Love this old house... But worried!

Doozergirl

mumps wrote: »

Couldn't you just skim them?

You can't skim over wallpaper.

AdrianC

Doozergirl wrote: »

You can't skim over wallpaper.

You CAN, as part of our stairs prove.

You really shouldn't, though, as that part of our stairs also proves.

Doozergirl

AdrianC wrote: »

You CAN, as part of our stairs prove.

You really shouldn't, though, as that part of our stairs also proves.

Inspired. Who made that decision?

AdrianC

Doozergirl wrote: »

Inspired. Who made that decision?

I wish I knew...

phoebe1989seb

Pete9501 wrote: »

If you buy it the challenge will be to modernise it without destroying the charm.

This ^

I can never understand why people buy period properties only to turn them into *new* ones :mad:

Currently we are scouring auction houses, fleabay and reclamation yards to source period appropriate fireplaces etc for the bedrooms in the '1850s with Arts & Crafts extension' house we purchased in December. Fortunately the previous owners had left the downstairs fireplaces (three) alone

This house had/has woodchip on walls and/or ceilings in twelve or more rooms. We've started the stripping process and as Doozer says, we've uncovered some fairly damaged plaster beneath. Fortunately this is the seventh property we've restored and DH is able to plaster (both lime and gypsum ), although he's not in the building trade and we tackle many jobs ourselves, which if you can do it is great as you save money and learn new skills along the way.....plus it's very rewarding

I certainly wouldn't be dissuaded to buy OP, in fact I'd see it as a rescue mission

moneyistooshorttomention

That was rather how I saw my current house Phoebe - ie as a "rescue mission". Its a 1970s house that had barely had anything done to it since the 1970s and had a Rayburn and oil tank to boot.

Quite frankly, if I hadn't taken the house on and proceeded to knock it to smithereens gutting it then it wouldn't have surprised me if it had just stood here...steadily getting more and more decrepit (ie because this is back of beyond Wales - so people don't leap to take on an old-fashioned tatty house, despite the fact that even tatty houses will sell in a reasonable time period in some parts of the country - ie elsewhere in Britain).

Pete9501

makeitstop wrote: »

Stick a chimney balloon up it

Spent a bit more and put a wood burner in, after all that is how this 1930 house was originally heated. However, there is a balance between heating a house letting it breath so the second chimney whilst capped still has a slight draft.

rosyw

phoebe1989seb wrote: »

This ^

I can never understand why people buy period properties only to turn them into *new* ones :mad:

Neither can I!!!

My last place was a 1836 farmhouse, we spent years "restoring" it, NOT modernising!! by which I mean, yes it had all mod cons, but still looked like what is was, an old farmhouse! The people that bought it have divided in in two, the walls are now a lovely shade of magnolia, the solid oak kitchen I spent a small fortune on has been painted white, etc. etc., the whole place ruined

mumps

Doozergirl wrote: »

You can't skim over wallpaper.

I thought she was talking about artex.