Baby, It's Cold Outside

(Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan, 1949)

In order to achieve our 'low energy' status, the front of the house also needed to be insulated.   This was slightly complicated by the fact that, in order not to spoil the facade, we had to do this from the inside.   
 

As you'll recall, we had already stripped this wall back to the bare brick, with our own fair hands (and a fair bit of help).  

Next, blocks of insulation (neopor) 10cm thick were stuck on, all the way up to the ceiling.  



Originally we had a doubt how this would look encroaching on the mouldings on the ceiling, but it turned out fine.












The pipes from the bathroom upstairs had to be added (since there was no bathroom in the house originally, these had to be put somewhere, inevitably making a hole in the ceiling unfortunately).










 

Finally, the wall was plastered and the edges of the window frames tidied up.  Not much to look at, but we're hoping we'll be able to feel the difference. 

Ready Or Not

(The Fugees, 1996)

Here we come, ready or not...


The movers have been booked for Wednesday 28 November. 

Boxes are being filled and are stacking up. 

The freezer is being emptied. 

The standing order for the rent on the flat has been cancelled.  

The flat has been put back on the market.

Change of address has been notified to banks and the like.



In fact there's no choice, the house will just have to be ready.   

Walking on Sunshine

(Katrina and the Waves, 1983)

 

 

The big change this week is in the kitchen. On top of the insulation, the underfloor heating has gone in...

Then a layer of concrete, and then finally the tiles. 

The view from the landing. Cool eh!

Knock On Wood

Up on the top floor, we are beginning to get an idea of the final finish.  Floorboards are being sanded...

 ... and the bathroom has been tiled. 

The Heat Is On

(Glen Frey, 1984)

Previously tucked away in a dark extension, the kitchen will now be the focal point of the house.  Soon, sitting at the kitchen table, you'll be able to look through to the living rooms, up through the internal window to the main staircase, or down through the huge window to the back garden. 

It has also become the focal point of the building works.  Not only has the structure been totally re-built, but it has also required a number of different people to do their bit: the internal walls, plumbing and underfloor heating, laying the floor tiles, fitting the ceiling, painting, and then of course the kitchen itself.  All these have been done by different people.

On top of that, the actual design of the kitchen - wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling oak panneling, with lots of built-in spaces - means that everything has to fit perfectly.

This means that there is a lot of potential for things to go wrong. 

The good news is that is does seem to be coming together...

The internal walls on the left - with doorway to the WC and staircase leading to the back garden.

.. and this is what is looks like from the other side (staircase still to come)

The first attempt and insulating the floor.  Has since been re-done, since not it was properly glued... 

The internal windows being plastered

The ceiling going in

Close up of that ceiling. Cool eh?

The floor tiles have arrived!