Delivery Day

We finally made decision to lay solid oak flooring in the hallway, kitchen and rear bedroom, and after a lot of researching/samples/deliberation and telephone calls, the order was placed, delivery day today.

45 square metres, with underlay to suit, duly arrived on time for kerbside delivery - the only problem being that I couldn't even manage to lift one of the boxes, never mind carry them up the front steps, manoeuvre around the porch doorway and into the cottage.  After a bit of persuasion, an offer of a cup of tea and a cash incentive, the delivery driver carried all 19 boxes into the cottage...thankfully!

All neatly stacked, apparently the oak has to aclimatise to its surroundings for a while before laying...

Before and After

Although we still have a way to go with the renovation of the cottage, while looking back at photographs taken a year ago, we have made major changes...

Kitchen pics

We still have to make decisions with the kitchen - what type of flooring do we choose?
Initially would have liked Traventine tiles similar to the bathroom, but they appear to be quite fragile for areas of hard wear, so have eliminated these. Our other options are ceramic tiles (cold underfoot) or wood (is this really suitable for kitchen areas?)

I think the kitchen may well end up being one of the most used rooms in the cottage, as the sunlight floods in through the french doors and roof windows.

Bathroom almost complete

The bathroom floor tiles have been treated with sealant now that fittings are in place.

We now need to find and order a shower screen and fit the loo seat and a window blind.

Fire for Lounge

We have to make a decision soon about a "fire/surround! for the lounge.

Although we have gas central heating with a large radiator in here, it needs a focal point for the chimney breast wall.   Initially, there used to be an electric fire...

When this was removed, we discovered an open fireplace behind it, which needed some repair work to make it safe.

We bought a used cast iron fireplace with gas fire, loved the tiles in the surround, but unfortunately the Plumber condemned the gas fire as unsafe to install...

so we now have decision to either use this fireplace with a new electric, or gas fire (gas fire will need a new flue liner), or latest thinking is to have a wood burning fire installed, either with this cast iron surround, or the very expensive option of a complete wood burning inset fire with surround..any wood stove will also need a new flue and chimney liner, together with a chimney pot for solid fuel fire outside

Oak Chairs..Buxton Purchase

During our recent visit to Buxton, Derbyshire, we spotted these 2 "antique" oak chairs for sale outside a shop, and decided to make an offer for them. They do need some remedial work, but do look nice as a pair.

Garden in Autumn

We have planted many perennial plants and bulbs in the small front garden. Looking forward to seeing them flowering in the spring....

Room Thermostat

The Plumber has fitted a wireless room thermostat, to enable us to set the boiler to come on automatically when it is really frosty.

and the Electrician has wired and connected the control panel for the under floor heating in the bathroom..
Now we need to read and understand the instruction manuals for the digital settings...

Painting Kitchen Walls

As you will see from others posts and pictures, the majority of the cottage walls are painted in various shades of "Cream"....Almond White, Orchid White, Magnolia...so decided to be more adventurous in the kitchen...

I bought a few sample pots of matt emulsion and tried on the wall behind the kitchen door...

However, after they had dried to even darker shades..off I went to the paint stores to look again..and again!

I eventually decided on Sanctuary matt..Candlelight shade...yes, cream again!

I still have the chimney breast wall to paint..(too high for me to reach off the stepladder) so may eventually choose a contrasting shade for this wall....

Door architrave

Door trim now fitted to 3 internal doorways of rooms, hallway still to complete, with 6 doors requiring architrave.

We opted for a "Victorian" style which is more in keeping with the picture rail and coving in each of the rooms.

Metal Gate

We asked a local wrought ironworker to measure up and fabricate a metal gate to be fitted for added security in the rear yard, to be fitted to the external bathroom wall and garage.

This was fitted and painted today.

More Painting

Decided today that the weather was good for outside painting.

Outbuilding before work began.......

Gave second coat on garage fascia, and two coats on rear garage door, then decided to paint white masonry paint on outbuilding, makes a big improvement.

Outside Painting

We decided to remove old blue peeling paint from rear garage door and fascia, think this blue paint has been on for many years with no maintenance, as most of the wood is in poor shape, but until we decide if we intend to keep the "garage and outbuilding" or demolish, we are carrying out temporary repairs.

Following some repairs to the fascia timbers, we sanded and added undercoat, and then finally decided on a shade of green eggshell paint from the "Fired Earth" range.

Now I just need a sunny dry day to finish painting the out-building door and up and over door frame.