OUR REFURBISHMENT BLOG!

...Week Twenty~Five...

2008-08-26T19:31:00.003+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

bedroom 2 - was being used as a 'box room'

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Dave's been in the spare bedroom this week - decorating it, not because I've thrown him out of our room or anything! - and it's already looking very different to how it was at the beginning of the week.

It's been cleared out of all the 'junk' (doesn't take long to build up, does it?) - and we've stripped the wallpaper off (yes, me as well!). Dave's now poly-filled in all the marks and dents in the wall because we're just going to paint the plastered walls - a lovely beige and dusty pink - yes, I know - a bit girly but it'll look fabby

...trust me, I've chosen the colours before and they really work - believe me, they really do...

ME ;0)

...Week Twenty-Four...

2008-08-19T08:40:00.004+01:00

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WOW! The dining room is now finished - well, it still needs the flooring to be laid but we're undecided what to put down. Dave says carpet but I know that people still like laminate and as we're going to be selling it as soon as the paint's dry I think that's the way to go.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

But we don't need to make the final decision until the whole place is finished as we always have all the flooring laid in one go and the end of the project so that the carpets don't get mucky while another room's being torn apart and then they look like new when the viewers come round.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

...see, we've done this before...

ME :0)

...Week Twenty~Three...

2008-08-13T11:46:00.003+01:00

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Dave & I were away all of last week visiting friends & relations in Kent so the dining room is pretty much in the same state as last week. Dave has however got straight back to it on Monday & the ceiling is now all painted and I'll be putting up the very pretty orb lampshade soon - it's all about the detailling, you know -

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ME ;0)

...Week Twenty-Two...

2008-08-04T08:47:00.004+01:00

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before work started on back door side

painting underway on garage door

As promised Dave's finished painting the garage door and the front of the garage this week. The previous owners had already painted it, so he's having to redo it.

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He's also done one side of the bungalow, but the weather started to deteriorate so he's come back inside and continued in the dining room. All the walls are now stripped of the horrid wallpaper and they have been rubbed down, washed & filled for wallpaper to go back up! He's also had to knock some of the wall out around the french doors and replaster because the doors were so badly put in that you could see daylight around the frame & the walls were so uneven!!

He's replaced skirting board too because it's either rotten or just doesn't match the rest in the room -- some people just don't have an eye for detail, do they??

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So once again another room is taking shape nicely and will soon be transformed

....pictures to follow...

ME ;0)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

...Week Twenty-One...

2008-07-28T08:24:00.004+01:00

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The kitchen is finished but I'm still waiting for Dave to wire-in two lovely red skittle lamps above the breakfast bar... (but to be fair, he has been busy elsewhere!).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The hallway is now also finished. When Dave stripped the wallpaper and investigated the very bumpy wall, he discovered this window (still in place) behind it - EEK!!

It's always a bit of a surprise the difference it makes to each room as he goes through them... we're now just looking for a runner to go on the quarry tiled floor (yep! more quarry tiles).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dave's also nearly finished refurbishing and painting the detached garage - I'll be posting pictures soon - that's going to be black & white (the same as the pretty shed). If the weather stays dry -- fingers crossed -- he's planning to make a start on decorating the outside of the bungalow this week...unfortunetly previous owners decided to paint it so now we're stuck with having to paint it as well...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ME ;0)

...Week Nineteen...

2008-07-15T17:23:00.006+01:00

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hallway BEFORE decoration started

-- I've decided not to blog every day about the refurb. but to do a weekly round-up --

The kitchen is finished - well almost - all but a couple of gorgeous red skittle lamps that Dave still has to wire in, but that's all. The decorating is completed, the oven and ceramic hob have been installed and look really great...so much better than what was there, I can tell you... and the original 1950's quarry tiled floor has been restored with Nitromore.

