Day 10
Tuesday, August 20h
Day 10 already?! So many wasted days what with having to wait for tools and workmen, but here we are...with only a week left, we've hit the final stretch! The plasterers finished up today and I'd like to give them a shout out and say how great they were - people of Plymouth, Paul Hall and Plymouth Plasterers are your people!
So with the plastering now out of the way, finally, its full steam ahead on the finishing touches. We're hoping to find somewhere with a sander free first thing tomorrow so Woody will be doing that all day, whilst me and my lovely Mum who I've roped into helping will finish stripping the bedroom. We might even, stripping dependent, be able to start painting the undercoat and primer. We shall see.
 |
| LIVING ROOM, BEFORE PLASTER OR SKIM |
 |
| LIVING ROOM AFTER PLASTER, BEFORE SKIM |
 |
| BEDROOM AFTER PLASTER, BEFORE SKIM |
 |
| BEDROOM AFTER SKIM. BOOOOOTIFUL! |
Hubs' mum said to me when we first started 'make sure you take lots of photos so you can see your progress when you get in a rut' and she was so right. It might not seem a lot but what we have done is real progress. Just because it doesn't look finished doesn't mean we're far off.
Over & out.
Xo
Day 11
Wednesday, August 21st
When it comes to DIY, never, ever plan ahead.
With the floor sander hired, Woody got started downstairs, whilst upstairs, me and Mum started coating the bedroom walls with paper stripper. Once that was ready, we used the steamer and got to work.
Can you believe, though, that in 5 hours, all we managed to strip was ONE measly wall?! The wallpaper was so stubborn, and because it's slightly plasticy in places, it wouldn't soak up the stripper. But hey, one down, one and a half to go!
Woody was having trouble with the floors downstairs. Whilst the light wood was coming up slowly, the dark edges (where a previous carpet had probably been glued on) were not budging, and just kept ruining the sand paper.
We decided that the best option is to have a professional come round tomorrow and price up the rest of the job, otherwise we just won't be done in time.
But that won't stop us - we're buying undercoat and primer tomorrow to start painting the front room, and then the bedroom once I finish stripping it.
Oh, and only a couple of twingy stomach pains.
Thank god for that! Hopefully it was just a 48 hour bug.
xo
Wednesday, August 21st
When it comes to DIY, never, ever plan ahead.
With the floor sander hired, Woody got started downstairs, whilst upstairs, me and Mum started coating the bedroom walls with paper stripper. Once that was ready, we used the steamer and got to work.
 |
| Mother Duckling's help was fantastic. |
 |
| BEFORE |
 |
| AFTER |
 |
| AFTER |
Woody was having trouble with the floors downstairs. Whilst the light wood was coming up slowly, the dark edges (where a previous carpet had probably been glued on) were not budging, and just kept ruining the sand paper.
We decided that the best option is to have a professional come round tomorrow and price up the rest of the job, otherwise we just won't be done in time.
But that won't stop us - we're buying undercoat and primer tomorrow to start painting the front room, and then the bedroom once I finish stripping it.
Oh, and only a couple of twingy stomach pains.
Thank god for that! Hopefully it was just a 48 hour bug.
xo
Day 12
Thursday, August 22nd
We didn't do much in the way of decorating today due to other commitments. However, we did take some cement to the tip, and moved all the unwanted furniture from the dining room into the garden ready to be removed ASAP. This freed up loads of space for us to start moving our boxes over and start unpacking!
Whilst out buying new bowls for pup, we came across this (photo coming) stunning wooden mirror! Its what we've been looking for for months, and there it was, reduced to 1/3 of its original price. We had to have it!
We also bought the soap wash for the walls, and finally got a big pot of undercoat & primer for the walls which Woody is starting tomorrow whilst I finish stripping the bedroom.
We're cheating a little with the floors. A friend of ours' Father has a flooring company so we've now got him on board to do the floors next week. It worked out quicker and cheaper in the long run and we get stains and finish included, so less work for us = focus on the walls and moving/unpacking.
