Nice People Thread Part 9 - and so it continues

lostinrates

silvercar wrote: »

Problem is we want to burn logs in an open fire, rather than have a stove in the fireplace.

Yes, they burned logs in a fire,:) just cannot remember now how big cast element was. It was definitely lighter rather than darker, overall though, not like first one, much more like second...question is how much.

silvercar

Spirit wrote: »

I am trying to give up a third of my salary.

It has taken me so long to to get my head round the worklife balance thing. Met with my team today to discuss redistribution of my work to them and have made an appointment to see Occ health.

I have also been exploring areas I could do some volunteering in when energy recovers.

I think my interests are:

Listening to littlies read
Families support such as Homestart
Food banks
Elderly and companion pets such as Cinnamon Trust

OH is delighted but worried I will want to 'adopt' those who need a bit of help...I am more concerned that I do not get into something and as PN says do Bugg4h all altruistically.

If you have a variety of skills, one area of demand is providing signposting and general support in foodbanks. Sometimes peoples first call for aid is attending a foodbank, this is an ideal opportunity to engage and provide direction to other support that is available. Up until recently the volunteers in foodbanks only provide food (and possibly prayer if they are in a church setting).

Spirit_2

lostinrates wrote: »

I've spent some time this evening looking at woodburners with hot plates.

Despite not being a fan of woodburners I have agreed its a better option than a fire fore the study. DH wants a hot plate to roast chestnuts on and room for a coffee pot. I don't think that's a bad idea. Useful space for slow simmering in odd places is useful before parties and stuff. For example, one could mull cidre or wine there without too much smell intrusion.

In a dream situation I'd have had a Very tiny Victorian range, like a diminutive Cornish range.


Instead I'm looking at woodburners with hot plates. Boy, have I learnt to compromise!

I really like that idea for a study or sitting room.

On first reading I thought you meant for cooking on. As I had wood burning stove up until 7 years ago I was preparing a big don't do it stream of conciousness,which is not needed.

We have lived here 19 years today. Still have the hideous kitchen floor tiles that I could not live with, and the ugly flat roof extension.

Doozergirl

lostinrates wrote: »

Instead I'm looking at woodburners with hot plates. Boy, have I learnt to compromise!

I'd love a woodburner with a hot plate, they seem so romantic. Mine would keep mulled wine warm for me. Our neighbours had one at the old house.

The compromise in this house is a gas fire. I always want a proper fire, but I was made to compromise because we weren't going to be here long and it would cost more. Our third winter approaching, we've only done three winters anywhere once before.

People have been letting off fireworks. One house randomly since the beginning of last weekend. I wish they'd have a proper display and be done with it. The dogs get more and more upset every night. I'm now in the bath and locked them in the bathroom for some element of control. Twozerdog lost bladder control about half an hour ago over it all . It's really not fair on animals at all, but it seems to take ownership for people to understand that.

lostinrates

Spirit wrote: »

I really like that idea for a study or sitting room.

On first reading I thought you meant for cooking on. As I had wood burning stove up until 7 years ago I was preparing a big don't do it stream of conciousness,which is not needed.

We have lived here 19 years today. Still have the hideous kitchen floor tiles that I could not live with, and the ugly flat roof extension.

Nope, I wouldn't go solid fuel for ( main) cooking, or range/ stove. Had solid fuel and oil ranges and IMO there is an example of progress for a reason. I know my dream stove and it ain't even English

No, this is just a lIttle extra sort of coffee and toasted muffins while you work, and might be employed as extra simmering plate or rising space where needed. Might put one in our bedroom too eventually.

lostinrates

Doozergirl wrote: »

I'd love a woodburner with a hot plate, they seem so romantic. Mine would keep mulled wine warm for me. Our neighbours had one at the old house.

The compromise in this house is a gas fire. I always want a proper fire, but I was made to compromise because we weren't going to be here long and it would cost more. Our third winter approaching, we've only done three winters anywhere once before.

People have been letting off fireworks. One house randomly since the beginning of last weekend. I wish they'd have a proper display and be done with it. The dogs get more and more upset every night. I'm now in the bath and locked them in the bathroom for some element of control. Twozerdog lost bladder control about half an hour ago over it all . It's really not fair on animals at all, but it seems to take ownership for people to understand that.

Oh dear. . I suppose you have radios on and stuff? Have you tried the dog version of feliway ( I cannot remember name:o). Vet should also prescribe something to help. The thing is she'll remain stressed even after fireworks, if they are over a number if days she might not relax for a while....

Doozergirl

silvercar wrote: »

We have issues with our fireplace.

We want to replace it with something modern, but preserve the ability to burn logs.

Apparently the only suitable hearths and immediate surround has to be black granite. With the rest of the fireplace being whatever colour we choose.

This is an example that I found randomly (so ignore the price) .

Whereas I would prefer something like this.

So I am stomping my feet. If any NP have any ideas?

All things are possible. The thing with stone is that it expands when hot and is liable to crack. You need to have a hearth made of several pieces, instead of one.

I've been fireplace shopping in the last couple of weeks for a client and it was impossible to get a slate hearth from a fireplace supplier. It wasn't always the case! The fire isn't even going to be used (central London)

There are more building regulations to conform to, which is why it doesn't seem possible to do the same as we used to. I don't know if increasing the budget would help? Gallery fires are super, but nearer the bottom end of price point and maybe that is some sort of composite? There's bound to be a specialist somewhere.

silvercar

We can't easily get a gas supply to the fireplace (solid floors are such a pain when reworking stuff - causing problems for redoing the downstairs radiators too), even though electric fireplaces have improved since the days of orange lightbulbs twirling under plastic logs, they still don't seem authentic enough.

Doozergirl

Spirit wrote: »

Well done NDG the decision to attend court if you are at risk of compromising your pregnancy is yours alone with advice from your midwife.

Communicate what you need to to mitigate perceptions of unreliability.

When I read your post I felt frightened for you, and wanted there to be someone who is looking out for your best interests in health and wellbeing or for you to be able to say "not today".

Thank god you did. All may be well, your mums situation turned out OK. I remain mum to one.

^^Exactly this. I went to write earlier this afternoon but my reply only wanted to involve swear words re: reliability issue.

You and your load are precious, NDG. Don't let anyone convince you that work is more important. It is not.

silvercar

Doozergirl wrote: »

All things are possible. The thing with stone is that it expands when hot and is liable to crack. You need to have a hearth made of several pieces, instead of one.

I've been fireplace shopping in the last couple of weeks for a client and it was impossible to get a slate hearth from a fireplace supplier. It wasn't always the case! The fire isn't even going to be used (central London)

There are more building regulations to conform to, which is why it doesn't seem possible to do the same as we used to. I don't know if increasing the budget would help? Gallery fires are super, but nearer the bottom end of price point and maybe that is some sort of composite? There's bound to be a specialist somewhere.

These of the conversations we have had with the experts. I know we need the hearth to be in pieces, but they keep telling me I have to have black granite pieces rather than any other colour.

I saw a slate one, the problem is any mark is going to show up and slate gets scuffed very easily.

You can get slate from these people: http://www.creativefireplaces.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=slate

(Feels like teaching grandma to suck eggs.)