This week Dave's been ploughing ahead with the refurbishment of the hallway. The walls are all stripped of the horrid wallpaper (I helped with that - well a little!) and he's already erected the coving and picture rail. He's rubbed down all the woodwork and as we speak is putting the first coat of emulsion on the ceiling - so it's really taking shape quickly - we're having wallpaper in there, but will be painting it a lovely neutral beige colour as it's quite a dark space.

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred And Twenty Four...

2008-07-07T17:11:00.004+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Well, we're back from the lovely Yorkshire Moors and Dave's straight back into the refurbishment of the kitchen - he's been messing around with the plumbing today for the sink - and also sorting the window sill (that's in a hell of a mess, of course!).

It's looking good - as it should as it's taking an age to complete.

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred And Fifteen...

2008-06-28T16:43:00.002+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

I used the new ceramic hob for the first time today - it heated up so much faster than the awful hob that was already here - nearly burnt my bacon - it did :0)

I'm doing fish this evening for dinner so I'm hoping it'll be OK - the oven is fan assisted and apparently takes less time to cook things - as my mum always use to say "If it's brown it's cooked but if it's black it's buggered"

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred And Fourteen...

2008-06-27T20:20:00.003+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Dave's been fitting the ceramic hob and cutting the breakfast bar today - that's measure twice and cut once - however Dave always measures umpteen times and cuts once and then normally trims again!!

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred And Thirteen...

2008-06-26T19:38:00.003+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Another good day in the kitchen - worktops are being fitted - the walls aren't square, as is the norm, so Dave's having to plane areas off to make them fit. The oven is now in and will be connected tomorrow as will the ceramic hob (I hope!). Then it's only the sink to be replumbed and fitted and it's pretty much over - YIPPEE!!

I've been scrapping wallpaper again in the hallway as this is the next room to be tackled - Boy! I hate that job -

ME :0)

...Day One Hundred And Twelve...

2008-06-25T19:03:00.003+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Dave spent most of the morning picking up the two remaining worktops (that have been on order since 5 June) and then discovered that one had a large chip on it - OMG! what is it with suppliers and damaged goods???

As we couldn't wait another three weeks for them to order another....he took it anyway....but only after speaking to the manager of the store and kicking up a bit of a fuss. They let us have it for nothing - hopefully Dave'll be able to 'hid it' when he installs it tomorrow.

This afternoon we've both been in the garden planting up lilies and poppies (I really like them both!) and of course weeding -- they never let you down, do they? -- they just keep growing even when everything else seems to have come to a standstill.

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred And Eleven...

2008-06-23T18:30:00.002+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Dave’s been beavering away again today – the oak across the fireplace is now in position and it looks fantastic – it’s true what Dave says ‘There’s nothing like a real bit of wood’.

~ I've already 'dressed' it, of course ~

He’s now working on the corner cabinet that is going alongside the breakfast bar. The area is an odd shape so of course the standard filler doesn’t and he’s having to construct something bespoke to fit there.

It’s just as well he can do it as he’s so handy

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred And Ten...

2008-06-22T20:55:00.002+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

We’ve been out (again!) for most of the day – looking around people’s gardens at Mareham le Fen - they had an open day today to raise money for the village hall – it’s amazing what people do with their space – quite an eye-opener and we came away with some great ideas.

Dave’s now in the garage (9pm) planing the piece of oak for the fireplace – there’s just NO stopping him

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred And Nine...

2008-06-21T15:41:00.002+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Well the knobs are on the doors and drawers – the store has discontinued the ones that we really wanted so we had to compromise and buy others that are not as pretty but will do. Even though as is life, the screw length was too long and would have showed through the other side of the doors so Dave had to file each one down – there are twenty~two in total. So of course a ten minute job turned into a couple of hours – isn’t that always the way?? But it’s a job now done and having knobs certainly finishes the look.

He’s also cut and put up the worktop in the utility – so that also looks smart. We were going to buy those nice chrome legs for the cabinets in there but they were just too expensive so we’ve left the plastic ones on them – for now…

Dave’s now back in the garage planning and I suspect playing with the real pieces of oak– he just loves real wood – for the fireplace. A chunky piece is going across as a mantelshelf and the other piece is going at floor level to cover up the rough edge of the quarry tiles.

