+++ Whoops! Here comes the cheese! +++

Cherryfudge

I like the idea of a curtain over the plasterboard, or perhaps paper? So long as it doesn't allow you to pretend nothing needs to be done.  

I've no real idea about current trends in bedroom size: it the room is big enough to move around easily, contain a large bed, wardrobe and drawers, then the ensuite could be the way to go. Would a look at similar specs in the estate agent give you an idea about what's trending? And how much would it cost to have the ensuite completed?

in_need_of_direction

I have to say, an en-suite would make a big positive if I was house viewing.

redofromstart

Thank you for all the input, much appreciated.  I know we have discussed it before but one of the hardest things is adjusting to having nobody at home (sensible) to talk things over with. Be that the relatively small decisions like what we should have for tea, what colour curtains, if it is going to rain if I flea drop the animals, through to the biggies like this, or the really major one of move house or not. 

If I do move I would not be attracted to a house that doesn't have (or have the option of) two toilets, and a bath as well as a shower, but this house meets that criteria.  Like you say INOD, I can see the attraction of an ensuite, having never lived in a house with one. Would I pay 10k more because it had one?  Not sure. 

Cherry the whole room is 15' x 15', the small partition would take 6' off the length and create an L shaped room but I would do some sort of built in wardrobe storage in the L shaped bit (and call it a dressing area maybe?) as the door is tiny and impossible to get bulky furniture through.  Some of ours came up through the floor when we took the second staircase out, it may have to go out through the window. 

The estate agent is a good suggestion as is looking on r1ghtm0ve, but there isn't really a comparator.  The two properties close by that have sold in the last year (first ones in 15 years!) one modern, one older, both had an ensuite. The older of the two had several hideous hotel style bathrooms which just don't look right in this type of property - like a country cottage having an ultra industrial garden when it cries out to be English romantic.

Whatever I decide will involve plastering and electrical work so it makes sense to get quotes for both.  Getting the spare room back to useable is fairly key as we will use that as an alternate room as each bedroom gets done. 

In other news some small birds are trying to build nests in the Skimmia again.  Just watched TT jump up to it, hopefully she has scared them off and they will pick a better site.  The infamous Stupid Pigeons used to nest in the honeysuckle trellis and the wisteria, both notorious cat ladders, hence the nickname.

teapot2

I resonate with being the only one having to make both big and small decisions 🙄.  The cat is no help at all unless his own dinner is involved in the decision.  I find myself feeling a bit overwhelmed at times with trying to make bigger decisions on my own.  Its not that I doubt or regret the decisions I DO make, its more that the being a team aspect has gone.

Watty1

Just catching up and if you can ask an estate agent round. The advice I had was so helpful.   It totally changed what I did and will do with the house and helped me focus on some others.  Employing someone for a day to hang a light was not on the "must dos" but I love the light so much the money was well spent.    Changing the front drive I will not do because he talked me out of the spend and said, if I am ever going to put it on the market, buy a couple of tons of slate and spray off the weeds and it will look fabulous.  Easy wins.     I will spend more on my house, and I may or may not move but what I spend has been influenced by that agent.

badmemory

Being the only one takes a while to get used to but it does get easier, honestly.  It takes some time to get out of the habit of feeling the need to consult.  I try the consulting from time to time with DS (now in his 40s) who still lives at home.

Cherryfudge

It's sounding as though the wind is blowing in favour of the ensuite...

Sun_Addict

We have a little room off our bedroom which would  make a perfect en-suite.I currently use it as a place to store my coats, shoes, ironing board and other bits. I do keep it tidy though so there is space to move around. It's quite small so would only probably fit a toilet and sink. We did have a  builder measure up a few years ago but never got any further as he seemed to think it would be more complicated than it seemed.

I completely understand the lack of someone to run ideas past. Although Mr SA is still around he no longer has the mental capacity to make decisions or even chip in with sensible suggestions. 

redofromstart

The trouble here teapot2 is that the cats mostly think that we need more boxes. 

Yesterday was a mix of lost morning due to stress headache, and then clearing hall and garage for the electrician to have access for his repair.  Lots of things left the building so it was productive.  

The win of the day for today is that the external electrics got repaired, hurrah.  The nice chap is local, and does a mix of handyman stuff as well as being a spark, so when he mentioned that he was busy doing an ensuite a light went on in my head, and I showed him the current situation (easier because he saw the clutter when he did some upstairs stuff for me before).  He had some really constructive ideas about working with the current utilities and space to control costs, and gave me a ball park idea of how much it would be.  Less than I was expecting, so I think I will go ahead with that.  I need to clear the space out (obviously) so he can get in to have a proper look but it is looking far more feasible than I thought.  Once again this pushes the need to sort the spare bedroom to priority as I would move in to there while it is done.  It would be a couple of months before he was free so it'd all work well.  

The other idea I had was to have an independent building survey done so I can identify the things that I might want to address - regardless of sell or move.  Still thinking on this one, but couldn't do it until the spaces are clearer.  I have also found a damp specialist who works on old stone buildings for when I am ready for that.  

Clearly I should be upstairs sorting the spare room but the sun is shining and I want to play in the garden while I can even though it is quite cold.

doingitanyway

Last time I was here in September you were reeling after your loss. You probably still are, but I have to say, you are so impressive. You have done brilliantly. 

Re the ensuite. That sounds good. I have one for the first time and I can't tell you how much I love it!!