Gale force winds

Was woken at 3am this morning, to a crashing noise, 2 roof ridge tiles blown off the roof, slid down and smashed onto the road...narrowly missing my car!

The builder been to the cottage and has now repaired roof ridge tiles with new cement.

Downside is that he has reported that original cement used when seating ridge tiles when roof was replaced two years ago was not to a fair quality, appears to be too sandy, and has recommended that we renew all mortar in near future.

The second kitchen cupboard now in place

Previous pics on the blog show the constructed pine cupboard built to "match" as near as possible the other armoire storage cupoboard on the left hand side of the kitchen stove

This was delivered, and fitted in place, and after several attempts to find a near match of wood dye and wax, the finish is superb after many hubby man hours to achieve this. We bought antique eschuteons on ebay, and similar pine door knobs.

Light fittings...and hanging pictures and mirror

Final light fittings put in place in front bedroom and sitting room..these were chandelier type lights bought from ebay. They look fine now in place with their crystals attached.

We had a slight problem with wiring, but a call to the electrician and his visit soon solved the problem

Light shades fitted to lounge light fitting, after a visit to several shops to find the correct type of bayonet type bulbs, now seemingly extinct in the UK!!

These pictures, a car boot find, and the mirror (which initially started out as a silver colour) 

were hung in the lounge

And finally..the front bedroom

The front bedroom of the cottage has been used as a junk room/storage room for tools etc for quite a while.
We eventually managed to move the remaining bits and bobs, ebayed some of the items no longer needed, and freecycled a large coffee table we decided was too big for the lounge.

The skirting boards were fitted and top coat of paint given, and the carpet and underlay ordered for fitting before christmas.

The curtain track and curtains with pelmet were put up

and once carpet had been laid, the bed and cabinets were put in place

We then hung canvas pictures and two shabby chic mirrors that belonged to Emily, the lady we bought the cottage from.

Christmas at the cottage

Our first Christmas staying at the cottage, trees decorated, roaring fire blazing, very cosy

Kitchen Pantry Cupboard

Received pics today from the joiner of the pantry cupboard for right hand side of chimney breast in kitchen.
We wanted a cupboard to surround the gas boiler to hide it, and also for the base unit to house a standard size side by side fridge and freezer.

After taking many photos and measurements of the cupboard we already have on the other side of the chimney breast, he sourced some used flooring and timber, and has built to our specifications..

These are pics he has sent, cannot wait to see it in situ in the kitchen, then to decide on finish, think antique wood stain and then several coats of wax.

and this is picture of original cupboard

Vertical Blinds

Last week we ordered vertical blinds to be fitted to the windows. The terrible floods in the Durham area meant a delay as the fabric could not be delivered to the manufacturer (well that was the excuse they used), but eventually arrived and had them installed.

Opted for vertical blinds as during the daytime we can open them from the centre pulled to each side, to create an open view to the countryside

Garage Guttering

We have had some black square style guttering fitted to the side of the garage and shed, in an attempt to divert the rainwater away from the courtyard area.

Loft Space

We eventually intend the loft space to be a "boys space" with an electric train setup.

The central area has previously been floor boarded, and as we had a huge sheet of plywood placed up there before the new ceilings were put up, we have had this now constructed into a table that will hold the train tracks.

A timber surround has also been made with a gate for access and securely fixed around the loft hatch.

Survived the rain

Despite the recent heavy rainfall and stormy weather to hit the region yesterday, thankfully we are no where near a river or stream, spotted these lovely roses in the garden this morning, I have no idea how they have survived. I have brought them inside to enjoy..

Curtains for lounge

Have spent many hours searching for curtains for the lounge, as they need to be 90" wide and 103" drop, for the huge window.

Made to measure curtains are proving to be very expensive...quoted at £465 for a pair, dues to large amount of fabric that is needed.

Eventually found a pair in Ponden Mill in Buxton, while there on a visit to family, latte colour with embossed leaf design.  curtains now hung at lounge window, after a mammoth effort to iron them to remove creases from packing, still undecided whether to shorten them to skirting board level or leave them to drape. Think I will make decision once curtain tie backs are in place. 

Carpet Day!

Today is carpet laying day in the lounge.

After much deliberation a choice was finally made for a wool type carpet and thick bouncy underlay.

All preparations have been done, painting complete and dry and furniture removed from the room..apart from the 2 sofa bases.

2 carpet fitters arrived, and took maximum 1.5 hours to fit underlay and carpet, and tidy up afterwards.

Furniture now back in place..job complete!

First lighting of the fire!!

Celebrations...at last the fire in the lounge has been lit..

Cupboard restoration

Found a smaller version of pine cupboard on Ebay, similar to previous one we purchased.

I decided to restore it and paint in a similar colour, Craig and Rose, Moonstone Grey, distressed paintwork and waxed pine top.