In the words of Phil Robertson...
everybody be happy happy happy!
Thursday, August 22nd
We didn't do much in the way of decorating today due to other commitments. However, we did take some cement to the tip, and moved all the unwanted furniture from the dining room into the garden ready to be removed ASAP. This freed up loads of space for us to start moving our boxes over and start unpacking!
Whilst out buying new bowls for pup, we came across this (photo coming) stunning wooden mirror! Its what we've been looking for for months, and there it was, reduced to 1/3 of its original price. We had to have it!
 |
| Seriously love this mirror! |
We also bought the soap wash for the walls, and finally got a big pot of undercoat & primer for the walls which Woody is starting tomorrow whilst I finish stripping the bedroom.
We're cheating a little with the floors. A friend of ours' Father has a flooring company so we've now got him on board to do the floors next week. It worked out quicker and cheaper in the long run and we get stains and finish included, so less work for us = focus on the walls and moving/unpacking.
In the words of Phil Robertson...
everybody be happy happy happy!
Day 13
Friday, August 23rd
Have you noticed I keep muddling up the dates and days?
Everything rolls into one right now.
Anyway, for those who asked about the lovely Phil above, he's from Duck Dynasty! Seriously, you must watch it. It's like Keeping up with the Kardashians if they were redneck duck hunters. Okay I'm only guessing now as I'd rather eat my own vomit than watch anything Kardashian related.
So anyways! Today was a good day. Probably more to do with the fact that we spent the afternoon with my parents hiking around South Devon.
But this morning we spent an hour in the house. Although it wasn't long, I stripped a huge part of the bedroom wall, and Woody cleaned the living room walls with sugar soap and covered the largest wall with primer.
We're planning on knocking out a good few hours tomorrow when I finish work at the ice rink, and then Sunday too, to get at least all the primer done in both rooms.
We bought a Point 'n' Paint the other day, after reading some great rrecommendations online. Well, let me tell you, what a load of cheap, nasty rubbish. If you're considering one, don't. It fell apart after halfway through the wall and the coverage is terrible, it drips and it does not do corners and edges the way it boasts it does.
 |
| Sweating like a pig for an hour straight and managed this much. I'll have it finished by the tomorrow evening :) |
 |
| Living room primer going on |
And a few from the afternoon ;)
Oh also, you may be wondering how the garden gate went.
Well. Let me tell you, the ruler Wickes used in their garden gate instruction manual seems to have been as reliable as using a banana. It still isn't built and probably won't be until the day we collect Scout. So much hassle for one little thing! When did DIY become so stressful?! (Don't answer that!)
4 whole days left to get the rest of the walls done and then it's moving day.
No point panicking... it'll be fine. I may have to rope in a few friends though.
Anyone?
:)
xo
Saturday, August 24th
I almost forgot I had work at the ice rink this morning, but luckily I remembered last night. It gave hubs a lie in and I got to see my lovely rinkies and skate the kids club.
We started the day by taking back the point 'n' paint. The woman in Homebase didn't even question it - she said that we weren't the first to return one and knew exactly what had broken. Lesson learnt - you get what you pay for! Luckily, the undercoat was on offer and after exchanging the painter, we got the paint free and £1.60 returned. Bargain!
We got back and attacked the walls. I was determined to finish the stripping the bedroom and worked myself stupid for 2 hours straight but it paid off - we finished! (Minus one wall but that's the easiest one. She says.)
Woody undercoated the majority of the living room, but its going to need another coat before the final colour goes on.
We have a van for Wednesday morning booked now to move everything so it's busy busy busy for the next few days!
"Patience is not the ability to wait but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting." - Joyce Meyer
 |
| Worlds most stubborn wallpaper! |
 |
| FINALLY! |
 |
| Undercoat layer 1 |
 |
| Undercoat layer 1 |
"Patience is not the ability to wait but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting." - Joyce Meyer
Day 15
Sunday, August 25th
The DIY bug officially got squished. I no longer enjoy decorating or moving of any sort. With only 3 days left yet so much to do, I think I'm minutes off having a nervous breakdown.
