Getting the details right..........

 

Fitting the two solar thermal panels on the roof for the hot water system.

Whilst there is plenty of big stuff still to do including guttering and downpipes and the final cladding - more on this in my next post - the last couple of weeks have also been about the small (yet very important) things.  We are fortunate to have some very skilled guys working on site who have been working hard to mix old and new seamlessly.  The new windows have been sealed into the existing hardwood frames with beading and the work has started to bring the re-used panelling back to its original glory.

 This is great joinery detailing that has been done round the new window on the staircase.  It also means we have sealed up all the tiny gaps and so our house is more and more draught free - important as we have put in quite small radiators. - see earlier posts

The re-used panelling (from the dining hall) has been stained and polished up as a feature wall in the master bedroom - all ready for carpeting next week!  The window sills have also been stained to match the new windows.  




The decorators have also been very busy this week and have finished the master bedroom, dressing room, en-suite, kitchen and TV room.  This means that next week we can carpet, and finally move into, our new bedroom.  We can also move back into the kitchen and reveal the kitchen units from under their blue plastic protective covering and unpack all the kitchen equipment.  All that is left to do is the flooring, the splashback and cooker hood and then finally the fridge can be put in place. 

Shelves and decorating finished in the kitchen

The covers come off the cream gloss units

  




























I have also made another very successful Ebay purchase - an unusual mid century Zebrano wood sideboard.  Zebrano wood is an African hardwood The darkly stained hardwood goes brilliantly with the dark wood worktops and details in the kitchen. 

We also have a lovely ensuite bathroom and the floor will be completed in here next week.  Some lovely wood details have been achieved here such as the bath panels, mirror and a shelf detail on top of the boxed in pipework. 

Master bathroom ready for the floor covering

View from master bedroom through the dressing room to the bathroom.  The wardrobes have been made from a mixture of up-cycled original wardrobe fittings and new wood.

This is the family bathroom, newly plastered, with the original hardwood vanity unit being re-fitted.  More great joinery from the team including matching in the original hardwood coving detail.







 

  
The new Rais Q-Tee wood burning stove blazing happily in the sitting room - Oh and we have the heating back on so the house is toasty for the first time in three months! Actually, it was really funny when the heating came back on as we were too hot!  It shows that the mechanical ventilation system is essential to maintain good air quality in our super insulated well sealed house - this has yet to be commissioned.




  
So, all in all, we have made huge progress in the last 2 weeks.  Rooms are ready for floor coverings and occupation.  Heating is on and bathrooms are being fitted.  The house is finally turning from a building site into a home and the furnishings and finishing touches can start.  These seemingly small details, which are so important, can make the difference and turn an ordinary room into something a bit different. Next week I think there will be some brilliant pictures to show for all this effort .........