Summer Terrace - Day 1 - before and making a start

I'm going to try to live blog my latest renovation project.  No promises but I really will try!  Also, as I mentioned in a previous post, I am useless at remembering to take before photos so these are "before-ish" photos.  I should also confess it isn't really day 1 either but I have been too busy on other projects to make a start, so lets just all agree to call it day 1. (There is a good chance day 2 will be next week...)

I think this is a good point for me to say something that I find really important but is often overlooked.  You have to recognise that the property was someone else's home for probably many years, it might be dated but I'm not going to mock their home.  It's just a respect thing.  Yes, sometimes properties will be filthy and disgusting, but you don't know why, it might be a really sad story.  This property through is super clean, it was obviously well loved and cared for, just not updated to current fashions.

This project is a 1900's-ish terrace which has already had the loft converted making the two-up two-down into a 3 bed with a large master bedroom in the loft space.  It has high ceilings on every floor (great now, but ask me again when I'm painting the ceilings) and has loads of potential.

So here goes a mini tour with the current plans.....

The kitchen is being replaced with a different layout, creating more storage space with white cupboards and oak (laminate) worktops.

The fireplace has already been removed today in the process of making the gas safe. Fingers crossed to be replaced with a wood/multi-fuel burner.....I'll let you know how the budget goes with that one though.

The stairs are fine, I'll probably paint the bannister and spindles, etc. just to look more contemporary but they are fine and even the open tread stars conform to regulations (bonus!)

This is the smallest bedroom currently, but should become larger when the chimney is removed.  

The chimney is a main priority because it is not used and the chimney breast goes through the loft, 1st floor but not the ground floor and I have seen many cases where they aren't properly supported and therefore unsafe. 

(Excuse the boxes in this picture - the new kitchen arrived early!)

The bathroom, perfectly functional but being replaced with a modern white suite, probably in the same layout as it is now.

Bed 2 - the main change here and throughout the house is to re-route the heating pipes under the floor rather than being boxed in around the walls as they are now.  It technically isn't necessary but I don't like to cut corners.

The staircase and landing - this will (if it goes to plan) make a big difference, I'm hoping to remove large parts of each end of the wall and replace it with bannister which will let the light flow and make it feel less of a corridor.  As you can see here the light is on, there is no natural light here so I also want to add a window or sun tunnel.

Textured plaster (in the background - told you I was rubbish at photos!)

I'm not mocking it, it was massive in the 80's but so unpopular now that it has to go.  After long discussions with plasterers we decided that we could knock the points off and skim over it to make it smooth.  

However while I was stripping wallpaper elsewhere (you can see some at the bottom of this photo) I took some aggression out on the textured plaster and it turns out it is only a thin top coat and there is some pretty lovely smooth plaster beneath.  It should save a lot of money in plastering over it, but it is going to take me many hours.  

Then there is the top floor - I don't have a photo so I'll save this for another day.  Also, the top floor is a big dilemma for me, I've decided to add an ensuite bathroom up there, but I can't decide whether to leave it as a huge master suite or divide it and make an extra bedroom.  Others in the street have done both, and statistically the extra bedroom creates a higher sale price, but thats just statistics and we all know that a property is only worth as much as someone wants to pay.......decisions for another day.  

Property Development - first things first

So, you have bought a house in need of renovation. Great!  But put that hammer down, there are lots of things to be done first that people often forget.

Taking over a property is similar to moving house, and I'll share my "to do" list below.  Some of these probably only apply in the UK, but many are universal.

1. Check the house and contents.  Is everything as you expected, (usually in renovation, if the vendors have taken anything you were expecting to be left its a bonus) look back to the legal documents to check if anything should or shouldn't have been left.

I have just taken over a property and have inherited several items I wasn't expecting, including a large wardrobe on the 2nd floor - I personally wouldn't fuss if it was just a couple of small things that had clearly been overlooked but a big wardrobe is a nightmare and will cost me to dispose of (I couldn't even give it away).

