Outside tidying

Making an effort to clear some of outside building materials that have accumulated in the courtyard area at the rear of the cottage.

We are keeping sandstone blocks that were remains of underneath kitchen window when it was demolished to install french doors (not sure if they will ever get used to re-construct anything), but they are now neatly stacked.

Kitchen Cupboard - painting interior

I decided to brighten up the inside of the huge kitchen cupboard. Hubby repaired the shelves that were not sitting level - needed something to cover the horrible dark burgundy colour.

First given undercoat, then a top coat of duck egg blue Laura Ashley eggshell paint. I will search for some wallpaper to use for shelf lining paper.

Now need to make a decision..do I paint the bottom shelves or leave them burgundy colour?

Kitchen Ideas

We made an appointment for a design chap from local custom made kitchen installation company to visit.
He took measurements, made suggestions for configuration of units and appliances, which roughly tied in with our thoughts, and a few days later his quotation and 3D image has arrived...the units are quite expensive, in-frame timber painted units, so we are looking at alternatives at present.

Fireplace for Lounge

Finally, after some delays and being let down by courier, the fireplace has finally been delivered.

It arrived in several components, easier for transport as it is very heavy.  The concrete fire back has also arrived, the lady selling didn't think this could be removed in one piece, but seems ok, although still not sure if we will use this, or opt for inset gas fire.

All parts have been given a wash to remove residue dirt and soot.

Bathroom - finishing additions

During a visit to Penistone, in the peak district last week, we found a workshop selling reclaimed pine furniture.

We bought the pine mirror that now hangs on the bathroom wall. This mirror, together with glass shelf and window blind, are steps closer to the bathroom decor being complete.

Kitchen Cupboard - Armoire

Yet another ebay purchase!! I'm sure hubby is despairing of me searching ebay!

This pine/oak? cupboard with internal shelves is a huge piece of furniture, made to measure almost for left side alcove in the kitchen. the seller listed it as an Antique Armoire...she previously bought it from an antique shop in Camden.  The courier collected from Marble Arch in London to bring back to the cottage, none too happy he had to pay London congestion charge when collecting.

We sourced some pine door knobs, which we stained and waxed before fitting, as we initially had to use a screw driver in doors to open them.

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Inside is painted a horrible puce pink colour, so I intend to repaint and line the shelves, before filling with kitchen goodies.

Sitting Room Fireplace

Having bought several "spare" fireplace fittings on ebay, we decided to install a fireplace into the rear sitting room.

We needed a recess for cast iron frame to sit into, so had to make cut into new plasterboard. As this recess is not deep enough to take a traditional fire back, we tiled rear of fireplace where it sits on wall with 4 inch black tiles with black grout, and placed granite hearth in place. Hubby then had to cleverly craft two new legs for base of surround as this was too short to sit on hearth once in place on tiled fireplace.  Once these additional legs were stained and waxed and fixed in place, we bought an electric fire with coals effect for glow feature only (no heat).

Skirting Boards

We made the decision to fit softwood skirting boards, 120mm deep in Torus design
Rather than opt for double sided skirting board as sold by B&Q etc, we chose to order a deeper board and the timber merchant cut it to remove bottom shaped piece, giving us a  much more solid base on board to fit to floor

80 linear metres arrived, all needed to be given coat of undercoat and satinwood top coat paint

So far, skirting board is fitted to the rear sitting room, main part of hallway, and one length in kitchen, until we decide where kitchen units will be fitted.