I started the second coat in the living room. Some of the paint had blistered where we assume the paint was too thick on the first coat, so we sanded it off and applied the second coat. As you can see, we used a whiter matte coat this time as it was so much cheaper. Why were we buying the small tubs again?!
We took all the rubble from the plasterers to the tip, and brought loads of boxes over to store until we unpack. Once we're in there, it'll be lovely. You just have to focus on the end result when times get stressful. Once the flooring's done on Thursday we'll move out furniture into the living room and it'll be a functioning room.
Oh and all this with an 8 week old puppy coming to live with us as of Wednesday...... uh oh!
xo
Day 16
Monday, August 26th
Today we headed over fairly early to get cracking with the final paint colour!
It's going to need another coat, but it's so rewarding to see the walls finally have some colour on them!
It dried a really nice colour eventually. Although slightly more 'wicker' than we anticipated, it's a nice neutral, clean colour that we can decorate with accessories of any colour. I think it'll compliment our beachy theme well.
 |
| Don't even talk to me about the fireplace. Its so revolting, but we have to wait until we can afford the upheaval of its removal. |
 |
| One down, one left. |
This amazing idea is taken from my lovely friend Joanna's Pinterest.
We'd like to have this quote in the centre, surrounded by photos of family and friends, pets, etc. Things that generally make us happy.
It's nice to be able to start thinking of the finishing touches like decor and accessories! I just know I'm going to be buying little pieces here and there all the time. The best place is charity shops - sometimes there are some amazing bargains. I'm always on the lookout for cheap things! :)
Tomorrow will be second coat day, now that Sky aren't coming until Wednesday. It also means that we have to get the majority of everything over to the house tomorrow so that on Wednesday, the removal guys can just take whats left - the heavy furniture. That leaves me to sit and wait for Mr. Sky installer guy at the house (and do a bit of dusting/hoovering/cleaning/unpacking).
Oh, and prepare for Scout's afternoon arrival!
Did I mention that I cannot WAIT to go get him?!
That FACE!!!!
I'm in love with him already.
Anyway. Lots of packing to be doing.
Over & Out.
XO
Day 17
Tuesday, August 27th
Well our Internet and phone line at the flat was disconnected this morning, making it all seem very real! Only 24 hours to go until the big move!
The majority of the morning was spent at the house waiting for the British Heart Foundation to come view the furniture. They came but they only took one cabinet so we're hoping our friend can come remove the rest for us ASAP!
We spent the afternoon cleaning the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom ready for moving tomorrow. At least with those rooms functioning we can have some sort of normality! We started to unpack our kitchen boxes too - it was nice to put our own things on the shelves, in the cupboards, etc. It's starting to look like our home now and less like my Grandma's old house. I guess after the front room is done it won't look anything like it used to, so that helps...then I'm free to do the fun part - finding homes for the photo frames, wall hangings, decorations and accessories!! That's got to be the best part, right?!
We did a few trips to bring sole boxes across, then headed back for our last night in the flat. It took a while but we managed to pack all the electronics - labelling everything as we went - so we can set it up tomorrow for the Sky installers. We still don't have the garden gate up but that can wait.
Plan for tomorrow? Moving van in the morning to bring all the furniture over and remaining boxes. Unpack! We can't put any furniture in the living room until after the floor is done on Thursday so that'll have to live in another room until then. No tv for 48 hours - but a puppy to keep us entertained :) oh yes. It's nearly midnight as I write this! So not long until the day we pick up our little bundle of fluff!!!!
We're not there yet, but we're slowly learning to embrace the chaos and enjoy the ride, because we have the rest of our lives to make it perfect!
Over & Out
Xo
No comments:
Post a Comment