Prosperous & Creative Soul & MFW Year 3

savingholmes

enthusiasticsaver said:

I think you are in danger of being a bit overwhelmed with decisions, plans etc so I would focus on the bits the roofer is going to to initially with soffits, guttering etc and park the question of the floor for a month or so. 

I know the temptation is to do everything as soon as you move in but taking things slowly initially and really having a think about what you need might be worthwhile both in terms of expense and convenience.  Some workmen come in and pick things to bits saying this needs to be changed and that does and then others come in and nothing is a problem so I do think getting another flooring person in is worthwhile if only to solidify what actually is critical.  Trip hazards don't sound good though and doing something which will need ripping out again in the near future if you do in two separate jobs sounds expensive. 

That's  true on the overwhelm. If I'm not going ahead with the floor though - I need to cancel my order - I have at least 3 weeks left though before I need to do that - but don't want to get to the point where I've paid it off my CC only to then get it refunded. I set a delivery date of at least a month away (last Wednesday?) to give me time to understand my roof and driveway costs etc.

mark55man said:

I agree with ES - youve done too much moving to have to uproot it all so soon.  So that can be left.  Look at the broken laminate and if not learn to love it, at least say I'm putting up with you because the alternative is worse and then discard the thoughts - and/or use a rug!!

I'm sure the floor guy was possibly laying it on a bit thick not quite upselling but close.  SO maybe another quote or two,  Also doing it in the summer may make it easier to deal with if you could find a way to be outside or elsewhere during the work 

The hall is a trip hazard - but I have a little underlay I brought with me and the previous owner left me some carpet - so I could get the handyman to resolve the issues in the hall for now while I decide. 

The 240x170cm rug I bought off the sellers for £75 - would cost around £320 new - so a matching one to cover most (but not all) of the remaining gap feels like it would be a waste of money so the living room isn't an easy fix in the short term. It might prove cheaper to buy an offcut and put down some temporary carpet. I live within a few miles of a carpet place and did look last week - there were some cheap options - but not really my taste - but I suppose it could buy me a bit of time to make a decision. There are cheap rugs on Am**** but even those - I'd probably need 2 at £100 or more each...

Thanks @CCW007 - they are scary numbers on your roof. Good luck with your floor quote.

beanielou

I think you would be better to see rugs IRL.

LadyWithAPlan

Kardean is amazing on kitchen floors for wear and tear and looks great.  I have a family member who fits floors - both very detailed  wood from parquet to marquetry including repair of antique floors  and he also lays floor tiles (and  whilst he has laid intricate floor  patterns  in oak elsewhere in his home he has  chosen Karndean in his kitchen/open dining room to deal with the animals and foot fall - looks incredible and very easy to keep clean -   it will be my top choice when I finally buy for kitchens and entries into outdoors as well

Your art is really getting good  - looks great  !

girlatplay

I agree with the others, take your time, do what needs done first (sounds like you've got someone decent for the roof) and think carefully about what you want. You're doing loads and have so much to think about. Remember to keep taking time for just you.

beanielou

girlatplay said:

I agree with the others, take your time, do what needs done first (sounds like you've got someone decent for the roof) and think carefully about what you want. You're doing loads and have so much to think about. Remember to keep taking time for just you.

Agree with this. 

Humdinger1

@savingholmes do you think all these decisions and the angst around them may feed into your art? A possible upside while you work through all the options.   Your work is utterly inspiring as it is...love Humdinger xx 

TallGirl

Morning very good advice just to focus on getting the roof done and it sounds like you have the right person there. Carpets even if cheap still have to be paid for to be laid and then when you are ready to do the floor paid to be removed and disposed off which seems wasteful. I do not know what the solution is other than try and cope with it a bit longer and it might become clearer what you want to do. Karndean is really nice and much more tough than real wood for those high traffic areas. It is expensive though. Love the art too such vibrant colours. 

savingholmes

Thanks TG, Beanie, Humdinger, GAP and LWAP

It's 2 weeks since I moved!! The cat has gone in and out into the back garden about 5 times this morning. It's reassuring that each time it was just for a few minutes explore and then back in for reassurance.  I've put the cat outdoor house back outside so hopefully that will also help with scent markers.

I'm not necessarily getting much done on emptying boxes - as I've been so consumed with the decisions that need making and keeping my day job going. I will go to some other flooring places and explore options before making a decision as to what to do next.

The lounge looks reasonable ignoring the flooring and my WFH space. The bathroom and downstairs toilet I've personalised. I've got some picture hanging stuff arriving today - and will then use my cable finder to check stuff but other than that hang pictures.

My art space still has two boxes of paintings to unpack but other than that is reasonably 'unpacked' but is not how I want it yet. It's too dark in there to be an inviting space - as there is little natural light getting in the snug as there are no mirrors up - as I'm waiting for the handyman. I also only have a bare bulb in the snug. I am tempted to move the kitchen table from the garage into the house and get rid of the kitchen table left by the buyers as it's too big for me and over dominates the space. I'd hoped it would work in the garage later as a counter but it's too wide and is currently a dumping ground for things I took out of boxes but haven't found a home for yet. The garage having been split to create an internal area is also quite small. There's space in a cube unit in the dining area to put more stuff away - and I potentially need to swap it's contents around. There's also the painted blue chair in the snug - that ideally I'd like in my WFH space - once I've moved some of the wardrobes into my bedroom to make space.

I am considering swapping furniture and room use in the L shape and may put my art desk closer to the natural light and then my kitchen table into the snug - as I'd mainly use it for guests. That would then make the whole space feel a lot more open and inviting for art I think. I can't do that by myself however as I got the movers to put two heavy glass tops on the kitchen table for now while I decided how I wanted to arrange everything. That table is about 4 inches wider and longer than my other one and it makes a difference. I've bought some castors that should come today so when the handyman comes - I can potentially get my sit and stand art desk put on castors and that way I can perhaps put it in front of the windows for now so I get the natural light - but move it against the walls out of the way when I want a more open space.

I'm also really frustrated that I can't use the patio doors as I used them all the time at my previous house. I think because they don't open - even though there's a lot of natural light I feel quite trapped in there as the back door feels too far away. That therefore is a priority to resolve. The handyman will look at those next week to see if they can be fixed. If they can't he can hopefully advise on the best replacement. He didn't recommend bifolds as he says they frequently go wrong.

The utility area and the garage should get electrics put in next week and then I will have light in there again. Still need to buy lights for it - and for outside. I need the handyman to focus on the utility floor as a priority too.

Bedroom 2 still has loads of boxes but I know what's in them and there's no rush for their contents. They would easily fit in my built in storage in bedroom 2 and 3 - but because I'm due to move some of it there seems to be no point unpacking it yet.

I need to unpack more of my clothes in bedroom 1 - but still debating moving furniture around - so not fully done yet.

I'll get there - and meanwhile the views more than make up for everything else.

beanielou

Glad that the views make up for everything else 😊

girlatplay

I'm glad you've got lovely views.
I think you know how many boxes I've got left...