…It’s gonna look so good – I’ll never want to leave it…

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred And Eight...

2008-06-20T20:13:00.002+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

We've been out for most of the day today sourcing the final materials for the kitchen – B+Q, Homebase, Wickes and the sawmill to collect the couple of pieces of oak – I must admit they look quite impressive and that’s before Dave planes them, shapes them and oils them – I’m looking forward to the finished result.

We’ve also collected the worktop so Dave’ll be able to complete the installation of the ceramic hob and sink.

It’s going to look superb :0)

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred & Seven...

2008-06-19T16:24:00.004+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

I’ve been ‘arranging’ in the kitchen –so it really must be getting to the end of it – I love the dressing up stage of a room. I can’t get involved in the actual refurbishment, other than choosing finishes and colours, etc. ….I hate getting my hands dirty…. But I really do enjoy the end results - matching blinds with cushions and dishes with glasses and exciting things like that…

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred And Six...

2008-06-18T21:07:00.001+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Dave’s now completed the kick board around the cooker and sink area, we’ve also moved two of the old kitchen units into the utility for extra storage and luckily there’ll be a piece of worktop over to lie across it.

We had a call today saying that the worktop was finally in – it’s been on order for three weeks – so we’ll go over to Boston on Friday and pick it up.

We just waiting for the sawmill to give us a ring to say that the two pieces of oak that Dave ordered for the fireplace is in

…and then we’ll really be cooking on gas…

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred And Five...

2008-06-17T14:37:00.003+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

It's a lovely sunny day here today - first thing there wasn't a breathe of wind but now (4pm) it's started to pick up quite a bit. Dave's put up a couple of hanging baskets - one on the bungalow and the other on the pretty shed....it looks so great I'm thinking about moving in :0)

He'd also planted up a very old wheelbarrow (that we've had for years) and we've moved that to the front garden - boy what a dead weigh that was and we had to get it over the nearly laid gravel drive -- backache or what!! -

We've also had another couple of 'roadmen' come to lay the tarmac at the end of the drive - it looks really good -

Dave's now back in the kitchen painting the kickboards (again) and cleaning up the last of the quarry tiled floor. He's also put up the first glass wall cupboard so I'm off to find something fancy to put in it

....I Have All The Most Difficult Jobs....

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred And Four...

2008-06-16T16:25:00.004+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Dave’s back in the kitchen today after being released for the day yesterday and has been making good progress again. The chimney hood extractor fan has now been installed AND is fully working it’s always a bit of a nightmare to erect these. The instructions make it sound so easy but needless to say it never is.

He’s repositioned Bruno (dishwasher) and is now taking off the old kickboard to be replaced with lovely plum-coloured new ones.

He’s just about to start cleaning off a few more quarry tiles with the horrid Nitromors. It certainly does the job but isn’t very nice to use.

He’s actually looking around the room trying to find the next job to do – that’s a really good sign – shows it’ll soon be over

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred & Three...

2008-06-15T10:01:00.003+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

As it's Father's Day today, Dave is taking the day off from the kitchen. He's going fishing instead.

I've promised him that I'll continue with the stripping of the hallway wallpaper...boring...

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred and Two...

2008-06-14T21:01:00.003+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Another day of plastering and electrics in the room know as our kitchen - but at least ALL the painting has now been completed and I'm really pleased with the lovely plum colour on the fireplace. Dave wasn't sure how it would look but I think it's great....and after all that's all that matters isn't it....?

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred & One...

2008-06-13T17:19:00.002+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – [url=http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715]pro5[/url]

It’s been such a cold miserable day here today – heavy downpours on & off the whole day. Luckily for us we didn’t have to go out and Dave continued in the kitchen and got on very well. He’s now put up the ceiling spotlights and done a bit more electrics – they’re almost finished now - He’s really, really on the last leg of it now, so it’ll be over soon.

