over the bakery in Dolgellau when my grandparents retired. His widow, my Aunt, now lives near you in Llanbedr. We must get over to visit her sometime, so when we do we'll call by to inspect your building works.

Best wishes to TD, glad to hear he is slowly improving. Of course it would be better if he was improving fast, but you know what I mean!

Hugs from chilly Liverpool,

Maggie

ukmaggie45

jimbugalee wrote: »

Here's our fireplace as we're up to now. This week we're expecting a peice of slate for the hearth and then putting in a Stovax Stove - http://www.stovax.com/products.htm?cid=4&sid=8&pid=200 when we return from holiday next week. sooooooooooooooo excited!!!

Ooooh Jimbug, that's a lovely looking stove envy envy! Not surprised you're excited. Where are you going on holday? Or are you away already? If you're somewhere nice and warm I think I'll come and join you!

I'll bookmark that stove website for if we ever get that far!

Maggie

jimbugalee

We're actually ordering our stove from stovesonline who are really good

Off to Marrakech on Friday for 4 days. I'm excited ... think it's about 20 degrees there atm.

We're staying here ... YEY
http://www.riadmurakush.com/

Sorry slightly off topic!

suisidevw

Cheers for the info Jim, I can't see photobucket at wrok, only FLICKR but you mentioned you were going to update your blog which I can view?!

suisidevw

Ping because I love this thread and am sure someones got some news since yesterday! Any luck with pics of fire Jim?!

littlerose12345

suisidevw wrote: »

Ping because I love this thread and am sure someones got some news since yesterday! Any luck with pics of fire Jim?!

No news, except we've almost finished our utility room.. will update the blog once it's done!

Currently trying to pick a paint colour for our hall/stairs/landing... any thoughts from anyone on these Dulux colours?

Timeless
Natural Calico
Natural Hessian
Ivory

We're after a neutral / yellowy creamy type shade.. something warm but not too bright?

stolt

just updated mine last night if you fancy a nose... just trying to get the flooring down downstairs beflore christmas. first time ive seent he latex screed put down and it looks nice as it is... amtico floor to star tbeing laid today but hes got 60m2 to do in a herring bone pattern so he thinks he will be here until next tuesday!!

http://projectneverending.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=18