Free-standing Kitchen Pantry Cupboard

My wish for the kitchen design is for a country style kitchen with some free standing units, possibly an L shaped run of units with sink and washing machine to right hand side of kitchen.

We recently had a visit to Barnard Castle, and browsing the antique shops found this dresser unit..which we think will fit into the left side of the chimney breast..just wondering of we can justify the cost of purchase for only one item of kitchen furniture!

Fire choices for Lounge

We are wavering between gas and solid fuel fire choice for the lounge. Initial choice was gas, and we had a new gas pipe installed in situ for a gas fire, then we changed our minds to solid fuel, and recently visited a couple of local fireplace showrooms...now we are confused and thinking maybe gas maybe the better choice for practicalities etc....

These are two of the fire surrounds that we have short listed...both can be used with either gas fire or solid fuel..and both will need a new flue liner installing so a similar cost for purchase and installation...

Bathroom Cabinet

Another Ebay purchase!! I think I paid £10 for the pine cabinet, although I had to collect from Ponteland.
Once cleaned and rewaxed, it looks quite in place now fixed onto the bathroom wall.

Another bargain buy was this coat rack..99p!!

Florence Solid Oak Flooring

Florence Solid Rustic Oak 90mm Lacquered Flooring is 90mm wide, has a total thickness of 18mm and comes in random lengths of between 300mm-1400mm, with an average length of 700mm. Each of the planks has bevelled edges (V Grooves) on all four sides resulting in very distinctive groove between the planks, adding more depth and dimension along with giving an individual definition to each plank. 

Although this is a solid wood flooring all the way through it still has a wear layer above the tongue and groove, sanding cannot surpass this point. On this floor that wear layers is 7.0mm which if need can be sanded and re-finished up to 9 times, but under a normal maintenance program and in a domestic environment the floor should not need to be sanded for around 20 years. The floor is constructed like a tradtional hardwood floor out of one peice to timber.

The rustic grade of this hardwood is a very vibrant colourful floor full of character and excitement. The floor can display heavy grain markings, figuring, mineral streaks, colour variations, sapwood and frequent knots of varying sizes. Knot holes, checks splits and other imperfections are allowed, filled and finished.The floor is prefinished with a very durable satin lacquer which leaves the floor with an even sheen that gently reflects the light. The lacquer also gives great protection to the hardwood itself and allows for easier cleaning and maintenance.

Rear Bedroom / Sitting Room Floor

We are still undecided as to use of the rear room to the right off the hallway...
Initially it was divided into two tiny bedrooms, but we demolished the dividing wall, however as we can forsee that we may only need one bedroom for use in the future, I have an idea that we may use this as a daytime sitting room.  During the day, as this room is south facing, the sun shines in brightening and warming the room, whereas the lounge is actually north facing and a cooler room

We laid a 10mm thickness green fibreboard underlay on top of the dpm and 3mm foam underlay, to bring the flooring up to the same level as the hallway, to allow a continuous level throughout.  The oak flooring is now complete, thanks to Hubby's hard work and my labouring duties...the room now awaits skirting board and curtain poles...

Bathroom Door Handle and Lock

We decided to fit a Rim lock type handle and lock to the bathroom door. This was an ebay purchase, decided to stick with brass finish the same as other room door handles.

Kitchen Floor progressing...

We made a start to lay oak flooring in kitchen, using similar damp proof membrane and underlay as in the hallway. A friend volunteered his help for a few hours.

We can only lay approx 8-10 rows of boards until we need to leave glue to set before continuing with next rows following day.

Update...oak flooring is now complete in the kitchen..next project will be to fit skirting boards

Hallway - wood floor laying

We began preparation for laying oak floor in the hallway, following instruction provided with the wood.
The first pack was laid using pva wood glue, type D2, but the foreman (hubby) wasn't too happy with the adhesive quality, so following a trip to Homebase, and some internet research, we laid second and subsequent packs of flooring using Evostik pva glue with resin, which appears to set within 8-10 minutes, and gives a stronger bond.

Using tools bought especially for the job

Wood flooring installation kit

Ratchet clamps

padded knee pads

The flooring is now completed in  the hallway

Helpful Labourer!

Our Grandson came to visit for a few days at new year, and volunteered to help with work at the cottage...
He turned out to be a competent painter using a roller! and with the help of tall hubby,, we painted the final kitchen wall that I could not reach from a step ladder.

Stained Glass Window

The builder removed the glass pane from above the inner hall door, and we were initially going to replace it with patterned glass, but searching on ebay we found a stained glass panel with exact dimensions.  The only problem being it was located in Giggleswick, some 100+ miles away in the Pennines. We were successful with our bid, and arranged to collect on a detour travelling to family in Buxton several weeks later.

Following a clean up, it was installed in the window frame, fixed with softwood beading, and now looks as if it has been custom made to fit!

The door still needs architrave trim and ceiling trim to complete...

Levelling Kitchen Floor

The kitchen floor is a concrete base, and quite uneven, so as to be able to lay floor on level base, we mixed quick setting floor compound in various locations, and left overnight to dry (with the help of Grandson)

We then put down a damp proof membrane, followed by foam 3mm thick wood flooring underlay to provide insulation properties.

We unpacked several packs of the oak flooring, to acclimatise in room settings before laying.