While he’s been doing that I’ve had another go at stripping the wallpaper in the hall – it’s such a s-l-o-w job & it pulls on my back so I’m only doing a modest amount and then stopping frequently.

Just before lunch Dave also started removing the wallpaper in the dining room so it’s all looking a bit battered – mind you as our bedroom was completed some time ago it’s nice to go and sit in there with the door close and imagine what it’ll look like when it’s all over

…that won’t be for some time yet though…

ME ;0)

...Day One Hundred...

2008-06-12T17:41:00.001+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Not much has been doing on in the kitchen today – we decided to take most of it off and visit a local-ish wood yard, as Dave needs a couple of pieces of real ash to finish off the fireplace in the kitchen. We managed to find the sawmill eventually – it was way out in the sticks – and has ordered the two pieces that he needs – we’ve got to collect them next week.

While we were out we decided to stop for a picnic – it was pretty windy and quite cold, but who cares we were both in good company.

Now that we’re back, he’s connected the electrics for the chimney hood extractor and replaced the lightswitches.

ME ;0)

...Day Ninety~Nine...

2008-06-11T17:03:00.004+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

The plaster is almost dry on the wall that Dave completed yesterday – he’s been checking it regularly throughout the day, just to be sure :0) He’ll be painting that wall tomorrow probably, so then all the painting will be over – Thank Goodness. It seems to have been going on for a long time but then it is a very large kitchen that needed a LOT of paint so I expect it’s only to be expected really….

He’s also finished more electrics this morning and has prepared the wall for the last of the quarry tiles that was under Boris (washing machine) so the refurbishment is finally ‘getting there’.

I’ve started stripping the wallpaper in the hallway today – next room to be tackled – Boy! I really hate that job……I know it has to be done, but as is normal it isn’t coming off easily and I’m having to chip away at it in tiny pieces. Even though the hallway isn’t huge (thank god for that!) it seems an awfully long way round when you’re on your knees looking up at it.

ME ;0)

...Day Ninety~Eight...

2008-06-10T14:45:00.004+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Another gloriously warm day here and I’ve actually been in the garden this morning -- working that is, not lazing. I’ve been weeding the border that fronts the road…there’s a hell of a lot of thistles there I can tell you – I’ve got the stings to prove it too…

Dave’s finished painting the ceiling, at last. It took three coats of emulsion to cover the new pink plaster and the place really looks crisp now. He’s finally plastering the area of wall where the ceramic hob will go (a job that he’s been putting off for days as he doesn’t like plastering!) but as far as I can tell he’s doing a grand job -- of course --

So another day is passing very favourably in the place we call home

ME ;0)

...Day Ninety~Seven...

2008-06-09T16:38:00.001+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

The builder has been here again today to finish off the gravel drive, laying down top soil at the entrance to the bungalow and replacing the stink pipe outside the bathroom.

Dave & I are quite impressed – he’s done a grand job – and surprise, surprise once he was here he stayed until he completed the job…not all of them do that – they arrive for a few hours and then keep disappearing…

Even though he was very shaky in the beginning – trying to tie him down to a day to come round in the first place to see the job and then waiting and waiting for the quote….but he’s redeemed himself in his workmanship. We’ll definitely be keeping his telephone number in case we need him again -- we just have to pay him now -- OUCH!

Dave, in the meantime, has been beavering away in the kitchen – I know, again! – he’s now painted the ceiling, removed the old worktops – we’re waiting for the delivery of new ones (could be up to 28 days!!) and is plumbing the washing machine.

It’s been very hot here again today so we’ve stayed out of the garden as we don’t have much shade to work under and wearing an umbrella stuck to our heads seemed a bit extreme!!!

ME ;0)

...Day Ninety~Six...

2008-06-08T19:11:00.003+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

It’s been a glorious day here today so Dave & I decided to abandon the kitchen refurbishment and go into the lovely Lincolnshire Wolds for a picnic instead -- it was a peaceful, relaxing day spent in the good company of my husband --

Mind you, Dave being Dave couldn’t let the whole day go by without some work being done so as soon as we returned home, after a quick cup of coffee, he dragged me into the garden to trim back the hedging – he has a new hedge trimmer to play with - and also clear another border in the rear garden.

