Ugly House Herts Project

hathor

Did anyone see Ep3 of Channel 4's "Ugly House to Lovely House"? I was most impressed by the improvement - most unusual for me:D

In particular, I liked the look of the en-suite the architect gave them. It appeared that the shower enclosure was made from plywood (stained, varnished?) which gave the whole area the "gentlemen's club" or "posh train/boat cabin a la Orient Express" look. (To keep costs down, the architect made extensive use of plywood throughout the home. The flooring looked fantastic and we will definitely be having some of that!)

I would love to copy this idea for our downstairs loo + wetroom, but OH is adamant that you can't have even marine plywood in a shower, even if it's varnished, as it won't cope with the water. He also says that the problem with varnish is that even with "splashes" rather than the kind of soaking the walls of a shower would get, the varnish "blooms" and shows white marks which can't be got rid of, so that rules out plywood in any part of the room.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to obtain the look on a budget? We're just starting on the renovation of a Victorian house and I would love to put a "period" look on an obviously contemporary area, but don't have a lot to spend. I thought the "timber panelled" appearance would be just the thing.

Sadly, the Channel 4 website gives you the plans for the works done, but no actual details. They do publish a list of suppliers and I have emailed the contractors who did all the work, but I imagine they've been inundated with congratulations and requests for info, so I don't seriously expect a response from them. They do have a living to make, after all!

Doozergirl

Do you have a link to the bathroom?

hathor

Sorry, I don't know how to do that. I'm currently playing through the programme on the C4 catch-up service with the intention of (perhaps) taking a screenshot of the room/installation in question. I hope this will make clearer what it is I am asking about.

The website says the programme will be available for 23 days. My broadband is snail's pace and you can't "fast forward" to the reveal at the end as they make you watch the ads, so it's taking a while...

Thanks for taking the trouble to think about my query.

Hoploz

I must say I thought the same thing - ply lining a shower? Sounds like a disaster!

But that floor was gorgeous!! Any idea how they made it looklike that?!

Snuggles

Was it definitely plywood they used in the shower? When I watched it, I assumed it was something like this:

http://www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/Showerwall-Waterproof-Decorative-Wall-Panel-Urban-Gloss-4-Size-Options.aspx

EssexExile

I always think these sort of programmes should go back in a couple of years & see how their "innovative" & "trendy" home solutions are coping in real life.

Person_one

EssexExile wrote: »

I always think these sort of programmes should go back in a couple of years & see how their "innovative" & "trendy" home solutions are coping in real life.

They always create massive open spaces with loads of glass. All I can think about watching it is massive heating bills or freezing winters!

GwylimT

I thought the first one in this series was very attractive, the second couple (who were originally going to have an external bike rack) had a lovely home at the end but they didn't seem overly convinced themselves.

I liked how in the after shots despite them having children there wasn't even a high chair in sight nevermind a toy!

GwylimT

Person_one wrote: »

They always create massive open spaces with loads of glass. All I can think about watching it is massive heating bills or freezing winters!

I live in a ground floor flat and it has two external walls like an L shape, the larger wall is entirely class folding doors apart from a small strip each end which is glass, but can be opened like a normal window. Ours isn't cold at all in the winter, we were more worried about the summer but it didn't become too warm actually.

Heating bills (aircon) are fairly reasonable as well, its cheaper to heat than our last home which was still fairly modern and well insulated.

PasturesNew

Person_one wrote: »

They always create massive open spaces with loads of glass. All I can think about watching it is massive heating bills or freezing winters!

Individual rooms will soon be making a comeback. You're right ... and, with all that glass around, you have to make double sure the house is secure when you go out (what can any ferals see) .... and think about whether you can really get, naked, from the door to the far side wearing only your hands over your naughty bits as you put your handbag down in that corner and now need it for the new shampoo you bought yesterday and forgot to put into the bathroom.....

vansboy

Didnt like the shower, but the floor did look ok...just now.
And using a cheaper product and then paying over the top labour costs for it to be fitted, seems not too much moneysaving.

I still am fan off open plan, lots glass and natural light. Plus if someone really wants ti=o look in at the same time as I've got anythig dangling, before or afer a shower...well thats up to them!!
But the prog was worth watching.

VB