Progress

The dry wall & insulation have started to go up, walls are being constructed for storage space and the plumbing is being configured for the bathroom.  It's starting to take shape!

A view of our soon-to-be closet space

Mudlarking on the Thames

After reading a NY Times article on treasure hunting the shores of the Thames, I've pulled out my Wellies, bookmarked the tide tables and am searching my calendar for when I can go!  Etsy also had a similar article recently and it looks like this trend is catching on. The thought of uncovering broken pottery and mementos from centuries ago (really anything, for that matter) makes me more excited than when we got our stairs to the loft installed.  And that's hard to top!

NY Times - The Wading Game
Etsy.com - Mudlarking

Done and Done

I've finally finished the trim at the top of the house.  I know now that there were faster ways to finish the work but its done and I'm onto my next DIY project.

Before...

During the sanding and chipping process...

Done

Happy Friday!

Our new Velux windows have arrived!  Our builder Dave was busy today installing one of them and then found a broken tile in our roof which he spent some time fixing.  I'd rather a small delay to the loft than a leaky roof later!

Before...

After!  (Matt, one of our builders)

Dave the Builder replacing a broken roof slate 

I spent the day sanding and chipping paint from the apex trim and applied the first coat of primer.  And I learned a new skill in order to get to the hard-to-reach places...  Balancing my weight on a piece of plywood at the top of the scaffolding with an electric sander in my hand.  I am sure this will come in handy someday, in a "Stupid Human Tricks That Could Likely End in Death" competition.

Like my shades?  

It's Raining, It's Pouring!

I get that I live in London but this constant rain in June is getting ridiculous.  I want last summer's weather back.

We now officially have the means for heat and running water up to the loft.  Mark's also been stripping the hallway of the wallpaper that has accumulated over 100 years and has been slowly peeling away.

I've been busy showing my dear friends Reid and Ian from Seattle, all the sites of London over the past 2 days.  I'm simply exhausted.  : )  As my punishment for slacking, I get to clean the thick dust, that turns quickly to greasy mud, that has formed over our appliances, dishes and work tops.

Our kitchen boiler with the new loft plumbing installed

One hundred years of wallpaper and paint, gone

Let There Be Light

Right now, nothing makes me more happy than this couple's kitchen, featured yesterday on Design*Sponge.  Mark and I would like to achieve this same airy effect in our loft or hallway (somehow)...

Photo courtesy of Design*Sponge

The Great Oudoors

I'm taking advantage of our scaffolding and am repairing the white trim at the top of our house.  I never noticed how badly it needed a paint job until our builder pointed it out.  The rest of the week will be dedicated to more chipping and sanding, then I'll apply the gloss paint.  It's a longer process than I thought but it's been lovely to be outside and have our neighbors scream at me from below, just to say "hi" (I usually have my iPod on).  I also think everyone should experience paint chips being flicked into their eyes...

Dyna was concerned for my safety