He’s now talking about putting a coat of paint on the kitchen ceiling before bedtime

…there’s just no stopping him…

ME ;0)

...Day Ninety~Five...

2008-06-07T17:42:00.003+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

..............................................................

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

It’s been a cold and wet day here today but that hasn’t stopped Dave from ‘getting on’ in the kitchen. Today’s procedures have included finishing off the coving and picture rail – I’m always amazed at what a difference it makes to a room – filling cracks and rubbing down more wall area….he’s a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to smooth walls…and he’s intending to put a first coat on the ceiling, this evening.

For the last couple of hours – now that the rain has finally stopped – he’s been re-potting plant pots and generally tiding the garden

…you just can’t keep a good man down -- Can You…?

ME ;0)

...Day Ninety~Four...

2008-06-06T18:48:00.002+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

The builder arrived with a road roller this morning & I thought that the digger was noisy. I must admit to still being in bed when he arrived -- Dave was up -- and I was quietly snoozing and snuggled when the row started and I thought for a second that another earthquake had arrived. Needless to say I was soon up and about.

After an hour or so of rolling the hardcore the gravel started to be laid on top – I must admit to liking the chalky white colour of the hardcore more than the sandy coloured gravel that’s going down on top….Oh Well!….but either he misjudged the amount needed or the builders merchant didn’t deliver enough of the gravel because he ran out just short of the end of the drive so he’s having to get more delivered on Monday.

The chimney has also been re-pointed and vented off, as it’s no longer a working chimney and looks really smart.

In the meantime, Dave’s been in the kitchen (where else?) and has now removed all the wall tiles (except for a small area beside Boris - washing machine -) and has repaired the window frame.

More updates tomorrow

ME ;0)

...Day Ninety~Three...

2008-06-05T18:42:00.005+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

The builder has been here again today and has now laid the hardcore for the gravel drive - it already looks so much smarter and the area also seems so much larger.

Dave's been working in the kitchen this afternoon - he's been laying the slate floor tiles in the fireplace - they look lovely, I'm really pleased with them. He even managed to cut them without any breakages, which is just as well, because we didn't buy any spares :0) -- so it's all happening here.

We've also ordered the worktops today - they might take up to 4 weeks to arrive though - but there's still plenty to do

ME ;0)

...Day Ninety~Two...

2008-06-04T14:03:00.003+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

We’ve got the builders here today laying a gravel drive. They arrived just before 8am and got straight down to work. Mind you, just getting the digger onto the drive was a very noisy experience I can tell you and when they actually started digging up the concrete drive that’s already here the noise was quite deafening. But within a few short hours all the old concrete and paving slabs have been removed and they’re now digging out the soil for the footings - so we’re quite impressed with their progress so far.

We have already had one ‘not so good’ discovery – the idiot that laid the drive in the first place decided to concrete OVER a mains drain – very naughty – so now of course the builder has to sort that out as well.

While that’s been going on, Dave’s finished off top-coating the kitchen door, put on the nice new door handle and is applying the second coat of matt emulsion on the walls…the plum coloured fireplace looks gorgeous…no, really it does.

ME ;0)

...Day Ninety~One...

2008-06-03T15:42:00.004+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

Not too much has been happening in the kitchen today because Dave's back (prolapsed disk) has been playing him up :0( so he's spent much of the day resting.

He has managed to put the second coat on the wall above the picture rail but I think that'll be pretty much it for now -- hopefully the back thing won't delay him too much (he's a terrible patient!) -- we'll have to wait and see what tomorrow brings

ME ;0)

...Day Ninety...

2008-06-02T19:46:00.002+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Dave has spent most of the morning in the garden as the weather has been quite warm. We have builders coming this week to relay a new drive for us and some of the planting will be lost, so rather than throwing them in the recycle bin Dave decided to move them to other areas of the garden.