2.  Read the meters.  Yes you are excited and want to get on, but first you need to read the meters or you could end up paying someone else's bill.  I use my phone to take a photo of the meters just in case there are any disputes, depending on your specific phone, it can also be a good idea to email the photos to yourself so they are date and time stamped by the email.  Let the utility company know as soon as possible.  

Don't forget about the water too.  My water provider allows free use of water for renovation (with certain exceptions like sandblasting or major plastering) but you have to let them know to qualify.

3.  Tell the council.  Every council is different for how they manage council tax, some are free if it's empty, some have a discount, and some are full price no matter what.  Let them know as soon as possible so that you get any relevant discount applied from the very beginning. 

4.  Turn off the power and water.  This is more of a choice, I like to know that I'm not wasting energy (or money) while I'm not using any. 

5.  Make friends.  Going into a new property for the first time invariably is met with twitching curtains at the neighbours houses.  Take advantage, no one is better placed to keep an eye on the property while you aren't there.  I try to introduce myself to neighbours as soon as possible, give them my number in case of problems and I check they don't work shifts, so I cause minimal annoyance.

6.  Security.  Make sure the property is secure as you most likely won't be there all the time and an empty property is sadly a target for crime.  Also, your insurance will probably specify locks types on doors and windows and there is no point in insurance if it isn't valid for any reason.  I try to keep curtains up for as long as possible too.  Some people choose to change the locks, this is up to you and what the existing locks are like.

I'm assuming you already have insurance here, if you don't have insurance, stop reading this and go get it.  It's important and make sure you get the right type, there are several policies out there for empty properties and renovations, whereas most common policies have small print that means you wouldn't be covered in the event of a claim if it is unoccupied or undergoing renovation.

7.  Measure.  If you didn't get chance prior to purchase, take the chance in an empty house to get a full set of accurate measurements.  These are useful for so many reasons, but I like to carry them with me incase I see any bargains on my travels that I can't wait for.  

The measurements I usually forget to take are height of the window from the floor - which sounds like a pretty random and insignificant measurement but you need it for lots of reasons like will a radiator fit (if there isn't one already), buying curtains (if applicable) and more importantly if you require toughened glass in the window. Check building regulations for the rules, any good supplier or fitter should also tell you.


8.  Photographs.  To say I once worked as a photographer, I am rubbish at this one.  I always get so excited with tearing wallpaper off and ripping out the kitchen that I never have 'before' photos.  In fact, I was hoping to share my latest renovation with you and even on this one I forgot the first photos - so its the 'nearly before' photos.

Taking photos are great, not only to show the transformation, but also while you are buying things you can refer to photos (especially if you have some on your phone or camera you keep with you).  I find that I forget things like where are the plug sockets and how low the window is in a certain room. Its amazing how many details are missed.


9.  Rubbish.  Take time to find out, or ask the neighbours about the bin collections. How often? Which day? If you live in an area with lots of bins, which ones on which days?  It may not seem to matter if you aren't going to be living there but its amazing how much rubbish and recyclables can be put in the regular bins (for free) and not have to go in a skip.  Also, if you make friends with your neighbour they might even put your bin out for you if you can't or forget.


10.  Address.  This one sounds really obvious, but applies more if you have several properties or aren't local.  Take time to learn the postcode of the property and the surrounding street names if you don't already.  You are likely to be getting lots of deliveries and I am always getting calls from lost drivers and its great if you can give local directions.

Also, under address but on a completely different theme, when you are setting up utilities and other bills, make sure they understand that you don't live there (if you don't) and set up a separate correspondence address for your home.  This is becoming much more common and simple, but it does go wrong sometimes and you can end up with statements and certificates going missing.




Let me know in the comments, or by email if you prefer, if you have any other 'first things' for the list.

Making the most of a small bathroom - storage

I have been given another small bathroom challenge. While I'm getting a design together to make the most of the space, I thought I would write some of my 'top tips' here.
If you want to see the previous post about making the most of a small bathroom, it's here.

1.  Floor space, for extra storage space, get an under-sink unit which is wall mounted. Not only is it extra space for bottles of lotions and potions, but also seeing more floor space will make your bathroom feel much bigger. 

