I can't pretend that our new front door is a style statement - we couldn't decide what we wanted. There seems to be lots of choice for front doors for older properties - but not much in our preferred price bracket for a 1970s house. So we went for no frills, basic uPVC.
More importantly than the style (or lack of!), we have a much warmer lobby & hall area. Phil kept on ringing & ringing the doorbell for me to let home back in the house the other day because he couldn't hear it ringing inside anymore - so definitely better insulated.
It's also much more secure with better locks than its predecessor - and by moving the letter box to the door rather than the sidelight, I no longer have to retrieve the post from our shoe rack!
Back door was also replaced - similar, simple uPVC glazed job.
The garage ceiling was removed very carefully today. Many, many thanks to Dave & Adam for their help - we really couldn't have done it without them!
Fortunately, Phil used to supervise asbestos removal so we were togged up in full protective gear - I even had to keep my mask on until under the shower later on!
The panels didn't come down as easily as we'd hoped - huge numbers of depressingly effective clout nails meant that it took all day.
Still, it's done.
The plasterer comes on Thursday to put up a new ceiling - and after that, the new garage door can be put up.
The old door is broken - and has a gap underneath big enough for rats to get in - and there is plenty of evidence of them having had parties in the garage in the past. The new door will be much more secure against vermin and burglars.
However, fitting it requires cutting into the ceiling - and quite rightly, the garage door firm weren't prepared to cut into asbestos insulated board. So it's been removed & wrapped ready for removal instead.
Long day, but so glad we got it done.
We have a kitchen! And that means being able to use a hob for the first time since late October & a dishwasher for the first time since August.
Units are gloss white, worktops are solid beech & floor is tile effect laminate. The pull out larder units are not quite as easy to pull out as we'd hoped, but that's a minor niggle. Hob is gas, oven is a pyrolytic electric fan version. Tony's done a fantastic job.
I'm surprised that we have filled all the units given that this kitchen is so much bigger than our old one. I'm a bit freaked out that as 2 people, we seem to own more glasses than the average wine bar!
Although we had the space for an island unit, we've gone for a trolley/island unit from IKEA instead as it gives a bit more flexibility. And we treated ourselves to a new kettle & toaster.
I also got to enjoy the breakfast view I've been aiming for since we first viewed the house this weekend - over looking the fields. The view will be improved further when the rusted metal shed moves out of the garden...
Many thanks to Debs for the clock - it fits really well.
The only bits needing more sorting is a noticeboard &the bin corner. Husband has square pedal bins in mind - but finding one at an appropriate price seems to be challenging!
I couldn't get the tallest of these 3 blue vases in our local IKEA - but my parents managed to find it in their's - so we now have the full set. I wanted a little bit of colour for the room & blue glass on the windowsill delivers this nicely.