This afternoon he’s been painting the kitchen walls – he’s happy now that he’s started as he can see an end to all the work – even though to be fair there’s still a lot to do but all the messy jobs have now been completed.

We’ve bought some really nice floor tiles to lay in the fireplace – it’s quite a large space which housed a Rayburn or possibly an Aga at some time (not that I’m a great lover of them I must admit) – but it has been lost over the years. I’m going to have a butchers block unit in there so it should look OK.

ME ;0)

...Day Eighty~Nine...

2008-06-01T20:10:00.003+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

Another day in the paradise that is our kitchen :0)

Dave's taken over the refurbishment of the quarry tiled floor because they need to have a clean-up with Nitromore & he doesn’t trust me with it….that’s OK I can live with that….

He’s been at it all day and has only managed a fairly small area – it’s a very slow process and his back has been playing him up as well which obviously has slowed him up. But true to form he’ll not let a small thing like a prolapsed disk stop him

…he’s such a super hero…

ME ;0)

...Day Eighty~Eight

2008-05-31T20:56:00.004+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

... the cute shed complete with window box...

We’ve been away from the ‘homestead’ for most of the day today because we have been taking a break from the kitchen for a few hours. We decided as it’s been such a lovely day here that we’d take a drive around the countryside to see what’s here -- there’s some really pretty villages north of us.

We arrived home around 5pm and after a quick coffee we decided to clear an area of shingle to the front of the bungalow and move it to the back behind the refurbished shed – I know – WHY?? This is because the builder is due here next week to relay a drive and repair the chimney, which is in a very bad state and we thought that we’d recycle the shingle. It was heavy back-breaking work I can tell you…

Dave’s now doing a quick rub down of paintwork in the kitchen before we have supper -- I don’t know there’s just no stopping him --

ME ;0)

...Day Eighty~Seven...

2008-05-30T13:14:00.004+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

Works continuing in the kitchen again this morning. Dave made a really early start today, couple of hours before I even got out of the pit - I even let my coffee go cold - :0)

He's been sorting out the area of wall that the stainless steel chimney hood will be going above the ceramic hob - the wall is very badly plastered there so he's skimming over it to ensure a lovely smooth surface, but as is normal it’s never straight forward and is taking much longer to get sorted than first thought……this happens with refurbishments all the time……

I've done my little bit by continuing to scrap paint from the quarry tiles and have taken a rest to write the blog -- I know any excuse to stop --

ME ;0)

...Day Eighty~Six...

2008-05-29T18:59:00.002+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out – www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Dave & I started off in the garden this morning as it was such a glorious day – Dave planted up an old wheelbarrow with bedding plants and I did a bit of weeding (it’s so not my thing!) but by midday it was just too hot so we decided to come inside -- OH PITY! I was enjoying that – NOT --

After a quick trip into town for food shopping and Dave bought more coving and picture rail we returned to the kitchen….

I started stripping the paint from the quarry tiles and Dave started knotting the picture rail before painting. It’s such a long boring job, stripping the tiles. I wish I could meet the idiot that painted them in the first place – but I must admit that they do ‘come up’ a treat and will look great when they are all restored to their former glory – twenty done only around another thousand to do – it’s a very large kitchen…

ME ;0)

...Day Eighty~Five...

2008-05-28T15:18:00.003+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out –

www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

It's another day of sawing and gluing in the kitchen for Dave, he's finished putting up the coving except around the wall cabinets. This section will be completed when we replace the units.

He's now started on the picture rail - this is going all the way around the room as well. As is normal the wall & ceiling measurements aren't square and he's having to compromise - but he's good at that as he's had years of practice of finding alternative ways of DIY. This of course takes more time than originally planned for, though.

I shouldn't call him a DIYer as this sometimes gives the impression that he's a bit of an amateur and he's far from that - he's VERY, VERY experienced at refurbishing a property - he's been doing it for a living since 2002 and has been doing up our homes since 1980.

