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	New kitchen starts to take shape ... November 7th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins The kitchen fitters started work this week, whilst the builders finish off the ground floor so things have got a little cramped downstairs, but work is progressing well. Work progressing well on ground floor! November 1st, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins The footings for the new re-enforced steel joist where excavated yesterday exposing what looks like an old wall underneath the kitchen. The builders have made good progress today and managed to clear all the rubble away and exposed the second beam that runs across what was the back room. Tomorrow the kitchen arrives and the fitter starts on Monday, so yet more tradesman around the house. We went and bought the new door furniture from Dartington Steel Design (see http://www.dartington.com/) which do a fabulour range of high quality door furniture. Our architect was keen to see the progress and I would like to take this chance to thank Jon Hills for all his help throughout the project (Jon Hills Architectural Design). I will post a full list of tradesman in the next few days and I think it's only fair they are recognised for their help they have given throughout the project. Without them we would not be able to realise our dreams of renovating the house to somewhere near to its former glory. Chaos reins as builders start last phase! October 30th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins This morning was chaos as the builders, electricians and plumbers descended upon us as the last major work gets underway. The plumbers and electricians are starting the first fix for the kitchen before it arrives on Friday whilst the builders started knocking down the main wall between what was the front room and kitchen (in the rear of the property). Now the wall has been removed the original beam has been exposed and you can see the original doorway cut into the beam which would suggest the ground floor was originally three seperate rooms, although we really aren't sure, but its blown DNP's theories in to smitherines! Work starts on the ground floor tomorrow! October 29th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins The builders are back on site tomorrow removing the wall in the middle of the building to create an open plan kitchen, dining room and lounge. The next two weeks are going to be really exciting as this is the last major peace of building work to be done. Before we start the work I thought we'd show you the downstairs as it is now ... Living room almost complete! October 29th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins We have finally finished re-decorating the living room and renovating the timber cupboard which was previously painted and masked the craftmanship that lay beneath years of paint (including gold leaf)! Damp proofing, en-suite and master room completed! October 5th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins Last few weeks have being extremely hectic at work, but renovation works has progressed well. The master bedroom has now being completed (including en-suite) and look fabulous ... ... and Trisha did the tiling herself, brilliant job! The dampproofing was completed and a new beam exposed in the kitchen, which was a bonus! Damp proofing work starts ... September 6th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins The plaster has been removed, exposing some of the original stonework along with some more recent masonary ... Planning / listed building conscent finally through ... September 1st, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins A big thanks to John Hills, our architect who has managed to get all the planning applications through for us. We finally received all the paperwork through so can start getting the various jobs underway. This includes:- damp proofing in downstairs front room and kitchen; alterations to downstairs, which including knocking down the wall between the front and the kitchen making a large open plan space; changing the location of the doorways on the second floor installing an en-suite bathroom in the master bedroom. We will also be installing a new kitchen as soon as the damp proofing has been completed. We have started on the top bedroom at last! July 24th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins We have at last started the top front bedroom, which seemed to have missed our best intensions despite it been our bedroom. At last we have a wardrobe to hang clothes in! We also discovered a leak in the roof and as part of the work had to replaster part of the bedroom. Whilst the plasterer was hacking off the old blown plasterwork we found part of the original medival "A Frame" and decided to leave it exposed, so we have another beam. What is amazing is that the whole property had been sterilised during renovations carried out during the '80s and we are finding more and more of the original 14th century fabric as we renovate each room. It is great fun and very rewarding to be able to restore what is left and show the original building some much deserved respect. Another Beam :-) July 10th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins During meetings with DNP we discovered the large boxed beam was an original timber beam as the Planning Officier thought it might be a steel. Thankfully this beam had not been hacked apart (as the one in the front room). Planning Permission Posted July 10th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins DNP have now posted notices about the planning application for the alterations downstairs and en-suite bathroom on the top floor. Structure Engineer had site visit with DNP Planning Officer about alterations and everything seems to be going well (touch wood)! Plans submitted! June 29th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins The plans have finally been submitted to the Dartmoor National Park and initial discussions are going well. John (our architect) has done a fantastic job! Bathroom taking shape ... June 29th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins The bathroom is starting to really take shape now the tiles have been put up and the shower is working! At long last we can have a decent shower and be safe in teh fact the bath will not drop through into the kitchen below! New heating system installed and electricians finshed first and second floors! June 3rd, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins The plumbers have done a remarkable job, dispite the fact Plumb Center let them down deliverying the wrong sink, a cracked toilet pan and deliverying the two weeks late! Stewart and his team have worked along side Paul (the electrician) and we now have heat, a bathroom and lights. Plumbers start installing new heating system ... May 15th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins The entire heating system is been replaced. the current system uses micro-bore copper pipe and an old style combi boiler. The plumbers have estimated the work will take three weeks, which includes replacing the existing "sunken bathroom" (currently dissappearing through wrotten timber flooring)! Hidden beams ... April 27th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins The boxed beams in the front room and kitchen are the original timber beams from the house, cannot beleive these have been covered up with plaster casement. The really scary bit is that the builders scrapped 1 1/2" off the bottom og the beam in the front room (presumably to get through building regs.) Site Meetings ... May 11th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins We had a site meeting with DNP that went well yesterday. Plumber and electrician about to start work on heating system, bathrooms and lighting. Listed building consent ... April 27th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins We have agreed plans with the architect, ready for submitting to the Dartmoor National Park that include the damp proofing required in the kitchen and front downstairs rooms. Both areas of damp are caused by the external ground levels been higher than the internal floor level. We have also agreed the new layout for the first floor, which is really exciting. The plumber is starting work on the 15th, so things are progressing well! Next step, top bedroom ... April 23rd, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins We are about to tackle the top bedroom at the back of the house, just to show you the task ahead here's what it looks like now! Living room cupboard April 22nd, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins Haven't had much to say due to other commitments, but finally managed to move into the living room and see what we could do with the cupboard. I was convinced that a gem was hidden under the years of gloss paint! Some professional help April 14th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins We have taken on an architect to help us with getting the plans through the listed building consent and planning permission process. Downstairs hallway gets a make over March 2nd, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins OK, its taken us a while to get the hallways through out the house decorated and I was desperate to get the downstairs hallway looking better. Having redecorated the hall we found some tiles on special offer and could not resist, so we finally have one area looking the way we want it, almost! The last landing at the top of the house ... Febuary 20th, 2007 Posted by Charlie Collins We have finally reached the top of the house and Trisha borrowed some ladders from a local builder so that we could reach the ceilings. The photos below show before and after, the last of the yellow! Our first winter ... December 10th, 2006 Posted by Charlie Collins Weather is freezing outside, unfortuantly the heating system at the top of the house isn't really working so we are hoping winter isn't going to be too harsh. I am working away at the moment so not much getting done. We have concentrated on getting hallway and landings done ... Warts and all .... October 20th, 2006 Posted by Charlie Collins Well after a long haul we eventually moved in today! The house looks like a disaster and we found out the bath leaks, but its all part of the fun. Found a gem! June 5th, 2006 Posted by Charlie Collins Found a gem in Ashburton that I can actually afford! Doesn't look much and you have to see beyond the current decorations but think I have found a potential house to buy!
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