2.  Storage. What do you NEED to store in the bathroom?  Could that laundry basket be stored somewhere else?  Do you really need all those bottles of shampoo at once? 

3.  Shelving.  Now that we have sorted out which items are needed and which can be stored elsewhere, the question is how to store it.  An under sink storage unit (above) is a great use of space to store toiletries and cleaning products.   Another brilliant way of storing smaller cosmetics and medicine is a mirrored cupboard above the sink.
Here are a few ideas around pinterest.

                            

4.  Built in storage. 

                              

These ideas are only really applicable in a total bathroom redesign but great uses of space for storage.

5.  Bath.  Do you need a bath? It goes without saying that the bath takes up the most space, and for some it is completely essential, others rarely have a bath so it isn't worth the space it takes.

Another previous client who was very tall said he enjoyed a bath but couldn't  lie down in a regular bath without some serious leg contortion around the taps needed a solution.  I had a pretty extreme solution for him, which was to  put in a large shower in the bathroom and a hot tub outside, for the relaxing soak.  Obviously the cost of this was more than triple the cost of the whole bathroom but as I always say, if it works for you then it's the right thing to do.

Another option, which I have done, but wouldn't work for everyone, is to add an  ensuite. If you have one member of the household who needs a bath and someone else who can't mans age to step into the bath for an over-bath shower. A separate shower cubicle in an ensuite could work.
                              

This is the floor plan and photos from an ensuite I added into a bedroom, the overall size was 2.5 x 1m - small but perfectly formed.  The key to this design working was a small basin, which was ok because there was a full size basin in the bathroom and the shower had an inward folding door to save space.

I hope some of these tips have helped you, let me know in the comments if you have used any or have any other ideas.

*photo credits unknown - except ensuite which are all ©HD. 

Real Home Interior Design - Theming 'Disney Style' - Disneyland Paris

Following on from my post about the interior design theming from Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, I wanted to share a few more themed hotels, this time from Disneyland Paris.

Having been to Disneyland Paris and stayed in 3 of their hotels I started to write this thinking there will be lots to write about, lots of theming, but then I looked back through photos and realised that the rooms aren't very themed, it is the public areas and exteriors that have the most theming.  My favourite is Hotel Cheyenne, 

Hotel Cheyenne - what Cowboy or Cowgirl wouldn't want to stay here?

But there are still some ideas to be taken from hotels at Disneyland Paris.

Firstly, from Newport Bay Club nautical themed photos and frames and a Mickey nautical headboard for all the little sailors out there.

The photo frames could easily be created from a circular frame, painted to look like a porthole.  The headboard would take far more skill, but could be painted for a similar effect.

This next photo is from the ceiling in the Sleeping Beauty Suite at the Disneyland Hotel.  If you look closely amongst the clouds you can see the three good fairies, Flora, Fauna and Merryweather flying above you.  I think this is a cute detail and wouldn't it be nice to have the good fairies watching over you as you sleep?

So the next 2 aren't Disney hotels, they are partner hotels at Disneyland Paris so I'm including them, also they take theming to an amazing level!

Firstly, at Vienna International Magic Circus hotel, a family room.  I just love the 'big top' curtain around the bunk beds, and if your clown or acrobat wants a big top bedroom this would be really easy to recreate.  

Use a curved shower rail or other ceiling hung curved curtain rail, make a red card (or fabric if you can) and hang a circus themed curtain from the rail. This fabric is very big top, and if you want to go the extra mile, paint stripes to match the curtains on the wall behind the bed.  You could also use circus themed wall stickers.

If you don't want a curtain around the bed, you could make curtains behind the bed and have the same striped bedding to give a similar effect.

The next is Algonquin's Explorers Hotel and your little adventurers would be right at home in this jungle.  I don't usually like a wall mural but this one is just so good that I can't resist, especially with the hammock between the trees.  If you wanted to create a jungle wall mural and don't have the skills to paint one, to the budget to pay an artist, there are some ready made wallpaper murals available, I quite like this one.