Wood, wood and more wood.

Yep, the whole house finally has flooring in! Not hardwood unfortunately as the quote came in at 8 grand, but we really love this veneer from Howdens, a lovely warm colour that suits the different uses for each room.

Actually I lied, the downstairs shower room hasn't been done yet and the living room will get carpet next year when we've saved enough money!

Spent today doing minor jobs like cleaning door handles, fitting a chain to the front door and taking more rubbish to the tip. Wish I'd dine before and after photos of the back door handle, the difference is huge!

1920's bling.

I hope anyway! We have tried to retrain the original character of our house wherever possible, it was built in the Art Deco era which is a period I love. Our bedroom seemed to be the obvious choice for a 1920's look, and the starting point was an animal print chaise longue so we decided on a silver, black and grey theme with some added bling. The fireplace and picture rails are original, and the silver vases on the mantelpiece were my grandmother's from the 1920's. Other than that, we have picked up some repro bits and bargains from Matalan and Argos of all places!

Another weeks work...

Kitchen is taking shape rapidly, appliances are largely in and The Husband was delighted to wash up last night in a full size sink! Its all still under an inch of dust with more boarding and cutting flooring to come so we can't really use it properly, but we can at last see what our home will become - and its enormous!

Its the weekend peeps, wine o'clock and we finally have the confidence to start planning for Christmas. Happy days!

Leaps and bounds!

Wow, what a difference a week makes! Half the kitchen is in, the utility room is complete and has pictures hung and the hall/stairs/landing is decorated and lit. The kids spent the weekend at their grandparents so we could clean and clean and clean (and obviously sneak in a meal out!) and upstairs is totally done bar the wonky carpet being refitted next week. And clean windows makes an enormous difference!

Random photos from this week.

The hall, utility room, kitchen and dining room in various states...and Martin the decorator trying to fix The Husbands shoe!

House, week 16.

And loads of things happening now! The kitchen has been first fixed for gas, water and electrics, the ceiling and half the walls have been boarded over and the decorators have their eye  moving in there. Meanwhile they've stripped and lined the hall, stairs, landing and dining room. Skirting boards have been primed and the utility room is nearly decorated. The house stinks of paint but its better than nicotine!

We are well chuffed with the entrance hall - it seems twice the size and is beautifully bright now. Off shopping at the weekend for light fittings, again. The brand new halogen fittings in the utility room have blown already so we are giving up and replacing them with pendants, plus need lampshades for the hall and landing. We did find a stunning cluster light for the dining room but can't bring ourselves to spend £160 on just one room so back to the drawing board there. The kids know the layout of our local b&q very well now!

More excitement than I can handle!

And this photo says it all...

On a roll now...

Bathroom has been completed for a while, only got round to taking photos and feeling some pride in the house now! Its been a challenging few weeks as nothing was happening, started to panic that we would be having Christmas dinner in the van (complete with mother in law squished in too!) but we are now more positive. Wine, as ever, is my saving grace!

Who on earth puts manky carpet and enormous vinyl stone and sea stickers in a bathroom? They took a blumming long time to peel off!

Small progress, week 15.

We have flooring in my office, the bare bones of a utility room and the kitchen is first fixed. Also possess a washing machine and tumble drier even if we can't use them yet! The decorators have gone awol, after stripping the hall, stairs and landing of the horrible stinky wallpaper. Progress is being made though, and they have all promised me a working kitchen by Christmas - only 49 days away!