Luckily for me – he loves doing it and is SO good at it – while I hate getting me hands dirty, so rarely do.

Oops! Master has called – ‘More tea needed’

ME ;0)

...Day Eighty~Four...

2008-05-27T21:09:00.003+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out –www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Work has continued in the kitchen today after a late start this morning. Dave's added another coat of paint to the kitchen door and finished replacing the broken & missing quarry tiles on the floor.

He's now started to cove all around and will putting up the picture rail soon - probably tomorrow. Until fairly recently I wasn't a great fan of coving (I've always liked picture rail, though) but Dave talked me into using it a couple of refurbs back and I'm now well and truly converted I must admit - it really finishes the edge off.

ME ;0)

...Day Eighty~Three...

2008-05-26T14:29:00.006+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out –www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

We were planning to go out for the day today as it’s Bank Holiday Monday but the weather is so bad that we decided against it :0( So Dave’s back in the kitchen and I’m wasting the day messing around on the computer -- nothing’s much different there, then?? -- he’s been refurbishing the original quarry tiles all morning removing floor paint from them, generally cleaning them up, removing old cement from the back of them and cutting some to size so as to replace broken ones.

Luckily when the Tree Man - bbcholidays.blogspot.com/2008/04/pity-its-not-summer.html - was here recently doing some work in the garden for us he found a load that had been dumped in a corner of the overgrown side garden, so Dave’s managing to replace them with the originals, so as it’s turned out they were a really good find. Of course it’s a job that should only take a couple of hours but as with most DIY jobs it always takes much longer.

ME ;0)

...Day Eight~Two...

2008-05-25T12:19:00.004+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

I now have photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out -- www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

Dave’s been refurbishing the kitchen door, the one that goes into the hall, because it was really too short. So he’s added a piece to the bottom of it & it now has a nice new coat of white paint as well.

I know that it’s Bank Holiday weekend but as the weather is so ‘iffy’ today we decided not to go out and as Dave can’t sit still for long he’s getting on with things.

He bought a wall chaser a couple of days ago – no, I didn’t know what it was either – and will be trying it out after lunch (to lay electric cables in the wall) so I expect there’ll be a lot of noise as well as dust everywhere…that’s the problem with DIY it’s great when it’s over but there’s a lot of mess before you get to that stage and we’ve still got a bedroom, dining room, lounge, hall and bathroom to sort

…All In A Day’s Work…

ME ;0)

...Day Eighty-One...

2008-05-24T14:03:00.006+01:00

www.bootblack.co.uk

the kitchen currently under refurbishment

the kitchen before we started

I have more photos of Project 5 on face book -- if you'd like to see our progress, check it out -- www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1225934715

....I thought that it was about time I started a blog for the latest refurbishment project ~ so here it is....

We moved here on 4 March this year (81 days ago!) and since then have been working on 'Project 5'. Our bedroom & the utility room have already been transformed as well as a very dilapidated garden shed. We're now in the kitchen - as normal it needs electrics checking, plumbing, tiling, decorating as well as the replacement of cabinets, worktops & all the white goods -- nice quick job then :0)

Dave's stripped the place of the 'lovely' tiling on a roll and has prepared the walls for redecoration - I'm having a nice plum colour. The plasterer has already been to skim the ceiling - which was in a hell of a mess - he worked off of stilts so it was entertaining to watch him do the job on them.

Yesterday, Dave continued with the updating of the electrics and replaced a couple of the double sockets and removed the old carpet flooring (why do some people have carpet in the kitchen - YUK?) and also started cleaning off the original quarry tiles that some idiot have painted.....with red floor paint.....You have to wonder about some people don't you? What's the point of painted red quarry tiles with red floor paint???

This morning we've been to our local-ish DIY store for more paint etc so that Dave can now get on with the next stage -- which is to be the painting of the ceiling -- there'll be photo's soon.

I've just finished vacuuming the car interior and Dave is potting up plants in tubs for the garden

...so it's all go here - speak soon...

ME ;0)